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Ultimate Abyss: Royal Caribbean's 10-deck cruise ship slide

Sept. 28, 2023
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4 min read
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At a time when waterslides were all the rage, Royal Caribbean put a new spin on the concept and pioneered the Ultimate Abyss — a dry slide that's taller than any waterslide at sea.

Since then, other brands like Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have taken the idea for their own vessels, a testament to Ultimate Abyss' popularity among passengers.

The Ultimate Abyss on Symphony of the Seas. ROY RILEY/SBW-PHOTO/ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

If you're interested in trying the slide, here's everything you need to know about the popular attraction.

What is Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Abyss?

Ultimate Abyss infographic. ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

The Ultimate Abyss is a duo of 10-deck dry slides introduced by Royal Caribbean on Harmony of the Seas in 2016. Since then, all but one of the other ships in the Oasis Class have either debuted with the slides or had them added.

Passengers board the giant purple slides on Deck 16 by walking into the mouth of a menacing angelfish and up flights of stairs that lead to the launch platforms. They sit on mats with enclosed areas for their feet. (You can put any loose articles like cellphones and sunglasses down in the foot pocket, too.)

Crossing their arms in front of them, riders hold straps attached to the mats and lean back as they spiral down to Deck 6's Boardwalk. Fair warning: Keep your arms locked and at your sides to avoid slide burn on your elbows.

Although the slide is great for kids and adults who like to try everything on their cruises, it's not as fast as you might expect. It's fun but a bit underwhelming, so set your expectations now.

What does it cost to ride the Ultimate Abyss?

The entrance to the Ultimate Abyss on Symphony of the Seas. SBW-PHOTO/ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

It's completely free to ride the Ultimate Abyss.

Riders must be at least 44 inches tall and weigh no more than 300 pounds. Reservations aren't offered, but there are rarely long lines.

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Which Royal Caribbean ships have the Ultimate Abyss?

The Ultimate Abyss on Harmony of the Seas.
The Ultimate Abyss on Harmony of the Seas. SBW-PHOTO/ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

Nearly all vessels in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class have the Ultimate Abyss, including:

  • Oasis of the Seas
  • Harmony of the Seas
  • Symphony of the Seas
  • Wonder of the Seas
  • Utopia of the Seas

It's possible Allure of the Seas, which is the only Oasis-class ship that doesn't have the Ultimate Abyss, will receive it during its refurbishment in 2024.

Have cruise questions? TPG has answers:

Featured image by ROY RILEY/SBW-PHOTO/ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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  • $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.
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