Find out what cruise holidays are all about with our quick-read A to Z guide below…

Surfing and skydiving on a Royal Caribbean ship
Wave Rider and Sky Diving on Royal Caribbean ship

A: Activities

From libraries, cinemas and casinos to mini golf, rock climbing walls and surf simulators; there’s a whole host of activities to keep you occupied whilst you cruise.

Celebrity Silhouette Wine Tower
Wine Tower on the Celebrity Silhouette

B: Bars

Treat yourself to a colourful cocktail… or two! Or for wine lovers, it’s hard not to be impressed with the wine tower on Celebrity Cruises which holds as many as 500 different labels!

Chef Curtis Stone on Princess cruise line
Chef Curtis Stone for Princess cruise line

C: Cuisine

From stacked burgers loaded with onion rings, bacon and cheese to refined five course taster menus; cruise ships have a variety of dining venues onboard to cater to your every craving. Plus with an array of collaborations between cruise lines and celebrity chefs including Marco Pierre White, Eric Lanlard and Curtis Stone; there’s a wealth of fresh and delicious cuisine to enjoy onboard. 

Movie experience on Princess cruise line
Movies Under the Stars with Princess Cruise Line

D: Dive in Movies

Cruise Lines like Princess, Carnival, Cunard and Royal Caribbean have giant screens where you can watch an amazing selection of movies whilst chilling in the pool or relaxing in a lounger with freshly popped popcorn and cosy blankets.

MSC Sea Kayaking excursion
Sea Kayaking in the Caribbean

E: Excursions  

From snorkelling in the Caribbean to whale watching in Alaska; cruise holidays open the door to a world of new experiences and memories.

Running on Costa Cruise Ship
Costa Cruise Ship Running Track

F: Fitness

Keep up your daily exercise regime using onboard gyms, sports courts and fitness and dance classes too!

Carnival Cruises video arcade
Video Arcade on a Carnival cruise ship

G: Gaming

Let’s face it, there may be a rainy day whilst you’re at sea, and nobody wants to be outside for that! So instead why not escape to another world in the Video Arcade or Gaming Stations?

The new H2O Zone on the Norwegian Escape
H2O Zone Norwegian Escape

H: Hip Hangouts

No matter what age you are there’s somewhere special onboard that’s been designed just for you!

Norwegian Cruise Line Svedka Ice Bar
Ice Bar on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship

I: Ice Bar

Nope, we’re not kidding – Norwegian Epic has its very own Ice Bar onboard! Perfect for cooling off after a day in the sun!

Jacuzzi with a view on MSC Magnifica
Relax with a view in the whirlpools on MSC Magnifica

J: Jacuzzi’s

Cruise ships feature several jacuzzi’s across the lido deck which means you can enjoy amazing sea views all around whilst you let the bubbles ease away your tensions!

Madagascar cast on Royal Caribbean Aqua Theatre
The cast of Madagascar on Royal Caribbean

K: Kids

There’s something for all ages onboard! Whether it’s the Dr Seuss Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast on Carnival cruise line or the Lego experience on MSC, your little ones will love life at sea!

Norwegian Cruise Lines Cirque Dreams Dinner Show
Cirque Dreams dinner show on Norwegian cruise line

L: Live Entertainment

Be wowed by concerts under the stars, Ibiza-inspired beach parties, magical magicians and rib-tickling comedy shows.

Royal Caribbean production of We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You production by Royal Caribbean

M: Musicals

If you love all-singing and all-dancing shows then you’re going to be in your element on a cruise ship! With shows like Priscilla Queen of the Desert on Norwegian Cruise Line and Mamma Mia on Royal Caribbean, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Pool area on the new Koningsdam cruise ship
The new Holland America Koningsdam pool area

N: New 

Cruise lines spend millions of dollars every year to ensure their ships are kept updated. From the cabins and public lounges to the dining experiences, entertainment programmes and even new ports of call in their itineraries.

The SkyRide above SportsSquare
The SkyRide above SportsSquare

O: Outdoor Fun

Each and every ship is different but you can expect to find fun-filled activities like mini golf, high ropes courses, sports courts, rock climbing, giant chess, croquet and shuffleboard.

Pool Area on the Carnival Vista
Carnival Vista Pool Zone

P: Pools

It doesn’t feel quite like a holiday without access to a pool does it? Which is why cruise lines create incredible water parks that could more than rival any land-based resort!

Cunard Queen Mary 2 Queen's Room
The Queen Mary 2 Queen’s Room

Q:  Queen’s Room

Onboard Cunard’s fleet, the Queen’s room is where they’ve been serving the most incredible Afternoon Tea at sea for over 175 years! Come evening it’s transformed into an elegant ball room.

Spa Treatments at Sea
Spa Treatments

R: Relaxation

With most ships featuring a spa onboard, you can be feeling relaxed and revived in no time!

Sunset at Sea
Sunset at Sea

S: Sunrise and Sunset

We don’t know what it is but for some reason watching the sun rise and set whilst at sea makes it seem that much more spectacular.

MSC Poesia Theatre
The theatre on the MSC Poesia

T: Theatre

With collaborations like Cirque Du Soleil with MSC cruise line and the award-winning composer of ‘Wicked’, Stephen Schwartz, with Princess cruise line, theatre options at sea can be better than Broadway!

Geiranger fjord in Norway
Geiranger fjord, Norway

U: Unique Perspective

Cruise ships give you a unique vantage point for admiring your destination. Whether it’s peering up at the awe-inspiring mountains alongside the Norwegian Fjords or spotting the white sand beaches and palm trees of the Caribbean in the distance, your holiday will be filled with sights to remember!

P&O Ship by Sydney Opera House
A unique view of Sydney

V: Views

Wake up to a new view every day! 

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle
Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle

W: Wildlife

From dolphins and penguins to komodo dragons and blue-footed boobys; cruising give you the chance to spot some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet.

X: Xpedition

The Xpedition cruise from Celebrity Cruises is designed for exploration. It’s one of the few ships granted access to cruise the enchanting and precious Galapagos Islands. In fact it even has a Galapagos National Park-certified naturalist onboard to give guests insight about the wildlife on the islands.

MSC Yacht Club
Yacht Club on the MSC Fantasia

Y: Yacht Club

Live the life of luxury when you choose the MSC Yacht Club experience. You’ll get to enjoy private lounges, premium suites and exclusive dining and beverage perks!

Zip Line on Oasis of the Seas
Zip Line on Oasis of the Seas

Z:  Zip Lines

That’s right! Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas feature a zip line which allows you to soar 9 decks above ground over ‘Central Park’.