Monday, April 1, 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship has a ridiculously big go-kart track here's why I loved it

cruise ship with go karts

We’ve seen reports of up to mph, but having raced on the ship firsthand, that’s not the case. While that may not sound fast, given how low to the ground you drive and the number of curves, it really feels much faster. There are definite times when you have to let off the gas to make a corner cleanly. If there is one bad thing about the racetrack on Norwegian, it’s that the activity isn’t free. While prices can change at anytime, as we go to press you’ll pay $15 per person for your turn on the track.

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Norwegian first introduced go-kart tracks on its ships beginning with Norwegian Joy, which debuted in Asia in 2017. Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore followed, adding tracks to their outer decks. The Norwegian Prima’s race track is 22 percent larger than the track on the Norwegian Encore, for example. The Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss also have their own race tracks, but neither makes quite the impression the Prima’s does. It’s understandable if you don’t want to spend the extra money to take a ride on the carts.

The long-awaited ship will include eye-popping amenities like the world's first onboard three-level go-kart racetrack.

For roughly the price of one alcoholic drink onboard, guests have the opportunity to experience something completely unique while on a cruise ship at sea. Also offered at the Speedway at the time of our sailing was an unlimited race pass. This pass costs guests $199 U.S. dollars per person, and allows a guest to race on the Speedway as many times as they wish during its open hours during a cruise sailing.

Is Norwegian’s go-kart racing on a cruise ship worth $15?

"The Prima was off the charts fantastic for us," Sommer said. "It was the first new ship design for us in a decade, and the concepts of space, service, design, experience, [those] resonated tremendously well with our guests and, as you know, it was a record-breaking launch for us." So I thought I would write this article to help you find out which ships have go-karts (since there are not many) and what kind of tracks they have. I believe that almost everyone would find this activity fun. I think this would be a great activity for a family with older children - for kids and parents to race each other. Or maybe a group of adult friends, or even a couple looking for an interesting thrill.

Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

As I experienced Sunday during an eight-lap test run on Prima Speedway, the extra deck devoted to the attraction makes it more thrilling than any of its predecessors on other Norwegian ships. The cruise ship will start off by sailing seven night cruises to the Caribbean from Miami, Florida. The Speedway may not be worth the extra cost if you are someone who is overwhelmed by thrilling experiences such as high speeds or loud noises.

For larger families the karting experience can be a little pricey. But when you think about the fact that you’d be having this amazing experience in the middle of an ocean on one of the very first race tracks on top of a cruise ship, spending the money is worth it. Especially if you just intend to do it just for the experience. If you're the kind of person who can't get enough of go-karting (or, more likely, you have a kid who loves the track), you soon will be able to buy a weeklong, all-you-can-ride pass. When Norwegian offered this before at the race tracks on its other ships, the cost was $199 per person.

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Do you have to pay for go-karts on cruise ships and how much do they cost?

cruise ship with go karts

This $15 cost includes approximately 10 minutes of racing on the track. If you're the kind of person who just can't get enough of go-karting (or, more likely, you have a kid like that), you also can buy a week-long, all-you-can-ride pass for $199 per person. I put "gas" in quotes because, unlike many go-karts on land, the cars that Norwegian is using on Norwegian Encore don't use fossil fuels. While they rev and purr like regular gas engine cars, they're electric-powered.

Due to safety concerns, you need to be dress appropriately to race the cars. As well, you don’t want to wear anything loose or baggy that might catch on the wheels, such as a scarf or an open jacket. Also be sure to leave your bags in the room or with someone watching your race. There are no lockers available to store your bags while you drive. The racecourse also features a new observation area in the middle of the track, from where family and friends can cheer you on to victory (and even shoot "laser guns" at you for a power boost). The laser guns — a new addition to the Norwegian go-kart experience — bring an interactive element to the attraction designed to make it more appealing to groups of families and friends traveling together.

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Norwegian Joy

Technically, the cars can go even faster — more than 50 miles per hour — but Norwegian has restricted them a bit for safety. The ones on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are the largest racing tracks on cruise ships. However, the Speedway dominates a significant area of the top deck, leading to a smaller main pool and lido deck area beneath the track. I personally believe that the extra cost of the Speedway was well worth the extra cost!

Among the most enviable choices will be 107 luxury suites in an exclusive area of the ship known as The Haven by Norwegian, reserved only for suite guests. In addition to the spacious staterooms, The Haven also offers a private restaurant, sun deck, outdoor spa, and infinity pool. With this new class of ships, the racing track has once again been improved and expanded. Moreover, the track on Encore includes a section that juts out 13 feet over the edge of the ship, offering racers a unique over-the-ocean driving sensation.

The cars can go up to 40 miles per hour, but Norwegian limits speeds to 27 mph during group drive times. Even with the speed limitations, the curvy track has enough sharp turns—14 of them, to be exact—to keep things exciting. We’ll be honest, you don’t go that fast in absolute terms in the carts.

On the car’s steering wheel there is a beautiful button that says it’s a turbo boost. We were told by the staff that it actually doesn’t do anything. We also tested it personally and there was no extra boost provided by it.

It was not only the second ship with such a feature but the track was also improved and expanded. The track was built by RiMO Supply (a company of the RiMO Group), a world leader in rental karts and tracks. Additionally, the vessel will be home to a list of interactive real-life gameshows, including at-sea versions of "The Price Is Right," "Supermarket Sweep," "Press Your Luck" and "Beat the Clock." As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. I create cruise content across YouTube, this website and my social accounts, all with the aim of helping you to find, and take your perfect cruise.

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