Top 10 Sea Day Activities Onboard A Cruise
That is because whilst it may seem that a day at sea is where everybody switches off on a cruise, and in the not too distance past that was quite nearly the truth, nowadays a day at sea can be just as action packed as a day on shore.
Cruise lines love to entertain and love to keep their customers happy and whilst what is offered from one line to next can be chalk and cheese, there are some things to keep in mind when trying to make the most of your days out in the open ocean.
Even if you are not on the most action packed of cruises or there is simply nothing offered by your line that grabs your attention, all you often need to do is head up to the top deck and enjoy the marvellous views of the open ocean- and who knows, you may even spot a whale or a dolphin!
For this list we have taken lots of aspects into account including what we like to do on a cruise, what are always the most popular things to do and some things that you may not have thought about.
Our Top 10 Sea Day Activities Onboard A Cruise
Enjoy An Afternoon Tea
Everybody loves an afternoon tea but for most of us it is something saved for a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary but why not make it part of a day at sea?
Cruise ships are well known for there high quality food and drink and now many lines are taking that expertise to produce afternoon teas that will live long in your memory.
From mouth-watering sandwiches to exquisite cakes and from loose leaf tea to freshly baked scones all served on China cake stands, you can enjoy the full service whilst enjoying the stunning views of the open ocean or even whilst sailing past the mountains of Alaska.
If you are sailing with a line that don’t offer a full service afternoon tea, either included in the cost of your cruise or as premium dining experience, it is still possible to enjoy one as most buffets will offer a range of sandwiches and cakes, with some even serving scones, at lunch time so grab a cup of tea to go with them.
Burn Off Some Calories
There is one thing that can always be said about a cruise no matter which line you are sailing on and that is that you will go hungry.
With scrumptious food available 24/7 on most ships, it is fair to say that many cruisers forget about their diets and enjoy the tasty treats on offer, so why not use the time you have on a sea day to burn off some of those extra calories?
For some that will mean an hour in the onboard gym or a jog around the running track but there are lots of fun ways to exercise on a cruise ship including table tennis, golf nets, basketball courts, climbing walls and even ice skating and rope courses.
Look Out For Wildlife
Lots of holidaymakers at seaside resorts around the world spend a lot of money to head out to sea to enjoy some whale or dolphin watching but cruise passenger get to do it as part of their holiday whilst surrounded by all of the luxuries of their chosen ship.
It does depend on where you are cruising as to what you will see and the frequency of sightings but no matter where you are you will likely see something if you keep looking.
There are lots of places onboard a ship to enjoy wildlife spotting including your balcony, the top deck, the promenade deck, and observation lounges.
Learn Knowledge and Expertise
There are a growing number of cruise lines who now include a number of talks and skill building experiences as part of your cruise and these can be a fun yet rewarding way to spend your days at sea.
Talks can include learning about your next port of call or having a celebrity guest talk about their careers whilst learning opportunities including cooking demonstrations and dance lessons- amongst many many other things.
Burn Some Adrenaline
When people think about a cruise holiday it is often the thought of relaxing at sea that comes straight to mind but nowadays you can abate your need for speed as much as your need to take it easy.
The bigger cruise ships out there offer everything from rollercoasters to go-karts and sky-diving to surfing and lots more besides- all of which can be enjoyed out at sea.
Enjoy Some Pampering
One aspect of a cruise that has remained consistently one of the best ways to spend time at sea is in the onboard spa but what has changed over the years is just what is offered onboard.
Long gone are just the basics that you would expect as now you can enjoy everything from thermal spas to ice rooms and from beauty treatments to massages.
By choosing to visit the spa on a sea day, you don’t miss out on any of the great destinations on your itinerary but you can also unwind after the previous days of exploration.
Head To The Pool
If you are cruising through the warm waters of the Med or the Caribbean, or any other hot destination, there can be nothing better than relaxing around the pool, taking a dip to cool of all whilst having cocktails and food just a stroll away.
Even if you are in a colder destination, such as Alaska or Norway, you can still spend a day in the pool as many ships now offer solariums that are kept at a nice warm temperature.
Prepare For The Night Ahead
One aspect of a cruise some cruisers love and some hate is a formal night and on the majority of cruise lines, these will take place on a sea day.
Some lines still have a full formal night where you dress to your best, some have a ‘chic night’ where to dress to impress and some don’t have a formal night but have restaurant that you need to be at least smart casual to enter.
No matter what your requirements or preferences are, a sea day is a great opportunity to put your best clothes on, style your hair and prepare for a night to remember.
Kid Free Time
Taking your kids to somewhere with a new language, culture and heritage is a wonderful thing for both the parents and the kids and that can be experienced multiple times on a cruise holiday but sometimes kids want to spend time with other kids and parents want some time alone together.
Cruise lines understand that and offer a wide range of option including babysitting, kids/teen clubs and activities for youngsters so on a sea day, everyone can enjoy some time apart before exploring the next port together.
Be Silly
In the early days of sea cruising, much of the entertainment was self-made before basic organised entertainment started.
Much of that was based around getting guest to unwind and it is still some of the fun and games offered onboard that rely on guests getting silly and complete challenges that entertain cruisers.
