Seven Things You Can Do for Free on Cruise Ships
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Cruises Editor
Cruise Ships
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Everyone talks about the great value of a cruise, where almost everything is included. But it’s true that some cruises have surcharges and add-ons so – apart from eating to your heart’s content and seeing the world – what can you do for free on a cruise ship?
Learn to dance
From waltz to salsa and everything in between, most cruise ships offer free dance classes, which are usually taught by the professional dancers in the shows. Cunard is renowned for its ballroom dance classes and an impressive ballroom to match, while Holland America Line has teamed with the US TV show Dancing with the Stars to provide lessons. Three cruise lines – Cunard, Crystal and Holland America – also have “dance hosts”, gentlemen who are employed to twirl ladies around the room.
Dress up for afternoon tea
Nowadays many cruise lines offer this very traditional event, which takes place from around 3pm. It’s a daily event on Cunard, Princess, Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea and P&O UK, while Holland America line offers three different teas, including a Dutch High Tea, during a seven-day sailing. Crystal also has an amazing Mozart-themed tea with servers wearing tights and powdered wigs.
Entertain the kids
Feel no guilt as you hand over the offspring to a kids’ club. They love it. Most ships, bar the very exclusive adults-only variety, have free children’s club catering for kids from three to 17 years, divided into age-specific groups. Teens love their own hang-out space. Babysitting, in either a group environment or in individual cabins, is extra.
Have a drink on the house
While most ships charge for their drinks (and add a hefty 15 per cent tip), the luxury lines have an all-inclusive policy that includes alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and speciality coffees. Some of these also include a minibar stocked with booze. All-inclusive lines include Crystal, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Paul Gaugin Cruises, Ponant and Azamara Club Cruises. And they don’t stint on the pourings! (Top-shelf alcohol is extra).
Learn some arts and crafts
Be it painting, scrapbooking, creative writing, digital photography or even napkin folding, many ships offer free classes. Crystal, Cunard, Royal Caribbean, Oceania, P&O UK Cruises and Holland America are among those offering what the cruise industry calls “enrichment”. The offers vary, so don’t expect everything on the one ship.
Work out at the gym
It’s easy to stay in shape on a cruise; just turn up at the gym and hit the StairMaster, bike or treadmill. Gyms are very sophisticated these days and use of all machines is free; some are open 24 hours. Expect to pay for yoga and Pilates classes. Aquarobics is free, although not all ships offer this.
Watch a first-run movie
Whether on the big open-air screen, in the theatre, a dedicated cinema or in your cabin, all ships offer first-run movies. More and more mainstream lines, such as Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean, are equipped with big outdoor cinemas where cosy blankets and popcorn add to the fun.
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