Don’t Let the Size Fool You: Sea Days on Smaller Ships Are Anything But Boring
There’s a common assumption that smaller cruise ships mean fewer things to do — that without the rock-climbing walls, laser tag arenas, and sprawling pool decks of the mega-ships, a sea day is just you, the ocean, and a whole lot of thumb-twiddling. But spend a sea day on a smaller ship and you’ll quickly realize that assumption couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, it might just flip your thinking entirely.
When a ship is built for fewer guests, every hour of every day at sea is thoughtfully filled — with hands-on classes, expert-led lectures, intimate live music, and the kind of unhurried, actually-talk-to-the-chef culinary experiences you’d never find on a floating city. Smaller ships don’t just keep you busy; they keep you engaged. And on the open ocean, that makes all the difference.
What Sea Days on Smaller Ships Are Like
I have had the pleasure of doing many different cruises on two small-ship cruise lines: Azamara and Crystal. Each of these ships has a max of around 700 passengers. Both lines have a similar vibe when it comes to sea days…plenty to do if you choose to, or lots of relaxed, quiet time if you would rather unplug.
Activities
Small ship cruises offer a variety of different activities on sea days. These can range from arts and crafts to lectures, and beyond. Each activity generally runs about an hour, and there are several of them scheduled throughout the day. Most do not require any sort of pre-registration or extra fees. So it’s easy to pick and choose a few that interest you along the way.
Sea day activities are a great way to try something new. I decided to attend a watercolor class on one of my Crystal cruises, and I had a fantastic time! While Georgia O’Keeffe and Andrew Wyeth have absolutely nothing to worry about, it was a fun way to meet a few new people on my cruise and try out a new skill.
Lectures on sea days are also great activities. These can range from a port-specific talk from a guest lecturer to a panel of crew members. I have attended a handful of Q&A panels on Azamara, and they are always enjoyable. The audience is encouraged to ask questions, and the answers will range from insightful to witty.
Other activities on sea days may include fashion shows, highlighting some of the wares available in the ship stores. There may also be some activities such as dance classes or cooking demonstrations.
Food & Drink
While there is never a shortage of fabulous food and drink on a small ship cruise, sea days are even better. Sea days offer great opportunities for more lavish spreads, such as the traditional sea day brunch served on Azamara. This buffet brunch takes over the main dining room, with endless tables of delectable food, many served by the friendly crew members. Other times, a sea day can be the setting for a location-focused meal, such as the German-style lunch I enjoyed while sailing through the Kiel Canal. There’s nothing better than the delicious snap of a freshly-grilled brat!
Crystal offers a wonderful Lunch and Lecture series in their Vintage Room on certain sea days. These multi-course food and wine pairing lunches focus on a specific region or type of wine. I attended the ‘Taste of Italian Wine Regions’ lunch on the Crystal Serenity, and it was a fabulous afternoon. The Vintage Room on Crystal also offers a dinner service as well. Both the lunch and dinner options are an additional cost, and each must be reserved ahead of time.
Games
Games are often present on sea day itineraries. Azamara does a great job of including a few fun games on sea days, such as remote controlled toy car races or mini golf contests. These games are fun for those who participate, but it is also fun to sit back and watch as a spectator. Either way, sea day games are a great opportunity to have some fun and meet some new people.
Crystal has several different options for games, available regardless of whether it is a sea day or not. There is a large pickleball / tennis court on the top deck. There are also two golf driving ranges available on the top deck. Equipment for pickleball, tennis, and golf is provided on the ship, so you just need to bring the appropriate attire and shoes. There is no extra charge.
Both Crystal and Azamara also offer bingo games on sea days. There are typically several different rounds played, and the winners of each round take home some fun prizes. Sometimes there is an additional fee charged to play bingo, especially if the prizes are larger like a free cruise or onboard credit.
Other games available on sea days may include trivia, puzzles, or other types of word games. In general, there will be a variety of games available throughout the day to cover a lot of different interests.
Hobbies
Sea days are great for hobby enthusiasts as well. Both Azamara and Crystal offer libraries onboard, where guests may check out books to read and games to play during the cruise (all items must be returned before the end of the cruise). So, if you are an avid reader, consider saving some room in your suitcase and instead pick up a book (or two!) on the cruise itself!
If your hobby is computer-related, such as blogging or photo editing, sea days are a great time to work on it. I like to relax on my balcony and get some work done on my laptop. Or, you can find a quiet area around the ship to plug in and get that next blog post written.
For those of us who have portable hobbies, such as cross-stitch or needlepoint, taking a small project on a cruise is helpful. I like to pack a small cross-stitch project with me if I know I have a few sea days, as I like to find a quiet spot on the ship and get some stitching done. It’s a great way to relax and pass some time on a sea day.
If your hobby is watching movies, a Crystal cruise is a great fit for you! The Hollywood Theatre is available on both Crystal ships, Serenity and Symphony. A first-run movie is shown twice a day, every day – once in the afternoon and again in the evening. An afternoon flick on a sea day is a great option! The bonus is that they serve fresh-popped popcorn as well!
On Deck
Another great way to spend a sea day is out on deck. There is just something about the breeze on your face and the salt air that makes for a perfect day. You can choose to be as active as you would like when enjoying time on deck. Some like to relax by the pool sipping on a cool drink. Others may prefer to get some steps in by walking. Both Azamara and Crystal have decks available for walking and/or jogging…Azamara’s walking track is on the top deck above the pool, and Crystal’s Promenade Deck wraps around the entire ship on deck 7. There are also some games such as shuffleboard, ping pong, and corn hole available on the walking decks.
Sample Sea Day Itineraries
Here are some examples of the variety and number of different activities available on a sea day on Azamara:
Here are some examples of the variety and number of different activities available on a sea day on Crystal:
Common Questions
Is there really enough to do on a sea day on a small ship?
Yes, there really is plenty to do! On the Azamara and Crystal cruises I have done, sea days have had activities spread throughout the day, often with a few different activities happening in different areas around the ship. While not all activities may interest you, there will be at least a few that sound interesting. It’s also fun to try something new…you never know when you may find your next true passion!
Do I have to participate in sea day activities?
Absolutely not. Sea day activities are completely optional. If you would rather not participate in any activities, that is perfectly fine. You can always relax in your cabin or find a spot somewhere on the ship. Be aware, though, that many activities take place in the common areas on the ship, so it may take a bit of planning to find a spot that is not currently hosting an activity.
Do sea day activities cost extra?
This will vary by cruise line and by type of activity. In general, many of the activities on Azamara and Crystal are included in the base fare and do not cost extra. However, some things like wine tastings may come with an extra fee. The daily newsletter, which lists all activities for each day, will indicate which activities require an extra fee and/or need to be booked in advance.
Even More Travel Ideas
Comparing Azamara and Crystal Cruises
