Once upon a time, cruising was more of a woman’s vacation preference than a man’s, with activities that appealed to more to the female gender. Fast forward to today’s ships, says CruiseCompete, and it’s now evident that men and cruise travel can - and do - go together. Sports, adrenaline and adventure options abound, which makes a cruise vacation the perfect couples or family vacation option- and more and more groups of men are booking a cruise as a “guy trip”.
Here are the top things men love at sea:
1.) Fabulous Food "24/7" - Casual buffets and bistro-style cafes offer light menu items. There are coffee ships with pastries, and hamburger stands, too! On almost all ships, you can order pizza or room service 24. Specialty restaurants offer the reservations-only dining experience, but most eateries are come-and-go, and casual attire is welcome.
2.) Hit the Gym - Want to continue that work out at sea? Today’s ships have running tracks and state-of-the-art gyms and equipment. You can work off that cruise cuisine in the best possible way- running a few laps around a track atop the ship's upper deck, breathing in the fresh sea air.
3.) Tee It Up – Avid golfers can still enjoy the game at sea. In addition to remarkably real, on-board computerized golf simulators, many cruise lines have expanded their stops at some of the world's most well-known and challenging golf courses.
4.) Sports Fun - The cruise lines have turned themselves into floating entertainment centers and include innovations like bowling alleys, Flowrider surfing pools, winding water slides and challenging rock-climbing walls. And the innovations don’t stop there. In 2015, Royal Caribbean introduced the first ever sky-diving simulator on their ship, Quantum of the Seas.
5.) Spend the Day on a Private Island – The cruise lines’ private islands include amenities such as beach and water sports, snorkeling, boat and kayak rentals, and hiking and sightseeing opportunities.
6.) Unique Adventures - Cruise travel offers countless opportunities for men looking for adventure and a raise in adrenaline levels. Carnival Cruises take travelers to Belize on an unforgettable cave tubing and rain forest exploration tour, and Crystal Cruises puts travelers who enjoy speed behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati for an independent exploration of Monaco.
7.) Beer, Wine, and Cigar Bars – For those over 21, international brewers showcase signature and specialty beers and sponsor special onboard beer-tasting parties. For the more sophisticated palate, the lines offer wine-tasting opportunities and cigar bars.
8.) Place Your Bet- For the "gambling man", virtually all ocean cruise ships feature floating casinos that operate when the ship is at sea, or when local laws allow gaming in port. Blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and slot machines are popular; veteran cruisers report that Royal Caribbean's newest ships feature the largest gaming areas. And many itineraries feature ports that offer land-based casinos.
9.) Spa Indulgence- Industry reports say nearly one-third of spa guests are men, and it’s not unusual to see them enjoying massages, facials and pedicures. Other popular services include aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy (seawater-based treatments).
10.) Nonstop Entertainment – Cruise line shows aren’t some cheesy karaoke- the lines are producing multi-million dollar, special effects- laden entertainment extravaganzas. The Blue Man Group, live music shows featuring current and legendary music groups (KISS will headline on NCL’s Norwegian Pearl in November 2016, and standup comedy acts (featuring well known comedians) are among the most popular, but the lines offer entertainment for every taste.
To learn more about the cruise lines, and what they offer, click here.
