Bolt: The Ultimate Sea Coaster Review | The Challenge with Putting a Roller Coaster on a Cruise Ship

Carnival bet big with Maurer Rides, installing 3 Bolt roller coasters on some of their largest ships- The Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubliee. Riders travel along the top deck, 187 feet in the air, as they look out at the ocean below! But being on a cruise ship presents its own set of challenges- let's dive into the pros and cons of this ride experience!
If you're looking for a fun group of people to go ride Bolt with, head to coastercruise.com and sign up for next years event on the Carnival Jubilee, sailing out of Galveston, Texas! It'll be from February 1st - 8th. Every attendee gets a $50 cabin credit, meaning free rides on Bolt! See you there :)
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[@CoasterStudios]

Head to coastercruise.com to join us on next years cruise and ride Bolt for yourself!

[@tdog8600]

The website isn’t working

[@wickedsickfunkyfreshroller2037]

No

[@jimbostreamz]

the fact that that someone out there bought a ticket for a cruise, got on, walked up to that coaster and they ask for 15 bucks to ride it is unbelievably cringe. sorry not sorry, that's insane.

[@RealisticFisHed]

The irony of using Shaq to promote a coaster which he would be too tall to ride isn't lost on me.

[@thetravelingshinobi]

he has a chicken place on the ship so he's still winning

[@Kbarboza94]

Too tall and too heavy for it

[@andrewtaylor940]

Does this have a height issue? It looks like its lap restraint not shoulder. And the motorcycle seating seems to be more flexible for leg length.

[@pileofstuff]

@@andrewtaylor940overhead clearance...

[@matthias8161]

@@andrewtaylor940 literally said cannot be over 6"5 an 300 pounds which shaq clears both

[@Artbyhurricanyounot]

When you said “Shaq was there” I had this on in the background, and I had to do a double take when I heard it. Sure enough, there he was, ducking under a door to get into the room. It seems like he’s literally everywhere, from different TV commercials to IAAPA!

[@jtbowman132]

My favorite thing about him is how he’s a massive dubstep DJ under the name “DJ Diesel” lol he plays lots of raves 😭

[@RPMcMurphy1975]

Shaq has been shilling for Carnival for years.

[@theshadowking3198]

@@RPMcMurphy1975hes the cfo isn’t he

[@andrewtaylor940]

This looks cool. But this is going to become a maintenance nightmare. Electrically driven powered coaster in a salt water environment is going to be brutal on the system.

[@happpsmc]

Shaq really doin any side quests now

[@bagofclothes7360]

Should have had ElToroRyan as a guest to explain the block zones

[@earthdaddy]

How frickin goofy to have Shaq help unveil a coaster he can't even ride... 😆smh

[@omgbrytt]

Shaqs chicken joint is in the same ship probably is why they had him

[@jaredw9171]

Loved Bolt. The fact that you're so high up and flying over open air and ocean makes it.

[@genericnameryan]

My family went on a cruise last year, and that ship happened to be the Mardis Gras, so I was able to snag this credit. It was pretty cool. It was also my 154th credit. I have a feeling my parents chose the ship because they know I'm a coaster enthusiast. Also, the coaster cruise ends the day before my birthday. That would be a cool birthday trip if I choose to go.

[@IAmMiami]

The best ride is in the second seat with an aggressive pilot.

[@ExMachina70]

So cool. Gliding, flying, swaying around the stack looks like a blast.

[@michael7054]

Great video! Great review! I really enjoyed watching this!

[@common_c3nts]

There was a ton of rust on the side of the splines and track in one of the shots of that video. I think I saw a cracked weld also. Amazing that they took this video without cleaning it up first.

[@rbartlett6606]

This 66 year old man rode it twice on the Jubilee. Throughly enjoyed it. They told me right up front to open the throttle up before it takes off. I do wish that you could wear a GoPro on it. They have a camera built into the handle bars facing you. But it is not working yet.

[@jw.coasters]

We saw BOLT break down and have to be evacuated over the mini golf course on the Celebration in September. Looked like an extremely difficult evacuation and also closed the ride down for the rest of the week. That was on Wednesday of a Sunday to Sunday cruise. Definitely ride it as early on in your cruise as you can as it is temperamental.

[@Head_History_Diva]

I rode the bolt on Carnival Celebration last week. We booked it as soon as we got onboard and rode the following day, which was a sea day. It’s a fun experience being over the water. But I get a similar feeling riding Millennium Force at Cedar Point. I was not told about the boost feature! so mad! It’s definitely a kiddie coaster but my boyfriend was still terrified. I recommend it.

[@assemblyrequired7342]

I was wondering about meet-ups for coaster enthusiasts! I'm glad that you're sponsoring one! I would definitely love to hang out and travel with fellow enthusiasts! I've never been to the Pleasure Pier, so I for one would look even more forward to the coasters there. Hopefully, the second job that I'm taking on soon will allow me to do something I've wanted to do for a long time: Coaster Traveling.

[@mr.noride7226]

Can’t wait for next year!

[@fence1848]

Make sure to check out the Lost Mayan Kingdom excursion in Costa Maya. It's a water park and zipline park in one. Coaster enthusiasts will love that place.

[@AG7-MTM]

I think what's more accurate is the handlebars on the side. These directly control your speed allowing riders to go whatever speed they choose, the boost button is a completely different feature.

[@Kbarboza94]

This is truly one of a kind

[@bbkangs]

My wife and I went on the coaster on Mardi Gras and it was so much fun, I’m glad we payed to do it!

[@stevekirk2971]

Bolt surprised me how fun it was...you get two laps around the track. Bolt has a booster button which we loved. I though it felt like we were really moving fast. We rode it twice on the Mardi Gras.

[@sgstyle65]

We are going on the Carnival Celebration this Sunday. Does the Bolt only operate when the ship is docked at a Port or does it also run on days at Sea? Can you book the coaster before your trip?

[@stevehafke3614]

We did a 7day out of Galveston. Bolt was only open on port days. The sea days I think it was too windy. It was ok to do once but I wouldn't pay to do it again.

[@Elayzee]

Looks like a lot of fun! Especially if you get to go around 2 times per ride.

[@jadesky2001]

i was on carnival jubilee's 2nd ever sailing earlier this year! its an absolutely beautiful ship with amazing round the clock entertainment, and such a lovely staff. as a coaster head, i haven't experienced anything like the bolt before, but the ocean views and the ocean breeze you catch while riding made it such a unique and unforgettable experience for me. i believe the jubilee is significantly larger than the mardi gras and celebration, so i'm very curious to know how the view might compare on each ship!!

[@maxhagenauer24]

Does this roller coaster always get relocated or never get relocated?

[@Mattia_Genuardi]

I mean it's technically a traveling coaster (like Olympia Looping or Alpina Bahn) which doesn't get disassembled between a location and the next🤔

[@maxhagenauer24]

@@Mattia_Genuardi But at the same time, it's always only on one surface, the boat.

[@gregorymoore2877]

It's the only coaster I can think of that can operate and be relocated at the same time. 😉

[@gregorymoore2877]

I'm guessing, they keep the two cars on opposite sides of the layout at all times? That way the lateral forces exerted so high up on the ship can be minimized?

[@CoasterStudios]

yes that is correct

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

For next year, I'm not sure if Boardwalk Bullet will be open at that time. In the past, they have shut it down from January to early March for maintenance. The park is open at that time, but Boardwalk Bullet may not be. I'm not sure if they do that every year, but it's something for you to check into, although you may have already.

[@juatin2020]

I liked bolt and rode it back in 2023! I’m a fan of coasters and carnival cruises in general but this is def more so a gimmick for the views than a legit thrill ride in my opinion. Very cool experience tho!

[@gregorymoore2877]

I love a good thrill ride. But, when Bolt is running, how does it affect the relaxation aspect of the cruise? Or maybe Carnival is the wrong line to cruise with if you want to relax?

[@bryantoliveira2813]

There’s a massive adult-only area at the complete opposite end of the ship, it’s wonderful! And a great place to relax

[@Kennywood_Fanatic]

Will there be a trip to Kennywood this summer?

[@KraftyKraftchak]

Was a On Feb 11 sailing of the Celebration and Bolt was closed all week for technical difficulties 😢

[@AG7-MTM]

I hope Carnival will put maurer's spike fun coaster with inversions on another cruise ship, like Norwegian or Royal Carribbean (I've only experienced R.C's Celebrity from Alaska to Vancouver)

[@TheNinjaDC]

Maurer: If it's not a Mouse, then there are problems.

[@matthewbeaber7180]

Going on the marti gras in may

[@koasterkountry]

I was on the jubilees maiden voyage and got stuck on bolt lol

[@DrPepperone]

This feels less of a roller coaster than a powered coaster haha

[@craigdecker1268]

If it was only 13ft taller they could call it a hyper coaster using the Blackpool method.

[@tayo0404]

Facts

[@liamcollinson5695]

I am still confused about how tall the big one actually is particularly with the measurements from sea level nonsense it has height measurements as you go up but I think that stops after like 200ft

[@ClosingTheHandigap]

Unfortunately I had to give up my sea legs in exchange for the coaster wings. 😂

[@Grensley]

I just like that we built a train on a boat that can't get wet

[@horizonthrills]

I really wanna ride this unique coaster because for 1 I’ve never even been on a cruise ship and 2 I never ride any ride as unique as this one

[@forcedfnf8876]

im going on the Mardi Gras cruise soon, can't wait to claim this rare credit!

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

Imo carnival is better than Royal Caribbean

[@maxhagenauer24]

If it's considered a credit.

[@nickfliesplaces]

Is it really a roller coaster, if it doesn't actually coast at all though?

[@kotchapakmaneechote2062]

I can't believe Carnival and Maurer added this on their cruise ship, that's crazy!

[@gregorymoore2877]

Yep. A "rollercoaster" on a cruise ship. I enjoy both things, but this sounds like a bad combination. I'm glad it's powered. The wind at sea can be very strong. Also, depending on how big the waves are, the ship is not guaranteed to be level at any given time. I wonder how the extra live weight on top of the ship affects the stability of the ship?

[@scottwallace7501]

I saw my sunburned bald head in the shot of the pool!!!

[@Feuerfr3i]

These don’t count as a credit. A rule of a rollercoaster, is it just at some point, fall under its own gravity. To count these. Would be to say all people moving trains count as a credit.

[@Huntly23]

Yeah but trains don’t move exactly like a coaster and have launches like this 💀if a powered coaster feels and rides almost the same way as a normal coaster then I think it’s more coaster than anything else

[@Feuerfr3i]

@@Huntly23 Hogwarts Express is a cable driven train. As it goes backwards and forwards. At Universal, why isn’t ET a suspended coaster?

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

So thunder run at Canada's Wonderland isn't a coaster makes sense 👍

[@zacg_]

@@Huntly23 Radiator Springs Racers and Test Track are thrilling and feel similar to accelerating coasters in a few spots. Test Track even has a drop. But it's powered. It isn't a coaster because it doesn't coast. And even slow rides like wacky worms sometimes feel similar to basic carnival rides or even Pony Trek rides. But Wacky Worms coast where as those other rides are powered which is why Wacky Worms are coasters. It's not how an attraction feels. It's the fact that it coasts (which is the most basic requirement, while other criteria are up fit debate.) The only thing about this ride that gives people the impression that it is a coaster is that the track looks like coaster track.

[@Feuerfr3i]

@@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od thunder run falls under its own gravity at some points. As per RCDB. However, Bolt is not ousted on there.

[@ashetorres4659]

they are building another ship... maybe the new ones will have even better or more rides!

[@WidarSkrubbeltrang]

Is it a Credit?

[@ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI]

I’m way to used to saying “of course Shaq was there” when I here Shaq was there…

[@ano_nym]

When you see them like this cruise ships really look big... 7:00

[@devdevthrills]

I'm still upset my 2 cruises on the ship never had Bolt open 😭

[@topgunjoeicdbko]

I would go if i could go around x4 for being part of the coaster group! Common negotiate that and im in.

[@theGingerAutist]

putting a “coaster” that can’t operate in high winds on a cruise ship, is certainly one of the choices of all time

[@scottgul174]

We were on the celebration in November and Road bolt twice. The operator told us it’s a throttle does absolutely nothing ever it’s just to make you think like your controlling it but it’s not a boost button. It doesn’t have any function whatsoever. I do agree for what it is. I enjoyed it but when they claimed it went up to 45 mph I think originally I think 25 mph is probably closer, it’s not fast ever I really do wish you went at least a few miles per hour faster and they do have a bonus if you ride back to back rides the second ride is $10 less but you can’t split up those rides you have to take them back to back or four laps you can’t take one and take another a few days later even if you pay for them at the same time which is kind of stupidwe did get to ride it and also while out at sea which was definitely way cooler

[@JRY13sp]

Here’s hoping for a Coaster Cruise 2026 as well, as I have a son who is 48” tall and, barring the most incredible growth spurt, will not be 52” tall by February 2025.

[@Stopher2475]

When I did it they only gave you one loop. Probably weren’t selling enough with that.

[@Xxx-hk6mk]

Couldnt royal carribean just add an rmc raptor?

[@gregorymoore2877]

Does the RMC Raptor come in a launched version?

[@chrisogrady28]

This is about as much a coaster, and about as exciting, as the London Underground

[@dougberdan3906]

I didn't know there was an upcharge to ride bolt😢

[@chrisogrady28]

Not a coaster, not a credit I'll wait for someone to put the first actual coaster on a ship. An actual non-powered train with capacity

[@gregorymoore2877]

A shuttle coaster might work. Or a complete circuit with Immelmanns style turn-arounds? That way you don't have a big heavy coaster train exerting lateral forces on the upper part of ship. I wonder if the ship could generate enough power to power a launch?

[@Tasouz]

Plz do a Hyperia review

[@Furyman325]

😭

[@sadiporter2966]

it hasn't opened yet. probably 1-2 months to wait.

[@gwcrispi]

Rode it twice while on Jubilee's second cruise back in December. ZERO line. Nobody was riding it.

[@Charlie1821]

Is it really a roller coaster if it doesn't coast?

[@mannymac82]

Wow max hight is 6'5. Lol. I just made the cut 😂

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

Can you feel it inside your cabin?

[@CoasterStudios]

You can feel the rumbling when it goes around if you are in a cabin towards the top on the same side of the ship the coaster is on

[@chadduff05]

It’s only open on port days . Just letting u know . Try a sea day and be mad when they keep closing it

[@rkniner]

Funnily, I'll be leaving the ship on my first cruise the day after your coaster cruise leaves port. Yes, the idea of riding that was a selling point.

[@xXpearcider19Xx]

They should put a dark ride on a cruise ship

[@josephferrara6309]

Would you consider this a roller coaster? It never uses gravity.

[@CoasterStudios]

yes, there are plenty of powered coasters around the world

[@gregorymoore2877]

I mean... it rolls... and sometimes it is within sight of the coast. 😉

[@Jeff321]

Not a roller coaster and not on RCDB since it doesn't coast

[@agent5tm902]

I wish I lived in the US of A to do this, because I don't have money for flying to texas from sweden on top of getting funds to go on the cruise! I would love to do it but its impossible 😢 Any europe people on the same page as me? I'm feeling left behind and forgotten alongside a dumpster behind Gröna lund 😭

[@Tipsuns]

Please add back the intro Taylor :(

[@maxhagenauer24]

I like how this ride says it has a max speed of 40 mph out of the launch but the launch goes twords the rear of the boat and the boat goes about 26 mph forward so this ride really only goes 14 mph relative to the water. So you would only feel the wind if 14 mph on it.

[@drewswallow6043]

🤓

[@MIYDNA]

coaster cruise clickbait 👏🏽

[@zachtucker4945]

I thought the word “problematic” was owned by El Toro Ryan

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

People are really going on a cruise just for to ride this??? lol

[@t-san4596]

Um its in the Mardi gras too

[@elliotscoasterclips]

I didn't know of the height requirement. I'm unfortunately 6ft 6in so I cannot ride it😞

[@MaikNL]

Why is Shaq the ambassador of this ride when he is too tall and too heavy to get on it ?

[@albomusicman85]

Desmo Race is still closed, what a waste of space!

[@devonboulden2496]

Learn the difference between a coaster and a train. Some people want to market trains as coasters.

[@LemonySnicks]

I'm 6'6". They won't let me ride it.

[@maryroberts2099]

$15 pp

[@sdotmurda]

I can't bring myself to go on a cruise. I hate being in the water and the carbon emissions from a cruise ship is pretty scary.

[@comfixit]

You should give it a try, it’s really nice and you won’t even notice the carbon emissions if you hang out in front of the smoke stack

[@harrybear193]

It’s not a floor it’s a deck

[@rodolfomiranda2676]

No intro? 😢

[@topgunjoeicdbko]

I dont count this as a credit. If this is a credit than a train is a credit

[@RomeGunnLeaf_36710]

Maurer ag:😢

[@jfwfreo]

It would basically be impossible to have a gravity driven coaster on a moving ship due to how physics works.

[@lancecombes]

Why tf is everyone saying "credit" when referencing coasters?

[@CoasterStudios]

It’s what enthusiasts will sometimes refer a roller coaster as. It’s a form of counting how many roller coasters you’ve ridden. If someone asks you what your credit count is, they want to know how many different coasters you’ve been on.

[@just-dashin]

uhh

[@andrewh6903]

Mmm a problematic coaster video where have I seen this before?!

[@PitsTasteGood]

This is a flat ride. Not a credit.

[@KundenZentrale]

Not a coaster, cruise ships suck! Stop going there…

[@povertyspec9651]

Lame

[@cak813]

Why is something like this even on a cruise ship?? Geez, sit on the deck with a drink or a book. Or chat with a fellow passenger. Why do we feel like it’s necessary to be “entertained” 24/7?

[@IRDeady]

I know your channel is entirely dedicated to ride experiences and the like and that you avoid social issues, but with all do respect nobody should go on cruises. Even if you have a fun time on a cruise and don't experience any major problems, pretty much every aspect of them is rotten. The industry is corrupt and rife with consistent negligence in regards to safety. People fall overboard and "go missing" constantly and the cruise just keeps on going. The worst kind of assault on women (and children) is shockingly common and there is often little that is, or that even can really be done about it. Kidnappings are also a common form of crime. Cruises create the perfect environment for this stuff. If that's not enough the industry is also notorious for exploitative labor practices that can legitimately and fairly be compared to slave labor. They hire vulnerable people and work them 12 hours a day every day for weeks or months at a time, no days off, for extremely low pay. To top it all off they are, by a wide margin, the most polluting way a person can travel and the most polluting vessels on the ocean by orders of magnitude. One quick fact I found is that in 2023 Europes 218 cruise ships emitted more than 4 times more sulfur oxides than every single car on the entire continent combined. I don't mean to put a damper on your event, but most people don't know how awful cruises really are and at this point I can't help but say something. Obviously, you skipping out on a cruise won't solve the problem and you aren't a bad person if you go on one, but you should know the truth about the industry.

[@comfixit]

Don’t knock it till you have tried it. Cruises are great.

[@IRDeady]

@@comfixit wasn't commenting on the experience of a cruise. I'm sure they can be fun. Am more concerned with their impact on the world. But again, no shade at anyone going on one.

[@albertssrblx]

Let me list off and acknowledge each of your points one by one. A.) Overboard situations, most incidents are due to intoxication and the cruise line has no responsibility for the actions of others if they were drunk. Yes, they may be denied alcohol but when you have booze theres trouble. Cruise lines usually have to alter course and call on the coast guard and undergoe days of overnight searching and surveillance. The truth is, its like looking for a grain of sand in the desert. The ocean is expasnive and theres not much they can do. Kidnappings and crime statistics are EXTREMELY inflated and directly demonstrate a poor understanding of media literacy. According to the FBI, only about 30 shipboard crimes (in which prepreators are disembarked at the next port of call), happen yearly on a cruise ship. Next to discussing crew employment, the crew get their meals, housing, and other expenses included in their paycheck and still earn almost 3x the amount as they would back home, with privilege to utilize passenger facilities and spaces, with some cruise lines such as Virgin Voyages improving and including internet, and lessening uniform restrictions. Although yes, cruises are polluting in nature, the usage of a metric for carbon footprint is arbitrary and utilizes many distinct mechanisms and convulted rabbitholes to quantify pollution, but cruise lines are trying to make efforts in reducing emissions through the usage of LNG and solar power. With all of this mind, it is further indicated that you have not been on a cruise and instead take any piece of information and run with it. As an industry veteran, although yes there are definietely issues with on board crime, etc., cruising is continuing the develop and transform, and should be regarded as such. Hope this helps.