BOLT Roller Coaster on Carnival Cruise Ships

Table Of Content

• Does BOLT operate every day?
• Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America
• Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels
• Carnival Releases the 2 New Zones on the Jubilee
• Carnival Cruise Line Releases Sneak Peek of Bolt, the First Ever Roller Coaster at Sea
• Carnival’s Roller Coaster Voted Best Cruise Ship Feature
• BOLT Roller Coaster on Carnival Cruise Ships

That’s why we’re putting on our fashion-referee hat and laying out a few simple rules about what you can and can’t wear when you’re getting active on a Carnival cruise. Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there.

Does BOLT operate every day?

Carnival Cruise Line to debut third roller coaster at sea - Travelweek

Carnival Cruise Line to debut third roller coaster at sea.

Posted: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

When it’s time to actually ride the roller coaster, just make your way to the stairs at the base of the coaster and check-in with the staff. They will confirm your reservation and then send you up the stairs to ride. I honestly don’t remember much about that first ride, it went so quickly. The track is stable, and when you're in the driver seat, you are apt to concentrate on what's directly in front of you.

Read Next: Park & Cruise Hotels for Every Port in America

I kept jamming the boost button, but it wasn't clear when or how often it would give me extra bursts of speed. Here's everything you need to know about riding Carnival's Bolt roller coaster and my hot take on whether the short ride is worth what is a very high price tag. If it were free, then we’d ride it several times during a cruise as it was that much fun. But at the current price, we’re happy to experience it once but can’t justify paying that much again.

Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category. The ride's second iteration was originally put together at Maurer Rides in Munich where early testing was done. The ride was later assembled again in Finland on top of the ship. To book a Carnival Cruise, contact Carnival Cruise Line directly or by consulting your preferred travel professional or online travel sites. There is a weigh station at the entry turnstiles that will check you meet the requirements above (don’t worry it won’t say or display your weight).

Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. If you are a thrill-seeker and like an adrenaline rush, then you will enjoy Bolt. Expect a quick start followed by a loop around the back of the ship. BOLT then speeds up for some up and down sections, before circling back around the funnel culminating in a fast exit. There are two cars, so a maximum of four riders will be on track at any given time.

Carnival Cruise Line Releases Sneak Peek of Bolt, the First Ever Roller Coaster at Sea

They even explicitly state you can’t bring GoPros, including ones that are strapped to you. We thought about being sneaky and bringing it on anyway but instead chose to be good listeners and leave all electronics behind. I’m not sure how many people can book each time slot, but the loading area makes me think Bolt is prepared for long lines.

Carnival’s Roller Coaster Voted Best Cruise Ship Feature

The awards have been running since 2014 and, each year, are open for Cruise Hive readers. Thinking about whether you want to take an ocean voyage or a romp in an amusement park next summer? Cruise director Matt Mitcham travels to Germany for a first look at the new coaster. Readers were able to type in their own feature if their favorite was not listed, to make sure the entire industry was covered. Voting opened in September 2022, with readers only being allowed to cast a single vote in each of the eight categories. Since 1988, Popular Science annually reviews thousands of new products and innovations and chooses the top 100 winners across 10 categories.

Instead, the wind is likely to be much calmer while the ship is stopped in port. Signing up for a later time on port days can give you the chance to explore earlier in the day and then ride once you get back on the ship. Currently only Carnival’s newest and largest ships have the Bolt roller coaster.

"The sign pertains to physical impairments impeding guests' safety," a Carnival spokesperson said in an email. "For instance, a guest who cannot hold on to the handlebars would not be able to ride BOLT." When the light turned green, we shot forward at an alarming speed, careening around turns and down hills that gave me butterflies. Although it wasn't quite as intense as most land-based coasters I've tried, it was exhilarating enough to elicit a couple of screams from me. Carnival Cruise line's roller coaster wins "Best Cruise Ship Feature" of 2023 in Cruise Hive's annual awards.

There’s also a maximum height of 6’5 for riding Bolt - meaning my husband would barely be able to ride with his height of 6’4. It would be a big bummer if only one person in a couple could ride, but that's something to keep in mind before booking. Let me preface this section by boasting that my sister and I are very well-versed when it comes to roller coasters.

To ride Bolt, you must be a minimum of 4 feet, 4 inches tall (52 inches), up to a maximum of 6 feet, 5 inches tall (77 inches). However, there are height and weight requirements that must be met. For that reason, younger kids (those younger than 8 years old) aren’t likely to be able to ride. Top speeds and high scores are cool, but doing it safely is important… and this actually starts with your clothes.

The ride was nothing like a kiddy ride and more like a miniature version of a full-blown coaster. We squealed with butterflies in our tummy as the car in front of us launched straight ahead to start the ride. I asked if I could put my hands in the air like a normal roller coaster and the attendants shot that down pretty fast. We’re onboard Carnival Celebration for one of its very first sailings; and, of course, our cruise bucket-list had to include a ride on the very-hyped Bolt roller coaster. I likely wouldn't pay it, but if you're someone who likes the bragging rights that come with exclusive experiences or if you've got thrill-seeking kids, it might be money well spent.