We got a sneak peek at Norwegian Cruise Line's new thrill ride, and it's epic
It's going to be epic.
So epic I might just ride it dozens of times.
Or not at all.
Honestly, it might just be too much for me.
That's my hot take after getting a sneak peek at the Aqua Slidecoaster, the massive new attraction that Norwegian Cruise Line is building atop its next new ship, Norwegian Aqua.
Billed as the first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide in the world (not just at sea but on land, too), it's like nothing else that's ever appeared atop a cruise ship.
As I saw Wednesday during a tour of the still-under-construction Norwegian Aqua, the Aqua Slidecoaster is a stunningly large-for-a-cruise-ship attraction that dominates the top deck of the vessel.
While it wasn't yet running — it won't be ready for riders until Norwegian Aqua debuts in March 2025 — its massive tubular course was already mostly in place, swirling around the ship's superstructure.
It was a sight to behold.
But it's what I didn't see during the tour that will really set it apart.
As Alex Tavernini, Norwegian's senior director of guest experiences and innovation, explained, the Aqua Slidecoaster is being built with powerful magnets that will shoot riders forward in two-person rafts at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.
Related: Giant new Norwegian ship will sail from Miami
Tavernini said the magnets would be installed in the coming weeks. They are what will set the ride apart from other water rides on cruise ships that use water jets to propel riders forward, such as the AquaDuck on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
"This is essentially the same technology used on land on roller coasters," Tavernini said during a briefing for a small group of media assembled at the spot on Norwegian Aqua's top deck where the ride begins.
The location for the loading platform where Tavernini was standing was on Deck 18 of the vessel. From there, riders will be catapulted upward past Deck 19 to Deck 20.
The ride has two tracks and is built to have four sets of rafts in motion at any given time.
Tavernini said the magnet system that would catapult riders forward could be adjusted to make the ride more or less intense, offering flexibility in its operations. It can be run at full blast for a high-thrill experience or dialed back for a milder experience.
While the former setting might appeal to thrill ride enthusiasts, the latter setting would be more appropriate for smaller kids with their parents.
"We want it to be as inclusive as possible," Tavernini said. "Not everyone wants to be super thrilled."
According to Tavernini, the ride track will consist mostly of opaque tubing but will feature clear sections that will give passengers on the ship's top decks a glimpse of riders zipping around. Passengers on the ride will also get a brief glimpse outward to the sea nearly 200 feet below.
The ride's tubes extend over the sides of the ship in places.
The Aqua Slidecoaster will replace the giant go-kart racetracks at the top of the five most recently built Norwegian vessels.
In an exclusive interview with TPG after the sneak peek, Norwegian's president David Herrera said that while the racetracks had been a big hit with customers, it was time to try something different.
"It's all about giving the guests ... optionality," he said, adding that variety was something Norwegian's customers want.
Herrera noted that the Aqua Slidecoaster would be able to accommodate more riders per hour than the racetracks on the last five new Norwegian vessels — more than 200 people an hour.
That's an important factor that Norwegian considered when weighing whether to add the ride, Herrera suggested.
Since it soars above the top decks of the ship, the ride also allows for a more intuitive flow of passengers around it and more open space beneath it than the racetracks on other ships. Herrera noted those attractions took up a huge footprint.
"The racetrack is great for the people who are riding the racetrack, but man, that thing takes up a lot of space," Herrera quipped.
Herrera said Norwegian's leadership was still thinking through how fast to run the ride and whether to carve out specific adults-only hours when it would operate at its highest speeds.
Another option was to run one of the two tubes at a slower speed than the other, Herrera said.
Herrera noted that as the ride's speed setting increased, Norwegian would have to impose a higher height cutoff for riders for safety reasons. That would mean younger children couldn't ride it.
Whatever speed they set for the ride, Herrera is confident it's going to be a crowd pleaser.
"It's going to be a home run," he predicted.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.