Extended Time at Sea

What do you do if you’re on a ship for more than one or two days in a row? How about seven or more?

Here is what I’d do each day if I had seven or more days at sea.

7AM wake up - I don’t use an alarm on vacation or otherwise, unless I have somewhere to be really, really early! I’m normally awake by 5:30 or so, but for some reason, the gentle movement on ships keeps me sleeping a little longer.

7:30AM coffee/tea- My favorite way to wake up on a cruise ship is by taking my morning coffee or tea (I love chai lattes on cruises!) while watching the ship sail through the waves. It’s especially nice to walk around the outside of the ship once I’m done with my drink. The breeze is always welcome in the morning.

8:30AM Breakfast- Depending on the day or the cruise line, I may get breakfast from a full restaurant or from a faster style cafe or buffet.

9:30AM Entertainment- One of my preferred activities on ships is the games that are offered. I love things like puzzles, cards, shuffleboard, board games, and trivia. Cruise ships offer many of these in a semi-organized style, often competing for prizes.

10:30-12:30 Leisure Options- Crafts, learning presentations, exercise, spa treatments, reading, meeting people, or napping. The cruise ships have so many things planned, or you can do absolutely nothing!

12:30 Lunch- My favorite lunch is a giant salad and then a fun dessert or ice cream, because why not?!

1:30 More leisure options or maybe the pool?

5:00PM Cocktail or Mocktails- Cruise ships do both of these very, very well. I’m not a big drinker, but it is fun to try new things. Some of the mocktails have been really good too!

6:30PM Dinner- The variety of dinner choices on cruise ships is refreshing. I love finding things that I can eat safely (food allergies) and every cruise I’ve been on has offered great food.

8:00PM Entertainment- Large ships and small ships all schedule some incredible entertainment. My favorite was a show that was a cross between a dance show, acrobatics, and circus events all in one. The crowd was literally holding their collective breath!

9:30PM Ice Cream- Why not?

Extras- There are more later night entertainment choices or you can just go to sleep and dream about tomorrow’s options!