If you think staying on a cruise ship just means lounging by the pool, think again. Cruise companies are constantly coming up with wild and wacky ways of making sure days at sea are just as memorable as those on shore. From go-karting to ballet, here are some of the brilliant adrenaline-pumping and cultural activities that ships now offer.

The first-ever boomerang-style slide at sea, the Tidal Wave is an exhilarating water slide that plummets you down one side on an inflatable to then fling you up into total weightlessness on the other. Currently only available on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, it's a truly thrilling experience.

The first program of its kind, Celebrity Cruises' Camp at Sea offers a fully customisable schedule of activities in four categories – art, recreation, culinary and S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). With more than 500 different activities to choose from, kids can enjoy everything from designing their own stuffed animals and baking cupcakes to learning the importance of teamwork through video games and building robots.

Now a popular activity onboard several cruise ships, including Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Bliss and Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, laser tag is a fun thing to do for the whole family. Step into the Battle for Planet Z's neon arena as you try and navigate your way through the inflatable maze to win against the opposing team. Another laser tag experience, Clash for the Crystal City, is coming to Freedom of the Seas in March 2020 and Allure and Explorer of the Seas in May.

Can't imagine leaving your beloved pup even for a day? Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is currently the only ship that allows dogs onboard. The ocean liner promises to deliver the same lavish experience to the four-legged friends too with deluxe kennel space, freshly baked dog biscuits, beds and blankets and even a QM2-logoed coat.

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Put your grey cells to good use in the escape room, known as the Phantom Bridge onboard two of the newest Princess Cruises' ships Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess, as you embark on an adventure captaining and steering a simulated ship through a range of historical and futuristic time periods. To progress through the story, players must work as a team to uncover clues and solve puzzles.

Swap drive-ins for dive-ins as you lounge on the pool deck and have the stars to keep you company as you enjoy a screening of one of the latest films or a live sporting or musical event on the big 219.5 square foot screen. You'll find it on selected Royal Caribbean ships, including Freedom of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

Budding Lewis Hamiltons will love the double-level go-kart track on Norwegian Encore, Bliss and Joy. Racers can whizz around the 1,150 feet (350m) open-air track on the ship’s top level and some of the track even extends over the side of the ship.

Normally, surfing is something you do once you get off the ship. But the FlowRider surf simulator gives you a chance to try out the sport on more than a dozen of Royal Caribbean’s cruise liners. If you’re a complete novice and feel you need some proper instruction, you could always book a group lesson first.

Ice-skating in the middle of the Caribbean or the Mediterranean isn’t usually the first thing that springs to mind when the temperatures soar. But if you’re on a select number of Royal Caribbean ships, you’ll be able to borrow some skates and pretend it’s winter. Don’t forget to pack a pair of long trousers, though, as you won’t be allowed to skate without them.

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On dry land the American Ballet Theatre has performed in every US state and in 45 countries across the globe. And now the company pirouettes across the stage at sea onboard Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Silhouette during 2020. It's not only ballet showcases that passengers can enjoy, there are seminars and ballet barre fitness classes led by the professionals too.

If all that sunshine has made you a bit blasé, get an Arctic blast at the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar on the Norwegian Breakaway. Everything is made from ice – from the glasses and seats to the walls. That means the bar is kept at a frosty -8.33°C (17°F) temperature, but you’ll be all snug in polar-proof parkas and gloves.

Even on a cloudy night guests on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 can see the stars, thanks to a full-scale planetarium located on deck 4. Stargazers can explore galaxies far, far away with up to four screenings on each sea day.

One of the world's most groundbreaking ships, Celebrity Edge is packed with exciting features including the Magic Carpet. This cantilevered platform on the side of the ship can move between decks. During the evening it can be located on deck 14 and used as a bar or shifted to deck 16 where it turns into an exclusive restaurant. On port days it shifts down to deck 2 transforming into a moving walkway to allow easier access to tenders (tiny boats used to transfer passengers to shore at smaller ports).

Read our review of Celebrity Edge here

Go home with more than just a well-rested feeling and learn a fun new skill on your cruise holiday. On Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class ships (Anthem, Ovation and Quantum) track down the complimentary Trapeze School where you will learn all the tricks of the trade, from swinging upside-down to flying and flips.

If your kids can’t get enough of bashing into each other in amusement park dodgems, let them loose on the electric bumper cars on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. The ride is part of the ship’s SeaPlex, an enormous sports complex that also includes a basketball court and a circus school during the day while bumper cars and roller-skating take over at night.

If the idea of skydiving excites you but the thought of jumping out of a plane scares you senseless, then Royal Caribbean’s RipCord by iFly on its Quantum and Quantum Ultra-class ships could be the answer. This skydiving simulator sends you down a wind tunnel and gives you the closest sensation to skydiving you can feel without having to do any actual jumping out of planes so you can leave that to the daredevils.

Camping out on the top-deck of Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Flora in the Galápagos is the last activity you might expect to see on offer, but the idea simply enhances a cruise in this famous wildlife-watching destination. Al fresco dining as the sun goes down, ocean views and campfire delights such as s’mores, stargazing and a luxury stay in a cabana sounds like bliss.

The Harmony of the Seas likes to think big. Not only was it a former world’s largest cruise ship (until it was overtaken by Symphony of the Seas), but it also has the world’s tallest slide at sea. The Ultimate Abyss is not for the faint-hearted. It’s the height of a 10-storey building – about 150 feet (46m) – and curls and swoops in the shape of an angelfish. Keen to outdo themselves, Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas has also unveiled the world's longest slide on the seas, The Blaster, which runs for 800 feet (244m).

One of the biggest myths about cruising is that you’ll always eat at the same place each night, however, the culinary offering can often be close to that of a small city. For example, on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas there are 20 dining venues and 13 bars and lounges to get your fill from. Onboard you'll find everything from a sushi bar and a burger and fries joint to a steakhouse and a fine dining restaurant.

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A chef’s table is not just an occasion in land-based restaurants. French chef Daniel Boulud of Michelin-starred flagship Daniel in New York has designed a signature culinary experience called Chef’s Table by Daniel Boulud for Celebrity Cruises and it's available on Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Millennium. Alongside a five-course meal, there will be a galley tour and guest chef appearances.

Enrich your wine knowledge on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 at a wine tasting or lecture held by an expert in the field. Attend a lavish wine dinner with the perfect pairings chosen by the wine producers themselves. If you want to take it to the next level, some guests even work towards a WSET certified wine and spirit qualification during their time onboard.

Art-lovers rejoice – the MSC Grandiosa unveiled the first fine art museum at sea in November 2019, featuring a unique exhibition on Edgar Degas etchings. Meanwhile, Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn offer a music and dance production A Stroke of Genius, which tells the stories of some of the world's most famous painters, including Monet, Picasso and Warhol.

There’s bike riding – and then there’s the SkyRide found on the Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama. You’re suspended high above the ship on a two-lane course – safely strapped in, of course – while pedalling in your own reclining open pod. You certainly won’t get views like that at the gym.

High above the deck – ten levels, to be exact – of the Harmony of the Seas (as well as fleetmates Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas) is a zip line that glides along for an exhilarating 82 feet (25m). It’s one of the many free activities offered on this Royal Caribbean ship, but you have to be at least 52 inches (1.3m) tall to be able to ride it.

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Climbing walls have become a popular feature of sports centres, but they can't offer the sea views you’ll get on a cruise ship. Found on many Royal Caribbean ships, these huge climbing walls cater for different levels – and they all come with equipment, so you don’t have to bring your own helmets, shoes or harnesses. Kids as young as six can get strapped in and get climbing.

If you have a head for heights, take a walk on the glass-bottomed SeaWalk on Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess and Regal Princess. You’ll be 128 feet (39m) above the waves – and 28 feet (8.5m) out from the side of the ship – as you take in remarkable views of the sea from the glass walls and floor.

If you’re worried that robots are taking over the world, you might need a stiff drink to calm you down. Trouble is, on some Royal Caribbean ships, like Harmony of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, your drink will be made by robots. A tablet takes your order and bionic arms mix your drink – just don’t try to tell the bartender your problems.

This observation capsule looks like something out of a sci-fi film, but the North Star offers unforgettable views taking you 300 feet (91m) above the ocean. You’ll find it on the three Quantum class Royal Caribbean ships – Quantum, Anthem and Ovation.

Viking Ocean Cruises' The Kitchen Table experience is a must for foodies, offering guests the chance to learn about local cuisines from executive chefs onboard. On port days, passengers spend time at a local market to source ingredients for their dishes, then back at the ship they join the chef to cook the meal. The evening ends with a feast of local flavours accompanied by wines selected by the ship’s head sommelier. It's a popular choice, with usually no more than eight guests in a group, so do book before you sail.

For experienced gym-goers and newcomers alike, the Blue World Voyages active lifestyle cruise is dedicated to sports, fitness and wellbeing. Passengers have access to an array of activities – think batting cages, spinning studios and yoga onboard, plus kayaking, scuba diving and hiking ashore.

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Tie the knot in style with your own personal wedding coordinator ready to assist you with any request and the Captain conducting the ceremony overlooking Norwegian fjords, Iberian coast or the Caribbean. P&O Cruises offer several wedding packages, a wide range of venues and even pressing services to make sure your outfits are pristine. Plus, you don't need to travel far to start your honeymoon...

Created exclusively for MSC Cruises four Meraviglia generation ships, there are six shows currently available onboard MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima and MSC Grandiosa. Known for their visual appeal and high-quality entertainment, Cirque du Soleil artists perform in a purpose-built lounge, while the guests enjoy dinner and cocktails.

Sailing through the Caribbean from 30 October to 4 November 2020, The KISS Kruise X is a camp for hard-rocking music enthusiasts looking for a good time. While this is essentially a mini music festival at sea, KISS Kruisers can also enjoy the swimming pool and hot tubs, a fitness centre and a climbing wall onboard the luxurious Norwegian Pearl. Expect some crazy nights...

Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class ships (including Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Equinox) are the first to offer a lawn of real grass on the top deck. At half an acre large, the Lawn Club offers an opportunity to play a game of boules or croquet and soak up the country club atmosphere miles away from land.

If being above the waves becomes a bit ho-hum, take the plunge in a three-man submersible. Crystal Cruises’ Esprit ship gives you the chance to dive to the bottom of the sea – while staying warm and dry – and get close to some marvellous marine life from inside a 360-degree glass hull. It will also be available on Crystal Endeavor that launches in August 2020.

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