A former cruise ship employee has revealed six things she would never do on board – but how many are you guilty of?
Tammy Barr was a crew member for three years, but is now happy to sail the seas as a passenger.
She recently spoke with Business Insider to spread his tips for travelers who want to make the most of their ocean vacation.
Their list included everything from avoiding attractive drink packages to avoiding crowded itineraries.
Tammy Barr was a crew member for three years, but is now happy to sail the seas as a passenger.
He recently spoke with Business Insider to share his tips for travelers who want to make the most of their ocean vacation (file image).
Tammy’s first piece of advice was to avoid paying for onboard dining upgrades.
She told the outlet that although “main dining room meals are included in the cost of a cruise,” there are often “additional” charges for upgrades on dishes like opting for steak or lobster.
But the expert explained that extra charges here and there soon add up and that she would instead “keep the items without surcharges.”
With a similar mindset, Tammy also urged cruise passengers to avoid purchasing drink packages.
‘It doesn’t make sense for me to prepay for 12 to 15 cocktails a day. “I’ve done the math on typical unlimited drink packages and the cost is just not worth it to me,” he explained.
The keen traveler added that this was particularly true for voyages that enjoy frequent stops at ports when guests will likely be doing most of their exploring.
Instead, Tammy recommended that prospective passengers check the beverage policy to see if they can bring their own alcoholic beverages on board.
There should also be plenty of opportunities to get cheap drinks during happy hours and drink specials that the cruise will likely offer.
Their list included everything from avoiding attractive drink packages to avoiding busy itineraries (file image)
The former cruise ship worker then clearly stated that she would not touch surfaces in common areas with her fingers, adding, “Knuckles and elbows are sufficient.”
‘Some cruise lines are better than others at cleaning commonly touched surfaces, but I’m not taking any chances. “I avoid touching things that others touch frequently and I wash my hands frequently,” Tammy said.
She stated: “I’d definitely rather be safe than sorry.”
But Tammy’s top tips didn’t end there.
She revealed that another thing she would never do is wear her room key around her neck, and the reasons are twofold.
‘First of all, I see many passengers using the room keys hanging from their necks to flaunt their cruise loyalty status. “It seems pretentious,” she began.
The second was about security, explaining: ‘At the port, that room key bouncing off your chest seems like an invitation to be robbed. He shouts: “I have money! Come and take it from me.”
He concluded by advising people to take more time than they think to return without last-minute rush (file image)
Tammy also had stern words for anyone thinking about giving the wrong name to the ship they’re on.
‘Ships have proper names, so they do not require a definite article. For example, “Tomorrow I will board the Discovery Princess” or “I enjoyed a scenic cruise on MS Westerdam.”
‘If you want to look like an expert sailor, learn to say “the!”‘
And last but not least, he said it was crucial to avoid planning a tight itinerary.
“Oh, the recurring nightmares I’ve had about not returning to the ship on time during a day in port,” he commented.
“I’ve never lost a sail, but sometimes I’ve cut it too short and had to lower a dock or two.”
He concluded by advising people to take more time than they think to return without last-minute rush.