Last month Sujeet from GuysGab and I had the chance to visit SeaTrade where the leading designers, marketers, and innovators that are creating new cruise ships all gathered together. While many of the conversations I had were clearly off the record and as much aspirations and dreams as they were concrete plans ... the future of cruising is going to be pretty darn adrenaline packed!
Many older cruisers miss the quiet days of cruising but families today are looking for fun and excitement ... the industry is listening and thankfully for us, these features being designed for families are pretty darn cool for a guys getaway cruise as well!
Top Theme Park Style Attractions On Cruise Ships
Royal Caribbean gets called the "Theme Park of the Seas" for how deep it has gone in creating amazing activities that have transformed the industry from one dominated but relaxing leisure cruises where shuffleboard and trivia games were the core sea-day activities. Today though they are far from the only cruise line with some awesome features that are pushing the limits of what can be done at sea.
In fact, on our recent preview cruise aboard MSC World America, it became clear that they are serious about bringing the coolest new attractions to the market, including bumper cars, F1 simulators, VR, and some crazy cool, unique offerings like Robotron and Cliffhanger!
Let's take a look at some of the top theme park attractions that you can check out on your next cruise!
Ultimate Abyss — Royal Caribbean: Symphony & Harmony of the Seas
Standing at the slide’s mouth ten decks up, you’ll stare 150 feet straight down the ship’s stern before plunging through a 216‑foot, multi‑sensory tunnel that feels more like a nightclub than a playground. The twin chutes make it a perfect trash‑talk race with your buddy.
Cliffhanger Swing — MSC World America
Think of this as a giant porch swing, but you can swing out 160 feet above the Atlantic from essentially the top of a 20-story hotel! The Cliffhanger’s two‑seat gondola arcs clean past the rail so nothing sits between your sneakers and the ocean except salty air. It’s not included in your cruise fare, but at only $5 it's among the most affordable options for cook activities to do on your cruise.
BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster — Carnival Mardi Gras & Celebration
Carnival bolted an 800‑foot roller‑coaster track to the funnel and hands you motorcycle‑style controls. Squeeze the throttle, hit 40 mph, then compare lap times on the photo screen at the exit. Rides cost about $15. The sweet spot is embarkation day, when everyone else is still exploring the buffet and getting familiarized with the rest of the ship.
Speedway Go Karts — Norwegian Prima, Viva, Encore, Joy & Bliss
A proper three‑level, 1,400‑foot go‑kart circuit at sea feels as wild as it sounds. Electric karts buzz past digital timing boards, marshals wave blue flags, and bragging rights ride on tenths of a second. Eight laps run around $15; late‑port sail‑away is practically an open track. (Heads‑up: the brand‑new Norwegian Aqua swaps karts for an Aqua Slidecoaster.)
Water Coasters — Disney Dream, Fantasy, Treasure and Destiny
We're going to combine a bunch of similar concepts here but while Norwegian Cruise Line now has a cool aquacoaster of their own, Disney Cruise Line has been doing this well for many years already. With the AquaMouse water coaster continuing to evolve with each new ship we can't wait to see where this family-friendly ride goes in the future. Don't worry though - while designed with kids in mind, it's perfect for a group of guys looking for something fun too.
Formula Racer Simulators — MSC World Europa & World America
Strap into a full‑motion cockpit where force‑feedback jolts every curb you clip at Monaco. Sessions start around $12 for ten minutes or $20 for a mini‑championship; top laps earn a shout‑out on the ship’s giant promenade screen - perfect public proof you’re the fastest in the friend group. Be aware though, while we didn't see a specific height or weight limit the way you might on other themepark attractions on a cruise ship - this feels about as close to getting into an actual F1 race car as most of us will ever get and unfortunately that means it is extremely tight and will be challenging for bigger and taller guys or those with bad backs to get in and out of.
RipCord by iFLY — Royal Caribbean Quantum & Quantum‑Ultra class
A vertical wind tunnel pushes 120 mph of air so you float like you just leapt from a plane and if you've ever dreamed of skydiving on a cruise - this is a great way to see if you like the experience. While costs vary considerably, the general base cost is $29 per flight on sea days, but you can often find shorter free flights available on port days when most folks are off the ship.
The Drop & The Rush Slides — Norwegian Prima & Viva
The Drop shoots you ten decks in a free‑fall chute that sticks out over the side of the hull; The Rush offers twin lanes for side‑by‑side bragging rights. They’re free, with minimal wait before breakfast when your stomach’s still calm—or after a midnight pizza run if you dare.
SkyRide — Carnival Vista, Horizon & Panorama
Strap into a pedal‑powered bike suspended 150 feet high and race an 800‑foot oval around the ship’s top deck. It’s equal parts leg‑burn and panorama. There’s no fee, and queues are shortest right after ships leave port while everyone else is showering off from spending a day at the beach.
North Star — Royal Caribbean Quantum class
A glass capsule lifts you 300 feet above sea level and swings up and over the side of the ship for horizon‑to‑horizon selfies ... or white‑knuckle silence if swells are up. (Don't worry though - North Star won't operate in rough seas.) Port‑day rides are free and generally last about 15 minutes but an extended experience costs $19, while many ships also offer a "Premium Experience" that is slightly longer and costs $69. This is typically intended for times that are particularly scenic such as an on an Alaska cruise when surrounded by glaciers.
More Theme‑Park Thrills at Sea
| Category | Cruise Line & Ships |
|---|---|
| Virtual Reality | Royal Caribbean - Sky Pad (VR now only on Spectrum) · NCL - Galaxy Pavilion on Encore, Joy, Bliss, Prima · MSC - full VR zones on Bellissima, Grandiosa, Virtuosa, Euribia, World Europa |
| Bumper Cars | Royal Caribbean - SeaPlex on Quantum class · MSC - SportPlex bumper cars on World America |
| Ropes Courses | Carnival - SkyCourse on Magic, Breeze, Sunshine, Vista, Horizon, Panorama · NCL - 100‑element course on Escape, Breakaway, Bliss · MSC - Himalayan Bridge on Meraviglia class |
| Next‑Level Thrills | MSC - Robotron arm ride (Seascape), Jaw Drop slide (World America) · NCL - laser‑tag arenas (Joy, Bliss, and Encore) · Royal - rock‑climbing walls fleet‑wide |
Ship amenities are updated frequently during dry‑docks and prices may change without notice so please always verify specifics before you book and work with a travel advisor who is experienced on booking cruises and attractions like this.
Beyond Belly Flop Competitions: The New Era of High-Octane Cruising Is Perfect For Your Next Guys Trip Cruise!
After conquering heart-pounding attractions like Royal Caribbean's 216-foot Ultimate Abyss slide, MSC's 160-foot Cliffhanger Swing, and Carnival's 40-mph BOLT roller coaster, you'll appreciate how modern cruise ships have evolved far beyond shuffleboard and trivia games. These vessels now feature everything from Norwegian's three-level go-kart speedways to virtual reality experiences, with many attractions included in your fare or available for a reasonable $15-25 fee. The strategic cruiser knows to book embarkation day slots or late port afternoons when lines are shortest.
What makes these floating theme parks perfect for a guys getaway at sea is the unbeatable combination of thrills and convenience. When you've finished racing Formula simulators or braving the 300-foot North Star observation capsule, you're just steps away from craft-beer bars, cigar lounges, and state-of-the-art gyms. No designated drivers needed, no unpacking between destinations, and a new adventure waiting each morning while still enjoying specialty steakhouse dinners and hassle-free travel logistics.
Ready to experience the industry's transformation from leisure cruises to adrenaline playgrounds? Contact Heather from Flow Voyages – she specializes in these adventure sailings for our ManTripping readers and knows exactly how to secure prime cabins and tips to maximize your experience on attractions while avoiding the crowds.
