CRUISES: THE CRUISE EXPERIENCE

CRUISES: THE CRUISE EXPERIENCE

Welcome aboard! Understanding the cruise experience begins with knowing there are two types of days on your journey:

Port Days

Port days are when your ship is docked at a destination. These are often the highlight of your itinerary, giving you the chance to:

  • Book a cruise line-endorsed shore excursion,

  • Arrange an independent tour,

  • Or simply explore on your own.

Sea Days

Sea days showcase one of the best parts of cruising: endless onboard activities for every interest! Worried you’ll be bored? Think again. Cruise ships offer everything from cooking classes and trivia contests to art auctions, shopping, ice skating, and more.

(Example: A cruise ship departing Santorini Island, Greece)

The Daily Program

Each cruise line has its own daily newsletter delivered to your cabin, such as Carnival’s Fun Times, Norwegian’s Freestyle Daily, or Royal Caribbean’s Compass. This guide includes:

  • A schedule of next-day activities,

  • Opening hours for restaurants, spas, shops, and bars,

  • Port information,

  • Debarkation/embarkation details,

  • Sunrise and sunset times.

Daytime Activities

Cruise ships offer a wide range of daytime programs—many included, some with an extra fee—such as:

  • Pool games, golf simulators, bingo, and trivia

  • Art exhibits, culinary demos, and wine tasting

  • Rock climbing, FlowRider surfing, zip lines, ice skating

  • Basketball and volleyball tournaments

  • Dance, napkin folding, or flower arranging classes

  • Card games, Wii/video games, and onboard movies

  • Broadway-style shows, comedy acts, casinos, and shopping

  • Libraries, computer courses, and interactive lounges

The Gym & Fitness

Modern cruise ships feature fully equipped fitness centers with:

  • Cardio machines, weights, and personal trainers

  • Group classes like yoga, pilates, or boxing

  • Some ships even offer specialty wellness staterooms with exclusive spa perks and healthy dining options.

The Spa

Treat yourself in the luxurious onboard spa with:

  • Massages, facials, and salon services (hair, nails)

  • Saunas, steam rooms, and thalassotherapy pools (mineral whirlpools)

Youth Programs

Family-friendly ships offer exciting areas for children and teens, including:

  • Play spaces, teen lounges, discos, pools, and arcades

  • Dedicated youth staff and kid-only activities

  • Note: Most programs require children to be potty trained and over 3 years old.

Evening Entertainment

As the sun sets, your cruise truly comes alive with:

  • Seated dinners in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants (reservations recommended)

  • Two nightly showtimes to match dining schedules

  • Performances ranging from Broadway-style productions to comedy, magic, and live music

  • Outdoor movie nights under the stars on the pool deck—complete with blankets and popcorn!

Cruise lines like Princess, Disney, and MSC make outdoor movie nights a can’t-miss evening event.

Shows on the Disney Dream – A Disney Obsession

 

Now, do you still think you’ll be bored?