I simply rode Cliffhanger, the newest over-the-top journey on a cruise ship, and it was a hoot

I simply rode Cliffhanger, the newest edge-of-your-seat journey solely on MSC World America — and it was a stunning blast.

One second, I am seated, toes firmly planted on the ship’s deck. The subsequent? I am swinging by means of the air, weightless, as Ocean Cay — MSC Cruises’ personal island within the Bahamas — slips from view.

There’s the dreamy white sand seashores, rows of coloured homes and iconic red-and-white lighthouse.

Then, simply blue sky.

For a cut up second, we teeter on the prime. Then comes the drop. I whoosh backward in a dizzying arc, the ocean to date under.

My abdomen somersaults, and I understand my arms are gripping tight. Then the adrenaline kicks in. I raise my arms above my head like on a curler coaster and set free a squeal of enjoyment.

That is probably the most enjoyable you’ll be able to have 160 toes above the ocean — all delivered to you by MSC Cruises.

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What’s Cliffhanger on MSC World America?

Cliffhanger is billed as the one overwater swing at sea, and it’d look tame — however do not be fooled. Towering above Deck 20, the journey — in actuality, a large swing set perched on the sting of the Household Aventura district — can raise as much as 4 thrill-seekers (in two twin seats) up and over the ship on a giddy one-minute flight 160 toes above the ocean.

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What’s it wish to journey Cliffhanger?

I might watched it from shore the day earlier than whereas docked in a single day at Ocean Cay on a three-night crusing from Miami. From a distance, it did not look terrifying — extra like a childhood swing transferring gently within the breeze. However standing within the queue at 10 a.m., the sultry winds whipping throughout the deck, the journey abruptly appeared an entire lot scarier.

After slipping off my flip-flops and stashing them in a container, I took my seat on the swing. There is not any seat belt — only a sturdy T-bar that pops into place on the waist. My toes have been dangling free.

Do not be fooled by Cliffhanger’s low-key look. It could seem like a delicate journey, however swinging out over the open ocean — quick — feels something however tame.

What begins because the gentlest journey abruptly picks up the tempo, flying in ever-wider arcs — greater, quicker, farther. The wind whips my hair in each course, and my abdomen lurches at each flip.

Simply as abruptly, it stops. The motorized arms return us again over the ship and onto the deck, the place a crew member waits to launch the T-bar.

It is throughout in 60 seconds, however what a journey. It is the proper hit of adrenaline. For simply $5, it is simply one of many best-value thrills at sea.

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Household Aventura: Get able to fly

Cliffhanger is a part of Household Aventura, the action-packed, family-friendly leisure zone on decks 19 and 20 of MSC World America. This journey playground is one for teenagers … and children at coronary heart.

It is filled with waterslides and bumper vehicles, a mountain climbing wall, a Components One simulator, a Lego playroom and arcade video games.

It is also the place you will discover a huge gymnasium and Doremiland, MSC Cruises’ children golf equipment.

You could possibly spend a complete day right here — and I did — chasing the adrenaline rush.

Journey Path aerial ropes course

Journey Path — a two-level aerial ropes course strung with rope bridges, planks, steps and beams — takes Cliffhanger to a brand new stage. Suspended like a spider’s internet excessive above Deck 20, this sprawling impediment course affords 45 minutes of palm-sweating, knee-knocking enjoyable.

Clipped right into a harness, we navigate planks, tightropes and beams, pulling our our bodies alongside hand ropes with nothing however air beneath our toes. Balancing excessive above Cliffhanger, the course is an surprising thrill that will get my coronary heart racing.

After all, it is all protected, good-natured enjoyable. I am securely connected to the sky rail, with my weight load checked earlier than making an attempt any component — together with the 2 skyrails, that are primarily zip traces.

One whisks me out and over the Promenade, far under on Deck 8.

The opposite winds dramatically across the fringe of the ship. Each occasions I journey, the wind is fierce, and I’ve to launch myself off the platform to counter the robust pushback from the gusts. It is a “Mission Unimaginable” second, equal elements exhilarating and surreal.

Jaw Drop dry slide

Household Aventura can be house to Jaw Drop, a dry slide that plunges an eye-popping 11 tales down by means of the again of the ship, ending on the Promenade at Deck 8. Riders enter by means of the gaping mouth of an enormous shark — sure, actually — earlier than capturing down the modern steel chute. It is as goofy as it’s exhilarating, with a hilariously sluggish cease on the finish to let your coronary heart catch up.

Aquapark

For good old school splashy enjoyable, MSC World America brings the thrills with Aquapark — a colourful maze of themed slides, splash zones and a twin racer slide with a velocity timer to race your mates.

Then there’s the U Drop Slide, a drop slide with a trapdoor assured to soak the bravest thrill-seeker.

My private favourite? The VR Slide. With a pair of goggles strapped on, I used to be abruptly launched right into a dreamy, animated world (suppose: lush jungles, painted elephants, technicolor birds and extra) so immersive that I forgot I used to be even on a waterslide. Simply the strangest — and least scary — waterslide in dwelling historical past.

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Backside line

Of all of MSC World America’s choices, nothing matched Cliffhanger. It hit that nostalgic nerve — like being 5 years outdated once more, legs pumping on the playground swing, the entire world tilting as you soared greater.

As a child, I used to screech with delight as my mother pushed me ever greater. There was all the time that heart-lurching second on the prime, simply earlier than gravity took over.

Cliffhanger recreated that unbridled pleasure — this time 160 toes above the ocean.

There are seven districts on MSC World America, every filled with a world of leisure and enjoyable. However to my thoughts, Cliffhanger is its crowning glory. The easy swing delivers sky-high thrills all in 60 seconds.

It had me on the sting of my seat — in one of the simplest ways attainable.

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