Maybe you have always wondered about the life of an astronaut or had a desire to cha cha cha your way around the dance floor.
No problem – these days cruise lines offer intriguing and interesting workshops, guest speakers, and classes for passengers who want to expand their knowledge and skills.
Here are a few activities and experiences that will keep you busy.
Mysteries of the Ocean- Unlocked
The mysteries of science are being unravelled above and below the waves as cruise lines incorporate mini laboratories, teams of experts ranging from astronomers to biologists and groundbreaking scientific programs.
Both the sea and the sky are sources of wonder and many unanswered questions, especially in the Galapagos, the Antarctic, Artic and far-flung islands. Viking Cruises, Coral Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions are among cruise lines that offer Citizen Science Programs.
Based in the Galapagos, Celebrity Flora, is the first vessel with the cutting-edge technology, Ocean Scope that allows scientists to research climate change impact.
Learn to Fence
En garde! The art of fencing is a popular experience on Cunard ships. Lessons are offered with certified instructors who share their skills in two lessons.
No previous experience is required for the introductory classes. On longer voyages, there may also be opportunity to take part in advanced classes, as passengers hone their skills. All professional equipment is provided, and the classes for up to 12 guests are held in the pretty Queens Room.
Cha Cha Cha- Shall We Dance
If you have aspirations to compete in Dancing with the Stars – this is your chance.
Get your dancing shoes on and sign up for dance lessons including tango, salsa, hip hop, swing, ballroom and even tap.
Many cruise lines offer the opportunity to expand your talents on the dance floor with patient instructors teaching the latest moves. Cunard and Crystal offer ballroom dance lessons.
So, if learning the cha-cha, waltz, foxtrot, rumba, country and western line dancing, Caribbean and ’70s style dance steps are on your wish list, sign up as soon as you are on board.
So, You Want to Join the Circus
Royal Caribbean offers complimentary Trapeze School lessons for kids and adults. Take your first swing on the flying trapeze, with safety mats provided to cushion your landing.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Splash Academy also offers circus skills for kids including plate spinning, scarf juggling, devil sticks and they participate in an end-of-cruise Splashtacular Extravaganza circus show.
Look to the Skies
Love astrology? There are plenty of opportunities to learn more about that big, beautiful sky with a star-studded canopy at night.
Viking Ocean Cruises has a stargazing specialist, who teaches passengers how to identify major constellations and gather your bearings from the stars. Princess Cruises also provides stargazing activities. Viking and Cunard Line also have planetariums on select ships. Passengers on board Viking can watch the nighttime action through a high-tech dome with 7K resolution, studio speakers, 2D and 3D options, and laser beam projectors. There’s a planetarium on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 with a dome-like screen where stargazing shows are projected. It partners with the Royal Astronomical Society and also hosts a Transatlantic Space Week with experts and astronomers onboard.
Scheduled solar eclipses and celestial events are also popular with many cruises sold out.
Hurtigruten showcases the fabulous Northern Lights in Norway which is a spectacular sight. Expect a call during the night when the amazing green tinged phenomenon dance their way across the sky.
Nature Calls
Antarctica sailings offer extensive information sessions with experts including biologists and naturalists, who prepare passengers for the sights of the white continent. Ponant experts also delve into climate change with expert talks and informative sessions.
Holland America Line has a Science at Sea team of naturalists who share information about wildlife and landscapes.
Awaken Your Artistic Side
Always wanted to dabble with water colours or oils and tap into your creative side?
Cruise lines offer lots of different art and craft classes and workshops. Kits are often available at a small charge or take your own and capture those views. There are often discussions and talks by well known artists and art historians. Also check out the artwork around the ships-you will find showstopper artwork including paintings, sculptures and installations adorning each deck and there is often a podcast that showcases the works.
Fred Olen Cruise line has purpose-built studios dedicated to arts and crafts with easels and art materials.
Painting, drawing and block printing. Classes are available.
Cook Up a Storm
As well as dining on delicious cuisine, cruises provide an opportunity for food lovers and aspiring home cooks to learn from the masters.
Oceania Cruises’ new ship Vista caters for culinary aficionados with many gourmet experiences curated by two resident Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale. From immersive Culinary Discovery Tours ashore to hands-on cooking classes back on board, guests have the opportunity to savour the flavours of different cultures.
In 2020, Silversea launched their immersive, S.A.L.T programme – short for Sea and Land Taste, which offers guests a chance to travel deeper through engaging experiences and local food culture.
Silversea’s newest ship, Silver Nova, offers guests new culinary experiences in nine dining venues, including six complimentary options.
Regent Seven Seas’ Culinary Arts Kitchen aboard Seven Seas Explorer provides hands-on and bespoke cooking classes. You’ll learn to make a dish custom to that destination, like a Valencian paella while traveling to Spain or dolmades while exploring the Greek Islands.
Tech Update
From computer workshops to podcast classes and photography lessons- you can learn from the experts.
Silversea is among many that offer the chance to improve your snaps. Its photo studio offers a vibrant, creatively inspiring space with masterclasses in editing, Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. Azamara
Azamara voyages offers an array of enrichment programs and classes, including computer classes focussing on how to use programs like Excel and PowerPoint and how to get the most out of your tablet.
Learn from the Experts
Intriguing and entertaining guest speakers can be the drawcard for many passengers. Daring explorers, heralded chefs, learned scholars, celebrated performers and renowned experts from every arena of the arts, sciences, politics and humanities share skilled presentations as part of Seabourn Conversations.
They also share their experiences through casual chats and adventures ashore. Earlier this year former astronaut Heidemarie Piper was guest speaker recalling her 30 years with NASA. Academy award winning writer, director and producer Bryan Fogel will take guests on a journey through Hollywood on the cruise from Keelung to Hong Kong from March 24 to April 15, 2024.
Crystal’s reimagined ships offer a diverse range of onboard lectures and guest speakers. From sports stars to movie stars, zoologists, scientists to titans of industry – and even the occasional astronaut.
Towel Animal Instruction
If you want to discover the art of towel animals – you can. Royal Caribbean, Disney and Carnival show you how.
A New Language
Learn while at sea so you are ready at a new port. Crystal offers language learning through its onboard Creative Learning Institute. Princess Cruises also features language classes.
Something Different
How about glass blowing? Celebrity Solstice-class ships with Hollywood Hot Glass, show the intricacies of glass blowing with a live glass-blowing demonstration. You can also create your own glass art.
Want to fly like Superman – Royal Caribbean passengers on Anthem of the Seas and other Quantum-class ships the chance to fly.
Don a flight suit and goggles, then skydive in a simulator for 60 seconds. Don’t worry, you’ll have the aid of an experienced instructor.
