Guest Author - Shasta Wilson

So you've lounged around the pool, climbed the rock wall, played some basketball, and generally done everything possible outside in the fresh air. Sounds like it's time for some indoor activities! To accommodate the cruisers that aren't sun-worshippers (if there is such a thing!), each cruise line's Cruise Staff develops an agenda of games and events that take place indoors. With activities like those that follow, spending part of a day inside can be just as enjoyable!

Bingo
Cruise ship bingo is practically an institution on the big ships. There's a whole culture to bingo that goes far beyond punching numbers on a paper board. Bingo sessions are held on days at sea, or on port days once the ship has left the port, in the biggest lounge on the ship. For some lines, the theater is the venue for bingo. Participants purchase packages of game cards with pre-cut punch-and-fold numbers to make playing mess-free. Players are often encouraged to buy extra bonus game cards for special jackpot sessions, where the winnings are significantly greater than a regular game. The mostly lively and enthusiastic person of the Cruise Staff will run the bingo session, shouting little rhymes for each number called or asking people to yell silly phrases if they win. Win or lose, every player seems to have a good time. Do get to the game a bit early to buy game cards, though. The lines can be very long.

Trivia Sessions
Though the themes and rules vary between ships, there's always at least one trivia game held on a cruise. If you're a trivia buff of any kind, the trivia sessions are worth checking out. Participants are usually grouped into teams, with the winning team earning something like a free tote bag or a bathrobe. There's never been such an easy way to bond with fellow cruise passengers. For game schedules and locations, be sure to check your daily information flyer that's delivered to the stateroom each day.

Movie Features
For those wanting to do something relaxing, find out when the cruise ship plays the featured movie. Many ships have movie time in the theater, while other ships feature their own plush movie room specifically for this event. And as a side note, a few cruise ships also have outdoor movie nights, where the most current movies playing are projected onto a screen out on the pool deck. Disney has been known to actually premiere movies on their ships during outdoor movie night.