Trivia is the most popular free game at sea. On a lively ship there may be several quizzes a day, and the competition can be fierce in the friendliest way.
What Trivia Looks Like on a Ship
The cruise director’s team runs quizzes in lounges and bars throughout the day: general knowledge, music and movie rounds, sports, “name that tune” and themed contests. Teams are usually small and mixed — perfect for meeting fellow guests. Prizes are typically small souvenirs, but the bragging rights last all week. Trivia is included in the fare on mainstream ships.
How to Win More Often
- Build a team with mixed ages and interests; a teenager and a grandparent cover a lot of ground.
- Show up for the same daily quiz to learn the host’s style.
- Write neatly and answer every question — a guess scores more than a blank.
- Keep phones away; quiz hosts and fellow players take fair play seriously.
- Celebrate the small wins: a running team score over the week is half the fun.
Bringing a Quiz League to Sea
Pub-quiz leagues and trivia clubs sometimes sail as a group with their own quizmaster and schedule. The ship can usually reserve a lounge or meeting room for private sessions if it is requested in advance; see organizing a game group. Combine quiz sessions with ship trivia and you will have a very full week.
Trivia Etiquette
Ship quizzes run on trust. Keep answers to your own team, do not shout them out, and accept the quizmaster’s ruling with good grace. Welcome solo travelers who ask to join your team — some of the best cruise friendships start over a tie-breaker. And if your team wins every day, consider sitting out the occasional round so others get a turn at the prize table.
Trivia and the Sea-Day Rhythm
Quizzes cluster on sea days and in the hour before dinner. Check the daily program the night before, and pencil in a couple of rounds between pool time and lunch. Our sister site Cruising Experiences has a sea-day planner for fitting it all in.
Other Daytime Games on Board
Bingo
A cruise classic with its own sessions, usually with a charge per card and prizes set by the ship.
Game shows
Guests compete on stage in versions of familiar TV-style formats, run by the entertainment team.
Deck games
Shuffleboard, giant chess, cornhole and table tennis on many ships, free to play.
Puzzle and word challenges
Daily puzzles or quiz sheets at the guest services or activities desk on some ships.
Between these and the quizzes, a keen competitor can fill most of a sea day. If your group prefers sport to games, Sporting Cruises looks at golf, running and fan sailings.
Plan a Fun-Filled Sea-Day Cruise
Love trivia and games? Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest ships with lively daytime programs and plenty of sea days.
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