What it's like to ride the longest go-kart track at sea

Table Of Content

• Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide
• I stayed in a $2,554 studio cabin on NCL Epic, and it was one of the best sailing experiences I ever had
• Are The Go Karts Free On Norwegian Ships?
• How Climate Change Could Disrupt the Future of Travel, According to a New Study
• Learn About Credit Cards

It’s a popular activity and is included with your cruise purchase. The running track provides passengers with the opportunity to maintain their fitness routine while enjoying the beautiful views of the ocean. It’s a great option for those who like to stay active even during their vacation. The Norwegian Cruise Line Breakaway Plus Class Speedways feature race tracks that span two decks, and with the introduction of the Norwegian Prima Class ships, there is now a race track spanning three decks! I am eager to see the innovation and thrills that the newest Norwegian Speedway is sure to bring onboard the cruise line’s newest ship this summer - the Norwegian Viva.

Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide

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. I was skeptical about go-karting at sea, but the eight laps, what Norwegian Cruise Line calls a “heat,” won me over.

I stayed in a $2,554 studio cabin on NCL Epic, and it was one of the best sailing experiences I ever had

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. 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.

Are The Go Karts Free On Norwegian Ships?

But even a casual observer can see where the trend in decktop fun at Norwegian has been going in recent years — and, as oddball as it sounds, the trend is all about go-karts. My goal with this site is to share valuable go-kart racing information through guides, articles, reviews, track details and more. 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.

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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. 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.

Cruise Ships with Go-Karts: Full list and Track Details!

Channeling my inner Earnhardt, I jammed down the green "gas" pedal of my car to the floor, hoping to blast past all the other cars for the win. The racing "heats" on the tracks inevitably sell out when the rides are open. The first three go-kart tracks at sea, unveiled in 2017, 2018 and 2019 on Norwegian's Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore, respectively, have been huge hits.

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In addition, the upgrade includes a covered viewing area placed in the center of the track. It allows spectators to watch the race up close, and to be covered in case of rain. After receiving positive reviews, NCL has decided to add the go-kart track also on Norwegian Bliss. The first go-kart track was introduced in 2017 with Norwegian Joy, and the last one was built on Norwegian Viva in 2023.

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It was an impressive sight, and I couldnt wait to try it out. As is true with every cruise line activity, safety is the top priority. These go-kart-like vehicles are not bumper cars, and any guest that intentionally hits another car, or the walls of the Speedway, will be removed from the experience and not permitted to race further. Children younger than the age of 16 may participate in this experience, and drive their own car.

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. In all, Viva will have more than 20 dining venues, Sommer indicated. "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."

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. Drivers must be a minimum of 48 inches (4 feet) to drive and no taller than 79 inches (6.5 feet). Alternatively, you can purchase an Unlimited Pass for 199.95$. The one on Norwegian Viva is also 1,375 feet long (about 420 meters) and has many descents and ascents since it extends over 3 decks.

As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. 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.

It is 790 feet (240 meters) long and has a fun zig-zag setting. The electric carts can reach up to 19 mph (30km/h) and sound identical to mini racing cars. With it’s go-kart track, bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and more, it offers endless opportunities for fun and excitement.

Also offered at the Speedway at the time of our sailing was an unlimited race pass. This pass costs guests $199 U.S. dollars per person, and allows a guest to race on the Speedway as many times as they wish during its open hours during a cruise sailing. When you’re ready to explore, Viva sports a 44,000-square-foot walkway, known as Ocean Boulevard, which wraps around the entire ship to give you access to all the features. There’s that three-level go-kart track, which can accommodate up to 15 racers for high-octane fun at sea. There is also a 10-story plunge slide, dubbed the Drop, that takes passengers soaring down the side of the ship into the water.