If you are booking a cruise ship adventure, you are likely searching for an option that offers an abundance of adventurous activities you can partake in onboard. Carnival Cruise Lines are known as “Fun Ships”, but do any Carnival ships have a FlowRider Surf Simulator wave machines?
No, Carnival cruise ships do not have FlowRider surf machines onboard. Only Royal Caribbean cruise ships feature FlowRiders, due to an exclusive deal with the company. That said, while on any cruise stop at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, visitors can experience a FlowRider at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.
How Much Does the Grand Turk FlowRider Session Cost?
It costs $29.95 for a 30-minute session at the Grand Turk FlowRider. You can book a session at the Grand Turk FlowRider onboard your cruise ship, or choose to book directly at the FlowRider station. It is recommended to book prior so you ensure you get a spot during your port stop hours.
A 30-minute session (which takes an hour of your day) includes a safety overview briefing, some quick lessons, instructor demonstrations, and then you finally get to have your shot.
This is not a private session; you will be in a group of 10-15 people rotating through taking turns.
Who Can Use the FlowRider Machine?
There is technically no age restriction; to ride the FlowRider you must be 52 inches tall to boogie board and 58 inches tall to stand-up surf.
In my opinion, I have been on the FlowRider wave machines before. They are a lot of fun, but the water is quite powerful, even for a grown adult. Being in moderate physical shape is a must; you need to balance yourself, hold your body weight, and move with the flowing water.
A plus is you do not need to have any surfing history; the boogie board option makes it very easy for most people to hop on and enjoy the wave.
Pregnant women, people with previous injuries, heart conditions, or anything related are asked not to participate as this activity is very strenuous and high risk for hard wipeouts.
What Ships Have a FlowRider Surf Machine?
As I mentioned already, the only ships that have a FlowRider onboard are Royal Caribbean. Out of 28 Royal Caribbean ships, 20 of them have FlowRider machines, some even have two!
I wrote a detailed guide about all the Royal Caribbean ships that have FlowRiders here.
No other cruise lines have a FlowRider at this time, and it is unlikely they will as the deal is exclusive to Royal Caribbean.
What Thrilling Activities Does Carnival Offer Onboard?
SkyRide
Carnival Cruise Line’s SkyRide is a unique aerial activity that offers Carnival cruisers a chance to pedal their way around an 800-foot dual racing track suspended 150 feet above the ship’s 12th deck. The idea was actually created by the creator of Rollerblades, and the experience offers a wild 360-degree ocean view above everyone’s head.
Choose to compete and race the other biker, or just causally ride around enjoying the views! You peddle to move, so you are in charge of speed, but you can get up to 18 miles per hour if you please.
You can find the SkyRide on ships Carnival Horizon, Panorama, and Vista. This exhilarating experience is free for passengers, so you need to give it a go on your next Carnival cruise.
BOLT: The Ultimate Sea Coaster
Carnival Cruise Line’s Bolt, the Ultimate Sea Coaster is an unbelievable roller coaster experience, setting thrill-seekers’ hearts racing as they zoom around an elevated track while on a cruise ship. You will reach speeds up to 40 mph!
It is the first-ever roller coaster at sea; Bolt gives riders a sweet advantage: a throttle handle and “boost” button to dictate your own speed. Whether you choose a high-octane sprint or a leisurely pace to soak in the panoramic ocean views, this one-minute ride promises an adrenaline rush like no other!
It is exclusive to the Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and the anticipated Carnival Jubilee ships, the Bolt Sea Coatser does come at an additional cost of $15 but is an unforgettable adventure all thrill seekers need to do!
WaterWorks
Carnival Cruise Line’s WaterWorks is the ultimate splash zone for thrill seekers of all ages.
This bright water wonderland has a number of waterslides, from the exhilarating Twister Waterslide, which spirals you down from breathtaking heights, to the captivating Kaleid-O-Slide on Carnival Vista that immerses riders in a fusion of rafting and dazzling lights.
There are more than just slides, you will find a number of water sprayers, fountains, and the colossal PowerDrencher. While each ship offers a unique WaterWorks experience, such as the Dr. Seuss-themed area on Carnival Horizon, one thing remains consistent across the fleet: it’s a complimentary feature, ensuring splash-tastic memories without extra cost.
Pickleball
You can play pickleball when onboard Carnival Cruise ships! This game is similar to tennis but more accessible for all ages and levels of physical fitness. It is like someone mixed tennis and ping pong together, then you get pickleball.
The game of pickleball has grown rapidly in recent years; being able to play on vacation on a Carnival cruise is a huge hit! If you haven’t played before, I recommend giving the game a try; you won’t regret it.
SkyZone
The SkyZone on Carnival cruises is a super fun spot to play for all ages! This is a unique trampoline park that has basketball nets, rock climbing, tug-a-war, and much more. You won’t get bored hanging out at this park. You can even enjoy night-time activities and parties at the park, where you can hang out with other vacationers as you bounce around.
SportsSquare
If you are looking for a few exciting games to play at sea, then SportsSquare is what you are looking for. You will find games like mini-golf, soccer, volleyball, ropes courses, foosball, basketball, or even jog on the jogging track. There are so many options for you to choose from that you will have more than enough to stay busy.
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!