A former cruise ship employee has revealed the 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 reveal her go-to tips for travelers keen to make the most of their seaside holiday.
Her list included everything from avoiding tempting drink packages to avoiding busy routes.
Tammy Barr was a crew member for three years, but is now happy to sail the seas as a passenger
She recently spoke to Business Insider to reveal her go-to tips for travelers eager to make the most of their ocean vacation (stock image)
Tammy’s first tip was to avoid paying for upgrades in the onboard dining rooms.
She told the outlet that while “meals in the main dining room are included in the cost of a cruise,” there are often “additional” charges for upgrades to dishes like the choice of steak or lobster.
But the expert explained that the extra costs here and there quickly add up and that she would instead “stick with the items without the extra costs.”
In a similar vein, Tammy also urged cruise passengers not to purchase drink packages.
‘It makes no sense for me to pay for 12 to 15 cocktails a day in advance. “I did the math on the typical unlimited drink packages, and the cost just isn’t worth it to me,” she explained.
The avid traveler added that this is especially true for trips that involve frequent stops at ports, while guests are likely to spend most of their time exploring.
Tammy instead recommended that potential passengers check the liquor policy to see if you are allowed to bring your own alcoholic beverages on board.
There should also be plenty of opportunity to score cheap drinks during happy hours and drink specials that the cruise ship is likely to offer.
Her list included everything from avoiding tempting drink packages to avoiding busy routes (stock image)
The former cruise ship employee then said in no uncertain terms that she would not touch surfaces in common areas with her fingers, adding, “Knuckles and elbows will do.”
“Some cruise lines are better than others at wiping down frequently 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 said, “I’d definitely rather be safe than sorry.”
But Tammy’s top tips didn’t stop there.
She revealed that another thing she would never do is wear her room key around her neck – and the reasons are twofold.
“First, I see many passengers using the room keys dangling from their necks to show off their cruise loyalty status. It just looks pretentious,” she began.
The second had to do with security, explaining, “At the docks, that room key bouncing off your chest looks like an invitation to be robbed. It screams, ‘I have money! Come take it from me.’
She concluded by advising people to take more time than you think to get back without a last-minute rush (stock image)
Tammy also had stern words for anyone thinking about misnaming the ship they are on.
‘Ships have proper names and therefore do not need a definite article. For example: “Tomorrow I will board Discovery Princess,” or “I enjoyed a nice cruise on MS Westerdam.”
“If you want to look like a smart sailor, learn the ‘de!’ to drop.’
And last but not least, she said it was crucial not to plan a tight itinerary.
“Oh, the recurring nightmares I’ve had about not getting back to the ship on time during a port day,” she said.
“I’ve never missed a sail, but I’ve cut it too close sometimes and had to sail down a few piers.”
She concluded by advising people to take more time than you think to get back without a last-minute rush.