New cruise ship to feature go-kart track onboard

Go-Kart track onboard the new Norwegian 'Joy' ship

If cruising isn’t your speed, maybe you need a little Joy.

That’s the name of what Norwegian Cruise Line bills as its “most innovative and luxurious ship ever."

Along with room for 3,900 passengers, a park, water slide, and all of the familiar amenities, the kilometer-long ship will feature several attractions that should appeal to automotive enthusiasts when it launches next year. ….

On deck is the world’s first seaborne go-kart track. It’s a twisty, two-level, open-air affair that will offer head-to-head racing. For those who like things a little more rough and tumble, there are also bumper cars down below.

If you’re looking for a thrill without any chance of a spill, the Joy also has a Formula 1-style dynamic driving simulator, and several other racing and flight simulators that offer “an adrenaline-filled experience."

Even that water slide was designed with tandem tubing chutes for head-to-head action before you head to the onboard stores for some competitive shopping.

If you’re interested in pushing the limits of motion sickness, you’ll need to take a long plane ride first. The Joy was designed for the Chinese market and will be calling on Shanghai and other ports starting in 2017.