We had an exclusive look at Norwegian Cruise Line's thrilling new ride, and it’s going to be amazing

It’s bound to be incredible.

So incredible that I might find myself riding it over and over.

Or maybe not at all.

To be honest, it could be more than I can handle.

That’s my initial reaction after catching a glimpse of the Aqua Slidecoaster, the impressive new feature Norwegian Cruise Line is constructing on its upcoming ship, Norwegian Aqua.

Promoted as the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide (not just at sea, but on land as well), it’s truly one-of-a-kind for a cruise ship.

During my visit on Wednesday to the still-being-built Norwegian Aqua, I witnessed the Aqua Slidecoaster, an enormous attraction that towers over the ship's top deck.

Although it wasn't operational yet — it won't welcome riders until Norwegian Aqua launches in March 2025 — the vast tubular track was mostly completed, winding around the ship's framework.

It was truly a remarkable view.

However, it’s what I didn’t witness during the tour that will really differentiate it.

As Alex Tavernini, Norwegian's senior director of guest experiences and innovation, detailed, the Aqua Slidecoaster is being designed with powerful magnets that will propel riders forward in two-person rafts at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.

Tavernini mentioned that the magnets would be installed in the next few weeks. These will set this ride apart from other water attractions on cruise ships that rely on water jets for propulsion, like the AquaDuck on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

"This technology is fundamentally the same as what you find in roller coasters on land," Tavernini remarked during a media briefing held at the starting point of the ride on the top deck of the Norwegian Aqua.

The loading platform where Tavernini was positioned is located on Deck 18 of the ship. From this point, riders will be propelled upwards from Deck 19 to Deck 20.

The attraction features two tracks and is designed to operate four sets of rafts simultaneously.

According to Tavernini, the magnetic system designed to launch riders forward can be fine-tuned to adjust the intensity of the ride, allowing for a customizable experience. It can be set to full power for an adrenaline-packed ride or toned down for a gentler experience.

While the former option may attract thrill-seekers, the latter is better suited for younger children accompanied by their parents.

"Our goal is to make it as inclusive as possible," Tavernini stated. "Not everyone is looking for an extreme thrill."

Tavernini noted that the ride's track will primarily consist of opaque tubing, interspersed with transparent sections that allow those on the ship's upper decks to see riders zooming by. Riders will also catch a quick view of the ocean nearly 200 feet below.

In certain areas, the ride's tubes extend beyond the edges of the ship.

The Aqua Slidecoaster will take the place of the large go-kart tracks on the upper levels of the five newest Norwegian ships.

In an exclusive interview with TPG following the preview, Norwegian's president David Herrera stated that although the racetracks were very popular with guests, it was time to explore new options.

"Our focus is on providing guests with ... choices," he explained, emphasizing that variety is something Norwegian's patrons desire.

Herrera highlighted that the Aqua Slidecoaster will be capable of serving more riders each hour than the racetracks on the last five Norwegian ships — accommodating over 200 guests per hour.

This was a key consideration for Norwegian when deciding to introduce the ride, Herrera suggested.

As it rises above the ship's top decks, the ride facilitates a smoother flow of passengers around it and offers more open space below than the racetracks found on other vessels. Herrera pointed out that those attractions occupied a significant area.

"The racetrack is fantastic for those riding it, but boy, does it consume a lot of real estate," Herrera joked.

Herrera mentioned that Norwegian's leadership is still deliberating on the optimal speed for the ride and whether to designate specific hours for adults when it would operate at its peak intensity.

Another possibility discussed by Herrera was to operate one of the two tubes at a slower speed than the other.

Herrera pointed out that as the ride's speed settings increase, Norwegian would need to enforce a higher height requirement for riders to ensure safety, which would unfortunately exclude younger children from riding.

No matter what speed they choose for the ride, Herrera is sure it will be a hit with the audience.

"It's going to be a total success," he forecasted.