Sunday, March 31, 2024

18 Best Activities on a Cruise Ship for All Ages

activities on a cruise liner

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

activities on a cruise liner

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.

Cruising Experience: The Best Things to do on a Cruise

activities on a cruise liner

From roller coasters to climbing walls, the things you can do on new cruise ships is incredible. Please let me know your favorite things to do on a cruise in the comments below. While this isn’t included with your cruise fare, if you’re interested in what happens on the cruise ship bridge you won’t be disappointed with this behind the scenes cruise ship tour. Check the daily planner for when you can join a scheduled game, or shoot some hoops on your own. Cruise lines have specialists who can do a wide variety of cosmetic treatments, from teeth whitening to botox and dermal fillers. Check your cruise line’s spa services before you go, to see what treatments are offered.

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Most onboard activities are free, including music around the ship, trivia contests, Ping-Pong, use of the basketball and sports courts and more. Activities that carry a fee include tastings (wine, beer, whiskey), bingo and some interactive classes like cooking or cupcake decorating. On newer ships, activities like go-karts, laser tag, escape rooms and virtual-reality game play might cost extra. Some of these activities also require reservations; check your daily planner for specifics.

Fun for Kids

On land, you'll likely spy bears and Dall sheep while eagles, puffins and a host of seabirds circle above. Restaurant prices in Alaska can be high, but a cruise bundles meals, accommodations and transportation into one price that, with sales, can be cheaper than you'd think. They want to admire its rugged beauty, seek out wildlife (such as eagles, bears and whales) and learn about its Native cultures and gold rush history. It's so far from the rest of the mainland U.S. that it's become a bucket list destination, especially for travelers looking to visit each of the 50 states. There's no cruise out there that packs more history into your journey than a Nile River sailing.

I'm new to Royal Caribbean and tried 4 different kinds of cruise ships, here's what I like about each - Royal Caribbean Blog

I'm new to Royal Caribbean and tried 4 different kinds of cruise ships, here's what I like about each.

Posted: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

EXPLORE POPULAR ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Learn ballroom dances including salsa and meringue and then impress yourselves dancing later in the cruise to the live band. However, more importantly, through our years of cruising, we’ve discovered that on a cruise there truly is something for everyone. Onboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships, you'll find Broadway-style theater performances. Ocean Loops is a drop slide of sorts, with a trap floor that swings out from underneath guests’ feet as they plunge multiple stories downwards!

activities on a cruise liner

Just expect the majority of your shipmates to be older adults. Even Darwin was transfixed by the unusual birds and critters that make this South American archipelago their home. Get up-close and personal with sea lions, iguanas, tropical penguins, blue-footed boobies and some of the largest tortoises on planet earth. The British Isles -- comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland -- have castles, museums and history in droves, not to mention a host of literary icons. If you're a lover of literature and all things historic, this is your cruise. This inspirational cruise travel quote by Katie Thurmes says it best “We take photographs as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone”.

This area is also a great space to enjoy live music at the end of the night. The personalized service and all-inclusive nature of luxury voyages might also be attractive to anyone celebrating a milestone, such as an anniversary, big birthday or retirement. Finally, you'll find some round-trip San Francisco itineraries — usually 10 or 11 nights long — as well as longer sailings between San Francisco and Vancouver. These cruises are best suited to travelers who love days at sea.

I love it, but if you don’t, you may enjoy some people watching instead. If you have a singing or dancing talent, keep an eye on your cruise planner for the ship’s choir, flash dance mobs and kareoke competitions. Princess Cruises even has The Voice of the Ocean game show, where cruise passengers participate in a high production singing competition. Encourage them to attend the kids club where they will make friends and participate in fun activities.

Roller Coaster at Sea

Older kids are separated by age groups with clubs for younger tweens and older teens. These clubs offer guided activities, games, mocktail events, and nighttime dance parties. Did you know that almost all cruise ship captains are licensed to perform weddings?

But, if you're more into DIY options, take advantage of Azamara Cruises' Nights in Private Places on a clear night, where you and your partner can fall asleep under the stars. Both a rite of passage for new cruisers and a favorite event for old salts, sailaway is what officially kicks off each voyage. Join fellow passengers and crew on the upper outdoor decks for music, dancing and drinks to mark the beginning of a great vacation, along with spectacular views -- of the sunset if you're lucky.

On other nights, look for vocalists, comedians, magicians, and jugglers. Performances and shows are scheduled around the dinner hours, and some shows may be repeated during the cruise to ensure everyone has a chance to see them. After this time, parents can choose to pay an hourly fee for group babysitting in the kids’ club (usually called slumber parties) until midnight or 1 a.m.

This letter is also how you know when and where the ship will port and gives you embarkation and disembarkation information, along with excursion options. What’s your favourite activity that you’ve enjoyed on a sea day? With so much to enjoy on today’s exciting modern cruise ships, I’d be happy if every day was a sea day. Picking a cruise ship with lots of activities is particularly important if you’re cruising out of season when the weather is colder. Or if you have an itinerary with lots of sea days, such as a transatlantic cruise. Nearly all major cruise lines' ships feature for-fee onboard arcades.

Whether you want a massage, or manicure, teeth whitening, or any other thing under the sun, it’s likely the staff on the ship can accommodate. This means you can save cash since taxes and duty aren’t included in the price. They typically take place in the afternoon on sea days, and all the contestants are sourced from your fellow passengers. If you want to participate, get in on the action by heading down to the host. With hundreds — if not thousands — of people watching, great spots to get a view can fill up fast.

activities on a cruise liner

If you’re cruising for the first time, please feel free to ask any questions in the comments below. Sea days can be some of the best days, and with so much to do on a cruise! Whether you like to be active, or find something quieter to do, there are tons of awesome cruise activities to keep your entertained. We’ve done a couple of wine-tasting events on past cruises, and enjoyed what we learned. The art auction is something that people either love or hate on a cruise.

Some cruise lines might have a White Hot Party or a Glow Party, so plan on bringing one white outfit just in case. If you’re cruising on Norwegian, this has been the case for years. You can see suggestions of what to wear on a Freestyle cruise here. You can often do a ship tour on the first day of your cruise, and get more information.

Thanks to the wonderful spas, wellness programs, and fitness offerings on Celebrity’s ships, you can come home rejuvenated, refreshed, and fitter than you were before your vacation. Enjoy a picnic lunch, read a book, challenge the family to a game of croquet or boules, listen to jazz, or simply lie back and inhale the aroma of sea air. It’s a beautiful setting for days when you’re sailing through some of the world’s most pristine environments and just want to commune with nature. Did you know that Celebrity’s five Solstice-Series ships each have their own living lawn? Or perhaps join a Bingo session to try your luck; you’ll find these on every ship.

One more thing — sometimes the cruise line even serves free popcorn to movie-goers. It’s definitely one of the more unique places to watch a flick. Balconies usually aren’t that large; it’s just enough space for a couple of chairs and a small side table.

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