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- Zip-lining through the rainforest in Costa Rica is one thing but did you ever imagine whizzing across a cruise ship? Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas features the first zip line on a cruise ship, a thrilling 82-foot ride in the Sports Zone, suspended nine decks above the Boardwalk. It's the perfect ride for thrill-seekers.
- Wrap up warm in a thermal coat and enjoy a drink at the Enniskillin/SVEDKA Ice Bar on board Norwegian Getaway, kept at -8C. The ice bar features 3D ice sculptures inspired by its homeport of Miami, including South Beach’s iconic Ocean Drive skyline and palm trees etched into the walls, a 'Welcome to Miami Beach' sign and a life-size alligator throne made entirely of ice.
- Royal Caribbean has brought the fairground to the sea with its bumper car ride in its revolutionary indoor active space, SeaPlex. The space allows you to go head-to-head on the bumper cars or glide about on roller skates - both a first at sea. There's even music provided by a DJ in a floating booth overhead and the first-ever food truck at sea serving up tasty snacks.
- Daredevils onboard Norwegian Getaway can have a go at walking The Plank! Located in the Sports Complex, The Plank is for thrill-seekers who want a challenge. Those who are brave enough will walk eight feet over the side of the ship, smiling at the end of the plank as cameras capture the conquering moment.
- Hit the surf at sea with Royal Caribbean's FlowRider surf simulator, which sends water at a very high speed across a small area that mimics what it is like to surf on the ocean. Guests can ride it as many times as they like during their cruise and can try traditional stand-up surfing or boogie boarding.
- Each of Holland America Line’s ships has a huge art collection worth around $2-3 million and guests are encouraged to make the most of the art works by going on a special self-guided walking tour. The tour includes walking directions, interviews with artists, background music and thumbnails of the art work. You can either download the art tour onto your personal MP3 player or phone, or use one of the pre-loaded iPods on board. Highlights include works by Andy Warhol, Richard Estes and Roy Lichtenstein, while the oldest piece is a collection of 5,000-year-old pre-Columbian limestone figures from Ecuador.
- On Silversea Cruises' Silver Shadow, you can browse an exclusive onboard collection of art from the likes of Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. Silversea partnered with the Andrew Weiss Gallery in Los Angeles and worked with Rami Ron, an expert of 19th and 20th century art and one of the gallery's curators to establish the world-class art collection at sea. As the ship's resident art expert, Ron offers personal and group tours of the art, as well as Q&A sessions.
- Fancy skydiving at sea? On Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas you can experience the thrill of skydiving on the deep blue ocean. Ripcord by iFly allows cruisers of all ages to fly and enjoy an exhilarating thrill of a lifetime. The 23-foot tall indoor vertical wind tunnel creates a feeling of freefall as you float several feet in the air above four powerful fans. Guests are even given a training course where they're taught flight positions and hand signals.
- Carrying over 700,000 children aboard its ships each year, Carnival Cruise Line has a fleet-wide Seuss at Sea programme to keep the kids happy. This involves a family dining experience inspired by the amazing world of Dr. Seuss, allowing families to enjoy a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast with the Cat in the Hat himself! Book with Cruise Nation.
- Ok, so you can't actually ride a real Formula 1 racing car around a cruise ship but on MSC Cruises' ships you can put your racing skills to the test in the high-tech Formula 1 simulator. Just step into the sleek, powerful Formula 1 car to live out the thrills of a fast-paced race while at sea.
- Take in the views onboard Royal Caribbean International's Quantum and Anthem of the Seas in the liner's North Star pod. The attraction promises an uplifting experience, lifting you 300 feet above sea level so you can take in the incredible 360-degree panoramic views of the glittering ocean, the ship far below you and the destinations on your itinerary.
- The restaurants on board cruise ships are incredible so you’re bound to find some delectable chocolate desserts to tickle your taste buds but if a chocolate brownie isn’t enough, how about a chocolate spa treatment? You can indulge in an ultra-hydrating chocolate body treatment at Princess Cruises' Lotus Spa. Book with Cruise Nation.
- The Bionic Bar on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas is a bartender like no other. Run by two bionic mixologists, the exciting drinking experience allows you to watch as the the robot arms get to work, shaking, stirring and straining two drinks in just one-minute. There is even a resident DJ playing upbeat and contemporary music, and you can order favourites, such as martinis and mojitos, from the e-menu.
- Experience icy temperatures in Viking Cruises' snow grotto at sea: a frosty room set at -10C, where snow flakes fall from the ceiling. The Snow Grotto, on Viking Star, allows you to partake in the Scandinavian ritual of going from hot to cold temperature extremes (also known as contrast bathing). Nordic bathing traditions dictate that you sit in the sauna for as long as possible before rolling around in the snow or pouring a bucket of ice-cold water over yourself, all in the name of giving your circulatory system a boost.