Sunday, March 31, 2024

Alaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

activities on a cruise liner

Note that you should always keep your phone in airplane mode when onboard to avoid pricey data roaming charges. There's nothing wrong with sleeping in, ordering room service and enjoying a movie on your cabin's TV. Or, if you're staying in a room with a balcony, take in some sea breezes on your own little slice of outdoor space, perhaps with a drink and a good book. Who doesn't enjoy a secret (or not so secret) mission every once in a while? For kids, they can be found frequently on kids club daily schedules. Few things spell relaxation like curling up someplace comfy with a hot drink and a good book.

Dance All Evening (’80s, White Parties, Disco Themes)

From production shows to guest entertainers, you’ll find tons of things to do in the evening on your cruise. Many of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer ships have 10+ bars and lounges onboard! This is an impressive amount and offers much for guests to explore throughout a cruise. With the soon-to-be introduction of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Viva, the cruise line has stepped up it’s game even further.

Hot Tub Parties

With all of these offerings, you can definitely throw boredom out the window. You are, of course, free to do as much or as little as you like, and that’s the beauty of cruising. Skip all organized activities and lounge at the pool with an icy cocktail, or curl up with a good book from the library.

Play in a Slot Tournament on the Ship

One of the most popular venues on many cruise ships is the Piano Bar. Gyms on cruise ships are modern and beautiful, with an incredible sea view! You can use the equipment free of charge and some classes will be free as well. Others may have an additional fee, so do check as you sign up. This is your cruise vacation, and you can do as much or as little as you wish.

Fun Things To Do On A Cruise Ship

activities on a cruise liner

Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Ketchikan is where folks go to see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, with athletes wielding axes and saws in traditional lumbering activities. It is also the jumping-off point for a Bering Sea crab fishing tour. Active travelers can explore Alaska by sea kayak or canoe, hike on glaciers and through rainforests, zip line, bike, ride an ATV and even snorkel (you'll need a dry suit). Look to UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Hurtigruten and Lindblad Expeditions for the best adventure cruises. If you've got active teens who have an interest in nature and the environment, an expedition voyage could be exactly what will keep them engaged and off their devices.

Wildlife enthusiasts might want to visit the Alaska Raptor Center, or go bird- and bear-watching. Floatplane and helicopter tours take you around scenic areas like Misty Fjords or land you on a glacier, perhaps for a dog-sledding or hiking adventure on the ice. If you prefer to stay grounded, you can find informative trolley tours of ports like Skagway. Hop a bus, kayak, boat or plane to look for bears, eagles, whales, sea otters and other wildlife.

Have Some Fun in Bumper Cars

Wi-Fi on cruise ships: What you need to know about internet use on board - The Points Guy

Wi-Fi on cruise ships: What you need to know about internet use on board.

Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If you’re looking for a spot to get away, it’s a great choice. You’ll often find a dedicated pool or hot tubs, seating, and a bar, meaning you have everything you need to enjoy the day, just without as much noise or as many people. While it can be expensive (expect to spend $20-30 per day), there are often “social media” packages available for cheaper. If you’re online, then snap a few poolside selfies to post to Facebook, Instagram, or send back home to let everyone know you’re enjoying your vacation. First, there is a wide variety of equipment in gyms; it’s not at all what you’d find at a chain hotel. From aerobic machines (treadmills, bikes, etc.) to weight lifting machines and dumbbells, there’s something for everyone.

While some offer just the basics, the space dedicated to wellness on the newest large vessels is often multi-deck complexes with floor-to-ceiling ocean views and state-of-the-art equipment. If you want to be active, you might begin the day with a morning stretch class, jog or walk a mile (or a few) on the deck. There are pool games, Ping-Pong, shuffleboard, and basketball courts - often with scheduled tournaments. Thrilling slides - wet and dry kinds - are also big features on the newest ships, where you can hurl down multiple stories (and some even go over the side of the ship) for an adrenaline rush. Information and a schedule of all entertainment and activities are found in the daily program.

Small ships and expedition and river cruise lines tend to spend more time in port than at sea, offering less in the way of on-ship entertainment. The Glow Party is well known to guests and is oftentimes held at the Spice H2O venue. It features black lights to make the whole area glow in the dark, so guests often wear white in order to glow themselves and bring items like glow sticks. There will also be a live DJ playing music for guests to dance the night away to. Whatever thrills you seek, you’ll find all sorts of ways to fill your days on board Royal Caribbean®.

They include award-winning scientists, authors, astronauts, professional athletes, and many more. Royal Caribbean cruises offer IFly, a simulated skydiving event operated by Ripcord. It provides all the sensation of skydiving, without that whole jumping out of a perfectly good plane thing.

Essentially, it's a glass pod that's attached to a mechanical arm. Guests are sealed inside the pod, then it's lifted up into the air and then over the side of the ship. Breakfast, snacks or a meal – you may enjoy ordering room service to your cabin.

There are actually 220 fellow riders surf simulators around the world, but Royal Caribbean is the only company that takes them out to sea and has 16 of them across the fleet. In 2019, Norwegian Cruise Lines announced that three of their ships would be fitted with one, and on their flagship, the Encore. There's even an added competitive edge to what lap time is being posted on a board after the race, so everyone knows who's the bravest of them all. It's the main feature of the Carnival Cruise Lines new ship called Mardi Gras. This isn't just a small ride claiming to be a roller coaster either, but a full fledged experience called Bolt.

Use plenty of sunscreen and keep track of your time in the sun. You don’t want to get burned early in your trip and not be able to enjoy yourself the rest of the cruise. The top deck on a cruise ship will feature tons of chairs, although those closest to the pool get picked first. On several nights during your cruise, the ship's theater will feature big production shows with high-tech effects like lasers and videos as well as elaborately costumed singers and dancers.

Lectures can be about anything from health and fitness to the history of the ports you’ll visit. Take a look at the daily planner to see which ones look interesting. The average cruiser puts on half a stone per week on a cruise, which requires eating an extra 3,500 calories per day on top of what you’d usually eat. Well, it’s easily done with endless snack options like pizza slices, chips and ice cream as well as endless buffets and three-course meals every night.

These ships often feature complimentary shore excursions, kayaks and bikes for guest use and onboard scientists and naturalists. You'll have up to two days of scenic cruising, in addition to sailing the Inside Passage. Because Gulf of Alaska cruises sail farther north, scenic destinations might include College Fjord, in addition to Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. If you’re a mega cruise ship, they’ll usually have several show times to accommodate all their guests. You can check your cruise planner, or in some cases you can even book your shows online before your cruise. If you’re interested in cruise ship facts and the work that goes on behind the scenes, you’ll love the behind-the-scenes tours available on a cruise.

The entrance can be found at the water parks of the ships on deck 12, and the track is made out of transparent acrylic. It was the first water coaster to be installed on a cruise ship and at 765 feet long is supported by a series of forty six foot tall stilts. Usually these see guest traversing rope bridges and swings that are suspended in the treetops. Here is a look at the top 15 most amazing cruise ship activities.

Cruise Ship Activities Entertainment & Attractions

activities on a cruise liner

A cruise is one of the best places to indulge in room service since you literally have dozens of high-end restaurants right at your fingertips. If you are aboard a Royal Caribbean Quantum Class, then head for the SeaPlex. This indoor activity complex is great for rainy or windy days and boasts bumper cars, a flying trapeze, a full basketball court, and a roller skating rink. From ultra-spacious suites and exclusive hand-crafted experiences, to decadent dining and indulgent spa rituals, true luxury means VIP on every level. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has a full-size planetarium where you can learn about everything in the night sky for a fun and educational experience.

Wine Tasting

Hop aboard a horsey (or zebra) and ride the carousel in the Boardwalk of selected Royal Caribbean ships. Basketball, tennis, volleyball, football… there’s no end of sports to enjoy. Buckle up for the only bumper cars at sea at the largest indoor activity space ever to set sail.

Go Shopping… In the Middle of the Ocean

The Cavern Club on Norwegian Cruise Lines is a re-creation of the famous club on some of the ships. Another Royal Caribbean activity on some ships is the chance to ride bumper cars while at sea. Passengers need to be at least five years old to ride tandem, but eight years old and above can drive their own car. One of the most unique things you can do at sea is to race go-karts. Norwegian Cruise Lines allows you to do just that on several of their newer ships. We mentioned that the ship’s casino has some games you don’t normally find on land.

Preview: Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Aqua - TravelAge West

Preview: Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Aqua.

Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Best Cruise Destination for Beach Lovers: Eastern Caribbean

During peak times, the cruise line is subject to charge an additional fee. Their Quantum class vessels, which first set sail in 2014, are the third largest cruise ships in the world. If this is your first cruise, make sure to attend the Welcome Show the first evening of your cruise vacation. This is a fun and informative glimpse into the activities and entertainment planned over the next few days. If you are new to a cruise port of call and would like to know what to expect, port lectures can be informative.

Small groups of cruisers work together to find clues, solve puzzles and decipher riddles that allow them to escape from a tiny room in which they're voluntarily confined. If you're sailing Princess and want a bit of romance, book the Ultimate Balcony Dining experience, where a waiter will serve you and your partner a multicourse alfresco meal on your stateroom balcony. Alternative eatery fare might include steak, burgers, burritos, pizza, Asian, Italian and French, with some venues boasting delightful quirks. As of September 2022, Carnival's "Behind the Fun" tour is paused. When it is offered, however, it is only available for purchase onboard at the shore excursions desk.

Enjoy Some Live Music Around the Ship

Carnival Vista, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon have pedal-powered bikes on a track 150 feet above the sea. On Celebrity Cruises, you can set your headphones to your favorite channel and dance like nobody’s watching. Once an 80s craze, laser tag is back and better than ever on selected Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

ONBOARD EXPERIENCES

For these itineraries, you'll need to fly into or out of Anchorage and take a train or bus to/from the cruise departure ports, which can take an hour or two. You can book the transportation on your own or through your cruise line. Additionally, you'll have one day spent cruising the Inside Passage and one focused on "scenic cruising," where you can enjoy the landscapes but won't go ashore. This is not nearly as boring as you might think since you'll see incredible sights like Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve or Hubbard Glacier. You'll find magnificent mountains (often snowcapped, even in the summertime), lush forests, waterfalls, fjords and calving glaciers. If it's marine life you've come to see, you'll find it in abundance, from whales and dolphins to sea lions and harbor seals.

Many Royal Caribbean ships have a water feature on the top deck that’s called the Flowrider. This ride is free, and spits out a thin layer of fast-moving water. With some practice you can ride a boogie-board or a special surfboard over the water, carving back and forth. Cards are for sale before the games begin and usually cost around $10 each. Part of the tradition of cruising is getting dressed up for dinner.

activities on a cruise liner

Guests can see fun shows such as "Deal or No Deal," the "Newlywed and not so Newlywed Game," cooking demonstration shows, and much more. Here, you can participate in various simulators and games, although everything in the Galaxy Pavilion does come at an additional cost to all guests. You're able to pick and choose which activities you want to do.

Make sure to go to the lounge or club early to get some seats. Each cruise you’ll get a chance to see some very talented and often hilarious comedians. Some cruise lines even often an “adult” show late into the night.

activities on a cruise liner

Nobody wants to come back from a warm-weather cruise looking all pasty. Whether it's a hint of golden glow or a deep tan you're going for, there are plenty of places to perfect it. The pool deck is likely to the be the most central but also the most crowded. For more privacy, rent a private cabana, book a suite with access to an exclusive outdoor area, or seek out a lounger or hammock on your ship's adults-only sun deck (if it has one).

You’ll see the times listed in your ship’s daily schedule, but classes are usually in the morning when the ship is as sea. So most of your play will either be on sea days or in the evening as the ship is heading from port to port. Games include all your favorites including roulette, blackjack, craps, and slots. There are also some unique games you won’t find in most land-based casinos like coin-pusher machines that play for real money. Whether you want to relax and do the bare minimum, or have a thrill a minute, modern cruise ships have no end to how you can have fun.

5 crazy takeaways from the world's largest cruise liner 'Icon of the Seas' - Fox Business

5 crazy takeaways from the world's largest cruise liner 'Icon of the Seas'.

Posted: Sat, 27 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If your son or daughter enjoys crafts like making bracelets, gimp, painting or coloring, they’ll have a blast in the kid’s club. There are so many materials and fun projects that they can create during their cruise vacation. Scavenger hunts around the ship are just one of the fun cruise activities they’ll enjoy with their new friends. Here are just a few of the cruise ship activities planned specifically for young children and teens. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships have an interior entertainment area, called the SeaPlex. One of the fun activities is bumper cars, but there are so many others as well.

45 Two Strand Twists for Men: Countertwists & Popular Ideas

Table Of Content Men’s Twists With Beads Short Boxy Twists On Mne’s Type 4 Hair Strand Twist With Shaved Sides Effective Shampoos for Straig...