Norwegian Cruise Line has sole claim to this exhilarating onboard activity. The two-level Norwegian Speedway, introduced in 2018 onboard Norwegian Bliss, is also available on Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore. Passengers can buckle up in a one-person go-kart and race other drivers for 10 laps around hairpin turns on the track.

Read More: Norwegian Joy vs. Bliss: A Closer Look at Two Major New Cruise Ships
 

Royal Caribbean’s four Quantum-Class ships — Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas (debuting in fall 2020) — all feature a SeaPlex sports and gaming area with a full-size bumper car arena. 

Read More: 3 Ways to Spend a 3-Night Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas

Hold onto your sun hats: The first roller coaster at sea is blasting off later this year on the new Carnival Mardi Gras (debuting November 2020). BOLT will let passengers strapped into individual motorcycle-style cars control their speed to go as fast or as slow as they want. It’s certain to be far more exhilarating than the pedal-power SkyRide on Carnival Horizon, Panorama, and Vista.

Read More: 9 New Cruise Ships to Watch for in 2020

Norwegian has augmented-reality laser tag on three ships. (Bliss and Joy have galactic-themed games, and Encore’s is Atlantis-themed.) Royal Caribbean features a glow-in-the-dark "Battle for Planet Z" on Symphony, Oasis, Independence, Mariner, and Voyager; "Clash for the Crystal City" is coming to Royal ships Allure and Explorer (summer 2020), as well as Odyssey (fall 2020). 

Read More: Oasis of the Seas Ship Review (Updated)

Stepping into a world of virtual reality simulation is now possible on three Norwegian ships: Bliss, Joy and Encore. Each has a Galaxy Pavilion complete with an array of simulators that transport guests to high-speed race tracks, prehistoric jungles, and soaring heights. Royal Caribbean offers Sky Pad, a VR bungee experience onboard Mariner, Voyager, Independence, and, soon, Odyssey.

Norwegian has Escape the Big Top on Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, and Bliss (Encore has a Spanish Galleon-themed room). Royal Caribbean has Escape the Rubicon on Harmony and Symphony, and Royal Escape Rooms on Navigator, Mariner, Oasis, and Allure. On Princess, Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess (both debuting this year) will have a Phantom Bridge.

Norwegian Escape, Breakaway, Getaway, Bliss, Joy, and Encore have the speedy Ocean Loops and raft-style Aqua Racer. Royal Caribbean’s The Perfect Storm slides are on Symphony, Oasis, Harmony, Liberty, Navigator, Mariner, Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, and, soon, Allure. All Carnival ships have the spiraling Twister, while Disney ships feature either AquaDuck or AquaDunk; MSC ships also have waterslides. 

Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Abyss is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a non-waterslide (the tallest at sea) that plunges adrenaline-seeking 10 stories down a tube lit with swirling lights — in just 13 seconds. Get your thrills on Symphony, Harmony, Oasis, and Allure (summer 2020). 

Cowabunga! Most Royal Caribbean ships have FlowRider, a top deck surf simulator that passengers can ride standing up or boogie board style. All Quantum-class ships have the sky-dive simulator RipCord by iFly. 

Norwegian pioneered the ropes course at sea with an aerial challenge on three ships: Escape, Breakaway, and Getaway. Carnival has SkyCourse (on Breeze, Horizon, Magic, Panorama, Sunrise, Sunshine, and Vista). Prefer zip lines? MSC Seaside has the longest at 345 feet, while Royal Caribbean’s Oasis, Allure, Symphony, and, soon Odyssey let guests zip 82 feet nine stories above the ground.