Most of the time being on a cruise ship is about spending time outdoors; enjoying the sea views, taking a plunge in the pool, basking in the sun or just a nice walk around the deck. What do you do if the weather doesn’t cooperate or you just want a change of scenery?
We’ve selected 5 things that you can do indoors on your next cruise.
Spa/Fitness Center
Treat yourself to a spa day. The spas on board most cruise ships are huge and offer all of the services of a land-based spa and even more. Enjoy services like pampering massages, facials, pedicures and manicures to seaweed wraps and an assortment of therapeutic areas like steam rooms, salt rooms and Thalassotherapy pools. Work off those extra carbs in the fitness center. Even if you don’t get to the gym as much as you’d like at home, where else but on a cruise ship can you use a treadmill with a spectacular ocean views or port view that change daily. You can also participate in a fitness classes or get a personal trainer for a reasonable cost.
Movies
Did you know that many cruise ships are equipped to show movies onboard. We’re not talking about a scaled-down movie experience. In fact, some cruise ships have dedicated movie theaters where they screen the latest first-run blockbusters at the same time they appear at theaters on land. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon (coming 2018), feature a state-of-the-art IMAX theater capable of showing the large format films in 3D. Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line also offer 3D movies onboard some of their ships.
Live Performances
Cruise Lines have some very talented performers and great venues to catch their performances on their cruise ships. Listen to the soothing sounds of jazz, rock the night away in the piano bar or catch a duet in the lounge. You may also find other entertainment on board your cruise ship like comedians, acrobats and even world-class magicians.
Games
There are number of games that are hosted on board, most of which are great for the entire family. Test your knowledge on everything from Star Wars to Classic TV Show Theme Songs at on the the many open trivia sessions. Get in on a game of BINGO for a chance to win some cash and great prizes, maybe even a free cruise. If board games are more your thing, you’ll find chess, checkers, backgammon and many others at the ship’s library or card room. For something completely different and risque, watch or participate in The Quest, an adults-only scavenger hunt like no other. It’s truly amazing what people will do (or wear) for a keychain!
Tours & Classes
Have you ever wondered how they manage to prepare so many meals every day, how they make fresh water or even steer the ship? Find out the answers to these questions and more with one of the “behind the scenes” tours offered by many cruise lines. The most popular tours include the Galley Tour, Bridge Tour and Engine Room Tour. How about a little learning on your next cruise? Holland America offers the Culinary Arts Center where guests can watch world-class chefs prepare incredible dishes and get hands-on instruction. Many cruise lines also offer classes on photography, dancing, wine-tasting, art collecting and several enrichment seminars and talks related to the ports visited.
