Central Florida is set to get a new roller coaster…. well kind of.

The theme park capital of the world is just a short drive from Port Canaveral where Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line take vacationers out to sea.  So it’s was only a matter of time before a thrill ride made its way to one of these cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Line today announced that its newest ship, Carnival Mardi Gras, which will sail from Port Canvaeral in 2020 will have, yep… you guessed it… a roller coaster!

A steel cutting ceremony was held in Finland today for Carnival Cruise Line’s new 180,000-ton ship, the line’s largest vessel to date and the first to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, part of the company’s green cruising platform.
A steel cutting ceremony was held in Finland today for Carnival Cruise Line’s new 180,000-ton ship – Mardi Gras, the line’s largest vessel to date and the first to be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, part of the company’s green cruising platform.

BOLT, as it’s called, will be the first roller coaster at sea.  Four riders will board the motorcycle like train and be launched on an 800-foot track that is nearly 200 feet above sea level.  

BOLT – the Ultimate Sea Coaster coming to Carnival Mardi Gras in 2020.

According to Carnival, “BOLT begins with an action-packed launch where riders can achieve race car-like levels of acceleration and culminates with a high-powered hair-pin turn around Carnival’s iconic funnel.  Riders’ speeds are posted after the race, and just like land-based roller coasters, guests have their photo taken during the ride for a memorable keepsake.  And since guests choose their own speed, each ride is unique.”

BOLT will zip riders around the iconic red funnel of the Carnival Mardi Gras.

BOLT is a bit different than other coasters in the way that riders are going to be able to control their speed – up to 40 mph.  So the ride can be tailored to those looking for thrills and those looking for a scenic tour around the top of the ship.  Either way, the first roller coaster at sea sounds like fun!

BOLT is the first roller coaster at sea and will take riders on an 800 foot track nearly 200 feet above the sea at speeds up to 40 mph.

In case you’re wondering, BOLT has a minimum height requirement of 43 inches, and a maximum height of 76 inches.

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