Cruising can be intimidating for a novice sailor. Especially since we have all heard more than one cruise ship horror stories. Disparitions, shipwrecks and more… From the crew to the ship, cruises are a great mystery. The more often you travel on cruise ships, the more secrets and shortcuts you will discover. But if you have never lived the experience from the inside – as a crew member or an organizer – chances are you are still very curious about the whole thing. And perhaps you should, as there are many secrets that most cruise lines don’t want you to know.
This list of cruise secrets will answer your questions while spilling the tea on things you never suspected. If you are a fan of vacationing on cruise ships, it will definitely help you navigate like a pro and know which parts of the boat you should absolutely avoid.
1. Doors are not closed on cruise ships!
Almost no door on a cruise ship locks. There is no lock in case of an emergency situation. So if you feel curious one night, take a look around. You can explore most parts of the ship at night.
2. Most cruise ships really have a “prison”
If there is a hostile incident between guests or crew members, they try to resolve it without physical intervention, but if this is not possible, most cruise ships have at least one cabin designated as a “prison”.
3. You can fight seasickness with green apples and crackers
Are you seasick? Try green apples and crackers: some crew members swear by this remedy. You can also get free seasickness medication inside the boat.
4. All ships have room to store three dead bodies
If someone dies on board the boat, the body will be placed in the morgue.
5. Surf for free by offering your services as a speaker
Many major cruise lines offer free passage for qualified guests to give conferences on board. Call the line entertainment office to see if you have the necessary skills.
6. Look at the horizon calmly if you are suffering from seasickness
If you are seasick, stay in the middle of the boat and as close as possible to the waterline (this area does not move as much as the front). Lie down so you can see the horizon (which places your head in a fixed position).
7. Try to party with the crew to get cheaper drinks
On sea days, crew members are expected to dress up, go out, mingle with the passengers and celebrate without drinking too much. The crew also pays less for drinks, so why not make a friend?
8. It is very expensive to go through the Panama Canal
Cruises are expensive, not only for customers, but also for the cruise industry itself. To pass through the Panama Canal, ships pay per berth (or per bed). For an average cruise ship, it costs about $300,000.
9. Drink juice to save money
You are almost always charged an extra fee for soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails during meals. However, this is not the case for juices!
10. Wait until you get to the port to go to the spa
Cruise lines often offer discounts on spas when the ship is in port.
11. Jump into the port of call and enjoy the empty boat instead
Stopovers can be missed. Often, you can barely see the place you are visiting, and you pay a high price for the privilege (or lack thereof) if you book an excursion. If you can handle missing six hours of a tour bus, stay on board. Most of the facilities are still open, and you will have them all to yourself.
12. The crew has its own bar (cheaper)
The crew has its own bar where they can drink cheaper.
13. Behave well on board the boat
If you misbehave, the captain has the right to have you leave the ship at the next port without refund or return home. So make sure you have an irreproachable behaviour.
14. Always be polite to the captain.
The captain is extremely important on the ship, so if you see him walking, look him in the eye and if the opportunity presents itself, shake his hand and thank him for the wonderful trip he offers you. It can’t hurt to have the captain on your side if you have a problem on board.
15. The crew members call the passengers “cones”
Why cones? Passengers are often slow and cautious when walking, so the crew constantly walk around them to move around the ship.
