Cruises have a reputation for being family-friendly vacations, and for good reason. There’s arguably no better place where anyone — whether 8 years old or 80 years — can all find something that they will enjoy on the ship.
But not everyone is looking for a “Disney-fied” vacation. And while anyone taking a cruise isn’t going to expect an X-rated time, there are adults who want to have fun doing adult things on their vacation.
And for those passengers, we can tell you that yes, it is possible to have a fun time doing adult things on the cruise. While no one would mistake taking a cruise for a trip to Las Vegas (and all the debauchery that can include!), there are definite ways you can sin while at sea.
Gambling
Are you a gambler? If so, then you will feel right at home on a cruise ship. Nearly every ship you sail will offer a casino and expect it to be generously sized compared to the size of the ship. Walk in and you may not even realize you’re on a cruise ship. Apart from having a lower ceiling than a typical land-based casino, there’s a lot that will feel very familiar.
You’ll find all the games you’d expect. There are slot machines, craps, roulette, and blackjack. There are also a number of games we’ve seen nowhere other than cruise ships. For instance, most ships have coin pusher machines like you see at carnivals that use actual money instead of tokens. Or skill cranes where instead of trying to grab a stuffed animal, you snag cash.
Casinos on cruise ships aren’t open around the clock like they are on land. Instead, they are open normally only when the ship is at sea. When they are open in the evenings, expect this to be one of the most popular spots on the ship.
Just like on land, you can track your play using your room keycard. There, you can earn anything from free drinks to free cruises depending on your play level.
For more on gambling on a cruise, see our guide here.
Smoking
Do you like to relax with a smoke? If so, then you’ll find that a cruise lets you do it, but there are some very severe restrictions.
First, if you enjoy smoking marijuana, then know that it isn’t allowed on a cruise ship. This includes if you have a medical license to use and even if sailing from a state where it’s legal. If you want to smoke pot, the only way to do it legally on a cruise is to sail to a place where it’s legal and partake off the ship.
What about tobacco? For cigars and cigarettes, you are welcome to bring them onboard. In fact, ships sell them onboard and some even have cigar lounges for passengers to enjoy.
The only thing to know is that the ship has strict rules about where you can light up. Due to the threat of fire and secondhand smoke bothering others, ships only let you smoke in designated areas. There’s usually a specific outdoor spot onboard and the casino where you can enjoy. Other spots — even if outside — aren’t allowed. This includes your cabin and your balcony if you have one. For more on smoking on a cruise, see our guide here.
Sex
Warm sunshine, alcohol readily available, skimpy swimsuits, and a vacation mindset? It’s no surprise that making romance is a popular activity on a cruise.
Now let’s be clear that it’s not some wild “X-rated” party onboard. People know to behave themselves, even on adults-only cruise lines like Virgin Voyages. But there’s no arguing that making love is on the mind of many.
For this, you’ll want to not be too loud. Remember, you are on a ship with literally thousands of other people in close proximity. While you want to enjoy yourself, you don’t want to disturb others.
One thing we do suggest is keeping it in the room. It can be tempting to enjoy the fresh air of the balcony, but due to partitions that have gaps, your neighbor might catch a peek. Meanwhile, public places around the ship are monitored by cameras and you also never know who might be coming around the corner, even if it seems like an empty spot.
And if you’re sailing single there are single/solo traveler meetups where you might meet someone.
Gluttony (Eating)
Is your favorite sin gluttony? It’s ok to admit it on a cruise as you definitely won’t be alone. Food and eating is a major part of your vacation and on the ship you can grab something to eat (nearly) around the clock.
These days most cruise lines have both included and paid eateries. So you can go into the buffet or the main dining room and eat your fill at no cost. However, many of the restaurants that offer sit-down dining will be an extra charge.
No matter what your vice is, you’ll find it on a cruise. If you can’t get enough pizza or desserts, or even filet mignon, they are all offered somewhere around the ship.
As for quality, we find it hit and miss. We will admit there are some options that we’d eat every day back home if it were possible. Others we never want to have again.
Our suggestion is that if you find something you really like, don’t hesitate to ask for more. Cruise lines expect hungry passengers and while they might serve smaller portions for cost savings, they will typically make you happy if you ask for more.
Drinking
Cruises and alcohol go together like peanut butter and jelly. Any cruise ship you sail will have bars practically all around the ship. It’s not unusual for a modern ship to have a dozen or more spots to grab a drink. On top of that, you can have the drinks brought to you from waiters roving poolside, in theaters, or the casino.
In short, there’s arguably no easier sin to enjoy on a cruise than having a drink or three.
Cruise lines make big money on alcohol, so be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. Beers run around $8 each. Cocktails are usually in the $12-$14 range, and sometimes more. On top of that price, you have gratuity that’s tacked on, which is usually 18-20%, depending on the line.
To help you budget, cruise lines do offer drink packages, which charge a set daily fee and in return you get to drink most items on the ship. Even with these packages, however, the costs will be substantial.
Sloth (Sleeping In)
Maybe sloth is your sin of choice? Being on a cruise, it can actually be somewhat hard to be lazy. While at sea there are all sorts of events and activities scheduled. You aren’t required to attend, but you’re severely missing out if you don’t get out and see them. As well, your time in port is relatively short — usually only about eight hours or so. In other words, if you don’t get out and get with it, then you’re going to miss out.
Still, there’s no rule that you have to do anything on a cruise if you don’t want to. If you prefer to catch up on sleep and just generally take it easy, then it’s your vacation.
We will say that sleeping in may be harder than you imagine. For one, if sailing anything other than an interior cabin, the morning sunshine is going to make its way into the room. Even with the shades closed, light gets in to the point that sleeping can be tough. (Interior cabins have no windows and stay dark no matter the time of day.)
As well, the general buzz of the day can make things tougher to sleep. Between other passengers passing by the cabin making noise or announcements from the cruise director over the loudspeaker, it can actually be tough to sleep in too late.
