Anyone who has never been on a cruise ship may find it hard to imagine just how extensive the sports and fitness facilities on modern cruise ships have become. Fitness is becoming increasingly important to many guests while on holiday, and cruise lines are responding. Ships are getting bigger, and with them comes more space for sports and exercise. Fitness centers have become larger and more modern. In addition, there are numerous activities that you might not expect to find on a cruise ship. Climbing courses, ice rinks, surf simulators and dedicated sports complexes are no longer unusual. In this article, we show you which sports can be enjoyed on cruise ships and how much the offering varies between different ships and cruise lines.
Fitness centers on cruise ships have grown noticeably in recent years. On MSC World Europa, the gym covers around 700 square meters. This makes it one of the largest fitness areas we have seen on a cruise ship so far. The equipment is generally modern and includes numerous cardio machines such as treadmills, cross trainers and exercise bikes from well-known brands. Some ships even have outdoor areas with additional equipment. Examples include AIDAcosma and AIDAnova. In our experience, there is usually a sufficient number of cardio machines available. When it comes to strength-training equipment, however, things can feel a little more crowded on some ships. The gym almost always offers a great view of the sea.
Many ships also have fitness staff on board. Personal training is usually available for an additional fee. So if you are looking for individual coaching, you will generally find it on board. The quality and range of services do, however, vary depending on the ship and cruise line.
We expect fitness to become even more important on board in the future. New ships are therefore likely to feature even larger and better-equipped fitness areas.
By the way: The crew often has its own gym in the crew area. On some ships, parts of the crew are also allowed to use the guest gym. However, this may only be possible at certain times, for example outside the gym’s official opening hours.
The classic cruise sport. Many ships advertise their own running track. The reality, however, often looks somewhat different. The track is frequently not located on a separate deck. It can be narrow and crowded with sun loungers and passengers during the day. Such tracks are often only really usable early in the morning or late in the evening.
There are also ships where running is genuinely enjoyable. One example is the MSC Meraviglia class, where there is a separate running and walking track that is usually not too crowded. Some newer ships, on the other hand, have done away with a traditional running track altogether. Examples include MSC World Europa and MSC World America.
If running on deck is not practical, the treadmill in the fitness center is the obvious alternative on sea days. On a port day, you can also go for a run in the destination itself. On Sport-Ahoi, you can find numerous running routes in cruise ports, starting close to the respective port.
For traditional cycling, the gym is logically the only option on board. Most ships are well equipped in this respect. Spinning classes on dedicated indoor bikes are also frequently offered. This is the case, for example, with AIDA, Mein Schiff and Norwegian Cruise Line. Some of these classes are subject to an additional fee.
Another option is guided cycling excursions during cruises. You can also find cheaper bike tours on our excursions page. In some ports, it is also worth checking out local bike rental options. Some can even be found within the port area, for example in Lanzarote.
A special feature is offered by Carnival Cruise Line with its SkyRide. On a two-lane track suspended above the deck, you can pedal your way around high above the ship and the sea. It combines cycling with a roller-coaster-like experience. Of course, it does not replace proper cycling training. The physical load is too low and the ride too short. But it certainly offers a great view.
Swimming is probably the sport that receives the least attention from most cruise lines. One exception is Mein Schiff. The ships in the fleet have large 25-meter outdoor swimming pools. At certain times and when the pool is not too busy, it is actually possible to swim proper laps. This applies to Mein Schiff 1 through Mein Schiff 7, as well as Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff Flow.
On most other cruise lines, the pools are either too small or too focused on leisure and relaxation. They are therefore generally not suitable for proper lap swimming. Depending on the itinerary, swimming in the sea may be the better option. Beach days at anchor or trips to the beach are ideal for this.
In addition to spinning, most cruise lines offer a broad range of fitness and sports classes. These include yoga and Pilates as well as Zumba, HIIT and aqua aerobics. There are also more relaxed, informal activities such as group morning stretching on deck.
The range of classes varies considerably. Some cruise lines and ships offer several classes a day, while others only offer a few per week. Usually, some classes are free while others come at an additional cost.
Some cruise lines also offer unusual fitness formats. Depending on the ship, Norwegian Cruise Line offers boxing, TRX and spinning, among other activities. Some ships also feature specially designed fitness rooms. Virgin Voyages also focuses on unusual fitness formats, including surf-inspired cardio workouts, circuit training and bungee fitness. Celebrity Cruises offers cardio boxing and barre classes on selected ships.
Many ships have a sports court or sports hall. Depending on the ship, you can play basketball, volleyball, football or other ball sports. The range is broad, from simple multi-purpose courts to elaborate multifunctional facilities such as the MSC Sportsplex.
If you want to spontaneously play a game of basketball or football, however, you may have to wait. On many ships, the sports court is not freely accessible at all times. Instead, there are designated time slots or organized activities. This may seem restrictive at first. But with a single sports court and several thousand passengers on board, completely unrestricted access would hardly be practical.
Two sports that are increasingly making their way onto cruise ships are pickleball and padel. Pickleball is a combination of table tennis, tennis and badminton. It has become one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the United States. More and more cruise lines are adding dedicated courts. Holland America Line now offers pickleball across its entire fleet. On Explora Journeys, pickleball and touch tennis can be played on EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II. Cunard also offers the sport on selected ships, including Queen Anne.
Padel is newer and still much less common at sea. The sport originated in Spain and Latin America and combines elements of tennis and squash. It is played on an enclosed court with glass walls. The EXPLORA III, which entered service with Explora Journeys in 2026, is the first ship in the fleet to offer a full-size padel court. The new court was even opened together with tennis star Jannik Sinner.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises will soon follow suit. The Seven Seas Prestige, which is scheduled to enter service in December 2026, will feature a padel and pickleball court on its new Solara Sports Deck.
We believe that padel on cruise ships will continue to grow in importance in the coming years. So far, the sport is mainly found in the premium and luxury segments. Just like pickleball, however, it could gradually make its way into the major mainstream cruise lines as well. We are currently not aware of any specific plans by AIDA, MSC or Mein Schiff.
In addition to the classic offerings, some cruise lines are increasingly adding unusual extras. As a result, the range of sports and leisure activities on board is becoming more diverse.
When it comes to climbing, the options now range from high ropes courses to bouldering walls and climbing walls. The Four Elements on AIDAprima, AIDAperla and AIDAnova offers climbing at great heights. The facilities are located under a glass roof and feature different courses with various obstacles. On AIDAcosma, there is instead a bouldering wall on the outdoor sports deck. Here, guests climb without ropes or safety equipment at a height where they can safely jump down. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line also have climbing walls on several ships. Norwegian Cruise Line additionally offers spectacular multi-level high ropes courses with more than 40 different elements on ships in the Breakaway and Breakaway-Plus classes.
Water parks with slides, wave attractions and splash pools are now offered on many modern large cruise ships. Examples include MSC World Europa and Icon of the Seas from Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas even advertises the largest water park at sea.
Surf simulators such as the FlowRider can be found on numerous Royal Caribbean ships. Guests can try their hand at surfing on an artificial wave. Ice rinks are also found on several Royal Caribbean ships across different classes. The so-called Studio B areas host ice skating shows depending on the ship, and some also offer guests the opportunity to go ice skating themselves.
Roller-skating areas and bumper cars can also be found on some modern ships. One example is the MSC Sportsplex on MSC World Europa. Depending on the daily program, the multifunctional area can be used for different activities.
Bowling alleys can also be found on some larger ships. These include Norwegian Cruise Line ships such as Norwegian Bliss, as well as ships in MSC’s Meraviglia and Seaside classes.
Golf is also taken seriously on some premium and luxury ships. Golf simulators allow guests to virtually play famous courses without going ashore. The Seven Seas Prestige from Regent Seven Seas Cruises goes a step further. Debuting at the end of 2026, the ship’s new Solara Sports Deck will feature an 18-hole putting course and a dedicated GolfCourt Hitting Bay. This allows guests to practice both their short and long game.
Mini golf is now standard on many larger ships, although the number and quality of the holes vary considerably.
Archery is offered as a guided tournament on some Royal Caribbean ships. It is particularly popular with families, and beginners can quickly get involved.
On some Cunard ships, fencing is one of the more unusual sports on offer. Equipment is provided and trained staff introduce guests to the sport.
Trapeze can be tried on selected Royal Caribbean ships as part of a Trapeze School. Anyone who has always wanted to hang from a flying trapeze can give it a try.
Motorsport is also available on some ships, and not just in the form of Formula 1 simulators. Several Norwegian Cruise Line ships have go-kart tracks, including Norwegian Bliss, Joy, Encore and Prima. Some tracks run across several levels high above the sea. On Norwegian Bliss, speeds of up to 48 km/h are possible.
Indoor skydiving is available with RipCord by iFLY on selected Royal Caribbean ships. Guests float in a vertical wind tunnel, creating the sensation of free fall. Important: Not every facility is necessarily operating on every sailing. It is therefore worth checking the specific ship and current program before booking.
Laser tag in specially designed arenas is offered on several Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Ziplines and rope-based rides spanning several decks round off the action program on some Royal Caribbean ships.
The wide range of special sports facilities shows just how differently cruise ships can be equipped. While one ship may have a go-kart track or water park, another may focus on a climbing course, ice rink or padel court. If you are looking to try a particular sport, it is therefore worth checking the specific ship rather than just looking at the cruise line.
Tip: To book trips with the mentioned ships, we recommend e-hoi. There, you can use the filter function to quickly find out which routes the ships are sailing. (Ad)
After exercising, recovery should not be overlooked. Many ships have a spa area with a sauna, steam room and whirlpools. Access is chargeable with most cruise lines, although some also offer complimentary basic areas. On Mein Schiff, for example, the traditional sauna area is generally included in the cruise fare.
Many ships also have free whirlpools distributed throughout the ship and open to all guests. When the ship is fully booked, however, these can get quite crowded. If you prefer a quieter experience, it is worth using them at off-peak times.
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The sports facilities on cruise ships vary considerably between cruise lines and individual ships. The range extends from basic equipment to extensive multi-sport areas. Anyone who wants to stay active on a cruise will find a solid basic offering of fitness center, running track and sports classes on most ships. Many modern cruise ships also offer special highlights such as climbing courses, water parks and trend sports like pickleball and padel. Exactly which sports are available, however, depends on the cruise line and usually also on the individual ship. It is therefore worth checking the specific sports facilities before booking.
If you prefer to exercise ashore rather than on board, or want to complement your training during a port stay, you can find suitable options among our active shore excursions as well as our running and walking routes.
Note: The information in this article is based on our own research and the personal experience of the Sport-Ahoi editorial team and has been compiled to the best of our knowledge. Since sports facilities, equipment and deck layouts can change over time, all information is provided without guarantee. If you notice an error, we would be happy to hear from you via our contact page.