Amusement parks used to be land-based only.
Increasingly, though, adrenalin junkies can get their kicks at sea.
Cruise lines are installing a variety of roller coasters
and other rides on the top decks of their latest ships. Some are high-tech and motorized;
others rely on water, gravity or human power. Many are included in the cruise
fare, while others charge an additional fee. Either way, these shipboard thrill
rides will surely get your heart racing!
Bolt
Carnival Cruise Line bills the new, all-electric Bolt
Ultimate Sea Coaster as the first and fastest roller coaster at sea, capable
of reaching speeds up to 40 miles per hour. Strap in and zoom your
motorcycle-style speed machine around an open-air course high, high above sea
level, the cruise line says. Cost: $15. Available on Mardi Gras, Carnival
Celebration and Carnival Jubilee.
Skyride
Carnivals aptly named Skyride is another high-flying
thrill, a spin that is a bit like biking in the sky. Zip safely around the suspended
two-lane course, driven solely by pedal power, and get a great lower body
workout! Cost: Included. Available on Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and
Carnival Visa.
AquaDuck Water Coaster
Disney Cruise Lines AquaDuck water coaster was among
the first to combine water with a thrill ride. Passengers careen through a
water-gushing acrylic tube in a two-person raft, reaching speeds of 14 miles
per hour. The serpentine course winds up, down, around and off the ship's side,
then through the forward funnel before ending with a daredevil four-deck plunge.
Its a quacking good time! says the line. Cost: Included. Available on Disney
Dream and Disney Fantasy.
AquaMouse Water Slide
Disneys AquaMouse Water Slide is billed as the lines
first-ever Disney-themed attraction at sea, featuring none other than Mickey
Mouse. Much like the AquaDuck, this coaster-type attraction uses rafts to take guests
on a wild ride around the ship's top deck. Along the way, they're doused with water,
dazzled by lighting effects, and treated to images of Mickey from his many
cartoon shorts. Cost: Included. Available on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure
Himalayn Bridge
MSC Cruises has a unique suspended catwalk, known as
the Himalayan Bridge, located tantalizingly high at the aft end of three of its
vessels. Situated some 195 feet above sea level, its a truly unique place to
take your daily constitutional, with superb ocean views thrown in for good
measure, as the line says. Cost: Included. Available on MSC Grandiosa, MSC
Bellissima and MSC Meraviglia.
MSC Zipline
MSC also has racing ziplines aboard two other ships in
its fleet. These are the longest ziplines ever installed on a cruise ship, according
to their designers, Adrenaline Constructions, consisting of two parallel lines,
each stretching nearly 500 feet long. The energizing flight lasts 15 seconds, during
which riders reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour! Cost: $10. Available on MSC
Seaview and MSC Seaside.
Aqua Slidecoaster
Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce a hybrid roller
coaster/waterslide on its next vessel, the first in the expanded Prima-Plus
class, debuting in April 2025. Complete with exhilarating dual slides and a
magnetic lift that propels adventurous guests through two different courses, the
Aqua Slidecoaster will feature three stories of exciting twists and turns
around the ships funnel, according to the line. Cost: Included. Available on
Norwegian Aqua.
Go-Karts
NCL has the only racetracks at sea, where passengers
can compete against each other in electric go-karts. These multi-level
speedways are part of the lines ThrillPlex entertainment zone that also
includes laser-tag, an aquapark and virtual gaming. The largest tracks are on
the new Prima-class ships. Cost: $15. Available on Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian
Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
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Sea Breeze
Princess Cruises will introduce the Sea Breezethe
first-ever Rollglider at seaaboard its new Sphere Class in February as part of
the top-deck Park 19 family activity zone that also includes a ropes course,
vertical climbing wall, and open-air viewing platform. Strap into this
hang-glider-inspired electric ride and enjoy panoramic ocean views while
zipping along at speeds up to 11 miles per hour! Cost: TBA. Available on Sun
Princess.
Crown's Edge
Royal Caribbean International unveils its latest
heartstopperthe Crowns Edgeaboard the forthcoming Icon of the Seas in
January. Set high above the sea near the ships crown-and-anchor logo, the new
attraction is part skywalk, part obstacle course, part thrill ride and an
all-out test of courage, according to the line. Cost: $89.99. Available on
Icon of the Seas.
Zipline on Wonder Of The Seas. (Photo Credit: Taylor Beckett)
Royal Caribbean Zipline
Royal Caribbean International offers shipboard ziplines
on its Oasis-class ships. Similar to ziplines found ashore in Alaska and the
Caribbean, these shipboard versions provide that same spinetingling rush high
above the Boardwalk neighborhood, situated some nine decks below. Cost: Included.
Available on Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas,
Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas.
RipCord
RipCord by iFLY is a skydiving simulator found on Royal
Caribbeans Quantum-class ships, which recreates the feeling of freefall
without ever leaving the deck. Don your flight suit and goggles, step into the 23-foot-tall,
glass-enclosed flight chamber and enjoy approximately 60 seconds of
weightlessness! Cost: Included. Available on Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the
Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.
FlowRider
Royal Caribbeans FlowRider surfing simulator was
first introduced on Freedom of the Seas and became a mainstay on its oversized
vessels. Passengers can stand or boogie board against 30,000 gallons of rushing
water in a 40-foot pool that simulates the motion of the ocean. Some ships may
have more than one FlowRider aboard. Cost: Included (private lessons available
for a fee). Available on all ships in the Icon, Oasis, Quantum, Freedom and Voyager
classes.
North Star
RCI was a pioneer when it introduced the North Star
sky ride on its Quantum-class vessels. The impressive North Star is a robot arm
connected to a 14-passenger capsule. When raised from its horizontal position,
the arm lifts that capsule 80 degrees into the air for 360-degree views. Cost: $20-$40,
depending on ship and destination. Available on Anthem of the Seas, Odyssey of
the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas
(currently closed for maintenance).
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