When it comes to cruise ship holidays, many people are aware of the onboard entertainment available. Often forgotten, though, are the incredible experiences that can be had onshore as you travel to a range exciting and exotic ports of call. Many cruises will allow you to see a number of popular destinations in just one trip – so whether you fancy checking out Barcelona, Cannes and Rome, or perhaps Stockholm, St Petersburg and Amsterdam, a cruise ship holiday will let you enjoy them all.

Entertainment On The Cruise Ship

Cruise ship facilities are extensive and comprehensive, including a wide range of basic and more luxurious additions, such as swimming pools, gyms, spas, shops, restaurants and night clubs. Some ships have onboard cinemas so you can watch recent films while others have specialist facilities, such as running tracks for really active types. Rooms have become increasingly spacious and comfortable, with many cruise lines offering room service if you want to enjoy breakfast or a late night snack in your room.

The crew will often organise a good range of activities to keep guests entertained, such as fun pool contests and games, as well as more cultural pursuits, such as ballroom dancing or cooking classes. If you are travelling with children, most cruise lines offer supervised childcare centres with an array of planned activities and amenities. The children’s area might have its own swimming pool, library, arcade and playroom. They often cater to a wide range of ages, from babies to teens. These centres can help make the cruise experience fun for the entire family, as well as allowing parents to enjoy a break while their kids are occupied.

Excursions At Port

There’s no doubt that you’ll easily be able to fill your days at sea, whether you want to relax or get active, but there’s also the opportunity to spent some time on land as well. Depending upon the specific itinerary of your ship, you might visit cosmopolitan cities in an array of countries such as Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Germany or Spain. Some cruises specialise in certain regions – Baltic and Northern European cruises, for example, which visit Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Finland, Iceland and even Greenland, are becoming increasingly popular. The ship’s staff can help you arrange transportation and tours at the various ports of call, or you can simply venture out on your own and explore the city. When you tire, you can return to your floating hotel for a drink and a snack before heading out again to enjoy more activities.

Shopping is a popular pastime for holidaymakers heading ashore. Since cruises allow you to visit so many different ports, you can shop for many unique types of crafts, jewellery, clothing, shoes and furnishings. On a Mediterranean cruise, you might purchase a Turkish rug from Istanbul, sandals from Greece and leather goods from Spain. Meanwhile, you can pre-book a range of other activities, from watersports to horseback riding along the beach. Depending upon your interests, your holiday can be as active – or relaxing – as you choose. The range of discounts available, including a variety of last minute cruise options, means that there is sure to be a cruise holiday to fit everybody’s budget and interests.