We’ve had a sneak peek at Norwegian Cruise Line’s exciting new cruise, and it’s epic
It’s going to be epic.
So epic I can just ride it multiple times.
Or not.
In fact, it might be too much for me.
That’s my takeupon, after taking a peek at the Aqua Slidecoaster, the new attraction Norwegian Cruise Line is building on its next new ship, the Norwegian Aqua.
Billed as the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide (not just on the ocean but on land, too), it’s like nothing else that’s ever come on board.
As I saw on Wednesday when I visited the unfinished Norwegian Aqua in the shipyard where it was built, it’s an impressively large ship that dominates the upper part of the ship.
While not yet operational – it won’t be ready for passengers until Norwegian Aqua launches in March 2025 – its main course of tubes was already in place, circling the ship’s superstructure.
It was a spectacle.
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But it’s what we didn’t see during the tour that will really set it apart.
As Alex Tavernini, Norway’s executive director of visitor experience and innovation, explained, the Aqua Slidecoaster is built with powerful magnets that will shoot passengers forward in two-person rafts at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.
Related: Norway’s new flagship will depart from Miami
The magnets will be installed in the coming weeks, he said. They are what will set the ride apart from other water rides on ships that use water jets to propel passengers forward, such as the AquaDuck on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
“This is the same technology that is used around the world in roller coasters,” Tavernini said during a press conference with a small group of media gathered at the top of Norwegian Aqua where the ride will begin.
The loading dock area where Tavernini was located was on Deck 18 of the ship. From there, passengers will be disembarked from Deck 19 to Deck 20.
The trip has two tracks and is designed to have four sets of rafts moving at any one time.
Tavernini said the magnetic system that pulls riders forward can be adjusted to make the ride more intense, providing flexibility in its performance. It can be played at full brightness for a fun experience or dialed back for a minimal experience.
While the former setting may appeal to thrill ride enthusiasts, the latter setting will be more suitable for young children with their parents.
“We want it to be as inclusive as possible,” Tavernini said. “Not everyone wants to be very happy.”
According to Tavernini, the boarding track will have a light tube but will have clear sections that will give the top passengers of the ship a glimpse of the surrounding passengers. Passengers on the trip will also find a brief glimpse of the sea about 200 meters below.
Boarding tubes extend over the sides of the ship in places.
The Aqua Slidecoaster will replace the giant go-kart races on top of Norway’s five newly built ships.
In an exclusive interview with TPG after a preview of the trip, Norwegian president David Herrera said that although the races have been hit hard by customers, it’s time to try something different.
“It’s all about giving tourists … choice,” he said, adding that variety is something Norwegian customers want.
Herrera noted that the Aqua Slidecoaster will be able to accommodate more passengers per hour than the last five Norwegian coasters – more than 200 people per hour.
That’s an important factor the Norwegian considered when weighing whether to add a ride, Herrera suggested.
As it flies above the upper decks of the ship, the ride will also allow for a more precise flow of passengers around and a more open space below than the racing areas of other ships, which Herrera noted took up a lot of space.
“The racetrack is great for people riding in the race, but man, that thing takes up a lot of space,” Herrera said.
Herrera said the leadership of Norway is still thinking about how fast this trip will run and that it will carve out certain hours for adults only when it will work at high speed.
Another option was to run one of the two tubes at a faster speed than the other, Herrera said.
Herrera noted that as the speed limit for riding increases, Norwegians will have to set a higher height limit for safety reasons. That would mean that small children could not ride it.
Whatever pace they set, Herrera is confident it will be a crowd pleaser.
“It will be a home game,” he predicted.
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