Special Interests At Sea: Spa, Cooking Classes & More
Have you been putting off going on a cruise because you think you will be bored? Well then think again! There are so many things to do on a cruise ship that you may find yourself trying to fit everything in that you want to do. The amount of activities will vary based on the cruise and the size of the ship, but more often than not there’s a lot of activities occurring throughout the day and night.
- Onboard Learning Opportunities
If you are wanting to stimulate your brain you can find one of the many onboard learning opportunities on your next cruise to do just that. There’s everything from napkin folding, line dancing, painting, jewelry making, cooking and mixology classes, to making animals out of towels & wine tastings, there are lots of things offered on a cruise to meet various interests. You may also be able to take part in lectures about the destinations that you are going to, or about the performing arts. If you want to learn something new, you will be able to do so while you are on a cruise. One of the best parts about these classes and lectures is that they are usually complimentary or have a very minimal charge for materials. - Gambling
Many cruise ships have casinos. They feature hundreds of different kinds of slot machines as well as table games like poker and blackjack. Dependent on the ship, guests have to be at least 18 and over while other ships require that players be at least 21. If you are not a big gambler on sea day they run slot and blackjack tournaments where - Physical Fitness
If you are interested in keeping fit while onboard a cruise ship then you’re in luck. Most of the ships have state of the art fitness facilities that are actually better than some of the gyms that you will find in your own home town. Not only is there row after row of cardio equipment, along with weights, but there are fitness classes and personal training sessions as well including Pilates, yoga, TRX & spin classes. The use of the gym itself is free, but for most classes and personal training sessions there will be minimal fee. Read more about fitness options on a cruise ship. - Outdoor Activities
If you want to stay active, but are not into using a treadmill or exercise bike, there are many outdoor activities that you can take part in. All ships have a pool for guests to use as well as deck space with a jogging track. Ping pong, shuffle board and mini-gold are offered on most ships. You may be able to find a basketball or volleyball court or even mini golf. The newer/large ships including the Symphony of the Seas offers unique things to do including rock climbing walls, zip-lining, and surfing lessons on their FlowRider. Select ships have a bungee trampoline, ropes course, gold simulators & full sports deck where you can play volleyball, soccer & dodgeball. - Spas
Since you are on vacation, you deserve a little bit of pampering. Onboard spas are generally situated on a part of the ship where you can relax while getting a nice view of the ocean. There are way too many available spa treatments to list, but the most popular ones are massages, wraps and herbal showers. Newer ships have areas thermal lounges with heated relaxation beds, steam grottos, aromatherapy showers or a Hydrotherapy pool Just remember that spa treatments on cruise ships do often times come with a hefty price tag. However, the cost is definitely worth it if you need some time to unwind. You can get better pricing if you are willing to have a spa treatment on a port day vs. a sea day. You can find more tips on our post Don’t Overspend on a Cruise. - Shopping
You don’t need to leave your cruise ship to do some shopping. If you want a bargain you may have to do a little bit of searching as good deals can be difficult to find. However, cruise ships do tend to have special sales and items are tax-free. Some of the items for sale include jewelry, alcohol and clothing. From dazzling jewelry, to beauty and fashion, you can also find world-class brands on newer and luxury ships, such as Tiffany, Dior, Swarovski, Cartier, Sophia Fiori, Coach, Michael Kors, Melissa Obadash & Bulgari. - Nightlife
Cruise ships have a lot of nightlife available for their passengers. Special events such as dances and Broadway inspired shows are popular among travelers. Some cruise ships go as far as having actual night clubs or disco inspired lounges for passengers to enjoy. - For The Kids
It’s especially important that kids of all ages have activities that they can participate in while onboard a cruise ship. These activities include things like scavenger hunts, contests, shows for kids and arts and crafts projects. For teenagers, some ships have a “teens only” area where they can play video games, listen to music, have dance parties and socialize with others that are their own age. Both kids and teens can also participate in the ship’s amenities like the pool. - Dining
Many people go on a cruise just for the food. This is because that cruise ships tend to have good food and a lot of it. Some cruise lines are now offering high quality dining options with food choices that were designed by world renowned chefs. If your budget permit, we suggest trying a chefs table experience dinner where it is limited to a very small group and you get several courses served by the ship personally paired with wines for each course.For a unique experience, several Celebrity chefs now have restaurants onboard cruise ships. For an excellent burger, try Guy Fieri’s Burger Join and Guys Pig and Anchor BBQ Smokehouse on Carnival cruises. Several Princess Cruise ships now offer SHARE by Curtis stone where guests can dine on fresh seafood, meats, pastas, salads & desserts paired with wine hand select by Stone. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class ships have Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant onboard. It’s a great menu full or rustic dishes made fresh daily. The Norwegian Escape cruise ship has Josse Garces Bayamo and Pincho Tapas Bar. The restaurant is located off of the water front so you can enjoy indoor or outdoor dining with a selection of dishes made with bold and fresh ingredients with a Latin & Mediterranean influence. Crystal Cruises has Silk Road and the Sushi Bar by chef & restaurateur Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. The menu has a variety of Nobu’s inventive sushi and sashimi dishes. On the Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera cruise ships, you can eat at Jacques which is modeled after a Parisian Biston and the food is absolutely amazing!
