Go-kart racing on Norwegian Cruise Line ships costs $15–$17 per session (roughly 8–10 minutes per lap), with multi-lap packages bringing the per-lap price down to around $12–$13. It's one of Norwegian's most popular upcharge activities and sells out fast.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line put a literal race track on a cruise ship — and yes, they're charging separately for every lap you drive. If you didn't budget for this before boarding, that surprise swipe of your keycard can sting. Here's exactly what you'll pay and whether it's worth it.
How Much Does Go-Kart Racing Cost on Norwegian?
Norwegian's go-kart tracks (branded as the Race Track or The Speedway) are found on the Breakaway Plus and Prima class ships. Each session is a single timed lap around the elevated track — not an open-drive free-for-all. The base price is $15–$17 per lap, and if you want to go again, you pay again. Multi-lap packages are the smarter play.
| Package | Cost | Per-Lap Breakdown | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Lap | $15–$17 | $15–$17 | First-timers / curious cruisers |
| 3-Lap Package | $39–$45 | ~$13–$15/lap | Casual racers |
| 5-Lap Package | $59–$65 | ~$12–$13/lap | Enthusiasts / repeat riders |
| Kids Single Lap (under 48") | $10–$12 | $10–$12 | Young riders on select ships |
| Race Against the Clock (timed challenge) | $20–$25 | Flat fee | Competitive types |
Prices reflect 2025–2026 Norwegian fleet rates. Exact pricing varies by ship and sailing date.
The Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva have the most impressive tracks — three levels, steep curves, and higher speeds than older Breakaway Plus ships. If you're choosing a sailing specifically for the go-karts, Prima class is worth it.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What Drives the Cost Up (and What to Watch Out For)
Weight and height restrictions add surprise costs. Maximum weight is typically 278 lbs (126 kg) for standard karts. Riders under 58 inches tall may be limited to junior karts at a separate (lower) price — but not every ship has junior karts, so check before you assume your 10-year-old can ride.
The track books out early. Norwegian lets you pre-book go-kart sessions before the cruise — and you should. Peak sea days see waitlists by mid-morning. Pre-booking online sometimes locks in a slight discount vs. walking up on the day.
It's not covered by any drink or dining package. The go-kart track is a standalone upcharge, full stop. The Free at Sea promo does not include it. No amount of package bundling changes that.
Session length is short. One lap typically runs 8–10 minutes — it sounds long, but on the track it goes fast (pun intended). First-timers usually wish they'd bought the 3-lap package.
Gratuity isn't added to go-kart sessions the way it is to dining or drinks, which is a small relief.
Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line
How to Get the Best Value on Norwegian's Go-Karts
Book before you board. Log into your Norwegian account after final payment and pre-reserve your session. You often get a 10–15% discount versus on-ship walk-up pricing, and you avoid the sold-out headache on popular sea days.
Go early in the voyage. Day 1 or Day 2 of the cruise — people are still figuring out the ship. By Day 3, the track queue is brutal.
Buy the 5-lap package if two people are splitting it. Norwegian allows lap transfers within the same booking party on some sailings — confirm with guest services, but this is a known workaround that cuts per-lap cost significantly.
Skip it if you're motion-sensitive. The elevated track banking, combined with the ship's natural movement, catches some guests off guard. It's not extreme, but it's worth knowing.
Compare against port excursions. If your itinerary includes a port with a local karting venue (Nassau, St. Maarten, Cozumel all have options), you can often get 10–15 minutes of on-track time for $20–$35 shoreside — sometimes faster karts, longer sessions, zero cruise markup.
Which Norwegian Ships Have the Go-Kart Track?
Not every Norwegian ship has a race track — this matters before you book.
| Ship | Track Type | Class | Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Prima | 3-level elevated Speedway | Prima Class | ✅ Yes |
| Norwegian Viva | 3-level elevated Speedway | Prima Class | ✅ Yes |
| Norwegian Bliss | Single-level Race Track | Breakaway Plus | ✅ Yes |
| Norwegian Encore | Single-level Race Track | Breakaway Plus | ✅ Yes |
| Norwegian Joy | Single-level Race Track | Breakaway Plus | ✅ Yes |
| Norwegian Escape | No track | Breakaway | ❌ No |
| Norwegian Getaway | No track | Breakaway | ❌ No |
| Older fleet (Gem, Jade, etc.) | No track | Legacy | ❌ No |
If go-karting is a must-have for your sailing, Norwegian Prima or Viva deliver the premium experience. The Breakaway Plus tracks are fun but flatter and shorter.
Bottom line: budget $40–$65 per person if you want a proper go-kart experience (3–5 laps), and pre-book it before you step foot on the ship. One lap at $17 will leave most people wanting more and paying full walk-up price for the privilege. Before you finalize your Norwegian sailing, run your full trip budget — activities, drinks, gratuities, and all — through CruiseMutiny so you don't hit Day 2 sticker shock.