If you have never been on a cruise you might be worried about being stuck at sea with nothing to do. In fact the question heard most often by travel agents when they suggest a cruise vacation is: “What is there to do on a cruise ship?” Well, the answer is that there is plenty to do!
Twenty to thirty years ago cruise ships were much smaller. It was not uncommon for a large ship to be 50,000 tons. Today there are ships that are three times that size! That means that there is lots of room! In fact some of the largest ships today are the length of three football fields — nearly 300 yards long! And that space is packed with all sorts of fun activities in addition to places to eat, drink and even catch a movie!
If you have never been on a large cruise ship, it will help to understand that most are laid out so that three or four of the decks are designed as public space. The remaining decks (there are usually about a dozen decks or more) are where the staterooms are located. Often decks three, four and five are public areas. Here is where you will embark the ship, find the purser’s station and many of the shops and attractions.
Many ships today have an old fashioned town square that is home to little shops and eating places. For instance they may have a cafe, a bakery, a bar, a gift shop or a gallery. In front of these establishments you will frequently find outdoor dining tables with parasols — much like being in a quaint town square.
Up on the top decks you will almost always find the swimming pools. Many ships now have large LED screens by the pool for movies and sporting events. Don’t be surprised to hear exotic marimba bands playing poolside on sea days. What a relaxing way to spend your morning or afternoon — sipping on a drink by the pool and listening to the musical sounds of the islands!
If you are the active type there are lots of things to do. Larger ships have basketball courts, tennis courts, ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, putting greens, golf simulators, and some even have surfing machines that let you hang ten right in the pool!
If you are more of the indoor type, perhaps you would like to attend a formal tea in the dining room, take cooking lessons in the kitchen, go wine tasting in the salon, or engage in a game of trivia with your fellow passengers in one of the lounges. Don’t forget that there is a first run movie in the movie theater, too! And did I mention this is all included in the price of your cruise?
During the evenings there are lavish dinners in the dining rooms, floor shows in the ship’s auditorium, and nightclubs for dancing (and even karaoke!)
If you are worried about what there is to do on a cruise ship, we hope we have answered some of your concerns. There is never an end of fun things to see and do on today’s modern cruise ships.