Good Lifestyle

For many travelers who hope to get the most out of their harshly won vacation, there is nothing like getting into a cruise. Whether you are looking to absorb the sun in the tropics or see glaciers, each trip allows passengers a Relatively practical and affordable way of discovering several destinations. But even if you consider yourself an expert in sailing, there are still a lot on board and under the bridge that you probably know nothing. Read the rest for some of the best gossip and secrets of the former cruise directors and crew.

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8 Secrets of former cruise directors

1. At what time you sit for your meal can have an effect on quality.

While taking advantage of the sea, it is not uncommon to take your time to have meals. You are on vacation, after all! But according to the staff, the fact of not being punctual could affect the preparation of your food and what ends on your plate.

"When you have a meal during one of the seats, remember the The first meals are generally the best , "A former anonymous employee of Cruise Line explained in a quora forum." Despite what we are trying to guarantee, the last guest should obtain the same quality as the first guest. But in reality, during service, dishes can run out and be replaced by other articles. ""

"Problems arise when the kitchen is short of dishes like Rib Prime or Ossobuco - elements that need roasting and sealing for hours. The fryer and finished in the microwave. And a slice of dropped ribs to the grilled down Roasting place, ”they wrote.

2. Expect the expectation that food and equipment are particularly long on the first day.

Cruise ships are described appropriately as floating cities, with crew and staff preparing and maintaining gigantic ships in a way that customers will probably never notice. But the former employees say that even if the work never stops on a trip, there is always more on their plates as guests arrive for the first time.

"The main lunch buffet on boarding day will be incredibly busy and crowded. Expect to wait online to sit, especially with a larger group size. If stressed travelers are not your thing , take a snack and plan to enjoy a big dinner, " Colleen Carswell , a former employee for a large cruise line and travel expert , recount Better life .

"The days of turnover, more crew is necessary to clean, greet and prepare the next trip. Find a lot of closed food products," she explains. "But have faith - there will be many opportunities to stuff yourself silly during your cruise!"

Carswell also says that when you arrive at the terminal can also affect your first day. "Your rooms may not be opened when you get on the ship. It depends on the time in which you embark and the size of a turnover - for staff and guests," she said. "Expect to move around your hand luggage a little."

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3. There is a whole cleanliness protocol to prevent the propagation of the virus.

When it comes to cleaning cruise ships, it is more than ensuring that everything is impeccable. It is also a question of preventing viruses and ensuring that everyone is safe.

Carswell explains that cruising staff are trained to be meticulous in their efforts to limit any potential viral epidemic. "They follow strict protocols for manipulation and disinfection, especially during the Norovirus epidemic levels, which are classified as green, yellow and red."

Surfaces such as railings and elevators receive several cleaning per day and the process becomes even more rigorous when new passengers take place.

In terms of global security, cruise operations have intelligent secret codes to discreetly communicate emergency situations to staff without provoking an unnecessary alarm among guests, says Carswell Better life . "These codes, such as Bravo, Alpha and Charlie, are an integral part of security protocols."

Most of the time, the exercises are used to ensure the preparation, because all the members of the crew are vigorously trained and ready to respond quickly and calmly in an emergency. Carswell notes that cruising ships are one of the safest places in a crisis thanks to the coordinated and practiced responses.

4. There is a place on the ship to keep the passengers who die on a trip.

Anything that can happen in daily life on earth can still occur on a ship, including death. In fact, it is such an expected part of operations that cruising companies have entire chambers dedicated to the storage of those who died until they go to the next port. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"Each ship has a morgue as well as body bags," said Michelle Endo , a former three -year -old cruise ship employees and author of the Travel blog Wander Death Write . "Many elderly passengers sail knowing at the end of their lives and choose to live on cruise ships because it is cheaper than living on earth. This means, however, that deaths on board occur and that ships must be prepared. "

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5. The crew has "a whole city" separated from passengers.

However, passengers and on a given cruise, there must also be enough crew and staff to ensure smooth navigation. And although you will probably spend your vacation interacting with them, the employees who work for the ship to work spend most of their time in an area designated when they are out of time.

"The crew region is an entire city that passengers never see. According to the ship, the amenities specific to the crew can include everything, separate gymnasiums, messages (A.K.A Cafeterias), bars and clubs" , Endo sharing. "Most crew members do not eat the same food as guests. We have our own separate dining rooms, and food tends to be much simpler."

And there is another major distinction between passengers and employees with regard to drinks. "While customers pay more than $ 12 to $ 14 for an alcoholic drink, the crew bar is used for a fraction of this cost, sometimes as low as $ 3," said Carswell.

Most often, you will never see your servers, bartenders and artists in uniform due to business policy.

"The majority of the crew is not allowed to dine in guest areas, to set up invited elevators or to participate in entertainment on board," explains Carswell. "This is reserved for a few selected - officers generally or certain departments or posts. And no staff is never authorized inside a room with the closed door - for the safety of the crew member and guest. "

6. But they also have unique life challenges.

As expected, staff areas are much smaller than rooms, but the crew probably has more personal effects with them than travelers.

"When he embarks on this trip, the staff must pack for long periods far from home, often six to eight months at a time," said Carswell. She explains that they often share space with another person to maximize space.

These tightened districts also mean that crew members are surprised in the cultivation of ships and thrive on the company of the other.

"Living and working together day after day, fast friendships are formed which are formed cultures and continents," explains Carswell. Often, the crew will have their own parts, themed dinners or other fun activities on board.

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7. You are probably overcoming too much for wifi.

Even if you go on vacation to disconnect and relax, it may always be necessary to check your email or publish updates on social networks during your trip. But according to employees, there is no reason to blow your budget on a few gigabytes.

"Internet is very expensive for customers - even for the crew, it's already expensive, but paid passengers are billed more than triple for this service. Try to avoid it at any time and go to the ground to use it . Many cruise terminals have free WiFi days. "Explains the former anonymous employee of Cruise Line." If you want to use the Internet, try to buy an unlimited package. In the end, it will be cheaper than individual packages. "

8. The crew of your ship works very hard - and often for long periods of time.

It may not be surprising that many people decide to work on a cruise ship because of the excitement it can involve, in particular to be able to wake up in a new port most of the mornings and to see the world being paid. And in addition to a salary, some see it as a way to save money.

"On ships, you live where you work," said Endo. "Unlike life on earth, there is no rent to pay or invoices of monthly public services which must be covered. All basic subsistence costs are covered at sea for crew members : accommodation, water, electricity and food. And although it varies by company and possibly by employment, ships generally pay crew flights. "

But in the end, many former employees agree that work is always work - and in the case of those in the cruise industry, this may involve long positions with minimal stop time.

"The person who serves, salutes or entertained, you could have joined the ship that day or who can navigate the ship for seven months," said Carswell. "On average, the crew obtains one to three months of vacation between contracts. The duration of the contract and the holidays comes down most often. If necessary. There is no stop when you join the ship . Often, you put your bags, change and immediately start your quarter of work. "

And although it is always important to ensure that the staff feel respected and appreciated, you can do something else to be gratitude.

"If you receive a comment card at the end of your stay, take a moment to fill it and mention by their name which went beyond," suggests Carswell. "Many cruise companies have award and recognition programs for crew members, and a name name can make a long way. The crew must be" at any time for six, seven or even 10 months Both, including the holidays. Something as simple as renting them by name in a comment card can have a big impact. ""