Exciting Things To Do On Sea Days When Cruising Solo

Sea days on a cruise can be both relaxing and exciting! With no ports to visit, you have the opportunity to fully enjoy the amenities and activities onboard. And believe me when I tell you the are activities in abundance on a cruise ship. If you’re new to solo travel, I believe that cruising is the best and safest way to enter into the world of solo travel. Not only is cruising alone safe, there are also many exciting things to do on sea days when you’re cruising solo that you will never be bored.

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When booking your cruise, it’s important to determine exactly what you’re looking for. Cruise lines offer a variety of itineraries. You can decide if you want an itinerary that stops at port everyday, or would you prefer to sit back and relax and enjoy the ship? Those are the first two questions you have to ask yourself when book the cruise line that’s right for you.

Things To Do On A Cruise During Sea Days

Many people cruising alone think that sea days will be boring, however, with so many things to do and see on a cruise ship, you will have difficulty deciding what to do. In this post I’ll dive into all of the activities that you’ll have to choose from when on a sea day during your cruise, even when you’re cruising by yourself. If this is your first cruise, you will also want to do some research to find the best cruise tips for beginners.

Explore The Ship

Once embarking the ship, exploring is one of the first things you should do when on a cruise. Familiarize yourself with the ship’s layout, including where restaurants, bars, pools, etc. are located on the ship.

Once you’ve found the main venues that you’ll be using throughout your cruise, take a sea day to explore all of the nooks and crannies that you’ll find on a ship. There are many and you will likely discover a little-known area to curl up and read a book in peace and quite.

Read The Newsletter

Throughout your cruise you will receive a newsletter every evening which outlines the activities available the next day. Don’t skip reading the newsletter, as this is an invaluable tool for helping you plan your day at sea.

Relax On Your Balcony With A Good Book And A Cocktail

Why rush out in the morning when you can relax and enjoy a leisurely breakfast and coffee on your balcony or in your room?

Most ships offer free room service for a continental breakfast of cereal, toast, fruit, muffins, croissants, and coffee. A larger breakfast is also available, however, most cruise lines are now charging a fee.

After a rough day lazing poolside, you may opt to return to your room and relax with an afternoon cocktail or coffee before heading for dinner. The majority of cruise lines allow each passenger to bring one bottle of wine onboard on the day of embarkation. Take advantage of this perk for those lazy afternoons on your balcony.

Wine Tasting

Every cruise will offer wine tasting on one or more of the sea days. This is a fun way for solo cruisers to meet new people AND try different wines.

Workout At The World Class Gym

With the unlimited food options available on a cruise, you will definitely want to hit the gym at some point during the cruise. The gyms are well-equipped even by the standards of hard core fitness buffs.

People Watch In The Atrium Is The Best Thing To Do On Sea Days

Other than the pool area, the atrium is the best place on the ship to sit back and relax with a coffee or cocktail and do some people watching. During days at sea, you will often find live entertainment in this area as well.

Laze Around The Pool

There’s not much that beats lazing around the pool while on a cruise. Catch the best tan ever, grab a bight to eat, have a drink and just sit back a relax. You will frequently witness pool games taking place either in the pool or around the pool. Don’t be shy, you’re on holidays, so jump in and join the fun.

When you’re cruising solo, you won’t have any difficulty finding a chair at the pool. However, if you are cruising with friends and family, get there early so you can all sit together.

Make New Friends

There are so many people on a cruise and so many fun venues, that meeting new people has never been easier than on a cruise. If you’re cruising solo, making new friends is especially important and will provide you with people to hang out with.

Learn How To Dance

It’s inevitable that on one of the sea days, the crew will be offering learn to dance classes (and it’s free). Whether it’s line dancing or ballroom dancing, learning how to dance will have you wanting to slip on those dancing shoes and dance the night away.

Indulge In A Spa Day

Spa days at sea are absolute heaven. All ships have a full service spa, so book a massage and relax to the sound of the waves. If you have your heart set on a spa day at sea, book early, as appointments book up fast.

Just One Tip: Booking a treatment at the spa on the day of embarkation is always the cheapest.

Join In Some Games Or Trivia

Almost every cruise line offers trivia and bingo during sea days. This is a fun way to pass the time while at sea, make new friends, and have a lot of laughs.

Hit The Casino

Feeling lucky? Head to the onboard casino and try your hand at blackjack, poker, or slot machines. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or a novice, the casino offers an exciting atmosphere where you can test your skills.

Attend The Art Auction

While I realize that art auctions aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, attending an art auction or at least viewing the art is a great way to pass the time on a sea day.

Book A Behind The Scenes Tour Of The Ship

Most cruise ships offer a behind the scenes tour of their ships. You will visit places such as the medical office, the kitchen, and even the command center. I highly recommend taking this tour at least once. Tours book up fast and reservations can be made prior to embarkation.

Do A Food Tour

Food tours aren’t officially offered on the ships, however there’s nothing stopping you from creating your own. Start at the coffee bar and move on for a slice of pizza or maybe a hamburger and fries. Finish the tour off with a sweet treat, then head to your favourite bar to try a new cocktail.

Just One Tip: If you’re leary about eating alone, don’t be. When eating at one of the main diningrooms, you’ll have the choice of eating alone or joining people at a table. The choice is all yours!

Listen To Live Music

The cruise ships become extremely lively on sea days. You will find live music playing scattered throughout the ship. Usually in the pool area or in the atrium.

Dance The Night Away

Remember the dance class you attended earlier in the day? Well when night falls, it’s the perfect time to put what you learned to the test. With so many dance venues to choose from, you’ll have your choice of where you want to kick up your heals.

Visit The Internet Cafe

I love cruises as it provides me with the opportunity to escape everyday life and I tend to avoid electronics. However, I know that it’s necessary for many cruisers, especially solo cruisers, to stay in touch with family and even at times their business. During a sea day is the perfect time to catch up on social media and reach out to loved ones at home.

Attend A Lecture

Many cruises feature enrichment programs such as onboard lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. Learn about various topics from guest speakers and expand your knowledge while having fun.

Look For Future Cruises

There’s no better time to book a future cruise than while you’re already on a cruise. There are plenty of options to choose from and an agent will always be available to assist if needed. One of the perks is that a minimal deposit is required when booking while on the ship.

Watch A Movie

I’m not much into movies, however, sitting on the upper deck under the stars watching a good movie is one of my favourite things to do while on a cruise. Snuggle up with a blanket and some popcorn and enjoy! Movies are also available on the t.v. in your stateroom.

Book A Photo Session

There’s no better way to capture the memories of your cruise than through photos. The ships have professional photographers on board which can capture either formal or impromptu photos of you and your family. Appointments are required beforehand.

Be Adventurous And Try New Cocktails

There is no better time to try a fancy cocktail that you’ve never had before than when on a cruise. Familiarize yourself with all of the bars on the ship (there are many) and visit each one during sea days. If cruising solo, you might want to do this over the course of a couple of days. Or better yet, organize a bar hop for your fellow passengers. What better way to meet people than bar hopping?

Play Some Tennis, Pool, or Basketball

For the active cruisers, there will always be something for you to do. Many ships offer mini golf, basketball, tennis, and ping pong. On some ships you might even find skating rinks, rock climbing, go carts, and driving ranges. Explore the ship to see what it has to offer.

Take Part In A Fitness Class,

Keep up with your fitness routine by joining one of the onboard fitness classes. From yoga and pilates to high-intensity workouts and cycling, there are plenty of options to help you stay active and energized.

Just One Tip: Not all classes are free. Check your newsletter to see what classes are available and if there is a cost.

Take A Leisurely Walk Around The Track

The ships are huge! And I mean huge! You will find a track which runs along the perimeter of the ship. This is the perfect spot to go for an early morning jog or a leisurely stroll while watching the sun come up in the morning or set in the evening.

Take A Class

All ships offer guest a variety of classes during sea days. Some of the classes you might find are cooking classes, painting classes, food pairing, and much more. Anytime is always a great time to learn something new.

Grab A Book Or Game From The Ship’s Library

For a quieter day at sea, visit the ship’s library which is stocked with books and board games for guests enjoyment. If the ship doesn’t offer a library, you can usually get books from the customer service desk.

Attend A Broadway Style Show Or Comedy Bar

From Broadway-style shows and comedy performances to live music and dance parties, cruise ships offer a wide range of entertainment options. Be sure to catch the captivating performances by talented singers, dancers, and musicians at one of your favourite venues.

Write Thank You Notes To Your Favourite Staff Member(s)

The staff on cruise ships go above and beyond to ensure that you have the best cruise experience possible. Even though tips are charged daily, it’s always nice to leave a little extra in a thank you card for the staff members who made your cruise memorable.

Take A Nap On Days At Sea

With so many activities, you will definitely be ready for an afternoon nap during sea days. Rest up and get ready for a night of dancing.

Activities To Do On Sea Days On A Cruise: In Conclusion …

Just because you’re cruising alone, doesn’t mean that you will miss out on the fun or find yourself with nothing to do. Sea days on a cruise offer endless possibilities for relaxation, adventure, and entertainment. Make the most of these opportunities and create unforgettable memories as you sail into the open waters.

Bon voyage!

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