I Took the Plunge, and Survived

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

ABOARD HARMONY OF THE SEAS _ It's no big deal, right? Just slide into a narrow opening and plunge 10 stories through a winding tube.

I got this.

It's called "The Ultimate Abyss," and it's the  new thrill ride on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Harmony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.

Large ships need large thrills, and the Ultimate Abyss is engineered to do just that. 

Well, I can't put it off any longer. Join me, will you? We'll start at the entrance, pictured on the right.

The staff wear shirts that say, "Only for the Brave."
That isn't helping my confidence.

Up we go ... no turning back now.

He's got the "Go" signal. I'm next!

You enter the Abyss on Deck 16. Did they
have to make those teeth so long?

They give you a mat to slide on, and instructions on
what to do. One thing not to do is swing your arms out wide,
as he is demonstrating. Must remember, keep arms straight.

This is freaky. You are standing on glass at the top, I guess
so you can see what 10 stories looks like. Yikes.

And there I go! I'm inside that tube ... somewhere!

I made it! And didn't even scream. Do I get a T-shirt??