Tag

Ship Activities

Browsing

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.

RipCord by iFly

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

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

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 😀

RipCord by iFly

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.

RipCord by iFly

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!

RipCord by iFly

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!

RipCord by iFly

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.

RipCord by iFly

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?!

This post will share our review, photos and experience on the North Star on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. I will also share general details about North Star on all Royal Caribbean ships.

North Star Royal Caribbean

About the North Star

The North Star was introduced by Royal Caribbean in 2014 with the first Quantum Class ship, Quantum of the Seas. It is a clear glass observation capsule that can hold up to 14 guests (plus the operator). The capsule (or “pod”) is attached to an extendable, mechanical arm that slowly elevates guests 300 feet above sea level, directly above and over both sides the ship, providing an incredible 360-degree view. Per Royal Caribbean, it is the winner of the Guinness World Record for tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship! Additionally, Royal Caribbean’s Voom WiFi works inside the North Star pod…not sure why you would need it, but I’m sharing anyway.

North Star in Alaska

Which Royal Caribbean Ships have the North Star?

The North Star 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
North Star Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas

North Star Price & Experience Options

Royal Caribbean offers several experiences to choose from, each varying in length of time and price:

Basic Experience (Complimentary)

The North Star Basic Experience is complimentary and included in the cost of the cruise. This ride is 15 minutes long and typically only available in ports. According to reviews, the pod just goes up and down, not over the sides of the ship. We did not partake in this experience.

Extended Experience ($19 per person)

The North Star Extended Experience is slightly longer at 16 minutes. During this experience, you go straight up, then over both sides of the ship. This was the experience we chose.

Premium Experience ($69 per person)

The North Star Premium Experience is a 20-minute ride. The biggest reason for the increased cost is that it is during high demand times, such as sailing through the glaciers in Alaska. We did not partake in this experience, but saw the people that did. There were several time slots for the North Star while at the Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm and I’m sure they’re view was spectacular! But our balcony was plenty amazing and included in the cost of our room HAHA

North Star Endicott Arm Dawes Glacier

As with anything you read that is not from the official site, these details can change and it is always best to check your Cruise Planner for the most accurate, current info for your sailing. The details I provide are based on our sailing on Ovation of the Seas in Alaska with additional details per my research/knowledge.

North Star Royal Caribbean Alaska

North Star Restrictions

Guests must be at least 42 inches tall or 48 to ride alone and weigh a maximum of 300 lbs.

The North Star is wheelchair accessible, with an elevator to the entrance and a ramp into the pod. One wheelchair per time slot is allowed.

North Star Ovation of the Seas Alaska

How to Book the North Star

Prior to the cruise, the Premium Experience was available to book in the Cruise Planner. The basic and extended experiences were not available in the app until we were actually on the ship, but not for the entire week all at once. Each day, available slots would open for the next day or two. Just use the app to select your experience, date/time, enter the number of people, and reserve…for paid experiences, you will check out and the cost will be added to your bill.

The basic (FREE) time slots fill up fast! We had an excursion for each port day, so we were pretty much left with the Extended experience as our only option except for a few slots here and there at the beginning or end of our port day.

North Star Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas

Our North Star Experience in Alaska

We finally decided to reserve the Extended Experience on our last day, but it was in the morning on our way to arrive at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in the afternoon. So while we did not get the glacier view, there was a lot to see at that point. I also wasn’t aware that the free experience doesn’t go over the sides of the ship. If that was true at the time of our sailing, I would have been disappointed.

About 10-15 minutes before our scheduled time, we checked in at the North Star desk. We were each weighed – which is not a fun thing when it’s the last day of your cruise!

When everyone was checked in and the last group finished, we ventured up the stairs and walked into the North Star capsule. The Operator gave a brief intro and then we began our trip upward!

North Star Ovation of the Seas

It was so cool getting to see the ship from that angle! It was similar to flying low over the ship in a helicopter, but without feeling nauseous.

North Star Extended Experience
North Star Extended Experience

The pod was extremely sturdy; it didn’t rock back-and-forth even with all of us moving around. There were a few other people in there with us, not the max of 14, but we didn’t feel crowded. We were all also good at slowly moving around the pod to give everyone a full view from all angles…it was like an unspoken rule we were all willingly following.

North Star Extended Experience

When we first woke up that day, you couldn’t see anything! It was so foggy and they even were blowing the horn every 2 minutes as an alert for nearby marine craft. We were so nervous this was going to be our view…

North Star Extended Experience

Thankfully, it cleared up and we had the most incredible view.

North Star Extended Experience

We could see our room!

North Star Extended Experience

As you can see, I got a lot of photos of the ship and its wake. You wouldn’t have that wake picture if you did the experience while in port since the ship wouldn’t be moving. I did get a few out into the ocean…kinda 😉

North Star Extended Experience
North Star Extended Experience

Definitely bring your sunglasses if it’s sunny!

North Star Extended Experience

We feel like we chose the right experience for us and our family of 4. We had a moderate amount of time, over the ocean but near land, and got the full up and side-to-side tour.

North Star Extended Experience

Is the North Star right for you?

If you are scared of heights, then this is not the experience for you. Otherwise, this is a chill way to experience this kind of height and view over a cruise ship. If you are willing to pay a little, this is a great way to be entertained during a sea day. Or take advantage of the free times if you don’t plan on getting off the ship for the entire length of your port day.

As I mentioned earlier, weather could affect your experience or even cause it to be cancelled. Some days are gorgeous where you can see for miles…

North Star Extended Experience

…and other days may be a little more dreary. This, of course, isn’t Royal’s fault, and you should enjoy the experience the best you can…or hey, even book another time to do it again!

North Star Extended Experience

Ovation of the Seas was an incredible ship, and the North Star is one of its main attractions that we did not want to miss, especially since none of the recent ships closer to home in the Caribbean have it. We definitely recommend it for all ages.

North Star Extended Experience

And if you need a reminder, just look up or to the side at any point while onboard, it was always there!

North Star Extended Experience

“I always feel like…somebody’s watching meeeeee”

North Star Extended Experience