The 7 Best Ways to Have an Amazing Ocean Crossing Cruise

I crossed the Pacific Ocean on the fully refurbished Celebrity Solstice. I’ve learned a few things about how to have the best time during ocean crossing and what to pack for the cruise after doing this trip and an Atlantic crossing with Cunard on Queen Mary 2. (Photo by John Roberts)

I’m cruising across the Pacific Ocean, and it’s the fourth consecutive day at sea. We’ve still got one more after this, too. 

I’ve been on one other ocean crossing before, a Transatlantic voyage with Cunard on Queen Mary 2 going from New York to Southampton. However, this second time on a cruise with all this time at sea got me thinking about some of the things I’ve learned about these types of journeys. 

First of all, when you book a trip like this, you are picking the ship as the destination, the focus of your trip, a place that you are looking forward to as much as the ports that you’ll visit at the start and end of your trip.  

Fortunately, on this cruise, I have the best of both worlds, with the wonderful comfort, restaurants and other amenities on the stylish Celebrity Solstice ship, as well as the dreamy tropical destinations of Fiji, where we embarked on this voyage, and Hawaii, where it will end.  

It was a similar experience on Queen Mary 2 during my first-ever ocean crossing, with a full week onboard to enjoy the shows, decadent meals and afternoon tea sessions, blissful naps, daily workouts and relaxing walks around the outer decks to embrace the salty breezes and endless vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. 

So, what did I do while en route during five days at sea while crossing the vast Pacific Ocean and for seven days on the popular Cunard QM2 crossing from NYC to England? 

Here are five tips and tricks on how to spend your time during your sea days on a cruise that crosses the oceans.  

1. Pack for Your Time at Sea 

I brought versatile clothes, such as this alpaca hoodie shirt, that allowed me to enjoy the outer decks and sunsets like this in a variety of temperatures throughout the crossing voyage on Celebrity Solstice. (Photo by John Roberts)

My Celebrity Solstice cruise had five port days and five days at sea, so an even mix. I have plenty to do in port, with shore excursions to go swimming, snorkeling, on boat rides and shopping and eating.  

Read all about the fun I had during my cruise on Celebrity Solstice.  

However, when I’m onboard the ship, I will need to ensure I have certain items, especially to be ready for the open waters that are subject to the whims of Mother Nature. 

Let’s talk about packing. Your plan for a repositioning cruise or a crossing is pretty much the same as how you would pack for any other cruise. But there are a few things to think about because you have so much time at sea before you touch land again. 

Pack a light jacket for walking on the outer decks in breezy conditions or at night when it gets cooler outside. 

Bring seasickness medication or remedies if you are prone to motion sickness. In fact, make sure that you have all the medication, vitamins, supplements and other essentials that you really don’t want to run out of.  

Also, ensure that you have plenty of sunscreen and sunburn relief, such as aloe vera and lotions, if you plan to spend time out by the pool and on the outer decks. The sun is quite intense in while cruising in the spring between Fiji and Hawaii, for sure, but you will get plenty of exposure on any crossing when you spend a lot of time outdoors. 

Colleen and I went with our formal attire for dinner on Queen Mary 2. (Photo by John Roberts)

Have books or magazines (physical copies or loaded onto your phone or tablet) to have something to read while you are relaxing in a sun lounger or sitting in a quiet lounge during a lazy afternoon. For a Cunard Queen Mary 2 crossing, you al;so will want to bring a more fancy outfit to join in any evening activities that are celebrating dressing up a bit. Colleen and I had a great dinner date with more formal outfits during one night of our cruise.

2. Enjoy All the Wellness Options 

This is a poolside morning stretch class on Queen Mary 2. (Photo by John Roberts)

Daily workouts are a must for me, especially to help offset all those great meals, drinks and desserts I’m crushing on my cruises. 

When you’re at sea, you don’t have to squeeze in a quick workout before or after your time ashore. This can be tricky, and I often feel rushed and too tired so that I can’t optimize my workout plan. 

With multiple days at sea and a wide-open schedule, you can better program longer and more intense workouts (if you’re serious about your exercise regimen) or have the luxury to get to the gym when it is most convenient to you during any particular day. You can also choose to join some of the classes offered, such as Pilates, yoga and spin classes -- or even schedule personal training sessions with the onboard gym staff. 

Either way, you’re likely to have a better overall fitness experience when you hit the gym during your ocean crossing cruises. 

Spending time at the ship’s thermal suite is a great way to relax during a crossing cruise. (Photo by John Roberts)

Even better is the chance to take full advantage of the cruise ship spa offerings. To make your voyage a legit wellness retreat, look to book a pass for access to the ship’s thermal spa (if available). This can be a day pass or a cruise-length pass for unlimited visits.  

I also make sure to book at least one massage treatment during my voyages usually toward the end to help me refresh and get ready for any long-haul flights I might have for my return home after the cruise. 

Spa facilities offer a broad range of massages and other treatments, such as hair styling, nails, foot massages, facials and more. 

3. Join the Great Mix of Daily Activities 

When we crossed the Pacific Ocean on Celebrity Solstice, we crossed the equator on the way to Hawaii. Passengers and crew gathered poolside for a fun traditional ceremony to mark the occasion. (Photo by John Roberts)

There’s plenty to do on the daily programs. Celebrity Solstice has been thoroughly refurbished and now features The Parlour, a bar that is filled with board games, bar games like darts, shuffleboard and pool and arcade games that are all included in your cruise fare.  

Cruises also offers Broadway-style production shows available in the main theaters plus live music at lounges and bars throughout the ship. You’ll always find something fun to enjoy. There are daily trivia and other contests, educational classes and other enrichment talks and sessions. 

Queen Mary 2 offers a variety of activities to keep cruisers occupied every day, including dancing classes. (Photo by John Roberts)

You could also play pickleball on many ships these or shoot hoops (if your ship has a sports court) or participate in soccer or other activities like mini golf. Many cruise ships, such as those from Carnival, MSC Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, also have waterparks, waterslides, dry slides, ropes, courses, zip lines and other creative activities to enjoy while you're out at sea. 

So, look over the daily program or check your cruise app to find something each day that you’ll enjoy and set your schedule, so you don’t miss anything. 

4. A Bit of Reading and Relaxing 

Sunset Park is a wonderful outdoor space at the top of Celebrity Solstice. This new spots offers loungers, live music, a cafe with snacks and drinks and other activities throughout the day. (Photo by John Roberts)

I mentioned bringing books in the packing section above. I also download movies and TV shows to my phone so that I have something to watch at night before I slip off to sleep or during a lazy couple hours relaxing in a sun lounger by the pool. 

And relaxing is a big part of these voyages. You can spend your days just the way you like, and at least some portion of every one of my days at sea will include a nap and/or time just sitting and enjoying the fresh air, whether on my balcony or poolside. 

Most cruise lines also have movies and TV shows on demand on your stateroom TVs, so you could consider a nice romantic in-room dinner and a movie night in your cabin. This would be a fantastic way to spend one of your nights at sea. 

5. Try All the Food and Drinks 

This is the Fine Cut Steakhouse on Celebrity Solstice, just one of the dozens of venues serving delicious food for cruisers. All cruise ships have a great options to give you a variety of choices throughout a crossing voyage. (Photo by John Roberts)

All of your meals will be onboard, and with several days in a row at sea, you have the opportunity to try all of the dining options. Look for lunch specials at your ship’s specialty restaurants and book your preferred dinner experiences, too. You’re likely to have options for Italian cuisine, a seafood or Mediterranean restaurant, maybe sushi or other Asian specialties and a steakhouse.  

Also, check the daily program for any special tasting events or afternoon tea spreads. Our daily afternoon tea on Queen Mary 2 was a can’t-miss affair with an incredible array of sweet treats and tasty sandwiches accompanying our tea selections. 

Of course, you’ll also want to grab a cone or dish of ice cream and other treats you’ll find at the ice cream shop or in the ship’s buffet.  

And because it’s your vacation, you’re going to want to indulge in a few daily adult drinks. Perhaps a craft beer, glass of white or Champagne (or two) and the creative cocktails available at the many lounges and bars located conveniently around the ship. 

Hey, this is why we’re getting to the gym every day or doing our daily laps on the walking track, right? 

6. See the Shows 

Celebrity Solstice offers a selection of fun shows, including Smoke & Ivories, with piano music and dance routines as well as 1950s music and acrobatics. (Photo by John Roberts)

When you’re on a crossing, you can stay up late and do all the things. There are plenty of Broadway-style production shows that are highly entertaining, including musicals and elaborate music and dance productions.  

A music ensemble plays daily on Queen Mary 2. (Photo by John Roberts)

You also can check out comedy acts, music and dancing in the lounges and special late night dance parties, silent discos and theme nights or lido deck parties under the stars with DJs and other entertainment. 

And with another sea day on the schedule tomorrow, you get to sleep in late and do it all over again. 

7. Make New Friends 

Me and my new friends playing cards in The Parlor on Celebrity Solstice. (Photo by John Roberts)

This happens on most cruises anyways, but you really have the chance to mix and mingle with fellow travelers when you’re all onboard sharing the same public spaces day after day. 

You’ll meet new friends at the pool or on a sports court or in the bars and lounges or casino. Perhaps you’ll join together to form a formidable trivia team that dominates throughout the entire voyage.  

Cruises are wonderful ways to connect with people who love to travel and form lifelong friendships, and trans-ocean sailings offer the most opportunities to see this happen. 

What do you like to do during your cruises that feature a lot of sea days? Share some more great tips in the comments below.