I virtually chickened out of making an attempt Norwegian Aqua’s new Slidecoaster. I am so glad I did not.
Everybody on my five-night preview crusing of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship has been keen to do this first-in-industry attraction. In any case, the 2 big multicolor tubes that encircle Norwegian Aqua’s high decks are the dominant function of the ship.
There’s only one downside.
The ship was constructed for fun-in-the-sun cruises within the Caribbean and Bermuda from Miami, Port Canaveral (close to Orlando) and New York when the climate is sizzling and sunny and a wild water experience is precisely what each vacationer wants. However the ship has not but arrived within the Caribbean.
It is in Europe. In March. And the climate is chilly and wet.
Did I dare shiver my manner via a protracted line of keen thrill-seekers in my bathing swimsuit and naked legs?
I practically did not. I virtually gave as much as discover a heat infinity-style sizzling tub or take refuge within the beautiful Statement Lounge with its floor-to-ceiling home windows and conveniently positioned bar and low station.
However I knew I’d remorse not making an attempt the one Slidecoaster at sea. So, I pulled a hoodie over my swimsuit and headed out into the wind.
The Aqua Slidecoaster is a next-level waterslide
You is perhaps questioning simply what a hybrid waterslide-roller coaster truly is. I additionally wasn’t totally clear on how the attraction would work till I bought on board.
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The Slidecoaster is a water experience that mixes the acceleration expertise of a curler coaster with a raft-based water experience.
One or two friends can share a raft, which has a excessive again and inflated sides. When the experience begins, a conveyer belt carries you to the doorway of an open half-pipe-style tube. You then look forward to agonizing seconds till you hear the whir of the magnetic elevate kicking into motion. Giant mechanical arms click on into place on the again of the raft and push you up the ramp at a pace that almost took my breath away. (The experience has the potential to shoot riders up the ramp at speeds of as much as 31 mph.)
Should you’ve been on a contemporary curler coaster with magnetic acceleration at the beginning, you already know precisely the sensation I am describing.
Then with one last push, you are contained in the waterslide tube and careening back and forth as you pace via colorfully lit passageways.
I might need shrieked with pleasure. At the very least I did not scream out in agony as a result of the water was too chilly. Then once more, I let my journey companion experience in entrance, and she or he most likely bore the brunt of the splashing.
The experience is satisfyingly lengthy, roughly a minute from the time you begin up the half-pipe to once you coast again to the beginning place.
After the preliminary burst of pace into the tube, the experience turns into a extra typical waterslide expertise. It is enjoyable and I giggled rather a lot, nevertheless it’s not excessive velocity all the way in which. The tube you experience in is so giant, I would not think about you’d really feel claustrophobic (in case you’re liable to that).
However do not let your guard down once you see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel. I bought the wettest when our raft splashed out of the tube right into a pool of water that may float us alongside a observe again to the beginning place.
Undoubtedly stash a towel along with your flip-flops and different belongings on the staging space between the slides. I used to be so glad that I had two ready for me as I emerged, shivering into the chilly March air. Hopefully, you will expertise the experience within the sunny Caribbean, the place you will be simply high quality dripping water in all the warmth.
The Aqua Slidecoaster replaces the enormous two-and three-deck-high go-kart tracks on Norwegian’s most up-to-date ships because the signature high-thrill attraction. However whereas these rides price $15 a pop, Norwegian Aqua’s experience is blissfully free.
Which means you, your mates, your children or whoever you are touring with can all experience the attraction as many instances as you want — so long as you might be 48 inches tall, do not weigh greater than 300 kilos and are keen to attend in line. Duos can not exceed 400 kilos mixed in weight.
Is the Aqua Slidecoaster price it?
Oh, sure, even in Europe’s chilly March climate, the Slidecoaster was amazingly enjoyable and a not-to-be-missed expertise. In a manner, it is the right cruise ship attraction — it combines a giant adrenaline rush once you get launched at excessive speeds into the tube, however the waterslide experience itself will not be scary in any respect. It is simply plenty of enjoyable.
And in a sizzling local weather, getting splashed will really feel splendidly refreshing.
My shipmates and I are the primary friends to expertise the experience, because the employees will get educated on its operation, in order that they’re solely working one raft per slide at a time. When the attraction is absolutely operational, Norwegian Cruise Line says it’s going to be capable of run 4 units of rafts at a time and get greater than 200 friends an hour on the Slidecoaster.
The doorway to the slide is on Deck 19 midship, proper by a number of different playful points of interest, such because the Tee Time miniature golf course, the pickleball court docket, The Stadium out of doors video games (beanbag toss, ping pong, and so forth.), The Drop dry slide and the indoor Aqua Recreation Zone with video and digital actuality video games.
Undoubtedly strive all of them, however don’t miss the Aqua Slidecoaster. In any case, you will not discover that on some other cruise ship … but.
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