Regular cruise passengers, however, are aware that those times no longer exist.
In the last couple of decades, there has been something of a race among big-ship lines to come up with ever more over-the-top attractions for cruise ships, both for their outdoor club decks as well as their interior public areas. These attractions can be found anywhere on the ship, from the interior to the exterior.
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Even if you've never gone on a cruise before, there's a good chance that you're familiar with at least a few of them. They frequently serve as the focal point of marketing efforts run by cruise lines. We're talking about stuff like enormous rock-climbing walls, simulated surfing, and go-kart circuits here. There are now also rather short zip lines, laser tag arenas, bumper car pavilions, and bumper car pavilions on several cruise ships. Some ships even come equipped with roller coasters and ice skating rinks for their passengers to enjoy. That's right, thrill rides!
Since Disney first planted its flag in the cruise industry 25 years ago with the introduction of Disney Cruise Line, there has been an explosion in the popularity of traveling with children and families. This development is helping to propel the current trend. Ships that are jam-packed with a variety of exciting activities are very appealing to families.
It is also a part of the megaresort trend that has rolled through land-based locations such as Orlando and Las Vegas. This tendency has swept the cruise world just as much as it has rolled through land-based destinations such as Las Vegas and Orlando. Large, lively megaresorts that are packed with a variety of restaurants, bars, showrooms, and other entertainment options are always popular among vacationers, regardless of whether the resort is located on land or in water.
At least some cruise companies have expanded their fleets to include ever-larger, amenity-filled vessels that feature ever-more over-the-top attractions to appease the vacationers who book these types of trips.
Certain cruise lines have not adopted the large-attraction model. The cruise line Princess Cruises, for example, has chosen not to follow the trend and instead adheres to a more traditional style of big-ship cruising, in which top-deck diversions center around the more tranquil pool and lounge areas. The majority of the time, small-ship lines and luxury lines do not add major attractions to their vessels, either.
Nevertheless, for a core group of the world's largest cruise companies, the presence of large attractions has become the new norm. Four companies, in particular, are leading the trend among brands that sell their products or services to North Americans: Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line. These companies are at the forefront of the trend.
The first three of these lines control the market for large, bustling megaresorts at sea, and their ships are up to twice as large as the largest cruise ships that were available 25 years ago. Even while most of Carnival's ships aren't quite as large as some of the company's other vessels, fun-centered activities are nevertheless abundant on board.
We take a look at ten of the most unique attractions that are now available on cruise ships and tell you where you can find them.
Go-kart tracks
Ships that feature them include the Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Bliss. The Norwegian Viva will have them when it debuts in August 2023.
Regarding this particular matter, we are not joking at all. There are actual go-kart circuits on cruise ships, and we're not talking about shrunken-down, microscopic versions of these tracks here. Since 2017, Norwegian has outfitted its four newest vessels with full-fledged go-kart race tracks that are almost as exciting as the ones you can find on land. These courses can be found on all of Norwegian's ships. The largest of the four is located on the Norwegian Prima and is approximately 1,400 feet long. It takes up a considerable chunk of three decks and is one of the ship's most prominent features.
Each of the four courses is tailored to the needs of experienced drivers of go-karts. The cars, which are all driven by electric motors, are capable of reaching speeds of up to 27 miles per hour, which makes for a thrilling experience (believe us, we've tested out the cars on all four ships). Technically, the cars are capable of going even faster than 50 miles per hour, but Norwegian has limited their speed for the sake of passenger safety.
The cost is fifteen dollars per ride for a competition that consists of eight laps and normally lasts between six and eight minutes.
Coasters on rollers
The Mardi Gras, the Celebration, and the Jubilee (debuting in December 2023) are the ships that have them.
You could describe them as the most extravagant attractions that have ever been seen on a ship. Roller coasters can be found on the upper decks of two ships that were only recently introduced to the public: the Mardi Gras and the Celebration, both of which are operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Additionally, at least one additional ship that is about to make its debut, the Carnival Jubilee, will have one.
The BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coasters, as Carnival is referring to them, are not the longest roller coasters ever built because they are just 800 feet long. Or the most rapid. As they race around the funnel of their respective ships in vehicles resembling motorcycles but with seating for two, the vehicles' top speeds are limited to approximately 40 miles per hour. But, hey, it's a roller coaster, and it's on a cruise ship, and it's more than 180 feet above the water.
The cost is $15 for each individual for two laps around the course.
Bumper cars
Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas are the names of the cruise ships that include these features.
On the upper decks of a good number of cruise ships is where you'll find the basketball courts. However, in 2014 Royal Caribbean took the concept to a new level with an indoor arena aboard its then-new Quantum of the Seas that could serve not only as a basketball court but also as a pavilion for bumper cars, roller skating, and even a circus school. This arena was designed to be multipurpose and could be used for any of these activities.
The two-deck-high entertainment zone on Royal Caribbean ships is known as the SeaPlex, and it now features nooks for video games, Ping-Pong, and foosball in addition to its other amenities. Bumper cars, on the other hand, are almost certainly the most popular activity there. The sixteen cars, which are brought out at different times throughout the day, are designed for families and each provides seats for two people (parents are invited to ride along with their tiny children). They travel at a speed of five miles per hour and are a lot of fun.
Cost: There is no fee.
Ice-skating rinks
All of Royal Caribbean's Voyager-, Freedom-, and Oasis-class ships, in addition to the next Icon of the Seas (scheduled to debut in January 2024), are equipped with them.
Skating on ice while in the middle of the ocean is a wonderful example of the wonderful incongruity that can be found in the world. On the other hand, this is one of the many things that you may do on any of the thirteen ships that are run by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line first began installing ice-skating rinks on its ships in 1999, with the launch of the Voyager of the Seas. These rinks are now standard on all of the firm's Oasis-, Freedom-, and Voyager-class ships. They will also be available aboard Royal Caribbean's Icon-class ships once they begin sailing.
The ice skating rinks are located indoors on the ships, and they are encircled by stadium seating that can accommodate up to 775 guests. The ice skating exhibitions that take place there are some of the most spectacular forms of entertainment that can be found at sea. However, they are also put to use so that passengers can have some free time skating. Please take note that the rinks are constructed with genuine ice and not some kind of artificial flooring. Even equipment similar to Zambonis is used to preserve them in pristine condition. Additionally, the answer is yes; Royal Caribbean will give you skates to use.
Cost: There is no fee.
Coasters on the water
The Navigator of the Seas, the Disney Wish, the Disney Dream, and the Disney Fantasy are the ships that have them.
You can thank Disney for the debut of the first "water coaster" at sea, which is a variant of a waterslide that employs water jets to drive riders up, down, and around the course. The 765-foot-long AquaDuck is a two-person water coaster that is geared for families (read: it's not too terrifying). The AquaDuck can be found on both the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, which are both ships of Disney's Dream class. It goes around the pool sections of each ship after beginning at the rear funnel of each vessel.
The AquaMouse is a very comparable attraction that can be seen on Disney's newest ship, the Disney Wish.
The Blaster waterslide on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, which is 800 feet in length and is the longest waterslide at sea, features a slightly faster pace but is still suitable for families. It was added to the ship in 2019, and it is a ride for two people that swirls like a clever serpent over and above the ship's rock-climbing wall, basketball court, and FlowRider surf simulator. Additionally, it goes around another waterslide that is located in the same area towards the back of the ship.
Cost: There is no fee.
Laser tag arenas
These features are available on the following ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas.
In just the past few years, the fun of the "shoot 'em up" game of laser tag has made its way onto the high seas, with laser tag stadiums appearing aboard a dozen different Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships.
Norwegian has made the most significant advance into the realm of laser tag arenas at sea by installing specially designed play areas for the game aboard three of its most recently introduced ships. The Norwegian Encore, which will be launched in 2019, will have the largest and most intricate laser tag facility that has ever been built on a cruise ship. A writhing snake and crumbling walls serve as some of the challenges in this game, which is based on the legend of the lost city of Atlantis.
At Royal Caribbean's Studio B ice skating rink complexes, laser tag is an additional feature that may be found on seven of the cruise line's ships. On top of the ice skating rinks, the crew of the boats constructed a temporary pop-up laser tag course and named it either the Battle for Planet Z or Clash of the Crystal City. Players could choose which of these two names to use. This takes place at specific points along the journey. On Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas, the SeaPlex centers also have temporary laser tag courses put up at certain times (these are the same complexes that offer bumper cars). These courses are similar to the ones seen on the Quantum of the Seas.
The cost of participating in the laser tag activity offered by Royal Caribbean is incorporated into the cruise fee. If you want to participate in the laser shoot-out on a Norwegian ship, it will cost you $10.
A ride on a robotic arm
Ships that are equipped with them include the MSC Seascape.
A ride on a robotic arm, of the kind that can be found occasionally at smaller amusement parks, is the most recent example of an over-the-top amusement that has been installed on a cruise liner. At this time, there is just one Robotron at sea, and it is located on the cruise ship MSC Seascape, which made its debut in 2022. However, we have a feeling that this will become popular in the future.
The German robotics company Kuka was responsible for the construction of the MSC Seascape's Robotron, which can be found perched at the very top of the ship, 19 decks above the waterline. It features three chairs that securely hold people in place as the ship twists and turns far above the water. There are moments when riders are even inverted completely.
If you think that level of excitement might be too much for you, you should know that the ride has three different speeds: slow, medium, and rapid. Before getting on the ride, riders can negotiate with one another to set it to the slowest speed possible. Or not. If you enjoy activities that are high in excitement, you should by all means select the rapid setting.
Note that during your journey, which will last for a total of three minutes, you will also have the option to select background music by selecting a song from a list that has been compiled in advance.
Cost: $10 for each ride.
Skydiving simulators
Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas are the names of the cruise ships that include these features.
Unlike the majority of Royal Caribbean's large ships, the four ships in the line's Quantum-class fleet do not come equipped with ice-skating rinks. However, they make up for it in the domain of mind-boggling attractions by having the only skydiving simulators found anywhere at sea. The RipCord by iFly attractions is soaring vertical wind turbines that are located at the back of the ships. They give riders the impression that they are jumping during their 60-second "flights."
To ride, you will need to don full skydiving gear, such as a jumpsuit, helmet, and safety glasses (all of which will be provided by Royal Caribbean), and then follow a professional iFly instructor into the vortex. It might give you the chills. Be reassured, however, as youngsters as young as three years old are capable of and have completed the task.
Price: There is no additional cost for one ride during each tour.
Capsules devoted to observation
Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas are the names of the cruise ships that include these features.
These may very well be the most peculiar activities that have ever been dreamt of for use aboard a cruise ship. These glass-enclosed observation pods, known as North Star, may be seen on Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships. They are suspended hundreds of feet above the water by enormous mechanical arms and are given the name North Star. The plan is for you to be able to ride it to a high altitude so that you can have the best possible views of the center of the ocean.
On its Quantum-class ships, Royal Caribbean provides customers with the opportunity to take quick flights into the air; the average ride lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. However, travelers also have the option of booking the pods for special occasions such as proposing to their significant other or holding their wedding ceremony. The capsule has enough room for up to 15 people, not counting the person operating it.
Cost: With a few notable exceptions, the fee often already covers the cost of the most fundamental rides. When you rent the capsule for a particular event, there is an additional fee associated with it.
Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Panorama are the three ships in the Carnival fleet that offer sky rides.
Take a spin on one of the SkyRide attractions, which can be found on three of Carnival's most recent cruise ships. This is yet another unique way to get high above the seas while sailing on a cruise ship. The rides that are suspended in the air consist of pedal-powered, one-person vehicles that go around loops that are approximately 800 feet in length and can be found on each of the three ships.
It may be hard to believe, but these recumbent bicycle-like devices are capable of reaching speeds of up to 18 miles per hour. However, most of the time, individuals move at much slower speeds while they use them. After all, the perspective is the most important aspect to consider.
Cost: There is no fee.