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Norwegian's Newest Cruise Ship Has a Go-kart Track, Infinity Pools, and an Open-air Food Hall

The Norwegian Viva is the line's newest mega-ship, slated to launch with a huge array of bells and whistles in summer 2023.

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

The newest ship from Norwegian Cruise Line will make its debut in the Mediterranean in June 2023, with room for more than 3,200 passengers, multiple infinity pools, an open-air food hall, and an outdoor go-kart track among its countless amenities.

Norwegian Viva was unveiled on Jan. 12, 2022, revealing details on summer itineraries that will take on iconic ports like Athens and Lisbon, along with gateways to Italy including Civitavecchia, near Rome, and Trieste, not far from Venice. After crossing the Atlantic in November, the Viva will home port in San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning on Dec. 15, 2023.

"We at NCL visit more ports than any other contemporary cruise line, more than Royal [Caribbean], more than Princess, certainly more than Carnival," said Norwegian Cruise Line president and CEO Harry Sommer, in an interview with T+L. "This will just add to that reputation, if you will, that we keep on going to new and exciting places."

The newly announced ship will feature many of the same over-the-top amenities found on the previously announced Norwegian Prima , a sister vessel of Viva that sets sail this summer. That's no coincidence, Sommer told T+L.

"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 was like, 'Oh my God, we have a hit,' so we're not gonna change too much with [ Viva ]," Sommer added. "The big focus here is on itineraries. We have some nice itineraries on Prima, you know, around Iceland, Norway, Amsterdam, London (Southampton), which are really, really being well received. But on Viva, we're gonna notch it up. We're doing, basically, a tour of all the Mediterranean: Lisbon, Ibiza, Palma, Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Naples, Sicily, Dubrovnik, Venice, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, Istanbul — and that's like a third of the ports we're visiting."

Guests aboard the 3,219-passenger vessel will have a huge range of options when it comes to staterooms, with budget-friendly choices as well as splurge-worthy suites. 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.

"We've found that, for slightly more affluent guests, Haven really is the perfect balance. They can have the big-ship experience," Sommer said, "plus all the benefits of the small ship where you get butler and concierge service, upscale decor, larger cabin sizes, really it's the best of both worlds." Sommer added, with a laugh, "It sounds like such a cliche but, you know, I've personally experienced it!"

Dining choices will include the Indulge Food Hall, with 11 distinct concepts, as well as an Italian restaurant, Onda by Scarpetta, that's already a favorite aboard the Norwegian Encore . "Everything that we've done on Prima, we're announcing for Viva as well," Sommer said. "We are going to have our next big reveal for food in early March."

In all, Viva will have more than 20 dining venues, Sommer indicated. The new vessel will also have a three-level go-kart track, the Viva Speedway, which can accommodate up to 15 racers, and a series of thrill rides first seen on Prima, such as The Drop and The Rush, that will offer pulse-quickening moments.

The Viva will also come with some features that will reduce the environmental impact of the vessel. Like its sister ship, Viva will have a selective catalytic reduction system to help eliminate many sulfur and nitrogen oxides, Norwegian says, something that's in line with current International Maritime Organization standards . Viva will also have shore power capabilities, which have the potential to dramatically reduce in-port emissions by letting the ship tap into cleaner energy from the grid.

Norwegian Viva will offer eight-, nine-, and 10-day trips beginning June 15, 2023. Rates start at $2,099 per person for the ship's first departure, a nine-day trip from Lisbon to Civitavecchia, Italy, near Rome.

Norwegian's new Prima cruise ship will feature a 10-story slide and 3-level go-kart racetrack. Here's how the vessel will look.

Norwegian Cruise Line 's latest ship, Prima , features several distinctive onboard amenities.
The vessel will include the world's first three-level go-kart track, the company said.
Passengers can also play mini-golf against a Vegas-style backdrop.

The newly built Norwegian Prima — the first of six ships under the cruise line's new "Prima Class" — will begin sailing in August next year.

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

It'll also offer Tee Time, a supercharged version of mini-golf.

Adrenaline junkies will be able to experience The Drop, which is described as the world's first freefall dry slide.

Headlining acts will take center stage on the ship's multi-purpose theatre and nightclub.

Prima will also feature additional activities including "The Bull's Eye," a twist on the classic game of darts.

The Ocean Boulevard area of the ship will be an outdoor space filled with three dining venues, infinity pools, and a sculpture garden.

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more .

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A Cruise Ship With Go-Karts: Norwegian Cruise Line

When you think of cruise ships, you think of relaxation. You think of bars, lounges, shows and areas where you can spend the days with your loved ones – or alone too, if you’re traveling alone. Believe it not, there are two cruise ships that have something much more exciting and adrenaline-inducing than the usual activities or sipping a margarita overlooking the beautiful ocean – a go-kart race track! Here are some of the highlights:

Go-karts feature speeds of up to 30 mph
Features custom-built multi-level race track
$15 per race or 199.95 for the Unlimited Pass
Safety gear provided by Norwegian Cruise Line
Amazing racing experience with an unbeatable view

Inspired by the grandkids of the company’s CEO, these karting tracks are the first of their kind on any cruise ship. It’s important to note that they are not just amusement-park karting race tracks either – they feature an authentic racing experience similar to the one you can experience at indoor go-kart racing facilities on land.

Featuring a platform where people can sit and spectate, a covered pit lane, a system that times your laps, and even floodlights to let you race at night, this go-kart track on a cruise ship will give you an absolutely unique experience while being in the middle of the ocean! How exciting is that?

With all of this available on a cruise ship, your adventurous side will thank you for giving this thrilling activity a shot. Karting in itself is one of the most fun and challenging motorsport activities that you can experience. Doing that in the middle of an endless ocean brings this experience to a whole new level!

On What Cruise Ships Are Go-Karts Available?

At this point in time, you’re able to experience go-karting on the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy. Both of these cruise ships are part of the Norwegian Cruise Line. At sea, the Norwegian Bliss has the longest race track providing an unparalleled experience to anyone who loves motorsports.

If you’re the type who likes quiet and peace while at sea, don’t worry. The tracks are located towards the back of the ship so you’ll be able to enjoy and relax, as well as refuel your adrenaline.

What Kind of Race Tracks Are Available?

The race track featured on both cruise ships is named Encore Speedway and even for indoor karting standards, is relatively large. To be more specific, the race track is 1150 feet (350 m) long and features a track width of 18 feet (5.5 m). There are also plenty of turns and straight sections built into it that provide plenty of overtaking opportunities. The tracks are also multi-level so you can expect some inclinations at certain points to get an even better view of the ocean! How cool is that?

To add to the racing experience, the electric go-karts produce sounds of race car engines while you drive, making it feel even more authentic. And with a crowd cheering you on from the stands, you’re sure to get into the racing mood.

While the race track is 18 feet (5.5 m) wide, overtaking can be challenging in certain areas, so you’ll have to factor that in. However, this also makes the overall experience more fun and challenging. Slower drivers may also be enjoying the ocean views while racing, so you should always be mindful of that.

But with a little bit of patience, a positive attitude and some racing skills, you’ll be able to overtake them at strategic sections of the race track. The races last for about 8 – 10 minutes, with each lap taking up around 30 seconds, depending on how fast you are. That means that if you’re standing in line for your turn, you won’t have to wait that long.

What Type of Go-Karts Are Available?

The go-karts featured on the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy are all-electric SiNUS iONs that have been customized for corrosion-resistance, due to the saline environment. These go-karts are known to be of high-quality and are extremely fun to race with!

A lot of people on cruises are with friends or family. That’s one reason why there are two-seaters karts, as well as the standard one-seaters go-karts available. This allows you to share this amazing racing experience with someone else. Whether it’s your partner, your parent or your kid, being able to race a kart on top of a ship in the middle of an ocean is an experience not many things can beat.

Another cool thing about these go-karts is that they are fully electric. They’re extremely quiet but they do feature authentic engine sound effects to make you feel like you are going much faster than you actually are. With a top speed of up to 30 mph, you’re able to race at decent speeds, considering you’re on top of a cruise ship.

If you’re wondering who actually customized the go-karts, then you’d be happy to know that they’re custom-built for the tracks by none other than Alex Vega – a name that is sure to be recognized by car fans around the world who watch ‘The Auto Firm with Alex Vega’. If you’re interested, you should watch the episode of the show that features these exact go-karts.

To keep the karting experience safe for everyone, the staff has the ability to control the speed of the go-karts for passengers who require some assistance. At the start of the race, the speed may be throttled for a while, but eventually you’ll be able to fully control the speed yourself. This feature is also introduced for safety reasons and they will also reduce the speed of racers, if there are any incidents on the track to ensure everyone’s safety.

Does the Cruise Ship Provide Safety Gear?

Norwegian Cruise Line provides a helmet with a visor, as well as a balaclava to all racer. The helmet sock fits over your head like a ski mask and prevents the helmet from touching your bare head. Not only is this more hygenic, but it’s also much more comfortable. The helmet socks are also washed after every single use so the whole experience is very clean and sanitary.

How Much Does a Karting Session Cost?

If you want to have the experience of driving go-karts on top of a cruise ship, you can do that for $15 per race. This gets you one ride that will last for about 8 – 10 minutes. This is a great option for people who just want to try it out. If you’re into go-karting and enjoy the motorsport, the better option to go for multiple races, as you can bundle these up.

And if you fall in love with the experience and can’t get enough of it, you can also splurge for the Unlimited Weekly Pass that costs $199.95 and allows you to go to the track whenever and however many times you want for the whole week that you’re on the cruise. You’ll also get to use a priority line, which drastically reduces your waiting time!

What Are the Requirements to Race?

One of the best things about these tracks is that there is no age limit to drive karts on them. You just need to be at least 55 inches tall. It doesn’t matter how old you are! Another requirement to go on the tracks is to have the proper attire. This is very important, as it ensures the safety of the racers.

You shouldn’t be wearing sandals when going karting. You are required to wear closed-toe shoes, as well as clothes that are not loose. Items like an open jacket or a scarf are not allowed as they run the risk of getting stuck on the wheels which could cause potential accidents. Other than these standard karting rules that you should be following, there’s not much stopping you from being part of this amazing oceanic karting experience.

Do I Need a Reservation to Ride Go-Karts?

Do you need to get a reservation? No. But should you? Absolutely!

These tracks, as you may have assumed, are the most popular parts of these two ships so they are going to be pretty much always occupied. If you want to save yourself from the long lines, it’s best to have a reservation for a spot the moment you board the cruise.

Otherwise, you’re going to probably end up waiting for your turn for a much longer time than the actual lap will take. Alternatively, you can always opt for the Unlimited Weekly Pass for those extra queueing perks!

Is Go-Karting on a Cruise Ship Worth It?

If you’re going on a cruise, it’s great to do whatever you can to make memories that will last a lifetime. Usually, these experiences are more relaxing in nature but having an exciting option like being able to race go-karts on a custom-built race track in the middle of the ocean is something you’ll probably only do once in your life.

So the definitive answer is, yes! 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.

In fact, most indoor karting arenas feature similar prices, although the length of a race may be a little longer. But who are we kidding? Of course, it will be an extremely awesome and thrilling experience. You’ll be racing on top of a cruise ship! Not only will you be able to get the thrill of racing go-karts but you’ll also have the thrill of that with the ocean right in front of you.

It’s like having the best of both worlds – you get the adventure of karting and you get to do it with a view! So, the answer is a definitive yes! Don’t miss out on this experience.

About Gerrit

Owner, Researcher, Writer & Editor at GoKartGuide.com

Norwegian’s Newest Cruise Ship Will Have a Go-Kart Track and 10-Story Plunge Slide

The italian-designed 965-footer is due to hit the seas next year., rachel cormack.

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Norwegian Cruise Line ’s newest fleet member could turn out to be the ultimate playground for all ages.

The epic 965-footer, which is set to hit the seas in June 2023, can accommodate more than 3,200 guests and boasts a laundry list of amenities, including multiple swimming pools, restaurants, bars and even an outdoor go-kart track. Christened Norwegian Viva , the liner will built by renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and will mirror the upscale design of sister ship Norwegian Prima .

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Cruise Line Offers a Shipboard Go-Kart Track

Norwegian Cruise Line's electric karts can hit speeds up to 30 mph.

Fjord, Water transportation, Highland, Water, Lake, Waterway, Reservoir, Tourism, Vehicle, Mountain,

Norwegian Cruise Line will soon offer three ships with go-kart tracks on board, including a two-story track on its new ship Encore that goes into service in November.
One of the tracks has a Ferrari theme. But this fun does not come cheap: an eight-minute stint in a kart will cost $15.

Good news for those who, like the staff of Car and Driver, appreciate a good go-kart experience . Norwegian Cruise Line's latest recreational option is a 1150-foot long go-kart track onboard its new cruise ship Encore , which will go into service in the Caribbean in late November.

Called the Norwegian Encore Speedway, the 11,500-foot track covers two stories on the top deck of the ship and has enough space to let up to 10 racers drive at the same time. The all-electric go-karts can hit 30 mph on a track that features 10 turns and has four areas that actually hang over the side of the ship—in one case, almost 13 feet over the edge. Each race session takes around eight minutes, and there is a viewing track where observers can use lasers to tag drivers and give them an extra turbo boost. Formula E, take notes.

Vehicle, Bumper, Mode of transport, Automotive exterior, Go-kart, Fun, Recreation, Water transportation, Kart racing, Boating,

With the new track on the Encore , NCL now has three ships with go-kart tracks. The other two are on the Joy (which opened in 2017) and on the Bliss (2018). The track on the Joy has a Ferrari theme. An NCL spokesperson told C/D that on boats that have go-karts, "the racetrack experience remains one of the highest-rated recreation activities on board."

The Encore is a 1100-foot, 4000-person cruise ship that left the shipbuilding dock in Papenburg, Germany, for the first time in mid-August. The christening is scheduled for November 21 in Miami. The Encore will cruise the Eastern Caribbean in seven-day increments out of Miami this winter, will add the northeastern itineraries (Canada and New England) in April, and is set to go to the West Coast and Alaska in 2021.

Vehicle, Tugboat, Boat, Watercraft, Ship, Port,

Racing isn't cheap at sea. A single ride costs $15 per person, but NCL offers an unlimited pass for the entire week at sea for $199.95. Befitting the theme, you'd better be fast to snag one of these. NCL only sells the passes onboard on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sebastian Blanco has been writing about electric vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen cars since 2006. His articles and car reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Automotive News , Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Trucks.com, Car Talk, and other outlets. His first green-car media event was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been tracking the shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles and discovering the new technology's importance not just for the auto industry, but for the world as a whole. Throw in the recent shift to autonomous vehicles, and there are more interesting changes happening now than most people can wrap their heads around. You can find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a new EV.

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Onboard Obsession: The Thrill of Go-Karting on a Mega Cruise Ship

By Meena Thiruvengadam

Onboard Obsession The Thrill of GoKarting on the Norwegian Prima

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Onboard Obsession is a new series that explores the can't-miss highlights of the best-loved cruises—from the shore excursions to book to the spa treatments too relaxing to pass up.

Eighteen decks above the cold Atlantic Ocean, I pulled on a balaclava and helmet and did something I hadn’t done in decades: stepped into a go-kart.

The last time I was behind the wheel of a go-kart was about 25 years prior, at a Six Flags amusement park. This time I was somewhere far more exciting—cruising between Iceland and Ireland on the Norwegian Prima .

The Norwegian Prima takes go-karting at sea to a whole other level—literally. Instead of two decks like other Norwegian ships, the Norwegian Prima’s 1,400-foot go-kart track is spread over the ship’s top three decks. And that third deck makes a huge difference.

The first time I accelerated up the hill to the track’s third deck, I was scared of flying off the top of the ship. Having lived in walkable cities for more than a decade, I rarely drive nowadays, let alone in miniature race cars on moving ships in the middle of the ocean.

It was the kind of cold and windy day you would expect off the coast of Iceland , and I couldn’t see anything but the ocean over the horizon. I hit the gas, hoped for the best, and breathed a sigh of relief when I made it to the top deck. It was so much more exhilarating than I remembered. It’s mind-bending to drive a go-kart on a moving cruise ship without a speck of land in sight. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Like many things on Norwegian ships, the race track isn’t included in the cruise fare . Rides are $15 each. For an extra $5, you can have the track to yourself for three laps and drive at faster speeds. For $199, you can buy unlimited rides for your cruise.

Norwegian Prima's go-kart track is the cruise line's biggest yet.

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. And there’s no smell of gasoline.

Norwegian’s onboard go-kart fleet is electric, though that might be hard for drivers to believe because sounds mimicking gasoline-powered cars are pumped into driver’s helmets to mimic the traditional race car experience. I didn’t notice the go-karts were electric and the sounds I was hearing were fake until after my drive.

I was skeptical about go-karting at sea, but the eight laps, what Norwegian Cruise Line calls a “heat,” won me over. It turns out that zipping around in a miniature race car with nowhere to be and nothing but the ocean as far as you can see is ridiculous and fun. It’s also a great way to punctuate a sea day, especially if the spa is booked.

Including the Prima , Norwegian now has four ships with go-kart tracks. The Norwegian Joy was the first in the company’s fleet to offer a go-kart track, and each new Norwegian ship to debut since has featured a bigger, better race track.

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.

Norwegian’s three-level go-kart track was the first thing I noticed each time I returned to the ship from an excursion during a special inaugural sailing last year. Spectators can watch cars whiz by from a dedicated observation area, the pool, hot tub, or sun deck.

One ride was enough for me, but the teenage version of me would have stuck around for at least a few more heats. Next time, I’ll choose a warm weather itinerary and splurge for the private track time.

A Three-Story Racetrack, Food Hall, and Infinity Pools: Inside the Norwegian Prima

Spoiler alert: the Prima lives up to the hype

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Lounges and Decks

Entertainment, where to eat and drink, recreational attractions, the verdict.

When Norwegian Cruise Line invited me on an eight-night, inaugural voyage on board the Norwegian Prima, the cruise line's first in a new class of six ships, it took me all of five minutes to respond with a resounding "yes."

Brimming with firsts , the Prima Class takes cruising to a whole other level: A three-level go-kart race track? Check. An open-air food hall? Check. A pickleball court? Check. With the Prima setting sail from Reykjavik on Aug. 26 and landing in Amsterdam on Sept. 3, I had plenty of time to take advantage of all the cool things the ship had to offer and see if it lived up to expectations (spoiler alert: it did).

From where to eat and drink to the top things to do, here's everything you need to know about cruising on Norwegian Prima.

Courtesy of Norwegian Prima

The Prima's inside, oceanview, and balcony staterooms are larger than those in the cruise line's previous ship classes, and, while I admittedly haven't been on many cruises, mine was the nicest I've ever stayed in. We were placed in a "Family Balcony" stateroom, a 231-square-foot space that can sleep up to four guests with its double sofa bed and couch that can be converted into two lower beds.

There was more storage in our room than in any other hotels we stayed at before and after the cruise—particularly in the bathroom, which featured five shelves, a drawer, and a cabinet underneath the sink. Plus, the room had several outlets where we could charge our phones, laptops, and iPads, with the two bedside lamps offering additional slots for USB C and USB cords.

The balcony, which comes with two chairs, offers lovely views of the ocean and port destinations (I was sailing through the Netherlands' waterways as I wrote this), and can be a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of a busy ship. Since we were on the 15th floor, it was possible to hear the buzzing of the go-karts racing two levels above us; however, we were able to shut out the sounds by closing the door to our balcony.

For solo travelers, the Prima also offers studio rooms with full-size beds, a separate bathroom, and exclusive access to a Studio Lounge where you can meet other people. The best part? They're priced for those cruising by themselves, so no single supplement is required.

Elizabeth Preske

As previously reported by TripSavvy , the Prima's pool deck boasts more space than any earlier NCL ships. On the main pool deck, passengers can swim in the pool, ride a tidal wave waterslide, or relax in one of two infinity hot tubs. The sun deck, too, offers plenty of chaise lounges. For a more secluded retreat, passengers 18 and up can purchase a pass to the Vibe Beach Club (seven-day passes start at $229), which comes with its own bar, two other infinity hot tubs, and private cabanas.

While cool temps and strong winds kept most of us from adequately enjoying the upper decks—located on the 17th to 19th levels—they do line up next to some of the other onboard attractions, including The Wave, Kids' Aqua Park, and Prima Speedway, and could be potentially noisy on a hot day. If you're keeping a close eye on your kids, these are great spots to hang out and catch some rays; however, I preferred La Terraza on the 8th level, where there are equally comfy chairs in a much more intimate setting, as well as binoculars for wildlife spotting.

Also on the 8th level are two infinity pools at the twin Infinity Beaches, situated on the port and starboard sides of the ship and offering stunning ocean views. Because they're both adjacent to The Drop and The Rush landing areas, though, these areas can also be busy.

When the weather is less than ideal, there are a few indoor spaces where you can post up in. There's the Observation Lounge, which affords scenic views from the ship's bow, and the Internet Café, located next to Starbucks and a popular place for those WFC.

The three-level Prima Theater & Club is where you'll find the biggest events of the cruise, including concerts, musicals, and game shows. During the inaugural cruise, the theater put on "The Price Is Right Live" and "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical," both fun and incredibly engaging.

At "The Price Is Right," a live version of TV's longest-running game show, passengers are invited to "come on down" to the stage and compete for a chance at spinning the big wheel. The show I was at was staged (all the winnings went to charity, and the showcase showdown saw global pop star Katy Perry, the Prima's godmother, up against Marcia Del Rio, wife of Norwegian Holdings Ltd. President and CEO Frank J. Del Rio), but during a regular cruise, anyone in the theater could be called down to place bids and win prizes.

The Tony-nominated "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" Broadway show—which tells the story of the Disco Queen's rise to fame and the inspiration behind her biggest hits like "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls," and "She Works Hard for the Money"—was the Prima's headlining show. The trio of actresses playing Summer in three critical stages of her life—with D'Nasya Jordan as Duckling Donna, Valerie Curlingford as Disco Donna, and "American Idol" season two finalist Kimberley Locke as Diva Donna—are all remarkably talented, making the musical an utter sensation.

After the last show, crew members usher everyone out to fully retract the seats, transforming (in 15 minutes, no less) the theater into a full-on nightclub, complete with two bars and booth-style seating. Most nights of the inaugural cruise, it was Studio 54-themed—a perfect way to end the day after bopping our heads to disco beats at "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical."

In addition to the Prima Theater & Club, the ship features other venues where you can catch a show. The pub-style Syd Norman's Pour House is a popular place to grab a beer and listen to live music, with the house band's performance of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" album from start to finish a major highlight of the week. At The Improv at Sea, passengers can watch stand-up comedy in an intimate space reminiscent of a New York City improv theater.

Norwegian Cruise Line's food and beverage offerings set the cruise brand apart. With 18 dining venues on the ship, the Prima's culinary options are just as much a part of the cruise experience as its big-time attractions.

Indulge Food Hall

Food Hall has 11 different eateries that you can sample—including The Latin Quarter, which serves up totopos and crab tostada, and Tamara, where you can try Indian-inspired dishes such as chicken korma and urad dal. Unlike your average food hall, you can sit (almost) anywhere and order as many things as you want from a table-top kiosk with just a few simple taps. (If you sit at an eatery's bar seating, you can only order food from that particular vendor.)

The plates were small, which was great for sharing and meant we could try five or six dishes without feeling too stuffed. (I highly recommend Nudls' spaetzle, available at lunch, and its pesto gnocchi, which you can have for dinner.) Most of the dishes are included in the cost of the cruise, too, except for sweets shop Coco's—where I ordered dulce de leche crêpes and a fudgy s'mores sundae the size of my head in celebration of my mom's birthday—and drinks at Luna Bar.

We ran into technical difficulties with the kiosks when we placed an order, and it didn't go through, but crew members quickly sorted out the issue.

Main Dining Rooms

The Prima has two complimentary main dining rooms—Hudson's and The Commodore Room—open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Both offer the same menu, which is the same every day but is more expansive than what you would find in a traditional cruise dining hall. Here, you can order everything from small bites, soups, and salads to make-your-own pasta, pork chops, and rotisserie chicken.

Because I ate at Hudson's more than any other eatery onboard, I got to sample a good portion of the menu. While you can't go wrong with the "knife and fork" short rib (slow-braised beef, Guinness dark beer sauce, grilled asparagus), it was the seafood dishes that completely stole the show: mini crab cakes, California roll, and seafood paella (bomba rice, shrimp, sea bass, mussels, clams, and sofrito).

Although the menus stay the same daily, there is a rotating "signature taste"—a popular dish borrowed from one of the specialty restaurants—that you can purchase should you want to try something new.

Specialty Dining

If you're eager to mix things up, the Prima offers eight specialty restaurants you can dine at, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Nama Sushi & Sashimi, and Palomar, NCL's first Mediterranean seafood restaurant. The specialty restaurants were, unfortunately, not open for reservations on my cruise. However, I did get a chance to have dinner at Food Republic. Like Indulge Food Hall, it's a casual, fusion eatery where you can order a smattering of bites from a table-side kiosk. However, unlike Indulge Food Hall, the portions are much more substantial. I tried a bunch of different Asian dishes—including pork belly bao, a volcano roll, and ramen with BBQ pork belly—but they also offer Peruvian beef skewers, Mexican street corn, and Belgian waffles if you want to go on a culinary tour of the world. My personal favorite? The green tea jar, made with chocolate brownie, green tea mousse, chocolate crumble, and ganache—you won't regret it!

Surfside Café & Grill

Surfside Café & Grill is your classic cruise buffet. For speed and convenience, it became my go-to for pre-shore excursion meals and disembarkment day. It had everything you could want for breakfast: make-your-own omelets, French toast, eggs Benedict, muesli, oatmeal with all the fixings, bacon, pastries, fresh fruit, fresh juice, and tea and coffee.

I went here a couple of times for lunch, too, with one of those times falling on "Seafood Extravaganza" day. What looked like literal tons of shellfish were being unloaded by the pound and claw, and we could gorge on shrimp cocktail, lobster, and crab to our hearts' content. Being from the Midwest, where seafood can be found in the frozen section of the local grocery store, I found the whole experience slightly intimidating (how do I crack a lobster claw?), but it was all in good fun.

The Local Bar & Grill

The Local isn't open just for live music and drinks. It also offers pub fare and other comfort foods—think beer-battered cod sandwiches, Coney Island-style hot dogs, fettuccine carbonara, and blue cheese burgers. It was the only restaurant open in the interim between lunch and dinner, so it made for a great post-shore excursion meal.

You'll never want for a cocktail or glass of wine on the Prima. While you can grab a drink at any of the ship's theaters, clubs, restaurants, and decks, a handful of dedicated bars onboard offer something unique, from the fine selection of whiskeys at the aptly named Whiskey Bar to the crafted bottled cocktails at Belvedere Bar.

I quickly fell in love with Metropolitan, where bartenders serve up sustainable cocktails using ingredients sourced straight from Prima's kitchen. Like the Watermelon Twist, a spicy margarita concocted with watermelon rind cordial, and the Croissant Mai-Tai, whose day-old croissants were the star ingredient. But you don't have to go to Metropolitan to try one of these specialty cocktails; some of the other restaurants, including Indulge Food Hall and Hudson's, offer a rotating "day of the week" cocktail, giving passengers a chance to sample Metropolitan from anywhere on the ship.

From a three-level go-kart race track to free-fall slides and pickleball at sea, Norwegian Prima's exciting new attractions will keep you entertained all cruise long.

Galaxy Pavilion

Pegged as the first flying theater simulator at sea, Galaxy Pavilion is available on other Norwegian ships. Still, this newest iteration is better than all the rest, with 14 VR games, including two Escape Rooms and a Topgolf Swing Suite exclusive to Norwegian. As someone who gets quickly motion-sick, there were a few games, like the roller coaster simulation, that rocked and jolted a little too much for my liking—but others were safe alternatives and super fun. I loved the VR spin on DDR, where, with the help of on-screen prompts, I moved my arms to the beat of "Shake It Off" (the crew member who taught me how to play said it's for kids, but I disagree), as well as a zombie shooter game, hidden inside a 7D "Dark Room" (admittedly scary, though entertaining).

To play, it's $8 à la carte and $29 for a one-hour unlimited package. Ultimate Galaxy packages, the weeklong, all-you-can-play pass, are available for $199. The Escape Rooms are an additional $15 per person.

Prima Speedway

The race track ended up being one of my favorite attractions on the ship. While go-kart race tracks aren't new to NCL, this particular track is the first-ever three-level race track at sea, and it's 22 percent larger than the one on NCL's Encore. With a 1,400-foot track and 14 turns, the electric-powered go-karts travel can travel up to 27 miles per hour on the competitive, shared-rider experience ($15 per ride) and up to 40 mph on the "You And The Track" single-rider experience ($20 per ride).

I opted for the former, repeatedly pressing the green "turbo boost" button to try and overtake the others, and completed seven laps. Not bad for a first go-around. For those eager to take multiple turns around the track—and try to win first-place bragging rights—Norwegian will also offer an all-you-can-ride pass valid throughout your cruise ($199; does not include "You And The Track").

Tee Time & The Bull's Eye

Tee Time, the Prima's nine-hole mini-golf course, takes regular mini-golf up a notch by introducing interactive technology—think a pre-tee selfie at the 8th hole—and a chance to win the ultimate grand prize: a free cruise. Plus, there's tech that tracks the ball and automatically keeps score for you (re: no cheating allowed). It costs $10 to play.

Adjacent to Tee Time is The Bull's Eye, where you can play a round or two of darts with up to six people. Tickets are $40 for 50 minutes of play.

The Stadium

The Stadium is essentially the Prima's outdoor game room, where you can play several games— including subsoccer, beer pong, foosball, and tabletop shuffleboard—for free. There's also what I liked to call "wacky ping pong," which was like a tabletop version of racquetball, with a circular (as opposed to flat) table causing the ping ball to ricochet every which way.

As a former tennis player, the highlight of The Stadium was the pickleball court, enclosed in a cage to prevent cruisers from accidentally thwacking the polymer ball off the side of the ship. I heard it was one of the ship's more popular attractions and got rather busy, so I was fortunate to play a few rounds without waiting. (My advice? Make a beeline for the court on the first day, when people are still boarding and exploring the ship.) It was really fun, and I can now understand the big pickleball hype.

The Drop, The Rush, and The Wave

Look at an exterior shot of the Norwegian Prima, and you're bound to notice The Drop and The Rush, a series of 10-story-tall slides that spiral down the ship's sides. The Drop is what Norwegian says is the world's first free-fall slide, in which riders are comfortably set up in a capsule before the floor drops beneath them. On the opposite side of the Prima is The Rush, which comprises dueling slides perfectly set up for a race down to the 8th level. On a hot, sunny day, riders can also check out The Wave, NCL's first tidal wave water slide.

While it was too cold to test out The Wave, I gave both dry slides a whirl—and had a total blast. If you're afraid of heights, rest assured that the slides are much less intimidating than they appear, particularly The Drop: After that initial rush, the clear plastic tubing slows you considerably. All slides are free to ride.

Mandara Spa

If you want to treat yourself, you can choose from several wellness and beauty treatments at Mandara Spa, which offers everything from seaweed massages, stone therapy, and salt scrubs to mani-pedis and nutritional consultations.

I got a day pass to the Thermal Suite, which features salt and freshwater pools and a mix of saunas, ice rooms, and steam rooms you can bounce between. After sweating and shivering for an hour and a half, I wound up in the Thermal Lounge, with heated ceramic loungers that accumulate heat the longer you sit in them. I never wanted to leave.

Oceanwalk and The Concourse

Located on the 8th level is the glass-floored Oceanwalk, where you can look straight down and see the waves crashing underneath your feet. On the ship's starboard side, the Oceanwalk gives way to The Concourse, an outdoor sculpture garden filled with six works of art by West Palm Beach-based artist Alexander Krivosheiw. Be sure to swing by at night when Krivosheiw's "Sacred Trinity" sculpture, made of mirror-polished stainless steel and integrated with NeonFlex L.E.D. lighting, glows in alternating colors of purples, pinks, and blues.

The Haven is Norwegian Prima's ship-within-a-ship concept, an exclusive section open only to guests who've booked one of 107 ultra-luxurious Haven suites. Guests with the means (rooms start at $3,749 per person) will get the five-star treatment, with access to a private sundeck featuring an infinity pool, sauna, and cold room; The Haven Restaurant, an additional main dining room that serves gourmet dishes like lobster bisque and beef burgers with triple crème brie; and The Haven Lounge & Bar. To top it all off, Haven guests will be extra-pampered by a 24-hour butler, concierge service, private elevators, and VIP seating at the Prima Theater & Club.

With several industry firsts—a three-level race track at sea, a food hall boasting 11 different vendors, and an onboard sculpture garden—the Norwegian Prima promises an action-packed experience that will have you oohing and ahhing from the moment you step foot on board. The staterooms are comfortable and chic, with enough storage to stow your clothes, toiletries, and other travel items for a week. And, thanks to a wide variety of culinary options on board, you'll never grow tired of sampling all of the Prima's different flavors.

However, if you plan to stick to only the activities and restaurants included in the cruise cost, Norwegian Prima may not be for you. You'll not get the whole experience by skipping most, if not all, of the Prima's big-name attractions, and you may grow tired of seeing the same menu offerings at the complimentary eateries every day of the cruise. But, if you're open to spending extra—whether it's an hourly pass at Galaxy Pavilion or a weeklong "all-you-can-ride" package at Prima Speedway—you'll find that the Norwegian Prima is well worth it.

Although the inaugural cruise set sail from Northern Europe, Norwegian Prima will be cruising to the Caribbean from New York ; Galveston, Texas; and Miami in October before settling in for the 2023 and 2024 cruise season in Port Canaveral, Florida, and Galveston.

Cruises onboard the Prima start at $829 a person.

Norwegian Cruise Line. " Activities. " Accessed Sept. 22, 2022.

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15 Must-Know Things About Norwegian’s Go-Kart Track at Sea

When Norwegian Cruise Lines debuted the first racetrack at sea with go-karts, it made big news. Even now a few years later, the speedways continue to be one of the more popular attractions on a cruise ship. They are also a perfect example of the kind of strides that today’s ships are making in entertainment while at sea.

If you’re about to sail on a Norwegian ship with one of the tracks, then you’re likely interested in some more details about the go-kart and what you can expect. We recently tried the racetrack at sea for ourselves and here is everything you need to know…

Go-kart Tracks Are Available on the Bliss and Joy

Will your ship have the racetrack? As of now, only two ships have the tracks at sea: Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy. These are NCL’s largest and newest ships. Given the popularity of the track, we could envision future ships being built with the track or older ships being refurbished to add the speedway. For now, however, only those lucky cruisers on these newer ships get to enjoy the experience.

The Laps Take About 30 Seconds

As you’d expect on a racetrack on a ship, the course isn’t that long. It only takes about 30 seconds to make a lap. That said, the layout is well-designed. In a compact space the track packs a lot in, including a ton of corners, twists and turns. It’s also a double-decker track, with a hill climb right at the start and a downhill section at the end to bring you back to the start/finish line.

One-Seaters and Two-Seaters Are Available

Want to drive with a smaller child? Or maybe you just want to share the experience with someone? You don’t have to drive alone. While most riders decide to drive a single cart, you can ride with two people in a double go-kart.

The Carts Are Electric with Gas Engine Sounds

With cruise ships trying to more “green” you might be wondering about fuel for the go-karts. They are actually electric and don’t emit exhaust as they zoom around the track. To help add to the ambiance, there are engine noises emitted by the cars to make them sounds like they are real race cars. It’s a little funny at first but really does make it feel like you are going faster.

Rides Cost $15 Per Person (Unlimited Passes Are Available)

If there is one bad thing about the racetrack on Norwegian, it’s that the activity isn’t free. In fact, it can be a bit pricey. While prices can change at anytime, as we go to press you’ll pay $15 per person for your turn on the track. Want to go three times during your trip? That’s $45. There are unlimited passes available that allow you to go the entire length of your trip. We’ve seen prices quoted around $200 for a week-long cruise.

Be Dressed for Racing

Due to safety concerns, you need to be dress appropriately to race the cars. That means closed-toe shoes. 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.

There Are Height Requirements

If you want to drive alone, then you need to be at least 55 inches tall (4′ 7″). The good news is that there aren’t age requirements. As long as you are tall enough, you can drive. Note that some websites showing the minimum height of 48 inches, but on the ship it was in fact listed as 55 inches to drive alone. Smaller riders can go with larger drivers to also enjoy the track.

Reservations Are Highly Recommended

The racetrack is by far one of the most popular parts of the ship. While your cruise may be different, we’d highly suggest making some reservations for your spot the instant you get on the ship. You can reserve a spot via your stateroom television. You could also try to reserve during days in port when many people are off the ship (if the track is open during this time).

You May Not Go Fast… But It Feels Fast

We’ll be honest, you don’t go that fast in absolute terms in the carts. We’ve seen reports of up to 30-40 mph, but having raced on the ship firsthand, that’s not the case. We’d estimate you go more 10-15 mph. 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. Bottom line, you won’t be disappointed with the speed.

Rides Last About 10 Minutes

The rides go by pretty quick. If you’re waiting in line, that’s a good thing. If you’re racing, you want it to last forever. We’d estimate that a turn takes about 10 minutes long. For $15, that’s not very long, but it is still a fun time. To be honest, racing any longer than that and the minimum wait would be unbearable.

A Helmet and Helmet Sock Are Provided For You

When you ride, you must wear a helmet. A helmet with a visor is provided to you, as is a helmet sock. The sock fits over your head like a thin ski mask. They are only worn once and then washed for the next person. This helps to keep things cleaner instead of people’s bare heads touching the actual helmet.

The Power Is Controlled by the Staff

You might be hoping you get a face car when you race. The speed of the cars is actually dependent on the staff. In fact, when you first start on the track you’ll be disappointed with the speed out of the gates and climbing the hill. It’s not until all the cars are on the track that the power is turned up and you can really start to drive quickly. As well, if there are any incidents on the track or when it’s time to pit at the end of the race, your speed will be cut.

The “Turbo” Button Doesn’t Do Anything

On the car’s steering wheel there is a beautiful button that says it’s a turbo boost. Don’t get your hopes up. 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.

Getting Stuck Behind People Is an Issue

If there is one complaint about the racetrack on Norwegian, it’s that you can get stuck behind slow drivers. Given the turns and the width of the track, finding a spot to pass can be tough. If someone is going slow around the track, you could be going at a turtle’s pace behind them until things open up for passing.

Racing Is a Lot of Fun… You Should Do It at Least Once

It’s understandable if you don’t want to spend the extra money to take a ride on the carts. For instance, a family of four would spend $60 for about 10 minutes of entertainment. That’s a steep price to pay. Still, after having done the carts ourselves, we suggest that everyone take at least one turn. During our cruise it turned out to be one of the highlights of the entire trip and something we’ll remember for a long time.

Have more questions about racing on Norwegian ships? Let us know in the comments below.

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15 Must-Know Things About Norwegian's Go-Kart Track at Sea

The longest go-kart track at sea is so incredible even grown-ups will love it

When Norwegian Cruise Line first unveiled plans to put a go-kart track atop a cruise ship, some people in the cruise world snickered. That can't possibly work, they said. And even if it does, who'd want to go-kart in the middle of the ocean?

Quite a lot of people, it turns out.

The first two go-kart tracks at sea, unveiled in 2017 and 2018 on the line's Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss, respectively, were huge hits. So much so that Norwegian has dreamed up an even bigger go-kart experience for its latest vessel , Norwegian Encore.

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As I saw over the weekend during a sneak peek at Norwegian Encore in advance of its inaugural voyage out of Miami, the Norwegian Encore Speedway go-kart track is nearly 200 feet longer than the earlier tracks and wider, too. Spreading over a significant portion of two decks, it includes sections that extend about 13 feet over the sides of the vessel that aren't on the earlier ships.

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.

The idea is that your companions will work with you from the sidelines to get you to the win.

"It's all about that family interactivity and that engagement," Simon Murray, the Norwegian executive in charge of guest experiences and innovation, told me during an onboard interview. "Not everyone wants to race or can race, but [now] they can participate."

Murray noted that his own daughter, Georgiana, is too young to operate one of the go-karts herself. But during a day visit to the ship last week, the 9-year-old had a blast shooting the laser guns from the sidelines as Murray made a test run on the track.

"She's shooting like crazy trying to give Daddy a boost," he said. "It was the sweetest thing."

Georgiana, it should be noted, gets the credit for sparking the idea of the laser guns. She's a big fan of a flume attraction at Universal Orlando where observers can shoot riders with water guns as they pass by, and she wondered aloud to her dad as to whether the go-kart tracks on Norwegian ships could have something similar. Murray took the idea and ran with it.

"We wanted to do the same [type of] thing but in a positive way," he said, noting that nobody is going to get unexpectedly soaked at the Norwegian Encore Speedway by a devious stranger. "The way the technology works is that we could actually have made the lasers take away the turbo boost. But we made it give you a boost. We didn't want to upset people."

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During a three-lap test run over the weekend, I found the experience of zipping around the go-kart track on Norwegian Encore more thrilling than the go-kart tracks on Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss (both of which I've tried, too). The bigger width of the track makes it much easier to pass other cars, or be passed, as the case would be.

In my case, alas, it was more of the latter. No matter how hard I jammed the green "gas" pedal of my car to the floor, or how seriously I tried to evoke the speed of NASCAR giants like Earnhardt and Petty, when all was said and done, I was nearly last in my heat.

Best to stick to travel writing is the lesson, I guess.

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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. The noise that they make is all a simulation.

Just don't think for a minute they're not serious go-karts. The cars can hit speeds of up to 32 miles per hour on the track, making for quite the exhilarating experience. They could have gone even faster — up to 50 miles per hour, Murray said — but Norwegian has restricted them a bit for safety.

Perhaps the only bad news about the new go-kart track on Norwegian Encore is that it costs a lot more to experience than the go-kart tracks initially did on Norwegian's Joy and Bliss vessels. Just last year, when Norwegian Bliss first debuted, its go-kart track cost $7 per ride. With demand sky high, the line quickly raised that fee to $9.95 per ride. Now, the cost is up to $15 per ride. That's for an eight-lap race that, typically, lasts about six to eight minutes.

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.

The track has a minimum height restriction of 55 inches and a maximum weight restriction of 300 pounds.

Want to learn more about Norwegian? Make sure to subscribe to TPG's flagship podcast, Talking Points , for an exclusive interview with the CEO and president of Norwegian Cruise Line, Andy Stuart. The episode releases on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

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Norwegian’s Cruise Ship With a Go Kart Track Completes Caribbean Season, Headed to Alaska

Departing on Saturday for the West Coast, Norwegian Bliss will cross the Panama Canal, returning to Los Angeles for Mexican Riviera sailings throughout April. After a series of cruises to Mexico, Norwegian Bliss will join sister ship, Norwegian Joy, in Seattle for a summer of Alaska cruising.

Both cruise ships are the largest to homeport on the West Coast and will continue to expand Norwegian’s presence and the popularity of cruising in the region.

Norwegian Bliss has a two level electric-car race track. The competitive track is the longest at sea at nearly 1,000 feet. The electric cars run silent so as to not disturb those seeking to enjoy the serene environment.

After burning rubber at the race track, guests can test their agility at the open-air laser tag course. Themed as an abandoned space station, the course comes to life both day and night as guests go into stealth-mode and compete against family and friends with state-of-the art laser guns.

View Prices on Cruises on Norwegian Bliss

After working up a sweat, guests aboard Norwegian Bliss can cool down at the ship’s expansive pool and sundeck featuring two spacious pools and six infinity hot tubs that scale the side of the ship. The cruise ship’s Aqua Park also includes two multi-story waterslides. Not for the faint of heart, the high-speed Ocean Loops free fall slide includes two exhilarating loops, one that extends out over the side of the ship and a second see-through loop that stretches down to the deck below, sure to offer a wet and wild ride.

The tandem Aqua Racer slide allows guests to race side-by-side on inner tubes for more than 360 feet, with a translucent section that provides stunning ocean views as guests twist and turn to the finish line.

Norwegian Bliss has set a new standard for contemporary cruising and holds several world records on the West Coast.

They include being the largest cruise ship to be christened in Seattle, homeport in Los Angeles, call to Vancouver and San Francisco, and traverse the new locks of the Panama Canal from both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Norwegian Bliss will return to the East Coast in November 2019 for a winter season of Caribbean cruising from New York City through early 2020

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Which Norwegian Ships Have Go Karts Tracks?

Unbelievable as it may seem, you can try Go Karting on a cruise ship and I did!

Some of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer, bigger ships have Go Kart Tracks on the top two – or sometimes the top three decks.

Which Norwegian Ships Have Go Karts?

There are five Norwegian ships that have Go Kart Tracks. These are:

Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Bliss

Are The Go Karts Free On Norwegian Ships?

The Go Karts aren’t free on Norwegian cruise ships, there is an additional charge.

How Much Does It Cost to Use the Karts on Norwegian Ships?

I was lucky enough to try out the three-deck Go Kart Course on Norwegian Prima.

I was pretty nervous before I started, but soon got into the swing of it and really enjoyed myself.

When I sailed on Norwegian Prima in 2023

The Go Kart Rides cost $15 each.
For an extra $5, you could have the track to yourself for three laps and drive at faster speeds. This is known as “You and the Track.”
You could pay $199 and have unlimited rides on your cruise during the scheduled track opening time. This is known as “The Ultimate Speedway Package.”

How Many Laps Do You Get For Your Money?

You can drive for eight laps for $15.

Norwegian Prima Go Kart Prima Speedway Emma Cruises

How Do You Book To Drive A Go Kart On Norwegian Ships?

You can book a Go Kart by:

Booking via The Norwegian App
At the designated desk onboard
On the Cabin interactive TV

Which of Norwegian’s Ships Has The Biggest Go Kart Track?

Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva are sister ships . They have the biggest Go Kart tracks at Sea.

Instead of being spread over two decks like some other Norwegian ships, the Norwegian Viva and Prima’s 1,400-foot go-kart track is spread over the ship’s top three decks.

How Fast Do Go Kart Go On Norwegian Ships?

The Go Karts can go up to 40 miles per hour, but Norwegian limits speed to 27 mph during group races.

Do You Need To Wear Protective Clothing to Drive The Go Karts on Norwegian Ships?

Wearing helmets is compulsory and everyone is given a clean ski mask to wear beneath the helmet.

For safety reasons, you need to be dressed appropriately to race on the Go Karts

Leave your bags in the cabin or with someone watching your race. There are no lockers available to store your things when you drive.

Flat, fully closed footwear required (no flip flops, Crocs, or heels). Riders must always wear a helmet. Loose clothing is not allowed. No age minimum, guests must only adhere to height requirements. Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back and hidden inside helmet. Drug and alcohol consumption before driving are strictly prohibited. Norwegian Cruise Line Terms and Conditions

What Happens Before You Drive The Go Karts?

Before you are allowed on the Go Karts you will:

Watch a safety video
Get weighed – and height measured if you look like you might be too short
Get strapped in

Do Norwegian’s Go Karts Have Petrol or Electric Engines?

All Norwegian’s Go Kart’s are electric – but they mimic the sound of petrol/Gasoline powered Karts

Are There Height and Weight Restrictions for the Go Karts?

Yes, there are height and weight restrictions if you want to drive a Go Kart:

Minimum height is 55″(1.40m) The maximum height is 82″(2.08m)
The maximum weight allowed is 265lbs (120kgs)

What’s It Like To Go Kart On A Cruise Ship?

I had thought that the Go Karts would be a bit like bumper cars – you would just go round and round in circles – but how wrong I was!

The track is Eighteen decks above the Ocean, and around 166 feet above sea level. It felt very high up.

There were Hairpin bends, hills and corners, and it was quite scary at first as I had no idea where the track would go next.

Because the Go Karts are so close to the ground it felt like we were going fast.

After two laps, I got to know the track better, and I relaxed and really enjoyed myself.

I definitely got $15 worth of enjoyment out of my Go Karts experience!

I lost count of the laps, but I think it was around eight. There was a checkered flag at the end, so I knew when to stop.

I wasn’t last! I came 18th – out of 19 people!

Watch me try out the Go Karts on Norwegian Prima in the video below:

Before You Go

When I sailed on Norwegian Prima, I had what I think was my favourite balcony cabin at sea. Find out all about it here:

I Stayed in a Balcony Cabin on The Norwegian Prima (Full Review)

Find out how to get the best cabin for your money, without downgrading the category here:

Get The Best Cabin for Your Budget! Hints, Tips and Examples of How to Save Money Without Downgrading Your Cabin Type

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The 7 best cruise ships for kids

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Kids can make or break your family cruise. If they’re bored and hate the food options, they will loudly and repeatedly express their displeasure. Pick the wrong cruise ship, and parents will feel as trapped as if they were stranded on a deserted island … with biting crabs underfoot.

The best cruises for kids take advantage of ships with endless fun for the under-18 crowd, plentiful dining that appeals to both young palates and bottomless teen tummies, accommodations and ship services that keep families in mind, and opportunities to meet and hang out with peers. No matter your family size or price range, you can find some incredible vacations at sea that will have kids exclaiming, “Best cruise ever!” by the end of the week.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Find the top ship for your next trip with our list of the seven best cruise ships for kids (and their parents).

Disney Wish

No one is surprised that kids are highly entertained on a Disney cruise — but what might be surprising is how much there is for adults to do and enjoy , too. That’s especially true on the new Disney Wish , which debuted in the summer of 2022.

Disney Wish has four kids clubs divided by age, but the main Oceaneer Club for 3- to 12-year-olds has an all-new and exciting grand entrance. Kids get to enter the club by slide — and once inside, can explore the club’s spaces themed to “Star Wars,” fairy tales, Marvel and Disney Imagineers.

Along with the kids club on Disney Wish, junior cruisers will find two movie theaters with first-run Disney movies, Broadway-caliber shows featuring Aladdin and the Little Mermaid and dining experiences themed around Arendelle from “Frozen” and the Worlds of Marvel .

In addition to a “Star Wars-” themed bar and adults-only fine dining restaurants, adults will appreciate the little touches on Wish that make family cruising easier — split bathrooms in most cabins, a drop-off nursery, a splash area for toddlers and restaurant staff members who will offer high chairs and puree baby food.

Disney Wish sails short three- and four-night trips from Port Canaveral , Florida (near Orlando) that include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island , with its family beach, supervised child care, splash pad and strollers to borrow.

Related: How to save money on the cost of a Disney cruise

A nearly identical sister ship, Disney Treasure , will debut in 2024.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

It hasn’t even launched yet, and we’re already confident that Royal Caribbean ‘s new Icon of the Seas , soon to be the largest ship afloat, will be one of the top cruise ships for kids. Kids will never be bored on a ship with a six-slide water park, wild ropes course, surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, sports court and Surfside — a half deck of play spaces and restaurants devoted to little kids and their families.

Kids (and parents) who like a good show can gasp as ice skaters land jumps on a rocking ship, and acrobatic divers flip and splash in the AquaTheater, now up high on the ship under a glass dome. Don’t miss pizza and parades on the Royal Promenade, Icon’s indoor shopping strip.

The ship will also have innovative new family cabins and suites, some with separate kids’ rooms, to better accommodate guests of all ages. The Ultimate Family Townhouse will be a massive three-floor living space with a screening room, karaoke machine, in-suite slide and a backyard that leads out to the Surfside family neighborhood.

Related: 5 best Royal Caribbean ships for kids

Icon of the Seas will sail weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami beginning in January 2024.

Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore has a more grown-up vibe than many of the family-focused ships on our list, but its onboard attractions make it a huge hit with teens. Its top decks lure older kids with one of the biggest go-kart tracks in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and an open-air laser tag arena ideal for shooting matches under the stars. A huge virtual reality playground features rides and games that blow the standard cruise ship arcade out of the water.

Note to parents: Cruiselong passes for the go-kart race track , virtual reality games and laser tag do not come cheap. Be prepared to pull out your wallet to keep the teens happy.

At night, teens can feed their growing bodies with tacos, hibachi and barbecue, plus 24/7 burgers and comfort food at The Local. Afterward, they’ll agree to be seen in public with their parents at a show as cool as “Choir of Man.” It’s an easy concession, as they know they can always escape to the teen club, Entourage, to hang out with the cool kids late at night.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Norwegian Encore spends its summers in Alaska and winters in the Caribbean, with a handful of Panama Canal and Pacific Coast sailings in between.

Carnival Celebration

Passengers and crew members on Carnival Cruise Line ships come ready to meet new friends or share a laugh, a story and a drink with their shipmates. Social kids will fit right in and love the line’s huge, new ship Carnival Celebration . They can make friends at the Family Harbor Lounge, Camp Ocean and Dr. Seuss Bookville; older kids will enjoy the teen and tween clubs conveniently located near Guy Fieri’s burger stand and the video arcade.

Carnival Celebration and its near-identical twin fleet mate, Mardi Gras , are the only cruise ships boasting a top-deck roller coaster called Bolt. (That is until a third sister, Carnival Jubilee, debuts in late 2023.) A ride here is Instagram gold and the ultimate bragging rights for kids on vacation. The coaster dominates the Ultimate Playground area of the ship, where young cruisers can challenge their new friends to miniature golf, waterslide races, basketball and ropes course domination.

Kids who love a good food court can meet up with friends or family at several no-fee, casual eateries, including Shaq’s Big Chicken restaurant and a trio of Street Eats venues featuring dumplings, meat on a stick and loaded French fries. All-hours pizza and ice cream will keep the whole family fueled up for the interactive “Family Feud Live” show.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries

Carnival Celebration sails weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami. Its sister Mardi Gras sails similar Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando). Carnival Jubilee will be based out of Galveston, Texas, and offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises only.

Sun Princess

It may seem odd that two of our top ships for kids haven’t debuted yet. However, like Icon of the Seas, Princess Cruises ‘ new 4,300-passenger Sun Princess will be heads and shoulders above the rest of the fleet in terms of family entertainment. If you’re booking a multigenerational family cruise for 2024 or beyond, you will definitely want to keep this ship in mind.

Sun Princess will be the first Princess cruise ship to feature an expansive upper-deck activity zone that kids will love. Named Park19, it will feature nine fun-in-the-sun activities spanning three decks. The attractions include the Sea Breeze Rollglider (imagine a safer version of hang-gliding from an elevated track), a climbing structure with obstacles and a slide, a ropes course, a splash zone and a sports court.

Inside the ship, Firefly Park will have drop-off kid programming and family play spaces for kids 6 months to 7 years old. Tweens and teens will each have their own hangouts, Neon Grove and The Underground, with cozy lounge furniture and plenty of video and other games.

Related: Which cruise ship cabin category should your family book?

Sun Princess will split its time between Mediterranean cruises out of Civitavecchia (the port for Rome), Piraeus (the port for Athens) and Barcelona as well as Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale.

MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises ‘ MSC Seascape is a floating megaresort with something for every type of kid. The ship stands out from its sisters because of its Robotron amusement park-style ride . Three riders at a time buckle into seating attached to a robotic arm, which then twists and turns to fly the riders over the ship and sea.

Water babies will make a break for the Pirates Cove Aquapark, with slides, a splash zone and a rope bridge. Other kids might spend their parents’ money on more virtual fun, indulging in F1 race car simulators, VR motorcycle racing, a 4D movie theater and a video arcade. Family groups can split into teams for sports court competitions or participate in organized games that rely on the latest technology to challenge guests of all ages.

The ship’s Lego-themed Doremi Land kids club has dedicated spaces for babies, kids and teens. The 7,567-square-foot space includes two Lego rooms (one for little kids to play with Duplos, the other with regular Lego bricks for older kids); the area also includes three spaces for teens — a gaming area (with VR options), a hangout with ping pong and foosball and a dance club.

Related: 7 cruise lines where kids sail free

And let’s not forget the line’s amazing pizza (including dessert versions slathered in Nutella) that families are sure to love.

MSC Seascape sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

AmaWaterways’ AmaLea

The typical river cruise draws a lot of retirees — except when Adventures by Disney partners with AmaWaterways. The two travel companies have created a river cruise vacation that is fun for grown-ups and kids.

AmaLea is one of the ships AmaWaterways custom-built for these family cruises. Certain twin balcony cabins sleep three, and suites sleep four to accommodate kids, with connecting cabin options for families who need more space. Unlike many river ships, AmaLea has a pool, as well as a surprise kid hit — giant outdoor chess.

While other ships sail the Seine and Rhine rivers, AmaLea travels the Danube through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Adventures by Disney makes the most of your time with shore excursions planned to entertain kids and adults, with options for supervised kid activities while parents head out on more grown-up tours. Your family might meet farm animals in Hungary, play hide-and-seek in a palace’s labyrinth maze in Austria and hang around in a treetop playground in Germany.

Related: Best river cruises in Europe

On board, kids’ menus are available, and the occasional pajama party whisks kids away for pizza and a movie while adults linger over dinner.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Could ships be rerouted to New Jersey ports following Baltimore Key Bridge collapse?

In the wake of a devastating bridge collapse in Baltimore, shipping routes for cargo and cruise ships may undergo significant alterations, potentially rerouting vessels to ports in New Jersey.

Port Director of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Beth Rooney said her organization offered assistance and resources.

“The Port Authority is in touch with our counterparts in Baltimore, and we stand ready to assist with emergency resources and any other assistance that may be needed,” she said. “The Port of New York and New Jersey is proactively working with our industry partners to respond as needed and ensure supply chain continuity along the East Coast.”

At about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a vessel leaving the Port of Baltimore struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge. A video shows the ship hitting one of the bridge's columns before part of the bridge fell onto the ship and then fully collapsed into the Patapsco River.

As of Tuesday afternoon, a massive search was underway as multiple vehicles along with contractors repairing potholes were on the bridge at the time of its collapse, as reported by USA TODAY .

Data from ship tracking and maritime analytics provider MarineTraffic shows that on the day of the crash, 29 ships were expected to arrive at the port within 24 hours and 14 more were expected in the coming days.

Two people were rescued during the initial hours of the search.

The mayor of Baltimore, Brandon M. Scott, issued an executive order Tuesday morning declaring a state of emergency for the city. It is set to remain in place for 30 days.

"The Executive Order mobilizes the City of Baltimore's Emergency Operations Plan to deploy emergency resources to protect the persons affected by the incident and expands the resources available to tackle the emergency situation," the press release stated.

The Port of Baltimore announced that vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore will be suspended until further notice.

Between cargo ships and cruise ships, numerous vessels sail in and out of the port each day. In the wake of this tragedy, where will they all go?

Major ports nearby

The Port of New Jersey and New York is the largest port on the East Coast and a relatively short trip from the Port of Baltimore, making it a viable option for rerouting.

Other major ports along the East Coast that could see rerouted ships include:

Port of Savannah
Port of Charleston
Port of Virginia
Port of Miami
Port of Boston

Cruise ships

Three major cruise lines run voyages in and out of the Port of Baltimore: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian, all using the port for Caribbean, Canadian and other Atlantic destinations.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said the company is working on alternatives for its ships.

"Our Port Logistics team is currently working on alternatives for our ongoing and upcoming sailings. We will message our guests and travel partners directly once our plans are finalized."

Royal Caribbean's, Vision of the Seas is on a 12-night Southern Caribbean sailing that is not due back into port until April 4.

National News | Baltimore Key Bridge collapse map: View the…

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National news | baltimore key bridge collapse map: view the path of the cargo ship dali.

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Seven men left home Monday evening for a night shift on the Francis Scott Key Bridge repairing the I-695 roadway. Six did not return.

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Challenging conditions are faced by divers working in the Patapsco River to recover the bodies of several construction workers presumed dead following the collapse of the Key Bridge.

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A drone view of the Dali cargo vessel, which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse, in Baltimore

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Reporting by Joseph Campbell, Andy Sullivan, Andrea Shalal, David Shephardson, Steve Holland, Christian Schmollinger, Rich McKay, David Shepardson, Gabriela Borter, Shubham Kalia, Harshita Meenaktshi, Shreya Biswas, Jyoti Narayan, Kat Jackson, Jonathan Saul; Writing by Doina Chiacu and Ros Russell; Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Josie Kao, Howard Goller and Stephen Coates

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Andy covers politics and policy in Washington. His work has been cited in Supreme Court briefs, political attack ads and at least one Saturday Night Live skit.

Gabriella Borter is a reporter on the U.S. National Affairs team, covering cultural and political issues as well as breaking news. She has won two Front Page Awards from the Newswomen’s Club of New York - in 2020 for her beat reporting on healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2019 for her spot story on the firing of the police officer who killed Eric Garner. The latter was also a Deadline Club Awards finalist. She holds a B.A. in English from Yale University and joined Reuters in 2017.

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore

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March 26, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

By Helen Regan , Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Rachel Ramirez , Elise Hammond , Aditi Sangal , Tori B. Powell , Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Kathleen Magramo , CNN

Ship lights flickered and veered off course shortly before Baltimore bridge hit, CNN analysis shows

From CNN’s Allegra Goodwin in London

A view of the Dali cargo vessel which crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26.

The Singaporean-flagged cargo ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Tuesday altered course and veered toward a pillar shortly before impact, a CNN analysis of MarineTraffic ship-tracking data confirms.

It’s unclear what caused the ship to crash into the bridge or why its lights were flickering. CNN has reached out to the National Transportation Safety Board to inquire about a possible power failure.

The container ship DALI, which was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, begins to change course toward the bridge’s pillar at 1:26 a.m. local time, striking the bridge at 1:28 a.m. ET, according to MarineTraffic data and video from the scene. Video from 1:25 a.m. ET shows a plume of dark smoke billowing from the ship. DALI's lights flicker at least twice before the incident.

In video, as it navigates down the Patapsco River, the ship’s lights can be seen going out at 1:24 a.m. ET, before turning back on, and then flickering off and on again between 1:26 a.m. ET and 1.27 a.m. ET, just before it hits the bridge.

Maryland transportation secretary says contractors were working on bridge at time of collapse

From CNN's Antoinette Radford

Maryland State Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told reporters there were workers on the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the time of its collapse.

"We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge, contractors for us," he said at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Wiedefeld said the workers were "basically doing some concrete deck repair," but said they did not know how many vehicles were involved.

He added that the transport authority has set up a facility for family members of those who were believed to be on the bridge at the time of its collapse.

Baltimore fire chief: Sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water

A helicopter flies over the scene of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26.

Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace says authorities have detected vehicles submerged in the water.

“Our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water,” said Wallace at a news conference on the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge. “I don't have a count of that yet.”

He said emergency services are using sonar, drones and infrared technology as a part of their search for people and vehicles who may have fallen from the Key Bridge into the Patapsco River.

No indication of "terrorism" or intent in Baltimore bridge collapse, police chief says

From CNN’s Andy Rose

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, with Mayor Brandon Scott, right, and Fire Department Chief James Wallace, left, speaks at a press conference on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26.

Baltimore Police said there was no evidence that the ship collision that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was intentional.

“There is absolutely no indication that there's any terrorism, that this was done on purpose,” Chief Richard Worley said at a news conference.

The FBI said that it was joining the investigation into the cause of the collision.

Rescue crews have determined there are vehicles in the Patapsco River following the bridge collapse.

“Our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water,” said Fire Chief James Wallace. “I don't have a count of that yet.”

Wallace said they are waiting to make sure that the ship is secure and stable before investigators board it.

“Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said.

Cruises, cars and commodities: What to know about the Port of Baltimore

From CNN's Mark Thompson and Hanna Ziady

In this aerial image cargo containers are readied for transport at the Port of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 14, 2021.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River outside the Port of Baltimore threatens to disrupt shipping operations at a major US trade hub for autos, container traffic and commodities. Baltimore also has a cruise terminal.

Closer to the Midwest than any other port on the East Coast, Baltimore ranks first in the United States for autos and light trucks, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year. It was also the leading port for farming and construction machinery, as well as imported sugar and gypsum. It was second in the country for exporting coal.

Overall, Baltimore ranks as the 9th biggest US port for international cargo, handling a record 52.3 million tons, valued at $80.8 billion in 2023.

“The immediate focus is the rescue operation, but there will clearly be a highly-complex recovery phase and investigation to follow and we don't know what impact this will have on operations at the Port of Baltimore," said Emily Stausbøll, market analyst at Norway-based shipping analytics company Xeneta.

“While Baltimore is not one of the largest US East Coast ports, it still imports and exports more than one million containers each year so there is the potential for this to cause significant disruption to supply chains," she added.

Baltimore's cruise terminal serves ships operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. Cruises carrying more than 444,000 passengers departed from the port last year.

According to the Maryland state government, the port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in related services.

Rescue crews looking for at least seven people in Baltimore bridge collapse

Rescue operations are underway near the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, as crews look for people who fell into the Patapsco River.

“We are still very much in an active search and rescue posture at this point, and we will continue to be for some time,” Wallace added.

Baltimore Fire says two people have been rescued from the river – one who was uninjured, and another in hospitalized “very serious condition.”

“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” Mayor Brandon Scott said. “We have to first and foremost pray for all of those impacted.”

Ship that collided with Baltimore bridge was chartered by Danish shipping company Maersk

From CNN's Alex Stambaugh in Hong Kong

The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on March 26.

The container ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday was chartered by Maersk and carrying their customers' cargo, the Danish shipping company told CNN.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," The company said in its statement.

The company, which has a full name of A.P. Moller - Maersk, said no company crew and personnel were onboard the vessel. It said the ship, DALI, is operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group.

"We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed," the statement said.

CNN is attempting to contact the owner and managers of the ship, including Synergy.

FBI Baltimore on the scene at the Key Bridge

FBI Baltimore personnel are on the scene at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, they have said in a post on X.

The agency said it was working "side by side with our local, state and federal partners."

Baltimore fire emergency chief says 2 people saved from water after Key Bridge collapse

The Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace says authorities rescued two people from the water this morning, one without injury and the other who has been transferred to hospital in a serious condition.

Authorities are continuing their search for upwards of seven people, Wallace says. But, he says that number could change as it is a "very large incident." Earlier on Tuesday, an official said as many as 20 people could be in the water.

Wallace added that the crew remains on board the ship, and are communicating with the US Coast Guard. He added that emergency services are looking into reports that there were workers on the bridge at the time of the incident.

Speaking at the press conference, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also described the incident as an “unthinkable tragedy,” and offered his prayers for all those affected, as well as his thanks to first responders.

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IMAGES

Drive 30 mph on the World's Largest Go-Kart Speedway at Sea! (Norwegian
A Cruise Ship With Go-Karts: Norwegian Cruise Line
Drive 30 mph on the World's Largest Go-Kart Speedway at Sea! (Norwegian
Norwegian Encore
Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship Has a Real Go-Kart Track, Here's a First
Norwegian Encore Go Kart Track

COMMENTS

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Norwegian Encore Features
Norwegian Encore is a cruise ship under construction for Norwegian Cruise Line, due to enter service in 2019. She is being built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg,...
New cruise ship to offer 3-level go-kart track and freefall slide
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Prima, will feature a slew of entertainment options, including the industry's first three-level go-kart track, freefall dry slides and a theater that transforms into a nightclub, putting new spins on amenities ...
What it's like to ride the longest go-kart track at sea
Just last year, when Norwegian Bliss first debuted, its go-kart track cost $7 per ride. With demand sky high, the line quickly raised that fee to $9.95 per ride. Now, the cost is up to $15 per ride. That's for an eight-lap race that, typically, lasts about six to eight minutes. If you're the kind of person who just can't get enough of go ...
Norwegian Cruise Line Launches Ship with Go-Kart Track
Cruise ships have had a rough go over the past couple of years, but the Norwegian Viva may have what it takes to lure travellers back to the ocean. ... If that doesn't get your engine revving, there's also a full-size go-kart track. Scheduled to hit the sea on June 2023, Norwegian Cruise Line recently gave viewers an inside look at their ...
Viva Speedway
The Norwegian Viva Speedway is one of two three-level go-kart race tracks at sea. You can race other passengers for a fee on the Norwegian Viva cruise ship. ...
Norwegian's Cruise Ship With a Go Kart Track Completes ...
1.5K. Norwegian Bliss, one of Norwegian Cruise Line's ships with a go kart track, has completed its inaugural season in the Caribbean. Departing on Saturday for the West Coast, Norwegian Bliss ...
Norwegian Bliss Go-Kart Race Track on a Cruise Ship
Norwegian Bliss has a big go-kart race track on the top of the cruise ship. This race course is like a pro race track, and it's a lot of fun. Norwegian Cruis...
Norwegian Bliss Photos: A Cruise Ship Sneak Peek
Images: Norwegian Cruise Line. Like sister ship Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss will feature a top-deck go-kart track. But the one on Bliss will be 40 percent longer, at nearly 1,000 feet long and ...
Which Norwegian Ships Have Go Karts Tracks?
Unbelievable as it may seem, you can try Go Karting on a cruise ship and I did! Some of Norwegian Cruise Line's newer, bigger ships have Go Kart Tracks on the top two - or sometimes the top three decks. Which Norwegian Ships Have Go Karts? There are five Norwegian ships that have Go Kart Tracks. These are: Norwegian Joy; Norwegian Encore
Cruise Ship Tracker, Itineraries, Schedules, Deck Plans
CruiseMapper provides free cruise tracking, current ship positions, itinerary schedules, deck plans, cabins, accidents and incidents ('cruise minus') reports, cruise news
The 10 wildest attractions you'll find on a cruise ship
There really are go-kart tracks on cruise ships — and we're not talking scaled-down miniature tracks. Since 2017, Norwegian has topped its four newest vessels with full-blown go-kart race ...
The 7 best cruise ships for kids
Note to parents: Cruiselong passes for the go-kart race track, virtual reality games and laser tag do not come cheap.Be prepared to pull out your wallet to keep the teens happy. At night, teens ...
Baltimore Key Bridge collapse could lead to ship reroutes
Data from ship tracking and maritime analytics provider MarineTraffic shows that on the day of the crash, 29 ships were expected to arrive at the port within 24 hours and 14 more were expected in ...
How to Track a Cruise Ship Location on the Internet
If you're on the go, or prefer to use a phone, mobile apps also offer convenient ways to track cruise ships. Most of the popular ship tracking websites mentioned above also have mobile apps available for download on IOS and Android devices. Similar to the websites, these apps allow users to access live ship routes, positions, and weather. ...
Baltimore Key Bridge collapse map: View the path of the cargo ship Dali
The cargo ship Dali started moving at 12:51 a.m. Tuesday and within a half hour struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge as it made its way out of the Port of Baltimore on the Patapsco River.
Six workers presumed dead after crippled cargo ship knocks down
More than 40 ships remained inside Baltimore port including small cargo ships, tug boats and pleasure craft, data from ship tracking and maritime analytics provider MarineTraffic showed. At least ...
Ship lights flickered and veered off course shortly before ...
Baltimore's cruise terminal serves ships operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. Cruises carrying more than 444,000 passengers departed from the port last year.