Sea Days… lazy, long days at sea. What can a cruiser do? It can be overwhelming to have so many choices, especially for a first-time cruiser.
Remember that cruise ships are “cashless society” and everything you do costs money. Spending money on shopping, fancy umbrella drinks, or spa treatments is not an option. It is easy to pay with your credit card.
- Budget Travelers Set a budget and stick to it. On a recent trip, I had a budget of $25 per day, which was enough to buy me two drinks per day …. Though I chose to use it on a spa day and for drinks the first evening. When I left the cruise ship, I had a budget and was not stressed.
- Parents travelling with children Decide in advance whether you will give your teens the right to charge their phones.
Here are some money-saving tips:
- Consider the soda package if you are a soda lover (and not on a Disney Cruise Lines trip). The same goes for wine and beer packages.
- Booking spa treatments during port days is a great way to save money. Spas are empty when people depart the ship on tours. The cruise line loses money when the spa is empty. The cruise lines offer some great deals on those days.
- You can find them in the shops on board. The sales vary from day to day.
- Decide how much money you are going to spend BEFORE you travel.
Beginner’s guide to Sea Days
The Daily Guide
The next day’s activities for your cruise are listed in an easy-to-use guide that is provided by the cabin steward when he turns down the bed at night. The guide has a lot of information about activities on sea days. There are pool games, sporting activities, art auctions and shopping information in the upcoming ports. The cruise guide is so full of activities that I have wondered more than once how it could possibly fit everything in.
You can’t!
You have my permission to not do everything!
You are also free to act independently of your traveling companions. My husband and my second son like to hang out at the sports deck when we cruise. Although I enjoy sports, I prefer to play charades or the silly games on the pooldeck. We’d split up for those periods, knowing that we would reconnect at dinner. It’s totally acceptable!
How to get the most out of Daily Guide
- Bring a highlighter with you to mark your activities. If you forgot the highlighter, you can just use a star (or your initials) to mark the activities that you want to do.
- Ask the cabin steward for more than one guide per night if your group is constantly splitting up. It’s what they do. Free!! !
- Some activities like wine tastings are subject to a charge. This will be indicated on your guide with a dollar sign.
- Certain activities are not appropriate for children. The minimum age and/or parental supervision is clearly marked.
- You can get a replacement daily guide at Guest Services if you lose it.
The pool deck
The pool deck is one of the most popular spots on Sea Days. Arrive early if you want to spend your day at the pool. Please do not reserve seats more than two hours in advance. If you don’t like getting wet, avoid the seats near the pool. Water flies when kids are splashing around and the ship is moving. Remember your sunscreen! Remember your sunscreen!
Other Daytime Activities
Active cruisers can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day. These include sports tournaments, dance classes and cooking demonstrations. Indoor activities include movies, card games and cooking demonstrations. Art auctions are also available. You’ll be able to find something you like onboard.
If you are a first-time cruiser and plan to attend art auctions onboard, you should learn more about them before sailing. Some paintings are matted and framed by the auctioneers. The auctioneers will display some pieces matted and framed at the auction, but they won’t be shipped that way. Art auctioneers are always changing things and talking fast. Art is a complex subject. For someone who has never studied art before, it can be confusing. Before you bid at art auctions, read this article.
Cruise lines and shops in ports have reciprocal agreements. This is a warning for first-time passengers. Cruisers attending “shopping expert” talks receive freebies or coupons for special discounts. These talks can be informative, like how the cut, color and clarity of a diamond affects its value. However, they are usually aimed at promoting specific stores in port. Listen to port shopping talks with a skeptical eye. The coupons can be obtained at the desk of the shopping expert without attending the presentation. Ask for coupons at the kiosk. Read on to learn more about the shopping talk. What other cruisers say about this site .
The Spa And Gym
Sea Days are very popular at the gym and spa. Spa treatments are usually cheaper if they’re saved for port days. The spa is usually less crowded because most passengers leave the ship to do shore-based activities. As with all things supply and demand, a lower demand will result in lower prices.
The gym equipment is available for free, but classes are charged. On sea days, the gym is busier in particular early in the morning.
Children’s Programming
The type of children’s program offered by each cruise line and ship varies, but all four major family cruise lines, Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, offer some form of it. Attend the information session on the day of embarkation if you intend to use the children’s programming. Register your children early, and if possible make sure that they attend the first scheduled kids’ event for their age. You’ll lose out on the “first day” of the cruise if you wait to introduce your children to the kids’ programming. The cruise staff will be familiar to the kids and other children. Like moving to a different school district in the middle of a school year, it can be difficult for kids to feel like a “new kid” on cruising. For more information about a typical children’s program, please read my review on the Carnival fleet (other cruise lines are similar).
Evening Programs
After dark, cruise ships are transformed into a party ship! You can enjoy a Broadway show in the main theatre (seating limited so get there early to secure the best seats), dance in the clubs or party on the pool deck. You can use your daily guide for ideas. You’ll be able to find something for everyone on board.
Sea Days is all about enjoying the variety of activities available and choosing what you enjoy most! You don’t have to do everything.
What’s your favourite activity to do on sea days, experienced cruisers? What advice would you give to first-time cruisers?