I just tried Norwegian Cruise Line's new hybrid waterslide-roller coaster — and it's both free and ridiculously fun

I almost chickened out of trying Norwegian Aqua’s new Slidecoaster. I’m so glad I didn’t.

Everyone on my five-night preview sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship has been eager to try this first-in-industry attraction. After all, the two giant multicolor tubes that encircle Norwegian Aqua’s top decks are the dominant feature of the ship.

There’s just one problem.

The ship was built for fun-in-the-sun cruises in the Caribbean and Bermuda from Miami, Port Canaveral (near Orlando) and New York when the weather is hot and sunny and a wild water ride is exactly what every vacationer needs. But the ship has not yet arrived in the Caribbean.

It’s in Europe. In March. And the weather is cold and rainy.

Did I dare shiver my way through a long line of eager thrill-seekers in my bathing suit and bare legs?

I nearly didn’t. I almost gave up to find a warm infinity-style hot tub or take refuge in the gorgeous Observation Lounge with its floor-to-ceiling windows and conveniently located bar and coffee station.

But I knew I would regret not trying the only 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 might be wondering just what a hybrid waterslide-roller coaster actually is. I also wasn’t entirely clear on how the attraction would work until I got on board.

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The Slidecoaster is a water ride that combines the acceleration technology of a roller coaster with a raft-based water ride.

One or two guests can share a raft, which has a high back and inflated sides. When the ride starts, a conveyer belt carries you to the entrance of an open half-pipe-style tube. Then you wait for agonizing seconds until you hear the whir of the magnetic lift kicking into action. Large mechanical arms click into place on the back of the raft and push you up the ramp at a speed that nearly took my breath away. (The ride has the potential to shoot riders up the ramp at speeds of up to 31 mph.)

If you’ve been on a modern roller coaster with magnetic acceleration at the start, you know exactly the feeling I’m describing.

Then with one final push, you’re inside the waterslide tube and careening from side to side as you speed through colorfully lit passageways.

I might have shrieked with excitement. At least I didn’t scream out in agony because the water was too cold. Then again, I let my travel companion ride in front, and she probably bore the brunt of the splashing.

The ride is satisfyingly long, roughly a minute from the time you start up the half-pipe to when you coast back to the starting position.

After the initial burst of speed into the tube, the ride becomes a more typical waterslide experience. It’s fun and I giggled a lot, but it’s not high velocity all the way. The tube you ride in is so large, I wouldn’t imagine you’d feel claustrophobic (if you’re prone to that).

But don’t let your guard down when you see the light at the end of the tunnel. I got the wettest when our raft splashed out of the tube into a pool of water that would float us along a track back to the starting position.

Definitely stash a towel with your flip-flops and other belongings at the staging area between the slides. I was so glad that I had two waiting for me as I emerged, shivering into the chilly March air. Hopefully, you’ll experience the ride in the sunny Caribbean, where you’ll be just fine dripping water in all the heat.

The Aqua Slidecoaster replaces the giant two-and three-deck-high go-kart tracks on Norwegian’s most recent ships as the signature high-thrill attraction. But while those rides cost $15 a pop, Norwegian Aqua’s ride is blissfully free.

That means you, your friends, your kids or whoever you’re traveling with can all ride the attraction as many times as you like — as long as you are 48 inches tall, don't weigh more than 300 pounds and are willing to wait in line. Duos cannot exceed 400 pounds combined in weight.

Is the Aqua Slidecoaster worth it?

Oh, yes, even in Europe’s chilly March weather, the Slidecoaster was amazingly fun and a not-to-be-missed experience. In a way, it’s the perfect cruise ship attraction — it combines a big adrenaline rush when you get launched at high speeds into the tube, but the waterslide ride itself is not scary at all. It's just lots of fun.

And in a hot climate, getting splashed will feel wonderfully refreshing.

My shipmates and I are the first guests to experience the ride, as the staff gets trained on its operation, so they’re only running one raft per slide at a time. When the attraction is fully operational, Norwegian Cruise Line says it’ll be able to run four sets of rafts at a time and get more than 200 guests an hour on the Slidecoaster.

The entrance to the slide is on Deck 19 midship, right by several other playful attractions, such as the Tee Time miniature golf course, the pickleball court, The Stadium outdoor games (beanbag toss, ping pong, etc.), The Drop dry slide and the indoor Aqua Game Zone with video and virtual reality games.

Definitely try them all, but do not miss the Aqua Slidecoaster. After all, you won’t find that on any other cruise ship ... yet.

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