What to do on Sea Days on a Carnival Cruise Ship

Wondering what to do on a sea day on a Carnival Cruise ship?  We’ve got 10 highlights of the best activities for sea days.  If you want inside activities, poolside fun, amazing food, trivia or sports, Carnival has something for you on a Sea Day.  Read on for our 10 top activities! 

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1. Go to brunch

Brunch on Carnival Ships has a completely different menu than any other meal.  It is served in the main dining room on days at sea and is definitely worth attending.  Open between breakfast and lunch it is possible to fit it into even the busiest (or most relaxed) schedule.  Featuring delicacies such as bacon mac and cheese and cereal crusted French toast, brunch is a great option for those who are looking for something slightly different.  Check out more about the food on Carnival here.

Carnival Brunch Menu

2. Ride the Water Slide

Just because it’s in the kid’s section, doesn’t mean it’s just for kids!

3. Play Miniature Golf

How often do you get to play golf on the top of a ship that it still moving, out at sea?  Waves and wind are a factor so be prepared.  Also, miniature golf is usually on the top of the ship so make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen and expect that it may be hot up there!

Carnival Vista Entertainment Zone Mini Golf

4. Drink

All bars are open on Sea Days and it is always possible to find a passing waiter on the pool deck, so you don’t even have to leave your comfy lounge chair.  Carnival has daily drink specials that are fruity and fun and usually at a $1 discount for the day. But depending on the particular bar you are at, there is always plenty of beer and wine and a full bar so your bartender can make anything you like.

Frozen drink on cruise

5. Relax By The Pool

There is literally nowhere else you need to be on a cruise.  If you are a sun worshiper, enjoy the water, or just enjoy people watching, the sea day is a great time to chill on deck by the pool.  But, get there early if you are looking for multiple seats together. 

Cruise Ship Pool on a Sea Day

6. Go to Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is a maritime tradition dating back to the first luxury ocean vessels.  While Carnival’s afternoon tea may not be as traditional or fancy as other cruise lines, it is still full of yummy foods and a fun experience if you can manage to fit it into your day (and the deserts into your stomach).  See our post on Afternoon Tea on the Carnival Vista for more information.

Afternoon Tea on Carnival Cruise with Scone

7. Spend Too Much Money In The Casino

The casino is open all day on sea days, unlike port days when it is closed until you have left the port.  While it stays busy all day on sea days, there are most tables open usually.  For those people who need a break from the Caribbean sun and are interested in trying their luck, it can be a great way to spend a few hours in the afternoon on a sea day!

8. Chocolate Extravaganza!

Usually served on the last sea day, the chocolate extravaganza is, well, exactly what is sounds like.  There are many types of chocolate desserts and a chocolate waterfall.  For the chocolate waterfall, you tell the crew member working the waterfall what you want dipped and they dip your fruit, or cake, or whatever and hand it to you (in a very sanitary fashion). 

Chocolate Desserts at lunch on Sea Day on Carnival

9. Trivia

There is trivia many days on a carnival cruise, but on sea days it is pretty consistently running on the half-hour in one of the lounges or a lobby.  Look on your fun times to find a trivia you think you would be good at or just stop by the lounge to see what you know about random topics.  Different ships hand out different prizes for trivia.  We have gotten a medallion at one point and a ship on a stick another time.   

10. Take The Behind The Fun Tour

This tour must be booked immediately when you get on the ship. You cannot pre-book it and it sells out every cruise. If you are interested in the way things work or in the running of a mega-ship, this tour is a lot of fun.  It is too expensive to do on every cruise, but it is fun to do on a cruise and then you know all these fun cruise-ship facts you can impress your friends with.  They take you into the kitchen, the galley, the crew areas, to I-95 (the large passage way on deck 0 where the all crew and supplies move about the ship) below deck, and then up onto the bridge where you get to meet the captain and pretend to steer the ship.  It is a lot of walking, a little expensive, but it is a very fun way to spend an afternoon onboard. 

There are so many awesome things to do on a sea day on a Carnival Cruise Ship. This list just covers some of the best, but if the options on the list don’t sound like they are for you – I’m sure there is an activity for you on the ship. You just have to find out what suits you the best. Just remember that you are on vacation and there is no wrong answer!

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