Abstract Factory Design Pattern in Java

Table Of Content

• Related patterns
• Client
• I thought factory methods only create one product?
• Why is there a Creator and a Client?
• Abstract Factory Interface (CarFactory)
• Implementation

A factory is a class that returns products of a particular kind. For example, the ClassicFurnitureFactory can only create an Armchair, a CoffeeTable and Sofa objects. The client code calls the creation methods of a factory object instead of creating products directly with a constructor call (new operator). Since a factory corresponds to a single product variant, all its products will be compatible. In the above UML class diagram, the Client class that requires ProductA and ProductB objects does not instantiate the ProductA1 and ProductB1 classes directly. Instead, the Client refers to the AbstractFactory interface for creating objects, which makes the Client independent of how the objects are created (which concrete classes are instantiated).

Related patterns

The same UI elements in a cross-platform application are expected to behave similarly, but look a little bit different under different operating systems. Moreover, it’s your job to make sure that the UI elements match the style of the current operating system. You wouldn’t want your program to render macOS controls when it’s executed in Windows. When you buy from TSI you don't have to worry about the import process. Our knowledge of U.S. laws, customs, and logistics can be a valuable tool when you're importing your items to the U.S. While at MIT, he moved towards abstract painting and developed a parallel interest in new scientific imagery.

Client

Adding a new class to the program isn’t that simple if the rest of the code is already coupled to existing classes. Now we have the abstract factory that lets us make a family of related objects i.e. elven kingdom factory creates elven castle, king and army, etc. First of all, we have some interfaces and implementation for the objects in the kingdom. After you’ve created your account, you will start the quiz right away. Make sure to dedicate the necessary time to assessing your technical skills.

I thought factory methods only create one product?

Even though the coding examples will be in C++ as I am more comfortable with, they can be easily adjusted to any programming language like Java, Python, C#, Javascript and more. The Abstract Factory pattern first suggests explicitly declaring interfaces for each product in the product family (e.g., Armchair, Sofa, or CoffeeTable). Then we can make all variants of products follow those interfaces. For example, all Armchair variants can implement the Armchair interface; all Sofa variants can implement the Sofa interface, and so on. Having a factory for every single concrete implementation of computer is not a good idea and it will not be a good example to project abstract factory. The first thing the Abstract Factory pattern suggests is to explicitly declare interfaces for each distinct product of the product family (e.g., chair, sofa or coffee table).

Why is there a Creator and a Client?

Factory Method is a creational design pattern that provides an interface for creating objects in a superclass, but allows subclasses to alter the type of objects that will be created. The Factory Method pattern allows subclasses to choose the type of objects to create without revealing the creation process to the client. It provides an interface for creating objects in a way that is convenient and flexible for software development. When discussing Abstract Factory everything should be relevant to the keywords above.

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Object-oriented vs. functional programming – O'Reilly.

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The abstract factory pattern is one of the classic Gang of Four creational design patterns used to create families of objects, where the objects of a family are designed to work together. In the abstract factory pattern you provide an interface to create families of related or dependent objects, but you do not specify the concrete classes of the objects to create. From the client point of view, it means that a client can create a family of related objects without knowing about the object definitions and their concrete class names.

The challenge is to find a suitable solution to create these types of Banking Accounts. The Factory Design Pattern is a promising candidate because its purpose is to manage the creation of objects as required. A default implementation can be provided, subclasses can still override the method to provide their own implementation.

The abstract factory defines an interface for creating buttons and checkboxes. There are two concrete factories, which return both products in a single variant. The client code has to work with both factories and products via their respective abstract interfaces. This lets you change the type of a factory that you pass to the client code, as well as the product variant that the client code receives, without breaking the actual client code. The Factory Design Pattern is a powerful technique for flexible object creation. By encapsulating the creation logic in a factory class, we achieve loose coupling and enhance the maintainability of our code.

You give the measurement for the door and your requirements, and he will construct a door for you. Your specifications are inputs for the factory, and the door is the output or product from the factory. For more information about Abstract factory method, refer this article. First of all, it doesn't happen that often that you have a set of interrelated types you want to instantiate. Abstract factory or any factory for that matter, they exist to solve the same problem, i.e, "Abstraction of object creation".

This type of design pattern comes under creational pattern as this pattern provides one of the best ways to create an object. As you can see, the creation of objects in the method create(AccountType type) depends on the constructor of the sub-classes. Therefore, if the constructor has many parameters, the factory method can become complex. Another rather intriguing motivation in this line of thoughts is a case where every-or-none of the objects from the whole group will have a corresponding variant. Based on some conditions, either of the variants will be used and in each case all objects must be of same variant.

Abstract Factory is a creational design pattern that provides an interface for creating families of related or dependent objects without specifying their concrete classes. Client code works with factories and products only through their abstract interfaces. This lets the client code work with any product variants, created by the factory object.

Abstract Factory Design Pattern Definition & Examples

Table Of Content

• Design Patterns — A quick guide to Abstract Factory.
• Structural Design Patterns
• Variants
• How to Implement
• Wait! Your AbstractFactory isn't, well... er Abstract

Object creations in this case is delegated to each implementer and framework providers just provide uniform methods for creating and returning objects. Such methods are inevitable for framework developer to proceed with their code and has a special name called Factory method (Factory Method Pattern for the underlying pattern). Abstract Factory serves as a high-level blueprint that defines a set of rules for creating families of related objects without specifying their concrete classes.

Design Patterns — A quick guide to Abstract Factory.

Buy the eBook Dive Into Design Patterns and get the access to archive with dozens of detailed examples that can be opened right in your IDE. Can you please explain more on Abstraction in case of Factory as well as Abstract Factory. I am not able to see the abstraction as the client still needs to know what to instantiate and what parameters to pass to instantiate the required class. This pattern is particularly useful when the client doesn’t know exactly what type to create. Define interfaces for cars and specifications to ensure a common structure.

Structural Design Patterns

In the subclasses we wrote the code to override the createPizza() factory method declared in BasePizzaFactory. In the createPizza() method, we first created the BaseToppingFactory object that a particular pizza factory will use for topping. We then used a switch statement to create a Pizza object based on the parameter passed to the method. Notice that while creating a Pizza object we initialized it by passing the BaseToppingFactory object to the constructor.

Variants

In the code above, since the AbstractFactory acts as a base class, the abstract methods are instantiated just as mentioned in the base class. You may be familiar with the concept factories - these are objects that create other objects. The Abstract Factory Pattern is primarily concerned with the interface for factory objects. The solution is to reduce the code that constructs components across the framework into a single factory method and let anyone override this method in addition to extending the component itself. A design pattern is a generic, reusable solution to a commonly encountered problem within a specific context in software design. It is not a finished design that can be transformed directly into code.

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Pentalog is a digital services platform dedicated to helping companies access world-class software engineering and product talent. With a global workforce spanning 16 locations, our staffing solutions and digital services power client success. By joining Globant, Pentalog strengthens its offering with new innovation studios and an additional 51 Delivery Centers to assist companies in tackling tomorrow's digital challenges. If you can’t figure out the difference between various factory patterns and concepts, then read our Factory Comparison. Creating objects directly within the class that requires the objects is inflexible.

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AccountFactory takes an AccountType as input and returns a specific BankAccount as output. There's nothing in the pattern that says an object can't belong to more than one family (although your use case might prohibit it). Each concrete factory is responsible for deciding which products are allowed to be created together. The Factory Method design pattern using subclasses to provide the implementation.

But what pattern means a commonly used approach for a solution to a similar type of problems. A design pattern provides you a design level approach or solution to a set of similar type of design problem. Using design pattern help you solve your problem and hence deliver faster. The Abstract Factory Design Pattern is a creational pattern that provides a framework to create interfaces of closely related objects without specifying their classes - hence the term "abstract". Defining keywords is the secret recipe in this series of quick-guides. This method helped me truly understand the design patterns, hardcode them in my mind and comprehend the differences among other design patterns.

Concrete Products (Sedan, Hatchback, NorthAmericaSpecification, EuropeSpecification)

I work thinking and creating solutions through clean and readable code. Pentalog Connect is your free pass to a large community of top engineers who excel in developing outstanding and impactful digital products. When joining, you receive access to a wealth of resources that will feed your appetite for quality content and your need for professional growth. As software developers, we all want to write code that is easy to maintain, scalable, ... Hi, I just want to provide a constructive criticism about the example.

All variants of the same object must be moved to a single class hierarchy. You need a way to create individual furniture objects so that they match other objects of the same family. Customers get quite mad when they receive non-matching furniture. T.S.I collection is dedicated to fancy fabrics, whether it's silk or any other quality. This is a result of our extensive research, forecasting abilities, and our respect for the needs of our clients. We have always been committed to excellent customer service, superior quality and on time deliveries.

In the string conversion example, we demonstrated how the Factory Design Pattern allows us to switch between different conversion types easily. This pattern promotes modularity, extensibility, and code reusability, making it a valuable tool in software development. Secondly, this pattern minimizes the dependency between classes.

Abstract Products represents a family of related objects by defining a set of common methods or properties. It acts as an abstract or interface type that all concrete products within a family must adhere to and provides a unified way for concrete products to be used interchangeably. Concrete Factories implement the rules specified by the abstract factory. It contain the logic for creating specific instances of objects within a family. Also multiple concrete factories can exist, each tailored to produce a distinct family of related objects. Abstract Factory patterns work around a super-factory which creates other factories.

Technical Issue Cancels Two Port Visits for Norwegian Cruise Ship

Table Of Content

• There's Often a Lack of Information on Port Facilities
• Hilo (Big Island) Shore Excursions
• Reserve Specialty Restaurants Early
• Don’t forget to PIN this post so you can refer back to it later!
• Where does Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America sail from?
• Plan activities with the itinerary in mind

For a more relaxing experience (and better food, in my opinion), eat breakfast in the Skyline dining room. There was never a wait to be seated and service was fast. This is important on nights at sea when the shows are more widely attended and prime seats fill up fast. When staying overnight at a port, shows and restaurants will be less crowded as many passengers will choose to eat and recreate off the ship. Beach towels will not be provided in your cabin or freely available on loungers like you may be used to on other lines and ships. With so many bars and lounges to discover, finding your favorite may take a few days.

There's Often a Lack of Information on Port Facilities

NCL Pride of America itinerary program is based on 7-day Hawaiian Islands voyages from Honolulu. The roundtrip itinerary calls at the most exotic islands in the popular travel destination – Hawaii, Kauai and Maui, with several optional shore excursions in the region. On her standard 7-night itinerary, Pride of America provides overnights on Kauai and Maui, as well as calls at Kona and Hilo, and an afternoon sailing of Napali Coast. The 2200-passenger ship Pride of America became operational in 2005 as the first USA-flagged cruise ship to be built in more than 50 years.

Hilo (Big Island) Shore Excursions

As you journey from one exotic island to the next, learn about the Hawaiian culture through the eyes of native ambassadors on board our ship. Come aboard and learn why no one does Hawai'i like Norwegian. Come aboard Pride of America, our only cruise ship that sails round trip from Honolulu year-round so you can vacation on your schedule.

Reserve Specialty Restaurants Early

The unique thing about the vessel is that its crew and officers are from America or US citizens. Pride of America and her guests celebrate American culture and history, from the kitsch of the Cadillac Diner to the sober statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Liberty Dining Room. All are grateful to be here, to have passengers onboard once again - and so are most passengers I spoke with onboard. Sure, some are miffed about shore excursions and specialty restaurants being booked up, and that, too, is understandable. But as good as it is, dinner at Le Bistro should not be your reason for booking a cruise to Hawaii; you can do that onboard Norwegian Sky on a cruise to the Bahamas for a fraction of the price.

I took my first Norwegian cruise after more than a decade. Here are my honest thoughts - Cruise Blog

I took my first Norwegian cruise after more than a decade. Here are my honest thoughts.

Posted: Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

There’s so much going on — Hawaiian cultural lessons, culinary demonstrations, cornhole tournaments, trivia, live music, pool games, dance classes, karaoke and much more. If you are traveling with children or teens, the ship offers youth programs for them. If the ship could change anything structurally, which is extremely unlikely, we would suggest more elevators. At peak times of island arrivals and returns from tours, there could be long elevator waits. Many times, we opted to climb up or down four or five deck levels instead of waiting for the elevators.

Pride of America Entertainment and Activities

Though there’s little time to explore the embarkation/disembarkation port of Honolulu on Oahu, there’s a good amount of time to discover the three other major islands — Maui, Hawaii (Big) Island and Kauai. Actually there are two days each at those islands, which is double what you’d find on other cruises to Hawaii. Further west, stop in historic Lahaina, which is home to a massive 149-year-old banyan tree along with galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Hits and Misses on a Hawaii Cruise on NCL's Pride of America - Cruise Critic

Hits and Misses on a Hawaii Cruise on NCL's Pride of America.

Posted: Sun, 17 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

With a substantial 2021 drydock in Portland, Oregon behind it, passengers will find some major improvements aboard this unique ship. When I embarked Pride of America in Honolulu on Saturday, I found a ship that has matured. The décor has been toned down substantially, with wall treatments, carpeting and soft furnishings showcasing more sophisticated colors and patterns that reveal a quiet Hawaiian-American influence. On a calendar, April 9, 2022, seemed like any other Saturday.

Where does Norwegian (NCL) Pride of America sail from?

Possibly one of the very best aspects of the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America Hawaii cruise is the itinerary. It starts in Honolulu on Oahu on Saturday, sails to Maui by Monday morning and stays overnight in Maui. Next, the cruise moves to Hawaii, the Big Island with a day in Hilo followed by a day in Kona. From there, the cruise goes to Kauai with an overnight stay there. The cruise finishes with a scenic cruise of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, then goes back to Honolulu, Oahu to disembark. This Saturday to Saturday itinerary is repeated week after week.

Plan activities with the itinerary in mind

There are pianos in both main dining rooms, and occasionally a musician provides background music for dinner. Our travel package included three specialty dining options. We’re glad that we had those options as the better food is definitely in the specialty restaurants.

It was among the best travel adventures we have experienced. The cruise companies have excursions to see Pearl Harbor and some Honolulu sites with an airport drop-off. That is worth doing if you can fit it in and if you didn’t allow extra days on Oahu. If you are on the Pride of America, this is the port where the ship has arranged the option to go on a luau. We have not been on to this luau, so we cannot speak from experience, but the feedback we heard from a handful of other passengers is that they were slightly disappointed.

Our balcony room sleeps two people comfortably and a third with the pull out sofa bed. It’s difficult for us to imagine trying to fit a third person in the room. It would definitely be tight particularly if the third person is a teen or adult.

Our cruise fare with a balcony room, the beverage package, speciality dining package and some nominal credits totaled $4,768 for the two of us. The food and stateroom experience felt budget-level, but the cruise cost was far from being a budget price. Cruise line excursions are expensive and sometimes feel crowded and rushed. However, many cruise passengers are nervous about booking tours or exploring ports on their own for fear of missing the ship and becoming an unwilling youtube star as they desperately flail around on land, “wait, wait!

Norwegian NCL Pride of America Cruise Ship Review First-hand Expert Review

Table Of Content

• Night Hawaii Cruise sailing on the Pride Of America
• Glitch Causes Dining Reservation Snafu on Carnival-Owned Line
• Choose The Main Dining Room (MDR) For Dinner That Best Fits Your Style
• Sails To
• The NCL Pride of America Hawaii Itinerary

There are places like the Napa Wine Bar, Club Mardi Gras, and Gold Rush Saloon. One of the most fascinating attractions in all of Hawaii is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It’s a park that is worthy of exploring for more than just a day, but as you’ll likely only have a day here, you’ll get to see some of the park’s highlights. Don’t miss it, especially if you have the opportunity to see volcanic activity. I had an absolute ball sitting at the bar chatting to friendly bartenders, sipping on the “Cocktail of the Day” and munching on free buttered popcorn!

Night Hawaii Cruise sailing on the Pride Of America

This was a fantastic way to see sample the islands and get a taste of the best of Hawaii. – As we mentioned above, for some fun, we love the Mountain Tubing Adventure. You would need to get their first tour at 9am to make this feasible for day two of your stop in Kauai. Double-check the timing as that can be subject to change.

Glitch Causes Dining Reservation Snafu on Carnival-Owned Line

It’s still good advice as you’d get to see the Kalalau Valley Lookout, Waimea Canyon, Spouting Horn and two of Kauai’s most iconic waterfalls — Opaeka’a and Wailua Falls . Those are all must-see places in Kauai, in our opinion. If you are on the NCL Pride of America cruise, you should have plenty of time to see all of this on the first day of your stop at Kauai, which includes an overnight stay. The reason we chose the road to Hana for day one of our two-day stop at Maui is that this tour takes all day.

Choose The Main Dining Room (MDR) For Dinner That Best Fits Your Style

So, from a culinary standpoint, the ship doesn’t offer a true Hawaiian experience. If you’ve never been to Hawaii or tend to just go to one of the islands, this itinerary is a very good one. The Pride of America itinerary is especially good if you’re short on time and you want to get a taste of each of the four major islands. It’s a very efficient itinerary in that you travel from island to island while you’re having dinner, enjoying evening entertainment and sleeping. While this itinerary visits four islands, first-timers should plan for at least two nights on Oahu—home to Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.

EXPLORE YOUR PORTS OF CALL

Norwegian Pride of America Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Norwegian Pride of America - Cruise Critic

Norwegian Pride of America Cruise Reviews (2024 UPDATED): Ratings of Norwegian Pride of America.

Posted: Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:37:08 GMT [source]

As such, we’d like to share some thoughts and suggestions on the top tours to do in each port. In addition, the Skyline Main Dining Room is only open for dinner. Otherwise, the dining options for breakfast and lunch are the Aloha Café, the ship's buffet located on Deck 11 aft; and the Cadillac Diner, a surprisingly-great little spot of Americana tucked away on Deck 6 amidships. It may be early days as far as the Hawaiian cruise restart goes, but Norwegian and the crew aboard Pride of America have turned the ship into a destination in its own right. I found myself wishing for more days at sea to enjoy the comforts of the ship and that Pride of America itself was so quiet, well-maintained, and well-run.

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line cancels sailings on 8 ships

The short stop POA makes off the coast of Kailua-Kona is wonderful. The views are spectacular and the historic town is a nice place to stroll for a bit. Pride of America (POA) is based in the Hawaiian Islands and cruises from Honolulu Harbor at 5 PM on Saturday and returns at 7 AM the following Saturday.

Note that we have a mini-guide to the road to Hana that allows you to see some awesome sights but doesn’t go to Hana and doesn’t take the entire day. Each main-stage show on Pride of America is on for one night and one night only (two-time slots), so mark your cruise calendar! We made it to four performances and thoroughly enjoyed them all. Once you’ve booked, you’ll be emailed a detailed confirmation and the tour operators’ contact information. Always re-confirm your tour arrangements with the company a few days beforehand.

Norwegian's Pride of America replaces calls in Maui - Travel Weekly

Norwegian's Pride of America replaces calls in Maui.

Posted: Fri, 11 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Check out our NCL Hawaii Cruise YouTube video where we show the highlights of the Hawaiian Islands Cruise portion of our Hawaiian Islands adventure. We really enjoyed our visit to the Hawaiian Islands on NCL’s Pride of America. The Hollywood Theater shows a variety of entertainment such as movies, bands, or a comedian.

If you want a more upscale meal, they’ve got that, too. This link describes all the complimentary (included in your cruise) restaurants on board and this link lists the specialty ($) dining options. Unlike most cruise itineraries that include a mix of port and sea days, every day on the Pride of America is a port day. The ship even remains docked at port in Maui and Kaua’i overnight and travel between ports mostly takes place after dark. You may have heard the Pride of America described as a “floating hotel” for that reason. Hawaii, not the ship or the sea, will be the main attraction for most.

There are two pools, multiple hot tubs and lots of appealing outside deck space—including the Aloha Lanai Bar aft on deck 11—ideal for sail-away cocktails at sunset. You can take a look at the bar menus here to get an idea of the drink prices so you can weigh the package versus an à la carte approach. We did elect to receive the Hawaii Beverage Package as one of our “free” perks and believe we got our money’s worth. But not everyone will with so little time spent on the ship.

Mainland to Hawaii and points afar and which are still a huge part of local folklore here. If specialty dining is your thing, confirm your reservations the second you board -- and don't be afraid to ask if there are any last-minute cancellations. The Pride of America offers quite a bit of entertainment and activities. The “Freestyle Daily” lists the complete schedule of what’s happening each day.

If you do decide to dine at a specialty restaurant, be sure to book your preferred time early as the popular times fill up fast. You can book the popular Luau Kalamaku through the ship, but I suggest you to shop around to get a better price. We found a mistake on our final bill – we were charged for several drinks that should have been included in the Hawaii Beverage Package. No biggie, I called guest services and they refunded our credit card. It actually pays to do this every few days (you can view it on the TV in your cabin) or even daily as lines and waits for guest services can be longer toward the end of the cruise.

Which cruise ship activities should you book ahead of time?

Table Of Content

• Port Lecture
• Score Big in a Blackjack Tournament
• Spa & Fitness
• Related Articles
• Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

On rainy days, or even hot days on a cruise, there will often be people playing cards and a variety of board games around the cruise ship. While you can actually borrow some on a cruise, I’d consider bringing your own. When it comes to things to do on a cruise, not too many people consider working out. That’s a shame because cruise ships offer some of the best gym facilities you’ll find. A popular thing to do in the mornings, just about every major cruise ship will include a jogging track around the top deck.

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Port Lecture

Don't forget surfing, skating, ziplining, laser tag, go-kart racing, escape rooms and even skydiving. Don't forget to take advantage of the fitness facilities, spas and sun decks onboard, as well. Take a dip in the pool, or just breath in the fresh ocean air reading your favorite book on your own balcony. Some of the cruise lines even have a cinema on board, offering movies for adults as well as playing big kid favorites. Most cruise ships have a selection of shops on board, offering everything from perfumes to souvenirs, toys to the latest fashion of clothing. If your aim is more to venture into the different cuisines, with the selection of specialty restaurants, you will for sure find dishes that delight you.

Score Big in a Blackjack Tournament

However, post-treatment, allow your white-gloved butler to draw a blissful aromatherapy bath in your suite tub, with battery-lit candles flickering and classical music playing softly. Whether you're a planner or someone who likes to play your vacation by ear, you should absolutely consider booking certain cruise activities in advance. Discover what's available pre-cruise so you can better prepare for your next voyage. For those passengers with performance skills, many ships feature karaoke, and a few even have a passenger talent show. Even small ships will have some sort of entertainment -- a duo with a keyboard, a guest singer, or local performers. Who doesn't enjoy a secret (or not so secret) mission every once in a while?

Spa & Fitness

Expand your knowledge and engage in stimulating discussions as you learn from passionate individuals who are experts in their fields. There are some vacations — a beach trip, for instance — where you don't have to do much research in advance. Hit the skies and have a race to the finish on a challenging aerial ropes course!

Related Articles

From production shows to guest entertainers, you’ll find tons of things to do in the evening on your cruise. While it might not replace the traditional bar anytime soon, it is something unique to try on your cruise. Ships have spots dedicated to the game, often with multiple tables in a place outside, but with minimal wind so that you can play even when it’s breezy. (Tables are normally located on the pool deck, tucked in a corner.) Just head up and pick up a couple of paddles (which are provided) to play. While it can be expensive (expect to spend $20-30 per day), there are often “social media” packages available for cheaper.

Kid activities go beyond waterparks - Travel Weekly

Kid activities go beyond waterparks.

Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

What’s great about this is that most cruise ships have at least 2-4 swimming pools, and several hot tubs. Others reserve it for sea days only because it's difficult to squeeze in tea on port days when you're committed to exploring. Most large cruise ships have adults-only sun decks, and some even provide a pool strictly for those 18 years and older. There are age restrictions in gyms and in spas, so you're unlikely to find young children in either one. Similarly, most bars are open during the day, and while they might be situated in busy public areas, kids are discouraged from sitting at the bars themselves. Your daily cruise planner, which is delivered to your cabin nightly by your room steward, will be your cruise activities bible.

Sea Day Activities

Given how fast-paced most of our lives are these days, it’s the ultimate luxury to just be able to sit still in your own private space without having to do anything at all. If you prefer a quiet corner to read a book or catch up on your favorite novels, cruise ship libraries offer a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Stocked with a wide selection of books and magazines, you can find the perfect reading material to enjoy during your leisure time.

Nightclubs and Live Music

It’s fun to watch too if you’e looking for something different to do in the evening on your cruise. Learn to make one of your favorite cruise ship dishes by attending a cooking demonstration. Do the Cha-Cha slide and other line dances on a cruise by the pool at Sailaway or at other times and venues during your cruise. Kids aren’t allowed in the night club or disco after a certain hour.

A Royal Caribbean cruise lets you enjoy the best of both worlds – fast-paced fun and/or slowing down to savor some quiet time. Casinos are open normally when the ship is sailing from port to port, and can get pretty busy in the evenings. Zipline across the shipImagine flying across the ship, suspended from a zipline ten decks up. You can do it on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels such as Harmony of the Seas. It’s a short ride, but also an unforgettable experience you can’t replicate anywhere else.

If you’re a new cruiser, you might be wondering what to do on a cruise, and if you’ll be bored on cruise sea days. In my experience, many people who are cruising for the first time are wary of “too many” sea days, and usually more interested in the cruise ports. For the under-18 crowd, all mass-market cruise ships have complimentary kids’ programs. If you want to be active, you might begin the day with a morning stretch class, jog or walk a mile (or a few) on the deck. There are pool games, Ping-Pong, shuffleboard, and basketball courts - often with scheduled tournaments.

These are great for people who want a more active type of cruise experience. Many fitness classes, such as spinning or yoga, require advance signups (and possibly a fee), so book early to lock in your spot. Some ships even hold classes outdoors — so invigorating in the sea air. Virgin Voyages offers unique fitness classes, such as '80s-themed aerobics and a bungee class. The stars of the onboard dance shows and the ship's entertainment team may not be household names, but they often offer sea-day dance lessons.

Check the cruise planner for the hours of operation and activities. Why not try out the drinks and atmosphere at many of the bars on your ship? From the martini bar to the sports bar, you can create your own pub crawl. While this isn’t for everyone, cruise ship internet is improving and some cruise line’s are making it easy and affordable to work remotely. On recent cruises, we found Princess Cruises’ MedallionNet to be fast and efficient. Expect at least a couple amazing production shows performed by the cruise ship’s singers and dancers.