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To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category. The ride's second iteration was originally put together at Maurer Rides in Munich where early testing was done. The ride was later assembled again in Finland on top of the ship. To book a Carnival Cruise, contact Carnival Cruise Line directly or by consulting your preferred travel professional or online travel sites. There is a weigh station at the entry turnstiles that will check you meet the requirements above (don’t worry it won’t say or display your weight).
Getting Ready to Thrill: Carnival Cruise Line's Next Roller Coaster at Sea
Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. If you are a thrill-seeker and like an adrenaline rush, then you will enjoy Bolt. Expect a quick start followed by a loop around the back of the ship. BOLT then speeds up for some up and down sections, before circling back around the funnel culminating in a fast exit. There are two cars, so a maximum of four riders will be on track at any given time.
When is the best time to ride BOLT?
The ride was nothing like a kiddy ride and more like a miniature version of a full-blown coaster. We squealed with butterflies in our tummy as the car in front of us launched straight ahead to start the ride. I asked if I could put my hands in the air like a normal roller coaster and the attendants shot that down pretty fast. We’re onboard Carnival Celebration for one of its very first sailings; and, of course, our cruise bucket-list had to include a ride on the very-hyped Bolt roller coaster. I likely wouldn't pay it, but if you're someone who likes the bragging rights that come with exclusive experiences or if you've got thrill-seeking kids, it might be money well spent.
The Ride Itself
What Carnival's cruise ship roller coaster is like - USA TODAY
What Carnival's cruise ship roller coaster is like.
Posted: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The awards have been running since 2014 and, each year, are open for Cruise Hive readers. Thinking about whether you want to take an ocean voyage or a romp in an amusement park next summer? Cruise director Matt Mitcham travels to Germany for a first look at the new coaster. Readers were able to type in their own feature if their favorite was not listed, to make sure the entire industry was covered. Voting opened in September 2022, with readers only being allowed to cast a single vote in each of the eight categories. Since 1988, Popular Science annually reviews thousands of new products and innovations and chooses the top 100 winners across 10 categories.
Does the BOLT rollercoaster go upside down?
"The sign pertains to physical impairments impeding guests' safety," a Carnival spokesperson said in an email. "For instance, a guest who cannot hold on to the handlebars would not be able to ride BOLT." When the light turned green, we shot forward at an alarming speed, careening around turns and down hills that gave me butterflies. Although it wasn't quite as intense as most land-based coasters I've tried, it was exhilarating enough to elicit a couple of screams from me. Carnival Cruise line's roller coaster wins "Best Cruise Ship Feature" of 2023 in Cruise Hive's annual awards.
Voting in the 2023 Cruise Hive Awards opened in October, with readers being able to cast a single vote in each of eight categories. With thousands of votes being registered, it’s been the most popular award to date. The Mardi Gras will debut in 2021 from Port Canaveral, Florida. Itineraries for the ship are available from launch through spring 2023, according to USA Today. More information can be found on the Carnival Cruise Line website. "At Maurer, we build and deliver excitement and we will deliver just that when BOLT debuts on Carnival Celebration," Maurer Rides project manager Marco Hartwig said in the release.
I tried Carnival's older cruise ships and never want to go back
There’s also a maximum height of 6’5 for riding Bolt - meaning my husband would barely be able to ride with his height of 6’4. It would be a big bummer if only one person in a couple could ride, but that's something to keep in mind before booking. Let me preface this section by boasting that my sister and I are very well-versed when it comes to roller coasters.
They even explicitly state you can’t bring GoPros, including ones that are strapped to you. We thought about being sneaky and bringing it on anyway but instead chose to be good listeners and leave all electronics behind. I’m not sure how many people can book each time slot, but the loading area makes me think Bolt is prepared for long lines.
I could tell they were traveling more slowly and the first car appeared to be close to lapping my family. I wondered if the attendants slowed down the first car so that it wouldn't catch up to my slow-going family. In addition, riders must be wearing closed-toe shoes, and swim attire is not permitted. Dresses and skirts are not allowed unless you can tie them between your legs into makeshift shorts. If you wear glasses, remove them or fasten them to your head with a strap.
Instead, the wind is likely to be much calmer while the ship is stopped in port. Signing up for a later time on port days can give you the chance to explore earlier in the day and then ride once you get back on the ship. Currently only Carnival’s newest and largest ships have the Bolt roller coaster.
I kept jamming the boost button, but it wasn't clear when or how often it would give me extra bursts of speed. Here's everything you need to know about riding Carnival's Bolt roller coaster and my hot take on whether the short ride is worth what is a very high price tag. If it were free, then we’d ride it several times during a cruise as it was that much fun. But at the current price, we’re happy to experience it once but can’t justify paying that much again.
Cruise ships have certainly come a long way within the last decade in regards to how many onboard activities, amenities and thrills they can squeeze on each deck. The roller coaster is also not recommended for guests with other medical conditions or limitations, including high blood pressure; neck, back, or joint problems; or those who are pregnant. “Mardi Gras will be our most innovative ship ever with some truly special features and attractions, highlighted by BOLT,” Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president, said in a statement. “We are so thrilled to introduce this one-of-a-kind, game-changing, exhilarating attraction -- our guests are going to love it.” Buckle up, folks. Cruise director Matt Mitcham takes you on a tour of the BOLT in the video, showing all the ins and outs of the new, onboard ride.
To ride Bolt, you must be a minimum of 4 feet, 4 inches tall (52 inches), up to a maximum of 6 feet, 5 inches tall (77 inches). However, there are height and weight requirements that must be met. For that reason, younger kids (those younger than 8 years old) aren’t likely to be able to ride. Top speeds and high scores are cool, but doing it safely is important… and this actually starts with your clothes.
Carnival, Royal Caribbean plan something passengers want - TheStreet
Carnival, Royal Caribbean plan something passengers want.
Posted: Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:00:21 GMT [source]
That’s why we’re putting on our fashion-referee hat and laying out a few simple rules about what you can and can’t wear when you’re getting active on a Carnival cruise. Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there.
When it’s time to actually ride the roller coaster, just make your way to the stairs at the base of the coaster and check-in with the staff. They will confirm your reservation and then send you up the stairs to ride. I honestly don’t remember much about that first ride, it went so quickly. The track is stable, and when you're in the driver seat, you are apt to concentrate on what's directly in front of you.
The ship will have 17 passenger decks, and a "normal guest occupancy" of 5,282 based on double occupancy, Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli told USA TODAY in an email. Riders have control of a throttle which enables them to increase/decrease speed up to this limit. Bolt would be my favorite, but the high price tag for such a short ride means most people will only enjoy it once or twice. It will be interesting to see if Carnival ever issues an unlimited rides pass and what it might cost. My husband and daughter went next, and she chose to drive. They were in the second of the two cars; while the first couple sped off, it was clear that my daughter was not using the throttle or boost and merely driving at the car's base speed.
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