The Bolt curler coaster (or the official title: BOLT: Final Sea Coaster) on Carnival Cruise Line is without doubt one of the most noteworthy points of interest ever to hit cruising. For years cruise ships have gotten greater with extra to supply, however by no means earlier than had one thing like a curler coaster… at sea… been launched.
It’s a significant attraction on some Carnival ships, however there are a variety of ins and outs that it’s best to know earlier than you’re taking a experience.
Is Bolt Free To Experience? How A lot Does It Price?
Whereas Carnival is understood for having quite a bit included with the cruise fare, the Bolt curler coaster is an additional price. On the time of this writing, the value is $15 per individual, per experience. So if two youngsters wish to experience, that’s a complete of $30.
Which Ships Have Bolt?
At present solely Carnival’s latest and largest ships have the Bolt curler coaster. That features Mardi Gras, the place the experience debuted, and Carnival Celebration. One other ship within the class — Carnival Jubilee — debuts in late 2023. It’s anticipated to even have the experience, though that might change.
How Lengthy Does The Experience Final?
Whereas any curler coaster at sea is spectacular, it’s nonetheless sure by the constraints of becoming on the cruise ship. For that purpose, the experience is definitely pretty quick. It makes two laps across the high of the ship, lasting about one minute earlier than coming again into the start line.
How Previous Do You Have To Be To Experience?
Touring with youngsters? One good factor is that there is no such thing as a age restrict to experience. Nevertheless, there are peak and weight necessities that should be met. For that purpose, youthful youngsters (these youthful than 8 years previous) aren’t doubtless to have the ability to experience.
Are There Weight/Peak Minimums And Limits?
Sure. To experience Bolt, you should be a minimal of 4 ft, 4 inches tall (52 inches), as much as a most of 6 ft, 5 inches tall (77 inches). These under or above that peak received’t have the ability to experience.
Whereas no minimal weight is listed, the utmost is 300 kilos per rider.
There’s a station on the base of the experience to examine that you simply meet the necessities (don’t fear, if you happen to’re somewhat heavy it simply reveals a crimson/inexperienced gentle, not your weight).
How Many Folks Can Experience At As soon as?
Bolt is a one or two-person experience. When the experience is working, there are two completely different carts on the observe without delay, every providing two seats. You possibly can select to experience solo or with another person. So probably the most on any automotive without delay is 2, and probably the most on the observe without delay is 4.
How Do You Signal Up To Experience?
To experience Bolt, it is advisable join throughout the Carnival Hub app. Inside the app’s menu is a bit for the coaster. Click on there and it’ll supply up the instances which can be obtainable to experience.
Bolt operates in 30-minute home windows for riders. So that you join a time — say, 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. — and also you merely present as much as experience wherever inside that window. As soon as a time is confirmed, the app will stroll you thru the associated fee and insurance policies earlier than confirming your experience.
When it’s time to really experience the curler coaster, simply make your strategy to the steps on the base of the coaster and check-in with the workers. They may verify your reservation after which ship you up the steps to experience.
How Quick Does Bolt Go?
This curler coaster is exclusive in that you’ve a throttle deal with and a “increase” button. So you’ll be able to really management your pace considerably. Wish to go quicker? Flip the throttle deal with towards you and hit the increase. Wish to decelerate? Let the throttle flip again ahead to lower pace (you’ll nonetheless transfer and received’t cease on the observe).
The highest pace on Bolt is alleged to be round 40 mph. There’s a speedometer on the cart, however throughout our experience we have been too centered on taking within the view and the frenzy of adrenaline that we forgot to examine how briskly we have been going at full throttle.
Is Bolt Scary?
For those who love thrill rides, you then’ll love Bolt. Not like a standard curler coaster, there are not any big drops or inverted loops. As an alternative, it’s a quick begin, an enormous horizontal loop across the again of the ship earlier than a quick exit to some up and down elements of the observe earlier than you circle again across the funnel. It’s quick, it’s enjoyable, and it’s exhilarating, however we’d be arduous to name it “scary.”
Is There A Gown Code For Bolt?
Carnival is understood for being informal, however there are some necessities on what to put on. First, you could put on closed-toe footwear. As nicely, pants or shorts are additionally required (no using in a showering go well with alone). For those who put on glasses, Carnival’s insurance policies say they should be held with a head strap if they’ll be worn.
Can I Convey My Digicam? The place Do I Put My Stuff?
The foundations say that you need to empty your pockets earlier than you experience. So issues like keys, wallets, and telephones should be taken out. And sorry, no cameras (even GoPros) are allowed on the experience.
If in case you have issues with you, there’s a small spot with cubby holes the place you’ll be able to place your gadgets when you experience. Whenever you exit the experience, simply keep in mind to select them up.
What’s The Cancellation Coverage For Bolt?
Bolt has a reasonably liberal cancellation coverage. For those who signal as much as experience and resolve to not — for no matter purpose — you merely have to cancel two hours earlier than the appointment time with a view to get your a refund.
So if you happen to signed up for a 2:00-2:30 p.m. time slot, you’ll have to cancel by midday to get a refund. If Carnival has to cancel the experience on account of climate or a mechanical problem, you then’ll be refunded routinely.
When Is The Finest Time To Experience The Coaster?
Bolt is open on each sea days and port days. It will appear to make sense that in case you are at sea, it’s a fantastic exercise to do since it might probably assist fill the day. In port, you’re prone to be off the ship.
Nevertheless, we expect it’s sensible to enroll to experience throughout port days. We’ve discovered that in days at sea with the ship shifting, the wind could be a lot stronger. So a ship shifting 20 mph right into a 15 mph breeze sees winds of 35 mph. The workers takes into consideration climate — particularly wind — when working the experience. So if it’s too windy, then the coaster received’t run. Throughout one cruise we had two days at sea on the finish of the journey the place we deliberate to experience. As a consequence of wind, the coaster didn’t run both day.
As an alternative, the wind is prone to be a lot calmer whereas the ship is stopped in port. Signing up for a later time on port days can provide the probability to discover earlier within the day after which experience when you get again on the ship.
What If The Time I Need To Experience Is Full?
The traces for Bolt by no means appear to be too lengthy. That could be on account of each the associated fee and the truth that Carnival limits riders per 30-minute window.
So say you wish to join however see that there are not any handy instances obtainable. Are you out of luck?
On this case, simply sometimes examine again in on the app. We’ve discovered that typically time slots open up as others cancel. As nicely, if there’s a time that’s handy to you, it doesn’t harm simply to point out up at the moment and see if the workers can fit your needs in. At worst, they are going to simply say no.
Is Bolt Price The Cash?
There’s little doubt that Bolt is numerous enjoyable and one thing you’ll be able to’t do wherever else. But it surely’s additionally expensive — $15 per individual for a one-minute experience isn’t low cost. So is it value it?
Having ridden the coaster and paid the value, our opinion is that at $15 per experience it’s one thing that’s value doing as soon as… however not again and again. Throughout our cruise, it’s one of many highlights that also stands out. It’s thrilling, presents some nice views, and a completely distinctive expertise. So we’re glad that we did it.
If it have been free, then we’d experience it a number of instances throughout a cruise because it was that a lot enjoyable. However on the present value, we’re joyful to expertise it as soon as however can’t justify paying that a lot once more.
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