Rainy Days Don’t Have to be Bad Days
Taking a cruise can be one of the most enjoyable forms of travel since it’s both vehicle and destination. As a result, crew members want you to have a great time while you’re still on board the ship as well as during a shore excursion.
Perhaps you know all the cruise tips and secrets to get the most out of your trip, but from time to time things don’t always go as planned. Perhaps it’s a rainy day or you all simply feel like hanging back and exploring what activities are offered right there on board.
Aside from hiding out from the rain with a little bit of patience and optimism, cruise ship activities allow for a sense of normalcy that sometimes gets lost in vacations where you’re trying to do too much all at once.
Here are eight ways you can still entertain yourself on a rainy day at sea.
1. Watch a Movie
Most major cruise lines now have movie theaters on board, or at the very least a screening area to watch films with your fellow passengers. Your cruise line’s daily bulletin should have more information on what’s playing and when.
Most cruise ship movies will be family-friendly since the majority of cruisers are there with their families. However, if you’re looking for something a little more serious or interesting, check out the offerings on your cabin’s TV or bring a laptop to watch Netflix on.
2. See a Show
Broadway revues and Cirque du Soleil-style performances are usually happening every day on board a cruise ship. There are a wide variety of options for every taste, whether you like musicals, comedy acts or want something specific to enjoy with kids.
Even some singers and musicians have jumped into putting their names on the roster of activities, performing multiple shows per week for passengers.
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3. Play Board Games
Board games have always been an old rainy day standby. Just grab your family members, group of friends, or make some new friends on board, and gather in the library or other common area.
If the group you’re with gets particularly rambunctious, you can always play in one of your rooms. Board games offer a means of distraction, but can also be an intimate way for people to bond with friends and family that’s fun for everybody.
4. Hit the Gym
If you’re the type who can’t stand not being able to work out in some manner, when it rains, rest assured you can hit the gym. Aside from a large amount of exercise equipment, cruise ships offer sports, tournaments and fitness classes for everyone, all indoors.
Some larger ships even have indoor basketball courts, an entire track, or might offer different types of yoga depending on teacher availability.
5. Go for a Spa Treatment
Even if you’re not on one of the largest cruise ships in existence, most ships offer some sort of spa that’s accessible to guests during their trip. Indulge a bit and get a facial done or treat yourself to a massage.
Or, if you’re just craving a slight change in appearance, you can make an appointment for a haircut or to get your nails done. If you can’t leave the ship, you may as well relax and enjoy yourself the best you can.
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6. Sing Karaoke
Although there are oftentimes professional singers on board, sometimes you just want to hear your favorite songs sung by a group of passionate strangers. Nearly every cruise line has a weekly karaoke night where you can take turns singing your heart out to ’80s classics.
In the event of rain, it just makes things a little cozier as you down a little liquid courage while you wait for your turn.
7. Take a Class
Aside from fitness classes at the gym, there are a number of other classes available to take during a rainy day. Activity directors will schedule things such as cooking or cocktail classes, dance classes and even language classes to keep guests happy and entertained.
Although you’ll obviously learn a new skill, it’s inevitable that you’ll meet someone you hit it off with during one of these classes whom you can also hang out with when you’re rushing off to your next obligation.
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8. Order Room Service
Just like you might do at home when the rain has you feeling like curling up and staying put, you can always order room service on your cruise. Rainy days are perfect for just vegging out in between the myriad number of activities you’ve undoubtedly over planned for yourself.
If you’re traveling with a romantic partner, you could even take things a bit further and have a bottle of champagne sent up or have rose petals sprinkled on the bed to set the mood for a night in.