“It is absolutely insane”: Former cruise ship worker reveals biggest mistake cruisers are making

Cruising is one of those things where the more journeys you embark on, the more tips and tricks you pick up to make your voyage a lot easier.

But according to former cruise ship worker, Alley Kerr, there’s one rookie error that first-time passengers keep making: failing to book their shore excursions in advance.

Kerr has urged cruisers to get organised before they board.

“If you can avoid waiting for embarkation day and get it done in advance, your life is going to be so much easier,” Kerr told The Independent.

And she would know, Kerr has worked as a singer and dancer on over 100 cruise ships, so it’s safe to say she’s seen it all.

“On embarkation day, it is absolutely insane. That’s the day that everybody is trying to book their shore excursions, trying to get their internet sorted, trying to book restaurants and any extra add-ons,” she said.

Leaving bookings to the last minute also comes with a major risk.

“I feel that this is one of the worst things that could happen, because you’ve missed out. There’s limited availability for a lot of things,” she added.

Although a back injury cut her cruise career short, Alley hasn’t stepped away from the travel world. She now creates cruise-focused content for her YouTube channel, where she shares behind-the-scenes stories, cabin tours, and insights from her time as crew. The channel has over 300,000 subscribers.

Earlier this year, she opened up about what she earned working at sea and how she lived off less than $10 a day.

Kerr, who performed for Royal Caribbean, said crew members receive two different pay rates: an “on land” rate during rehearsal and an “at sea” rate once they’re on board.

“I find that during this time for a lot of dancers especially, it’s a net loss,” she explained, noting that during rehearsals on land she was paid about $300 per week ($463 AUD).

Once on the ship, though, things changed, she received around $950 per week ($1470 AUD) — and that only went up as she added more responsibilities like vocalist and dance captain.

By the peak of her contract, she was earning about $6500 a month ($10,000 AUD).

And with room, food, and utilities covered, Kerr said the job made it easy to save. Her only expense? Paying for internet.

Whether you’re booking your first cruise or your 50th, Kerr’s golden rule is simple: sort your shore plans before setting sail or risk missing out.

Images: Instagram