I was the first to try the world’s biggest cruise ship’s terrifying new attraction – where the floor drops from 154ft

PERCHED precariously on a tiny plank some 154ft above the ocean, I take a deep breath.

Any second now the floor will fall from beneath my feet. I’ve never felt so terrified – or alive!

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Welcome to Crown’s Edge – the astonishing new attraction at the very top of the world’s biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean’s latest and greatest ship sets sail with paying passengers for the first time this week but on an exclusive sneak-peek sailing, I was the very first to try out this awe-inspiring challenge.

The $2billion liner – capable of holding 7,600 passengers – has eight distinct neighbourhoods and Crown’s Edge is the pinnacle of Thrill Island, which also features Category Six, the largest water park at sea.

The entire space is themed around adventure and that takes on a whole new level of scares on Crown’s Edge – a dizzying combination of skywalk ropes course and thrilling zip line.

My journey starts when I am welcomed into a room to get properly kitted out.

Donning a special jumpsuit, helmet and all-important harness, a video tells how you’re joining a Navigator in a bid to escape Thrill Island.

Safety briefing and back story complete, you’ll meet your own Navigator and begin the precarious journey.

Your harness is attached to ropes connected to a rail that swings out over the edge of the ship and its gigantic Crown and Anchor logo.

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Your first steps are across a wobbly bridge where you dangle precariously while trying to push yourself and your ropes forward along the rail.

It takes effort – and courage – to balance as you navigate the bridge but worse is to come.

Safely over, now you must tread between individual circular steps as you work your way to the very edge of the ship with nothing but the ocean waves crashing against the ship some 154ft or 50metres below.

As you round the giant metal logo, things get even more difficult as instead of nice round steps to walk on, you’re suddenly negotiating altogether trickier cross-shaped steps.

My nervous noughts and crosses strides have taken me out beyond the ship, completely exposed, with nothing below but blue seas.

It’s enough to take your breath away but worse is to come. Having travelled to the very middle of the logo, you’re then walking the plank. 

My navigator shouts from the safety of the deck, willing me to the very end of the plank and the crown logo.

Any minute now, this floor will fall away. The suspense is ramping up my already adrenaline-charged body.

Suddenly, I am falling. My screams could probably be heard 16 decks below as the zipline whizzes me round the logo and back to the safety of the Thrill Island deck. 

The whole journey has lasted less than 90 seconds but my heart is pounding as if I’d just run a marathon.

Fear conquered I am now regretting not enjoying the view more – it really is an utterly unique perspective to admire the ocean while suspended so high above the waves.

I’m desperate to do it all again – and this time soak up the views.

Cruisers on the first sailings this week can enjoy the Crown’s Edge from around £40 per person but prices will vary depending on the time of year.

Here are some other mad cruise ship attractions including robot bartenders and 10-floor slides.

Want to stay closer to home? There’s a £99, two-day cruise which sets sale from the UK.

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