The Things People Might Not Know About Cruise Ships

Cruises are an excellent way to see more of the world while having everything you could need right at your feet. However, if you've never been on one before, you might feel intimidated or anxious about getting on a cruise ship. After all, it's hard to forget the Titanic.

Still, there's not necessarily a need to worry. Just like many other industries, it turns out there are plenty of things people might not know about cruise ships. Thankfully, not all of them are secrets that people would rather brush under the rug.

Apparently, not all doors on a cruise ship have working locks

When traveling on a cruise ship with potentially thousands of other people, it's important to prioritize your safety. That's especially the case when you consider that not all of these ships have working locks on every door. Although this does reportedly differ between cruise liners, this is allegedly one of the more concerning cruise ship secrets out there.

Supposedly, the reason is so that certain areas are easier to access should there be an issue like a fire breaking out. Thankfully, this doesn't mean that people can just walk straight into your cabin and take what they want. Rooms on a cruise ship are typically more secure than anywhere else because they have to protect passengers.

Human waste is reportedly dumped in the middle of the ocean

When you're in the middle of the ocean with thousands of other people, there are some things that it's hard not to think about. For instance, what happens to all the waste that the passengers produce? There's no sewage system like there would be back home, but it all has to go somewhere. There's an obvious answer to that.

It seems that the waste is just dumped straight into the water. Considering the average cruise ship reportedly produces roughly 210,000 gallons of waste in a week, that's a lot to leave in the ocean. At least it's treated first, and no ship is allowed to dump anything unless it's more than 12 miles away from any coastline. 

The emissions from cruise ships allegedly do a ton of harm to the environment

An increasing number of people are showing concern for the environment, and rightly so. Trying to cut down on emissions and do better by the planet is essential for the future. Unfortunately, it seems as though cruise ships aren't really helping with this, judging by the impact of the "bunker fuel" that propels these vehicles.

Apparently, this stuff has up to 5,000 times more sulfur than standard gasoline, meaning it's not doing the planet any good. This is one of the most important things to know about cruise ships if you're passionate about the environment. After all, it's probably hard to enjoy your vacation when your trip has such a significant impact.

Cruise ship employees reportedly receive questionable pay both above and below deck

These cruise ship employees don't try to earn bonuses because they want some extra dough to spend on something. Generally speaking, they make the difference between someone earning a decent wage and not being able to cover their expenses. Without the bonuses, cruise ship salaries can allegedly be quite questionable, and that's not just for customer-facing roles.

Apparently, those who work below deck receive quite a basic pay, even though they sometimes have to deal with dangerous conditions. Cruise ships are able to get away with this because they're not subject to the usual employment laws that everyone else on land has to deal with. This is definitely one of the more problematic cruise ship secrets. 

Being intimate with passengers is strictly forbidden for cruise ship employees

As with most jobs, a level of professionalism is expected from those working on a cruise ship. Employees are expected to do what they can to ensure that passengers have a relaxing vacation. However, that doesn't mean they're allowed to get close with any of the customers, no matter how much of a smile that might put on someone's face.

Consider this one of the more useful things to know about cruise ships if you enjoy looking for a bit of intimacy on your vacations. It's apparently in the job description that this behavior isn't allowed, and anyone caught can be removed from the boat at the next port. It's apparently how cruise ships protect employees from abuse allegations.

Intimacy between employees is supposedly allowed and apparently happens quite often

Intimacy with passengers might be off limits, but that doesn't mean employees have to keep it to themselves the entire time they're on a cruise ship. It seems if they want to have some fun, they just have to look to their colleagues instead. Usually, this would be frowned upon, but supposedly not in the middle of an ocean.

As a result, it's apparently not uncommon for people to partner up while they're on the cruise ship. Things can allegedly get pretty rowdy behind the scenes, but there's almost always an understanding between both parties. This is apparently that their romance only lasts until their time on the cruise is over, and they return to their normal lives.

Drinks are allegedly much cheaper for those who work on cruise ships

While there might be some downsides to working on a cruise ship, there are allegedly plenty of perks too. One of these is that drinks are much easier to come by when you're an employee. That's because staff apparently get a discount on beverages, so they don't have to pay as much once they're off duty.

Typically, passengers can expect to spend upwards of $10 just for one drink, while the crew can sometimes get things for as cheap as $1 or $2. That's a pretty significant difference, and it means that it's a lot easier for them to cut loose once their shift is over. We guess the drinks are on them, then?

The brig is where you might have to spend your time if you get into trouble on a cruise

One of the most important things to know about cruise ships is that certain rules might be relaxed because you're traveling in international waters. However, this doesn't mean that people are free to go around doing what they want without facing any punishment. People who cross the line on a cruise ship can still be severely punished.

You might not know this, but cruise ships do have jails, and they're called brigs. Get into a fight, steal from another passenger, or something worse, and this could be where you spend the rest of your vacation. That isn't what you want after you've already spent a fair amount of money on your cruise, right?

Medical care on cruise ships can supposedly be hit or miss due to unregulated employees

No one really wants to get sick on vacation, but these things happen. Luckily, because cruise ships have everything you could need in one place, there is somewhere to go if you start to feel unwell. However, one of the helpful things to know about cruise ships is that this medical care can often be hit or miss.

This is reportedly because medical staff aren't regulated on these ships. It's apparently common for crew members to have received their credentials outside of the United States, where standards might be looser. The fact that these people supposedly can't be sued for malpractice on the cruise is a tad concerning. However, not all cruise ship medical staff are this bad.

Cruise ships typically have morgues to house anyone who passes away while traveling

In the middle of the ocean, there's nowhere to go in an emergency. That's why cruise ships have places like the brig and medical bays to meet certain needs when dry land is nowhere nearby. It's also why they have morgues. That might seem pretty bleak, but if someone passes away, they have to go somewhere.

People don't exactly drop like flies on cruise ships. However, the end of a person's life isn't something you can typically predict, so there's always a chance it might happen out on the ocean. That's especially the case when you consider that plenty of the passengers who opt for cruise ship vacations are in the older age bracket.

Drinking is allegedly a popular pastime for many cruise ship employees

What do you think happens when staff typically only have to pay a few dollars for drinks on a cruise? Plenty of employees like to enjoy beverages when they're not working because they're so cheap. Of course, knock back enough of those, and they start to feel the effects. Multiply that by the number of crew members doing it and…

It seems that a fair few employees have a lot of fun when they're not on the clock. Supposedly, some cruise ships will randomly test staff members to check whether or not they've been drinking too much. However, this allegedly doesn't happen as often as it's claimed, meaning people tend to get away with occasionally overdoing it.

The spread of disease reportedly happens quite easily on cruise ships

Disease can spread easily in the right conditions. Unfortunately, cruise ships serve up those conditions on a platter. Things like being in a confined space and handling things used by many other people mean that plenty of passengers might expect to get sick during their cruise. Of course, that's not ideal after everything that’s happened in the world.

Thankfully, the global health crisis has prompted cruise liners to make more of an effort to reduce the spread of disease. They don't want a repeat of 2014 when eight different cruise ships apparently all had an outbreak of norovirus. Once one person catches something, it's never long before hundreds of other passengers follow in their footsteps.

Security cameras are plastered across cruise ships to ensure passenger safety

One of the helpful things to know about cruise ships is that there are always eyes watching what's going on. You might not see them most of the time, but they're there in the form of security cameras. These devices are plastered across almost every part of the vehicle, except for the cabins, to ensure passenger safety.

It might feel a little strange knowing that so much of your vacation is being caught on camera by someone else. However, if anything bad were to happen, like your bag being stolen, it's these cameras that could help to resolve the issue. Just make sure you don't do anything naughty yourself while you're being filmed.

The crew sometimes don't tell each other everything about their lives back home

Cruise ships would be nothing without the crew. From meeting your every need to ensuring it's smooth sailing across the ocean, they can be what make or break a cruise. However, something you might not know about these people is that a fair few of them end up living double lives while they're on the water.

It seems it's often a golden rule that they don't talk about their personal lives off the ship with other crew members. It's kind of a Vegas situation in that what happens on the cruise ship stays there. That includes potential affairs, which might not be as uncommon as you think. It seems they really let loose while at work.

Pirate encounters can happen, but cruise ship employees know how to deal with them

You might not realize it, but pirates do still exist. They might not look the way they do in the movies or sail in the same boats, but they can still be a problem. Understandably, that's not ideal if you're a cruise ship passenger just trying to enjoy your vacation. Luckily, the staff on your cruise should have you covered.

It seems that plenty of employees are actually trained on what to do should pirates show up. Some of these tactics apparently involve relying on several cruise ship secrets, like a long-range acoustic device which is apparently painful for people to listen to. One liner reportedly made use of this in 2005 during a rare pirate encounter.

Kitchen staff are apparently very precise when ordering food for cruise ships

If you want a relatively stress-free job, don't work in the kitchen of a cruise ship. The average cruise ship can apparently hold 3,000 guests, which is a lot of mouths to feed every day. At least for passengers, there never seems to be any fear of food running out. That's because cruise ship kitchens always come prepared.

Apparently, ships will typically load up with a week's worth of food, with the food purchases allegedly very precise. The staff is so skilled at what they do that they're apparently able to order enough to be within a two-meal margin for that week. Not many restaurants can do that, so it's impressive they can achieve this.

Additional surcharges on things like fuel can really skyrocket the price of your cruise

Another of the useful things to know about cruise ships is that they're not ideal if money is currently tight. Aside from the general costs of such a vacation, there are also all the additional surcharges that you have to worry about. These can really beef up the price and leave your bank account dangerously low once you return home.

Something that's proving an issue at the moment regarding surcharges is additional costs for fuel. Some companies are charging passengers extra money every day of their vacation to counteract high oil prices. This seems to be the case with most fuel liners, so getting out of paying surcharges like this won't be easy if you opt for a cruise.

One of the cruise ship secrets is that they allegedly exploit tax loopholes 

Fortunately, while there are things that can make cruise ships more of an expensive vacation choice, there are things that also do the opposite. It seems that a lot of cruise liners are allegedly able to exploit tax loopholes, making it easier for them to make things more reasonably priced. Well, to some degree at least.

They apparently do this by becoming incorporated in other countries that have different tax laws to the US. Some believe that this shouldn't be permitted, given how frequently the vessels make use of ports and the coast guard in the United States. However, if it stops cruises from being that little bit more expensive, why change it?

Throwing stuff in the water apparently helps if someone goes overboard on a cruise

Going overboard isn't what anyone wants when they're on a cruise. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often. However, even with the security measures in place, accidents do still occur. One of the most useful things to know about cruise ships is how to respond if you see someone go overboard. Apparently, you should throw as much in the water as possible.

Doing this reportedly gives the captain an idea of where the passenger is in the water, so they can turn the ship towards them. These vehicles don't move quickly, so this can save some time that might make all the difference to the person in the water. Plus, all that stuff should give them something to cling onto.

Wearing a hat and linking arms are apparently several ways to help if you go overboard

It's often terrifying being on a cruise ship and seeing someone go overboard. Probably the only thing more frightening than that is being in that person's position. How to help someone who's gone overboard is definitely one of the most useful things to know about cruise ships. However, just as important is how to react if you yourself go over.

One tip is apparently to always wear a hat while you're on the deck of a cruise ship. This is because it will make you easier to notice when you're in the water. Also, if you're not the only one who goes overboard, it's reportedly vital to link arms and form a circle. Doing this supposedly increases the water temperature.

Muster drills will tell you some of the most important things to know about cruise ships

With any luck, you won't have to worry about going overboard during your cruise ship vacation. A good way to avoid running into such an issue is to attend the muster drill at the start of your cruise and pay proper attention. This is a mandatory safety exercise, but people don't always give it the focus it deserves.

Some of the most important things to know about cruise ships you will learn from the muster drill, so never take them for granted. They might seem boring, and you may never need the information that you learn from this procedure. However, it's still essential. Don't think you can get out of it because you've been on a cruise before.

Exploring a cruise ship at the start of your vacation can make navigation much easier

Something that's definitely not one of the most well-kept cruise ship secrets is just how big these vehicles are. They're so large that when you first get on one, it can be quite intimidating. You likely have no idea where anything is, making it pretty easy to get lost. That's why it's worth taking a tour as soon as possible.

By exploring the ship from top to bottom early, you familiarize yourself with where everything is. So, you always know where to go. It might not seem like the most enjoyable way to start your vacation, but it'll benefit you significantly for the rest of your time on the ship. We'd say that makes it worthwhile.

It's allegedly possible to sneak drinks onto a cruise ship via bottles of mouthwash

Drinks typically come cheap for those that work on cruise ships, but it's a very different situation for passengers. The high prices of many beverages can really put a damper on someone's vacation, but there is a way around this. You simply have to sneak your drink of choice onto the cruise, albeit in a creative way.

One method that's supposedly worked before is using mouthwash bottles to store the liquid. Depending on what color the beverage is, it might not look out of place in these bottles. However, some people apparently suggest adding some food coloring if the drink is too clear. With any luck, security won't have a clue that anything's out of the ordinary.

A day bag can make all the difference on the first day of a cruise

After waiting around to board the cruise ship, the first thing you might wish to do is chill out in your cabin. However, it's possible that you won't be immediately allowed in. To make matters worse, your luggage might be taken to the room before you, leaving you empty-handed with no idea of how to pass the time.

This is where a day bag comes in helpful. Packing this with essentials like medication, sunscreen, a bathing suit, a book, etc., will ensure that you have everything you need before you can get into your room. As long as you don't overdo it, carrying this around with you shouldn't be an issue while you pass the time.

Canceling a cruise isn't always an option, even if it's months away

The price of a cruise can make it quite an intimidating option for a vacation. It probably doesn't help that you have to be pretty committed to seeing it through. Backing out at the last minute is never an option, with some companies not permitting it for months in advance. That's not ideal if something suddenly comes up.

This is probably one of the most useful things to know about cruise ships because it makes it clear that you have to go all in. When you book your room, you do so knowing that you might not get your money back if you have to cancel. It's a risk but, admittedly, one with a big payoff.

Dress codes apparently aren't unusual for many cruise ships

Vacations and dress codes aren't two things that typically go together. Usually, the closest thing anyone gets to a dress code is wearing what's suitable for the local weather. However, it appears that on cruise ships, guests are sometimes expected to look a little fancier than they might be accustomed to. Only in the evenings, though.

It's not uncommon for ships to request that passengers adopt an elegant casual dress code when going to dinner. This doesn't mean that guys have to wear a three-piece suit or women a formal gown if they don't want to. However, things like tank tops, ripped clothing, or similar attire might not be suitable. It depends on the cruise liner.

Americans supposedly don't always make the best cruise ship employees

It's supposedly not uncommon for cruise ships to hire staff from countries outside of the United States. While this might be because they feel they can get away with paying those employees less, there could be another reason. Supposedly, people from the US don't always fit the bill for cruise ship staff because of their alleged work ethic.

While plenty of Americans are very dedicated to their job, there's supposedly a trend of US citizens putting in less work on cruise ships. We'd say this is something you can't necessarily generalize and may simply be that cruise liners are hiring the wrong people. Regardless, you can generally expect a cruise to have quite a varied crew.

Cruise ship employees will allegedly pass the time by occasionally pranking passengers

What does a cruise ship employee do when they're not working? To be honest, there isn't that much to keep them occupied. That's probably why drinking is allegedly such a popular activity on a lot of cruises. However, this isn't the only way they spend their time. Apparently, they also keep things entertaining by occasionally pranking passengers.

Understandably, employees have to be careful with this, as doing something to upset a passenger could cost them their job. That's why the pranks are typically harmless. For instance, one crew member gave an example of them loudly telling another colleague that they'd meet them in the bowling alley later. However, the ship didn't have a bowling alley.

Employee quarters aren't the most spacious places on a cruise ship

There are plenty of benefits to spending more money on a cruise. For example, the more a passenger pays, the nicer their room tends to be. Regardless of what room they have, though, the conditions are bound to be better than what the crew deals with. It's one of the worst-kept cruise ship secrets that employee quarters aren't great.

The biggest issue tends to be space, with the crew restricted to small rooms that they may have to share with other colleagues. Fortunately, employees don't tend to spend much time in their quarters. They only really use them for sleeping, so as long as the beds are comfortable enough to get a decent rest, that's all that matters.

Not all cabins on a cruise ship come with windows

Going on a cruise ship is an experience like no other. You spend so much time out on the open water where there's nothing blocking your view of the endless horizon. Of course, that's assuming that you have the means to see what's out there. After all, not all cabins come with windows due to the size of the ship.

This is one of the helpful things to know about cruise ships because you don't want to arrive expecting something and end up disappointed. While a window in your cabin won't make or break your vacation, it's easier to deal with if you know you might not have one. At least the room is still a comfortable place to sleep.

Things like certain beverages or trips to the salon can rack up the price

You really do have to be prepared to pay when it comes to cruises. While you might think that everything would fall into the price of the booking, that's never the case. Along with fuel surcharges, some of the other stuff you might have to spend money on includes certain drinks and visits to the onboard salons and spas.

With beverages, the best you can usually expect within an all-inclusive booking is for a limited number of select drinks free. As for things like the salon, these aren't typically included in the base fee. So, if you want to get pampered on your vacation, it helps to know that you'll probably have to pay extra for the luxury.

Forgetting to switch off roaming data on your cell phone could prove costly

Depending on what cruise you book, you may well travel to all sorts of places on vacation. While that's great for the experience of seeing the world, it can be a real nightmare if you forget to switch off your roaming data. Using your cell phone in all those different places might rack up a small fortune.

Thankfully, you shouldn't need to use this data anyway because cruise ships generally have Wi-Fi available. You might have to pay extra for the privilege, but the cost should be less than you'd lose on roaming charges. If not, maybe this vacation is the perfect opportunity to take a break from the digital world for a little while.

It's usually better to bring medication from home than to buy it on a cruise ship

The ease at which illness can spread is definitely one of the most useful things to know about cruise ships. With that in mind, it's worth coming prepared to deal with potential illness on your vacation. You could just wait and buy any supplies you need once you're on the cruise. However, this won't be good for your bank balance.

It seems that pharmaceuticals on these ships aren't typically cheap, so you're better off bringing what you can from home. Even if this is just some moderate pain relief or vitamins, it should benefit you in the long run. After all, paying tons of money on medication once you're sick likely won't make you feel any better.

Cruise ship employees will reportedly use secret codes for important messages

Crew ship employees usually devote so much of their time to meeting passenger needs that they don't have much opportunity to chat. Even when they do, it's not always easy for them to have a private conversation. That's why crew members allegedly have secret codes. These allow them to discuss certain matters without raising alarm bells for anyone else.

For instance, they might say "30-30" to one another, which apparently means there's a mess that maintenance needs to clean up. If they say "Alpha," it reportedly indicates a medical emergency, while "Bravo" is supposedly reserved for a fire. "Oscar" is apparently the one they use when someone goes overboard. Hopefully, you won't hear these on your next vacation.

Some employees apparently work as "genies" to fulfill VIP passenger needs

Having someone to cater to your every need on vacation is a real dream come true. Unfortunately, this isn't always easy to come by, although you may be in luck if you're on a cruise ship. That's because most of these vessels apparently have staff who act as "genies" to try and give guests everything they want.

Of course, this isn't available to all passengers. You will likely have to pay top dollar for this treatment, but some might say it's worth it. Unless it's impossible for the "genies" to fulfill the request, they will apparently do everything in their power to get whatever has been asked of them. That's worth keeping in mind.

Making friends with the crew could allegedly gain you entry to a private pool

Another of the most useful things to know about cruise ships is that they're not the place to be if you can't handle crowds. Given that the average vessel can carry thousands of passengers, you can expect to encounter plenty of people during your vacation. That's not to say that it's impossible to find some peace and quiet, though.

Supposedly, if you strike up a friendship with members of the crew, they might score you a spot at a private pool. This is apparently reserved for the employees, so they can take a dip when they're off shift without mingling with the passengers. Unsurprisingly, it's quieter than the main pool, so it's somewhere worth scoring an invite to.

Most cruise ships reportedly have an adults-only section if you need some tranquility

It seems there are all sorts of cruise ship secrets for escaping from everyone else and enjoying some time to yourself. The private pool isn't the only place you can allegedly gain entry by making friends with the crew. Fortunately, one of the other spots doesn't require so much schmoozing beforehand. You just simply have to ask

We're referring to the adults-only area, which most cruise ships reportedly have. If there are a lot of families on the vessel and you need a break from being around kids, this is the place to go. Apparently, all you need to do is ask an employee where it's located, and they should point you in the right direction.

Staying in the center of the cruise ship can supposedly help with seasickness

As nice as a cruise might be, not everyone can cope with staying on a moving ship. Seasickness is something that plenty of people suffer from, and it can really spoil a nice vacation. However, one of the helpful things to know about cruise ships is that there are ways to counteract seasickness aside from taking medication.

Apparently, being at the center of the ship is ideal if you start feeling nauseous. That's because you don't tend to feel the side-to-side motion so much here. If seasickness is a real concern for you, trying to score a room in this part of the ship could make all the difference to your vacation.

Elevators can be slow and crowded, so the stairs are usually better

Given how large cruise ships are, getting around via the elevator might seem like the best idea. However, while this may appear to offer the quickest route from A to B, that's not always the case. This is because so many other passengers also use them, so you could be waiting a while to reach your destination.

This is why one of the most helpful things to know about cruise ships is that the stairs are usually better than the elevators. You might not love the thought of climbing several flights, but at least it will save you waiting around. Plus, it will help you to work off some of that delicious food you've been enjoying.

Booking things in advance is ideal to avoid missing out on anything

Plenty of the most useful things to know about cruise ships revolve around dealing with all the other people on board. Another solution to ensure that the crowds don't put a damper on your vacation is to make sure that you book everything that you can in advance. Otherwise, you risk missing out on what you want to do.

This extends to excursions you might want to take when the ship docks at various locations, as well as the onboard amenities. For example, the spa is a great place to really unwind on a cruise. However, if you don't get in early and make an appointment, you won't necessarily get a spot when you need it.

Fires can break out on cruise ships, but they're allegedly not that common

Considering you're surrounded by water on a cruise ship, you might think that a fire would be the last thing you'd have to worry about. Unfortunately, there's every chance that one of these might break out during your vacation. What's more, the bigger the boat, the likelier there is to be a fire at some point, apparently.

The issues stem from things like the amount of energy that it takes to keep cruise ships going. Combine that with potential exposure to water because it's on the ocean, and fire probably seems inevitable. It doesn't break out that often, though. Between 1990 and 2011, there were allegedly 79 fires, which isn't many across two decades.

Cruise ships should reportedly have enough survival crafts for everyone on board

One of the biggest factors that people typically focus on when considering a cruise is safety. Are the risks associated with these ships low enough to justify spending a vacation on the ocean? Thankfully, the answer does seem to be yes, thanks to certain rules that these vessels allegedly have to follow regarding things like survival equipment.

Supposedly, all shops are meant to have enough lifeboats and liferafts to accommodate no less than 125% of the number of people on board. So, should anything happen to the vessel, no one should be left without a means to reach safety. These survival crafts are also supposed to meet rigorous international guidelines to ensure they're suitable for the job.

Plenty of passengers gain a fair amount of weight after going on a cruise

People generally don't like to think about their waistline when they're on vacation. This is supposed to be the time when gaining weight is okay because you're enjoying yourself and making the most of the break. Unfortunately, people who go on a cruise often do more than just gain a pound or two. There are several reasons for this.

It seems a combination of having access to tons of food and not really being able to do much exercise causes passengers to typically gain up to 10 pounds. Of course, that's not the case for everyone, and plenty of cruise ships do have gyms where people can work off the extra weight. It's still worth being aware of, though.

Stops on your cruise can apparently be canceled last minute by the captain

One of the major benefits of going on a cruise is being able to visit different parts of the world in bitesize chunks. However, one of the most important things to know about cruise ships is that you won't necessarily be able to get off the boat at every destination. Sometimes, you just have to appreciate a place from afar.

This is despite what your itinerary may say. Unfortunately, if a captain doesn't deem it safe to stop off at a certain location, there's not much you can do. It's apparently in the fine print that this might happen, and you have to assume that the captain has a good reason for doing it. Still, it's natural to be disappointed.

Cruise ships can leave passengers behind if they're late to return

Fortunately, while cruise ships do sometimes abort plans to stop at certain destinations, that isn't often the case. Most times, they will go where promised, and passengers will be free to explore the area. They just need to make sure that they don't spend too much time seeing the sights; otherwise, they might lose their ride home.

Yes, one of the most crucial things to know about cruise ships is that they will leave you behind if you're not back in time. This is apparently written in the agreement, so you won't be able to do anything if you do get left behind. As long as you stick to the timings, though, there shouldn't be a problem.

Being fashionably late to board the cruise ship can apparently have its perks

Timing can be a tricky thing to get right with cruise ships. Evidently, being late can have its consequences, especially when visiting other parts of the world. However, arriving later can sometimes be beneficial, especially if you want to avoid big crowds. It's all about walking the line between delaying your arrival without actually being late.

If you're someone who gets stressed about timings, showing up late to the ship might be too much to handle. For those who are relatively carefree, though, it's an excellent solution to avoid the more hectic moments of boarding. Plus, it'll save you standing around potentially for hours waiting to be allowed on the ship. 

It doesn't happen often, but people do sometimes go missing on cruise ships

The employees on cruise ships generally put their all into ensuring that passengers enjoy themselves and everything runs smoothly. Unfortunately, their efforts don't always pay off. Sometimes, people go missing, and they don't always get found. What happens to them? Possible explanations apparently include kidnapping, going overboard, or someone simply choosing to end their life.

165 people reportedly disappeared on cruises between 1995 and 2011, with some stating that the figure is actually closer to 200. Samantha Broberg is one of the more recent people to go missing on a cruise after she went overboard in 2016. Due to no one reporting her as missing for several hours, she was never found.

Vigilance can be key to ensuring crimes are kept to a minimum on cruise ships

Some of the most useful things to know about cruise ships revolve around how to look after yourself and potentially other people. You might not want to watch your back every second while you're on vacation, but being vigilant can have quite an impact on your cruise experience. If there are any criminals on board, it could save your life.

Past crimes on cruise ships have apparently ranged from assaults to bomb scares, things that can really turn a vacation on its head. Fortunately, cruise ship employees are typically trained on how to deal with criminals, so they don't get away with their crimes. They can't be everywhere at once, though, so your vigilance can really come in helpful.

Making friends when traveling alone can help to keep you safe

The chances are that you won't run into a criminal during your cruise. However, if you are worried about a potential run-in with someone who means you harm, there are ways to stay safe. Always having a companion is one of them. This should be easy if you're on vacation with friends or family members. Less so if you're alone.

For those who decide to enjoy a solo cruise, it helps to try and make friends early into your vacation. The sooner you find someone you can trust to hang around with, the safer you'll be. You're likely to be less of a target if you've got a friend watching your back, so most criminals will probably steer clear.

There are several useful things to know about cruise ships to stay safe in your cabin

Making friends with other passengers is a good way to keep safe when out and about on a cruise ship. What about once you go back to your cabin, though? If you're traveling by yourself, you might feel a little uncomfortable about being alone in there with so many other people on the ship. Here's what you should do.

You should utilize whatever security devices your door might have, whether that be a bolt or a door stopper. You should also make use of the peephole anytime someone wants access to your cabin. If you order room service, you should also avoid placing your order outside the door because this might reveal you're the only one in there.

Cruise ships don't have the same laws when it comes to games of money

There's no shortage of things to do when you're on a cruise. You might be limited to just the ship most of the time, but the place is packed with things to keep you busy. If you're a risk taker, you'll be pleased to know that it's common for cruise liners to have places where you can bet your money.

However, one of the most important things to know about cruise ships is that the laws regarding this are different in international waters. This isn't great for passengers because it means the chances of winning are typically lowered. It can be hard walking away with money already, but on a cruise ship, it can sometimes seem impossible.

The pollution from cruise ships can reportedly affect passenger health

If you've been putting in work to improve your carbon footprint, hearing about the environmental impact of cruise ships might be pretty disheartening. All that effort you're doing probably pales in comparison to what these vessels are pumping out every time they go anywhere. It may make you wonder what it will take to get these ships to go green.

We don't know the answer to that. However, given that a cruise ship reportedly emits roughly seven times more carbon per person than an average flight, it's evidently a lot. Want to know what makes this even worse? Cruise ship passengers are repeatedly exposed to that pollution during their vacation, which can then impact their health.

Different cruises offer different experiences, so research is usually ideal

Another of the most important things to know about cruise ships is that each one is different. Generally speaking, they all offer a similar service. However, the price, available amenities, perks, and other elements can all differ quite wildly between cruise liners. That's why it's usually a good idea to do some research before you book anywhere.

It can be tricky trying to find a cruise that offers the most benefits for the best price, but it should be worth it once you're on the ship. You want your vacation to be as enjoyable as possible without costing you a fortune. So, knowing what sets each cruise apart from its competition is essential.

Cruise employees apparently record passenger behavior that they don't approve of

It's pretty tough to get on the wrong side of a cruise ship employee. Unless you do something that warrants some time in the brig, they'll typically treat you with kindness and a smile. After all, they supposedly need those glowing reviews from you so they can get a decent bonus. This doesn't mean bad behavior won't be recorded, though.

Rather than complain about your behavior to you, they'll apparently make a note of it. They'll allegedly then share this with the crew members who replace them, so everyone knows what to expect from you. It's supposedly another way for them to keep a close eye on you without you actually realizing you're being observed.

When cruise ships hit rough waters, nausea is probably to be expected

The solutions for dealing with seasickness are definitely some of the most helpful things to know about cruise ships. Unfortunately, all of that can go out the window if the vessel hits rough seas. While cruise ships might be designed to withstand bad weather and big waves, that doesn't mean passengers won't feel the impact of these.

The design of these vessels means that rocking can occur quite badly when the waters turn rough. No matter where you go on the ship, it'll be hard to avoid this, so you'll have to be prepared for some nausea. Annoyingly, you've no idea how the ocean will be on your cruise, so you can't factor that in when booking.

Captains do make mistakes, but it's not something that happens often

Thankfully, you don't see many reports of cruise ships toppling over because of rough waters. This would probably happen more often, though, if it weren't for the skills of the crew and the captain leading them. Whoever is at the helm of the vessel has a ton of pressure on their shoulders, and you can be sure they feel it.

While captains do make mistakes from time to time, they wouldn't get the job if they didn't have the knowledge, intuition, and bravery needed to make the right calls. So, if you're trying to weigh up whether going on a cruise is a good or bad idea, you can consider the captain a point for the former.

Traveling to the port 24 hours in advance is usually a wise decision

Unless you live close to a major port, it's likely that you'll have to travel to reach the start of your cruise. These vessels typically only leave from certain destinations, so you may have to factor in a flight when booking your vacation. If so, be sure to arrange the trip for the day before the ship's scheduled to leave.

Traveling on the day of the cruise can be incredibly risky, as potential delays or cancellations could prevent you from reaching the port in time. While this will probably cost you more as you'll need a hotel room for the night before, it's worth it. You'd lose far more if you didn't make it to your cruise on time.

Great efforts are reportedly taken to ensure that cruise ships are incredibly safe

The thing that prevents plenty of people from setting foot on a cruise ship is safety concerns. Many potential passengers are just terrified that their vessel will be the next Titanic, and there's nothing they'll be able to do about it. This is because they don't know how much allegedly goes into ensuring that all cruise ships are safe, though.

These ships are supposedly the most scrutinized vessels on the water, with strict safety standards applied from the get-go. Employees reportedly receive all manner of robust training across various different areas, including first aid, security, and safety. Combined with the other security precautions in place, there's very little to be worried about on one of these ships.

Cruise ship employees typically rely on good reviews to earn a decent wage

If there's anywhere you can expect to find staff willing to cater to your every need, it's on a cruise ship. However, this isn't because cruise companies are so effective at hiring the best people for the job. Instead, it's largely down to how these employees get paid. It seems that most of their wages come from bonuses.

How do crew members get these bonuses? By making customers happy, of course. The more they do to please passengers, the likelier those passengers are to leave good reviews. Good reviews equal extra money, so employees are often highly motivated to do what they can, especially because bad reviews can apparently result in them losing money.

Cruise ships are supposedly one of the safest ways to travel

Cruises wouldn't continue to be a popular vacation option for millions of people if these ships weren't safe. Of course, accidents happen occasionally, but the same can be said for any mode of transport. Compared to some of these options, cruises are actually much safer, with a study by GP Wild revealing just how safe they reportedly are.

Apparently, operational incidents and overboard incidents decreased by 41% and 35%, respectively, between 2009 and 2019. That's despite a 68% increase in cruise capacity, meaning there was greater potential for things to go wrong. So, if you're looking for useful things to know about cruise ships, the revelation that they are genuinely safe is a pretty big one.