Types of Entertainment Found on Cruise Ships – Daily Activities Free & Paid

Types of Entertainment Found on Cruise Ships – Daily Activities Free and Paid — Image courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruising vacations are like no other, because not only are you sailing the beautiful blue oceans, but you’ll enjoy visiting multiple places and even countries in one trip. As you can imagine we love cruising and have enjoyed seeing lots of incredible places from the Norwegian Fjords to Caribbean Islands and the Amalfi Coast.

For many cruising fans the important aspect of their trip revolves around the ports they are visiting. But there’s another element which is equally important and that’s the ship itself, or more specifically the entertainment found on the ship. What cruise line you sail with and which ship, will determine what entertainment you can find onboard.

If you’re new to cruising life, then you may be wondering what types of entertainment you can find on a cruise ship. Although there are common options found on many, if not all ships, some cruise lines have gone overboard (excuse the pun) when it comes to their entertainment offerings.

So, within this guide we’ll dive into the types of entertainment found on cruise ships, so you will know what activities you may enjoy during your travels.

How Do I Know What Entertainment is Offered on My Cruise?

If you’ve already booked a specific cruise line and ship, then there are a number of ways you can see what entertainment is offered. Firstly, you can check out fellow traveller’s reviews of the ship, because they should give you a summarised idea of what is available. You can also check out the cruise lines website, they tend to have information about each ship and what’s available.

But the best way to know what you will expect each day is when you’re on the cruise, via the onboard daily schedule or cruise ship app. On most cruise lines you will receive a daily paper schedule, which will be delivered to your cabin the prior evening (with exception of embarkation day). This will provide a raft of detail including the port you may be visiting, the dress code for your evening meal, discounts or promotions, any time changes, emergency information and most importantly a detailed list of entertainment and activities. The entertainment tends to be listed by time, and it will explain where it is on the ship and if it has an added cost. Most activities are free on your cruise, but there is the odd thing which has an added cost.

How Do I Know What Entertainment is Offered on My Cruise — Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Because of the impact of Covid in 2020, many cruise lines stopped paper schedules to comply with regulations and instead offered their services via apps on your mobile phone. But as life went back to normal most ships reinstated the paper-based schedules, as well as keeping the apps. We will admit that we’re big fans of apps, especially if you can use them as planners such as Carnival Cruise Lines option. On their mobile app you can tick the things you may want to do, and it sends a reminder that the event is coming up. Most apps are easy to upload and register, you normally just provide your name and folio number. You can access the apps at sea by using the ships wi-fi, but you need to make sure that your phone is in airplane mode.

If you’re cruising with children and they are registered with the onboard kid’s club, then you’ll receive a daily activities schedule specifically for them.

What Entertainment or Activities Do Cruise Ships Offer?

What entertainment you can expect will depend on the ship, because the bigger vessels offer some incredible options you’d never imagine. We’ll go through as much as we can with you, from the basics to the thrill-seeking options. Hopefully by the end of this guide you’ll have a good idea of what you can expect and understand why cruising is such a wonderful vacation idea.

Theatre Shows

Most cruise lines have purpose-built theatres on their ships, with many offering high quality shows as part of their entertainment. The entertainment team tend to put on two shows most nights to accommodate the guest dining times. The theme will vary each night and wow have we seen some incredible shows during the many cruises we have taken. Our trip on the Norwegian Jade with NCL really stood out for us, from their insanely talented performers and hilarious comedians, to thrilling acrobatics. But you’ll find each cruise line has something that you will enjoy. It’s hard to be specific about the shows because we’ve seen all sorts, but some of the bigger cruise lines have Broadway shows, which is amazing when you think how much tickets would normally cost.

On some ships you can simply turn up to the theatre and take a seat, whilst others are so popular that you need to pre-book on their cruise apps. The apps tend to be straightforward and by prebooking, it means that you know you definitely have a seat if you turn up.

Live Performers and Entertainers

This section covers every other kind of performance you will see onboard. All over the ship there are live performers including singers, musicians, magicians, Jugglers, comedians and tribute acts. Many can be found in the atrium, or bars and lounges throughout the ship with cruise lines such as P&O having house bands on each of their vessels. Others may have special sections for their performers, an example being Carnival Cruise Lines who tend to have a specific comedy club. Many of the bands or singers have themed nights such as 80’s and 90’s, Rock n Roll or Guilty Pleasure Tunes. We have seen plenty of live performers during the many cruises we have been on, and they can vary in talent. Some of the best tribute acts we have ever seen have been on P&O cruises such as Lady Gaga, Pink and Ed Sheeran. The one thing we know for sure is that you’ll find entertainment all over your cruise ship. We have been sat in the atrium bar having a drink and suddenly acrobats appeared and performed shows beside us, so the likelihood of you being bored is low. We love it when the entertainment links into the countries we are visiting, for example Spanish Flamenco Dancers and Irish Step Dancing.

For many cruisers, the live acts are the most popular entertainment options on the ship. You don’t have to prebook, and you’ll find many of the performers will appear night after night, meaning you build a rapport. We went nightly to the Piano Bar on the Carnival Pride to see a performer called Tatsu. Her humour and sheer talent are one of the greatest memories we have of our time cruising on that ship. But we would recommend checking out the guest performers, because normally there’s a good reason they have been hired.

Onboard Movies

Although cruises are the ideal places to party hard and enjoy incredible entertainment, you can also take some time to chill and catch up with the latest blockbusters. Most cruise ships offer a myriad of movies on your cabin TV, but if you’re looking for something extra special then why not head to the onboard theatre. There tends to be two ways outside of your cabin that you can watch a movie, and this will depend upon the ship you’re on. The first is called movie under the stars, where you’ll head to the lido deck and grab a sun lounger and towel to keep you warm as you watch the big screen. The second is becoming more popular on the newer ships and that is in an onboard movie theatre. Alike the movie theatres on land, you have multiple screens showing different films, simply grab a seat and enjoy. There may be popcorn sold onboard, or if you’re lucky some cruise ships give it away for free. We loved the theatre on P&O Iona because they had a screen outside which showed if there were any seats available, without you having to open the door and walk in.

If we’re completely honest we’ve never been a big fan of movie under the stars, because it can get quite cold and windy at night as the ship is sailing. We much prefer the theatre option and have watched a few movies on our cruises, but if you’re looking to truly relax then why not head to your cabin.

Casino

Pretty much every cruise ship has a designated casino area, with some being bigger than others. Gambling is an incredibly popular form of entertainment when cruising, but we will add that you should be careful. We have known people who have overextended themselves and bet more than they had intended to. Taking that into consideration you will find that many cruise lines promote the various casino games on their ships, even offering regular gamblers extras if they sail and play.

So, what games will you find on a cruise ship? Pretty much everything you would expect to see in a land-based casino. Whether it’s slot machines, blackjack, roulette, poker, bingo (which tends to be in the theatres) or even scratch cards.

The casino is only open when the ship is at sea, so you’ll find that it is busier on sea days and more so in the evenings. But the atmosphere can only be described as electric, as you see other guests excited at the anticipation of the win and then hopefully the joy when it’s fulfilled.

Although we’re not big gamblers, we will throw a bit of credit onto our account and spin the reels. Slot machines are the easiest option if you have no idea what you’re doing, but if playing table casino is on your bucket list then don’t be afraid because the croupier can help, if the tables not too busy. Sometimes there are beginner’s classes held in the casino, so remember to take a look through your entertainment app or sheet.

Try the Gym or Fitness Centre

For some people the thought of exercise and going to the gym when you’re on holiday, is the last thing on your mind. But if you’re anything like us, then you love to hit the gym or try out some exercise classes. Most cruise ship gyms are pretty big and well equipped with a variety of strength machines, weights and cardio options such as treadmills and cycling machines. But many cruise ships offer additional classes such as Pilates and yoga, the only problem is they tend to be first thing in the morning when we’re not even awake. To use the gym facilities there is no additional cost, but most of the time the classes will have a charge added to your account. You can also book with a personal trainer which again will come at an additional cost.

If you’re not a gym fan then there are other exercise options on most ships, including basketball courts and running or walking tracks.

Pampered at the Spa

For most of us going on holiday we are looking at relaxing and unwinding from daily life. If cruising isn’t quite cutting it, then why not delve into the array of pamper options at the ship’s onboard spa and wellness centre. We will admit that we have not used any spas during our many cruises, mainly because of the cost. They seem to be more expensive than what we would pay for a spa at home. But we know that sometimes we’re worth the cost, so if you’re ready to enjoy your downtime then check out the many treatments such as massages, facials, acupuncture, body wraps and even things like Botox and teeth whitening. Near to the spa you will find a salon on many ships where you can treat yourself to a manicure, pedicure, waxing and even have your hair styled or cut. This all comes at a price, but you should find the pricing list on your app or in the cabin.

Alike land-based spas, the best part of your time in there is the relaxing vibe you get from the music and scents which waft around, to the actual treatment itself. Some ships have indoor pools in the spa area with hydrotherapy and infinity whirlpools, which can only be accessed by guests who have purchased spa treatments or in some cases day passes.

When you board on embarkation day you’ll find there are spa specials available, but also regular offers through the holiday. Most of them will be on port days because most cruisers are on shore and the spa will be empty. You will also see taster sessions on the entertainment sheet, which we have attended in the past. Things such as acupuncture and massage taster sessions are all free, but as you can imagine there will be a sales pitch at the end.

We know of friends who have treated themselves when they cruise and enjoyed the facilities. The prices tend to be similar to high end spas, which is a little more than we’re willing to pay.

Onboard Shopping

When we think about booking a cruise, the onboard shops aren’t the first things that we think about. But duty-free shopping on a cruise is the perfect way to add excitement to your sea day. We mention sea day because alike the casino, all shops are closed when you are in the port. Of course, you’re so busy heading off the ship, that you probably won’t even notice they’re closed.

We’ve been on a few cruise ships and with a variety of cruise lines, and we generally find that the shopping options are the same. It’s the number of shops which will vary and as you can imagine this will be dependent on the size of the ship.

On most cruise ships you will find a jewellery shop which will include the usual necklaces, rings, earrings but also a vast range of branded watches. Although there are diamonds galore, you’ll also find cheaper brands available, until you win big in the casino. There will be an essentials shop with bits and bobs you may have forgotten such as toothpaste and deodorant. As you would normally expect with duty free shopping there is perfume, makeup, alcohol and cigarettes for sale, very akin to what you would find in an airport. Most ships have a sweet shop to keep the kiddies happy, or adults with a sweet tooth.

You should find a selection of clothing and handbags with many big-name brands being available. In fact, some cruise ships have preowned bags from the top designers such as Gucci or Louis Vuitton.

If all of this isn’t enough and you’re looking for something to remind you of your wonderful trip, then most ships have branded items such as t-shirts and mugs with either the ships name or the cruise line. They are the perfect souvenir and a wonderful reminder of your time onboard.

Some ships such as Carnival Cruise Line have pop up stalls, which sell discounted items such as watches and handbags. These are great for gifts, as they tend to be cheaper than the items in the shops.

We like to pop in a few times before we decide on a purchase, especially if it’s expensive. You will find discounts on various items throughout the cruise, especially on gemstones such as diamonds and rubies. The shops tend to run special promotions or raffles and offer a glass of prosecco to anyone who attends. We’ve won free jewellery in the past such as charms for bracelets and earrings.

Nightclubs

As you can imagine there are plenty of bars located all over the ship, but what you may be surprised to know is that many of them have specific nightclubs. These are closed off rooms which only open late in the evening, but you can dance the night away until the early hours with incredible music played by the onboard DJ. We have seen nightclubs which cover two decks and have light up floors. They are ideal if you’re a night owl and you want to continue partying long after everyone else has gone to bed.

Quizzes and Trivia

One of our favourite things to do when we cruise, is to take part in any quizzes or trivia games on the ship. We proudly have a ‘Ship on a Stick’ which is the prize given on Carnival Cruises, because we answered 20 out of 20 questions right on the Golden Girls quiz. Yes, we’re incredibly proud and no we’ve never been able to win another trophy again, but surely the point is simply taking part.

How the quizzes are done can vary from ship to ship, but they generally take place in one of the bars or a quieter section. One of the entertainment team will be the quiz master and you will be provided with quiz sheets and pencils. The theme of the quizzes will vary, again depending on the cruise line, but we’ve seen general trivia, geography, specific TV shows and music genres.

We would suggest heading down sooner to grab a seat for any quizzes, because they are some of the most popular things to do on the ship.

cruise ship karaoke — Image courtesy of Royal Caribbean

Gameshows

You tend to find that these are more prominent on the bigger cruise ships and are held in the theatre. We saw Ben Shephard on P&O Iona, talking about the latest interactive game show on the ship called Wavelength. But other shows are Deal or No Deal, Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right, Love and Marriage or Mr and Mrs. This kind of entertainment is ideal for a laugh, whether you want to sit back and enjoy or get involved.

Karaoke

This is another hugely popular form of entertainment on cruise ships, and the best part is it tends to be enjoyed by all age ranges. Because of that it’s the perfect way to meet other cruisers and make friends. You’ll find that karaoke is on most days, but on our last cruise it was at an awkward time just before the evening meal, so we didn’t bother going.

Dance Classes

If you’ve ever considered taking up dance classes but you don’t have the time or money, then why not try it on your cruise vacation? Alike some of the other entertainment options, the type of dancing classes available will depend upon the cruise line. Many of the American lines such as Carnival offer line dancing and salsa, whereas more European options such as P&O have ballroom dancing. If you’re a little shy you can always go and watch, then maybe try another time. Most cruises itineraries offer dance classes a number of times, so if you miss one, you’ll have the chance to try another.

Silent Disco

This one is becoming more and more popular, and it is a personal favourite of ours having been to a few silent discos on P&O cruises. If you’re not sure what this is then head to our guide on ‘What is a Silent Disco and Why are They So Popular?’ which explains it all. But basically, you are given headphone to listen to music played by a DJ. This means the room is silent but if you have headphones, you can have a dance and sing along. Most of the time there are two DJ’s, meaning you can switch channels and songs. What we love about silent discos is watching people dancing differently based on the channel they are listening to. But it’s pretty funny when the guests are singing out loud, especially when it’s two differing songs at the same time.

Pool Parties

Most cruise ships will have a number of pools depending on their size. There is normally a central pool on the lido deck where all the fun tends to converge, which can be anything from playing quizzes and games, to watching movies under the stars. But for many the best entertainment around the pool are the parties held there, from a sail away celebration to themed discos as you head to your next destination. Many cruises hold white parties where guests can dance the night away under the stars in their best white finery. We’ve been to many sail away parties and there’s a special feeling as you watch this gigantic ship set sail and your holiday begins. The excitement onboard is palpable, and everyone is ready to party and start the first night of their cruise. Depending on where the ship sails from and the time it sets off, you may find that the pools are still open. But the general pool party revolves around lots of incredible music and everyone dancing away, cocktail in hand.

The sail away isn’t the only time you can get down and groove on the lido or pool deck during your cruise. This is a popular spot for nighttime discos, especially if the ship doesn’t have a specific night club. So, remember to pack your partying clothes and take a mid-day nap so you’re energised to dance the night away, because what better memories can you make than raving on a cruise ship?

Slides and Waterparks

As with most of the other forms of entertainment on cruise ships, the types of slides and waterparks that can be found will depend upon the size of the ship. On the larger more modern ships there are full on waterparks, whereas some of the smaller older vessels simply have one or two slides.

These areas are really popular with both adults and kids alike, especially because riding them is completely free. Although some charges can be added to rides and unusual experiences on cruise ships, we have yet to see them on water slides. We’ll admit we’re more rollercoaster fans than water slides, but we have done them on cruise ships when they’re available. The Green Thunder Thrill Slide on the Carnival Pride is a memorable one, because you stand on what can only be described as a trap door. This leads to a 34-foot drop which then swooshes around the side of the ship. Anxiety inducing ‘yes’, but it also offers the most insane adrenaline rush.

If you come across a ship without a slide such as P&O Britannia, then there are normally splash zone areas instead.

Lectures

Although we’ve heard of this before, we haven’t seen any lectures ourselves. They tend to be in the main theatre and the topics could be absolutely anything; from a destination focused theme such as the history or culture of a region you are visiting. You could also find port lectures, so you have better knowledge of the places you are visiting or even special interest experts in travel, nature etc. We’ve heard of astronauts being the guest lecturer and passengers being able to meet them after the presentation.

If for some reason you can’t make it to the theatre, then many cruise ships will replay the lectures on the cabin TV’s so you can relax in bed and watch them.

Educational Activities

One of the best parts of a cruise which many newbies aren’t aware of, is the number of educational activities that many cruise lines offer. This is one of our favourite bits of cruising and we love to throw ourselves into new things, whether it’s ballroom dancing, towel folding into animals, art classes or language tutorials.

On all cruise ships you will receive a daily entertainment guide which is packed with things to do, especially on sea days. The entertainment team is there for a reason and that’s to keep us happy. So, our first tip is to spend time perusing the daily guide or app and see what kind of activities you fancy trying. Make sure you step out of your comfort zone, because they tend to be the things you remember fondly. Some activities may come with an additional cost such as cooking classes or art workshops, but the entertainment guide will provide that information.

As we’ve already said, you’re on holiday so why not give new things a whirl and see what you enjoy.

Arcades

Most ships will have an arcade area on board with a raft of games, including classics like Space Invaders and Pac-Man, modern options such as racing and dance games, or table games for example air hockey. You’ll also find claw machines with the usual prizes such as teddy bears.

Whenever we have decided to try the onboard games, we have used our cabin card to swipe and then play. Some cruise lines have an option to pre purchase arcade credit through your app, but you can find out more by heading to the arcade zone and seeing what they say.

Onboard arcades tend to be really popular with kids, but we’ve seen adults enjoy a game or two. If that’s your thing then why not head inside and see what they have on offer.

Kids Clubs

Kids entertainment on cruise ships is on another level, and once the child is signed up, they can enjoy age-appropriate activities all day, every day. Most cruise ships have designated kid zones, and many have specific splash zones and pools, so they can be as noisy as they like. All kid zones are fully staffed, and activities could be anything from discos, treasure hunts, crafts, movie nights or game stations.

Unusual Forms of Entertainment on Cruise Ships

We’ve gone through the popular ones, but cruise ships are constantly evolving and introducing new things to keep us entertained. They tend to be on the gigantic ships which are like floating cities, so we thought we’d mention a few here so you have a complete list. Again, this will depend on the ship and cruise line, but even the lower budget ones are feeling the heat of the competition and offering more. Here are the more popular options.

Ice Rink / Ice Skating – some of the larger ships such as Royal Caribbean, will also have ice skating shows on their rinks.
Roller Skating.
LED Light Shows – We loved the nightly shows on P&O Iona under their glass dome.
Zip Lines.
FlowRider Surf Simulator.
Go-Kart Track.
Laser Quest.
Rope Course.

Summary of the Types of Entertainment Found on Cruise Ships

We’re always amused when our friends who have never cruised, ask us why we love it so much. One of the best things about the cruising life is the endless entertainment on offer. The fact that most of it is completely free makes it even better, so we always recommend to first time cruisers that you should just throw yourself into everything and see what you enjoy. Most itineraries have a couple of sea days as a minimum, so you have plenty of time to try a little of everything on your first cruise. We say first cruise because we know how addictive it is and we’re pretty sure you’ll want to do more.

We have covered a wide range of activities, but there are lots we probably still haven’t mentioned such as wine tasting, singing lessons and cupcake decorating. If your cruise line has an app then you can normally see the entertainment in advance which should help you plan everything out.

If you’re a night owl then definitely head to the shows because from our experience, they are outstanding. But we love it when there are comedians or magicians onboard for something a little different. Let’s just say you won’t be bored during your trip, and you’ll have incredible memories to take home with you.

Because cruising is such a big bucket list option, we want to bring you as much information as we can to make your experience an enjoyable one. We have written many guides on cruising including.

Make sure you tag us on Instagram if you end up taking a cruise vacation. We love to see what you’re up to as you tick off your bucket lists; Enjoy!