So, I’ve been there, done that, and then I’ve done it again, many times. Though I have only worked for one particular company, I have been on ships from other companies, and I have talked to people who cruised and worked there. I cruised for almost four years, for about 4-5 months each year, and I got to know a lot about the industry. In fact, there was once talk about developing a TV series project in Miami called CREW AREA, based on all of those experiences. The concept was basically “the other side of the Love Boat.”
Cruising can be a fabulous experience for certain kinds of people or on particular occasions. I had a lot of fun on many a cruise ship. It all seemed a bit unreal to me, but I made some friends for life, among both staff and passengers, and I got to experience something quite unique, the kind of thing you can’t really convey to anyone, unless they have experienced it themselves. In any case, someone asked me to try to share some of my expertise on cruising here, for the benefit of new would-be passengers. So, I came up with a list of things most people commonly expect from cruising, which they do not always get.
Myths or no myths, the secret of cruising is choosing the right company, the right ship and the right itinerary. When you really make an informed choice that fits your needs and expectations, cruising can be grand, just like on The Love Boat…
Without further ado, here are the myths:
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You won’t spend any money on board, it’s all inclusive!
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Shore excursions from the ship are the best way to explore a port
The main pro os shore excursions booked on the ship is that, whatever happens, if there is a delay, etc, you won’t miss the ship, it will wait for you, or the company will cover expenses of you meeting the ship in the next port. Especially when we are talking long distances, your shorex counter on board is the way to go.
- You will get to know lots of different places over a short period of time
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Entertainment on cruise ships rocks
It so doesn’t that I can’t begin to tell you. Jazz bands can be good sometimes, but the singers and dancers in musicals usually stink, with rare exceptions. The shows themselves are pastiches inspired by Broadway musicals, the Cirque du soleils and what not will be a franchise where acts are carried out by some obscure performer. Really, if these people were awesome, they wouldn’t be on cruise ships. You may find a great artist on occasion, but really, when you go to the theater, focus on drinking a glass of nice wine and enjoying the company of your friends or family. Personally, I could only stomach the musicals with a glass of some excellent Shiraz.
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Your kids will have someone to provide entertainment for them 24/7
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You will be pampered
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Staff are smiling at you because they are happy and friendly
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Hmm, I like it here, I should get a job on a cruise ship too…
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You’ll eat great food
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It’s OK to drink from the water fountains
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With all of these gratuities, my cleaner must be making a fortune!
Most of the cleaners, butlers etc don’t have a salary, so, that’s why gratuities are mandatory. So, if they’re doing a great job, you should always tip them well.
There’s so much more that I could talk about, but that’s the gist. Now, if you have any great cruise lines or ships to recommend, leave us a note in the comments and HAPPY MYTH-LESS CRUISING!