You’re at sea. No port. No excursions. Just endless ocean and a floating ship packed with possibilities.
It’s amazing – as long as you make the most of it. Sea days can go either way on a cruise, depending on how you treat them, and you don’t want them to just feel like a wasted filler day en route to your next destination.
There are some classic cruise traps that should be avoided if you want to make the best of every penny you’ve spent on that sailing.
1. Reserving sun loungers and disappearing for hours
It’s one of the most complained-about cruise behaviours: people “claiming” poolside loungers with a towel, a novel and maybe a flip-flop, then disappearing to breakfast, the spa, or wherever else for half the day.
You don’t need to sit glued to your chair non-stop, but if you’re going to be gone more than 30 minutes, it’s only fair to let someone else enjoy the spot.
Lounge chairs are limited, especially the good ones with shade or prime views. Don’t be that person who singlehandedly starts a passive-aggressive mutiny on deck.
Plus, a lot of cruise lines are getting more savvy about this and will remove your items after 30 minutes anyway.
And nobody wants to have to go and sheepishly ask for their stuff back…
2. Skipping the daily newsletter
Each evening, your cabin steward leaves behind what might look like a boring schedule – but it’s actually your secret weapon for the next day.
It lists everything happening on board: quizzes, tastings, shows, limited-time sales, even hidden gem activities like crew Q&As or galley tours.
Without it, you’re flying blind, and you might miss something brilliant that doesn’t happen every day.
Keep it nearby, mark what sounds fun, and plan your sea day like the boss of your own floating holiday empire.
Some ships also have a special program that lists the kids activities. I’d recommend sharing this with your children. Pack a highlighter pen and let them mark the activities they’d most like to do.
Often you’ll get a version of the daily schedule in the cruise line’s app, but I’d still recommend reading the paper version as it’s easier to see everything happening at once, and you can highlight or asterisk what you want to do so it’s easier to keep tabs.
3. Eating only at the buffet
Yes, the buffet is easy. It’s quick, it’s casual, and you don’t have to change out of your swimming costume – just throw some items on top and make sure you’ve got footwear on.
But on sea days, it’s also absolutely heaving, with long queues and limited seating. This is the perfect day to treat yourself to a slower, more civilised meal in the main dining room or a casual sit-down venue.
Often, cruise ships host a special brunch or offer a more elaborate lunch menu when there’s no port rush. You’ll avoid the crowds, and honestly, it’s nice to eat with proper cutlery once in a while.
I particularly love it when ships have a ‘wellness cafe’ and you can enjoy an incredible protein-packed salad. (Although I do tend to also grab fries later on from the poolside snack venue!)
4. Grazing all day and spoiling your appetite
It’s very tempting to treat sea days like an all-you-can-eat safari: grab an ice cream here, a slice of pizza there, a surprise cookie tray by the pool.
But the day’s constant snacking can backfire when dinnertime arrives – and suddenly you’re not hungry for that three-course meal you’ve been looking forward to.
It’s especially painful if you’ve booked a specialty dining experience that night – what a waste of money.
Try to balance indulgence with a little restraint during the day, so you’re still excited about dinner rather than forcing yourself through a tasting menu with snack-regret in your heart.
Alternatively, choose the late dinner setting to make sure that you have enough time to get hungry again for it!
5. Forgetting to drink water and apply sunscreen
It’s surprisingly easy to get dehydrated at sea. The sun is strong, the salty breeze dries you out, and if you’ve been sipping cocktails since midday, the effects stack up quickly.
Always keep a refillable water bottle with you, and drink from it often – especially if you’re in the sun.
As for sun cream: the sea breeze makes it feel cooler than it actually is, so you won’t notice the burn until you’re the colour of a tomato.
Reapply often, especially if you’ve been swimming or sweating.
Your future self will thank you. Or if you forget, they’ll curse you with every strip of peeling skin.
6. Overloading your schedule
Sea days often offer more onboard activities than any other day of the cruise.
Lectures, cooking demos, fitness classes, mixology contests, movie screenings – you name it.
But if you try to do everything, you’ll wear yourself out.
Leave some breathing room. Take a nap. Have an unplanned coffee with a sea view.
These quieter moments often end up being the best memories. And if you miss the towel-folding demonstration? Life will go on.
7. Spending the entire day asleep
Cruise cabins are notoriously good for sleeping – blackout curtains, gentle rocking motion, and no real pressure to get up early.
It’s easy to oversleep on a sea day, especially if you’ve been going full speed at ports.
But if you stay in bed until mid-afternoon, you’ll miss the charm of having an entire day to relax and explore the ship.
You’re paying for experiences, not just naps. By all means, sleep in a little. You’ve earned that snooze. But set an alarm, drag yourself to breakfast, and give the day a chance to surprise you.
8. Skipping unique, limited-time events
Cruise lines often use sea days to schedule one-off experiences – think behind-the-scenes tours, cooking with the chef, live matinees, or special tastings.
These aren’t available every day, and once they’re over, they’re gone.
Even if you’re tempted to spend the afternoon horizontal on a sun lounger, it’s worth choosing one or two special events to prioritise.
Pool time is always there. A whiskey and chocolate pairing masterclass with the head bartender? Not so much.
9. Staying indoors all day
You’re surrounded by ocean, fresh air and some of the most peaceful views you’ll ever see. Don’t spend the entire day holed up inside the ship.
Yes, the theatre shows, casinos and shopping arcades are fun – but they’ll still be there later.
Take time to wander the outer decks, breathe in the salty air, and stare dramatically into the distance like you’re in a cruise commercial. You don’t have to be a full-time sunbather to appreciate being outdoors.
10. Visiting the gym or spa at peak times
Everyone and their gran decides to hit the gym on sea days. Same goes for the spa. That means mornings and late afternoons can be jammed.
If you’re hoping for a peaceful workout or a tranquil steam room experience, it’s best to go either very early, during lunch hours, or late evening.
Even better – book your spa treatments in advance, ideally before you even get on the ship, so you’re not fighting for availability.
No one wants to relax in a sauna that feels like a commuter train.
11. Letting boredom lead you to blow the budget
With no port stops and hours of downtime, the temptation to “just browse” the onboard shops or spend an hour at the slots can quickly spiral.
Cruise lines know this – and sea days are when they roll out the sales, raffles, and casino promos.
It’s all too easy to walk in for a “look” and walk out with a bracelet, a new watch and 200 fewer pounds in your account. Keep your budget in mind, and if you’re prone to impulsive swiping, maybe leave the cruise card in the cabin for a bit.
12. Starting the cocktails too early
Mimosas with breakfast? Fine. But once the pool bar opens and the drink package kicks in, things can get messy – fast.
If you start early and keep the momentum going, you might peak at 3 pm and be asleep by 6.
Worst case? You miss dinner entirely and wake up at midnight feeling queasy and confused.
Sea days are long. The drinks will still be flowing in the evening. Pace yourself. This is a cruise, not an endurance test.
Final word
It should be pretty obvious from this list – the key to a good sea day is balance.
Spend some time indoors, and treat yourself to a nap if you want to. But don’t miss out on pool time, and don’t waste the day asleep.
Try new things, but don’t overload yourself either, or you’ll burn out. And never forget to keep yourself topped up on fluids and sunscreen!
Ultimately, the sea day is the perfect chance to do ‘you’ – a day spent however you want to. But at least think about what you’re doing and what your alternative options are – so you can make sure you’re enjoying the ship in the best way to suit you.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
