The one thing cruise ship passengers do that drives crew mad
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Cruise ships have their own set of rules , and a holiday at sea isn’t like your average getaway.
Lucy Southerton, 28, from Birmingham , has been working on cruise liners for the past nine years, meaning she knows all the tips and tricks to get the most from your time aboard .
On her YouTube channel, Cruising as Crew , she shares her knowledge to ensure first-time passengers avoid common pitfalls – and the mistake cruise newbies make most can end up ruining your break.
According to Lucy, ‘treating a cruise like an all-inclusive holiday’ is the main faux pas she notices at work.
She said: ‘If some people have solely done all-inclusive holidays, they make the mistake of thinking a cruise vacation is very similar to that.
‘So a lot of people do not budget for extra expenses while they are on board because they have the misconception that most things will be free.’
The crew member says that although things like buffet meals will be included in the price of your trip, dining at certain restaurants on board or going on excursions often costs extra.
Forgetting to factor this into a budget can ‘really ruin people’s vacation’, Lucy says, as they have to miss out on things they perhaps looked forward to.
Gratuities are a big deal on a cruise too, so it’s recommended to set aside some cash to tip staff at the end of your holiday.
She said: ‘With a lot of cruises, you get hit with the gratuity bill at the end, which I have also seen a lot of people not budget for.’
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Alongside this, Lucy claims first-time ‘cruisers’ can struggle with the tight timings ships have to adhere to and miss their departure after a stop.
She said: ‘They get off at the port, go off and explore by themselves, which is part of the fun – but what they don’t allow for is time to get back. It obviously makes things very difficult for the cruise line and it is just an all-around mess.
‘So, when you’re on a cruise, it is very different from a hotel that is going to stay stationary. You absolutely have to make it a priority to get back to the ship on time and ask crew members what the traffic is like at each port if you’re getting a taxi to a certain destination.’
Her next warning is around travel insurance, which is particularly vital to get at the time of booking because cruises can get cancelled or flights to your starting destination can be delayed.
Lucy said: ‘Unlike a land holiday, where if your flight is eight hours late and the hotel stays where it is, the cruise ship moves so if your flight is eight hours delayed that’s going to mean you’ll miss it.
‘You absolutely have to get travel insurance as soon as you book the cruise.’
Overbooking excursions is another no-no, so try to balance ‘some exciting days but some relaxing days’ when planning out your itinerary to avoid ending up exhausted.
Lucy also advises pre-booking activities or excursions rather than leaving it to the last minute, ensuring you pack essentials (including medication), researching ports ahead of time, and listening carefully to safety briefings so you’re prepared for emergencies.
And, last but not least, she urges first-timers to always consider where their cabin is – particularly if they might be prone to seasickness.
She says: ‘You want to be in the centre of the ship. You don’t want to be in the back, you definitely don’t want to be in the front, because that’s where you’re going to feel the movement the most.
‘So when you book a cabin, make sure it is in the centre of the ship, and make sure the cabin you book is surrounded by other cabins.’
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Lucy adds: ‘The cheaper cabins will have a restaurant or a gym above them and it’s going to be noisy, so cabin location is really important.’
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Lucy shares tips on her YouTube channel (Picture: YouTube/Cruising As Crew) Cruise ships have their own set of rules, and a holiday at sea isn't like your average getaway. Lucy Southerton, 28 ...
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