I don’t know about you, but I love learning hidden secrets about cruise ships, airlines and the like. They’re fascinating! I bet there’ll be at least one thing here that you didn’t know before you read this. Let me know in the comments what you think is the most interesting secret.
Get a better price
Have you ever bought something only to discover later that it was on sale? Here’s some good news – sometimes, you can get a discounted price on your cruise even after you’ve booked!
When you book a cruise, you pay a deposit, with the balance usually due 90 days before it sets sail. If you spot the same cruise at a lower price after paying that deposit, don’t hesitate to reach out to your travel agent or the cruise line. You might just get that discount applied to your booking, saving you a nice bit of cash.
Even if you see a price drop after you’ve made your final payment, it’s still worth a shot to ask. Sometimes, you can score onboard credit. In fact, I did both of these for an upcoming trip and saved nearly $6,000 Aussie dollars!
Some cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, frequently have sales on drink packages. If you see a price drop after you’ve booked a package, cancel and rebuy it to take advantage of those savings.
Have you ever noticed how cruise lines almost always seem to be having a sale? Norwegian Cruise Line cycles between 35% off for two passengers and 70% off the second guest. That’s the same discount expressed in two different ways. So, don’t feel rushed to book your cruise before a sale ends; there’s almost always a comparable one right around the corner.
Another way of saving money is to book the same cruise on an older ship. The newer ships typically have higher prices. Older ships might not have all the bells and whistles, but you can score the same itinerary and inclusions whilst paying less. Some cruisers prefer the older girls!
Cruise Contract
Let’s talk about that cruise contract you get when you book. Who actually reads those things? Let’s be honest; it’s hard to keep your eyes from glazing over. But when you buy a ticket, you’re agreeing to that contract.
This contract is essential; but it includes clauses that might raise your eyebrows. For instance, it might allow the cruise line to search you and your cabin. It can state that the cruise line holds no liability for onboard contractors like retail shops and medical services. And their photographers can use your pictures for marketing, but you might find yourself restricted from sharing your own photos online!
And don’t forget about the legal jurisdiction designated in the contract—it’s typically the one that benefits the cruise line the most. Maybe it’s time we all start reading those contracts a little more closely!
They want your money!
Cruise lines expect you to spend about 50% of the amount you paid for your fare while you’re onboard and they include this in their budgeting, so there are incentives for the crew to part you with your hard-earned dollars. Your cruise fare probably wasn’t cheap so how do you avoid breaking the bank while living it up at sea?
You can definitely go on a cruise and not spend one cent extra, except for those sneaky cruise lines that hit your onboard account up with daily gratuities. But it’s always nice to have some delicious cocktails or a special dinner.
Start by setting a daily budget. Think about how much you can afford to spend each day and stick to it! A beverage package might be a smart investment to help manage costs, too. And don’t forget to bring essentials like medications, which always carry a hefty markup onboard!
When visiting private islands, keep in mind that some activities may be included in your packages, but many are priced at a premium. You can often find similar experiences for a lot less if you book with third-party vendors at other ports.
And for the gamblers out there, set a budget for the casino! Michael likes to treat his gambling budget as entertainment money rather than a way to get rich quick. Remember, cruise casinos operate in international waters, often without the same regulations as land-based casinos, which can lead to less favourable odds.
In port
You might think the cruise ship will wait for you if you’re late coming back from an excursion but think again. The ship will not wait for you if you’re late, unless you’re on a ship-sponsored excursion. I’m always amazed by how many stories you hear about passengers getting left behind. And those pier runners? I’d be mortified to be in that situation!
Speaking of excursions, remember that you don’t HAVE to take the ones offered by the cruise line. Many ports are fantastic for exploring on your own. Or you could opt for a third-party excursion, which is usually cheaper and often comes with smaller group sizes. Just make sure those third-party excursions offer a refund policy if the port ends up being missed, which can happen more often than you might think due to safety or weather issues.
And if you’ve been to a particular port before or simply want to chill, you can always stay on the ship. You’ll likely find smaller crowds, and some activities that normally have a charge may be discounted or even free. Royal Caribbean has exciting options like iFLY and North Star that are sometimes free on port days.
Logistics
Here’s something I find fascinating—logistics. Maybe it’s because I used to be an accountant.
Can you imagine how much food a cruise line has to stock for a single itinerary? It’s mind-blowing! They even use AI to help predict what to order based on the demographics of the passengers on that specific cruise. If a cruise is filled with kids, stock up on chicken nuggets and pizza! For those in Europe, they order extra potatoes and sausages, and in California, you can bet they’re loading up on avocados and kale!
They also design activities based on these demographics. Older crowds might enjoy bingo, while younger cruisers flock to game shows. But what happens if they miscalculate, and everyone rushes to the pool? They might announce a surprise scavenger hunt to get everyone moving. So next time you’re onboard and a surprise activity is announced you’ll know what’s going on behind the scenes.
Insider information
Now, let’s get a little behind-the-scenes info. You might hear announcements that sound like code while you’re onboard. And you’re right! These codes keep certain situations discreet, so they don’t alarm the passengers. While codes can vary by cruise line, here are some common ones:
- Alpha, Alpha, Alpha means a medical emergency. (Bright Star can mean the same.) But you don’t want to hear Rising Star, that means there’s been a death.
- Bravo, Bravo, Bravo indicates an onboard fire.
- Charlie, Charlie, Charlie signals a security concern.
- Delta, Delta, Delta refers to a biohazard.
- Oscar, Oscar, Oscar means someone has gone overboard.
- Zulu, Zulu, Zulu indicates a fight, usually between tipsy passengers.
Managing sickness onboard is serious business. One protocol they use is “six in six,” which means at least six passengers report an illness (like norovirus) within six hours. That can trigger heightened cleaning protocols so you may see more cleaning of things like lift buttons and handrails, and more emphasis on hand washing.
Did you know cruise ships dump stuff in the ocean? They follow stricter protocols than the law requires, thanks to the Cruise Line Industry Association, but still, here’s what sometimes goes overboard:
- Sewage: Believe it or not, raw sewage is permitted in the open ocean, but luckily cruise lines treat it until it’s almost drinkable first.
- Uneaten food: This is turned into liquid before it’s dumped, excluding cooking oil! And you might even see birds feasting on fish attracted by the food waste!
- Grey water: From showers and washing machines, but again, it’s treated to be almost drinkable.
I’ve talked in other videos about cabin locations but one thing I’ve found out more recently is that in the lower cabins at the very front of the ship, be prepared for the noise of the anchor being dropped or raised—it can be a rude awakening if your ship arrives in port early!
And a quick note on relationships onboard. Today’s cruise lines have zero tolerance for crew-guest intimacy. The romantic escapades portrayed in old episodes of The Love Boat are a thing of the past! Crew members can even get in trouble for simply being friends with passengers and usually require permission to dine together on or off the ship.
You may notice some black dirt around the aft decks. That’s likely to be soot blown from the ship’s exhaust. So, if you’re craving some sun on the aft deck, check which way the wind is blowing first. And be cautious booking an aft balcony cabin.
And here’s a tip for eager travellers: Most cruise lines are pretty lenient if you arrive early on embarkation day. While there might be some restrictions at smaller ports, you can often just line up and board earlier.
Crime and death
We all love a laid-back holiday without a care in the world, but the reality is that crime does occur on cruise ships, just like in the real world.
The most common crimes include sexual assault, theft, and serious injury. However, the statistics show that the chance of encountering a major crime on a cruise is surprisingly low—less than 1 in 1,000. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise caution. Secure your valuables and keep an eye out for overly intoxicated passengers, as things can escalate quickly.
Remember, too, that the ship will have CCTV almost everywhere other than cabins and public toilets.
When a crime happens at sea, cruise lines are required to report it to the relevant authorities, and the crew is trained to respond swiftly. Larger ships even have a brig—a lock-up room similar to a police cell—while smaller vessels may place offenders under cabin arrest or in a special locked cabin.
Consequences for criminal acts can be serious: fines, disembarkation at the next port, and lifetime bans from the cruise line. In more severe cases, offenders may be handed over to local police when the ship reaches port.
The primary causes of deaths onboard are falls and cardiac arrest. Thankfully, the number of fatalities on cruise ships is statistically low. Most accidents occur when people break rules or act foolishly—think climbing between balconies after a few too many drinks.
Drowning incidents do happen, but they’re rare, especially since many cruise lines have lifeguards at their pools. Unfortunately, there are also cases of suicide—many overboard incidents are linked to this, rather than just reckless behaviour. During the pandemic, there were reports of crew members dealing with extreme mental strain from being stuck onboard for months away from their families leading to this outcome.
What happens if someone falls overboard? Most ships have systems in place to alert the crew immediately. As soon as it’s reported, they log the ship’s location and begin circling to locate the missing person. They’ll often enlist the help of other vessels in the vicinity, including cruise ships and coast guard boats, spending at least 12 hours searching. But here’s the sobering part: the chances of being found alive are only about 25%, and that drops significantly at night.
This is why making foolish choices can result in life bans from the cruise line.
Onboard, there’s usually a morgue—imagine a cupboard with a few pull-out shelves. There’s a persistent rumour that deceased passengers end up in the ice cream freezer, but I can assure you, that’s never been substantiated.
If the ship is nearing its final port, the body will likely remain onboard. If not, it may be disembarked at the next stop, typically very early in the morning to avoid passenger sightings, accompanied by others from the deceased’s travel group.
And to clear up some outdated information: there are no burials at sea! That practice was more common before refrigeration became a standard on ships. Although, these days in some places you can actually elect to have a deceased loved one buried at sea.
Now, that might be a rather sombre note to wrap up this post, but I find these insights into cruise lines fascinating and I hope you do too.
If you’ve enjoyed uncovering these hidden facts, check out this video on cruise packing essentials, or explore our playlist that dives into tips for flying long haul.