Cruising Experiences
Everything there is to do on board — and how to choose the ship that fits you.
Match Me With the Right ShipThe Ship Is Half the Vacation
Ports get the photographs, but most of your cruise happens on board. Between sail-away and the last breakfast you will spend whole days and every evening on the ship, so what it offers — and how well that matches the people you travel with — shapes the whole trip. Cruising Experiences is a guide to everything there is to do at sea, and to picking a ship by the experience you actually want.
Two ships on the same itinerary can feel like two different holidays. One has a roller coaster, a water park and a comedy club open past midnight. The other has a library with sea views, an afternoon string quartet and a spa with a thermal suite. Neither is better. The right one is the one that fits the way you like to spend a day off.
Shows & Nightlife
Production shows, comedy, live music, piano bars and late-night dancing.
Pools & Thrill Rides
Water slides, splash zones, adults-only pools and the big-ticket attractions.
Spa & Fitness
Treatments, thermal suites, gyms, classes and running tracks.
Included vs Specialty Dining
What the fare covers at mealtimes and when paying extra is worth it.
Enrichment & Quiet Spaces
Talks, classes, libraries and the calm corners most guests never find.
Sea-Day Planner
How to spend a full day at sea without wasting it — or overdoing it.
Five Questions That Pick Your Ship
- How will you spend the evenings? Big shows and late bars, or a long dinner and an early night?
- Who is coming? Children, teens, grandparents and couples all want different things from the same deck.
- How active are you? Some ships are built around climbing walls and slides; others around walking tracks and yoga.
- How much do you want included? Mainstream fares leave many extras to pay for; luxury fares fold most of them in.
- How busy can you stand it? Resort ships are lively by design. If crowds wear you down, choose a smaller ship.
Once you know your answers, our guide to choosing a ship by experience turns them into a short list. For side-by-side comparisons of lines and fares, see our sister site Cruise Compares.
Onboard Experiences at a Glance
| Experience | Usually included? | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Theater shows | Yes, on mainstream ships | Reserve seats where the line allows it |
| Pools and most slides | Yes | Some headline rides and attractions carry a fee |
| Fitness center | Yes | Many specialist classes cost extra |
| Spa treatments | No | Port days often bring lower spa prices than sea days |
| Main dining room and buffet | Yes | Specialty restaurants are usually extra |
| Lectures and enrichment | Usually yes | Hands-on workshops may charge for materials |
| Drinks | Only basics on most lines | Many luxury lines include them in the fare |
This is a general picture of mainstream and premium lines. Inclusions change from line to line and are revised often, so check the details for your sailing before you budget.
Where Experiences and Cabins Meet
The experience you choose affects where you should sleep. A cabin under the pool deck or beside the nightclub can be noisy; one near the spa or forward elevators can make early mornings easy. Before booking, look at what sits above, below and beside the cabin — our sister site Cruise Ship Deck Plans explains how to read the plans. If you are hoping to move up to a suite with its own lounge or sun deck, Cruise Upgrades sets out how upgrades really work.
Cruising Experiences is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Onboard Experience Questions
What is included in a cruise fare on board?
On most mainstream lines the fare covers your cabin, the main dining room and buffet, the pools, the theater shows, most daytime activities and the fitness center. Specialty restaurants, spa treatments, drinks packages, some thrill attractions and certain classes usually cost extra. Luxury lines include more. Always check the line’s own list for your sailing.
Do I need to book shows and activities in advance?
On many large ships, yes — headline shows, specialty dinners, spa appointments and paid attractions can be reserved before you sail through the line’s online planner, and the popular times go first. Smaller ships tend to run on a first-come basis.
Which cruise ships have the most to do?
The newest, largest resort ships carry the widest mix of attractions, from water parks to multiple theaters. That does not make them right for everyone. If you want calm, space and conversation, a smaller premium or luxury ship may suit you better.
Can I just relax and skip the activities?
Absolutely. Nothing on board is compulsory. Many guests spend sea days with a book, a lounger and a long lunch, and every ship has quieter corners if you know where to look.
Find the Ship That Fits How You Like to Holiday
Tell us who is traveling and what a perfect sea day looks like to you. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest ships and sailings that match, with free quotes.
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