Cruise Ships Activities, Entertainment and Facilities

The success of cruising has been built upon burgeoning variety. In the 1980s the construction of a new ship was a rare event, but today there is an extravagant investment program, with many new vessels, each more innovative than the last.

Modern cruise ships operate as floating resorts, offering diverse activities and facilities designed for all ages and interests. Key features include multiple pools, water slides, spas, casinos, fitness centers, Broadway-style entertainment, and diverse dining options. Activities range from active (rock climbing, basketball, mini-golf) to relaxing (lounges, libraries, lectures). Modern ships are as varied as resorts on land, catering for every age, taste and budget.

Activities and Entertainment

After dinner shows, the standard ship’s evening entertainment, which could be stand-up comedy, a cabaret singer or a splashy Broadway-style show, includes two nightly performances, one after each dinner sitting.

Casinos

Gambling is a feature on most large ships and most casinos provide gaming lessons, as well as slot machines. Casinos in the Caribbean and on the ship tend to be more laid back than those in Las Vegas and elsewhere. Ships casinos are closed when in port.

Las Vegas-style shows

Big ‘production’ shows can be spellbinding at sea with some ships having technical facilities superior to those of a top theater. Big-name musicals, futuristic circus shows and opera have all been staged on ships.

Live Music

Ships nowadays offer everything from concert pianists to scantily clad female string quartets. Some have great tribute bands, talented jazz musicians and excellent orchestras. You can usually find a discreet piano bar or listen to a classical concert or recital.

Nightclubs and discos

Nightclubs and discos are standard on major cruise lines, featuring DJ sets, themed dance nights, and specialized venues that stay open into the early hours. Popular options include Princess Cruises’ Skywalkers or Club 6, Royal Caribbean’s Music Hall, and Celebrity Cruises’ Quasar. Venues often transform from lounges in the evening to high-energy dance clubs late at night. With mixed age groups to cater for, the resident DJs generally play safe, including old favourites in their repertoire.

Religious Services

Most major cruise lines offer religious services, particularly on longer, holiday, or ocean-crossing itineraries. Interdenominational services are held on most cruise ships, conducted either by the captain or staff captain, or an onboard chaplain. Special Jewish charters will have a rabbi on board.

Talks and lectures

Onboard cruise lectures offer enriching, destination-focused talks, workshops, and seminars covering history, culture, science, and arts, often featuring expert guest speakers like historians, authors, and diplomats. Major lines like Cunard, Viking, and Oceania Cruises provide these, enhancing sea days and shore excursions. Many ships have guest lecturers and guest speakers who discuss topics related to the region or a specialist interest group.

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Communication on Board

Making telephone calls using a ship’s satellite system is expensive, at up to US$ 12 per minute. It is cheaper to make calls from a landline in port, or from a mobile phone with a roaming agreement. Public phone cards in several denominations are available from Cable and Wireless on those islands from which the company operates. Residents of the US and Canada can use AT&T USADirect public phones with a charge card, while some public phones allow European charge card holders to access their home operator.

Telephone and Internet

Calls and faxes may be sent from public calling centers located on many of the islands. Get there early because this is a popular and cost effective way to keep in touch with home, for passengers and crew.

A growing number of locations have internet cafes. Almost all ships offer internet access although charges vary enormously. The cheapest way to stay in touch via email on board is to us a free web-based service.

Etiquette

Cruise lines are strict about the public areas being non-smoking, and some provide a cigar lounge for smokers,

Remember, too, that it is forbidden to film or record any of the ship’s entertainers, for copyright reasons,

If you are invited to dine with Captain, consider it an honor and reply immediately and observe the dress code,

Visits to the Bridge are rare for security reasons, although small ships operated by Seadream and Star Clippers may allow access,

if you are unhappy with your dining companionship, discretely ask the Maitre’d about moving to another table on the first day.

Food and Drink

That you can eat round the clock on a cruise is no exaggeration, so try to eat in moderation to avoid being winched off as freight at the end of your trip. Unless there is ‘specialty’ restaurant on board, all the food on a cruise is included in the price.

Silversea, Seaborn and SeaDream Yacht Club also include drinks. Regent provides just wine.

Bars

Ship’s Bars range from the sophisticated to Irish theme pubs. All drinks bought in the Bar can be signed for. Be aware that many ships will add an automatic ‘gratuity’ of 15 percent.

Cafés

Cappuccino and espresso from machines are usually better than cruise-ship tea and coffee. Afternoon tea is provided on many ships, with white-glove service, dainty cakes and sandwiches.

Drinking Water

Although safe, the drinking water on cruise ships is heavily chlorinated and does not taste good to most people. All ships provide bottled water, although many charges for it.

Dining and restaurants

Some ships offer from two to four different dinner sittings in the dining room, while others have ‘open seating’ meaning you eat when you like and sit where you like. Smaller ships carrying fewer than 100 passengers, tend to have just one sitting where all the passengers dine together.

As well as a main dining room, many ships have specialty restaurants where a small premium is charged for a different menu and more exclusive surroundings. Book early, as reservations go quickly. All ships also have a casual dining option. Don’t miss the themed buffets, which are often spectacular. Vegetarians, vegans, and people with other dietary requirements are usually well catered for.

Room service

Usually included in the cost of the cruise, although some lower-budget cruise lines either charge for it or do not offer it. Many ships have tea and coffee making facilities in the cabins.

Money

Cruise operators encourage guests to register a credit card at the beginning of a voyage for on-board expenses. Otherwise, a bill will be compiled to be settled on the day of departure. While on board, whether a credit card is registered or not, everything is paid for using a special cad issued by the ship.

Currency onboard most ships is the US dollar, although P&O, Fred Olsen and some Cunard vessels use sterling. There is usually an ATM near the shops or casino, and exchange facilities at the customer relations desk, but rates are not competitive, use a local bank in port instead.

Ship Facilities

Ship facilities vary by type, with cruise ships offering luxurious amenities like pools, spas, gyms, theaters, and diverse dining, while cargo ships focus on functional spaces for crew welfare, including lounges, gyms, laundry, and internet access. Both types prioritize safety, medical, and operational spaces for crew comfort and efficient ship management.

Doctor and health

All cruise ships have a doctor and nurse on board. The exceptions make the cargo ships and private yachts carrying fewer than 12 people. Facilities vary but a ship’s doctor should be safe to treat most ailments, including heart attacks and appendicitis. Seriously ill passengers may be stabilized until the ship arrives in port, or airlifted off. There is a fee for consulting the shop’s doctor. Passengers should bring their own supplies of any prescription medication they need, because the doctor won’t be able o provide it.

Norovirus occurs on cruise ships as it does in hospitals and hotels, and it can spread quickly. If you have diarrhea, vomiting and fever, report to the ship’s doctor immediately. Avoid the virus by using the antiseptic hand wipes that are handed out on board and by washing hands scrupulously.

Library

The ship’s library provides a quiet retreat and an endless source of free reading material, from novels to guidebooks.

Cinema and TV

Modern cruise ships have diverse entertainment options, including dedicated movie theaters, poolside “dive-in” displays, and in-cabin TVs with on-demand, live, and streaming content. Features include IMAX at Carnival, 4D cinemas, blockbusters beneath the stars, and dedicated TV channels with news, sports, and, for Disney, family material.Many ships also include a cinema, which shows first-run films.

Gentleman host

A ‘gentlemen host‘ also known as the dance host, is a feature on traditional cruises with Cunard, Crystal, Silversea, Holland America and Fred Olsen. Personable single men in their 50s and 60 s are employed to act as dancing and dinner hosts to unaccompanied older women. However, a dance host caught indulging in any improper behavior will be left at the next port of call – the modern equivalent of walking the plank.

The Purser

The Purser’s Office or Guest relations known onboard is the nerve center of the ship for general passenger information and minor problems. This is the place to pick up DVD’s ship-compiled newspapers and the ship’s program.

Spas

Celebrity Cruises fleet is known for its high-tech spa facilities, its newest ships have gyms equipped with virtual reality machines. The mega ships owned by Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean Lines, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines, have the most substantial spas, the prettiest being on Princess Cruises Grand Princess and Golden Princess. The luxury ships such as those operated by Crystal, Silversea and Seabourn also have excellent spas. Book ahead for treatments on sea days because even though spa treatments can be very expensive, they are very popular.

Water sports

Some smaller ships, namely those of Star Clippers SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn and Windstar have water sports platform which can be lowered from the back of the ship. All of these carry their own equipment. The private islands of the big cruise lines usually have a beach with water sports facilities. Water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving are available on most islands and can be organized through hotels or with independent beach operators.

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