JEB's Guide to Things to do After Midnight

[JEBryak]

Disclaimer: This guide contains my personal opinions, which are based on my recent experience on a 1 week cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Odyssey of the Seas in December 2024.

Scenario: You are on the ship.  It is late at night and the rest of your family has gone to sleep after a long day of relaxing at the beach.  But not you.  You are a night owl, still full of energy and looking for a fun late-night activity.  Here are your 5 options (with ratings):

1) Whirlpools - most ships have a good number of whirlpools/hot tubs, and they are available 24 hours.  I noticed that they are sometimes crowded during the days and afternoons, but late at night you can probably get one all to yourself.

Rating: A

2) Cafe Promenade - The only restaurant open 24 hours (although Sorento's Pizza is also open fairly late).  Your go-to place to grab a late-night snack.  You can bring it back to your room, or sit at the tables available.  I found the food there good, but after 7 days it got a little repetitive.  

Rating: B

3) The Nightclub - I must confess my rating of this one may be unfair, because I am not a fan of drinking and dancing.  However, I did check out the "Nightclub Experience" offered on the ship on several evenings (usually held in the music hall or theater).  Overall I found it very disappointing.  Not a lot of people there, atmosphere kind of dead, and the music was not to my liking.  The one exception was the night of the "Red Nightclub" which was just the opposite.  On that night the music was great and the party was bumpin.  I found it an enjoyable experience just to watch and listen. 

Rating:

Red Nightclub: A

Other Nights: F

4) Casino Royal - No. Do not go here. Absolutely not. I visited on several nights, and I saw a lot of people throwing their money away and making very bad choices.  If you like to watch maybe stop by to check it out.  But definitely do not play, unless you have studied extensively and really know what you are doing.

Rating: F

5) The Library - Perhaps the most overlooked part of the ship.  Open 24 hours.  I must confess that I love libraries in general, and had a fun time hanging out at the one on the ship.  Tucked away in the corner of the theater, behind a heavy metal door which feels like it was not really meant for guests to access.  A great place to relax and read a book or work on your laptop.  I often saw people playing board games or checking out the books there.  If anyone from Royal Caribbean is reading this and would like some suggestions on how you could improve your onboard libraries please reach out to me, because I have some ideas which I think are gold.

Rating: A

Any activities I missed?  How would your ratings differ from mine?  Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear other people's opinions.

- JEB

[smokeybandit]

My preferred activity after midnight: sleep

[tonyfsu21]

9 minutes ago, JEBryak said:

Disclaimer: This guide contains my personal opinions, which are based on my recent experience on a 1 week cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Odyssey of the Seas in December 2024.

Scenario: You are on the ship.  It is late at night and the rest of your family has gone to sleep after a long day of relaxing at the beach.  But not you.  You are a night owl, still full of energy and looking for a fun late-night activity.  Here are your 5 options (with ratings):

1) Whirlpools - most ships have a good number of whirlpools/hot tubs, and they are available 24 hours.  I noticed that they are sometimes crowded during the days and afternoons, but late at night you can probably get one all to yourself.

Rating: A

2) Cafe Promenade - The only restaurant open 24 hours (although Sorento's Pizza is also open fairly late).  Your go-to place to grab a late-night snack.  You can bring it back to your room, or sit at the tables available.  I found the food there good, but after 7 days it got a little repetitive.  

Rating: B

3) The Nightclub - I must confess my rating of this one may be unfair, because I am not a fan of drinking and dancing.  However, I did check out the "Nightclub Experience" offered on the ship on several evenings (usually held in the music hall or theater).  Overall I found it very disappointing.  Not a lot of people there, atmosphere kind of dead, and the music was not to my liking.  The one exception was the night of the "Red Nightclub" which was just the opposite.  On that night the music was great and the party was bumpin.  I found it an enjoyable experience just to watch and listen. 

Rating:

Red Nightclub: A

Other Nights: F

4) Casino Royal - No. Do not go here. Absolutely not. I visited on several nights, and I saw a lot of people throwing their money away and making very bad choices.  If you like to watch maybe stop by to check it out.  But definitely do not play, unless you have studied extensively and really know what you are doing.

Rating: F

5) The Library - Perhaps the most overlooked part of the ship.  Open 24 hours.  I must confess that I love libraries in general, and had a fun time hanging out at the one on the ship.  Tucked away in the corner of the theater, behind a heavy metal door which feels like it was not really meant for guests to access.  A great place to relax and read a book or work on your laptop.  I often saw people playing board games or checking out the books there.  If anyone from Royal Caribbean is reading this and would like some suggestions on how you could improve your onboard libraries please reach out to me, because I have some ideas which I think are gold.

Rating: A

Any activities I missed?  How would your ratings differ from mine?  Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear other people's opinions.

- JEB

The casino “F” rating might be a bit much. It’s America and if people want to spend money in a casino that would be their choice. Here’s a recent win where the casino could only be rated A+.

[Zacharius]

My preferred activity after midnight is to let it all hang out. Or possibly chug-a-lug and shout.

[LTR]

1 hour ago, JEBryak said:

2) Cafe Promenade - The only restaurant open 24 hours 

 

I did not know this, is this new or did I just never stay up late enough??

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, LTR said:

I did not know this, is this new or did I just never stay up late enough??

Always been that way.

[DoomSlayer]

Perfect time to hide some ducks for the little ones to find in the morning.

[smokeybandit]

4 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Always been that way.

That's not true on all ships though right?

[DoomSlayer]

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

That's not true on all ships though right?

I am assuming that being on a ship with an actual promenade is implied in this part of the answer.  Definitely not going to find this on Grandeur or Enchantment for example.

[smokeybandit]

4 minutes ago, DoomSlayer said:

I am assuming that being on a ship with an actual promenade is implied in this part of the answer.  Definitely not going to find this on Grandeur or Enchantment for example.

Yes, ships with a promenade. But I don't remember it being open 24/7 on Adventure. But also, I'm not up past midnight to have witnessed it personally.

[LTR]

18 minutes ago, DoomSlayer said:

I am assuming that being on a ship with an actual promenade is implied in this part of the answer.  Definitely not going to find this on Grandeur or Enchantment for example.

Ah okay, maybe that's why I don't remember something being open 24hours. 

[DoomSlayer]

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Yes, ships with a promenade. But I don't remember it being open 24/7 on Adventure. But also, I'm not up past midnight to have witnessed it personally.

It stayed open 24/7 last time I was on Adventure.  Just nothing more than pastries, fruits, and sweets after the pizza line shuts shown until about 6:30 or so the next morning when they start bringing out the breakfast sandwiches.

[OCSC Mike]

28 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

That's not true on all ships though right?

On all ships with a promenade AFAIK although my recent experience on any ship below Oasis class is limited to 11N on Indy in 2022

[bobroo]

Why isn’t Balcony Sex on the list?

[rjac]

6 hours ago, JEBryak said:

Disclaimer: This guide contains my personal opinions, which are based on my recent experience on a 1 week cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Odyssey of the Seas in December 2024.

Scenario: You are on the ship.  It is late at night and the rest of your family has gone to sleep after a long day of relaxing at the beach.  But not you.  You are a night owl, still full of energy and looking for a fun late-night activity.  Here are your 5 options (with ratings):

1) Whirlpools - most ships have a good number of whirlpools/hot tubs, and they are available 24 hours.  I noticed that they are sometimes crowded during the days and afternoons, but late at night you can probably get one all to yourself.

Rating: A

2) Cafe Promenade - The only restaurant open 24 hours (although Sorento's Pizza is also open fairly late).  Your go-to place to grab a late-night snack.  You can bring it back to your room, or sit at the tables available.  I found the food there good, but after 7 days it got a little repetitive.  

Rating: B

3) The Nightclub - I must confess my rating of this one may be unfair, because I am not a fan of drinking and dancing.  However, I did check out the "Nightclub Experience" offered on the ship on several evenings (usually held in the music hall or theater).  Overall I found it very disappointing.  Not a lot of people there, atmosphere kind of dead, and the music was not to my liking.  The one exception was the night of the "Red Nightclub" which was just the opposite.  On that night the music was great and the party was bumpin.  I found it an enjoyable experience just to watch and listen. 

Rating:

Red Nightclub: A

Other Nights: F

4) Casino Royal - No. Do not go here. Absolutely not. I visited on several nights, and I saw a lot of people throwing their money away and making very bad choices.  If you like to watch maybe stop by to check it out.  But definitely do not play, unless you have studied extensively and really know what you are doing.

Rating: F

5) The Library - Perhaps the most overlooked part of the ship.  Open 24 hours.  I must confess that I love libraries in general, and had a fun time hanging out at the one on the ship.  Tucked away in the corner of the theater, behind a heavy metal door which feels like it was not really meant for guests to access.  A great place to relax and read a book or work on your laptop.  I often saw people playing board games or checking out the books there.  If anyone from Royal Caribbean is reading this and would like some suggestions on how you could improve your onboard libraries please reach out to me, because I have some ideas which I think are gold.

Rating: A

Any activities I missed?  How would your ratings differ from mine?  Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear other people's opinions.

- JEB

If you are Diamond or above, you can sign up at guest services for the after-midnight tour of the bridge while the night shift is on. It's a more relaxed atmosphere than during the day when the actual ship's captain is in the bridge. Be sure to sign up as soon as you get on board, it is very popular with a lot of folks. If you can express any use or knowledge of nautical terms, know how to use the 24 hr system instead of the 12 hr system and know which is port and starboard you have a pretty good chance of impressing the night staff captain who will actually let you steer the ship! That's why it is very important to know the difference between port and starboard. For example, if you are the lucky one steering the ship and the staff captain orders you to take the ship 10 degrees to the starboard and you go to the port, let's just say it could turn out pretty bad. 

[JEBryak]

7 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

My preferred activity after midnight: sleep

Sleep is overrated.  Insomnia can add an extra 4+ hours to every day of your cruise.  Think about it.

[smokeybandit]

9 minutes ago, JEBryak said:

Sleep is overrated.  Insomnia can add an extra 4+ hours to every day of your cruise.  Think about it.

I only get 6-7 hours per night anyway, less on a cruise ship.

[PhillyLady]

Whenever I go to a nightclub, I always go there to DANCE.  I have been on many, many cruises, and have gone to the nightclubs on all ships.  Once I ask the DJ to play my song choices, I can stay on the floor for a while having lots of fun.

Those who attend just to be spectators have only themselves to blame if they are bored. Drinking and dancing on a moving ship do not always go too well together, but some people like being foolish.

There is also stargazing--a wonderful experience late at night with the sky free of urban lights.

Sadly, many libraries are being phased out on more modern ships.  Cunard has the best libraries at sea. 

RC is a family ship with a focus on children.  Other cruise ships may have late night comedy (R-rated shows), or the karaoke squad.

Of course, you can always read a good book in your room.  

I am a night owl all the time, but I always can get up early to go on a great excursion. 

 

[HeWhoWaits]

14 hours ago, bobroo said:

Why isn’t Balcony Sex on the list?

Because the OP's significant other and children might read this forum?

Remember, the OP said the rest of the family has already gone to bed.

[Leroyr55]

16 hours ago, rjac said:

If you are Diamond or above, you can sign up at guest services for the after-midnight tour of the bridge while the night shift is on. It's a more relaxed atmosphere than during the day when the actual ship's captain is in the bridge. Be sure to sign up as soon as you get on board, it is very popular with a lot of folks. If you can express any use or knowledge of nautical terms, know how to use the 24 hr system instead of the 12 hr system and know which is port and starboard you have a pretty good chance of impressing the night staff captain who will actually let you steer the ship! That's why it is very important to know the difference between port and starboard. For example, if you are the lucky one steering the ship and the staff captain orders you to take the ship 10 degrees to the starboard and you go to the port, let's just say it could turn out pretty bad. 

I’ve never heard of this but I think I’ll have to try this June 2025 on Symphony. 

[Crown&AnchorEsq]

Did you check playmakers? I know food ends early and the bar shuts down at midnight but I feel like there's usually people hanging out after closing time and my anecdotal experience  (Oasis x 2) was that they will leave the TVs on for a while. 

[smokeybandit]

After midnight, we're going to let it all hang down
After midnight, we're going to chug-a-lug and shout
We're going to stimulate some action
We're going to get some satisfaction
We're going to find out what it is all about
After midnight, we're going to let it all hang down

[Riley]

1 minute ago, smokeybandit said:

After midnight, we're going to let it all hang down
After midnight, we're going to chug-a-lug and shout
We're going to stimulate some action
We're going to get some satisfaction
We're going to find out what it is all about
After midnight, we're going to let it all hang down

Just no tambourine shaking - I'm trying to sleep  

[dustfsu]

Late at night is the nest time to get pictures of the ship so not so many people are in it.  

On a Oasis class is a good time to go in the Solarium area and relax, nice and quiet. 

Also sitting in Central Park is nice.

Guitar player in the Promenade bar are playing some good tunes.

Walking the track at night can be nice for a little stroll, usually a good breeze.

 

[HeWhoWaits]

14 hours ago, dustfsu said:

Walking the track at night can be nice for a little stroll, usually a good breeze.

That breeze is typically very close to whatever speed the ship is moving. In your face headed forward, at your back headed aft.

[JEBryak]

On 12/18/2024 at 9:58 AM, Crown&AnchorEsq said:

Did you check playmakers? I know food ends early and the bar shuts down at midnight but I feel like there's usually people hanging out after closing time and my anecdotal experience  (Oasis x 2) was that they will leave the TVs on for a while. 

Playmakers was not really on my radar as an option.  If I remember correctly, the area of Playmakers, the Seaplex, and the Arcade were all completely empty late at night.  The Arcade is technically open 24 hours, so the area is accessible after midnight.  It could definitely be added to my list as an option if you are looking for a quiet place inside to relax alone, or if having the entire Arcade to yourself sounds like something you would enjoy.

(On a side note, I think the Arcade is an area of the ships that could use some improvement.  There were too many games which were out-of-order and I found the ones which were working left much to be desired in terms of quantity, quality and variety.  Add some DDR or some old-school Street Fighter cabinets and I guarantee there would be people lining up to play.)

[MNPunchy]

Testing the limits of Security Staff: F