15 romantic things to do on Carnival when you ditch the kids for a date
Cruising with a big family like ours can present some challenges, but we are up for challenges and we are seasoned veterans. After our Carnival cruise last year, and seeing how much our girls liked Camp Ocean on our family cruise, I knew there was even more potential for romantic things to do on Carnival cruises…especially when you can ditch the kids.
(Take note…my blog is called “Really, Are You Serious?” and I’m saucy and sassy and like a little tongue-in-cheek every now and then…we hardly ditched our kids. They wanted to go hang out in Camp Ocean more than they wanted to hang out with us. Don’t go feeling sorry for them!) While spending a seven night cruise together, it’s nice to have some alone adult time while the kids have a blast in Camp Ocean and make new friends. So, think I’m ditching the kids? I’m actually giving them exactly what they want.
I thought we would be able to come up with a couple romantic things to do while cruising Carnival, but as it turns out, we got at least 15 of them. After all, out on the ocean is a great place to rekindle the fire.
1. Enjoy a sunset from the ship’s deck
Yes, it’s somewhat cheesy, but it really is amazing. Watching the sunset with no land around really is one of the coolest sights to see and one of only a few ways to see a sunset pretty much completely uninterrupted by land or anything else.
2. Fly high on the ropes course
On board the Carnival Magic, there is a ropes course on the upper deck. We had a great time challenging and encouraging each other while also enjoying some sun. It was a blast being up that high over the ships deck and added quite the element of suspense with some of the steps.
3. Take a ZUMBA class in the magic atrium
When we were looking over the daily schedules, we discovered there were ZUMBA classes on the sea days. Talk about a fun thing to do on the ship! Mr. Serious wasn’t even the only man in the class. We got to shake our groove things, get in a good workout and spend time dancing together.
4. Grab an adult beverage in an air conditioned bar
Sometimes it’s hot on the cruise ship. Sometimes it’s hot after ZUMBA. So after you get in your workout, head inside to the bar and get a cold adult beverage. Or really, you can hit any of the on deck or inside bars or the coffee shop to just grab a drink and hang out. It was nice to be able to relax and chat knowing that our kids were having way more fun on scavenger hunts then they were with us.
5. Get in a workout in the ship’s gym with a great view
I think the gym’s ship has one of the best views right at the front. Getting endorphins pumping while also exercising and getting your heart beating is a great way to be romantic and also take care of yourselves. There is a huge gym with cardio machines, weight machines and free weights. There are also optional classes you can sign up for like spin and yoga for an additional fee.
6. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the adult only Serenity Deck
There are only adult allowed on the Serenity Deck. It’s fairly quiet and peaceful and if you get there early you can grab a hammock for two and snuggle up or a little mini-cabana like pod. Plus, this area also has it’s own bar and server if you enjoy that type of thing.
7. Play a game/trivia
Working together always generates a little buzz in the relationship. You can find a trivia game happening via the schedule, or grab a game at the bar. Plus, there’s an entire game room + library full of board and other games that anybody can access at anytime. I’ll show Mr. Serious’ skills here with this ring game instead of me annihilating him at Connect Four multiple times in the game room.
8. Act extra goofy together
Sometimes letting that silly shine really brings you closer together. Especially when you zip yourselves together in a jacket when it’s cold inside. Just let the silly shine a little bit, at dinner, at the comedy club, playing games. Have fun.
9. Find photo opportunities
Look around and see what you can come up with. And tell your spouse to hop in a silly picture. (So maybe this is really 8b!) But, it helps to just encourage each other to step out into fun a little more. Do the things you did when you first started dating.
10. The spa
Not that this even requires elaboration…but if you need something romantic to do on Carnival, go to the spa. Try a couples massage, facial, manicure, pedicure or one of the other countless services they offer. The more you book, the cheaper it gets, too!
11. Order room service
Get those treats that you don’t want to share with your kids and have some down time. Maybe even enjoy the balcony if you have one and order a bottle of wine or bubbly. Bonus points if it’s at sunset and you get to catch a sunset on your balcony while eating some tasty treats!
12. Have a laugh at the comedy club
The comedy club is a great way to get some laughs in while on a cruise. They even rate the comedians if they are PG, PG-13 or R so that you know what level of content the comedian will be presenting. (We actually did take our older kids to the PG show and we were very comfortable with the content of the show).
13. Sneak off to dinner at the Steak House
They Steak House is worth the splurge and more. The food is amazing. The atmosphere is more laid back and quiet than the dining rooms and it’s just a fabulous experience. It really is a true romantic date night. When the kids go to Camp Ocean, they often take them to dinner (depending on the ship’s schedule) so our kids felt fancy being able to pick out their own meals. And we felt fancy having a nice grown up dinner and not having to cut up anybody’s food but our own.
14. Watch a movie on the big screen on deck and snuggle together in one lounge chair
In the evenings, there are movies playing on the deck. Snuggle up together on a lounge chair and catch a movie with the smell of salt in the air and under the expanse of stars. It’s hard to be in any more more of a romantic setting. Or find a deck that is less crowded and just snuggle together without the movie.
15. Enjoy the towel art in the room
This one is a test to see if you make it to number 15 (ahem, ahem). You know that old saying…if this boat’s a rocking’…well, make sure you set your “ cruising’/snoozin’ “ door tag to “snoozin’” if you get my drift!
There really are a ton of things to do on Carnival, whether it’s romantic in nature and you ditch the kids, or most of them if you bring them along! You can make a family vacation full of all different kinds of experiences with a little creativity and everybody will have a great time!
What is your favorite romantic thing to do on a cruise or otherwise?
Goofy pictures, comedy shows and a steak dinner are always on our list!
What if there were steak sandwiches? Oh, that might be dreamy!!
You needed to get a video of Mr. Serious doing Zumba. I can just see him shaking the bon bon
Oh, I have videos of Mr. Serious dancing..but not zumba..I’m too busy doing it, too!
This sounds really fun–my husband and I really need to go on dates more often!
Now I have 15 more reason to want to go on a cruise. I am researching now about going o a cruise next summer.
I have never been on a cruise..oh that looks like so much fun! I cannot believe all the different things they have for you to do! How fun!!! I hope to go someday on one! Not sure if I would get sea sick though LOL
Great advise from everyone. I may try a thing or two