Our Top 10 Things to Do When It Rains on a Cruise

Most people go on a cruise to enjoy the warm weather and fresh ocean breeze. So, what happens when your cruise is dampened (literally) by a rainstorm or two? Even if the sun is not shining, there are still plenty of alternative activities to enjoy. As seasoned cruisers, we have come to expect the unexpected and always have a Plan B. Here is our list of the top 10 things to do when it rains on a cruise.

Top 10 Things to Do When It Rains on a Cruise

1. Explore the ship

When the weather is not conducive to being outside, this is a great time to explore the ship. You can check out some venues that you have yet to discover. Most kids’ programs have scavenger hunts across the ship, but you could always create your own. Many cruise lines also offer organized tours of areas like the galley (read: kitchen), a bridge tour, or a behind the scenes tour of the ship’s operations. Keep in mind that these tours are often an extra cost and space is limited, though, so sign up early if you are interested.

2. Play a game

Many ships feature a card room or library with things like checkers, chess, board games, and puzzles. We usually pack some travel games of our own too. These are great to play even when the weather outside is nice and you just need a break from the sun. Among our favorites is the dice game Quixx. Left, Center, Right is also a good way to spend a rainy afternoon. You might want to grab a few new friends to make the games more enjoyable, but that shouldn’t be too difficult on a cruise ship — especially if you have the party games.

3. Watch a movie

Watching a movie when it rains is a great pastime on land, so why not also catch a flick while at sea? Most cruise lines will play movies in indoor areas, like the main theater or atrium, when it rains. Many also offer outdoor movie screens that play rain or shine. If you can find a covered spot, you might be able to still enjoy some time outside. If nothing else, your in-room television will also have movies, sometimes for an up-charge. Before you begin the main feature, head to the buffet or café for some munchies.

4. Test your knowledge

The entertainment staff generally have a few sessions of onboard trivia scheduled each day. Once the clouds roll in, odds are they will add a few more sessions to the schedule. Topics might include general trivia, music, sports, or other specific subjects. Look at the day’s schedule for game shows too, such as “Deal or No Deal,” “Family Feud,” or various guessing games that often take place in the atrium or a lounge. These games are fun to play but sometimes even better to watch, and provide a great way to pass some time on a rainy afternoon.

5. Try your luck

If you are out at sea and the weather turns sour, you can make your way to the onboard casino. While you might ordinarily spend your sea days out in the sun, the casinos are open and ready to take your money. The cruise ship regularly hosts casino events and tournaments throughout the day. The ship might also add a game or two of bingo to help cruisers continue to enjoy themselves even if the weather is not cooperating. While these events are extra costs, there is a potential that you could hit it big or maybe win a free cruise?!

6. Learn some new moves

Instead of looking at a rainy day at sea as a negative thing, look on the bright side! Now, you can finally learn the cha-cha or all the steps to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The entertainment staff on the ship hosts a number of different classes during the trip. Along with dance classes, you could also partake in some informational talks or seminars on topics like photography or maritime history. If you are looking for something more hands-on, you might find some cooking classes or mixology demonstrations. Wine pairings and martini classes are also offered by many cruise lines. Again, these usually cost a small fee, but the fun, camaraderie, and new mixology skills can be well worth the cost.

7. Catch up on reading or social media

Since it’s raining, you can finally finish that book you brought but haven’t even taken out of your suitcase yet. If you don’t have any reading material, you can always head to the onboard library. Most of these work on the honor system, meaning it is up to you to return anything that you check out during the trip. Many cruisers also travel with a smartphone and maybe even a tablet device, so even if your plans were to stay “disconnected” during the cruise, you can opt for one day of internet to catch up on social media and emails while at sea. Now is the perfect time to hop onto the web to see what’s happening back on land.

8. Hit the gym

Why not head to the onboard fitness center to burn some extra calories when it rains on a cruise? Yes, it will probably be crowded if you go at peak times, but you can certainly find a time during the day to hop on some cardio equipment or lift some weights. If the weather outside is tolerable, you could always go for a walk on the covered lower decks. You might also want to check out your ship’s daily schedule to see if there are any fitness classes being offered that interest you, such as yoga, boot camp, or spin. Depending on the cruise line, some of these classes may be free. After all of the eating you’ve probably done (and will do!) on the cruise, a little workout couldn’t hurt.

9. Pamper yourself

Now that you have some free time, you can finally get that massage you were contemplating earlier in the trip. Your ship is bound to have an onboard spa and beauty salon that will offer an array of different treatments and services. Or perhaps, you could spend the day relaxing in the spa’s thermal suite or therapy pools. A little bit of “you” time can be well worth the additional costs. Even if you don’t want to spend the extra money, your ship may have an indoor pool deck or solarium where you can relax in the pool or whirlpools while waiting out the rainy weather.

10. Challenge the family

Your cruise ship is sure to have some indoor amusements that the whole family can enjoy. Many family-friendly ships have arcades featuring popular games like pinball, Skee-Ball, and air hockey. You might also be able to find a protected outdoor area for a ping-pong match. Many modern cruise ships also have amenities like self-leveling pool tables, bowling, laser tag, and virtual reality games for hours of indoor fun.

Comments

How do you spend your time when it rains on a cruise? Do you agree with our list of activities? Drop us an anchor below with your suggestions for how to have a great day at sea when the weather is less than stellar.