Carnival Cruise Line has announced it will introduce bocce on 18 ships across its fleet, including Carnival Glory, Carnival Miracle and Carnival Magic, adding another popular activity for guests to enjoy while at sea.
Bocce is a traditional Italian ball sport related to lawn bowling. Historically played on a court roughly 60 feet long and 12 feet wide, the game’s standard dimensions made it difficult to offer in confined spaces like cruise ships. That changed with the development of a compact, inflatable court known as Packabocce, created by New Zealand company Packaworld. The portable court makes it possible to play bocce in nontraditional locations such as ship decks and other public areas.
Joey Colby-Begovich, manager of entertainment experience for Carnival Cruise Line, said the company is excited to bring bocce to guests. “Bocce is a fantastic ice-breaker and can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. The response from our guests has been wonderful,” Colby-Begovich said.
The ease of setup offered by the Packabocce court, combined with bocce’s accessibility to players of varying athletic ability, drove Carnival’s decision to add the game to onboard offerings. Bocce provides a relaxed, social way for guests to spend time outdoors while enjoying friendly competition.
Guests sailing on ships that include bocce should consult their onboard activity schedules to find times and locations for games and to join in this classic pastime while onboard.