What Can We Do On Board? is a story about the variety of activities available on cruise ships.

2. On
WHA CAN WE DO
T B Y S A L LY M O E
Board
Royal Caribbean International
Practice your
skating technique.
Royal Caribbean International
Adventure Ocean entertains kids on Royal Caribbean.
ave you ever leafed through one of those gorgeous, glossy pampering options range from Elemi treatments to aromathera-
H cruise catalogs, perusing different itineraries and found py massage to such exotic-sounding fare as Egyptian, Hawaiian
yourself wondering just what “Fun day at sea” means? and Tahitian spa rituals, the Jasmine Flower Bath and the Asian
The catalog momentarily on your lap, you picture yourself on Ceremony of Stone. For passengers cruising with Princess, treat-
a luxurious liner surrounded by azure seas and sky, with all this ments include the Tahitian Frangipani Conditioning Hair and
free time to do exactly what you want. A perfect day stretches Scalp Ritual, the Citrus Salt Glow with Back Massage, and the
before you. Absolute Bliss Facial, personalized for four different skin types.
What next...? Carnival takes its spa program
The good news is, there are quite a few things you might do no less seriously (on 13 of their 16
next. So many, in fact, that you might not be able to fit them all Fun Ships, Carnival’s spas are at
into your “fun day at sea.” least 12,000 square feet in size).
Some of its spas’ indulgent treat-
Get Pampered ments include Ionithermie Su-
If you don’t normally have the time for spa indulgences, a perdetoxification (a therapeutic
cruise provides the ideal opportunity to find out what you’re slimming treatment that utilizes a
missing. At Disney’s onboard Vista Spa, that could mean any- cleansing algae concentrate), and
thing from the Tropical Rainforest Thermal Suite to the Asian- La Therapie, a facial that com-
Celebrity Cruises
inspired Surial Steam Bath to the Alpha Capsule, so named bines organic gels and creams with
because the treatment is designed to transport you to the dream- low-level electronic stimulation.
ily relaxed alpha state. In Celebrity’s sunlight-filled AquaSpaSM, Mmmmm....
Consider a massage.
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3. Get Smart
You’re not alone if you prefer your cruise expe-
rience to be a completely indulgent and luxurious
getaway. But if you like, you can also come away
from your cruise with more skills and knowledge
than before, because many cruise lines offer classes,
lectures and demonstrations on a range of topics.
Aboard Crystal ships, for instance, you can learn or
improve your bridge game, participate in group or
individual computer instruction, take part in dance
classes, or attend lectures by historians, anthropolo-
gists and geologists. Selected cruises offer arts and
crafts lessons as well as PGA Pro Golf instruction.
Princess Cruise Line
Princess cruisers can attend cooking demonstra-
tions, financial workshops and maritime history
lessons, or take a backstage tour revealing the
secrets of Princess’ lavish production shows. Open- Get certified in SCUBA.
water SCUBA certification and snorkeling instruction, tours includes a tour of the Magic that ex-
and equipment rentals are available on selected seven-day itiner- amines the ship’s design and tech-
aries. Others may feature experts discussing yoga, astronomy nology. Onboard the Disney Wonder,
or photography. guests can attend gourmet cooking
Royal Caribbean offers wine tastings and ice-carving demon- demonstrations from Walt Disney
strations on select itineraries, as well as art auctions where guests World® Resort chefs, or learn the
can bid for pieces by such luminaries as Picasso, Rembrandt, finer points of wine appreciation
Chagall, Dali and current fave Peter Max. during wine-tasting sessions.
Holland America
On the Disney Magic, experts share techniques for presenting
Get Moving
the perfect dinner party—such as creating memorable desserts,
artistic floral centerpieces and eyecatching tablescapes. The Nowhere in the world is life so
Try your luck in the ship’s casino.
Navigator Series probes the mysteries and lore of the ocean, and truly a banquet as onboard a cruise
ship. It is entirely feasible—in fact, encouraged—to spend your
fun day at sea doing nothing more than downing foamy, festive
tropical drinks while trolling the coffeebars, buffets, cookouts,
afternoon teas, ice cream bars and dessert tables for fattening
fare you’d never touch at home. But if you want to fit the clothes
you came in when you leave, you’ll need to amp up the exercise.
Self-aware cruise lines instinctively provide for this.
At Royal Caribbean, for example, its ShipShape® Fitness
Center (for ages 16 and over) is well-stocked with cardiovascular
equipment, and boasts a lively schedule of aerobic fitness classes
for all levels. An outdoor jogging track is available for exercisers
who want to enjoy the salty air and ocean views while they get
in the zone.
Crystal’s gym offers yoga, Pilates, toning and body sculpting,
Royal Caribbean International
step and aerobics classes as well as nutrition seminars, swimming
and aqua aerobics. Additionally, Crystal recently launched its Yo-
ga, Health & Fitness theme cruises, which feature guest lectures
from experts on health and well-being, and healthful cuisine
highlighting dishes that are fat free, vegetarian, and/or prepared
to the specs of the American Heart Association.
Add to these the miscellaneous options of rock climbing,
onboard casinos, and video slots and poker—plus first-run
movies, boutique shopping, and kids’ and teens’ entertainment
programs—and you have the ingredients for a memorable
cruise...that’s anything but boring. s
Only on Royal Caribbean can you rock climb.
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