What's it really like?

Cruises vary - a three week South America voyage will be very different from a weekend jaunt to the Caribbean - but there are many similarities. To help introduce you to cruises, let's consider two "typical" days in the Caribbean, one at sea and one in port. (To learn more about how cruises vary, read Choosing Your Cruise.)

Morning: Welcome to Vacation!

You can take it easy in your stateroom, or start your morning with a walk or jog around the deck. Sunrise at sea can be breathtakingly beautiful and early risers are rewarded with a lovely sight. Fitness centers generally open early, and some have morning yoga and exercise classes. A number of breakfast options are available: The main dining room will have a formal breakfast, the casual restaurant will have a more laid-back breakfast buffet with a variety of hot and cold options (and longer hours than the dining room), or you can order complimentary room service (available 24 hours a day).

The night before, your cabin steward delivered the ship's daily newsletter, which lists the activities available for the day. This makes for good breakfast reading, as you decide what (if anything!) you would like to do with your day.

You can leave your purse in the stateroom. On the ship, all you need is your key card. Most things are included in your ticket price, and anything additional (spa, bar drinks, shopping) is put on your onboard account.

Daytime Activities: Plenty of Choices

On a sea day, all the ship's facilities will be open. This includes the spa, pools, fitness center, and amenities that often close when the ship is in port: casino, shopping arcade, and all bars.

On almost all ships, a wide range of organized activities will be available. These may include cooking classes, a kitchen tour, bingo and more. Check the ship's daily newsletter for details; it is delivered to each cabin every night. Activities are virtually nonstop on large ships. Many people, however, prefer to relax by the pool or on deck to enjoy the warm weather and beauty of the sea.

Lunchtime: Hungry?

As at breakfast, you have the option of a formal meal in the main dining room or the more casual buffet (which will usually have a wide range of options including hot entrees, salads, made-to-order deli sandwiches, and fresh pizza). Additionally, there is usually a grill open by the pool, where guests who don't want to change out of their bathing suits can grab a burgers and hot dogs.

During lunch, there is usually a live band on deck playing upbeat music.

Afternoon Activities: Tennis, Trivia, Cocktails

In the afternoon, the ship's facilities remain open and organized activities continue. These include pool games (which can be silly or fun depending on your perspective), wine tasting, trivia competitions, dance classes, and more.

On some ships, afternoon tea - complete with white gloved waiters - is a major event.
At cocktail hour, there is usually live music by the pool, often with special drinks and/or happy hour in one of the lounges.

Dinnertime: An Elegant Evening at Sea

As dinner approaches, it's time to dress for the evening (if you wish to eat in the formal dining room). Most ships have some formal dress nights, and the dress code is generally specified in the ship's daily newsletter, as well as the documents you receive with your tickets. (For more information, see Dress Code or the Savvy Guide to each cruise line.)

Before dinner, some passengers stroll the deck, enjoying a beautiful sunset over the water. Others have a drink in one of the lounges. Professional photographers are also available for those wishing to have portraits taken (especially popular on formal dress nights).

There are several choices for dinner. Most guests opt for the formal dining room, which will feature a three to five-course meal in an elegant setting. Alternatively, guests who do not wish to dress for dinner may go to the casual restaurant for a more laid-back experience. Many ships will also feature one or more specialty restaurants, which will generally offer a more intimate dining experience for an additional charge. And of course, room service is available 24/7.

Evening Entertainment

A variety of entertainment options beckon for the evening. After dinner, most guests go to the main show lounge for nightly live performances. This ranges from extravagantly costumed Broadway musical compilations to guest comedians and musicians.
Alternatively (or following the show), nightlife-oriented guests head for the casino, or lounges which usually include a cigar bar and several venues with music. Larger ships will have a wide range of music and dancing which may include an elegant piano bar, a rock and roll cover band, and a DJ spinning the latest beats.
Even for those who are not usually night owls, the convenience of a cruise ship makes it easy to stay out: no driving, no parking, no nightclub cover charges, and you can wear fabulous high heels and never have to worry about a long walk.

Overnight

Usually, cruise ships sail through the night and arrive at the port early in the morning. Sleep well in your stateroom; most ships today have excellent bedding and black-out curtains that can help you catch up on rest.

Morning in Port

If you have risen in time to enjoy the early morning, you can watch your ship dock. It's interesting and fun. After breakfast, the captain announces when the ship has been cleared by local officials and that passengers may disembark at their leisure.

Day in Port

Ships usually stay in port five to eight hours, long enough to get a taste of an island or city. (In more exotic locations ships may stay overnight, though this is rare in the Caribbean.) Before you leave the ship, be sure you know when to be back at the ship and make sure you have your cruise identification, which you will need to reboard the ship. You should also bring a photo ID and any cash or credit cards you want to use ashore.

Once ashore, some people explore on foot on their own, shopping and perhaps trying a local restaurant. Others hire a cab for a driving tour. Most take shore excursions, organized tours purchased either through the cruise line or independently.

Shore excursions take many forms. Some are passive (bus tour), but others are active (snorkeling, sailing, hiking, biking or fishing). Excursions can be purchased onboard, or in advance from the cruise line's website. Some guests also seek out shore excursions run by companies other than the cruise line, though this has risks. (See independent vs. cruise line shore excursions for more details.)

Of course, you don't have to leave the ship. Many guests, particularly repeat cruisers, stay aboard. The ship will be relatively quiet, as most guests are ashore, but almost all facilities will be available. In general, only the shops and casino are required to close. If you are not interested in the port, it's a great day to get a spa appointment or a prime spot by the pool. Restaurants and at least some bars are open.

Departure & Sail-Away

Get back to the ship about an hour before sailing. Do not be late - the ship will not wait for you. Just before departure, go to the upper decks to watch the crew prepare for departure. Leaving port is always interesting, and a ship's higher decks offer a great viewing platform. Once at sea, the ship settles into its normal nighttime routine, and so do you.