If you have never been on a cruise before, you might be worried about getting bored on a sea day, but there are actually tons of things available to do during a sea day.
Depending on the ship and the ports, I often enjoy sea days more than port days. I mean, I love to travel and see new places, but if I didn’t enjoy sea days relaxing on the ship, I would probably be traveling another way. So what do I find to do to enjoy those long sea days on a ship? What I like to do may be different than what you enjoy, so let’s go over some of the activities, and not so active things, to do on a sea day.
Many like to spend their sea days hanging out on the open air decks whether they are sunbathing, in the pool or enjoying the waterpark that many ships now have. For many who haven’t been on a cruise ship before, this may be the only thing they think there is to do on a ship during a sea day, but there is actually so much more.
Sports complex
Many of the bigger ships will have some kind of sports complex available for those who enjoy some physical activity on a sea day. Depending on the ship, there can be basketball courts, ropes courses, ping pong tables, and more.
Games and Rides
In addition to the sports complex, many ships geared towards families are also now offering some unique experiences, although most are at an extra cost. Norwegian has their race track, Carnival has a roller coaster, and MSC has a robotron.
Trivia and games
The atrium, lobby or some other public interior area usually will host trivia and games throughout the day. This is where you will usually find me during a good portion of the a sea day. Even when I don’t participate, I enjoy the trivia contests. There will also be pay-to-play games like Bingo and Deal or No Deal. I’m not a gambler, so I never play, but it can be fun to watch.
Lectures and classes
Depending on the cruise line you are sailing on, there may be classes and lectures available to attend. I haven’t been on one of the lines that offer lectures but I would love to one day. These lectures vary greatly in topic, but often there will be topics on the various ports of call or the history of the ship itself. There will also be demonstration classes available. On our last cruise, I watched the sushi chefs put on a demonstration of how they make various types of sushi. If only we could have sampled it later! There were also talks put on by some of the crew in charge of various aspects of running the ship including the hotel director, head chef and captain with a question and answer portion.
Quiet outdoor retreat
Another thing I enjoy during a sea day is finding a quiet outdoor retreat. Our latest cruise was on the Norwegian Breakaway and there were some comfortable seating out on the Waterfront, which was located on the promenade deck, which is the deck that has a walkway that goes all the way around the ship. Usually you can find a semi-quiet place to relax that is outdoors but out of the sun. It also won’t have music being piped loudly through the area like the lido deck will usually have. Depending on the ship, you can usually find an area outside to relax during the day. Some ships will have adults only areas, solariums and other retreat-type places, so be sure to explore and find what works for you if you want to spend your day at sea relaxing.
Spa
The Spa is a popular place on a sea day. Some will choose to book massages while others may have a pass to enjoy the various therapy rooms. Depending on what is offered with a spa pass, we have purchased one before or booked a spa room which comes with a pass for the week. I love a few hours relaxing by going to the thelosotherapy pool, maybe some time in the sauna, and just ending up relaxing in a stone chair in the salt room or one of the other therapy rooms.
Casino
If you like to gamble, there is always the casino. Since the casino can only be open while at sea, a sea day is perfect for those who like to test the fates. There will usually be special events like tournaments, slot pulls, and even lessons on specific games.
Shopping
Like the casino, the shops are only open when the ship is at sea, and on a sea day there will often be various events put on to draw people into the shops. For example, one one sea day on our last cruise there was a “History of the Wrist Watch” event and a “30,000 Years of Art History,” but of course these are all designed to get you to eventually purchase something although you don’t have to.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of things you can find to do on a ship, whether it is a sea day or not, it will give anyone who hasn’t cruised a good idea of some of the activities available. For more tips on cruising, why don’t you stick around and check out this video on 5 Cruising Tips you May Not Know and then come back next week for another video designed to help you have an A-mazing cruise! Have a blessed week everyone!
Cruising From The Ozarks 