Carnival’s Bolt Roller Coaster Crowned Best Cruise Ship Feature of 2025
Carnival Cruise Line’s Bolt Roller Coaster has been recognized as the Best Cruise Ship Feature of 2025, marking its fifth consecutive year of receiving this prestigious accolade. The announcement was made following a voting process where 22.9% of participants selected Bolt as their favorite among various onboard attractions. This thrilling ride, known as the Ultimate Sea Coaster, debuted on the Carnival Mardi Gras in 2021 and has since become a signature experience on Carnival’s Excel-class ships.
The Bolt Roller Coaster is currently featured on three of Carnival’s vessels: Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee. However, it will not be included in the upcoming Excel-class ships, Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale, which are under construction. Instead, these new ships will feature a larger waterpark, Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, indicating a shift in Carnival’s approach to onboard entertainment.
Ride Specifications and Experience
The Bolt Roller Coaster, designed by German manufacturer Maurer Rides, is the first roller coaster at sea. It spans 721 feet in length and reaches a height of 187 feet above sea level. Riders experience an acceleration of 1.2 Gs and the ride can accommodate up to 190 guests per hour. The track features a unique design that curves around the ship’s iconic whale tail funnel, providing riders with breathtaking ocean views.
Guests have control over their speed on the electrically-powered ride, with an option to boost for an extra thrill. The ride includes two floater hills that offer airtime, enhancing the excitement for those seeking a high-speed experience. Safety regulations require riders to be between 52 inches and 77 inches tall, with a weight limit of 300 pounds per person. Children under 12 must ride with an adult aged 15 or older.
While the ride is popular among many guests, it does come with an additional fee, and operating hours may vary based on ship activities, port schedules, and weather conditions.
Other Notable Cruise Ship Features
While Bolt secured the top spot, other cruise ship features also garnered significant attention in the voting. Celebrity Cruises’ Magic Carpet, a unique space on the Edge-class ships, came in second with 18.6% of the votes. Following closely was MSC Cruises’ Cliffhanger, an exhilarating swing on the new MSC World America, which received 18.2% of the votes.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua Slidecoaster from Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna ranked fourth at 16.7%, while Royal Caribbean’s Crown’s Edge ropes course followed closely with 16.5%. Disney Cruise Line’s AquaMouse rounded out the list with 7% of the votes.
Voting for the Cruise Hive awards took place from October 14 to December 19, 2025, allowing readers to participate in selecting their favorite features across eight categories. The results reflect a genuine interest from cruise enthusiasts, ensuring that only legitimate votes were counted in the final tally.
