Is there a lot to do on a cruise?

A 7-day cruise will typically have one or two sea days when the ship is at sea sailing between two distant ports. During port days there are shore excursions you can take to visit places or do activities like museums, shopping, beach, outdoor sports or even you can go on your own.



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Hang Out By the Pools Sunbathing, of course! While every major cruise ship has the requisite pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, some take pool time to new heights. Many Royal Caribbean ships sport surf pools, interactive water parks for kids and zero-entry pools for wading.

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Cruises can be a great vacation idea, especially if you're not overly interested in trip planning. One of the most significant benefits of a cruise is that much of the work is done for you, including the itinerary, dining and entertainment options.

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Cruises are great for families, couples and solo travelers. For those who like to be active on vacation, cruises offer many fun activities. Of course, everyone's idea of fun is different. However, some cruise ships have amazing waterslides, zip-lines, and the Carnival Mardi Gras even has a roller coaster at sea!

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Take Advantage of the Programming Since cruise lines don't want you to be bored any more than you do, they fill up days at sea with a variety of activities from trivia sessions and lectures to arts and crafts and dance lessons. The more you participate, the faster your days pass. But don't forget to mix it up a bit.

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From rollercoasters to skydiving simulators, laser tag, rock walls, waterslides, ice skating rinks, and adults-only sun decks, cruises are popular vacations because, for the most part, they do offer something for everyone.

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10 Things Every First-Time Cruiser Should Know
  • Prebook activities before you leave home. ...
  • Plan to arrive at your departure city a day or more before the cruise. ...
  • Pack a carry-on bag. ...
  • Switch your cellphone to airplane mode. ...
  • Don't assume the cruise is all-inclusive. ...
  • Pace yourself. ...
  • Understand automatic gratuities. ...
  • Watch the clock.


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Rough Waters: Oceans are nearly always choppier than seas because they're less protected from sheltering land masses. If you've booked a transatlantic cruise (especially in the cooler months) or a transpacific cruise (including those to Hawaii), you may encounter some bumps.

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If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

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As a general rule, plan to have $50 to $100 each day in the local currency. Also, you may want to bring an extra $20 a day for tipping crew members. Make sure to include smaller bills for tips. Fifty to a hundred dollars a day should be enough to cover small purchases, tips and snacks at each port.

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You probably won't need much actual cash while onboard, as many cruise lines will just charge purchases to your account. Even ship casinos these days have cashless credit systems. On nearly all cruises, passengers are given an itemized bill at the end of the trip listing all charged expenses.

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Cruises are often known for decadence when it comes to food – it's available all day, every day, in unlimited portions, and it's certainly not all healthy. That said, it is possible to eat healthy while on a cruise ship – while still enjoying yourself, too!

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7-8 Daytime Outfits On your 7 day cruise, you'll need a casual daytime outfit for each day, plus at least one backup outfit in case you get wet.

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Activities on Cruise Ships Activities That Cost Extra on Cruises: Bingo, casino play, arcade games, escape rooms and golf simulators will all cost you extra on most ships. Additionally, hands-on cooking classes, wine and liquor tastings, and a few other courses require an extra charge outside your fare.

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There's a fine line between relaxation and boredom, and cruisers on long itineraries might find themselves dangerously close to that line at some point during their vacation. The more sea days there are, the harder cruisers often have to work to fill all those hours with activities that keep them engaged.

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The average age of a cruise passenger is now under 48, says the CLIA 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report, with millennials being the most enthusiastic cruisers of the future.

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The cruise lines usually put their oldest vessels on their shortest routes, so in order to go on the nicer ships, you need to primarily do a seven-day or longer cruise, Speer said. Longer trips also give first-time cruisers more time to get oriented.

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Here are our favorite tips for making your cruise extra-special.
  1. Tip 1: Enjoy a Pre-Cruise Splurge. ...
  2. Tip 2: Upgrade Your Cabin. ...
  3. Tip 3: Arrange an In-Cabin Surprise. ...
  4. Tip 5: Turn Dinner Into an Event to Remember. ...
  5. Tip 6: Dress Up on Formal Night. ...
  6. Tip 7: Treat Yourself (or Someone Else) to a Splurge.


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Best Travel Sleep Aids: 7 Ways to Sleep Better on Your Cruise
  1. Flents Quiet Contour Earplugs. ...
  2. SNOOZ White Noise Sound Machine. ...
  3. Nature's Way Valerian Nighttime. ...
  4. Marpac Rohm Portable White-Noise Sound Machine. ...
  5. LUNA Sleep Aid. ...
  6. Blackout Sleep Mask. ...
  7. OLLY Restful Sleep Gummies.


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Take Advantage of the Ship's Facilities Many cruise ships offer a range of treatments, such as massages, facials, and body wraps, designed to help you unwind and recharge. Take some time to indulge and treat yourself to a little bit of luxury. The ship's pool is another great place to relax and soak up the sun.

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