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

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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