One of the main attractions of going on a cruise is the large number of activities on board. The onboard activities should be one of the top factors you consider when planning your cruise.
Every cruise line has its own set of unique activities that are enjoyable for cruisers of all ages. One of the unique attractions is the FlowRider on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
The FlowRider has gathered attention from cruisers for years and remains a popular attraction today. If you haven’t experienced it, you may wonder exactly what the FlowRider feature is. You’ve come to the right place to find out.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Royal Caribbean FlowRider, including what it is, what cruise ships to find it on, how much it is, and more!
In This Article…
What Is the Royal Caribbean FlowRider?
A FlowRider is a 12-meter (40-foot) long surf simulator. The appeal of FlowRiders is that they allow you to experience the thrill of surfing from dry land – or, at the very least, from a cruise ship. It’s an activity suited for all skill levels, including those who have never surfed before.
The “flow” on FlowRiders comes from 100,000 liters of water rushing upwards at 25 miles per hour. This speed is supposed to simulate the experience of surfing in the ocean. This may seem fast, but it is very safe, especially when riders follow all instructions.
Although the FlowRider isn’t unique to Royal Caribbean ships, it is a one-of-a-kind experience on a cruise ship. On Royal Caribbean FlowRiders, you can stand on a surfboard for the ultimate surf experience, or lay on a boogie board for a different angle.
Let’s discuss which Royal Caribbean ships currently offer the FlowRider.
Which Cruise Ships Have the FlowRider?
Decided that the FlowRider has to be part of your next cruise? Here is a list of Royal Caribbean ships where you can ride the FlowRider:
- Adventure of the Seas
- Allure of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Explorer of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Mariner of the Seas
- Navigator of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Odyssey Of The Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Voyager of the Seas
- Spectrum Of The Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Wonder Of The Seas
- Icon of the Seas (coming 2024)
Your friends and family can cheer you on while you master the waves from the stadium seating. Some of these ships even have two FlowRiders, but it’s important to note that as a busy attraction, it will take some planning to ensure you can ride on it.
This brings us to the question, is the Royal Caribbean FlowRider free?
Is the FlowRider Free?
One of the best parts about the Royal Caribbean FlowRider is that it’s a free attraction for guests on the ship. Yes, you can technically ride the FlowRider as many times as you want during your cruise without increasing onboard spending.
However, passengers must book a session each time they want to ride. You can do this through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner app.
If you’re serious about surfing and want to take your surfing skills to the next level, you can purchase private lessons with an instructor. These private lessons begin at $69 per person, and the class requires at least four people to sign up to proceed.
Read Also: Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive?
Lessons are an excellent way for you and your family or friends to bond onboard. Better yet, if you feel comfortable with the FlowRider, you and your friends can forgo the lessons and book it for yourselves (you’ll still have supervision).
Royal Caribbean FlowRider Tips
Here are some tips for a safe and enjoyable FlowRider ride on your cruise:
- No matter what level you are, listening to the crew members is essential. Not doing so may put your safety at risk, and you may be subject to penalties from the cruise ship.
- If you’ve never surfed before and are hesitant about the FlowRider, start by watching as a spectator. This will calm your nerves, and you’ll be able to pick up the move quickly.
- Start on a boogie board before upgrading to a surfboard. A boogie board is less intimidating as you’re lying down and don’t have to balance. Once you feel comfortable, you can upgrade to a surfboard – hopefully by the end of your cruise!
- Try to book as early as possible to ensure you get the time you want.
Royal Caribbean FlowRider FAQ
Since you’ll get wet, you must wear a well-fitted bathing suit. This ensures that the pressure from the water isn’t too much for your bathing suit to overcome! If you want, you may also wear a t-shirt and shorts.
The only restriction to using the FlowRider is a height restriction. You must be 52 inches to use the boogie board and 58 inches to use the surfboard.
Make the FlowRider Part of Your Next Cruise
If you’ve always wanted to try surfing, there’s no better time than on your cruise. The Royal Caribbean FlowRider lets you practice your surf skills before reaching port.
Available on many of their ships, the FlowRider is a must-try on any Royal Caribbean sailing. With the ability to ride as many times as you want, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice before hitting the beach!
