Make the Most of Your Time Onboard

When you choose to cruise, one of the biggest factors is likely the itinerary — the number of days in length, which ports of call you visit, how often you will be at sea. On those full days at sea, many cruisers take the time to just relax, rejuvenate and ready for the next day in port. However, if you get restless floating atop the ocean blue, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time onboard, whichever cruise line you choose.

Work It Out

© Brian Irwin | Dreamstime.com

When you are at sea, it is tempting to join in each of the buffet lines you see — after all, eating is a big part of cruising. And, why not indulge? You are on vacation! Many of the larger cruise lines have fitness centers onboard, and even the small ships can squeeze in a few machines to burn the calories. If available, jump into one of the fitness classes that may be offered. Carnival, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer an assortment of group classes, including yoga, Pilates, indoor cycling and even boot camp. Plan ahead and check out the options onboard the cruise line you are sailing with so you can bring your workout gear with you.

Learn Something New

In addition to relaxing and cruising to new destinations, many cruise lines also offer talks from local experts, historians and naturalists. Take a look at the daily calendar to see what talks may be scheduled for your day at sea. For example, Holland America Line partnered with BBC Earth to present experiences on select sailings, and Windstar Cruises has themed cruises with a James Beard Foundation chef and sommelier for a deeper dive into the culinary world.

Let Them Entertain You

Cruise lines upped their games when it comes to entertainment, and the Broadway-caliber shows presented onboard really are worth taking in. Especially when the sea’s a bit rocky, you will wonder how the dancers can keep their footing! Many cruise lines have casinos onboard, too, so if you are the gambling type, throw down some chips and see if lady luck is on your side.