🎭 ONBOARD ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
What is there actually to DO on a cruise? 🎢🍹🎤
“Right…
I've been told cruising is relaxing.
I've been told cruising is boring.
I've been told it's basically:
Eat.
Drink.
Sit by the pool.Repeat.
😂
Well…
I've got something to say.
WHOEVER THINKS CRUISE SHIPS ARE BORING HAS NEVER ACTUALLY LOOKED AT THE DAILY PROGRAMME.
Because apparently you can:
🏎️ Race
🏄 Surf
🧗 Climb
🎯 Play games
🎭 Watch shows
🎤 Sing karaoke
⛸️ Ice skate
🛝 Go down slides
😂 Get completely humiliated at a quiz
🍹 Drink cocktails
💃 Dance
🎰 Gamble
🍕 Eat
…and somehow still have time to sleep.
Maybe.
😂
Modern cruise ships can be absolutely packed with activities and entertainment. Royal Caribbean alone lists attractions ranging from FlowRider surf simulators, bumper cars and zip lines to ice skating, laser tag, mini golf, escape rooms, game shows and Broadway-style entertainment. (Royal Caribbean)
So today we're asking:
WHAT IS THERE ACTUALLY TO DO ON A CRUISE?
And more importantly…
WHAT'S WORTH YOUR TIME?
Welcome to Cruise & Confused.
Let's get busy. 🚢😂”
1️⃣ 📅 FIRST THING — GET THE DAILY PROGRAMME
“Before you do ANYTHING…
CHECK WHAT'S HAPPENING.
Your cruise line's app or daily schedule can tell you what's happening throughout the day.
And honestly…
DO NOT IGNORE THIS.
Because you might wake up thinking:
‘I'll just see what's happening.’
And then discover:
🎤 Live music at 10am
🏎️ Racing at 11am
🎯 Trivia at 12pm
🎭 Theatre show at 2pm
🍹 Cocktail class at 3pm
🎤 Karaoke at 4pm
🍽️ Dinner at 6pm
🎭 Main show at 8pm
💃 Dancing at 10pm
And you're thinking:
WHEN AM I SUPPOSED TO BREATHE?! 😂
💡 DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING.
Pick:
⭐ 3 MUST-DO THINGS
and let everything else be a bonus.
Otherwise you'll need another cruise…
to recover from this cruise. 😂”
2️⃣ 🎢 ARE THE BIG ACTIVITIES INCLUDED?
“Now here's something important.
Not every activity on every ship works the same way.
Some attractions are included in your cruise fare.
Others may:
💷 Cost extra
🎟️ Require reservations
📅 Have limited availability
👥 Have age/height restrictions
The exact list depends on the ship.
For example, Royal Caribbean currently advertises numerous complimentary attractions across its fleet, including FlowRider, sports courts, mini golf and other activities, while some experiences can have separate charges. (Royal Caribbean)
So before you get excited about something…
CHECK IF IT'S INCLUDED.
Because:
‘I'M GOING ON THE WATERSLIDE!’
and:
‘THE WATERSLIDE COSTS £40.’
are two VERY different sentences. 😂”
3️⃣ 🏎️ THE BIG ONE — THRILL RIDES
“Modern cruise ships have gone completely overboard…
LITERALLY. 😂
We're talking:
🏎️ Race tracks
🏄 Surf simulators
🛝 Waterslides
🎢 Aqua coasters
🧗 Climbing walls
🪂 Skydiving simulators
🚡 Zip lines
🎯 Laser tag
And some ships are basically floating theme parks.
Royal Caribbean, for example, currently offers attractions such as FlowRider, RipCord by iFly, bumper cars, zip lines, rock climbing, laser tag, Ultimate Abyss and waterpark attractions depending on ship. (Royal Caribbean)
And Norwegian's Prima-generation ships have pushed heavily into onboard activities too — including the kinds of attractions we've already talked about on Norwegian Viva.
THE SHIP IS THE ATTRACTION. 🚢🎢”
4️⃣ 🏄 FLOWRIDER — SURFING AT SEA
“Fancy surfing…
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN? 🌊🏄
Some Royal Caribbean ships have the:
FLOWRIDER
A surf simulator that sends a huge stream of water rushing underneath you.
Sounds easy.
Until you get on it.
😂
Then:
YOU FALL OVER.
Everyone watches.
Someone gets a video.
And suddenly you're starring in:
‘CC FAILS AT SURFING — 4K.’ 😂
But that's exactly what makes activities like this fun.
You don't have to be good.
YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE A GO.”
5️⃣ 🏎️ RACING — WHO NEEDS A ROAD?
“Then you've got ships where:
YOU CAN ACTUALLY RACE.
Norwegian has become particularly well known for putting racetrack-style attractions on its Prima-class ships.
And that's one of the things I love about modern cruising.
You can spend the morning:
☕ Having coffee
Then:
🏎️ Race a lap
Then:
🍕 Grab lunch
Then:
🏊 Jump in the pool
Then:
🎭 Watch a show
ALL WITHOUT LEAVING THE SHIP. 😂”
6️⃣ 🛝 WATERSLIDES & WATERPARKS
“Now…
if you're cruising with kids…
or you're just a big kid…
WATERPARK. 💦
Royal Caribbean's current fleet includes ships with large waterpark-style attractions, including Category 6 on Icon-class ships, along with other slides and aquatic attractions across different ship classes. (Royal Caribbean)
And this is where ships can become genuinely ridiculous.
You've got:
💦 Racer slides
🛝 Tube slides
🌊 Splash parks
🏊 Multiple pools
💧 Water play areas
And somehow…
YOU'RE STILL AT SEA.
My question is:
WHEN DO THE CRUISE LINES JUST BUILD A FULL THEME PARK?
Oh…
THEY PROBABLY WILL. 😂”
7️⃣ 🏀 SPORTS — DON'T FORGET THE SPORTY PEOPLE
“Not everyone wants to lie beside the pool drinking cocktails.
Some people actually want to:
🏀 Play basketball
🏐 Volleyball
🎾 Play sports
🏓 Play ping pong
🏃 Run
⚽ Kick a ball
And modern cruise ships can have dedicated sports courts and recreation areas.
Royal Caribbean currently lists sports courts, mini golf, running tracks and other activities among its ship offerings. (Royal Caribbean)
And here's my favourite thing:
YOU CAN GET COMPETITIVE.
Because apparently cruise passengers can't just play:
Friendly ping pong.
No.
It becomes:
THE CRUISE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. 😂🏆”
8️⃣ 🏓 PING PONG — THE MOST DANGEROUS ‘QUICK GAME’ EVER
“Someone says:
‘Fancy a quick game of ping pong?’
Two hours later…
there are six people watching.
Someone's keeping score.
Someone has formed a doubles team.
And somebody is taking this:
WAY TOO SERIOUSLY. 😂
And honestly?
DO IT.
These are the moments that become the best cruise memories.”
9️⃣ 🎯 QUIZZES — THE CRUISE PASSENGER OLYMPICS
“Then you've got:
THE QUIZ.
And this is where adults suddenly discover:
THEY KNOW ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. 😂
Music.
General knowledge.
Films.
Geography.
Cruises.
Sport.
And then one question appears:
‘Who sang that song in 1987?’
And suddenly:
THE ENTIRE TEAM IS SILENT. 😳
The quizzes are normally simple.
The competition isn't.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. 😂”
🔟 🎤 KARAOKE — YOU WILL HEAR THINGS YOU CANNOT UNHEAR
“Now…
KARAOKE.
There are two types of cruise karaoke singer.
🎤 PERSON A:
Actually amazing.
🎤 PERSON B:
Has consumed four cocktails and believes they are Beyoncé.
😂
And the best thing?
Nobody cares.
Because you're all on holiday.
So grab the microphone.
Sing badly.
Dance badly.
And enjoy it.
THIS IS NOT X FACTOR. 😂”
1️⃣1️⃣ 🎭 THE BIG SHOWS
“Now let's talk entertainment.
On some ships, the evening entertainment can be surprisingly impressive.
You could have:
🎭 Theatre productions
🎤 Live singers
💃 Dance shows
🎸 Live bands
🎤 Comedy
🎪 Acrobatic performances
⛸️ Ice skating shows
🌊 Water-based productions
Royal Caribbean, for example, currently lists Broadway-style shows, ice skating productions, AquaTheater shows, comedy, karaoke and other entertainment across its ships. (Royal Caribbean)
And some of these shows are genuinely worth planning your evening around.
So…
DON'T JUST ASSUME THE EVENING ENTERTAINMENT IS A CHEESY CABARET. 😂
Some ships take it VERY seriously.”
1️⃣2️⃣ ⛸️ ICE SKATING — ON A SHIP?!
“Yes.
Ice.
On a ship.
In the ocean.
😂
Royal Caribbean operates ships with ice skating rinks and offers both skating experiences and ice shows on applicable vessels. (Royal Caribbean)
And this is one of those moments where cruising really makes you think:
HOW DID THEY BUILD THIS?!”
1️⃣3️⃣ 🎤 LIVE MUSIC — THE UNDERRATED GEM
“Here's something people sometimes overlook.
LIVE MUSIC.
You don't have to be doing something spectacular all the time.
Sometimes:
🎷 Jazz
🎸 Live band
🎹 Piano
🎤 Singer
🍹 Drink
🌊 Ocean view
is exactly what you need.
Find a quiet lounge.
Sit down.
Have a drink.
And just listen.
Not every cruise memory needs an adrenaline rush. ❤️”
1️⃣4️⃣ 😂 COMEDY — FIND YOUR LAUGHING PLACE
“Comedy clubs can be another great evening option.
Some ships have dedicated comedy venues or comedy performances.
And here's my advice:
GET THERE EARLY IF IT'S POPULAR.
Because nothing ruins comedy like sitting behind someone with:
A GIANT HAT. 😂”
1️⃣5️⃣ 🎰 CASINO — KNOW YOUR LIMIT
“Now…
the casino.
🎰
Yes, it's part of the entertainment on many ships.
But here's where Cruise & Confused gets serious for a minute.
SET A BUDGET.
Before you walk in.
Because:
‘I'll just spend £20.’
can become:
£20...£40...£80.
£200. 😳
The casino should be:
ENTERTAINMENT.
Not:
A CRUISE-FUNDING STRATEGY. 😂”
1️⃣6️⃣ 🍸 COCKTAIL CLASSES & FOOD EXPERIENCES
“Want something a little more chilled?
Depending on the ship, you might find things like:
🍸 Cocktail classes
🍣 Sushi-making
🍳 Cooking demonstrations
🍷 Tastings
👨🍳 Food experiences
And these can be really fun because you're actually:
DOING SOMETHING
rather than simply watching something.
Just remember:
CHECK WHETHER THEY COST EXTRA. 💷”
1️⃣7️⃣ 🧘 NOT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE CHAOS
“Now…
maybe you're listening to this thinking:
‘This sounds exhausting.’ 😂
Don't worry.
There is a quiet side to cruising too.
You can do:
🧘 Yoga
🏋️ Fitness
🚶 Walking
📚 Reading
☕ Coffee
💆 Spa
🌅 Sunrise
🌊 Sit and watch the ocean
And sometimes the best activity on the entire ship is:
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. ❤️”
1️⃣8️⃣ 🌅 THE SUNRISE / SUNSET HACK
“This is one I think everyone should try at least once.
Wake up early.
Go outside.
Find a quiet deck.
Watch the sunrise. 🌅
You don't need:
🎟️ A ticket
💷 A package
📱 Wi-Fi
🎭 A reservation
IT'S FREE.
And watching the ship sail into a new destination while the sun comes up?
THAT'S THE GOOD STUFF. ❤️”
1️⃣9️⃣ 🌙 THEN DO THE SAME AT SUNSET
“And then…
sunset.
🌅
Find:
🌊 A quiet deck
🍹 A drink
🎵 Some music
And just watch the world disappear.
Everyone else may be rushing to dinner…
but you're standing there thinking:
‘Yeah… this is why I booked the cruise.’ ❤️”
2️⃣0️⃣ 👨👩👧 FAMILY ACTIVITIES
“If you're travelling with children…
there can be a LOT to keep them occupied.
Depending on the ship, you may find:
🎮 Kids' clubs
💦 Splash areas
🏊 Pools
🎯 Games
🎭 Shows
🏓 Sports
🧗 Climbing
🎨 Creative activities
Royal Caribbean's current family offering, for example, includes Adventure Ocean youth programming alongside numerous family attractions and activities. (Royal Caribbean)
And the best part?
THE CHILDREN GO AND HAVE FUN…
while Mum and Dad get:
AN HOUR OF PEACE.
THINK FREE CHILDCARE...😂❤️”
2️⃣1️⃣ 👩❤️👨 COUPLES — YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING TOGETHER
“Couples…this one's for you.
You don't have to spend every minute together.
One person wants:
🏎️ Racing
The other:
🧘 Spa
One wants:
🎰 Casino
The other:
🌅 Sunset
One wants:
🏊 Pool
The other:
📚 Reading
SPLIT UP.
Have a couple of hours doing your own thing.
Meet for lunch.
Meet for drinks.
Meet for dinner.
THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
That's called:
A HAPPY MARRIAGE. 😂”
2️⃣2️⃣ 🧑🤝🧑 SOLO CRUISERS — THERE'S PLENTY TO DO
“And if you're travelling alone?
You're not going to be bored.
You've got:
🎭 Shows
🎯 Quizzes
🍹 Bars
🎤 Entertainment
🏓 Games
📚 Reading
🏊 Pools
🧘 Classes
And lots of group activities.
Plus…
Cruise ships can make it very easy to meet people because you're repeatedly seeing the same passengers around the ship.
YOU'RE NEVER REALLY ALONE UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE. ❤️”
2️⃣3️⃣ 🤑 WHAT IS FREE — AND WHAT COSTS EXTRA?
“Now…
this is the question everyone should ask.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
You may find many complimentary activities:
🏊 Pools
🏃 Running track
🏓 Sports
🎯 Games
🎭 Selected entertainment
🍽️ Included dining
🎤 Some live music
But other experiences may cost:
💷 Extra
🎟️ Require reservations
⭐ Be premium
And this differs hugely by cruise line and ship.
So:
READ THE DAILY PROGRAMME.
And:
CHECK THE APP.
Because sometimes the activity you've been excited about for six months…
HAS A COST. 😂”
2️⃣4️⃣ ⏰ DON'T MISS THE GOOD STUFF
“Here's another Cruise & Confused problem.
You see something amazing:
‘Cocktail class — 2pm.’
You think:
‘I'll do that later.’
Then later arrives.
You check the app.
‘Oh… it was at 2pm.’
😂
So:
BOOK OR SET REMINDERS FOR YOUR MUST-DOS.
Especially if they're:
🎭 Shows
🎯 Limited activities
🍽️ Specialty dining
🍸 Classes
🏎️ Popular attractions
Don't rely on your memory.
Your memory is on holiday too. 😂”
2️⃣5️⃣ 🏆 THE ACTIVITY RATING SYSTEM
“Here's something I think we're going to do here at Cruise & Confused.
Whenever we try a new ship…
we're rating the activities.
🎢 THRILL FACTOR /10
How much fun?
😂 FUN FACTOR /10
Would we do it again?
💷 VALUE /10
Worth the money?
👨👩👧 FAMILY /10
Good for children?
❤️
2️⃣6️⃣ 🚢 NOT ALL SHIPS ARE CREATED EQUAL
“This is something I want you to remember.
When someone says:
‘Royal Caribbean has bumper cars.’
that doesn't mean:
EVERY Royal Caribbean ship has bumper cars.
Same with:
🏎️ Racetracks
🏄 FlowRider
⛸️ Ice skating
💦 Waterparks
🎯 Laser tag
🎭 Theatres
and other activities.
The experience is ship-specific.
Royal Caribbean's own current activity listings show significant differences between ship classes and individual ships. (Royal Caribbean)
So before booking:
DON'T JUST CHOOSE THE CRUISE LINE....CHOOSE THE SHIP.”
2️⃣7️⃣ 🏎️ NORWEGIAN VIVA — THE CC EXAMPLE
“Let's take Norwegian Viva.
This is exactly why I wanted to do our:
‘Fun Things To Do on Norwegian Viva’
feature.
You've got activities and spaces designed to keep you busy.
Think:
🏎️ Racing
🎯 Dropzone-style activities
🏓 Sports
🎮 Games
🌊 Pools
🎭 Entertainment
🍹 Bars
And suddenly you realise:
YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET OFF THE SHIP TO HAVE A HOLIDAY. 😂
And that brings up an important question:
**ARE YOU BOOKING THE DESTINATION…OR ARE YOU BOOKING THE SHIP?**
For some people…
BOTH.
For others…
THE SHIP IS THE DESTINATION.”
2️⃣8️⃣ 🌊 SEA DAYS — THIS IS WHERE THE SHIP COMES ALIVE
“Sea days are where I think the onboard activity offering really matters.
Because you've got:
NOWHERE TO GO.
😂
You're not rushing off at 8am.
You're not checking the time to get back.
You're onboard.
And that means you can actually enjoy:
🏊 Pool
🏄 Activities
🎯 Games
🎭 Shows
🍹 Bars
🧘 Classes
📚 Reading
🍽️ Long lunch
THIS is where ship choice matters.”
2️⃣9️⃣ 😴 DON'T OVER-SCHEDULE YOURSELF
“Here's the biggest danger.
You see a sea day programme.
You think:
I CAN DO EVERYTHING.
8am gym.
9am yoga.
10am quiz.
11am surf.
12pm lunch.
1pm ping pong.
2pm waterslide.
3pm cocktail class.
4pm trivia.
5pm sail-away.
6pm dinner.
7pm show.
9pm comedy.
11pm dancing.
NO. 😂
You are going to collapse.
Pick:
THREE.
Everything else…
BONUS.”
NOT A MILITARY OPERATION. 😂”
🏆 3️⃣0️⃣ THE GOLDEN FIND
DON'T JUDGE A SHIP BY THE BIGGEST ATTRACTION.
Ask:
WHAT DO I ACTUALLY LIKE DOING?
If you love:
🏎️ Adventure
choose a ship with thrills.
If you love:
🍽️ Food
choose a ship with great dining.
If you love:
🎭 Entertainment
look at the theatre offering.
If you love:
🌅 Relaxation
find a ship with beautiful quiet spaces.
If you're travelling with children:
👨👩👧 look at the youth programme and family facilities.
And if you're a complete Cruise & Confused character who wants:
A BIT OF EVERYTHING…
😂
Then choose the ship that gives you:
OPTIONS.
Because the best ship isn't necessarily:
THE BIGGEST.
It's:
THE ONE THAT LETS YOU HAVE THE HOLIDAY YOU ACTUALLY WANT. ❤️”
“So…
are cruise ships boring?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. 😂
You could:
🏎️ Race.
🏄 Surf.
🧗 Climb.
⛸️ Skate.
🎯 Play.
🎤 Sing.
🎭 Watch.
🍹 Drink.
🏊 Swim.
🛝 Slide.
🍽️ Eat.
😂 Laugh.
Or…
DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
And THAT is the beauty of cruising.
You can wake up one morning and think:
I'M GOING TO THROW MYSELF DOWN A GIANT WATERSLIDE.
And the next:
I'M GOING TO SIT WITH A BOOK AND WATCH THE OCEAN. ❤️
You don't have to be an adrenaline junkie.
You don't have to party until 2am.
You don't have to participate in every quiz.
You don't have to leave the ship in every port.
YOU CHOOSE.
And that's what makes your ship so important.
So before you book your next cruise…
don't just look at:
🌍 WHERE DOES IT GO?
Look at:
WHAT CAN I ACTUALLY DO ON BOARD?
Because you might discover…
THE SHIP IS HALF THE HOLIDAY. 🚢❤️
And remember…
If you think cruising is boring…
YOU'RE PROBABLY ON THE WRONG SHIP. 😂🚢
🚢❤️ SEE YOU ON BOARD!
