Competition between cruise lines to have the most exciting and innovative new features is strong, meaning that many cruise ships have amazing amenities that you wouldn’t expect to find floating around the high seas. Learning to ice skate, visiting an ice bar and sky diving in the middle of the ocean are all things you can do on a cruise ship – and they’re not even the weirdest things! Read on to discover some of the coolest and most unexpected things you can do whilst sailing around the world on a cruise ship.
Sky Diving
If you’ve ever dreamed of sky diving, but not quite managed to work up the courage to jump out of a plane, Royal Caribbean’s RipCord by iFly sky diving simulator is just the thing for you. A 23-foot-high glass wind tunnel that propels you high above the ocean, the RipCord gives you all the gravity-defying exhilaration of sky diving.
Croquet Lawn
Every fancied playing croquet in the sun as you floated to your next destination on the rolling ocean? Well no, us neither, but now we know we can, we want to try it! Celebrity Cruise Line Solstice Class ships feature live greens on their uppermost decks, perfect for genteel lawn games or simply relaxing with a picnic.
Surf Lessons
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships give you all the fun of the waves, without you even having to dip your toes in the ocean. Instead, learn to surf on their amazing FlowRider surf simulator with one of their qualified instructors. If surfing seems a bit adventurous for you, you can also body board through the gushing torrent of water for an exhilarating thrill that requires less balance.
Robot Bartenders
If you think being served by robots is the future, then the future is now on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships. At their one-of-a-kind Bionic Bar, robot bartenders mix and serve your cocktails while you wait. Just order your favourite alcoholic concoction from the tablet at the bar and watch the mechanical arms assemble your drink to your exact specifications.
Dodgems
Another amazing Royal Caribbean Quantum Class addition is the on-board dodgems, the first ever dodgems at sea. Housed in the SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space of any cruise ship, you can whirl your way around the track alone or with a friend. Challenge your friends to a race and bump them off the road if it’s not going your way!
Bowling Alley
Norwegian Cruise Line features a bowling alley in its stylish Bliss Ultra Lounge, perfect for enjoying some bonding time as a family or for wooing a loved one on a retro date. Children are welcome during the day, but on an evening the lanes are adults only, perfect for sharing a few cocktails with friends and trying your hand at sinking a few pins.
Travelling Bar
If you feel like the bar is moving on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas, it might not be that you’ve had one too many cocktails. The Rising Tide Bars carry you up and down through the ships’ atriums as you sip expertly-crafted drinks. A roundtrip on this exciting innovation takes half an hour, so you have plenty of time to enjoy both your drink and the views of the ship.
Ice Rink
Gliding over the ice whilst you’re gliding over the seas might seem impossible, but Royal Caribbean have made it so you can do both at once with their on-board ice rinks. Perfect for everyone from beginners to expert skaters, you can even take classes to brush up your skills or watch an amazing show performed by professional skaters.
Zip Wire
Perfect for the adrenaline junkies among you, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas both feature a pulse-quickening zip wire that lets you zoom above the Boardwalk. Enjoy the amazing views all around you as you zip through the air 82 feet up on the 9th deck. Not one for the faint hearted!
Planetarium
Relaxing under the stars is one of the main draws of sea travel, but what about those inevitable cloudy nights? On Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 there is no need to worry, because it is the only ship with a planetarium. Sit back and wonder at the amazing universe with several shows such as Cosmic Collisions and Stars Over the Atlantic running each day.
Ice Bar
There’s no better way to cool down on a hot, sticky night than in Norwegian Cruise Line’s amazing on-board ice bars. With everything from the furnishings to the glasses made from acres of glittering ice, it’s the only place on the ship where you’ll be glad of the coats and gloves provided on your way in.
Art Gallery
If you’re an art lover, a cruise on one of Holland America Line’s ships is just the thing for you, as they all have an on-board art gallery. You can peruse an extensive gallery of paintings, drawings, and even sports memorabilia during your cruise. If you see something you like you might even be able to take it home, with exciting live auctions taking place during the journey.
Formula One Racing
MSC have upped the game for all the adrenaline junkies, with the chance to drive a Formula One car on their cruise ships. The state of the art simulator reproduces the driving conditions of one of the fastest cars in the world, handling just like the real thing as you guide it along the virtual speedway.
Peddle Powered SkyRide
Like a bike ride with the most spectacular views you can imagine, SkyRide lets you peddle around the ship high above the deck. Two lanes mean you can race a loved one around the track, or simply lean back and enjoy the panoramic ocean views as you peddle around the ships of the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet at a leisurely pace.
4D Cinema
If you thought experiencing the world in 3D was enough, think again. With MSC’s 4D cinema you not only get 3D visual effects, you can also feel the spray of the ocean and the humming of the car engine as you sit in your seat. Bring the whole family and experience a range of film as though you were right there in real life.
If you want to try out some of these weird and wonderful activities, why not book a cruise on one of these ships today with Cruise1st UK’s amazing deals? Browse the full range of itineraries online or call our sales team on 0808 2746 777.
