Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Sarah Wilson

If you are wondering what to do on a sea day on a Viking Ocean Cruise, this guide will help you with tips and ideas how to have a great time on your cruise.

On my recent cruise on board Viking Star from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, there were five days at sea in the itinerary. I had never experienced a sea day before. The last time I took an ocean cruise with Viking was from Barcelona to Rome, and there weren’t any, so I admit, I wasn’t really sure what to expect or do to keep me entertained. 

Well, as it turned out, there is plenty to do and I loved the sea days. Yes – Even those slightly rockier ones. 

And with a maximum of only 930 passengers on board, there were always plenty of places to relax and enjoy the facilities and activities on board the Viking Star and be as sociable or as anti-social as you wanted to be. 

Here are my favourite suggestions for what to do on a sea day on a Viking ocean cruise:

Have Breakfast In Bed 

Well, if you don’t have to get up early, why not treat yourself to breakfast in bed? Room Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Viking, and there’s no extra charge. 

Pamper Yourself In The Spa

On a sea day, do take a moment to relax and rejuvenate in the Nordic spa. You can use the steam room, thermal pool, hot tub, sauna, and even a snow room for free. 

And if you are worried that you are consuming too many calories onboard from all the fabulous food, there is also a fitness centre with running machines. No, I didn’t go in there!! 

But I did treat myself to a wonderful Swedish massage on one of the sea days. Book in advance, as using the spa on days at sea is a popular choice. 

There’s also a hair salon, and they do fabulous manicures and pedicures there. 

Catch Up On Laundry

Maybe it’s just me, but I get quite excited whenever I have the chance to catch up on laundry when I travel. 

So you can imagine how I felt when I learned there are self-service launderettes with irons and ironing boards on Decks 3–6 that are free of charge and with detergent available for your use at no extra fee.

But on sea days, do get there early or during meal times because you probably won’t be the only one thinking of getting their laundry done that day. 

However, if you need to do laundry but can’t bear the idea of doing your own, and depending on the type of stateroom you have booked, dry cleaning and laundry services, including pressing, might be free. 

You can find a complete list of amenities for each room type here. If your room type doesn’t include these services, you can buy them for a small fee through your room steward.

Enjoy A Swim In The Main Pool

Ok, I admit I’m not one for swimming pools. I’m not sure these days if it’s because I can’t actually swim or it’s the fear of wearing a swimsuit in public. 

But no matter the weather, there’s a heated pool on deck 7. And with a retractable roof, you can swim in all temperatures. It’s not the biggest pool in the world, but I never saw it crowded, even on the last two days as we approached the warmer weather of Florida. 

Or maybe enjoy a poolside cocktail, a delicious burger by day, or watch a movie under the stars at night. 

And if the weather is hot, don’t forget the Infinity Pool, one of the first of its kind at sea. This pool is located at the aft of the ship near the Aquavit Terrace. 

Snooze On A Sun Lounger

One of my favourite activities was to relax on a sun bed and enjoy the ocean views. The weather doesn’t even have to be great because you can snuggle under a blanket, stare at the ocean, snooze or read a book. 

You can find sun loungers on the sun deck on deck 8 or under cover near the main pool on deck 7. 

Catch Up On Reading

Don’t worry if you forgot to bring along a book; there are shelves filled with books on the ship for you to read. There’s even a book exchange on Deck 1, if you’ve finished your book and want to swap for another. 

Try Something New 

Take a look at what’s on offer in your Viking Daily and try something new. 

I took my first ever line dancing class. I thought I’d be the only idiot there, but it turns out line dancing was quite popular. It was a lot of fun, even though my coordination was absolutely hopeless. 

Go To An Onboard Lecture 

I never like the word ‘lecture’; I always think I’m being told off, but an onboard lecture is nothing like that. 

Every Viking ocean ship has several guest lecturers with expertise across a spectrum of fields, from art and archaeology to sciences and nature and much more. Some lecturers have led quite incredible lives, from astronauts to military commanders.

As we were visiting Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island the next day, I attended the Charlottetown: Cradle of Confederation lecture. It made the visit the following day more meaningful. 

I also attended a creative writing workshop, which I found enjoyable, though my shyness prevented me from actively engaging. However, the other attendees showed no fear.

And I took the Bayeux Tapestry tour with the Viking historian to learn about the artwork that appears on the stairwells of the Viking Star. 

Spoil Yourself With Afternoon Tea In The Wintergarden 

From 4 pm -5 pm every day, you must try afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts served in the Wintergarden, located adjacent to the Main Pool. There’s even a tea menu with a wonderful selection of teas from around the world. 

Enjoy An Aperitif In The Explorers’ Lounge 

Located on deck 7 of each Viking Oceans ship and offering fabulous ocean views, the Explorers’ Lounge is my favourite place for a pre-dinner gin and tonic. 

It’s also my favourite spot to pick up a delicious waffle at Mamsen’s, tucked away in a corner in the Explorers’ Lounge. 

 For solo travellers, keep an eye out for the casual meet-ups on deck 8 of the Explorer Lounge. 

Love to test your general knowledge? Check the Viking Daily for the next game of team trivia or name that Broadway tune taking place in the lounge. 

Viking Bar & Atrium

There’s another bar on levels 1 and 2, which apparently serves terrific cocktails; however, this bar was my favourite spot for coffee and cookies throughout the day. Somehow, I always used to walk by just as a fresh tray of cookies was being brought out. Well, it would be rude not to take one! 

It’s also a lovely spot to listen to classical music or challenge someone to a scrabble or card game. 

Watch A Show In The Star Theatre

And if you still have energy after dinner, after your busy day pottering around the ship, head to the Star Theatre to watch a show or head up to the pool deck to watch a movie. 

Or, like me, take a glass of wine, head back to your cabin, sit on the veranda and listen to the sound of the ocean. 

So, as I discovered, there’s plenty to do on sea days on a Viking Ocean Cruise, and I totally understand now why people enjoy them. I certainly did. 

For More Posts On Viking’s Ocean and River Cruises – Check These Out. 

Is A Viking Ocean Cruise Right For You?

Diary Of A Solo Traveller On A Viking Ocean Cruise From Barcelona To Rome 

Common Myths About River Cruising

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Disclaimer: I was a guest of Viking Ocean Cruises, but all opinions expressed here are my own. A big thank you to Viking for this fantastic opportunity. 

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