Cruises can be on the expensive side, and you might not want to spend a lot of money on the boat itself when you could spend it exploring and trying new things in another country. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend the whole time in your room either.
There are plenty of affordable options, and some even included in the cruise cost that you can do to pass the time between ports of call.
Movies
Want to relax out near the pool, but also watch a movie? Don’t worry, with many cruises you can. Some cruise ships offer movies on the main deck, where you can eat popcorn and cuddle up with warm blankets on nice, soft chairs.
Sometimes there are indoor movie theaters as well. No matter which cruise you are on, you can watch these for free, and spend some time catching up on popular movies and new releases.
Go Online
Do you want to share your travels with the world, or maybe just catch up with your friends and family back home? Cruises used to charge a high price for internet access, but with satellite internet becoming more accessible, that’s changing.
Now, you can cheaply log on from your room or video chat with your friends and family to brag about your trip. Sometimes the internet is even free, especially on major cruise lines.
Of course, you can always take a break from the internet too, as there are plenty of other things you can do for free.
Eat
For many cruises, meals and room service are included the initial cost. Enjoy some delicious food in the comfort of your own room, or go out and explore all the foods the ship has to offer at no extra cost.
Of course, always check your cruise package before you order whatever you want. Some cruises don’t offer free room service, or it is only available during a select time of the day. Additionally, there may be an area to eat for free, while other restaurants on the cruise may cost extra.
While you can treat yourself occasionally for a cost, take advantage of the free meals to make the most out of your trip. The food is often still delicious and sometimes made by chefs local to the areas you’re visiting, so you can try regionally authentic food..
You can expect to see options like famous burgers, BBQ, sushi, steakhouse meals, and delicious French dishes that are offshoots of Michelin-star restaurants for much cheaper than normal or even free.
Watch a Show
Some big cruise lines offer much more than a movie on a screen. You can watch off-Broadway shows for free or cheap as well. You may even catch big shows like Grease, Cats, or Hairspray.
Get Your Adrenaline Pumping
This one is a lot more niche than some of the others, but big ships often have fun, adrenaline-pumping adventures. You can go surfing, skydiving, have fun on a ropes course, or have a sky-high biking adventure on the cruise for little cost.
These are often specific only to major cruise lines, and may not be available on all ships. But if you have the option, you should definitely take advantage. These same courses can be hundreds of dollars on land but included in the cost of your cruise, or heavily discounted so you can try something new.
Putt-Putt
If you want a fun activity, but something a little calmer, consider putt-putt. You can practice the holes as many times as you want, and have fun by yourself or with a group. It’s a great way to pass the time, and you can get a lot more practice in than you would on a daily basis so you can beat all your friends when you get back to land.
Relax
Maybe you spend your normal life busy and you are really just looking for a chance to unwind. Well, a cruise can be a perfect place to do that as well. Take advantage of the comfortable bathrobes given for free and curl up to watch a movie or read a book.
Some cruises have hammocks as well, so you can sit outside and relax while enjoying a nice sea breeze. They’re usually tucked away in the quieter parts of the shipl, so you can fully relax without having to listen to everyone around you.
Take Classes
Whether you want to stay fit or try something new, cruises are the perfect place to take a class. Cruises offer multiple fitness classes, as well as activities such as watercolor painting, how to fold a napkin, and even origami. There are often speakers as well, so you can meet and listen to famous artists and authors give talks or presentations.
This can be a great way to pass the days if the weather is a little gloomy on the ship or it’s raining. Usually, class schedules are posted around the ship and given to you in a pamphlet so you can look for a fun activity any given day.
Of course, before you enjoy a cruise, you have to be able to get to the boat. Don’t worry, you don’t have to rely on a basic rideshare program or a taxi to get there. Instead, you can look at booking a vehicle with LA cruise port transportation, also available in other major cities, so your vacation can start the moment you get picked up. Why wait to be on the boat before you start relaxing?
