When a cruise ship arrives in port, it can be assumed that the crew members will spend their time relaxing or taking in the sights.
However, according to Bryan James, who worked on cruise ships for three years, when crew members finally get the chance to walk onto dry land, their first stop is usually a pharmacy and a supermarket, not a beach bar. .
“When crew members go to ports in the Bahamas or Florida, it’s usually not for a day at the beach,” Bryan, who is currently on the ship Utopia of the Seas, explained in a TikTok video.
“It’s not even for going out to eat or drink,” he continued. “Most crews disembark the ship to run errands.”
Bryan said that in his particular case he was looking for a pharmacy to pick up some medications.
After finding the pharmacy, which was located in a busy tourist area, behind a souvenir shop, he realized that it was more for over-the-counter medications, but he bought what he needed.
“But it’s okay because it’s all I needed,” he said, adding that the store was full of brands he wasn’t used to.
“I just had to choose what looked closest,” he exclaimed.
According to Bryan James, who worked on cruise ships for three years, when crew members finally get the chance to walk onto dry land, their first stop is usually a pharmacy, not a beach bar.
He added that the crew is looking forward to docking in the United States because that is where they find the greatest variety of products.
“The problem is that an Uber ride to Target or Walmart costs like $50 round trip,” he added. “So when you go shopping, you tend to buy everything in bulk and you buy everything you need for months and months at a time.”
He added that Port Canaveral in Florida is perhaps “the worst” of all American ports for crew when it comes to walkability.
“And that’s a shame because MANY ships leave here,” he added.
Some users were surprised that they had not thought about the logistics of living on a cruise ship.
‘I don’t know why I assumed that cruise ships would like over-the-counter medications to be sold somewhere.’ someone questioned.
‘Wow! I don’t know why I never made this connection that you would have to go shopping for general products,’ another reflected. ‘Can you connect with passengers and save on a rideshare?’
Bryan often documents their life on the cruise ship, showing where they live, what they eat, and how they perform menial tasks like laundry and cleaning.
Bryan said that in his particular case he was looking for a pharmacy to pick up some medications.
Some users were surprised that they hadn’t thought about the logistics of living on a cruise ship.
Bryan isn’t the only cruise ship worker sharing his experience online.
Earlier this year, content creator Erica DePascale, who worked aboard the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, also shared her opinion.
In her videos, Erica shared what it was like to work aboard the ship.
Before clients arrived to set sail on the 20-deck ship, Erica revealed that she and her co-workers had been “putting” all the facilities on board to the test.
Erica gave an amazing behind-the-scenes look at what life is like aboard the ship.
This included the activities that guests can participate in, as well as some of the amazing attractions, including the largest water parks at sea.
Erica’s images offer a preview of some of the highlights, with colorful circular slides and a 40,000-gallon pool yet to be filled.