If you’re looking for the most unique way to see the sights on a cruise ship, you’re in luck. After Disney Cruise Line began operations on its flagship Disney Wonder in 2003, it partnered with renowned roller coaster experts Arrow Dynamics to build the first roller coaster on a cruise ship. Located on the ship’s Boardwalk, the track is located on the upper level of the ship’s indoor area, making it accessible only to the ship’s passengers.
There’s nothing like a roller coaster to get your heart pumping and your adrenaline flowing, but what about when you get to ride them on a cruise ship? And what if the ride itself is a roller coaster?
A new trend in the world of cruises is the inclusion of roller coasters. The first was the Verbolten at the Sommerhuspark in Goteborg, Sweden, which opened in late 2014. Last year, the Swedish Viking Line opened the Viking Loop coaster at the Viking Sky, one of its fleet of Disney Dream ships, and it’s currently Disney’s second roller coaster on a cruise ship. Now, the biggest cruise liner in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, has announced it will be adding its own thrill ride to the ship, the world’s first roller coaster at sea.. Read more about carnival bolt roller coaster cost to ride and let us know what you think.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard that the Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line’s largest and newest ship, has a roller coaster that zips around the upper deck.
Before the ship’s debut, there was a lot of buzz about the sea coaster, but can it live up to the hype? We’re here to not only answer that question, but to give you all you need to know about Bolt, having just returned from a Mardi Gras sailing trip!
Making an Appointment
First and foremost, you must understand that you cannot just go up to the top deck, join in line, and ride Bolt. Instead, you must make a reservation via the Carnival HUB app in advance.
You’ll choose a day and then a 30-minute window during which you’d want to bike. If you don’t check in within the 30-minute window, your reservation will be canceled. You will be charged $15 as soon as you make the reservation (as of September 2024). If you cancel two hours or more before your reservation’s start time, you will get a refund.
If I could give you one bit of advise, it would be to book your reservation as early as possible in your voyage. This is true for two reasons. To begin, you’ll want to do it while there are still lots of bookings available, so you can pick a time that works for you.
However, keep in mind that if the weather is severe, Bolt may not be able to function. Several customers have told us that they waited until the last day of their cruise to make a reservation, only to find out that Bolt was not running due to bad weather. They had hoped it would be the perfect conclusion to their journey, but it turned out to be a letdown.
My reservation was canceled twice due to weather, once due to maintenance (which I’m accustomed to from Six Flags parks), and then I rode it with my fourth reservation.
Regrettably, the cancellation notifications arrived after my bookings had begun. So don’t assume it’s canceled because it’s windy. Ask the Carnival attendant who will still be on deck 18 if they can inform people that it is too windy.
What You Should Know
You’ll see a plethora of limitations and conditions while making your reservation, similar to what you’d see displayed outside a coaster like Space Mountain at Walt Disney World.
Riders must be at least 52 inches tall (four feet and three inches) and no more than 77 inches tall in this instance (which equates to 6 feet, four inches). You must weigh less than 300 pounds. Yes, you’ll be asked to walk on a scale, but don’t worry: your weight won’t be shown; instead, a light will indicate that you’re safe to ride.
The idea that there is a bit of a clothing requirement when it comes to riding Bolt may take some people off guard. Closed-toe shoes are required, and while they don’t explicitly mention skirts, you’ll definitely want to dress in shorts or trousers for the trip. If you’re going to wear glasses, make sure they’re secured with head straps.
Oh, and if you’re planning to record the adventure on your GoPro or smartphone? Reconsider your position. The ride operators are told to keep a careful eye on anyone trying to smuggle the goods aboard the ride and to refuse to allow them board.
MORE: 8 Cruise Preparation Tips for 2024
How Does It Feel To Ride Bolt?
You will walk up to deck 18 and check in with one of the Carnival workers who will be carrying a tablet with the reservations after you have your reservations in hand and your closed-toe shoes on your feet.
After checking in, you may finally ascend the stairwell to the roller coaster platform. Because there isn’t an ADA option for this (or the roller coaster), you’ll want to be sure you can use the stairs and the roller coaster vehicle before booking your reservation.
On deck 18, near the stairwell, there is a test vehicle that may be utilized for picture opportunities… That is, to ensure that you will be able to get inside the vehicle.
There is a very big covered wait space at the top of the steps. Although the reservation system eliminates the need to utilize the whole facility, it’s conceivable that they’re presently accepting fewer bookings for social reasons.
It’s also conceivable that the wait area was planned and erected before to the outbreak, and that, necessity being the mother of innovation, they devised the reservation system (and $15 charge) as a means of avoiding huge crowds after social isolation became the norm.
Regardless, anybody who has experienced the SkyRide queues onboard Carnival’s Vista-class ships would agree that the reservation is a significant improvement.
After that, you’ll reach the turnstiles. You’ll scan your cruise card to verify that you’ve paid for your trip, and it’ll open and allow you through after it’s been authorized. It’s similar to going to a theme park.
This is where you’ll stand on the previously stated scale, which measures both your height and weight, and the Carnival staff will check that you fulfill the criteria. This is something that happens to every passenger that rides, so don’t take it personally. They didn’t pick you out at the buffet for eating that extra serving of bacon.
There are open cubbies where you may store all of your loose things, even the GoPro you planned to take with you on the trip. I’m not joking. One of the Safety Do’s and Don’ts is that cameras, including GoPros, are not allowed.
Finally, it’s time to board the vehicle, buckle up, and go on your journey. You’ll need to pick who will sit where ahead of time, and this is a significant decision: the person in the front seat gets to choose how fast you drive once the trip starts.
Although there is a minimum speed, I’m fairly sure even that is fast… not to mention terrifying, considering the track’s height.
The ride may be sped up by using the throttle and booster buttons. Pull the throttle all the way back and hold down the booster for the quickest ride imaginable!
The racing car lights will count you down as you speed away. It may not seem quick from the deck below, but believe me when I say that it feels fast while you’re on that sucker. If you like fast and curvy drives, this is a great place to visit. The passenger, in our experience, is the one who gets the excitement, while the driver is too preoccupied with making sure they get to their destination as quickly as possible.
If there’s a drawback, it’s that the trip goes by quickly… not to mention that the driver doesn’t really grasp the controls! Another possible disadvantage is that if you have hair, you’re likely to appear like a hot mess. But chances are you’ll grab your phone as soon as you’re out the door to attempt to nab another reservation.
How much will Bolt set me back?
Bolt costs $15 per person for each one-lap ride as of September.
Our $15 lap was a lot of fun, we thought. We would do it again and again if it were a little more inexpensive every time we sailed on the Mardi Gras.
Is $15 for a single ride worth it?
I strongly advise you to try it at least once, particularly if you like roller coasters as much as I do. I’m happy I chose to go on it since it was a lot of fun!
Lauren Rodgers wrote this article.
READ NEXT: Mardi Gras Dining Guide: Which Restaurants Offer Free Food?
One of the most interesting parts of any cruise is the onboard activities, and cruisers get to get out of their cabins and on to the decks. But how does one get to get on the ship’s various activities? The answer is the “Cruise Ship Activity Passport”. This passport will allow cruisers to track the activities they want to participate in, as well as how many times they want to participate. The passport also allows cruisers to freely use all ship’s facilities as many times as they wish.. Read more about carnival roller coaster for sale and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first roller coaster on a cruise ship?
The first roller coaster on a cruise ship is usually the one that starts at the port of departure.
How much does the bolt roller coaster cost?
The bolt roller coaster costs $9.99
What Carnival ship has a roller coaster?
The Carnival Splendor has a roller coaster.
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