It’s great to visit amazing places and enjoy bucket list experiences, but what to do on those days when there’s nothing but the literal horizon?
If you’re filling your shore days with once-in-a-lifetime activities, you might welcome the opportunity to get serious with Egyptian cotton sheets in your cabin. Or if you prefer to stay active, why not keep a daily schedule of the full schedule of beach day fun?
The options are truly endless; We’ve picked the best ones below.
for artist
If you’ve been avoiding creative pursuits at home for fear of encountering judgmental neighbors, art lessons at sea may be just the ticket. Cunard gives watercolor lessons in his own artist’s home. Materials are provided, all abilities are welcomed, and there’s even an exhibition at the end of your journey where you can show off your new masterpieces.
Cunard (0344 338 8641; cunard.com) runs a seven-night Norwegian Fjord cruise (on new ship Queen Anne) from £799 per person, with plenty of time to discover your inner Picasso. He leaves Southampton on June 23.
for golfer
How about perfecting your golf skills while on holiday? Crystal is the only luxury cruise brand to feature a PGA professional on every sail. Thanks to the driving nets and golf course, guests can take part in daily onboard golf lessons (twice daily on sea days), private lessons, and a round of golf in the harbor (for an additional fee). You don’t even need to pack your own clubs; everything is provided.
Crystal Cruises (0808 175 0340; crystalcruises.com) offers a 14-night Mombasa to Mumbai cruise on Crystal Serenity from £5,995, including flights and six sea days. It departs on April 4, 2025.
for student
Enrichment programs and guest instructors are always popular on sea days, and Viking’s Cultural Curriculum is one of the best. Hear guest lectures from authors, archaeologists, former diplomats, and news reporters, chat with historians onboard, and watch Destination Insights films and Ted Talks such as “10 ways to have a better conversation” and “The surprising science of happiness.”
Viking (0800 458 6900; vikingcruises.co.uk) has a 17-day Hawaiian Islands Stay from £5,190 per person, including flights, transfers, meals and 10 sea days. Leaving on November 28, 2024.
For the culture vulture
In terms of sheer cultural immersion, Windstar wins the race with each journey being specifically designed to embrace the destination. For example, sea days on Tahiti cruises feature ukulele and drum lessons, Polynesian language, dance and cooking lessons, and a variety of craft sessions, including Polynesian headdress making (beats pickleball any day).
Windstar (0808 258 7943; Windstarcruises.com) offers 11-day Tahiti and Tuamotu Islands cruises from £6,476 per person. Includes return flights from the UK and one night’s advance accommodation in Tahiti. It departs on November 18.
For beautiful body
Want to feel like a new person when you return home from a cruise? How about looking significantly different? From teeth whitening to cellulite-reducing body contouring and everything in between (aside from actual cosmetic surgery, never say never), spa treatments go much further on cruise ships. At Oceania, you’ll find pain management therapy, Biotech laser line therapy, Restylane dermal fillers, Dysport wrinkle treatments, Thermage skin tightening, and even 50-minute facelifts.
Oceania (0345 505 1920; oceaniacruises.com) offers a 24-day Athens to Miami Euro-Atlantic Cruiser with 11 days at sea from £6,059pp. It departs on November 11th.
For big kid
Now it’s official: toys aren’t just for kids. Boutique cruise companies like Emerald Cruises make the most of a wide range of water toys, including stand-up paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, snorkel kits and exciting water scooters. At the other end of the scale, the more budget-friendly Royal Caribbean offers the largest water park at sea, including Pressure Drop, the first cruise ship outdoor freefall water slide on the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.
Emerald Cruises (0161 516 8456; emeraldcruises.co.uk) offers an eight-day Grenadines and Windwards itinerary from £4,379 per person, including return flights, transfers, meals and use of all sea toys. Leaving on February 8, 2025.
For fitness enthusiasts
The word “gym” may not be part of your vernacular on land, but the new generation of cruise lines have a much broader offering than standard treadmills and dumbbells. In addition to yoga, pilates and fitness classes, Virgin Voyages also offers bungee classes, barre exercises and a 250-meter (273-yard) running track. Virgin’s intimidatingly titled MyBeast facilities also feature oversized games and adult seesaws. Maybe a place to relax after visiting the onboard tattoo parlor?
Virgin Voyages (020 3003 4919; virginvoyages.com) offers an 11-night cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia from £2,702 per person with three days at sea. He leaves on November 3.
For the budding chef
Cooking classes offered on cruise ships are often more about adding one pre-chopped thing to another and mixing it up, rather than actually useful lessons. This is not the case with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The Epicurean Spotlight cruise offers classes on wine pairing, mastering knife skills, and preparing the cruise’s various cuisines.
Regent Seven Seas (023 8082 1390; rssc.com) runs a 10-night Epicurean Spotlight Cruise from Athens to Barcelona from £7829 per person, with stops in Istanbul, Sicily, Sorrento, Capri, Rome, Cannes and Provence. It departs on August 14th.
For the adventurer
Finally, if you’ve perfected your golf swing, learned blade skills and paddleboarding, whitened your teeth, and watched countless Ted talks and movie premieres (offered on Disney Cruise Line), a helicopter flight might be the icing on the cake. Once the Scenic yachts dock at their destination, passengers can take advantage of the onboard helicopter, Zodiac speedboat and mini submarine for undersea adventures.
Scenic (0161 516 0016; Scenic.co.uk) offers an 11-day Explore the Kimberley Coastline: Ancient Wilderness from £8,423pp, including flights from all major UK airports, transfers, fine dining experiences and butler It has a nature trip. Leaving on July 9, 2024.
