What do you do on a cruise?

Question

Ok, my family is making me go on a cruise with them. I absolutely DESPISE swimming and sunbathing, so what else is there to do on a cruise? These activities are about the only thing people seem to talk about doing on a cruise. How can I keep myself from being totally bored? I would be perfectly content with reading and drawing in my sketchbook the whole time, but I can do those things at home anytime...

Answer 1

I was concerned as well since neither I nor my wife like swimming in clorine water.

But I was truly amazed at what is on board a ship so much so I felt I need to go on another one just to see and do what I didn't complete last week.

Besides shows/movies/seminars, most cruises have other activities on board like tours of the ship, behind the scenes of the kitchens, showrooms, bridge, engine rooms, communications center, etc.  all of which I found interesting to interact with the different crews.

On our Mediterranean ship/voyage, we also ended up just passing the time meeting other people in lounges, shore excursions, or just doing the laundry (we were on a 2 week vacation and the laundry room was just 20 feet from our cabin).

You'll get daily schedules of things to do every night that outlines what's going on the following day.

I ended up having the best vacation ever.

Answer 2

Trust me, I HATE those things yet I dont have enough time to do everything I wanted to do. Some days, I missed dinner I was having so much fun. The Best pART IS WHEN you are in port. What ship are you going on and when and to where?

Answer 3

Trust me, you will not be bored! A cruise is so kewl!! There are movies, shows, shops, activities, clubs, a little casiono, a spa, a library, an ice cream shop, dining, and tons and tons more things to do! If you go outside on the deck you can sit, relax, read a book, and see the OCEAN!! It's so much fun and so pretty. Trust me, I just took a cruise for the first time and it's not boring at all! =)

Answer 4

Most ships have pretty good libraries. I like to read too. My teenagers didn't sit for a minute. There are so many things to do you can't do them all. Just read your "newspaper" the night before and choose some things you think you might like.  Try some new things you might be surprised.

Answer 5

things to do:

Bingo

Board Games

Art Auctions

Tours of the kitchen, bridge, etc.

Ice carving & animal towel folding demonstrations

Mini-golf

Shuffle board

Some cruise lines have climbing walls

Nightly entertainment- dancers, musicans

Lounge preformers

24 hour movie channel in the state room

Port informational talks

Spa services

Fitness classes

Food, Food, Food

Casino

Believe me you will not be bored.

Answer 6

I go on cruises with my family and I do not swim or sunbath ether, there are a lot of activities on the cruise to do and even nice quiet spots to just sit, with you sketch book if you want to be. I like to draw as well and the library is the quiets place if you want to be alone, the deck at the top, by the walking track is nice too, not as may people, the ocean is very peaceful.

the place the cruise goes are nice and fun may be you could take pictures for things to draw later. give it a chance you may just have a blast, look at what they offer for your age and what the other activities are, I liked the towel animal class they gave, even got the book.

Answer 7

There are plenty of activities on board, and there are plenty of excursions (or go out by yourself) for the ports of call.

You won't be bored.

Answer 8

you won't be bored they have shows and activities and unlimited food just bring summer outfits and have fun

Answer 9

I don't take part in those activites either.  I enjoy the food, shows and the cruise staff plans plenty of activites and games to keep you occupied.  I enjoy standing on the deck and watching the ocean go by.  I have actually seen a few people sitting in the library by a window painting and drawing.  And there is something to be said for letting someone else take care of everything.  When you go to the dining room, you order what you want, and as much as you want.  Nobody says anything.  When they seat you at your table, the server takes your napkin and places it in you lap for you.  The experienced is awesome.  

I enjoy being away from my cel phone and e-mail.  I enjoy the ports of call.  And it was amazing as you cruise by Cuba, watching the water as it actually did turn blue.  We do not have that in Florida.  And there is nothing like walking on a white sand beach in Cozumel.  Beats Daytona by a landslide.

Cruises are not for everyone, but we have gotten hooked, without sunbathing, drinking, or gambling.  It is an experience that can not be explained.  I would suggest if you live close enough to a port to try for three nights.  That is what we did.  I was wondering what to do, but that Saturday sailing back from the Bahamas without a care in the world is what did it for me.

Answer 10

I just completed my fifth cruise (all with Carnival) and you need not worry about being bored. As long as you have a half way decent cruise director, they will apprise you of all on board activity and there is literally hundreds of things to do while at sea, from shows and gambling, to art auctions, to trivia contests to drinking eating and just lazing around. Its all up to you as to how much or how little you want to participate. While in port there are numerous excursion to suit virtually every taste. So just let yourself have a good time and you will. (Next year I'm off to the Eastern Caribbean and then to Europe on  transatlantic cruise)