The world of cruising has come a long way. The days of cramped, claustrophobic cabins, cheesy entertainment, and boring buffets are (mostly!) gone, and the majority of modern cruise ships are spacious, stylish, and luxurious. Today you can visit just about every sought-after destination in the world, and get stuck into all kinds of inspiring off-shore activities – but things on board are no less exciting.
The cruise experience is constantly evolving and updating, and ships today are full of all kinds of surprises. While swimming pools and casinos might be par for the course, there are many things you probably won’t expect to find, from state-of-the-art wellness spas to stargazing observation capsules.
So, to give you a glimpse of what the modern cruise experience is like, here are 10 unexpected things you might find on a cruise ship in 2024.
1. A climbing wall
Climbing is one of the most rewarding hobbies around; not only is it good for improving strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination, but it’s also beneficial for mental health. So, if you’re a keen climber – or you just fancy giving it a try – the good news is that you don’t need to be on dry land to do it. Some Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise liners have climbing walls on deck.
Harmony of the Seas, one of the world’s largest cruise ships, has two 43-foot climbing walls on deck – and you can admire breathtaking sea views from this vantage point. Norwegian Epic was also the first ship to boast a rappelling wall – and because it also functions as a rock climbing wall, you can get your thrills both ways.
2. A running track
If you’re someone who likes to run regularly, the idea of being on a cruise ship might feel restrictive – but you don’t have to wait until the ship docks to pull your running shoes on. Pretty much all cruise ships these days have gyms that feature at least one treadmill. Though, while this might come in handy when the weather is poor, it doesn’t compare to the freedom of running outdoors.
Luckily, many modern ships have a running track on the top deck. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Carnival Cruises have running tracks on all their ships – although the best track has got to be on Virgin Voyages’ ships. This red running track is fenced off, so you don’t have to worry about bumping into other guests, and can focus on running, appreciating the views, and enjoying that fresh sea air.
3. Luxury spa experiences
In recent years, there’s been a real focus on wellness – and things are no different at sea. While many ships have had spas for a while, the services and amenities they offer have vastly improved and, now, massages, facials, saunas, and steam rooms are seen as the absolute minimum. A spa day is one of life’s luxuries, and today you can enjoy world-class spa experiences while cruising through the ocean.
Spas on Norwegian ships, for example, feature hydrotherapy pools, salt rooms, and icy ‘snow rooms’ that are designed to boost circulation and the immune system. Cunard Cruises offers 60 treatments, including reiki and reflexology therapies alongside all the usual spa offerings. And Celebrity Cruises’ spa is the only 11-time winner of the Condé Nast Traveler Best Destination Spa Award!
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Northern Europe Luxury Cruise - Rome (Civitavecchia) to Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) on May 25, 2025*
Europe | 15 nights | Book with Regent Seven Seas Cruises
4. Stargazing observation capsules
Cruising, in general, is a great time for stargazing, as the pristine, dark skies at sea reveal all kinds of celestial treasures; you can see the Milky Way and, often, the distant glow of the Andromeda Galaxy – two million light-years away. If you’re a fan of stargazing, you might want to think about treating yourself to a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem, Quantum, and Ovation of the Seas ships.
Each of these ships boasts an incredible North Star observation capsule, where you’ll be elevated 300 feet above sea level for an opportunity to drink in truly awe-inspiring views of both the sea and sky at night. As the winner of the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship, experiencing the North Star is an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
5. An ice rink
You might not expect to visit the Caribbean and go ice skating – but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Many Royal Caribbean cruise ships now have ice rinks on board, so, if the idea of doing figure eights on the ice while cruising through the tropics sounds fun, you’re in luck.
Not only are these ice rinks open for recreational use, for both adults and children, but there are also spectacular ice skating shows, where you can watch professional skaters jump, lift, and spin around the ice. Just like the skating itself, the shows are complimentary – so if you’ve caught too much sun for the day, why not cool down on the ice?
6. Specialty restaurants
The food on cruises once had a reputation for being bland, with cruisers having to battle it out at the buffet to find something palatable. But, in 2024, things couldn’t be more different. Today, there are so many speciality restaurants on board that lots of people never even see the main dining room. From fast-food hot spots to fancy gourmet experiences, there’s something for everyone.
Some cruise ships partner up with top chefs like Jamie Oliver and Thomas Keller, or even world-class restaurants like Nobu. Almost all cruise ships have an incredibly wide range of restaurants that cater to every diet and taste. Norwegian, for example, is known for its exceptional Mexican food, Marella Cruises’ for its Asian cuisine, and Celebrity Cruises has a world-renowned Italian steakhouse.
7. An ice bar
Continuing the ice theme, some cruise ships have their very own ice bar. On three Norwegian ships (Norwegian Breakaway, Getaway, or Epic), you’ll find a SVEDKA/Inniskillin Ice Bar, which is kept at a chilly -9.5°C. The bar itself is made entirely from ice, and the ceiling is illuminated by coloured bulbs, to give the impression that you’re standing beneath the dancing northern lights.
It’s chilly in these bars, but you don’t have to worry about packing thermals, as you’ll be given a warm coat and gloves on arrival. If ice bars aren’t your thing, Royal Caribbean’s North Star also has a bar where you can stargaze over cocktails. Or, MSC Cruises’ glitzy Champagne Bar is wrapped around a showpiece Swarovski crystal staircase, allowing you to make a grand entrance.
8. A race track
If the idea of ice skating in the middle of the ocean sounds wonderfully absurd, you’ll probably be just as entertained by the idea of go-karting at sea. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to install race tracks on its ships – and on the Norwegian Prima, you’ll find an expansive, winding 1,400-foot go-kart track spread over the top three decks.
The cars reach speeds of 40 miles per hour, but because they’re electric, you don’t have to worry about the roar of engines disturbing the peace. Instead, driving and revving noises are pumped into driver’s helmets to imitate the traditional race car experience. And, of course, there’s no smell of petrol, either. There’s also a ‘turbo boost’ option for thrillseekers!
9. A virtual balcony
Cabins on cruise ships can vary dramatically in terms of both size and style. For example, if you’re lucky enough to be on board a Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship, you’ll not only have a stylish, spacious suite, but you’ll also have a private balcony. While other cruise lines may not have this luxury, some have come up with an ingenious alternative to stop rooms feeling cramped, dull, or dark.
On many Royal Caribbean ships, inside cabins are equipped with floor-to-ceiling HD display screens along one wall, giving you real-time views of the sights and sounds outside. The ‘balcony’ includes a virtual railing and real curtains on either side you can draw to hide the screen. The ‘view’ is real – it’s taken from a camera mounted on the ship – and it gives you a convincing taste of the outdoors.
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Mediterranean Luxury Cruise - Rome (Civitavecchia) to Barcelona on Nov 15, 2024*
Europe | 7 nights | Book with Regent Seven Seas Cruises
10. A roller coaster
And, finally, for the real daredevils and thrillseekers among us, there are also roller coasters at sea. Cruises tend to be pretty relaxing experiences, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your adrenaline pumping if you wish to. In 2021, Carnival Cruise Line became the first cruise ship line to have a roller coaster on board, and their BOLT! roller coaster is the main centrepiece of their ship, Mardi Gras.
Since then, two more roller coasters have been introduced on other ships – and as you zoom around at motorbike speeds, you get to enjoy incredible 360° ocean views. These ‘sea coasters’ have proved so popular with guests that other cruise lines are following suit. When Norwegian’s new ship, Aqua, debuts in 2025, it’ll feature a roller coaster water slide hybrid that measures three stories high!
Final thoughts…
Forget ideas of being crammed in like sardines, stale entertainment, dingy cabins, and lacklustre food; modern cruises offer a whole other experience.
Not only are there a whole host of exciting onboard activities to try your hand at, but there are also numerous ways to relax and treat yourself – whether it’s indulging in a blissful treatment in an innovative spa, or a sumptuous dinner created by world-class chefs.
Even the interior cabins have been modernised and, with virtual balconies acting like bright windows, you can enjoy the perks of a balcony cabin for a fraction of the price. Plus, when you consider that you also have access to some of the world’s best stargazing facilities, you can look forward to dazzling views in both the day and night.
To find out more about the benefits of cruises, you might want to read our article; 8 reasons why cruises make great multigenerational holidays. And, for more cruise inspiration, why not check out our other feature; 10 off-the-beaten-track cruise destinations? Or browse the latest cruise holiday deals using the button below.
Have you been on a cruise recently? What was it like? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.