If you want to make your vacation more educational, then there are classes and activities for you to do.

There’s more to cruising than just fine dining, wine, and relaxing spa treatments. Don’t get me wrong, these and other amenities like that are all good, but there are programs that can stimulate your mind and you can have fun. In Enrichment Programs, cruisers can learn a vast array of subjects from wine tasting to digital media. There are many for you to choose from:

  • Food and Drink

I know that I just said that cruises aren’t about food and wine, but this is your chance for you to be hands-on. For all you passengers who want to learn and/or master your culinary skills, there are several cruise lines, like Princess Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, that offer cooking workshops with expert chefs who give tips on preparing a fine meal for you to sample and enjoy. Cruise lines, such as Silversea and Celebrity Cruises, have wine tasting classes for passengers who want to gain knowledge of wine’s flavor varieties and which wine goes with the right dish. On most cruise ships, wine classes are free, but check out the cruise line to make sure if there is a cost.

  • Life and Wellness

Do you like to stay fit with a peace of mind? If so, then there are many cruise lines that offer yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and other classes that suit your level of fitness. You can stretch those muscles and feel relaxed at the same time.

  • Arts and Crafts

If you need a creative outlet while sailing, art classes are available for you. On the Princess Cruises, you can take a range of art courses that include: ceramics, photography, and scrapbooking. You can practice watercolors on Crystal Cruises. Jewelry making is available on Royal Caribbean Cruises. Celebrity Cruises has a special Hot Glass Show where professionals blow glass for an audience, and after the show, you can learn the glass blowing technique. For your hard work, your artwork can be your souvenir.

  • Tech Stuff / Learning Resources

Cruisers, if you are not tech savvy, don’t be embarrassed. You can catch up with the times by taking digital media workshops. These workshops instruct you how to use Microsoft Office programs, Photoshop, and the Internet. On the Holland American Line, Microsoft’s tech squad leads their digital workshops. Passengers need to check if Internet usage rates apply because most of these workshops are held in the ships’ Internet Cafés. If you think your Smartphone is too complicated for you, then Celebrity Cruises and Crystal Cruises have courses where you can learn about your phone’s capabilities and get in the know about the latest applications that you can download.

Bookworms, if you forgot to bring a book onboard with you, there is no need to worry. Libraries are available for your reading pleasure. You may have to pay a small, refundable deposit when you check out a book. Depending on the ship, there are different times when libraries are open, so do a little bit of research on the cruise ship to check the library’s hours. You can borrow a book and read away. There are also book lectures and literary discussions in book clubs.

As you can see, these are a few out of many Enrichment Programs that passengers can partake in. If you haven’t done one yet, give it a try. If you have already done one, try another that is out of your comfort zone. You can show off your skills you learn at sea and impress your family and friends on land.