Are your clients planning a family cruise this year? The world’s newest megaships boast amazing onboard cruise ship attractions and activities that will keep kids of all ages busy for hours. Here’s Karryon’s pick of the most fun experiences at sea that are bigger, bolder and wilder than ever.
Although Royal Caribbean has just taken delivery of its newest ship, Utopia of the Seas – due to set sail on July 19 in the Caribbean – the giant cruise line is also the current owner of the biggest ship in the world: Icon of the Seas, which made its debut in January this year.
Royal Caribbean specialises in big, bigger and totally over-the-top cruise ship attractions. It is renowned for the size of its ships, the size of its fleet (including Utopia, that’s now 28) and the sheer audacity of its (usually biggest, wildest, longest) onboard cruise ship attractions.
What other cruise line would think of putting ice rinks, climbing walls, skydiving and surfing simulators on board its ships back in the day?
Well, maybe Norwegian Cruise Line, which is something of an adventurer itself when it comes to innovative amusement park-style cruise ship attractions. Five of its newest megaships – Norwegian Viva, Prima, Encore, Joy and Bliss – boast go-kart tracks that run over two or three decks.
Carnival Cruise Line’s three newest megaships – Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee – sport BOLT rollercoasters and its SkyRide cruise ship attractions, featured on Vista-class ships Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Vista, while not scarily adventurous (apart from those with a fear of heights) is certainly innovative.
Note: Apart from Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class vessels – Quantum and Ovation of the Seas are heading Down Under later this year for the summer – these megaships don’t cruise in local waters.
Instead, inspire your client with some of the most exhilarating, fun things to do at sea with onboard cruise ship attractions in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Royal Caribbean’s star cruise ship attractions
One of the most popular cruise ship attractions aboard Royal Caribbean’s five Quantum-class ships is the bumper-car arena in the massive indoor SeaPlex sports zone.
Bumper car sessions are held several times a day in SeaPlex – interspersed with roller-skating sessions and circus school classes – and the two-seater cars are ideal for a parent and small child. Or anyone of any age who’s looking for a bit of good old-fashioned fairground fun.
Royal Caribbean introduced FlowRider surfing simulators to the cruise world in 2006 and local fans can rest assured that they are aboard Quantum and Ovation of the Seas. Like the bumper cars, there’s no charge for using the FlowRider, but queues can be lengthy – or guests can book a shared group lesson for a small fee.
Skydiving at sea is another extraordinary first for Royal Caribbean. Skydiving simulator RipCord by iFly is only available on its Quantum-class ships and a 60-second flight, accompanied by an instructor, is a crazy experience you’ll never forget!
A more sedate but still spectacular ride is the North Star viewing capsule, also only available on Quantum-class ships. The glass-enclosed capsule ascends to 90m above sea level, affording incredible sea or port views, and the trip lasts about 15-20 minutes. North Star can also be booked for private events for up to 14 guests.
The world’s current biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, boasts the biggest waterpark at sea. Named Category 6 in the Thrill Island neighbourhood (the ship has eight distinct neighbourhoods), six record-breaking slides include Storm Surge, one of two adrenaline-pumping family raft slides; Pressure Drop, the industry’s first open free-fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo.
Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis-class ship and newest in the fleet, Utopia of the Seas, features the longest dry slide at sea (the 10-deck, 79m Ultimate Abyss) along with a host of other signature RCI cruise ship attractions. Utopia has been designed for three- and four-night weekend getaways from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Race across the world
Once again, the mind boggles. Who would have thought you could race go-karts on the top of a huge ship in the middle of the ocean?
Five of Norwegian Cruise Line’s latest and greatest ships – Norwegian Viva (debuted in 2023), Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Encore (2019), Norwegian Bliss (2018) and Norwegian Joy (2017) – feature the fabulous Speedway go-kart racetrack.
For USD$15 a go, racing one of 30 electric racing cars at up to 48km/h around a custom-designed two- or three-track course is one of the most unexpected and enjoyable thrills you can find on a cruise ship.
Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva boast the most extensive tracks, ranging over three decks and measuring about 427m long.
Interestingly, NCL’s next two ships off the block, Norwegian Aqua and another yet to be named (due in 2025 and 2026 respectively) will be 10 per cent larger than their Prima-class fleetmates. However, instead of the go-kart course, Norwegian Aqua will sport a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide – aptly dubbed the Aqua Slidecoaster.
When Norwegian Aqua sets sail next April, the NCL-exclusive Slidecoaster will encircle the ship’s funnel over three levels and include dual slides and a magnetic lift that propels fearless guests through two different courses.
Carnival Cruise Line: Views from the top
For top cruise ship attractions, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Mardi Gras, Celebration and Jubilee all feature spectacular rollercoasters on their top decks, 55m above the ocean.
Guests sit in dual motorbike-type vehicles that reportedly reach speeds of up to 60km/h as the BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coasters track loops up, down and around the 244m track. Unlike most rollercoasters on land, BOLT drivers can control their own speed.
Carnival’s SkyRide offers another, gentler way to take in views from the top of the ship. Pedal-powered bikes are suspended on a 244m-long, two-lane course. Extra bonus on these cruise ship attractions? A lower-body workout. SkyRide is available on Carnival Vista, Horizon and Panorama.
