You likely selected your cruise based on its ports of call. You know what you’re going to do when you get to the beaches and shops of Acapulco or to the glaciers in Alaska, but what do you do on cruise ships during the “At Sea” days? Cruise lines have been working diligently to come up with some very creative answers to this question. In fact, competition is heated between various companies to get your attention and your cruising dollar.  Cruise ship activities such as dance contests,  wine tasting and poker classes are pretty common, but there’s lots more to do.

Cruise Ship Activities

1. Not Your Average Swimming Pool: Yes, you can swim on a cruise, but depending on your cruise line, you may be able to surf, too! Some cruise lines are appealing to the daredevil water lovers and have invested in cutting-edge water features that will allow you to surf on a FlowRider system, play in a water park and jump around on a splash pad.  Worried about chlorine?  Most ship pools are salt water.

2. Movies: Many cruise ships have long had on-board movies, but the new trend is to set up a giant projector screen outside, usually above the pool area. Guests can sit in the lawn chairs and relax to watch a movie under the stars.   Some cruise ships have large screens inside as well.  It’s pretty cool to play Wii golf on a 20 x 24 foot screen.

3. Casino: Gambling is a popular pastime on many cruise ships, including table games, slot machines and video poker.  Don’t understand the games?  There are usually classes through-out the week to teach you all the table games.

4. Internet Café: Whether you need to check in with work or feel the need to update your Facebook status, most cruises now offer an internet connection, whether in the library or in a Wi-Fi internet café. (Note: Internet access on some lines can be spotty and/or expensive, so if your ability to blog while asea is essential to your happiness, check with your cruise line beforehand for additional information).  Most ports have internet cafe’s and are a lot cheaper than connection charges aboard cruise ships.

5. Planetarium: In an effort to compete for your business, the Cunard line’s Queen Mary 2 has a ship board planetarium, a world’s first.  Star watching onboard is usually pretty spectacular if you know the right spot on board.

6. Spa: Indulge yourself on “At Sea” days at the ship’s spa. Services range from manicures to mud baths and everything in between. Be warned, though: These services come at an additional fee.  Usually there are demo sessions prior to departure or on the first day of the cruise.  You can sample acupuncture, or an alpha therapy chamber.  Be sure to set your appointments early in the week.  They fill up quickly.

7. Ice Rinks: Many cruises offer passengers the chance to strap on a pair of ice skates and take a spin around the rink, indoor or even outdoors.  Some also have roller skating rinks.

8. Rock Climbing Walls: Once unique, these ubiquitous climbing walls are now on many ships but still give passengers the chance to belay with a view.  They tend to be on the back of the ship, usually on the back of the smoke stack.  It’s pretty safe, but it can be really windy on days at sea.

9. Sports: Golf and basketball join the traditional shuffle board, but all make for a fun afternoon with family and new friends when “At Sea”.  Some ships have skeet shooting.  And on the various private islands there are a variety of beach sports activities.

10. Ice Bar: It may seem like an oxymoron to go on a cruise in order to get away from the cold weather, and then turn around and don winter coats to have a drink in an ice bar. Many people enjoy the uniqueness of this activity, particularly if they’re wearing their swimsuits under their parkas.

Whatever your pleasure, know that the choices are nearly endless. In fact, there is so much to do you may not even want to leave the cruise ship.