10 Different Things to Try on a Cruise Holiday

This list is drawn from UTM's archive. Restaurants, classes and activities come and go, and facilities vary by ship and by sailing, so check what's on offer for your voyage before you go.

You've booked yourself on another cruise, and you're wondering how to pass the time at sea besides relaxing and enjoying the fresh air. The good news is there is a multitude of activities on offer on today's cruise ships, on bigger ships especially, giving high seas holidaymakers the opportunity to try something new and create some wonderful new memories. Whether it's your first cruise, or you're a cruise connoisseur looking for a new high seas experience, here are ten suggestions to whet your appetite for adventure.

1. Different Cuisine

Gone are the days when the only choice for dining was one of two sittings for dinner in a ship's main dining room, or a sandwich in the buffet if you fancied something more casual. When it comes to culinary matters, cruising today offers a plethora of cuisine types, from fresh sushi Nobu-style on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity to the eclectic Qsine that Celebrity ran on its Solstice class ships when this was written, with classic French, country Italian and Mexican in between. On a Princess cruise, if you're booked into a balcony stateroom or above, one option is to really spoil yourself with Ultimate Balcony Dining, where you and your beloved are waited on hand and foot with a romantic, private dinner for two. And on some ships, there are private degustation-style dinners for a small group of people, with multiple courses of fine food paired with fine wines. Bon appétit!

Editor's update: When this was written, Celebrity's Solstice class ships had Qsine, which later became Le Petit Chef at Qsine. On Celebrity Solstice, that space has since been replaced by Trattoria Rossa, an Italian restaurant.

2. A New Workout

If you find all that eating is causing your waistline to expand, a common occurrence with some cruise fans, a high seas holiday is a great time to take time out and work on your fitness. Most ships have decent gyms, with all manner of equipment including elliptical cross trainers and weight machines, but there's also a wide range of exercise classes on offer, on bigger ships in particular. Why not try Kinesis on Seabourn, an indoor cycling class on Celebrity, or early-morning yoga on deck on Windstar? When this was written, Princess also offered high-energy Zumba workouts. There are also a growing number of fitness-themed cruises to consider, offering everything from yoga and wellness to the opportunity to run a marathon.

3. A New Cocktail

Along with a new type of cuisine, a cruise is also a great excuse to kick back and try something new to drink. Ships' bars have a wide range of offerings, from wines from various regions of the world to French Champagne, and beers in bottles or on tap. Carnival Cruise Line has its very own ThirstyFrog Red private-label draught beer, specially brewed for the line and available on most of its ships. When it comes to cocktails, however, why not steer away from the classics or your old favourites to try a Coco Loco, which combines tequila, gin, light rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream, or a Tropical Temper, a fusion of vodka, melon liqueur and orange juice!

4. Learn A New Skill

Going back to school might not be everyone's idea of fun while on holiday, but enrichment takes on new meaning when you're on the high seas. While some people are happy just chilling out by the pool with a good book, for others it's an opportunity to broaden their mind or do something more stimulating, and for those folk there's plenty to choose from. Some cruise line enrichment programs focus on educational topics, from the history of a region you may be cruising through to personal finance, while others offer everything from health workshops to astrology, and even language classes. Other popular options include snap courses on making the best of your holiday photos using a program like Photoshop, cooking and dance classes, and even fencing on Cunard ships. Just think of something you're interested in, and there is likely to be a class on the high seas somewhere.

5. Try Something Adventurous

When it was first introduced on Carnival Spirit, Green Thunder caused quite a stir as the tallest, fastest waterslide at sea, while Royal Caribbean ships are famous for rock climbing walls, allowing you to scale new heights at sea. Other adventurous options to consider on your next cruise include go-karting on Norwegian Bliss, zip lining on Norwegian Breakaway, and a skydiving simulator on Royal Caribbean's Quantum class ships.

6. Join An Enrichment Program

These programs at sea encourage guests to join in the fun and participate in a number of activities, such as wine tasting, bridge, trivia, and the perennially popular martini mixology classes. On some cruises you can go to cooking school and get hands-on with some new culinary skills, at venues such as Oceania Cruises' Culinary Center, run by master chefs; when this was written, Holland America's Culinary Arts Center was another. Many ships on many days will also hold sports tournaments, including ping-pong, shuffleboard, short tennis, basketball on larger ships with a court, mini golf, and more.

7. See A Show

Broadway-style shows are a common offering on cruise ships today, with ship theatres hosting a lineup of artists wowing guests with song, dance and more. Some cruise lines have taken evening entertainment to new levels, however, especially on larger ships with multiple venues on offer. If you're travelling with kids, cruise lines including Disney have many kid-focused offerings, including pirate-themed deck parties complete with an interactive musical show and fireworks. On Cunard, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the Juilliard School have offered more formal performances, and on the Great American Steamboat Company big band fans could enjoy concerts from the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Editor's update: The Great American Steamboat Company became the American Queen Steamboat Company in 2012, and its successor, American Queen Voyages, ceased operating in February 2024. Its paddle steamer American Queen has since been scrapped.

8. Put Yourself Out There

Perhaps the ultimate in participation is not just to be part of a team, or to join in the fun making cocktails in front of your fellow guests, but to be the star of your own show. When this was written, SuperStar Live Karaoke was one way to strut your stuff in front of a live audience on a Carnival cruise, allowing you to grab the mic and channel your inner rock god or pop princess. You didn't just pick the song; you got to perform it backed by a live band, including backup singers! And on some P&O Cruises comedy-themed voyages, guests could attend a workshop to fine-tune their comedy skills, before putting them into action in front of an audience at the Comedy Gong Show.

Editor's update: P&O Cruises Australia was folded into Carnival Cruise Line in March 2025. Comedy-themed short cruises continue from Australia under the Carnival name.

9. Sports

Beyond fitness classes, participation sports tournaments such as ping-pong, and sport-themed cruises, there are many other ways to try your hand at something new on a high seas holiday today. Golf is one. When this was written, a number of ships, including those in the Crystal Cruises fleet, had high-tech simulators that let enthusiasts play virtual rounds at some of the world's best courses, and Crystal's ships still carry a golf professional to help you improve your swing. On a number of Royal Caribbean ships you can learn to surf on a FlowRider, which uses a constant flow of water to generate waves for passengers to surf or enjoy some bodyboarding. On several Norwegian Cruise Line ships you can go tenpin bowling, and on some MSC ships you can try your racing skills in a Formula 1 Grand Prix simulator. When this was written, many Princess cruises also held Wii-Fit competitions, and on Celebrity's Solstice class ships you could play bocce or croquet on a real lawn.

Editor's update: When this was written, the Solstice class ships had a real-grass Lawn Club on the top deck. On Celebrity Solstice, that area has since become Sunset Park, with lawn games, cabanas and concerts.

10. Go Behind the Scenes

A range of "behind the scenes" tours have become popular with a growing number of cruise lines, offering exclusive access to areas of a ship not normally seen by guests. These tours are often limited in numbers and frequency during a cruise, making them quite sought after, and there are plenty to choose from depending on which line you are cruising with. Options include a Behind the Scenes tour on Holland America ships, which takes you backstage at the theatre, to the ship's laundry and the bridge, with a gift pack at the end of it all that included a cookbook when this was written, while Royal Caribbean has an All Access Tour which also includes the galley and the engine control room.

More from UTM: 10 Romantic Things to Do on a Cruise, Cruise Ship Dining 101: Sittings, Specialty Restaurants and Special Diets and 18 Practical Cruise Tips.

Editor's note. This article brings together UTM's original 10 New Things to Try on a Cruise Holiday feature, first published in two parts, into a single piece. Consolidated and fact-checked on 22 September 2026.