During this carefree interlude from your busy life, you'll be captivated by the sheer pleasure of these golden, stress-free days. Especially if you're sharing the experience with someone who loves sharing it with you. Cruise ships intend to make sure your days are among the most relaxing, exhilarating, revealing, romantic and fun-filled days of your life.

Aboard today's modern cruise vessels, there's a major focus upon having activities and facilities for every age group.  For Mom there are luxurious spa facilities on many of today's ship.  For the kids there are always friends to meet and things to do.  For every member of the family, there are a wide variety of things to do . 

You can relax knowing that your children are being well taken care of.  With a dedicated youth staff, great facilities and lots of other kids, your children are bound to have a dream vacation too.

Each cruise line's children's program has its own unique flavor, but the standard for shipboard care for kids is quite high.  Counselors are typically Education or Physical Education majors in college with training in first aid and CPR.  Activities are well planned in advance, with activity programs published in detail.  These published program sheets allow parents to see what their kids are doing, allowing the family to plan their daily activities if they choose to do so.   

How do I find out what's going on each day?

A schedule of on-board activities will be delivered to your cabin daily. When you are visiting a port, you will also receive information about key attractions.                        
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Do I have to participate in the activities?

On a cruise you do what you want to do. You can do everything. Or lie back and do absolutely nothing. It's your vacation.

Shipboard Activities

In your cabin each evening you will find with some sort of Ship's Newspaper which outlines the activities scheduled for the following day.  It may be also posted in convenient locations around the ship for easy reference.  You will have opportunity to partake in (or not) many relaxing or active and exciting activities.  (I have indicated alternatives for port days like this.)  Rise early and watch the ship pull into port...a breathtaking view Enjoy breakfast (or lunch or dinner) in bed, in the dining room or out on deck On port days breakfast is served early to accommodate passengers with early excursion departures Sign up for the Talent Show (passengers are the talent) Ports of Call Lectures or Excursion Talks (re-run on TV all day) Go ashore or stay on board...your call Pose for the Ship's photographer (who is everywhere) at dinner and parties at activities out on the Lido at formal portrait sittings at embarkation and port stops                                   Learn about the ship: lifeboat drill (mandatory) galley tour bridge tour Ship facilities (except casino and gift shops) are uncrowded and at your disposal all day Try the Cocktail/Mocktail of the Day Pamper your body Health & Fitness Center Spa massages herbal body wrap sauna or steam eucalyptus wraps Jacuzzis Beauty Shop (get ready for formal night) hair styling manicures facials workout equipment Jogging (on the Promenade) Aerobics Sports volleyball basketball tennis shuffleboard table tennis skeet shooting snorkeling or SCUBA lessons                           swimming Sharpen your skills Demonstrations napkin folding scarf/sarong tying ship-building (that's where all those straws went...) wine and cheese tasting crafts dance class just relax with a good book on the Promenade in a deck chair in the peace and quiet of the library play bridge, chess, checkers or board games in the Jacuzzi with new friends in one of the many lounges over a game of cards or board game watch "the big game" in the Sports Bar stroll the Promenade and watch an incredible sunset phone Home ($8-15/minute or pay roam charges on your cellfone) Surf the Net Most newer ships and some older ones have an "Internet Cafe" where you can browse or send E-mail for a fee (a flat rate + about 75 cents per minute), which is charged to your shipboard account.  On some ships the fee for E-mail is quite high, and it may be better to get a free HotMail account so you can send/receive your E-mail through the browser.  There are no floppy or CD drives. Wine Desk--order in advance for the evening meal           Dine as you like dinner is usually informal on port days Instead of paying in a restaurant on shore, come back and dine aboard afternoon tea ice cream parlor enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres Cognac and Cigars Under the Stars lounge entertainment (string quartet, steel drum Island style, piano bar) & cocktails or coffee  Midnight Chocolate Extravaganza Have a Party for new friends in your own cabin the Captain's Welcome Aboard cocktail party (a formal affair held just before the evening dinner seating) offering hors d'oeuvres and drinks, an introduction to the Master and his officers, and a formal portrait/photo session. Masquerade Party theme Party Sail-away Party (poolside) Play games Newlywed/Not So Newlywed Game Sea-Quest (treasure hunt) The Match Game Visit the Casino (afternoons and evenings in international waters) blackjack craps poker roulette slots casino quiz/raffle Bingo (snowballs to a gigantic pot on the last night if not won earlier) Horse Racing  Mileage Pool                                                                  Shore Excursions museums historical sights parks or natural wonders helicopter tours boat tours On your own: hire a taxi and personalize your tour explore shops at your leisure  play a round of golf tennis wind surfing SCUBA snorkeling Dance, dance, dance Karaoke Live Stage Shows Broadway or Las Vegas-style shows magicians ventriloquists acrobats comedians singers First-run movies (in the Theater or on TV) Children's Programs Gift Shops (usually a different "special sale" every day Sundry Shop Duty-free fragrances and jewelry Clothing and souvenirs Photo Shop/Gallery Laundry (have it done or do it yourself)                             My, my...there's so much to do!  The hardest part sometimes is figuring out how to do it all...well, you can't.  Some activities are only offered once, some daily or all day.  My husband takes along colored markers and diligently highlights what he wants to do, and no matter how hard he tries, he can't do it all, either.  Some things will have to put off until your next cruise  ; )