First time cruisers

Choose the right cruise ship and you will never be bored! Today’s modern cruise ships have so much to enjoy!

Picking a cruise ship with lots of activities is particularly important if you’re cruising out of season when the weather is colder. Or if you have an itinerary with lots of sea days, such as a transatlantic cruise.

So, here’s a list of the best things you can do on a cruise ship…

1. Eat all the food

The average cruiser puts on half a stone per week on a cruise, which requires eating an extra 3,500 calories per day on top of what you’d usually eat. Sounds a lot? Well, it’s easily done with endless snack options like pizza slices, chips and ice cream as well as endless buffets and three-course meals every night.

2. Spa day

Have a massage, float in the pool, and nap on a heated water bed. You could even get your teeth whitened on board. These are some of the most relaxing cruise ship activities by far.

3. Indoor swimming pool

What do you do on a cruise when the weather’s not great? Relax by the pool anyway, of course! Choosing a cruise ship with an indoor pool is a good idea for anyone with kids. Even better, head to the adults-only solarium while they’re in the kids’ club for a much more relaxing time.

4. Watch a movie

Most cruise ships have either a cinema indoors, or a large screen on the pool deck showing movies. P&O ship Iona has four cinema screens on board, so there’s always something good to watch.

5. Bingo

Eyes down! Cruise ship bingo can be adults only with big money at stake, or there may also be family versions where kids can join in to win sweets and toys.

6. Casino

There’s loads of fun to be had in the casino, whether at the tables or machines, it’s easy to forget what time it is. One of the more popular things to do on a cruise ship in the evening – although there are still plenty of other options, too.

7. Gym

I always tell myself I’m going to go to the gym on a cruise but I’ve still never done it. I’m sure it would make me feel less guilty about all the desserts if I could manage it!

8. Fitness Classes

Zumba, pilates, HIIT, there’s something for everyone, just check your daily planner (the cruise ship activities list either posted in your room or on the app) for the times.

9. Get drunk

A rainy day is a great excuse to work your way down the cocktail menu. Particularly if you have a drinks package.

10. Hot tub

Here’s one outdoor activity that can be enjoyed whatever the weather. Just make sure you have a towel nearby for when it’s time to get out!

11. Play cards

Most ships have card rooms where you can find others to play games like bridge or whist with.

12. Admire the views

Head up to the top deck, look out the window or, if you’re on a Royal Caribbean Quantum Class ship, take a ride in the North Star observation pod which rises 300 feet above the sea.

13. Ice skating

Get your skates on and fall over in style. Then watch the professional ice show and wow at how easy they make it look.

14. Bumper Cars

Another feature on Quantum-class ships is bumper cars, also known as dodgems.

15. Social media

Make the most of your WiFi package by making your friends jealous with photos of your food.

16. Go to the hairdresser

Relax with a new style, color, or a fancy updo, ready for a formal night.

17. Watch a show

Singers, comedians, dancers, musicals, and even synchronized swimming, you’ll find all kinds of entertainment shows on board.

18. Learn floristry

Did you know that cruise ships have florists on board? Learn how to arrange flowers or make your own corsage to wear in the evening.

19. Ice bar

Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway and Epic each have an ice bar where you can don a winter coat and enjoy ice cold vodka cocktails whilst sitting on furniture made of ice.

20. Stay in bed

Order room service, watch movies in bed and take naps. Sounds like heaven to me!

21. Escape room

Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises each have escape room games where you have to piece together clues to make your way out of a room before the time is up.

22. Try a tasty (and potentially boozy) milkshake

Lots of ships have a special area to get custom milkshakes. On Icon-class ships with Royal Caribbean you can even get adults-only options with a boozy kick!

23. Galley tour

Ever wondered how cruise ship kitchens can serve up enough food to feed thousands of people at the same time? Find out with a tour of the ship’s kitchen, also known as the galley.

24. Rock climbing

Heading up the rock climbing wall is a surefire way to warm up in cooler weather. The small kids make it look so easy. It’s not!

25. Arcade

From retro games to air hockey and dance games, there’s lots of fun to be had in the arcades.

26. Board games

We love to hunt out board games to borrow. Even if we’re not playing them, young kids they like to make up their own games with the pieces.

27. Mini golf

Crazy golf is fun for all the family. Just don’t hit it into the sea! Fore!

28. Archery

A great way for families to spend time together, you can enjoy an expert-led archery class on your cruise.

29. Fencing

Where else but posh cruise line Cunard would offer fencing as an activity? I’d love to give it a go. On guard!

30. See behind the scenes

Ever fancied a look in the engine room? Book a behind-the-scenes tour and see all that and more.

31. Trapeze school

After you’ve watched the circus show, on Anthem of the Seas you can actually have a go yourself with a lesson in trapeze artistry.

32. Laser tag

Once an 80s craze, laser tag is back and better than ever on selected Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ships.

33. Sports

Basketball, tennis, volleyball, football… there’s no end of sports to enjoy.

34. Watch a game show

I really like cruise ship gameshows. It’s great fun cheering on your fellow cruisers as they try to win prizes. The Mr and Mrs type ones are my favourites – so funny!

35. Table tennis

A great way to spend an hour, table tennis, or as the Americans call it ping-pong is a fun game for two or four people to enjoy together.

36. Ride a carousel

Hop aboard a horsey (or zebra) and ride the carousel in the Boardwalk of selected Royal Caribbean ships.

37. Hall of mirrors

Watch out for the funny mirrors by the carousel, especially the one that shows what you’ll look like if you spend too long in the buffet.

38. Go karting

Yes, that’s right, newer Norwegian Cruise Line ships even have go kart tracks on board! Unbelievable!

39. Art classes

Learn to draw or paint in a class led by an expert artist.

40. Silent disco

On Celebrity Cruises, you can set your headphones to your favorite channel and dance like nobody’s watching.

41. Ride a roller coaster

The world’s first roller coasters at sea can be found on Carnival Cruise Line’s newer ships Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee.

42. Bowling

Knock down the pins and try for a strike in the bowling alley

43. Planetarium

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has a full-size planetarium where you can learn about everything in the night sky for a fun and educational experience.

44. Cookery classes

Learn to make sushi, cupcakes, pizzas or almost anything else at an expert-led class

45. Art gallery

Admire the pieces in the onboard art gallery. You could even attend an art auction and bid on a piece to take home with you.

46. Order a drink from a robot

Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises both have bionic bartenders that will mix your cocktails while you look on in awe. So clever!

47. Dance classes

Led by expert dancers, a sea day is a perfect opportunity to spend an hour learning to tango, waltz or samba.

48. Sky bike

Carnival Vista, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon have pedal-powered bikes on a track 150 feet above the sea.

49. Learn a language

Brush up on your skills or learn something entirely new with a language class.

50. Sky diving

Royal Caribbean’s RipCord by iFLY attraction is a skydiving simulator that can be found on Quantum Class ships such as Anthem of the Seas.

51. Karaoke

Cruise ship karaoke is great. But does anyone else prefer the bad singers to the good ones?

52. Seawalk

Walk along a glass pathway 128 feet above the sea on Princess Cruises’ ships Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess.

53. 4D movies

More than just a 3D movie, with a 4D experience your chair moves, you’re squirted with water and there might even be pumped-in smells to add to the sensory experience of watching a film. 4D cinemas can be found on selected MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line ships.

54. Formula One simulator

Get behind the wheel of a Formula One car replica and go for a spin on the virtual reality track.

55. Roller skating

You’ll be reminded of your childhood as you whizz round on skates, trying not to take anyone out as you go.

56. Slides

Whilst you might not want to brave a water slide in the cold weather, selected Royal Caribbean ships feature the Ultimate Abyss – a dry slide which starts at deck 16 and ends at deck 6.

57. Quizzes

Who doesn’t love a good pub quiz? I’m terrible at them but it’s still good fun.

58. High ropes course

Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Escape have ropes courses with 99 elements, including a plank which extends eight feet over the edge of the ship. You have to stretch to ring the bell. Not much scares me but I found this terrifying! You can also find high ropes courses on Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships.

59. Guest lectures

Lectures can be about anything from health and fitness to the history of the ports you’ll visit. Take a look at the daily planner to see which ones look interesting.

60. Computer games tournaments

Teenagers can challenge their new friends to a whole host of games on the Xbox, Switch or Playstation.

61. Towel art

Want to know how the housekeepers manage to make your towel look like a swan? Learn the tricks at a towel art class so you can make your own towel animals at home.

62. Build a model cruise ship

Team up with fellow cruisers and staff to see who can build the best model cruise ship on P&O Cruises holidays. You’ll even get to float them in the pool and see how they fare against stormy seas.

63. Ziplining

Nine decks high and 82 feet across, Royal Caribbean’s ziplines zoom above Central Park in the hollow centre of the ship.

64. Play pool

You may not be up for swimming in the cold, so why not try a different kind of pool and have a game on a pool table? This popular pub game is best accompanied with a pint of beer. The ships’ tables even have stabilisers so the balls don’t roll around in the waves (unless it gets a bit stormy)!

65. Surf lessons

Ever wanted to learn how to surf? Enjoy a private lesson on Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider surf simulator.

66. Watch an outdoor movie

Snuggle up under blankets, grab some popcorn and relax and watch a film on the big screen by the pool.

67. Croquet

Selected Celebrity Cruises ships have real grass on the top deck which is ideal for enjoying a quiet game of croquet. Possibly followed by Pimms and cucumber sandwiches, I’d imagine.

68. Read a book

I only ever read books on holiday. I just don’t get time at home. So when I’m away I love to curl up in a cosy spot and get stuck in to a good book.

69. Deck games

Old fashioned games like quoits and shuffleboard have been popular since the olden days and still provide a good hour of fun, once you understand the rules.

What do you like to do on a sea day?

What’s your favourite activity that you’ve enjoyed on a sea day? Let me know in the comments below. With so much to enjoy on today’s exciting modern cruise ships, I’d be happy if every day was a sea day. A transatlantic crossing is definitely on my bucket list.

Related posts:

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.

Read more about me

Wondering what happens when someone jumps off a cruise ship? Well, you’ll be glad to know that, fortunately, this isn’t very common!

It’s almost impossible to simply ‘fall’ from a cruise ship as the railings are quite high. Most of the time, people who go overboard either intentionally jumped or were doing something irresponsible, like climbing over a balcony.

So what happens when someone jumps off a cruise ship? Let’s find out…

Jumping off a cruise ship on purpose – here’s what happens

If a passenger jumps off of a cruise ship, the ship will stop as soon as it’s alerted and make a turn to begin searching for them in the water. This can take several hours and often requires the help of passengers looking from their balconies as well as nearby cruise ships and vessels.

The crew will plot their location at the time of the fall and navigate back to the place it’s believed that the passenger has gone overboard.

Cruise ships are fitted with CCTV cameras which can help, but these aren’t continually monitored. Specialist sensors are also becoming more popular. Many cruise ships are fitted with V-MOB sensors which will automatically alert the crew at the bridge of any ‘man overboard’ incident.

If you see someone jump or fall overboard, you should immediately throw a life ring toward them. Even if they cannot reach it, it will help to mark the spot where they fell.

In the video below, Emma Cruises explains in detail the procedure that happens when someone goes overboard. She includes her own first-hand experience of the procedure when someone went overboard on her Norwegian Cruise Line sailing.

Why people jump from cruise ships

An average of 25 people each year jump from cruise ships, for multiple reasons. These could include:

• Committing suicide
• Foolish pranks
• Alcohol and/or drug-related incidents
• Climbing on balconies or railings
• An attempt to rescue someone who has fallen

In 2024, 19 people fell overboard out of 36 million passengers who cruised that year. This gives you a 1 in 1.9 million chance of ever falling overboard when cruising. Those who do fall, are usually intentionally jumping or are falling as a result of reckless behaviour.

Recent ship jumping incidents

There were several incidents of someone going overboard in 2024, but it’s not clear in each whether they were purposefully jumping or if they fell after acting in a dangerous manner.

In December 2024 one woman did try to jump overboard from Sky Princess, but she instead just jumped to a lower deck. She was given emergency medical care but unfortunately still lost her life.

In early 2024 there were a couple of incidents of people jumping from a cruise ship. It’s not super-common but it does happen.

Going a little further back, in June 2023, a woman went overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, reportedly after climbing a railing to sit on it for a photo.

Thankfully, because it was daytime and there were people who witnessed the incident, the ship was able to turn around and locate her. She was rescued from the water by the ship’s pilot boat, and brought back onboard.

Survival rates for jumping from a cruise ship

The survival rate after jumping off a cruise ship varies but is low – certainly no better than around 25%. Many things can influence this rate including the speed of the ship, the location, the time of day and the season.

A case of someone surviving their ordeal is taken from 2015 when a 22-year-old man fell overboard off the coast of Mexico. He was rescued by a Disney cruise ship after passengers spotted him in the water.

The man had been in the water for about five hours after falling from Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas early in the morning. After the rescue, the man was taken to a local hospital and was in good condition before flying back to the U.S.

And more recently, in February 2024, a passenger fell overboard from MSC Bellissima in Japan, but was rescued alive from the waters and survived.

Despite these stories, those who survive are incredibly lucky to have been rescued and made it to shore unscathed. Commenting on the impact falls from a cruise ship can have on a person, Cozumel Port Captain Alfonso Rodríguez said: “Most people that experience that kind of fall break their neck. It’s like hitting concrete.”

Sea survival expert, Mike Tipton, a professor from the University of Portsmouth and co-author of Essentials of Sea Survival, calculates most cruise ship falls sadly result in death.

He advises that, if you survive the initial fall, “the best thing you can do in the first few minutes of immersion is try to rest, relax, float,” he says, suggesting that restricting movement and conserving energy is the best strategy to increase your survival odds.

Factors affecting the survival rate of jumping from a cruise ship

Survival rates of jumping from a cruise ship can be impacted by a number of things:

• Whether the passenger was injured upon impact
• Which deck the passenger fell from
• The location of the ship
• The speed of the ship
• The time of day
• The temperature of the water
• The height of the waves
• The time it takes to raise the alarm
• Whether the passenger can swim
• Whether the passenger is intoxicated

If a person jumps off the top deck of a cruise ship into freezing cold and rough seas in the dead of night, the chance of them being found is very slim. But for someone jumping off a lower deck into warm, flat water with witnesses, the chance of being rescued is much higher.

It can take a cruise ship a long time to slow down, sometimes up to a mile in distance. During this time the passenger can suffer terrible consequences, that’s if they have even survived the fall in the first place.

A person who has jumped from a cruise ship could hit something during the fall, or the impact of the water itself could result in a quick death. There’s also a risk of getting pulled under the ship into its propellors, hypothermia due to the shock of cold water and drowning due to large waves.

Suggested read: How Cold Was The Water When The Titanic Sank?

The height of the ship itself can be a factor in the cause of death. Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, measures a staggering 20 decks high. Jumping from extreme heights has an incredible impact, with enormous forces putting stress on your body including torn muscles, ruptured eardrums and even death on impact.

If no one is around when the passenger goes overboard, then the disappearance may not be noticed or reported for several hours. Normal procedures allow for ships to track their location once notified so they can return to the spot where the passenger fell.

However, if hours have passed since, there’s no way to tell where this location could be. The sooner the crew are told, the better the chances are of someone being found.

Going overboard at night also has its issues as visibility is limited and the temperatures at sea drop. While flares and spotlights can be used in these circumstances, it’s often more difficult to locate someone in the water in the dark.

The seasons and weather such as rough seas, thunderstorms, rain, and fog, also hinder the chances of locating missing passengers.

So, will you die if you fall off a cruise ship, or jump off cruise ship balconies intentionally? There’s a high risk – which is why you need to be sensible.

Legal issues around jumping from a cruise ship

While there are no laws as such to make it illegal to jump from a cruise ship, those who survive often face legal action for their reckless behaviour and, depending on the circumstances, may be banned from cruising ever again.

Chris Gray Faust, senior editor at CruiseCritic.com is quoted in a CNTraveler article as emphasising “cruise lines want passengers to be safe, and they focus a great deal on helping to ensure that.”

He goes on to say that “it’s worth keeping in mind that the incidence of passengers falling overboard is incredibly low […] Travellers should always be sure to stay alert, be cautious, and follow safety precautions, as they would on any vacation – whether at sea or on land.”

The guy who jumped off a cruise ship for Instagram fame

A few years ago, there were a lot of ‘man jumps off cruise ship’ headlines as 27-year-old Nick Naydev jumped 100 feet from Symphony of the Seas into shark-infested waters while the ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas.

You can see the jump, and Nick’s comments on his stunt, in this video…

Speaking in 2019, Nick recalls, “I remember hitting the water, the impact was pretty big cause it was pretty high up and it impacted my tailbone and my neck pretty hard. Luckily it wasn’t anything serious. The previous night we were drinking quite a bit, so I was still feeling the effects of the alcohol […] I hope I don’t inspire anybody to do this because it is very dangerous, and I hope they don’t think this is a joke.”

As a result of the incident, Nick and his fellow passengers were banned from cruising with Royal Caribbean for life and the cruise line contacted local authorities to remove the group from the ship immediately after the incident.

The bottom line

A small number of people do jump from cruise ships each year. But, in the cases where this happens, procedures and policies are in place to try to retrieve the passenger who went overboard. Sadly, these rescue missions fail more often than they succeed.

Jumping off a cruise ship is always a bad idea. If you do survive the fall, you’re likely to face serious injuries, legal consequences and a lifetime ban from cruising.

Related posts:

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.

Read more about me

Do you ever get confused as to which is port and which is starboard? Maybe you know them already, but you don’t know their history.

It’s not essential that you know the difference between port and starboard before you cruise, but it’s still one of those things that’s just handy to remember sometimes.

So, let’s find out what they mean, how to remember which side is which, and where the names came from.

What Does Port And Starboard Mean?

Port and Starboard refer to the left and right sides of a ship respectively. They are used because they are always a fixed position, which helps mariners to communicate without any confusion or ambiguity – port and starboard will always be the same direction.

Imagine if you were trying to navigate using left and right during an emergency situation. It would be very easy to be facing the wrong direction, or to cause confusion if telling your crew to steer to the right of another ship.

I know for sure that when I get up to leave the buffet, I never know which way is the front of the ship!

By using fixed terms that never deviate, it is much easier to understand where to steer, or where an issue may be on the ship.

Which Side Is Port And Which Is Starboard?

When facing the bow (front) of the ship, port is on the left and starboard is on the right. These positions do not change – they are fixed. So, if you were facing the aft (rear) of the ship, port would be on the right and starboard on the left.

On a cruise ship, there’s not really any difference since most venues run across the width of the ship. While some ships are huge, it never takes long to walk from the port to the starboard side.

It’s just useful to know which side of the ship your muster station is on so that if there were an emergency you would have no trouble finding your way there.

Some cruise lines, like Carnival, will keep all even-number cabins on the port side and all odd-numbered cabins on the starboard side. While that’s in keeping with maritime tradition in naval vessels, it’s not universal across all cruise lines, but it can be handy for understanding which side of the ship you’ll be sailing on.

On Virgin Voyages ships, one side has the A cabins and one side has the B cabins, to make it a little easier to remember which way to head when you leave the elevator.

Are Port or Starboard Cabins Better On A Cruise?

On most cruise itineraries it won’t really matter whether your cabin is on the port or starboard side. The difference would be if your cruise was one-way, where you would always be facing a similar direction. In that case, you can work out whether you’d prefer a port or starboard room depending on your sailing direction.

If you’re sailing in a northerly direction and you want to enjoy the sunset from your balcony, make sure your cabin is on the port side, otherwise, instead, you’ll get the sunrise.

And if you’re sailing to the south, then sunset will be on the starboard side to the west, and sunrise to the east on the port side.

When considering port vs starboard for your cruise, it really doesn’t matter. What does matter though, is what deck to choose.

Why Is Port Left And Starboard Right?

The terms starboard and port date back hundreds of years to Old English. Starboard comes from the word ‘steorbord‘, which was the side of the ship that it was steered from, since most people are right-handed. Ships would then dock on the left side, hence port.

Ships didn’t used to have a central rudder but instead had one large steering oar. Because 90% of people are right-handed, it made sense for this oar to be on the right-hand side. That’s why the steorboard side was the right side – it was the side of the ship where it would be steered from.

It’s important that all ships use the same terminology to avoid any confusion, so when the regulations around international ship navigation were formalised it was written into law that port would always be left and starboard would be right, based on these Old English names.

Why Is It Called Starboard?

The term ‘starboard’ comes from the Old English ‘steorbord’, which is an amalgamation of ‘steor’, which meant to ‘steer’, and ‘bord’ which was a word meaning the side of a boat. As old boats were steered from the right-hand side, it was named steorbord, which ultimately became starboard.

Port wasn’t always known as port though. It also had Old English origins as ‘larboard‘ – from ‘lar’ meaning to ‘load’. As ships grew larger, they would normally be easier to dock on the left side while steering from the right, so that became the loading side of the ship.

Over time though, larboard and starboard were recognised as being too similar which could be confusing, so it was simplified to port, since it essentially meant the same thing.

Do Ships Always Dock On The Port Side?

When ships were steered manually, they would generally always be docked on the port side, hence the original name ‘larboard’ (loading side), and then port. Nowadays ships can dock on either side, depending on the port layout and regulations on how ships are arranged on a pier.

Cruise ships will have docking facilities on both port and starboard sides, and often it’s up to the captain as to which way to dock based on their direction of approach and sailing direction once they set sail, among the layout and regulations mentioned above.

On cruises to Norway, you’ll probably find that your ship alternates between port and starboard docking for the different destinations.

What Colours Are Associated With Port And Starboard?

The colour red is associated with port, and the colour green is associated with starboard. Ships must display a red light on their port side and a green light on their starboard side, so that passing ships can safely navigate around them.

These lights never change, in the same way as the names don’t. That way, if you see a ship in the distance you can instantly tell which direction it is sailing in without any ambiguity. There’s also a regulation that ships must have a white light on the stern/aft of the ship.

The same lights are used on aeroplanes too – a red light on the left side and a green light on the right.

On ships, the lights are also positioned at a certain angle, which just helps other crews to easily identify the direction that the ship is sailing in. They need to be visible from 2 miles away as well, so ships have plenty of time to react.

An easy way to remember that port is red and starboard is green is to remember that port wine is red. If you think of the question ‘Is there any port wine left in the bottle?’, then you’ll remember that port is red and also left.

Why Is Starboard Green And Port Red?

It’s believed that starboard was assigned a green light because it was traditionally the safer side of the ship – the helmsman would have a better view of the right-hand side of his ship when steering using an oar. Port was the more dangerous side, and so red was chosen.

Obviously, this harks back more to sailing tradition when a steering oar was used on the right side of ships, well before green and red lights were introduced. But that idea that port was more dangerous and starboard was safer was something carried forward. So that’s why red and green were chosen respectively due to their associations with those colours.

It’s worth noting that ships generally used to pass each other on the ‘dangerous’ port side because there wouldn’t be the steerage oar to potentially damage the passing ship. Boats could probably withstand a bump on the port side, but those oars could damage the hull of ships sailing past.

What Are The Four Sides Of A Ship Called?

The left side of the ship is called port and the right side is called starboard. The front of the ship is the bow, while the rear is called the stern. These are all fixed positions and never change regardless of the direction a sailor is facing.

The terms bow and stern aren’t as widely used in cruising. Instead, the rear of the ship is known as the ‘aft’ and the front of the ship is known as ‘forward’.

So, your cruise cabin might be forward, mid or aft (or sometimes a combination like ‘mid-fwd’ or ‘mid-aft’ to indicate towards the front or aft).

If you need help remembering ‘bow’ then just think of a bow and arrow, which always fires in a forward direction. So, the bow is the front, since that’s the direction the ship is travelling.

Another option is to think of bowing – when you do, the top half of your body is moving forwards. Therefore, bow = forwards.

Aft is a really easy one to remember – just think of the word ‘after’ and you’ll remember that the water behind the aft is what comes after the ship has moved through it.

Stern is a little trickier. A popular phrase to try and help is that ‘Stern Stan always stands at the back’, so maybe that would help?

How To Remember Port & Starboard

Many people struggle with remembering which is port and which is starboard. It’s a little trickier than remembering ‘bow and stern’ or ‘forward and aft’.

There are loads of little tips and tricks to help you remember which side is port and which is starboard. From clever sayings, to jokes, to even buying specially designed items of clothing there are tonnes of ways you can commit these to memory.

Want to learn how to differentiate starboard vs port yourself before you set sail? Read this next: 9 Easy Ways to Remember Port and Starboard.

Related Posts:

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.

Read more about me

I imagine that some people think that the idea of having sex on the deck of a cruise ship is a little too risky for them, but that a cruise ship balcony offers some kind of compromise. It’s sort of outside, but still in a private space, right?

Well, not really. You’re very close to other people, who may well be able to see into your balcony or hear what you’re up to.

But how likely is it, and is it worth that risk if you think sex on cruise ship balconies sounds a bit thrilling? Is it OK to try?

Can You Have Sex on a Cruise Ship Balcony?

It’s not OK to have sex on your cruise ship balcony. If you’re seen or heard then you may be found guilty of breaking decency laws, especially if there are children on the cruise. If you are caught, you risk punishment and may be kicked off the ship.

Here are five reasons why cruise ship balcony sex might not be the smartest idea, plus some tips on how to get away with it if you really insist on getting down on the balcony…

1. People Will See You

Balconies are not always as private as you might think. Some cruise ships have balconies that are overlooked, either by other balconies or by the public deck above. Meanwhile, others might have dividers to the left and right that aren’t entirely opaque.

And strangely enough, having sex in a place where you can be seen is still frowned upon when you’re cruising, unless you are on a very specific type of cruise. If you’re seen having sex, even on ‘your’ balcony, then you could get into serious trouble.

2. There Are Cameras

Cruise ships are equipped with cameras that monitor the outside areas, because if they didn’t and someone went missing, then they would have no way to check whether that person had fallen overboard.

So yes, your balcony may well have a security camera pointed at it. And if you decide to have a little bit of hanky-panky on your ‘private’ balcony then it may be picked up. If it is, don’t expect the security staff to leave you to it – they could get in trouble if they didn’t act. 

It’s probably more likely that you would get a warning though, if you weren’t visible to the other guests. But this would still be quite embarrassing for most people (unless you’re exceptionally confident).

3. People Will Hear You

Even if you’re completely secluded with an overhang, and you’re doing your thing closer to your cabin door so that you aren’t in visual range of any cameras, most people tend to make some kind of noise when they’re having sex.

And funnily enough, if you’ve decided that the weather is warm enough to get your kit off then there’s a good chance your cabin neighbours are also on their balcony enjoying the warm weather.

It’s highly likely that they would prefer to hear the sounds of the waves lapping against the side of the ship instead of any groans or moans you might be making with your partner.

If you’re having sex and someone else hears it, expect a stern warning from the crew. Even if you deny it and claim to have been having sex indoors but with the balcony doors accidentally left open, you can expect to be reminded to keep your private goings-on a little more private.

4. You Could Get Kicked Off the Ship

While it’s easy to make jokes, this is a serious matter and if you’re caught having sex on your balcony then you could even be kicked off the ship. Public indecency is a crime and yes, laws do apply at sea.

If you break the law then the cruise ship is within its rights to ask you to leave the ship at the next port of call, no matter where that is, either to be dealt with by the police or just to make your own way home.

In 2019, a couple were removed from the Mein Schiff cruise ship because they were making love loudly with the balcony door open.

Plus, leaving aside all the light-hearted discussion, most cruise ships are family-friendly these days. It’s not just a worry about another adult seeing you, but there could easily be a child that catches a glimpse if you’re in view of other balconies or public decks.

So you really need to think twice about whether you want to risk having sex on your balcony, not just because of the legal ramifications, but the moral ones too.

5. You Could Fall Overboard

Depending on your chosen positions and how energetically you’re going at it, who’s to say you couldn’t fall overboard if you were leaning on your balcony in any way? Particularly if things get a little bit frenetic, you might get carried away and not realise just how much danger you’re in.

In 2007, a 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman both fell overboard on a Princess Cruises ship in the Gulf of Mexico. Luckily, they were both retrieved, naked, from the water.

Is it really worth the risk, when there’s a perfectly good bed just a couple of metres away?

If You Really Want To Do It…

I can only make recommendations on why you shouldn’t have sex on a cruise ship balcony, but I’m not your boss.

You might be adamant that it’s going to happen, and if that’s the case, then at least consider one of these options for your safety (and to minimise the risk of getting caught).

1. Book a Cove Balcony

You can find a Cove Balcony on Carnival’s Excel-class, Vista-class and Dream-class ships. They’re also on P&O Cruises’ Iona and Arvia, as well as some Disney and Cunard ships.

These balconies are more enclosed, having sides and a bottom-half railing made from a solid steel panel.

This means they’re much more private, so you won’t be anywhere near as visible. There’s no overhang to worry about, and you still get that ‘outdoors’ experience, even if the opening of the balcony is a little smaller.

You still need to be careful with noise, but at least you will have that extra seclusion.

2. Book a Balcony with a Hammock

One way to maybe hide what you’re getting up to is to try having sex in a hammock. Virgin Voyages’ Sea Terrace rooms come with a hammock already installed, although it’s sheer so you might want to stay clothed and wear a floaty dress while you do it.

Many people take their own hammocks on cruises. You’ll need to check with the crew on the rules around hanging it, since some may not allow it (it’s quite the risk if you fell out near the balcony edge). But provided it’s hung on a larger balcony away from the railing you should be OK.

Of course, having sex in a hammock is probably a bit of adventure in itself, so have fun trying.

3. Book a Balcony With a Hot Tub

There are a selection of cruise lines that offer balcony hot tubs in some of their suites. 

These include Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite, some of the suites on MSC Cruises ships, the Pinnacle Suite on Holland America Line’s Eurodam, and both the Haven Spa Suites on Norwegian Escape and the Owner’s Suites on Norwegian Sky for NCL.

At least in a hot tub, you’re partially covered and, if you’re leaving some swimwear on, you can probably be quite subtle about what you’re getting up to.

It’s still a risk, and certain movements are going to be pretty obvious, but these suites are pretty private so, in theory, you should get away with it. But don’t blame me if you don’t!

The Bottom Line

Look, I understand that cruise holidays are exotic and exciting, and you might be up for trying some fun cruise sex things with your partner (or maybe another cruise passenger you’ve just met – I’m not judging).

But cruise balcony sex is risky and could really upset other passengers if they see or hear you. Be respectful and keep it to your cabin, I say.

And while you’re here, take a look at this list of things you should never do on your balcony. You may be surprised to discover that topless sunbathing isn’t on there!

Related Posts:

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.

Read more about me

Port and starboard are the words used to describe the left and right of a boat or ship when you’re facing the front.

With many cruise ships being over 1,000 feet long, it’s easy to get lost on board, and remembering the names for port and starboard can help you to find your way around.

With these tips, you’ll never be stuck wondering what side is starboard, or is port left or right – you’ll have it perfected.

Is Starboard Left or Right?

When looking forward towards the bow (front) of a ship, the port side will be on your left and the starboard side will be on your right. Port and starboard are fixed locations on any boat or ship, so if you turn around 180 degrees, the port side of the ship will now be on your right-hand side.

If you’re looking for an easy way to remember which side is starboard and which side is port on boat, there are several to choose from. Read them all and one of them should stick in your mind.

How To Remember Port And Starboard

1. Know Where the Names Port and Starboard Come From

If you know why port is called port and why starboard is called starboard, it will help you to remember which is which.

Before ships had rudders on their centrelines, they were steered using a steering oar. Because most people are right-handed, this was on the right-hand side of the ship. The combination of two Old English words ‘stéor’ (meaning steer) and ‘bord’ (meaning the side of a boat} became the starboard side of boat.

As the steering oar was on the right, boats would be moored on the other side. That’s why you have the port side of boat there – where the boat meets the port.

If you can remember that the starboard means ‘steering side’ and that most people are right-handed, this should help you to know that starboard is on the right.

2. Learn a Port and Starboard Joke

Another way to remember that port is left and starboard is right is to remember one of these funny port left, starboard right jokes…

More cruise jokes: 17 hilarious cruise jokes to make you laugh

3. Think How Many Letters Are in Each Word

When remembering which is port and which is starboard, you only have to know one of them, as you will then know the other by default.

PORT and LEFT both have four letters in them

If you can remember that ‘port’ and ‘left’ are the same because they have the same number of letters, then by default you can work out that ‘starboard’ means ‘right’.

4. Count the Letter Rs

Here’s another handy tip for port vs starboard:

STARBOARD is RIGHT – it has two letter Rs in it.

If this trick helps you to remember that starboard is right, then you’ll know by default that port is left.

5. Think About Port Wine

Port and starboard have the colours red and green assigned to them. These colours are used for the ship’s navigational lights and may also be used in signage inside the ship.

If you also wish to know that port is red and starboard is green, you can use and that’s to use this mnemonic about port wine:

Is there any RED PORT LEFT in the bottle?

If you imagine a glass of port wine (which is red in colour) being poured until the bottle is empty, this should help the phrase to stick in your mind.

Another phrase that’s similar to this is:

PORT is always LEFT at sea, but never left at dinner

This means that dinner party guests always finish the bottle of port.

6. Get a Pair of Port and Starboard Socks

A fun way to teach your loved one about port and starboard is to buy them a pair of port and starboard socks. Then, they’ll always know which is which, provided that they work out whether the port or starboard sock goes on the left foot!

I also have a post about gifts for cruise lovers which has more quirky gift ideas for people who love to cruise.

7. Think About the Alphabet

Thinking about the position of each letter alphabetically can be the best way to remember port and starboard for some people.

L for LEFT, is close to P for PORT

R for RIGHT, is close to S for STARBOARD

8. Think About Your Wedding Ring

Sailors are often accused of having a girlfriend or wife in every port. Think about your wedding ring on your left hand and remember this to know which side is port.

9. Think About Your Watch

Is your watch on your left arm? If you remind yourself that your watch is port, or think that you can buy watches in ports of call, then you’ll remember that port means left.

Conclusion

Learning to remember which is port and which is starboard is easy once you have a trick to do it. As with learning anything, it will stick in your brain if you practice.

So pick out your favourite method and think about it on separate occasions so that you’re less likely to forget.

Don’t worry if you struggle to remember, you can certainly take a cruise without knowing which are the port and starboard sides. What’s trickier to know on a ship is which way is the front and which is the back, and that’s something that you’ll need to know several times each day!

Related posts:

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.

Read more about me