Three Cruise Lines for Group Games Enthusiasts
Group playing board games
Introduction
On my last Virgin Voyages cruise, I was tickled to discover that The Gamer was hosting a morning meet up with puzzles and games. I showed up, unsure what to expect, but knowing that I was going to find my people. I didn’t win a single game, but through the Soduku challenge, the trivia game, and then the (absurdly hard) challenge to fill in the countries on a South American map, I laughed, used my brain, and worked up a thirst for mimosas with the group afterward. If you, like me, love games and mental challenges, imagine taking your group on a cruise ship. You’ll have extended time to challenge yourself and your group on sea days, and get to explore during days in port. These shared experiences amplify the bonds within your group, allowing for deeper connections …and a lot of fun! Let’s compare three cruise lines that will appeal to games enthusiasts.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Line ship
Carnival Cruise Lines is known as a cheap, no-frills cruise line that knows how to throw a party. This might not seem conducive to a getaway for game enthusiasts, but this cruise line is able to offer cruises at a lower price point, which is important for some groups. Additionally, Carnival has a library on it’s ship, which is dedicated not only to reading, but is also a great space to spread out and play some board games. If your group likes games, they might also enjoy the themed Scavenger Hunt and Trivia games hosted by Carnival. And Carnival ships come equipped with larger than life board games, including Chess or checkers, and sometimes even a Clue puzzle! Worried that you’ll need more space for dedicated gaming? Suites on Carnival are much cheaper than suites on more luxurious cruise line, and can offer the extra space that your group might need to ensure successful gaming. This budget friendly cruise line has made space on their ships for groups to get together and enjoy whatever they like - including games. After all, Carnival’s motto is “Fun for All”!
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean ship
Royal Caribbean is known for innovation. Each class of ship that they build seems to get bigger, has more fun stuff to do, and pushes the boundary of what can be included on a cruise ship. Their ships are far from the rigid-dinner-schedule, laying-out-by-the-pool-is-the-only-activity, dress-up-every-night cruises of old. Royal Caribbean ships include rock climbing walls, surf simulators, and ice-skating rinks at sea. But more importantly (and potentially more fun for your game group), Royal Caribbean ships include a Card Room, a quieter place to indulge in a provided game or one that you brought with you. This room has tables dedicated to playing games. Book your game group on Royal Caribbean with a dedicated travel advisor, and a minimum number of rooms gets your group perks to enjoy their cruise even more.
And if your group wants an adventure that moves away from board games and into real life, some Royal Caribbean ships have an onboard escape room. There are three themes, depending on which ships you’re on: Apollo 18: Lunar Landing, Escape the Rubicon, and The Royal Society of Puzzles. Your game group will have plenty of adventures and time to bond over games with this cruise line.
Viking Cruises
Viking Cruise ship
Viking Cruises is known for it’s luxury ships, engaging itineraries, and high-quality service. As an added bonus for many, Viking Cruises are adult-only, so there won’t be any kids hogging all of the game spaces. Speaking of game spaces, the Explorer’s Lounge on the ships are the perfect space to grab a table with a cushioned leather chair. This light-filled space has plenty of tables to spend a sea day with a marathon of games. This space can also host trivia games, a library space for people to relax and read, and has a small restaurant to grab eats and drinks while you’re gaming. It’s really a perfect space for your group to gather and spend the day deciding who is the ultimate gamer. For those who like a little more included activity, Viking also has an Atrium with air hockey, and other included games. Viking is an upscale ship for your upscale game group that wants to do a fair bit of exploring together - one huge advantage of Viking is that one excursion for each port is included in the price of the cruise.
Which cruise line should I choose?
Now that you know about all of the great places to play games on the different cruise lines, you might be wondering -which cruise line should you pick? It completely depends on the vibe of the ship and the other activities that you want to do while you’re on board. If your group wants to bring partners and families along with them, you will want to look for a different atmosphere on the ship than if you are going as a game group and no extras. If your community is interested in playing games nonstop, you’ll want a cruise with more sea days and fewer port stops. If you need an adults-only cruise line, you want to be sure that you’re choosing a ship that is 18+.
Viking Cruises: This adults-only cruise line is perfect for the serious gamers who want to be sure that their fun isn’t interrupted by kids. Viking ships are the most upscale of the three, and while there isn’t a formal night onboard, dinner in the evening is elegant casual. This cruise line is probably not recommended if your group gets a little rowdy playing games.
Carnival Cruise Lines: When you sail Carnival, you’re sailing a budget- and family-friendly cruise line. This cruise line is perfect for those groups that want to bring along their kids and be sure that they have plenty to do while you’re playing games. It is casual, so if your group doesn’t like to dress up, keep Carnival in mind as you’re planning your trip.
Royal Caribbean: If your group wants a variety of entertainment options and plenty of sea days, Royal Caribbean is the ship for you! These large ships not only have spaces for you group to gather and play, but they also have a variety of additional game activities on board that will bring your group together in a different way. Royal Caribbean has a great blend of restaurants for your group to choose from, and gives plenty of flexibility for the group that wants to be together and apart all in the same trip.
Couple playing games
Conclusion
Whether you're a seasoned gamer or you simply enjoy a casual game night, a cruise can be the perfect setting to bond with friends and family over your shared passion. From the budget-friendly options of Carnival Cruise Lines to the luxurious experiences of Viking Cruises, there's a cruise line out there to suit every game enthusiast's preferences.
So, gather your favorite games, pack your suitcase, and contact us to embark on a memorable cruise adventure filled with laughter, competition, and unforgettable moments. With the right cruise line and a group of like-minded individuals, you're sure to have a gaming experience that you'll never forget.