Top Ten Craziest Cruise Ship Amenities

December 14, 2017

The cruise shipping companies are taking the ‘at sea experience’ to another level with each and every new cruise ship that enters the market.

The competition is fierce among liners when it comes to the offering of activities onboard ranging from water slides, levitating cocktail bars to carting and rock climbing.

Hereby we present you with some of the most interesting ones that have attracted our attention.

1. Starting off with the North Star

Royal Caribbean’s North Star observational pod is available on its Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

It is a glass observation capsule that gently rises more than 300 feet in the air and rotates upwards and over the sides of the ship to provide 360-degree views.

2. World’s first go-cart racing at sea

Norwegian cruise line introduced the experience on board its Norwegian Joy cruise ship, which has been custom-built for China.

The ship, delivered in April this year, features a two-level racetrack in the middle of the ocean – the first ever at sea. The track can hold up to 10 cars at a time, which can reach speeds of 40 mph (64.3 kmh).

3. Bionic Bar

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ship, Harmony of the Seas, gets things moving and shaking at the Bionic Bar.

The bar features robotic bartenders that work in sync as they mix up custom cocktails to the beat of the DJ.

4. SkyRide and Zip Line

For those not afraid of the heights, there are several options you might consider.

SkyRide allows you to zip around a two-lane suspended course in a pedal-powered go-mobile, high above the deck of the ship. The activity is available on Carnival Vista cruise ship.

Those interested in taking it a step further may opt for the zip line. Oasis of the Seas offers 82 –foot ride suspended nine decks above the ship’s deck.

5. Rock Climbing

Guests on board Oasis of the Seas also have the opportunity to climb a 30-foot rock wall, rising forty feet above deck on the Rock Climbing Wall.

6. AquaDuck

Available on board Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and located at Deck 12, aft, the AquaDuck is an exhilarating waterslide through the Forward Funnel—on a daredevil 4-deck drop.

As you whiz through 765 feet of snaking tubes, transparent and uncovered sections afford you breathtaking views of the ocean and ship below.

7. Snow Room

For a more chilling effect, you might consider the snow room, introduced on board the Norwegian Escape.

Located in the spa, this area serves as a refreshing foil to the Caribbean sunshine outside, as well as to the heat of the sauna. The room is kept at a cool 21 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and also features falling snow.

8. Planetarium

This unique experience is available on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. It is the first at sea full-scale planetarium, taking guests on virtual rides into outer space and enabling them to view the stars or other visual spectacles.

9. Surf Simulators

Flowrider, available on board Royal Caribbean cruise ships, provides guests with a chance to catch a wave right onboard. The 40-foot-long surf simulators send water at a very high speed across a small area that mimics what it is like to surf on the ocean.

10. Cirque du Soleil

MSC Meraviglia, owned by MSC Cruises, become the first cruise ship ever to feature a custom entertainment lounge designed in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.