The Epic At-Sea Cruise Experiences We Miss the Most

As travelers eagerly await the return of cruising from U.S. ports, many are likely dreaming of experiencing their favorite at-sea attractions again. From pulse-pounding water slides to theme park quality thrill rides, today's cruise ships are so much more than floating hotels. Here's a look at some of the most spectacular at-sea experiences travelers have missed out on amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second-largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, is where travelers can experience the tallest slide at sea in the hair-raising Ultimate Abyss. Brave riders will slide through 216 feet of tunnels, twisting and turning as they take in multi-sensory effects and pop out onto the ship's boardwalk more than 10 stories below.

Available on both Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss, these first-of-their-kind at-sea go-kart tracks allow riders to reach speeds of up to 30 mph as they compete with others and take in breathtaking ocean views. Both race tracks feature eco-friendly electric cars to minimize environmental impact and avoid disturbing fellow cruise passengers (race car engine sounds are piped in through speakers located in each car's headrest).

Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Class ships, including Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway each offer passengers a crack at a challenging ropes course featuring more than 40 different obstacles to navigate as they take in jaw-dropping views of the ocean. Passengers can also put their courage to the test by walking the award-winning Plank that stretches out eight feet over the side of the ship.

Thrill-seekers also won't want to miss The Perfect Storm water slides available on several Royal Caribbean ships, including Oasis, Harmony and Symphony of the Seas. Riders can compete against each other in two racer slides, Cyclone and Typhoon, or opt for the large bowl-shaped slide, Supercell, to see how many times they can spin around the bowl before exiting into a plunge pool.

Royal Caribbean's Blaster aqua coaster is the perfect at-sea attraction to experience with a friend, family member or partner as you and your fellow rider are propelled along more than 800 feet of slippery track, including an open-air chute at the end that the cruise line claims is the longest stretch of slide ever suspended over water.

Royal Caribbean's Riptide is the only headfirst mat racer waterslide at sea. The epic ride arrived following Navigator of the Seas' 2019 overhaul, taking riders on a twisting, turning plunge that features stretches of a translucent tube for sensational sea views as the slide edges out over the side of the cruise ship.

Based on the Scandinavian bathing ritual of alternating between hot and cold therapies, Viking Cruises' snow grotto is best paired with a stop in the sauna. Guests will only need a few minutes amidst the manmade snow and freezing temperatures to improve circulation and begin feeling rejuvenated.

Available on Carnival Horizon, Panorama and Vista, SkyRide gives riders the freedom to pedal their way along a suspended track 150 feet in the air. Some riders aim to compete against others while some simply hop on for a fun workout that features stellar views of the sea and the cruise ship below. Riders can reach speeds of 18 mph if they've got the strength and stamina.

Combining trampolines, bungee cords and virtual reality, Royal Caribbean's Sky Pad gives guests a unique sensation as a VR headset transports them to a different world, with experiences ranging from smashing candies in a sugar-coated world to traveling light years into the future.

Guests sailing Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore have fallen in love with the ships' Galaxy Pavilions, which are essentially virtual reality playgrounds allowing guests to compete with one another and test their skills in a variety of unique experiences, from racing to fighting aliens. These special attractions feature more traditional arcade games such as skeeball and air hockey as well.

Royal Caribbean's SeaPlex indoor activity space aboard Quantum of the Seas brings a classic carnival and boardwalk thrill to the sea in bumper cars. Whether riding solo or with another passenger alongside, this at-sea first is guaranteed fun for guests of all ages and a can't-miss experience for families.

Can you miss something you've never experienced? Yes, especially considering this is something so many cruise lovers were supposed to be enjoying time and time again already. Carnival Cruise Line's new Mardi Gras cruise ship will feature the world's first-ever and fastest roller coaster at sea in BOLT. It was supposed to debut last year, but the pandemic delayed the launch of the new ship and the much-anticipated ride.

The epic attraction will take riders around 700 feet of track and as high as 180 feet above sea level. The all-electric coaster also allows riders to control their own speed as they compete with others for the fastest time while enjoying 360-degree ocean views.