I was sweating, my calves were numb and my arm (but only the right wing) ached — and I hadn’t even set foot inside the ship’s fitness center. Instead, I just finished the seventh round of “To Tha Net” basketball in the airplane arcade game.
Is there a better way for me to spend my train time? May. Do video games cost money that I know I won’t get back? Sure. But there was something about the neon lights and the noise that drew me in.
Cruises are full of temptation. From almost unlimited food and drinks to gamblingduty free shopping and spa treatment, there are many ways to overeat. But if I enjoy a wonderful (or 10) soft-serve cone on the pool deck after a deep tissue massage or indulgent shopping, I usually spend a decent chunk of my disposable travel income. for stress-free air hockey games and many tries at any machine with claws.
For more cruise news, reviews and tips, subscribe to TPG’s itinerary bulletin.
Why I prefer video games to casinos
I wouldn’t say it’s an addiction. If I can’t make it to the arcade or if the train I’m on isn’t available, I don’t mind. For me, playing video games is simply a way to enjoy something that makes me feel like a kid again, something I usually can’t do at home.
“But Ashley,” you’re thinking, “why not spend your money in the casino and actually try to win something?”
The truth is that I find playing casinos stressful and frankly boring. You go into it with the assumption that you’re spending money trying to make money, and that’s a lot of pressure. If I don’t win something there, it’s like a failure.
Plus, I didn’t find the atmosphere as lively as in the game room. Growing up, I’ve learned that it’s no fun to be around adults who are stressed, many of whom become even more stressed when they lose.
With video games, I know whatever I’m spending will be spent, and that’s it. I have no expectation that I will recover my loss. It’s purely for fun, and any prize I can earn along the way is just gravy. That mentality immediately suppresses all worries. It was to test my skills rather than my luck. Even better, I didn’t smell like other people’s cigarette smoke when I left.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Also, where else on board can you enjoy Skee-Ball or Pac-Man or coin pushers that let you win Willy Wonka or superhero cards? (Oooh, ahhh. But seriously, if anyone has a Batman card, let’s trade.)
Support claw machine
However, my favorite game is the swipe game. I’ve never met someone I don’t like. “Oh! So close!” The thrill keeps me going, and I enjoy trying to figure out the machines — and whether they’re cheating — as I play.
When I have a particularly lucrative session, I end up giving the prize to families who are also spending time there. (The last thing I need to do is stuff five or six things in my carry-on. I to be as an adult anyway, and that’s where I draw the line.)
When I need an extra choice, I switch to the all-time win versions of the claw machine. Usually that means I end up with a lollipop or rubber duck. (I hid the latter on the train for others to find, which only prolongs the fun.)
The best dome cruise lines
After doing extensive first-person research, my top picks for the best cruise lines are:
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Payment procedures NCLThe latest Google products offer the best options, including the Galaxy Pavilion, which includes standard arcade games and a range of high-tech virtual reality simulators.
- Festival cruise line: These cruise ships have some of the sturdiest domes I’ve seen on board. The variety of games — even on older, smaller ships — means there’s always something for every player. Carnival also seems to have the largest number of all-time winning machines.
- MSC Cruises: On Seaside-class ships, MSC there is the Games Lobby, which is equipped with a wide range of options. Of particular note are the interactive cinemas and Formula 1 racers, as well as robot on the MSC Seascape.
- Royal Caribbean International: On his newest ships, Royal Caribbean reserved an impressive amount of space for the domes. There are win options all the time, and the line has also done a great job of integrating barrel arcade games with its sports bars, giving adults the chance to play Pac-Man, Mario Bros. . and Donkey Kong without venturing into the video game itself.
bottom line
Cruise ships have plenty of opportunities for passengers to spend their money. While video games aren’t for everyone, they’re a great place for low-pressure fun — even as an adult.
Planning an itinerary? Start with these stories:
