19 Shocking Cruise Ship Secrets And Tips I Learned After Going On Seven Cruises
Booking a cruise is just like buying a car, meaning you can negotiate the price and get bonus perks, so ~never~ pay the price you see online.
1. Ships Have Jails and Morgues
These are the only areas of the ship where I wasn’t allowed to visit, because they’re strictly off limits unless you find them the old-fashioned way…by getting arrested or dying.
2. The Higher You Are on a Ship, the More Movement You’ll Feel
If you’re someone who tends to get motion sickness then you should definitely book your room on the lowest floor possible (just not in the morgue).
3. You Probably Won’t Even Have to Worry About Getting Seasick
Ships try to hit waves at a 45-degree angle because that’s apparently the most effective way to help break them up and cut down on the extra motion. Ships also have stabilizers that can extend outwardly (picture, like, wings on an airplane), which help to keep things super, super stable.
4. Before You Book a Cruise, Negotiate!
A lot of cruise lines occasionally offer “buy one, get one” discounts, as well as a ton of other sales around specific holidays. There are also a bunch of sites where you can book discounted sailings to fill the leftover rooms that haven’t sold, so just do a little research.
5. You Can Get “Free” Cruises by Gambling
Each bet is tied to your personal cruise card (i.e. your room key) every time you play the slots or put money down at a table game. Your total winnings are tracked on that card, and you’ll earn points based on the amount you spend.
6. There Are Special Laws for Cruises
Casinos are allowed to operate once the ship is at least 12 miles from land, which means they can lower the age limit from 21 to 18 while in international waters. The legal drinking age on most cruise ships is also 18, not 21.
7. Swingers Use Upside-Down Pineapples as a Symbol
Decorating cabin doors is a pretty common thing for elite cruisers, and the secret symbol for swingers is an upside-down pineapple. As a result, a lot of couples would decorate their doors with upside-down pineapples to let other guests know that they’re open for fun.
8. Cruises Are Basically Floating Cities
Like, I’ve been on ships with a freaking ice skating rink before, and my recent Carnival sailing had an 18-hole mini golf course on the top deck.
9. You Have to Remember That These Ships Are Basically Floating Cities
Cruises even have LGBTQ+ mixers, silent disco parties, wine tastings, and cooking classes. There are also discreet meetings for those who are sober or in recovery.
10. Keep in Mind That Items on Cruise Ships Are Definitely More Expensive Than What You’d Normally Pay on Land
The spa and salon on my last sailing, for example, charged $175 for a 75-minute Swedish massage and $99 for a “red carpet blowout.”
11. The More You Cruise with a Specific Line, the More Perks You’ll Get
These loyalty programs are based on the number of days you sail with each line, so, for example, everyone on their first Carnival cruise is in the Blue tier, then they reach Red status on their second sailing, and once they hit 25 days on board they’ll reach the Gold tier.
12. Another Way to Save Money Is by Booking Your Shore Excursions Through Third-Party Vendors
Booking through the ship is definitely the most expensive route, but it’s also the safest because you’ll never have to worry about the ship leaving without you.
13. You Should Know That There Are Some Banned Items You Simply Can’t Bring on a Cruise
Before boarding, you’ll quickly go through security, sort of like a relaxed version of TSA at the airport. The whole process typically only takes a few minutes.
14. Don’t Even Try to Sneak Alcohol on Board Because You’ll Definitely Get Caught
Each ship is different, but for the most part you’re only allowed one unopened bottle of wine or champagne in your carry-on. If you buy spirits while at port then you’ll have to check them when you get back on the ship, and they’ll be returned when you disembark.
15. Cruise Ships Obviously Make Tons of Food Every Single Sailing
There are free sit-down restaurants and buffets on board, but there are also specialty dining options that guests can pay for, like hibachi and steak houses.
16. If You’re Worried About Potentially Having Bad Weather on Your Cruise Then, Well, Think Again
A lot of ships also offer indoor pools and adults-only sections, so, like, you’ll totally be set no matter what.
17. It’s Tradition for Every Ship to Have a Celebrity Godmother or Godfather
For example, Oprah Winfrey is the godmother of a Holland America ship, and even Audrey Hepburn was the godmother of a Princess ship. Carnival only has two godfathers, and they’re fittingly both for their Italian-themed cruises: Jay Leno and now Jonathan Bennett.
18. One of the Most Unique Parts About Cruising Is That You’ll Typically Find a Cool Towel Animal Waiting for You After Returning to Your Cabin Every Night
A lot of ships even host towel-folding classes during sailings so guests can learn how to make the animals themselves, and how-to books are also available in the bookstore.
19. And Finally, the Most Important Thing You Should Know About Cruises Is That There Are Several Self-Serve Ice Cream Machines on Board, and They’re All Completely Free
After all, you’re on vacation, so you should be eating as much ice cream and frozen yogurt as you can get your hands on.
