You Won’t Believe These 10 Incredible Cruise Ship Features For 2024

10.04.2024 - 12:41 / forbes.com / Royal Caribbean

There’s a clear trend in cruise ship design that “bigger is better”, with ships like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas setting new passenger records and redefining the idea of a cruise vacation.

Major cruise lines are also competing with each other by introducing innovative activities and features to the high seas.

From racing around multi-level karting courses to taking your pick of the latest blockbusters inside multiscreen movie theaters, these are some of the most impressive activities available on cruise ships right now.

Karting on ships has been around for a while, but the latest ‘Primaclass’ of cruise ships introduced by Norwegian Cruise Line takes things up a notch.

The track on the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva now spans three levels, offering guests a longer, more intense karting experience than on the line’s older ships.

Described as “a perfect way to spend a day at sea” by CN Traveler’s Meena Thiruvengadam, the 1,400-foot track hosts various competitions throughout a cruise, with a podium to reward winners and a fastest lap scoreboard continually updated.

The activity isn’t included in the cruise fare. Typically, $15 buys you entry into a race. For additional fees, it’s possible to rent the track for yourself in order to drive faster, or even buy a pass for unlimited use of the track.

Royal Caribbean's ‘Quantum class’ and some of its ‘Oasis class’ ships feature robotic bartenders. These robots mix themed drinks like the signature Bionic Tea.

While an innovative feature and a fun experience as a one-off, the bars aren't necessarily somewhere you’ll want to hang around for hours.

Found on Royal Caribbean’s biggest cruise ships, the Rising Tide Bar provides guests the opportunity to enjoy their preferred drinks while moving vertically between the ship's decks.

But moving bars aren't restricted to inside a cruise ship. Each of Celebrity’s newest ‘Edge class’ vessels are equipped with the Magic Carpet.

This orange exterior apparatus can move up and down the starboard side of the ship, serving various functions throughout the cruise. It’s used as a tender platform, but most notably it turns into an open-air dining venue and bar, accompanied by spectacular views and an ocean breeze.

Zip lines on cruise ships offer an exhilarating adventure on board, allowing passengers to soar across the deck and take in stunning ocean views, if they can keep their eyes open!

Found mainly on modern, larger vessels, these attractions can stretch over 600 feet in length. Although not widespread, Royal Caribbean's ‘Oasis class’ ships, together with some ships from MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line feature zip lines.

Another option to feel the sea breeze while enjoying an exhilarating experience can be