We went skydiving on a cruise!
Well, not really…but we did as close to skydiving as I will EVER get…we experienced RipCord by iFly while on Ovation of the Seas! Actual skydiving scares the bejeezus out of me and I have never been interested in partaking in the activity that has you falling to the ground at insane speeds to rely on fabric coming out of a backpack to save you. But a simulator on the ground (or ship) where you are only a few feet up in a controlled environment with an instructor holding onto you almost the entire time…I can do THAT!
This post will share our review, photos and experience with RipCord by iFly on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. I will also share general details about RipCord by iFly on all Royal Caribbean ships.
About RipCord by iFly
RipCord by iFly is indoor skydiving available on some Royal Caribbean ships. It provides the simulation of true free-fall conditions in a vertical wind tunnel, without the whole jumping out of a plane thing.
Which Royal Caribbean Ships have RipCord by iFly?
RipCord by iFly is on all Quantum and Quantum Ultra-Class Ships
Quantum Class
- Quantum of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
Quantum Ultra-Class
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Odyssey of the Seas
RipCord by iFly Price & Experience Options
Similar to the North Star, Royal Caribbean offers options when it comes to your iFly experience.
Free: There is a free option that you can book once per cruise. With this option, you get one 60-second turn.
Extended Flight Experience (Paid): With this option, you get two 60-second turns. This was the option we chose.
How to Book RipCord by iFly
Both options can be booked via the Cruise Planner. The free options are released nightly during your cruise, and I’m sure they fill up fast, as ours did.
Ripcord by iFly Restrictions
Must be 3 years old, weigh less than 230 lbs. if shorter than 6’ or less than 250 lbs. if 6’ and taller. All loose articles, including jewelry, wallets, phones, loose change and any other materials that might fall or come loose must be removed prior to the experience.
You must wear sneakers, socks, comfortable pants/shorts, and a shirt that covers your mid-section.
Our RipCord by iFly Experience in Alaska
Just like the North Star experience, RipCord by iFly was a must for us on Ovation of the Seas because it is on ships that aren’t typically sailing from Florida, so we didn’t know when we would get the opportunity to experience it again. My husband and daughter chose not to do it, but that meant we had our own photographer and videographer.
Shortly before our scheduled time, we arrived at the iFly check in location. We were brought to a small room to watch a brief video that discussed safety, basic mechanics of how to position your body to perform certain actions, and the most important part…the iFly hand signals! When you’re in a wind tunnel, there is no talking because you can’t hear anyone! Once inside the tunnel, the instructor uses hand signals to tell you to bend or straighten your legs, put your chin up, or relax….he will also show the hand spread out…all as a reminder to do those things to improve how you’re “flying.” The hand signals are important, so after the video, the instructor gives a quick test to confirm you remember what they meant.
After the video, we were given our flight suits, helmets and goggles. If you’re trying to look cute and demure, this ain’t the place…those helmets and goggles are tight so they won’t budge with all that wind flying at you. Plus, once you are in that tunnel, good luck looking cute with your cheeks flapping around 😀
We got in a line and walked up to the tunnel and sat at the bench while we took turns. The first person got their 1st 60-second turn, then the 2nd person, all down the line, then it starts over for each person’s second turn. There were 6 of us, so it never felt long to wait and it was also pretty fun watching the others take their turns.
I liked having 2 separate turns because the instructor will give you quick tips to improve for your next turn.
When it’s your turn, you stand at the entrance opening and lean forward and then the wind does its job. The instructor holds onto your suit as needed to guide you, but will let go if you’re doing well. There is a second instructor outside the tunnel controlling how much wind is pumped out…smaller kids need less, bigger adults need more.
We both did amazing! My son was a natural, but this mommy sure hopes he never wants to skydive for real. We had a few hand signals thrown at us, mostly me to relax, but I always need to relax so that’s nothing new.
Gosh, I hope I don’t regret sharing this next photo on the internet…I’m doing it for you!
After us newbs all went, the instructor showed us how it’s really done. They amp up the wind and do some tricks, fully utilizing the entire height of the tunnel…so cool!
After, we walked back, removed our suit/helmet/goggles and that was it.
There was a photographer taking photos available to purchase after. They have a computer that shows you all the photos that were taken and you can select which one(s) you want with a couple packages to choose from. We did not have any type of overall cruise photo package, but we were able to purchase these separately.
Is Ripcord by iFly right for you?
This experience is quite active and loud, so if those things are not your bag, then you may want to be entertained by watching. I don’t think being scared of heights should affect your decision, as you don’t go high at all. In fact, your horizontal body doesn’t go higher than the instructor’s head or else he would not be able to control you. This photo shows your height compared to the instructor that is standing…sometimes you go a little higher than this, but never outside of their reach.
Overall, we enjoyed it and are glad we got to experience it. I’m not sure I would go out of my way to do it locally, but since it was available on my cruise, why not?!