The Ultimate Day – A Man’s Guide to the Ideal Cruise Experience

I often share stories about my husband and daughter, who both love cruising with me — we’re truly a cruising family — but they seldom get the opportunity to express what they enjoy most about sailing.

Recently, I asked my husband, Rick, to describe what his perfect cruise day would entail. While my ideal day includes sleeping in, breakfast in bed, and a visit to the spa, what does a guy's day look like? Here’s a glimpse into my husband’s dream cruise day.

Wake Up & Shine

Similar to my ideal cruise day, my husband opted for room service to deliver breakfast. We both agree that this complimentary service is one of our favorite aspects of cruising. Accompanied by a pot of fresh coffee, Rick enjoys smoked salmon on a bagel with cream cheese, savoring it from our stateroom balcony.

Time for Sunshine

After getting ready, which means slipping into swim trunks, putting on water shoes, and grabbing a beach towel and sunscreen, Rick makes his way to the Lido deck for some rest and relaxation. He insists that this perfect day includes me and our daughter lounging next to him, but I suspect the truth is that a cold beverage (or two!) is what truly makes the afternoon perfect.

Time to Dine

By lunchtime, there’s only one spot Rick considers for a meal: Guy’s Burger Joint. I can personally attest that one of Guy’s Burgers can change your life. There’s something undeniably delicious about a juicy burger topped with melted cheese and special sauce... and let’s not forget the fries! Pure bliss! The only thing that could make it better is a Thirsty Frog Red Ale from the RedFrog Pub.

Time for a Siesta

You might think that with so many activities available on a cruise ship, napping would be the last thing on your mind. However, once you experience the comfort of the beds, you’ll understand. There’s also something incredibly calming about the gentle sway of a ship on the open sea. More often than not, my husband indulges in a nap during a sea day—and according to him, it’s a crucial element of a relaxing vacation.

Time to Have Fun

After his nap, a quick shower is a must before getting ready for the evening ahead. When I asked him what he wanted to do next, he eagerly mentioned the arcade for some quality time with our daughter. At this point, I’m no longer in the picture— I have a feeling that Rick would be heading to the arcade on his perfect day, even if it wasn’t a family cruise!

Time to … Enjoy Steak!

It’s true. One of the finest meals, whether on land or at sea, is found at the Steakhouse. It’s no surprise that this was Rick’s choice for dinner. Since it has a more intimate atmosphere, our daughter will spend the evening at Camp Ocean, while we indulge in a lavish multi-course meal. His dinner includes escargot, Caesar salad, and a bone-in cowboy steak cooked medium-rare, topped off with a cheese plate for dessert.

Time to Enjoy a Good Laugh

The night is still young, so we head to one of the specialty bars for a post-dinner cocktail. Rick’s preferred drink is a Manhattan. We’ll relax and listen to some live music before catching one of the late-night comedy shows. The comedic talent onboard never ceases to impress us. It’s always a treat to wrap up the evening with a few hearty laughs.

Time to Sleep

After picking our daughter up from Camp Ocean, we return to the stateroom for bedtime. There might just be cookies and milk delivered from room service. And perhaps a slice of chocolate cake (Oh wait, that’s MY ideal day!).

Reflecting on it, Rick’s day might not appear very packed (or just filled with relaxation and dining!), but that’s the charm of cruising… you can shape your days exactly how you wish! Essentially, every day spent at sea has the potential to be the ideal cruise day because it’s entirely up to you.