Secrets cruise lines won’t tell you
No trip is all-inclusive
That ‘all-inclusive’ rate typically doesn’t include alcohol, tips, shore excursions, internet, dining outside the dining room, and what you spend on casino or bingo play. And please, do come play: Your odds are often even worse than on land.
And when it comes to buying travel insurance for your overseas adventure, make sure you check the small print.
Choose your room carefully
Always look at the ship’s deck plan before you choose your cabin. Don’t pick one directly under the gym, the pool deck, the disco, or any late-night venue. Know that if you book a cabin at the front of the ship, you’re going to feel some up-and-down motion.
Come prepared to charge
If your ship permits it, pack a charging station or a power board. Many cruise ships still have only one or two outlets per cabin – and that’s not going to cut it in 2019.
Don’t buy excursion packages from us
Shhh… here’s a secret: You can book many of the same land excursions we offer for a fraction of the cost by arranging them privately with tour companies beforehand.
Above all, wash your hands
There were 11 disease outbreaks on cruise ships in the first six months of 2016, almost as many as in all of 2015. Most were norovirus, a highly contagious bug that causes stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Wait until you reach land to go online
Our wi-fi prices can be crazy high for sub-part performance. So save your surfing for port days, and ask the crew for the nearest free hot spot. (Since they can’t afford ship wi-fi either, crew members flock to internet cafés when they disembark.)
We make our own water
Ever wonder where we get all that fresh water? We make it. That’s right – giant onboard desalination systems remove salt and impurities from ocean water so it’s safe to drink.
Sources: Sherry Kennedy, founder of cruisemaven.com; Jim Walker, a maritime attorney who specialises in cruise line law; Brian David Bruns, former crew member on six cruise lines and author of Cruise Confidential, a former cruise crew member from Thailand and three current cruise line employees who asked to remain anonymous.
Written by Michelle Crouch. This article first appeared in Reader’s Digest. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription offer.