Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Escape, has just launched and the Sports Complex on its top deck highlights the latest trends in activities – adventure.
Forget about clock golf. There’s a three-storey ropes course with 99 individual elements, including five zip lines and two planks extending 2.5 metres from side of the ship where brave passengers can walk out over the edge. There’s even a special kids’ size ropes course for younger daredevils.
On today’s cruise ships, it’s much more Bear Grylls than Michelle Bridges.
Here’s the latest in a line up of exciting cruise ship activities that let passengers experience real life thrills…
Sky diving, Royal Caribbean
The Ripcord by iFly is the only skydiving simulator at sea. Passengers are kitted out with a flight suit and goggles before stepping into a seven metre glass tube where air pushes up from underneath, lifting them off the ground like they are flying through the air.
Abseiling, P&O Cruises
P&O has turned the aft funnel of its ships into something that’s fun for everyone. Passengers can strap themselves into a harness and abseil down 10 metres from the top of the funnel to the deck.
AquaDuck Coaster, Disney Cruise Line
This is more than just a waterslide. Passengers sit in a two person inflatable raft and high pressure water jets push it along, up inclines and around corners, like a roller coaster. The 230-metre track includes a transparent section that swings out over the side of the ship.
SkyRide, Carnival Vista
It’s just like riding a bike. Except that you’re suspended from a rail running around the ship, 45 metres above the deck. Passengers sit in reclining seats and peddle themselves around the 250 metre course.
Flying fox, P&O Cruises
Get a birds’ eye view as you zip from one end of the ship to the other on an 80-metre flying fox.
Racing simulator, MSC Cruises
Get behind the wheel of an actual F1 race care onboard MSC ships. The simulator has wrap around screens that project footage of famous racetracks around the world and the car moves as the driver takes the turns.
Surfing, Royal Caribbean
You won’t be surfing the waves in the ocean, but the FlowRider surf simulator is (almost) like the real thing. Water rushes at high speed across the platform, mimicking the waves in the ocean, and passengers can lie down on a body board or attempt to stand up on a flow board. Be prepared to fall. A lot.
