From rollgliders to virtual rail experiences, cruise lines are introducing groundbreaking new attractions to entertain guests while on board. The rise in multigenerational family travel in the cruise sector has widened the range of passenger demographics for many cruise lines. As a result, cruise entertainment and attraction options must appeal to a wide range of ages whilst also keeping up to date with the latest trends.
Competitive socialisation brings together a range of traditional activities such as tenpin bowling, crazy golf and darts, along with novel and innovative offerings such as racing car simulators and social cricket, into an immersive and contemporary environment. Many operators are also focusing on providing extensive food and beverage options alongside these activities, making it a great way to capitalise on their captive audience.
This entertainment trend has swept the globe over the past few years, with recent reports finding that participation in competitive socialising activities increased 13% to 71% between 2019 and 2023.
Enter Duckpin Social
Brunswick is one of the most recognisable names in the bowling industry thanks to its global presence, long history in the game, and wide range of products and services on offer. In this article, we spoke with Brandon Meigs, Brunswick Bowling’s Vice President of Product Solutions, about their innovative bowling solution, Duckpin Social. Read on to learn why this well-established game is the perfect attraction to lead in the fast-growing space of competitive socialisation.
“The main premise is to provide various easily understood forms of entertainment with low barriers of use,” said Meigs, namechecking the likes of beer pong, axe throwing and pickleball to combine with bowling, creating an attraction destination that will draw in a wide audience. While the likes of the tenpin game are ever-popular, modified and gamified versions of the traditional game are gaining fans across the world. Brunswick’s Duckpin Social, which features lower weight and smaller balls, is quickly becoming a popular attraction for operators. Meigs believes: “The smaller bowling balls mitigate intimidation of large, heavy tenpin bowls, so all guests can participate.
“Virtually everyone knows how to bowl and has some experience bowling. Overwhelmingly, these experiences are good memories for most people.
“The [Duckpin] game is quicker than the traditional tenpin bowling, which fits today’s fast-paced lifestyles. Guests can get a real bowling experience in a shorter period of time while enjoying great food and cocktails and engaging in friendly competition in a social setting. “Bowling is the ultimate form of social recreation and entertainment, and Duckpin Social allows access to the product of bowling in many more types of facilities compared to traditional full-length bowling.”
A space-saving solution
Whereas once the game was traditionally restricted to large commercial spaces, those that could accommodate 60ft of polished wood and a large, stringless pinsetter, now smaller family entertainment centers (FEC) are discovering the delights that these new, shrunken games can deliver. “Where Duckpin Social excels is the ability for more facilities to offer bowling as an option, especially in existing facilities where space isn’t being added,” said Meigs. “The biggest barrier to entry with traditional bowling is the space required. As cost of space continues to increase, operators continue to look for ways to maximise revenue per square foot, while providing the right mix of product.” Using just a third of the space required for standard bowling, Duckpin Social is ideal for venues where space is at a premium, such as cruise ships.
Brunswick Bowling exhibited at Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas 2024. CSI Design Expo Americas is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry.
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Check out the Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) Design Expo Americas blog for more design insights and the latest industry updates. CSI Design Expo Americas is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry. The next event will be taking place on 3 – 4 June 2025 alongside Hotel & Resort Design South and Cruise Xperience Innovation Summit at the Miami Beach Convention Center.