Cruising has become one of the most popular vacation options, offering travelers the chance to visit multiple destinations while enjoying onboard dining, entertainment, and relaxation. For many, it’s an easy, all-in-one way to travel without the usual stress of planning every detail.
But life on a cruise ship isn’t always what people expect. Beyond the pools and buffets, there are surprising details and lesser-known aspects of cruise life that many travelers never consider. From unique onboard features to unexpected realities of living at sea, here are some things you may not know about life on a cruise ship.
12. Door Decorations
Hundreds, if not thousands, of people decorate their cabin doors while on a cruise ship, and it’s all good fun. However, you must be careful, as decorations like an upside-down pineapple might convey a specific message.
11. Medical Staff Charges
If you get injured while onboard a cruise ship, you should know that it can come with a hefty price tag. Your existing insurance won’t likely cover cruise ship injuries unless you get private insurance before boarding.
10. One Pound Per Day
One of the best reasons to go on a cruise is there is no shortage of outstanding food options. Of course, this much food comes at a price, as the average cruiser gains one pound daily.
9. Don’t Bring An Iron
There is a lengthy list of things cruise lines won’t let you bring on board, including an iron or a steamer. Unfortunately, these items pose a significant fire risk on board, and cruise lines take any potential fire hazards very seriously.
8. Don’t Use Your Phone
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If you don’t buy an internet package on board a cruise ship, turn your smartphone on airplane mode before you board. Cruise lines and their telecom partners love to charge you as much as possible to reach people at home.
7. Retiring At Sea
My lifelong dream is to retire on a cruise ship, and some people do just that. For example, “Super Mario” on Royal Caribbean spends 50 weeks at sea and has famously been on over 1,000 cruises with the cruise line.
6. Balcony Caution
Having a balcony on a cruise can make your entire experience that much better as you take in the sights. Never leave the door open if you leave your room, as you can return to a windy mess.
5. Massive Kitchens
When you consider that cruise ships with, on average, 3,500 passengers will go through 250,000 eggs a week, it’s a small tease about how much food is eaten weekly.
4. Dress Codes
I don’t think a cruise ship will enforce a dress code just because it says there is one. Tuxedos are no longer the norm on cruises. I have personal experience with this in the Royal Caribbean dining room, where you can sit down as long as you wear shoes and a shirt.
3. No Deck 13
Surprise! Cruise lines are a superstitious bunch, and every ship at sea doesn’t have a deck 13, while MSC cruises don’t have a Deck 17 due to Italian superstitions.
2. Crew Bars
While it shouldn’t be surprising that crews have areas to relax, most people never consider that cruise ship crew members have their own bars and buffets. The crew deserves their locations where they can relax and recharge.
