When I first started cruising in my early 20s, I thought of sea days as something to endure until the next day in port. Now that I’m a more experienced cruiser, I’ve come to love the slow rhythm of days at sea. There’s a simple luxury in having an entire day to spend however you wish.
Sea days can be a wonderful time, but there are some things to keep in mind if you want to make the most of them. Here are some mistakes to avoid on sea days.
Use Sea Days to Recharge
Cruises offer the chance to see many destinations in one trip, but they can be busy. My husband and I are often off the ship early on port days, and we spend as much time on shore as we can.
We use sea days to rest and recharge. For us, that means taking things at a slower pace. We may sleep in a little and then try the late riser’s breakfast. We spend time reading in a quiet corner of the ship, and I walk laps around the ship, one of my favorite ways to work off those yummy onboard meals.
Going non-stop can cause burnout, even on a fun experience like a cruise. Whatever relaxation means to you, sea days offer the chance to recharge for the next busy days in port.
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Plan and Book Ahead
One way to relax is to book a massage, facial, or other treatment at the ship’s spa. Sea days are the perfect time to do that, but you’ll need to book ahead. Sea day appointments fill up quickly. Many cruise lines will let you book spa treatments ahead of the cruise. Otherwise, you can head straight to the spa when you first arrive on board and book your treatment.
Explore Unique Onboard Experiences
Most cruise lines offer a wide variety of fun activities during sea days, but many passengers make the mistake of not checking the daily schedule. The daily schedule, delivered to your cabin each evening or available through the ship’s app, is your roadmap to onboard fun.
A typical sea day might offer everything from poolside trivia at 2 p.m. to a cooking demonstration at 4 p.m., followed by an entertaining show in the ship’s theater. That writing workshop, wine tasting seminar, or dance lesson could become the highlight of your cruise.
Some activities require a booking. Make your bookings for activities as soon as they open, either before the cruise or as soon as you get on board.
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Don’t Overpack Your Schedule
Though it can be tempting to try to fit in a long list of activities, attempting to do everything can leave you exhausted. Instead, pick two or three activities that genuinely interest you and allow plenty of time to simply enjoy the ocean views.
Avoid Aggressive Seat Saving
Onboard pools are very popular on sea days. It’s natural to want to get prime seating. Be aware that many cruise lines have policies about extended seat saving. Draping towels over chairs for hours while you’re in the pool or somewhere else is inconsiderate to other passengers. Instead, plan to arrive early if you’d like to get a deck chair, or go late in the afternoon when others are leaving for activities.
Avoid Dining Disappointments
Sea days offer the perfect chance to enjoy a long, leisurely dinner at a specialty restaurant, but popular venues fill quickly, especially on sea days when everyone is onboard. Many cruisers make the mistake of not understanding the ship’s dining options or making reservations for specialty restaurants too late. Research dining options before your cruise and make reservations as early as possible.
Strategize Your Gym Visits
My husband likes to work out and uses the gym on every ship. During sea days, everyone else has the same idea, and the gym can be crowded. His strategy is to either go to the gym very early on sea days or late in the afternoon, when people are readying for dinner. Sometimes, he skips the gym entirely on sea days. Instead, he’ll take the stairs all day, which provides a workout of its own.
Savor Your Sea Day
No matter what you do on sea days, the day is yours to enjoy on your own terms. Whether that means curling up with a good book, relaxing at the spa, or watching a fun onboard game show, it’s your time to savor the moment exactly as you wish.
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