A sea day on a cruise ship is one of the best things about going on a cruise because of how many choices you have in spending your day, but I've seen far too many passengers mess it up with the wrong approach.
Most cruises have at least one sea day where the ship makes its way to the next port, but spends the day out on the ocean.
I used to hate sea days when I first started cruising because I wasn't properly taking advantage of them. It's a great opportunity to experience everything Royal Caribbean ships have to offer, and that's important when you sail on a ship like Wonder of the Seas or Icon of the Seas that has so many things to do.
Ultimately, it's your choice what the best use of your time is, but I think passengers miss out on benefiting the most from their sea day when they do certain things.
There isn't necessarily right or wrong things to do, but I'd recommend not making these mistakes.
Not checking the weather forecast
Forget everything else in this article, if there's going to rainy or cold (or both) on a sea day, that will greatly impact your plans.
At some point the evening before your sea day, you'll want to look up the weather forecast for the day.
If you bought the internet package, you can check a host of apps that work well for this. The Windy app allows you to tap wherever in the ocean and it’ll tell you the forecast.
The easiest way to get the forecast for "the middle of the ocean" is to look at the digital Cruise Compass.
Each day there's a new Cruise Compass available to view, even if you don't have a WiFi package. It lists the forecast on the first page.
Overlooking specialty restaurants for lunch
There's nothing wrong with eating at the cruise buffet for lunch, but don't overlook specialty restaurants.
If I'm on a ship with Playmakers Sports Bar, I make it a point to eat there for lunch because it's the perfect sea day meal.
There could be other specialty restaurants open too for lunch, and many cost less for lunch than dinner.
Missing out on fun activities
FOMO is real on a cruise ship, and sometimes there's an event held only once during your sailing.
Not checking the list of activities for what's coming up that day is a mistake as well, especially events before noon. Opportunities to meet the Captain, learn about how the ship works, and other behind-the-scenes events takes place on sea days and in the morning.
There's also going to be the most activities on a sea day, so this is your chance to get in on them. Looking at the full list ahead of time means you don't miss out on a favorite.
The Royal Caribbean app lists it all, and it's the easiest way to quickly see what looks good and you can even add a reminder for it.
Trying to do too much
While I just mentioned all the fun things to do onboard, I think you want to avoid overdoing it too.
It's debatable how relaxing a sea day should be, but I think trying to squeeze too much in may also lead to that feeling you're "burning the candle on both ends."
This is more of a problem on port intensive itineraries in Europe, Asia, or Alaska, where you want to prioritize time on land. Sea days are a great way to relax and recharge.
Getting sunburned
It's one thing if you get sunburned at the beach, but getting sunburned on a sea day when sunscreen is a short walk back to your cabin is silly.
It happens all the time, but you really should avoid getting sunburned at all costs.
It'll be painful, and it's so easily avoidable.
If you forgot to pack some, they sell it in the general store onboard. You probably could borrow some from another passenger, if you asked politely.
Not taking seasick medicine
The highest chance of getting seasick is probably on a sea day, so make sure you take medication for it.
It's unlikely you will get seasick, especially if the weather is favorable. But I recommend new cruisers take a daily seasickness tablet, just to be safe.
Waking up too early
There have been a few days when I got up too early because I was so excited for a day of fun, and then by 11am, I was ready for a long nap.
There isn't anything wrong with napping during your cruise, but you also don't want to miss out on prime time activities.
If you're normally an early riser, then this is fine. What I'm talking about are the people who specifically get up early and then crash later.
Going late to the pool
If you value spending your sea day at the pool, don't be late getting there.
When the sun is shining, everyone else on your ship seems to have the same idea and chairs near the pool go quickly.
You don't need to get up at dawn to get a chair, but if being at the pool is important to you, I would plan to be at the pool deck by 10am at the latest.
There's a little more flexibility if you don't mind chairs further away from the actual pool and in the shade.
Wasting money at the spa
If you are going to get a spa treatment during your cruise, it will almost certainly cost less on a port day
Sea days are when everyone else has lots of time, so demand for the spa is highest.
What you should do is skip the spa on a sea day and book it for a port day.
Remember, it still counts if you go there in the final hours the ship is docked. So you could go right after your shore excursion and take advantage of the port day price specials.
Not partying late the night before
For those that are looking for the right evening to "go hard", then it's the day before a sea day.
Because you can sleep off a hangover, make sure you prioritize the night before a sea day for those antics.
Missing out on an uncrowded casino
One of the top complaints about the casino on any Royal Caribbean cruise is how crowded it can get there.
The casino will be open while your ship is at sea, and it's notably less crowded during the morning and day of a sea day.
It'll fill back up in the evening, but take advantage of the open machines while the sun in shing in the casino.
Skipping trivia
I think you're missing out if you don't attend a few trivia sessions.
Royal Caribbean offers all kinds of trivia, and you'll find probably one trivia session every couple of hours on a sea day.
My favorites are the Royal Caribbean trivia, geography trivia, and visual trivia. They're different from the norm, and it's a great sea day activity.
Refusing to nap
If your body is tell you to nap, you should do it.
I know it sounds counter-intuitive to enjoying everything the ship has to offer, but you also don't want to crash at 8pm. Or be half awake for most of the day.
A good power nap of 45 minutes can work wonders for rejuvenating you for more fun that day.
Not exploring the ship
Royal Caribbean ships are really big, so take time to see it all.
Ideally, you can tour the ship on embarkation day, but you probably didn't get to see it all. Or some areas were closed. So a sea day is a great time to see the rest of it.
Walk the decks, peek your head into a shop, and generally see what's around the next corner.
Not taking advantage of the internet package for the day
If you didn't buy an internet package for your entire cruise, you could buy a 24 hour pass and a sea day is a great time to maximize the value.
The 24 hour pass is available to book only when you get onboard, but since you won't have a shore excursion, you can take full advantage of it.
Plus, you could log out and let family use it too.
Don't forget as a Diamond or Diamond Plus member in Crown and Anchor Society, you're entitled to free internet to use as well.
Missing out on a sunset selfie
That perfect sunset to share on Instagram? There's a good chance of it on a sea day.
While beautiful sunsets can happen in port too, at least at sea there won't be any obstacles.
Knocking out any of your must-dos
This list was meant to offer ideas for what to do on a sea day, but it's also a good reminder a sea day is when you should try to do the things you first intended to do.
If you're like me, you picked a cruise ship because you saw certain activities or attractions onboard that you said "I need to do that!". If so, you'll want to take advantage of the sea day for it.
I've come back from far too many cruises with regret that I didn't get to do the one or two things that I really wanted to try. It's easy to get sidetracked or fall into the trap of "I'll do it later".
Take advantage of a sea day and get whatever you had your heart set on done.
