The Best Cruise Ship Thrill Ride Returns

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

  • Bolt wins best ship feature five times
  • Ride is exclusive to Excel class ships
  • Passengers control speed via integrated handlebars
  • Future ships will prioritize large water parks

Cruise Hive readers have officially voted Carnival Cruise Line’s “Bolt: Ultimate Sea Coaster” as the Best Cruise Ship Feature of 2025. This recognition marks the fifth consecutive year the attraction has secured the top position, maintaining its status as a fan favorite since its debut in 2021. Built by the German manufacturer Maurer Rides, the attraction remains the first of its kind to be operated on a moving vessel at sea.

The roller coaster is situated approximately 187 feet above sea level and features a track that wraps 430 degrees around the ship’s funnel. One of the distinguishing aspects of the ride is that it allows passengers to control their own speed using motorcycle-style handlebars, including a manual boost function. The experience provides 1.2 Gs of force and includes two hills designed to create a sensation of weightlessness for the riders.

Currently, the attraction is exclusive to Carnival’s three Excel-class vessels: the Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. Despite its continued popularity and significant lead in the polls, Carnival has indicated that the coaster will not be included on future ships in the class. Instead, upcoming vessels such as the Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale will prioritize an expanded water park concept known as Carnival WaterWorks Ultra.

The 2025 rankings also highlighted several other notable maritime attractions. These include the Magic Carpet on Celebrity Cruises, a versatile moving platform, and the Cliffhanger on MSC World America, which is a high-altitude swing. Other highly-rated features include Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua Slidecoaster, Royal Caribbean’s Crown’s Edge ropes course, and Disney Cruise Line’s AquaMouse. Despite the emergence of these new technologies, the Bolt coaster remains the most recognized thrill ride in the industry according to the latest survey data.