Bells and whistles
Did you know there are over 300 cruise ships around the world , carrying over 600,000 people ? You could try the skydiving simulator on Anthem of the Seas or take a go-kart for a spin on a two-level race track on Norwegian Bliss . If you want robot bartenders making and serving your drinks , climb aboard Ovation of the Seas . But if rollercoasters are your bag then Carnival Celebration is where you ’ ll find a 40 mph open-air rollercoaster on the top deck , including a hairpin turn around the ship ’ s funnel ! What about the highest slide at sea ? Well , the ship , Harmony of the Seas , has a 10-storey-high plunge off the top of it ! For natural beauty , Symphony of the Seas has a park with over 20,000 plants !
Life at sea
You can ’ t live forever on a cruise ship … or can you ?? On Serenade of the Seas you can go on a voyage that lasts 274 nights and takes in over 60 countries . American businessman Mario Salcedo has lived on cruise ships almost consistently for the last 24 years . He runs his business from a deckchair by the pool .
What about floating cities or even countries , will they ever be A Thing ? Ed
Human-made floating islands aren ’ t a new idea . The Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca have been floating for at least 500 years ! There are about 120 of them and they are home to around 1,300 people . They are built from totora reeds and roots , which are naturally water resistant and get rebuilt constantly as they rot over a few weeks . The Uros people live on them all year round , and in stormy weather they can float from one side of the lake in Peru to the other in Bolivia ! They use solar panels for TV and radio and even have their own primary school .
Words : Jonathan Pavey . Illustration : Robbie Cathro . Photo : PsamatheM , Wikimedia Commons
Rising tides
Sea levels are rising around the globe . Low-lying countries like the Maldives could be entirely underwater by 2100 . To adapt and cope , this archipelago in the Indian Ocean has started building floating cities with hotels , restaurants and new homes for residents .
FUN FACT TRUMPET Icon of the Seas has its own Chief Dog Officer , a golden retriever named Rover . He lives permanently on the ship and even has his own chief of staff !
Perhaps one day we will build islands that can move with the climate , maybe they will have more than just amazing places to eat and floating theme parks . Maybe they will be carbon neutral and clean up the oceans as they travel !
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