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Below, we've listed the top 40 most popular and, perhaps, surprising cruise activities if someone you know needs a little convincing to give sailing a try. Dance parties are a popular thing to do on a cruise in the evenings and late-nights. There are clubs that play music, but the big events are the themed parties that usually take place on the pool deck at night. These days some sections of new cruise ships look more like a mall than a ship. Shopping is a big draw, with a number of stores offering everything from souvenir keychains to high-end expensive watches.
Ship-Specific Things to Do on a Cruise
Water below deck and water above, that’s the nature of today’s cruise lines. Kids can spend all day hopping from waterslides to wave pools while mom and dad sip some Mai Tais poolside. Take some time out of your adventurous shore excursion and stroll along the boardwalk or the beach at sunset.
What Do You Like To Do on a Sea Day?
For the ultimate experience, book Dinner on the Edge, when you’ll dine al fresco at the highest level of the ship for a culinary experience like no other. When it’s by the pool deck, the platform is a gorgeous outdoor lounge, with ocean on three sides and comfortable sofas in which you can relax and take in the view. Or visit the World Class Bar to watch mixologists prepare adventurous cocktails using fresh and sometimes unexpected ingredients and fine spirits. Keep up your running habit during your vacation, or simply power walk around the track that you’ll find on every Celebrity ship.
Build a Model Cruise Ship
While there, you'll generally have free access to a buffet lunch and use of the beach and restroom facilities. Additional dining, activities, amenities, shore excursions and alcohol might be available for a fee. Live music is about as synonymous with cruising as food, sun and fun. You'll hear it just about everywhere throughout the day on most vessels. If you're the volunteer type, vacation is as good a time as any to give back. As well as live music, you’ll find fantastic DJ sets in the evenings and will soon realize why the silent discos in Eden on Edge-series ships are so legendary.
Try to Win a Sports Tournament
One unique thing we’ve seen on some ships are their own scratch-off lottery tickets. Not every ship has it, but many have an area on the pool deck that’s reserved only for adults, such as the Serenity area on Carnival. Volleyball, soccer, free-throws, ping-pong… if you think you’re good enough then enter one of the tournaments that the cruise line hosts.
The tiny animated 3D figures bustling around your plate will enchant you. Dine your way from Asia to Italy to the USA on a Celebrity ship, where you’ll find superb restaurants for every taste. A skilled instructor will show you the basics of glass blowing.
Sea Day Activities

Often a free galley tour is offered where you can see the behind the scenes of where and how the cruise ship food is prepared for thousands of cruisers. Often, on a sea day there may be a bean bag toss and other games set up near the pool. Some cruise lines have an adult only game show called The Quest. It’s a very fun scavenger hunt that can get a bit inappropriate for kids.
Looking for things to do on Ambience? See what cruise experts had to say about Ambience activities, onboard ... - Cruise Critic
Looking for things to do on Ambience? See what cruise experts had to say about Ambience activities, onboard ....
Posted: Wed, 23 Aug 2023 04:27:22 GMT [source]
My favorite that I have seen so far with Norwegian are "Six," "Jersey Boys," and "Choir or Man!" These shows can all currently be found onboard Norwegian’s Breakaway-Plus Class ships. However, it is important to know that the schedule for these shows can change at any time. Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship -- Norwegian Viva -- will feature 19 bars and lounges onboard! Guests will be able to experience some Norwegian Cruise Line classics, such as the Local’s Bar & Grill, as well as some new venues onboard exclusive to the Prima Class.
Currently, the only Oasis Class ship not to feature the slide is the Allure of the Seas, as its revitalize project was postponed due to the pandemic. The new custom designed track actually transitions across two decks called the Norwegian Encore Speedway. They're even four parts that hang up to 13 feet over the edge of the ship. The best time to experience it is when the liner is at sea and the water is relatively calm. Royal Caribbean is one of the largest cruise operators in the world, and in recent years they've made a point of ensuring they install the most creative and often unbelievable features on their ships.
Norwegian specializes in bringing revolutionary and innovative new amenities and activities found on their ships, and many cruisers come back time again and again for all they offer onboard. In general, waiting until the last minute is not the best idea, unless you live in Seattle or Vancouver and don't need to book flights. Kids can hang out in the youth lounges while parents hit the spa or try a wine-tasting class. Everyone can come back together for dinner and evening entertainment or onboard activities suitable for all ages. One nice thing about the Inside Passage is how calm the water is because you're sailing between land masses.
That’s why cruise ships often have ice cream stations located near the pool. Sometimes it’s free soft-serve, other ships might have gelato that costs a few bucks. First things first, there’s a lot more things to do on a cruise ship than most people realize.
Games are usually higher priced — expect it to cost $1-2 to play anything. We have been on cruises where there is a “Happy Hour” where arcade games are discounted 50% for a short period. There’s no better way to relax than by some time in the hot tub.
There’s so much to do (or not do) on sea days, that these are often some of the best times on a cruise. While I could list off a lot, here are just a few sea day activities to look forward to. Most cruise line’s have an a Kid’s Club with excellent supervision and fun activities. However, family friendly cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and Princess Cruises have some of the best kid’s camps at sea.
There’s just so much to do on a cruise, and some of it is simple fun.
While friends make all activities more fun, the best cruise adventures for friends involve a little competition, a little embarrassment, and lots of laughs! So when I’m away I love to curl up in a cosy spot and get stuck in to a good book. Selected Celebrity Cruises ships have real grass on the top deck which is ideal for enjoying a quiet game of croquet. Possibly followed by Pimms and cucumber sandwiches, I’d imagine. More than just a 3D movie, with a 4D experience your chair moves, you’re squirted with water and there might even be pumped-in smells to add to the sensory experience of watching a film. 4D cinemas can be found on selected MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line ships.