Sea days hold a special magic on a cruise ship. Nobody has anywhere to be. It is a day to relax and explore what the ship has to offer. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of things to do on board the Carnival Venezia on a sea day!
The Venezia is Carnival’s newest ship. Because the Carnival Venezia has an Italian flair, there are some fun and unique things to do on board the Carnival Venezia. While the ship can feel crowded on a sea day, these are some of the top activities on the Carnival Venezia on a sea day to help you beat the crowds who haven’t yet figured out what the Venezia has to offer:
1. Hang out at the lido or aft pool
The Carnival Venezia has two pools of roughly equal size. Both the lido and aft pool are great for kids and adults alike. The pool on Lido is more likely to be in shade (or covered if the roof is up), while the aft pool has much better views. Both had music, games and fun going on!
But if you are going to want to jump between a pool and a hot tub – choose the aft pool. There are no hot tubs at the pool on lido.
2. Enjoy the Serenity Deck with the other adults
The Serenity deck is for cruisers 21 and up. It isn’t necessarily serene (some cruise lines have adult spaces that literally put me to sleep!) because there is a bar, hot tubs and seating that invites conversation. But there are also plenty of chairs that face the ocean and usually a great breeze.
The best part about the Serenity deck on the Carnival Venezia? Some of the loungers have umbrellas!
3. Find a comfortable couch on deck 11 above lido
The couches above the lido deck are a pretty unique feature of the Carnival Venezia. These are completely covered. You can choose the ones that have a view of the lido so you can keep an eye and ear on what is going on from the live music to the pool-side competitions.
But there are also chairs closer to the ocean so you can watch the ocean as you lounge. There are even some tucked away in the sides so you can get away from all the hustle and bustle of it all!
Looking for some general tips about the Carnival Venezia? Check out these Carnival Venezia Tips!
4. Play trivia
Trivia is always a fun activity on any Carnival cruise. Check your fun times or your Hub App to figure out what trivias you are interested in. I especially recommend the music trivias because you get to reminisce about the music of your teenage years and say “I haven’t heard that in forever!”
5. Eat a lot
Eating is important on a cruise. Enjoy a large leisurely breakfast either at the buffet or the sea day brunch. Check out the venues that are only open for lunch on sea days.
The seafood shack has an Asian buffet on sea days. The food is really good, but especially the egg rolls. Check this one out early in your cruise because once people start to catch on to it, the line gets unreasonably long!
Also the La Strada Grill on deck 5 is open for lunch on sea days. It seems to go a little faster. Make sure you try the corn and also the grilled bread. I know those sound like super normal foods, but both were amazing!
6. Check out the sea day brunch
Looking for a sit down meal in the main dining room on a sea day? Sea day brunch is always a popular option on a Carnival Cruise. Including both breakfast and lunch options and served pretty much all morning, it is a more relaxed way to start your day.
Just make sure you check in using the Hub App before you head to the dining room!
Check out this guide to where to eat Breakfast on the Carnival Venezia!
7. Eat some more at Afternoon Tea
Most afternoons on a sea day there is afternoon tea. Afternoon tea on the Carnival Venezia was served in the Grand Canal dining room (aft) on the upper level (deck 4) all the way in the back corner. While the servers sometimes don’t seem like they know what they are doing, it is a fun way to snack on some finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and macaroons in an elegant setting.
Looking for more about Afternoon Tea on Carnival Cruises? Read our guide here.
Authentic afternoon tea? Not exactly, but it can still be a lot of fun!
8. Find your sense of fun on the water slide
The slides are not by the main pools and can feel a little out of the way, but make sure you head towards the front of the ship to try a water slide!
9. Check out the ropes course & mini golf
There are tons of fun activities to try on a sea day that get you active and moving around, but aren’t in the water. The Carnival Venezia has a ropes course on the back of the ship if dangling above the ocean is your thing.
There is also miniature golf on deck 14 aft if that is a little more your speed. The course is on two decks and while slightly unimaginative in appearance, does have some fun challenges. Plus there are a couple of corn hole boards set up if you are in the mood for a good competition!
10. Play Bocce ball, Ping Pong, Foosball or Chinese Checkers
Above the main pool you will find some fun games. These are perfect for when you want some activities but don’t want to be in the sun. Of course, as the Italian Style Ship, there is bocce ball which was a lot more fun than we were expecting. There is the usual ping pong, but also a couple of foosball tables and even a Chinese Checkers.
It can get a little busy, but luckily there are tables and chairs nearby so you can wait for something to open up!
11. Find your zen at the spa
Spa services are always a great idea for a sea day. From a massage to acupuncture to a sauna, the spa has plenty of services that are always a fun way to spend some time on a sea day!
12. Play (or just watch) the pool-side games
Pool-side games on the Venezia can happen at both the center and aft lido pools, so make sure you check your location before you choose your pool. Classic cruise pool games are always fun to participate in and are also just a lot of fun to watch!
13. Ice carving is a thing
Another pool-side activity is the ice carving. This usually only happens once on a cruise and is strangely fascinating. You stop by wondering why you would be interested in watching ice carving, but then 15 minutes later you’re hooked wondering how it will be finished and how long it will last!
14. Will you be lucky in the casino?
The casino is open during the day on sea days. While all the tables may not be open during the day, it is also a lot calmer during the day than it is at night!
15. Work up a sweat at the dance classes
While Carnival does not have a ton of evening time and space for dancing in the atrium like some cruise lines, the dance classes that take place during the day on a sea day can be a lot of fun. They have different types of dancing on different days, so check the Fun Times or Hub App to figure out which one you want to go to.
The dance classes are a great way to work off lunch before you head to afternoon tea!
16. Attend Fun Ashore, fun aboard and the morning shows
There is usually some morning programming that provides fun and helpful information as well as entertainment in the mornings on a Carnival Cruise. Fun Ashore, Fun Aboard is on the first sea day and provides helpful information about what to expect on the cruise both at the ports and on the ship. Usually this presentation is good for both information and some laughs. Plus, they give out free things.
The morning shows also provide some information about what is going on around the ship as well as some laughs. Nobody would show up if they weren’t fun so tune in or join the live audience if you’re awake that early!
17. Go to the Festa Italiana
One evening on board the Carnival Venezia, there is an Italian style street party on the Lido deck. The Festa Italiana includes some games and crafts for kids, a gelato eating competition, music, dancing and some entertainment from the crew.
Check out more about the Festa Italiana here!
Is that everything to do on the Carnival Venezia on a sea day?
Absolutely not! But it is a start. The Carnival Venezia has so many things that are not on other Carnival cruise ships that it can be a stretch to fit them all in on the sea days.
Make sure you plan to do a few of these things on the first sea day before everybody else clues in to where they are!
Looking for more about the Carnival Venezia?
How is the Venezia different from Carnival’s other ships?
First impressions of the Carnival Venezia
