21 things you'll regret not doing on a cruise

After planning a cruise vacation for months or years, the last thing you want to do is come home wishing you had done something you could have done.

Cruise ships are packed with a a great deal of things to do, and then there’s the fun to be had on shore. It’s easy to list it all now, but when you get on the ship time becomes fleeting and you could miss out on a few things on your personal “must-do” list.

Whether you ran out of time, neglected to walk over, or were too timid to give it a shot, there’s plenty of things you might regret not doing on a cruise.

I asked our readers what is one thing they regret not trying on a cruise to get a sense of the top things they would love a chance to do over again.

1. Wonderland

Whimsical or weird?

Ben wrote, “I’ve been on Anthem a few times and haven’t tried Wonderland. I heard it’s not everyone’s favorite but I feel I need to try it at least once.”

Wonderland is indeed a different kind of restaurant. It’s loosely based on the “Alice in Wonderland” story and the food and service is anything but conventional.

Read more: I spent $60 to eat at Royal Caribbean’s most bizarre restaurant. I thought I would hate it, but it was one of the best meals of my cruise.

2. Ice show

Royal Caribbean’s ice skating shows are an impressive feat of skill and poise, but some may overlook it.

Judy Carson wrote, “Going to the ice show. We miss it time and time again.”

Admittedly, ice skating may not sound like something you absolutely need to see, but I’m always impressed by these shows because of how well put together they are. The choreography, music, and of course abilities of the skaters really stand out.

3. Zip-line

Having done the zip-line on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, I can see why some might side step a visit.

Located on the back of the ship on the Sports Deck, they can develop long lines and it’s directly in the sun.  During the warmer months of the year, it can get very hot out there.

And then there’s the chasm below you must traverse during the ride, which may give guests some trepidation about giving it a try.

“The zip line. Hours way too short,” is what Jennifer Allred said.  

Steve Welker also lamented not going on it, “Zip line, maybe one day!”

And don’t forget about the zip line in Labadee, which is significantly longer than the one on the ships.

Suzanne SG wrote, “I did over 30 cruises and finally did the zip line on Labadee! Why I waited till my 60s is a mystery, but happy I finally did it! Loved it!”

4. Love & Marriage Game show

Royal Caribbean’s version of the Newlywed Game, the Love & Marriage game show came up on our reader’s list of regrets.

“IK missed the Love and Marriage show for the first time in my life,” wrote Andrea Toth.

“I regret missing it. It was in the afternoon and I was busy but I did regret not going.”

5. Helicopter tour

On his Alaska cruise, Rich Harrington listed not taking a helicopter tour.

Alaska’s glaciers are incredible sight, and the best way to see them is by helicopter or seaplane. They are, however, quite pricey.  Usually the price of a helicopter ride starts at $500 per person.

If you can get past the price, the access these rides give you are unparalleled. You’ll fly up and land on a glacier and explore the ice caves or take a dog sled ride.

6. FlowRider

Is surfing your thing? You won’t know until you try.

Andrew Maiewski shared, “While I know I would fail miserably at FlowRider surfing. I still have yet to try body boarding, which I kinda want to do.”

With the FlowRider, you can try stand-up surfing or boogie boarding, and there’s no cost. It’s simply first come, first surf.

Read more: I learned how to surf on a weekend cruise. Here is my advice if you want to try it too

7. Booking a balcony cabin in Alaska

Is it worth spending extra for a balcony room on an Alaska cruise?

Connie Jackson seems to think so, “Balcony cabin on my Alaska cruise” is what she listed as a regret.

If you have a balcony cabin in Alaska, you can more easily pop out from your cabin to see the beautiful scenery passing by. It’s certainly more convenient than going out to a public deck.

Read more: Best cabins to book for an Alaska cruise

8. Rock climbing

One of Royal Caribbean’s signature onboard activities is the rock wall, and it’s something I have yet to try either!

Chris Buchner wrote, “Rock climbing!! Did it on my last cruise, and I regret not trying it many cruises ago!”

Sandra roof added, “My husband finally did the rock wall last week. He’s 53 and in great shape. He flew up that wall on the hardest one. The attendant even said he made it look to easy. I was proud of him.”

No matter how far up the wall you make it, going up the rock wall is a good test of your own personal endurance, and a fun challenge too.

9. Taking it easy

Sometimes the best thing to do on a cruise is nothing at all.

Rebecca Jackson posted, “Slowing down a bit and relaxing.”

Getting away from it all is a major draw of any cruise, and with all of the fun activities onboard, it’s easy to lose sight of just enjoying time away from the daily routine.

Whether that comes in the form of sitting in a lounger by the pool, taking an afternoon nap, or reading a book, there’s plenty of ways to not do much while on a cruise.

10. Diving

A few readers shared they regretted not giving scuba or snorkel dives a try on their cruise.

Both Justin White and Daniella Price wrote they wish they had a chance to try an underwater dive on their cruise.

Royal Caribbean sometimes offer scuba classes onboard so that guests can then work towards their certification, including a dive in one of their upcoming ports.

There’s almost always snorkeling or other underwater excursions offered in Caribbean ports as well.

11. Sleeping in

I’m guilty of not getting enough sleep on a cruise, but that’s because of how much fun there is to try!

Maxine Bucholtz wrote, “More sleep!!” and I agree it’s difficult to find the motivation to sleep when there’s so much happening around you.

The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real on a cruise. You’ll see a daily list of activities jam packed with things to do, along with exciting ports, and opportunities to go out with friends and family.

However, taking the time to sleep in and relax is important too.  It’s a good idea to pick a day and set the alarm late and embrace rolling out of your cabin well into the double digit times.

12. Karaoke

Mustering the strength to stand in front of a room full of strangers and belt out a tune is not as simple as it sounds.

A few readers had karaoke on their list of regrets, saying they would have liked to give it a try.

You’ll find karaoke on almost every night of the cruise, and it’s really popular.  In fact, even if you want to try it, you’ll need to act quickly because so many people do karaoke that it often fills up quickly.

13. Ultimate Abyss

Royal Caribbean’s signature dry slide may seem daunting, but a lot of readers regret not giving it a try.

The Ultimate Abyss is 10 stories long and puts you in the dark as you descend through the twists and turns while riding a mat.

On Utopia of the Seas, the Ultimate Abyss slide will be even longer and add a few tweaks.

In addition to it being longer, the slide on Utopia will have rollers in to to bump up your speed as you go along and a section where you’re going to be able to see the other rider. 

14. Water slides

Many readers also had the water slides on the ship they were on previously as something they wish they had done.

You’ll find water slides on most Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and they are a fun (and free) activity you can try.

As you might imagine, the lines do get long, but they are as fun as they look.

My advice for being able to do the water slides without as long of a wait is to go on embarkation day. Pack your swimsuit in your carry-on bag and go right when you get on the ship. 

Read more: 30 Do’s and Don’ts for the first day of your cruise

15. Watching the sunset

Collene Felts listed not watching the sunset from an upper deck as her regret, and I think sunsets at sea are so beautiful to see.

While photos usually come out nice, it just doesn’t do it justice.

They’re great for a selfie, or to just take in the moment. It’s one of those surreal moments to just enjoy life on a cruise ship and take it all in.

16. Booking a suite

A few people regretted not spending more to book a Royal Caribbean suite.

Tim Lott wrote buying a suite as something he wanted to do, and Dayna Richards responded, “We had one of the rear facing suites on Harmony of the Sea. When it came time to disembark, we were escorted past the entire passport line. We were out of there in five minutes. My husband said we will ‘always book a suite from now on. “

Gwendolyn Salzman added, “A suite! But, I could do a couple cruises for the price of one suite. So, I chose the lower priced cabins so I can cruise more often.”

Certainly the perks of a suite are impressive, and it’s a lovely way to spend your time while on a cruise. Between the larger living space in your cabin to the services provided by the concierge, the experience will spoil you.

Read more: I cruised in a suite for the first time. Here are 5 things I learned from the experience–and 3 I’d do differently next time

17. Skeet shooting

Whether he meant this in jest or not, R.D. Wheeldon had skeet shooting on his list and he missed out on this activity by about 30 years or so.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, you could shoot clay pigeons off the back of a cruise ship. That’s right, you’d be given a shotgun to shoot targets off the back of a ship.

The practice came to an end at some point in the 80s or 90s, but it was something you could have done back in the day.

Read more: 8 Cruise ship activities Royal Caribbean abandoned

18. Skypad

A few readers wish they had the opportunity to try the Skypad before Royal Caribbean closed it.

Greg Brockman wrote, “I wish I had tried SkyPad before it closed.”

The Sky Pad was a trampoline where guests put on a virtual reality visor to engage in a game as they jump. 

Once inside, participants bounced up and down on the trampolines with the aid of the bungee cords. As you jumped on the trampoline, you jumped in the game. 

Similar to the FlowRider surf simulator and sky diving simulator, it was meant to offer guests a gravity-defying fun top deck experience.

19. Not buying the drink package

In retrospect, Jennifer Stoeckeler wish she had bought Royal Caribbean’s drink package to help curtail costs, “I regretted not buying the drinks package. So many pretty cocktails. If I went on another I would. Cruising is great!”

A few others had drink package on their list because it ensures you have a fixed price for all the drinks you care to enjoy onboard.

Royal Caribbean has three primary drink packages to cater to various tastes, and while the cost is high up-front, it is truly unlimited once onboard the ship.

There are a few ways to get a discount on a Royal Caribbean drink package so you don’t have to pay top dollar for it.

20. Different drinks

Speaking of drinks, Cheryl Watt wished she tried a wider variety of drinks.

It’s easy to fall into the rut of ordering the same familiar drinks on any cruise. Sharon Birmingham combats this by actually having a list of drinks to try when she cruises.

Here’s our list of 21 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package.

21. Back to back cruises

What’s better than going on a cruise? Going on two cruises in a row!

Bev Taylor and Chris Gonterman listed a back-to-back cruise as their cruise regret.

When someone says they are doing a back-to-back cruise, it means they are doing multiple cruises in a row on the same ship.