If you’re not hip to cruising or thought it was all about the buffet, let us steer you straight. For one, you can ride a rollercoaster on a cruise ship — yes, really! Thank you, Carnival.
What other wild things can you do on these oceanlining juggernauts to step up your travel game with more amenities and activities every year? Let’s take a look.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Attempt a surf simulator
Curious about surfing but don’t want to try it in the open ocean? Hop on the FlowRider, Royal Caribbean’s surf simulator.
At 40 feet in length and gushing with 30,000 gallons of water, you can surf in front of an audience — who (hopefully) won’t tease you too much if you wipe out!
Do a ropes course
Norwegian Cruise Lines has the biggest onboard ropes course out there; with multiple levels and 40 different elements, you’re bound to have a blast with your pals.
You’ll also find ropes courses high up on some Carnival cruises, so if you love heights, go for it.
Drive a go-kart
Who doesn’t love go-kart racing, especially when you have sprawling ocean views from your vehicle? Norwegian has the first and largest race track at sea, available on two of its ships.
You can go up to 30 mph on these tracks, so your adrenaline will really get pumping.
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There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
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Enjoy Central Park
On Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, there’s a miniature Central Park filled with restaurants and shops serving the same energy you’ll find in the Big Apple. Don’t miss the levitating bar!
There’s abundant greenery in the park, too — to the tune of 10,000 kinds of flowers and plants.
Go ice skating
Only on a cruise ship can you enjoy a port in the Caribbean by day, then return to your ship to go ice skating. Royal Caribbean makes it possible for adults and kids alike.
If you’d prefer to watch, you can also take in one of the ice shows with professional skaters.
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Go ziplining
Adrenaline junkies, this one’s for you: Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas both have a zipline for a prime flying adventure.
The 82-foot zipline zooms over nine decks below the sports deck where it’s located — not for the faint of heart! FYI, they give you a helmet.
Race a car
OK, it’s a simulator, but it sure feels like the real thing! On nine MSC Cruises ships, there’s an F1 simulator with all of the bells and whistles.
The racetrack is projected onto your windshield once you’re seated behind the wheel. Actual driver’s licenses are not required.
Ride a magic carpet
The Magic Carpet is a floating platform on Celebrity Edge that sits away from the ship and over the sea. It has a full bar, restaurant, and space for performers on the top deck.
As it moves down, it adapts to become part of the experience on each deck, such as a pool area.
Play laser tag
There’s a full-on laser tag arena on some ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet; Battle for Planet Z allows participants to join forces with robots or an alien scouting party. It’s all glow-in-the-dark, too.
Norwegian Cruise Lines also has augmented reality laser tag as an activity.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
See a movie in 4D
We’ve heard of 3D and IMAX, but several cruise lines have 4D movie theater experiences. Strap yourself in and put on your 3D glasses because it’s an adventure.
Your seat moves, visuals come right at you, and yes, even smells are wafted into the space.
Stargaze in a planetarium
That’s right — there’s a luxury 3D planetarium on a cruise ship — Cunard’s Queen Mary II. Up to four showings daily of science and astronomy programming are available at sea.
When the dome is down, the planetarium doubles as a classical music space where live musicians perform.
Take a sky ride
Fancy peddling a suspended bicycle 150 feet over the ocean below? You can do just that on the Sky Ride on some Carnival cruise ships.
You’ll peddle around the top of the ship while taking in gorgeous views of the ship, sea, and port of call below.
Try skydiving simulators
Feel like you've leaped out of a plane on Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships in its skydiving simulator. An instructor will guide you as you fly high in a glass-encased tunnel.
Once you're in place, the air will whoosh up around you, sending you into a float. And yes, kids can try it, too!
Visit an ice bar
Leave it to Norwegian Cruise Lines to have an actual ice bar on its ship, the Breakaway. In true Scandinavian fashion, the seats, bar, and even the glasses are all made of ice.
Temps are a chilly 17 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may want to bundle up before stopping in for a cocktail.
Zoom down a 10-deck slide
Most people know cruise ships have crazy waterslides, but Royal Caribbean has a dry slide that drops a whopping 10 decks and 100 feet: the Ultimate Abyss.
The tallest slide on any cruise ship takes you down into the darkness at up to 9 mph. What a ride!
Bottom line
There’s nothing wrong with taking a cruise and spending your time relaxing, dining, drinking, and exploring ports of call. However, some folks want onboard adventures, and these activities deliver.
When you’re ready to plan your next vacation at sea, grab your top travel rewards credit card and snag that spot on your vessel of choice. Bon voyage!
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Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
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