Gone are the days when deck quoits and ballroom classes were as lively as it got on a cruise. If technology and maritime law permit, the creativity of cruise lines today knows no bounds. Here are seven of the most bonkers things you’ll find on a cruise ship.
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1. Skydiving simulator
There’s something liberating about bobbing around in a vertical wind tunnel, arms and legs splayed out. Royal Caribbean packs in the entertainment on its big, glitzy ships, but the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator has to be one of the wackiest — 60 seconds of pure adrenaline and understandably popular from as little as £24 a go, considerably less than you’d pay ashore. Just go easy on the photoshoot of your adventure, as there’s a tendency to drool when “flying” in a 120mph updraft.
Details Seven nights’ full board on Anthem of the Seas from £899, departing Southampton on September 1 (royalcaribbean.com)
2. Underwater viewing lounge
Ponant’s Blue Eye underwater lounges are the stuff of Jules Verne. They’re 8ft under the water level, where sun-dappled light filters from above through two big eye-shaped windows. By day you can observe passing marine life, and at night 28 spotlights in the hull illuminate the underwater world. Hydrophones relay real sound, so listen out for whalesong. Take in the whole scene from the squashy white sofas, which lull you into a dreamy trance with their gentle vibration.
Details Twelve nights’ all-inclusive on Le Dumont-d’Urville from £5,580, departing from Mahé, Seychelles, on January 19, 2025 (uk.ponant.com). Fly to Mahé
3. A kennel (with its own lamppost)
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the only cruise ship on which you’re allowed to bring dogs and cats, which occupy the 24 plush kennels on deck 12 on the liner’s transatlantic crossings. The pampered pets are supervised by their own uniformed kennel master and enjoy all the trappings you might expect of luxury ocean travel, from turndown treats to chic logo wear. Owners can visit in a special lounge and walk their pets in an outdoor exercise area, complete with fire hydrant, for American dogs, and a lamppost for the Brits, taken from Cunard’s original Liverpool HQ. Book at least a year in advance.
Details Seven nights’ full board from £649pp, departing Southampton on March 8, 2025 (cunard.com). Fly from New York
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4. Ice bar
The Skyy Vodka Ice Bar on NCL’s Norwegian Breakaway is a nod to the ice bars of Stockholm and Vegas so beloved of stags and hens. Everything from the bar stools to the glasses for your vodka shots are made of ice, the blue-white room, which is essentially a giant freezer maintained at a chilly minus 8C. You’re kitted out in a toasty cape before braving it — and once inside the £15 cover charge buys you two Skyy Vodka cocktails, such as an Ice Cold — vodka, Grand Marnier, orange juice and lemon.
Details Five nights’ all-inclusive from £652, departing Miami on November 19 (ncl.com). Fly to Miami
5. Tattoo parlour
Virgin Voyages packs in the gimmicks in its quest to appeal to hipsters, and the Squid Ink tattoo parlour on its ships — in partnership with the ethical vegan brand World Famous Tattoo Ink — is just one example. Prices start from £119 for, say, a small anchor or octopus, extending into thousands of pounds for something more elaborate. You’ll find Squid Ink on all three of the line’s adult-only ships — best give it a miss after a few too many in the ship’s Loose Cannon pub, though.
Details Seven nights’ full board from £1,095pp, departing Barcelona on August 4 (virginvoyages.com). Fly to Barcelona
6. Gin distillery
Gin lovers should head straight for Anderson’s Bar on P&O Cruises’ Iona, where there’s a shiny copper still in a temperature-controlled, glass-enclosed room producing Marabelle, the line’s exclusive gin, in partnership with the Devon-based Salcombe Distilling Co. It was the first — and still the only — gin distillery on a cruise ship. As well as tasting the excellent Marabelle (which is also on sale in Iona’s duty-free shop), you can join a gin-blending class and create your own flavours.
Details Seven nights’ full board from £649, departing Southampton on April 27 (pocruises.com)
7. A celebrity cat
Throughout the history of shipping, dogs, monkeys, cats and parrots have all served as captains’ companions. Celebrity Cruises’ Captain Kate McCue keeps the tradition alive with Bug Naked, her hairless elf sphynx cat, which lives with her on the bridge when she’s at the helm of Celebrity Beyond. While Captain McCue’s tales of life at sea have 3.6 million followers on TikTok, Bug is a social media star in her own right, with 70,000 followers on Instagram — you can join a bridge tour to meet both celebs.
Details Eight nights’ full board from £1,035pp, departing Fort Lauderdale on August 24 (celebritycruises.com). Fly to Miami
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