This Is What the First Roller Coaster on a Cruise Ship Will Look Like
Carnival Cruises announced late last year that it would build the world’s first roller coaster at sea. This week, the cruise line released images of the new attraction, along with more information about how exactly it’s going to work.
When the Mardi Gras ship sets sail in 2020, passengers will be able to board BOLT, which Carnival is calling the “ultimate sea coaster.”
Riders will board “motorcycles,” where they are able to control the speed. This makes the open-air attraction suitable for those who would rather take the turns at a slower pace. No matter what speed riders choose, they’ll ride the 800-foot track up 187 feet above sea level to get the best views from the ship. Passengers will have to pay an additional charge to board the coaster.
“Creating the first shipboard roller coaster posed quite a challenge as it’s never been done,” Glenn Aprile, Carnival Cruise Line’s Director of Innovation told CNBC Make It. “The design and movement of the ship needed to be factored in to the engineering and design, something that doesn’t need to be accounted for on a land-based coaster.”
Don’t expect the kind of heart-pounding, adrenaline-filled drops that draw visitors to land-locked theme parks. The Bolt Ultimate Sea Coaster will only go up to 40 miles per hour. The world’s 10 fastest roller coasters have speeds ranging from 93 to 149 miles per hour.
For those who prefer to stay away from rides, the Mardi Gras will also feature “Family Feud Live,” where families will be able to pretend like they’re on the famous game show. The ship will be the largest in the Carnival Cruises fleet, with 20 decks and 5,200 rooms onboard.
