If you’re looking for a white-knuckle ride that combines heart-pounding drops, twists and turns with breathtaking views, the first ever on-board roller coaster on Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras is set to launch in 2020.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras will feature the first-ever roller coaster at sea when it debuts in 2020 Image by Carnival Cruise
The BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster is architecturally dazzling and will offer nearly 240 metres of twists, turns and bowel-evacuating plunges with hair-raising speeds of up to 64 kilometres per hour. The roller coaster will ride through the top floor of Mardi Gras, Carnival’s largest ship to date. Thrill-seekers riding in one of the electric roller coasters’ two-person motorcycle-like vehicles can control their speed using a pedal as they dash along the track sitting 187 feet above sea level.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Mardi Gras will be our most innovative ship ever with some truly special features and attractions, highlighted by BOLT.” Designed by Munich-based Maruer Rides, the ride kicks off with an action-packed launch where passengers can achieve race car-like levels of acceleration and culminates with a high-powered hair-pin turn around Carnival’s signature red funnel. At the end of each race passengers can watch for their speed to be posted then pick up an action-shot photo from the ride as a keepsake.
Mardi Gras will be based in Port Canaveral, Florida Image by Carnival cruise
“BOLT will continue the tradition of Carnival providing exciting new ways for our guests to ‘Choose Fun,’” said Duffy. We are so thrilled to introduce this one-of-a-kind, game-changing, exhilarating attraction – our guests are going to love it!”
Mardi Gras has a passenger capacity of roughly 5200 and will be based at Port Canaveral, Florida, which is to feature a new state-of-the-art terminal. Carnival will begin construction of a second X-class Carnival ship in 2020, with a 2022 delivery to mark the 50th anniversary of Carnival Cruise Line’s founding. Mardi Gras’ itineraries will are expected to be announced on 8 January and will go on sale 31 January here.
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