Cruising is one of the most popular ways to vacation, with millions of people around the globe choosing a cruise as their vacation each and every year. One of the draws of cruising is the ability to see many destinations within a few days, only ever having to unpack once, and returning to the same room every night. There has never been a more convenient way to travel the world!
Because of the nature of cruises (hopping from one port to the next every day), there is usually the inevitable sea day...at least one per cruise. There is a great divide when it comes to sea days...people either love them or hate them. At Harr Travel we LOVE a good sea day, and we are going to tell you why, and give you all the information you need to know about what a sea day is, and how to plan yours out.
WHAT IS A SEA DAY?
A sea day is a day in which the ship does not dock at any ports, but travels for the entire day on the water to get to a further destination by the next morning. Most cruises a week long have a sea day at least once per cruise, and many times it is the first full day of the cruise or the last, but can happen in the middle as well, all depending on the itinerary.
We love sea days because you will be able to fully explore and enjoy everything the ship has to offer. You can relax and unwind knowing that you don't have anywhere to be.
When you look at your itinerary when you book the cruise, you will be able to see exactly which ports are on the schedule, and which day will be the "sea day". Knowing this information ahead of time will give you the ability to plan and book everything you prefer on those days.
HOW SHOULD YOU PLAN OUT YOUR SEA DAY?
Not many people think about the fact that a sea day can be a bit different onboard than a port day, and requires some planning. Because you will be on the ship the entire day, you need to understand that every venue, activity, restaurant, and entertainment may all be a bit busier than the other days.
RESTAURANTS | Many specialty restaurants will be open for lunch on sea days, as well as dinner; and because no one on the ship will be eating onshore during that day, bookings and reservations will fill up quickly. Once the dining reservations for your cruise become available for booking in the weeks leading up to your trip, we recommend making those reservations immediately to ensure you get into your preferred dining venue. Most restaurants onboard will keep a select number of tables open for onboard booking...and in this case, you should book day one of your cruise.
ACTIVITIES & SPA | In addition to dining reservations, onboard activities such as games, classes, and even the spa will be busy and book up quick. These are a great way to keep yourself entertained during a long day at sea, so be sure to make any of the reservations ahead of your cruise for best availability. It is not out of the ordinary for spa passes and treatments to sell out on sea days.
TOUR THE SHIP | Don't forget to take advantage of everything onboard the ship. A sea day is the perfect opportunity to check out the entire vessel, and try new things. There is always entertainment happening, live music, and places to enjoy food and relaxation. So get out of your stateroom, walk around, and get to know the ship!
ENTERTAINMENT | Keep in mind on sea days the shows and musical productions, while free, will have seating fill up a little faster than on port days, especially during any matinées. And while most people are able to find a seat, we recommend getting to the venue early to find seating, especially if you have a larger group and want to sit together.
FORMAL NIGHTS | Formal nights are hosted on many cruise ships, paying homage to the cruising days of old, when guests would dress to the nines each and every night for dinner. There is usually one formal night per cruise, and many times they are planned on sea days. This is a great opportunity for you and your group to dress up, get fancy, and enjoy a fun evening around the ship. And be sure to make those dinner reservations in advance!
Booking Your Cruise
Now that you are ready to book your vacation and experience everything a cruise has to offer, reach out to the experts at Harr Travel. We know the ships inside and out, and have an amazing relationship with many cruise lines in the industry. Our advisors will craft the cruise vacation of a lifetime for you, your friends, family, or group at an exceptional rate, and give you the Harr Travel signature service every step of the way.
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