Royal Caribbean ship gets first new Sky Pad attraction

Royal Caribbean’s new bungee-jumping, trampolining, virtual reality attraction has made its debut on Independence of the Seas.

The feature was installed on the top deck during a dry dock for the 3,858-passenger ship that will spend the summer based in Southampton, England, before returning to Fort Lauderdale in November.

The 154,407-gross-ton ship that debuted in 2008 and was once the largest at sea before the line’s Oasis-class vessels debuted, is the first of several Royal Caribbean ships that will eventually get the new attraction that will, among other adventures, let riders virtually walk on the moon.

The attraction is also coming in June to Mariner of the Seas, which sails out of Miami after it goes into dry dock for $90 million of refurbishments.

Riders who choose to don VR glasses can simulate bouncing over moon craters and compete in intergalactic games. Open to all ages, the ride will also be available in real life, as in you don’t have to wear the VR glasses.

The structure that looks like the top half of a giant yellow-and-red wiffle ball features four bungee trampolines and four virtual reality experiences.

“By taking a feature, like a trampoline experience and enhancing it with virtual reality, Royal Caribbean differentiates itself in the market while becoming even more appealing to families who want a terrific cruise vacation that is in their budget while not compromising on the fun things they can do onboard,” said Matt Hochberg, who runs the website RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com.

The new feature is among several being added to both ships, including their own versions of the The Perfect Storm water slides — which first debuted on Harmony of the Seas. Both Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas’ versions will only have two slides, though: Cyclone and Typhoon. Also coming is glow-in-the-dark laser tag called “Battle for Planet Z” and Puzzle Break: The Observatorium, a 60-minute escape room adventure.

Both ships are also getting Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Sugar Beach candy shop, new venues that made their debuts this year on Symphony of the Seas. Both ships will also be getting Izumi Hibachi & Sushi.

Independence of the Seas also now sports Fish & Ships, a poolside eatery.

Mariner of the Seas, on the other hand, will get a retro Tiki bar called The Bamboo Room as well as become the latest home for celebrity Chef Jaime Oliver’s rustic Italian dining concept Jamie’s Italian. Caffeine fans will be happy to get a Starbucks on board. And Mariner will get a rock climbing wall and FlowRider surf simulator.

The 138,279-ton, 15-deck Mariner of the Seas debuted in 2003. Its dry-dock work will be done in May and June in Cadiz, Spain before heading back to PortMiami for 3and 4-night Bahamas itineraries.

Independence of the Seas will return from England to begin 4-, 5- and 6-night Western Caribbean voyages starting Nov. 17.