BOLT, the ‘ultimate sea coaster’, developed by Maurer Rides, has been launched on the cruise ship, the Mardi Gras.
Maurer Rides built the ride in collaboration with the cruise company that operates the Mardi Gras, the Carnival Cruise Line.
BOLT is located on the top deck of the luxury liner. Riders are turned into real drivers, as they step on-board a two-seater bike and step on the gas. The ride accelerates to speeds of around 60mph, as drivers race along the track, with drops, bends, curves and a hairpin bend, while enjoying seascape views of the endless horizon.
The coaster boasts 220m of track and a 360-degree panoramic view of the sea. It reaches a height of 57m above sea level. The ride is based on Maurer Rides’ patented Spike, a further developed gear drive.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, commented on the ship’s latest addition: “Mardi Gras is our most innovative ship with many really special attractions and venues. But the crowning glory of it all is BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.”
BOLT was manufactured by Maurer in 2019 but due to the Covid-19 pandemic was berthed in Barcelona. In June 2021, it finally headed to its home port in Orlando, Florida.
The sea coaster set sail with passengers for the first time on July 31, 2021.
