The Cringiest Activities on Board Big Cruise Ships
The Cringiest Activities on Board Big Cruise Ships
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/the-10-worst-cruise-ship-activities
Please make these go away.
Now that I’ve cruised for 18 years, I know the difference between cheesy and chic when perusing the ship’s calendar of activities. There may have been a time when I got so restless on a sea day that I popped into a boutique for a gemstone seminar (thankfully I didn’t fall into the trap of buying expensive jewelry), nearly leapt into the spa to learn the “secret” to losing weight, or had my picture taken at every prop on the ship during Formal Night (now I dodge these photographers because, duh, I have a smartphone), but I’m way savvier now. I can easily eyeball a gimmicky activity, and instead of rolling my eyes, I simply head to the Lido Deck and order another cocktail, snickering at the other passengers who will, no doubt, get sucked in.
Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser easily swept up in the romance of these self-contained floating resorts, or are new to cruising and want to check off every single activity, here are 10 activities that really aren’t worth your time.
1 OF 10
Gemstone Seminars
If you’re anticipating a Discovery Channel-style talk about ancient gemstones, or yearn for a throwback to ‘the college days’ when you sat in lecture halls, you are sorely mistaken. Gemstone seminars are typically hosted in jewelry shops, not in the theater, and the talk is limited to (surprise!) the shop’s merchandise. Everyone clusters around a jewelry case, blinded by the shop’s bright lights, sipping free drinks. Because the jewelry costs at least several hundred dollars, and the cruise line has your credit-card number on file, go easy on the drinks given this high-pressure sales tactic.
PHOTO: PACK-SHOT/SHUTTERSTOCK
2 OF 10
Weight Loss Classes
Classes on how to tone your body or get rid of belly fat are perfectly on brand once you see what’s served on the buffet. But it’s also like being fed to sharks. You won’t survive this cruise if you constantly think about shedding pounds. Another problem with these classes is that a cruise of less than two weeks is not enough time for a proper consultation. Go back home and see a nutritionist instead, someone who can work with you to chart your diet and fitness over time and not offer a (pardon the pun) one-size-fits-all approach.
PHOTO: PRESSFOTO/DREAMSTIME
3 OF 10
Parody Musicians
There will ever only be another Whitney Houston, and the same goes for Elton John. Even if they each had a twin with the same vocal range, they’re not working on a cruise ship. Parody musicians host shows in the theater with costume changes, flashing lights, and a house band. You might initially feel excited about the prospect of hearing your favorite singer’s songs, but trust me, this is one step above karaoke. The only way you can have a good time is if you go into this expecting entertainment, not as a true fan of the musician they are mimicking.
PHOTO: ABE12/SHUTTERSTOCK
4 OF 10
Towel-Folding Classes
It’s cute to come back to your cabin and see an elephant or monkey—relax: these aren’t real animals; they’re shaped and twisted out of towels—on your bed. But do you really want to spend precious vacation time indoors learning this party trick? Unless a tutorial is held poolside, that’s a hard no.
PHOTO: GTS PRODUCTIONS/SHUTTERSTOCK
5 OF 10
Matching T-Shirts
The “look at me” aspect of donning the same custom-printed T-shirt as your travel-mates, announcing your family’s reunion or a slogan like “Ship Happens,” makes me want to gag. What happened to freedom of expression—especially when your favorite color or vibe is not the same as your family members’, spouse’s, or BFF? And are you really going to wear that T-shirt again to, say, a Pilates class or on an airplane and be prepared for people to gaze at your chest, wondering what the inside joke is?
PHOTO: MIKHAILBERKUT/SHUTTERSTOCK
6 OF 10
“Sexy Legs” and “Hairy Chest” Contests
The problem I have with these so-called beauty contests on the Lido Deck is that, on an intellectual level, they objectify men and women because they are ranked solely on their bodies, not by any other skill. But the other issue is that the contestants are not models. It’s unsavory to be chilling by the pool with a drink and a good book and look up to see a crew member shouting into a microphone, begging for the audience to clap for some average-looking, middle-aged person who is dancing around, trying to be sexy and, well, it’s just not working.
7 OF 10
Dueling Pianos
In an era where singer-songwriters are sharing moving and very heartfelt lyrics at street festivals, coffee shops, and train stations, why are we still being subjected to dueling pianists like it’s the 1890s? Whenever I see these in a cruise ship’s lounge or bar, I feel like I’m being thrust into a full-on musical, not an intimate performance. It’s two people trying to outdo each other. Might as well be a wrestling match.
8 OF 10
Hypnosis Performers
Thankfully, hypnotists as cruise-ship performers are not as widespread as they used to be, and their popularity is waning, but they are still on the calendar for some sailings. Why would we want to see someone—a fellow passenger, no less—literally lose their mind on a stage? This seems more like a private-therapy situation, or an interrogation tactic by the local cops, not a spectacle.
PHOTO: SOLARISYS/SHUTTERSTOCK
9 OF 10
Art Auctions
I love art. I also love Champagne. Put the two together, and I’m there. But the art on cruise ships is, for the most part, cringe-y. I’d have to down many flutes of bubbly before I bid on a piece of art at the art auctions that lure you in with free wine. What if I actually “win” the auction and have to hang this terrible art in my living room? Better to stay in my cabin sipping wine and watching “House Hunters,” right?
10 OF 10
Fruit or Ice Carving
Whether it’s carving a pineapple or a block of ice, in what universe am I ever going to show off this skill that I’ve just learned, watching a chef swing around a knife? There are just too many other fun activities to do on a cruise to prioritize something like this, even if the carvings are usually hosted on a sea day or a slow afternoon. I vote for afternoon tea instead. Or perhaps an afternoon nap.
Hilton to debut LXR brand in Costa Rica
https://hotelsmag.com/news/hilton-to-debut-lxr-brand-in-costa-rica/?
Hilton announced the signing of Maravé Manuel Antonio, LXR Hotels & Resorts, marking the brand’s debut in Costa Rica. The property is expected to open in 2029.
The resort sits on a nearly 40-acre estate of titled beachfront spanning 650 feet of Pacific coastline. It will include 173 accommodations combining hotel guestrooms, suites and branded residences.
The seven-story resort will feature 57 accommodations, including 42 ocean-view guestrooms and 15 private bungalows, each with a plunge pool. Maravé Manuel Antonio, LXR Residences will add 116 furnished residences, including 66 private villas, 46 oceanfront condominiums and four penthouses. It is the first LXR Residences property in Latin America.
The resort was designed by Carazo Arquitectura and is expected to include the largest mass timber structure in Costa Rica. Interiors were designed by Chicago-based Curioso.
Amenities will include a Beach Club, two chef-led restaurants, the MARAVÉ Speakeasy Bar, a spa and wellness facility, a fitness center and a youth activity club.
“Costa Rica represents a key growth market for Hilton, with strong demand for high-end, nature-immersed travel,” said Pablo Maturana, VP of development, architecture, design and construction of Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton. “With Maravé Manuel Antonio, LXR Hotels & Resorts, we are introducing a distinctive luxury retreat that will bring LXR’s destination-led approach to life through highly personalized service, immersive cultural connection and one-of-a-kind experiences inspired by the spirit of Manuel Antonio.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Hilton to bring LXR Hotels & Resorts to Manuel Antonio,” said Bruce Begia, president of Ocean Cove MA Development One S.A. “This project is designed to create a unique destination that connects guests with Costa Rica’s natural environment while delivering exceptional luxury and service.”
“Maravé stood out for its extraordinary location, thoughtful design and authentic connection to Manuel Antonio’s rainforest and Pacific coastline,” said Dino Michael, global category head, Hilton Luxury. “It brings together everything we look for in an LXR property destination: distinctive character, a sense of place and experiences that invite homeowners to embrace adventure, nature and uncompromising luxury.”
Hilton operates more than 315 hotels in more than 35 countries and territories across the Caribbean and Latin America, with more than 150 hotels in the pipeline.
Top Talent Awards: Jason Kreul, chief operating officer, Remington Hospitality
https://hotelsmag.com/news/top-talent-awards-jason-kreul-chief-operating-officer-remington-hospitality/
by David Eisen
For Jason Kreul, COO of Remington Hospitality, setting a course on a career in hospitality was deeply influenced by his father, who, after naval service and a graduate degree from Michigan State, dropped anchor in the hotel business. He opened what is now the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport; subsequently served as general manager of multiple properties; and eventually taught accounting at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University.
Talk about a legacy to live up to.
It was the excitement and energy that initially caught Kreul’s attention to the hospitality industry. He started working as early as he could—as a dishwasher, a server, a cook. “Every guest experience was a chance to build a lasting memory and I went home every day knowing I’d made an impact on someone,” he said.
Kreul’s future ascendance to the role of chief operating officer was shaped in those early years. Dishwashing, for example, is often seen as a menial job, but it teaches lessons in cleanliness, which is a core tenet of great hotel operation. He also learned from those he reported to, like the fastidious chef at an early job who had a penchant for checklists. “I followed my cleaning checklist diligently,” Kreul said. “It was inspected at the end of my shift, so I always knew what success looked like.” Kreul was never above the work, either. One of the weekly checklist items was a climb into the dumpster after it was emptied to hose it out. “I hated it, but it taught me never to be afraid to get my hands dirty,” he said.
Jason Kreul, COO, Remington Hospitality
ON THE UP AND UP
Physical exertion is less a part of Kreul’s job today as COO of Remington, which is one of the largest third-party management companies in the U.S., with a portfolio of more than 120 hotels in the U.S. and four countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Prior to joining Remington in 2025, he held the COO position with First Hospitality and, before that, was with Highgate for six years. His climb through the ranks of hospitality is credited to ambition and motivation, but also teamwork, he said. “I love solving problems with others, building something great and being part of a team that drives performance results.” Part of it also goes back to his formative years: “I’m insanely organized and efficient,” he said. Early on, he would make lists for everything he needed to accomplish.
It paid off. He was GM of a full-service Marriott by the age of 28 (take that, dad!) and by 33 had been named Marriott’s Global GM of the Year. He said that the recognition was more about the team he assembled than him, specifically.
The same is happening at Remington, he said. As COO of a sprawling organization that manages different types of assets, trust doesn’t only matter; it’s the cornerstone. “We’re a decentralized business, so we must have the best leaders in every market,” Kreul said. “Best begets best, and if we get that right, we end up with highly engaged leaders and associates in every hotel at every level.”
Kreul calls Remington a property management company rather than a portfolio management company. “Success is only final when every individual hotel and individual owner wins,” he said.
Remington Hospitality manages ONE|GT in Grand Cayman.
HELPFUL HINTS
He credits much of his own success to those from his past; most notably, Keith Daub, who was president of Winegardner & Hammons, where Kreul worked for more than 20 years. He saw something in Kreul and committed to developing him in various operational roles. “It was tough love, but I always knew he cared about me and wanted me to succeed.” Unsurprisingly, he takes a similar tack with the leaders of tomorrow. “When I see someone who wants to grow and has what it takes, I’m brutally honest in their development,” he said. “Leaders don’t do this enough; if you care about your people’s development, be transparent at every opportunity.”
As someone who worked his way up the hospitality ranks, advice flows easily from Kreul; following it is a different story altogether. For aspiring hoteliers, one of the most important things anyone can do, Kreul said, is to engage with fellow associates and managers—timidity will get you nowhere, so be curious. “Ask your leaders for more experience. Be a sponge. Make an impact on the satisfaction of your guests and your fellow associates and get recognized for it,” he said. Another recommendation: “Lead, regardless of your title or position.”
From cleaning pots to COO, Kreul is a success story no matter the industry. But this is an industry he loved from the jump. It’s also, he said, a business where anyone, regardless of education, can rise to its apogee if they put their mind to it and work hard. “The opportunity is there for the taking,” he said, “but you have to be all in and fully committed.”
DUHC&S | Strategic Hospitality Consulting & Advisory
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