There was a time when the biggest attraction on a cruise ship was a pool. Not even a pool with a waterslide. Just a pool. There were also shuffleboard courts. Really. That’s not a cliche.
But as cruising regulars know, those days are long gone.
Over the past couple of decades, there’s been an arms race of sorts among big-ship lines to come up with ever more over-the-top attractions for cruise ships — both for their outdoor lounge decks and interior public areas.
Even if you’ve never been on a cruise, you’re probably familiar with some of them. They’re often at the core of cruise line marketing campaigns. We’re talking about things like giant rock climbing walls, surfing simulators and go-kart tracks. There are also zip lines (relatively short ones) on some cruise ships, as well as laser tag arenas and bumper car pavilions. Some vessels even have ice skating rinks, and a few now have roller coasters. Yes, roller coasters!
In part, the trend is driven by the growth of family cruising, which has taken off in the 25 years since Disney placed its flag in the cruise world with the launch of Disney Cruise Line. Families love ships packed with all sorts of gee-whiz diversions.
Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles
It’s also part of the megaresort trend that has swept the cruise world just as much as it has rolled through land-based destinations such as Orlando and Las Vegas. Vacationers love big, bustling megaresorts loaded with restaurants, bars, showrooms and all sorts of attractions, whether they are on land or sea.
To keep such vacationers happy, at least some cruise lines have added bigger, more amenity-filled vessels that boast even more over-the-top attractions.
Not every cruise line has gone the big-attraction route. Princess Cruises, for instance, has eschewed the trend, sticking to a more classic style of big-ship cruising where top-deck diversions revolve around the quiet pool and lounge areas. Small-ship lines and luxury lines generally don’t add big attractions to their vessels, either.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
However, big attractions are the new normal for a core group of the world’s biggest cruise lines. Among brands marketing to North Americans, there are four in particular that are at the forefront of the trend: Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line.
Related: The best cruise ship waterslides and watery fun zones
The first three of those lines dominate the world of big, bustling megaresorts at sea, with vessels that are as much as twice the size of the biggest cruise ships that existed 25 years ago. Carnival hasn’t gone quite as big with most of its ships, but it still packs them with many fun-focused activities.
Here, we offer a look at 10 of the most unusual attractions now on cruise vessels — and where to find them.
Go-kart tracks
Ships that have them: Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss
We aren’t kidding about this one. There really are go-kart tracks on cruise ships — and we’re not talking scaled-down miniature tracks. Since 2017, Norwegian has topped its five newest vessels with full-blown go-kart racecourses that are almost as big and thrilling as the ones you find on land. The two biggest of the five, on Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, spread over a significant portion of three decks and are nearly 1,400 feet long.
Related: What it’s like riding go-karts on a cruise ship
All five of the tracks are designed for serious go-karters. The cars — all electric-powered — can hit speeds of up to 30 mph, making for an exhilarating experience (trust us, we’ve tried the cars on four of the five ships). Technically, the cars can go even faster — more than 50 mph — but Norwegian has restricted them for safety.
Cost: $15 per ride for an eight-lap race that typically lasts about six to eight minutes
Roller coasters
Ships that have them: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee
Call them the most over-the-top attractions ever seen at sea. Three of Carnival Cruise Line’s newest vessels — Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee — have roller coasters on their top decks.
At 800 feet in length, the Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coasters, as Carnival calls them, aren’t the biggest roller coasters ever. Or the fastest. They have motorcycle-like cars for two that only reach speeds of about 40 mph as they whiz around the funnel of their respective ships. But, hey, it’s a roller coaster, on a cruise ship, more than 180 feet above the sea.
Cost: $15 per person for two laps of the track
Bumper cars
Ships that have them: Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas
Quite a few cruise ships have basketball courts on their top decks. But Royal Caribbean took the idea to a new level in 2014 with an indoor arena on its then-new Quantum of the Seas that could serve as not just a basketball court but also a pavilion for bumper cars, roller skating and even a circus school.
Dubbed the SeaPlex and now on four Royal Caribbean ships, the two-deck-high entertainment zone also has nooks for video games, table tennis and foosball. But it’s the bumper cars that are surely its biggest attraction. Brought out at various times during the day, the 16 cars are designed for families with seating for two (parents are encouraged to ride along with their little ones). They zip around at 5 mph and are tons of fun.
Cost: No charge
Ice skating rinks
Ships that have them: All of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class, Freedom Class, Oasis Class and Icon Class vessels
There’s something fabulously incongruous about ice skating while you’re in the middle of the ocean. But that’s exactly what you can do on 14 vessels operated by Royal Caribbean. The line began adding ice skating rinks to its ships in 1999 with the debut of Voyager of the Seas, and they’re now on every one of its Oasis Class, Freedom Class, Voyager Class and Icon Class vessels.
The ice skating rinks are in the interiors of the ships, surrounded by stadium seating for up to 775 people. They’re home to ice skating shows that are among the most dazzling entertainment offerings at sea. But they also are used for free-time skating for passengers. Take note that the rinks feature real ice, not some sort of faux flooring. They even have Zamboni machines to keep them groomed. And, yes, Royal Caribbean will provide you with skates.
Cost: No charge
Water coasters
Ships that have them: Navigator of the Seas, Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy
Credit Disney for unveiling the first “water coaster” at sea — a water coaster being a variation of a waterslide that uses water jets to propel you up, down and around. Disney’s two Dream Class ships — Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy — feature the 765-foot-long AquaDuck, a two-person water coaster that is designed for families (read: it’s not too scary). It starts at the rear funnel of each ship and encircles the pool areas.
Disney’s newest ship, Disney Wish, has something very similar called the AquaMouse. Additionally, Disney Treasure (set to launch in December 2024) and Disney Destiny (due to debut in November 2025) will both feature an AquaMouse attraction.
Related: What it’s like sailing Concierge level on a Disney ship
A bit more high-speed but still family-friendly is the 800-foot-long Blaster on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas — the longest waterslide at sea. Added to the ship in 2019, it’s also a two-person ride that weaves like a crafty serpent around and above the ship’s basketball court, rock climbing wall and FlowRider surf simulator. It also twirls around a second waterslide in the same back-of-the-ship area.
Cost: No charge
Laser tag arenas
Ships that have them: Royal Caribbean Quantum Class, Oasis Class and Icon Class ships, and Norwegian Bliss
The shoot-’em-up fun of laser tag has arrived on the high seas in just the last few years, with laser tag arenas popping up on more than a dozen Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships.
Norwegian initially took the biggest leap into laser tag arenas at sea, with dedicated areas for the game on three vessels. But this year, the line removed the feature from two of the ships (Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore) to make way for other venues, leaving it on just one vessel: Norwegian Bliss.
Related: Norwegian Encore review: A guide to Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest Breakaway Plus Class ship
On more than half a dozen Royal Caribbean ships with ice skating rinks, laser tag is an add-on attraction held at the ice skating rink complexes (known as Studio B on most ships that have them). The crews on the vessels set up a temporary, pop-up laser tag course on top of the ice skating rinks called either the Battle for Planet Z or Clash of the Crystal City. This happens at select times during voyages. Similar temporary laser tag courses are also set up at select times at the SeaPlex centers found on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships (these are the same complexes that offer bumper cars).
Cost: Royal Caribbean’s laser tag attraction is included in the fare on most ships. On Norwegian Bliss, you’ll pay $10 to join the laser shoot-out.
Robotic arm rides
Ships that have them: MSC Seascape
The newest over-the-top amusement to pop up on a cruise ship is a robotic arm ride of the sort you sometimes see at small amusement parks. For now, there is only one at sea: The Robotron on MSC Cruises’ MSC Seascape, which debuted in 2022. But we suspect this will be something that catches on.
Built by German robotics company Kuka, MSC Seascape’s Robotron is perched at the top of the vessel, 19 decks above the waterline, and it offers three seats that restrain passengers as they are sent twisting and turning high above the water. At times, riders even are turned upside down.
Related: What it’s like to ride the Robotron
If that sounds like it’s too much thrill for your comfort, know that the ride has three speeds — slow, medium and fast — and participants can agree to set it at the slowest speed before they ride. Or not. If you like high-adrenaline attractions, by all means, go with the fast setting.
You can also choose a song from a preselected list to play as background music during your three-minute ride.
Cost: $10 per ride
Skydiving simulators
Ships that have them: Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas
Unlike most of Royal Caribbean’s big ships, the line’s four Quantum Class vessels don’t have ice skating rinks. But they make up for it in the gee-whiz-attraction department with the only skydiving simulators at sea. The RipCord by iFly attractions are soaring vertical wind machines at the back of the ships that give you the sense of skydiving during 60-second “flights.”
To ride, you’ll don full skydiving gear, including a jumpsuit, helmet and safety glasses (all provided by Royal Caribbean), and accompany a trained iFly instructor into the vortex. It may look scary. But rest assured, children as young as 3 years old can do it — and have.
Cost: No extra charge for one ride per cruise
Observation capsules
Ships that have them: Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas
These truly may be the oddest attractions ever conceived for a cruise ship. Called North Star and found on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships, they are glass-enclosed observation capsules that soar hundreds of feet above sea level on giant mechanical arms. The idea is that you can ride it to get the ultimate in middle-of-the-ocean views.
Royal Caribbean offers short trips into the sky to passengers on the Quantum Class ships, with a typical ride lasting 15 to 20 minutes. However, passengers can also book the pods for special occasions such as a wedding proposal or ceremony. The capsule can hold up to 15 people, including its operator.
Cost: Basic rides are typically included in the fare, with some exceptions. There’s an extra charge to book the capsule for a special event.
Sky rides
Ships that have them: Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama
Another offbeat option for getting high above the waves on a cruise ship is to take a turn on the SkyRide attractions found on three of Carnival’s newer vessels. The suspended-in-the-sky rides are courtesy of single-person, pedal-powered vehicles that you take on loops around 800-foot-long tracks found on each of the three ships.
Believe it or not, the little recumbent bicycle-like contraptions can reach speeds of up to 18 mph, though usually, you see people plodding along at far slower speeds. After all, it’s all about the view.
Cost: No charge
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
