Special Interests At Sea: Spa, Cooking Classes & More

Have you been putting off going on a cruise because you think you will be bored? Well then think again! There are so many things to do on a cruise ship that you may find yourself trying to fit everything in that you want to do. The amount of activities will vary based on the cruise and the size of the ship, but more often than not there’s a lot of activities occurring throughout the day and night.

Onboard Learning Opportunities
If you are wanting to stimulate your brain you can find one of the many onboard learning opportunities on your next cruise to do just that. There’s everything from napkin folding, line dancing, painting, jewelry making, cooking and mixology classes, to making animals out of towels & wine tastings, there are lots of things offered on a cruise to meet various interests. You may also be able to take part in lectures about the destinations that you are going to, or about the performing arts. If you want to learn something new, you will be able to do so while you are on a cruise. One of the best parts about these classes and lectures is that they are usually complimentary, or have a minimal charge.

Gambling
Many cruise ships have casinos. They feature hundreds of different kinds of slot machines as well as table games like poker and blackjack. Dependent on the ship, guests have to be at least 18 and over while other ships require that players be at least 21. For most ships, they are required to close the casino within so many feet of each port, but other than that they are usually open throughout the duration of the cruise. In order to draw more players, tournaments may be held for a small buy-in as well.

Physical Fitness
If you are interested in keeping fit while onboard a cruise ship then you’re in luck. Most of the ships have state of the art fitness facilities that are actually better than some of the gyms that you will find in your own home town. Not only is there row after row of cardio equipment, but there are fitness classes and personal training sessions as well. The use of the gym itself is free, but for most classes and personal training sessions there will be a small fee.

Outdoor Activities
If you want to stay active, but are not into using a treadmill or exercise bike, there are many outdoor activities that you can take part in. Pretty much all ships have a pool for guests to use as well as deck space for you to take a walk or jog on. You may be able to find a basketball or volleyball court or even mini golf. Some ships even have rock climbing walls, zip-lining, a ropes course and onboard surf lessons.

Spas
Since you are on vacation, you deserve a little bit of pampering. Onboard spas are generally situated on a part of the ship where you can relax while getting a nice view of the ocean. There are way too many available spa treatments to list, but the most popular ones are massages and herbal showers. Just remember that spa treatments on cruise ships do often times come with a hefty price tag. However, the cost is definitely worth it if you need some time to unwind.

Shopping
You don’t need to leave your cruise ship to do some shopping. If you want a bargain you may have to do a little bit of searching as good deals can be difficult to find. However, cruise ships do tend to have special sales and items are tax-free. Some of the items for sale include jewelry, alcohol and clothing.

Nightlife
Cruise ships have a lot of nightlife available for their passengers. Special events such as dances and Broadway inspired shows are popular among travelers. Some cruise ships go as far as having actual night clubs or disco inspired lounges for passengers to enjoy.

For The Kids
It’s especially important that kids of all ages have activities that they can participate in while onboard a cruise ship. These activities include things like scavenger hunts, contests, shows for kids and arts and crafts projects. For teenagers, some ships have a “teens only” area where they can play video games, listen to music, have dance parties and socialize with others that are their own age. Both kids and teens can also participate in the ship’s amenities like the pool.

Dining
Many people go on a cruise just for the food. This is because that cruise ships tend to have good food and a lot of it. Some cruise lines are now offering high quality dining options with food choices that were designed by world renowned chefs. If your budget permit, we suggest trying a chefs table experience dinner where it is limited to a very small group and you get several courses served by the ship personally paired with wines for each course.

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