50 Things to Do on a Cruise Ship

It seems I’m gaining a reputation for being a bit of a cruise junkie.

And I can live with that 😉 .

As far as I’m concerned, you really can’t get more for your holiday dollar than with a cruise.  One up front fee takes care of your accommodation, travel, food and entertainment. You are waited on hand and foot. And, you only have to unpack once!

But … there are some folk who still aren’t sure, and one of the most commonly cited reasons is “I don’t think I would like being cooped up on a ship with nothing to do”.

Let’s blow that myth out of the water (excuse the pun) right now.

First of all, cruise ships are usually enormous – and even with hundreds of other passengers on board, you definitely won’t feel cooped up.

And nothing to do? Think again!

50 Things to Do on a Cruise Ship

Below I’ve started a list of things to do on a cruise ship (some activities will depend on the cruise line you are sailing with) … although you can do as much, or as little, as you want! Sounds like the perfect holiday to me 🙂 .

1 – Go for a swim in one of the (many!) swimming pools.

2 – Play bingo.

3 – Indulge at the ice cream parlour.

4 – Treat yourself to a facial in the beauty salon.

5 – Borrow a book from the library for some holiday reading.

6 – Go to a cooking demonstration.

7 – Do some duty free shopping.

8 – Watch the sun set over the sea.

9 – Take part in a trivia quiz.

10 – Relax in a whirlpool spa.

11 – Meet the entertainers and tour the backstage area.

12 – Have your photo taken by the ship’s photographers – usually available outside the dining room each evening.

13 – Pretend like teenagers and head to the video arcade.

14 – Head to the show lounge for that night’s show.

15 – Enjoy the ambience at one of the bars, listening to live music.

16 – Have a dance lesson (line dancing, tango, salsa …).

17 – Take an art or craft class.

18 – Impress your friends by learning how to make cocktails.

19 – Do the mile long deck walk (and work off some of the food!).

20 – See if you can spot any dolphins or whales in the ocean.

21 – Book a tour or plan what to do, at the ship’s next port of call.

22 – Play putt putt.

23 – Try your hand at karaoke.

24 – Buy some souvenirs from the gift shop.

25 – Watch an outdoor movie on the big screen.

26 – Enter the on board talent contest.

27 – Hobnob with the captain and senior crew members at a cocktail party.

28 – Dance the night away at the nightclub.

29 – Drift away with a dreamy massage.

30 – Play quoits.

31 – Take part in a ping pong tournament.

32 – Go for a moonlight stroll on deck.

33 – Let off some steam in the sauna.

34 – Take a tour of the galley areas.

35 – Enter the limbo contest.

36 – Catch a show by a standup comedian.

37 – Head to the gym for a workout.

38 – Try your luck on the pokies.

39 – Dress up for one of the theme or formal nights.

40 – Shoot some hoops at the basketball court.

41 – Soak up some rays on deck (though make sure you have plenty of sun screen on!).

42 – Play shuffleboard.

43 – Get in touch with your intellectual side at a talk or seminar.

44 – Be mystified by a magic show.

45 – Focus on the now at a yoga session.

46 – Enjoy a high tea one afternoon.

47 – Be amazed by a performance by the acrobatic troupe.

48 – Borrow some cards or board games.

49 – Make sure you take LOTS of pictures so you will always remember your holiday …

50 – And finally – book your next cruise! There are usually great discounts if you book while still on board!

This post was inspired by my recent tour of the amazing Golden Princess, as the guest of Princess Cruises … and has me happily planning my next cruising adventure, so stay tuned for more! Will it be Canada and Alaska? Scandinavia? A European River cruise?

Do you have anything to add to my list of things to do on a cruise ship? And where do you think I should go on my next cruise?!