7 weird things you'll only experience when you cruise
No method of seeing the world is wackier or more wonderful than a cruise. That's because there are certain things you'll only encounter when you embark.
From odd jargon like "bunkering," "I-95" and "poop deck" to strange superstitions like christenings and not toasting with a glass of water, cruises are different from any other kind of vacation.
To prove it, here are seven weird things you'll only find when you set sail.
Dining with strangers
Imagine you have dinner reservations at a land-based restaurant, and when you arrive, the host escorts you to your table ... where you find a group of strangers already seated and empty chairs awaiting your party. You would likely be confused or displeased.
Believe it or not, sharing tables is common practice on cruise ships. Especially if you've chosen assigned-time seating and you're a small group or someone traveling alone, you can expect to dine at the same table as people who aren't in your party.
Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining
The concept might be shocking to some travelers, but it makes sense on ships, where the number of dining venues and seats is limited, and table placement can't be rearranged to accommodate that week's traveler groupings. As the crew must serve a lot of people in a finite amount of time, co-dining is necessary in some cases.
Paying with your room key
All payments on cruise ships are cashless. Before you sail, you'll receive a keycard, which functions not only as your room key and means of leaving and returning to the ship when it's in port but also your onboard charge card. Each passenger has to pony up a sum of cash pre-cruise to be loaded onto their card or connect a credit card to it in order to allow for charging privileges.
If you're staying at a hotel, you can charge on-property purchases to your room, but you always have the option of paying with a credit card or cash — something you can't do on a ship. So put your wallet in your cabin safe, and prepare to pay for everything from alcohol to casino play with the swipe of your room key. (Be sure not to lose your card by carrying one of these with you on every sailing.)
Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on ships
Rooms with virtual windows
The most basic cabins on many cruise ships are inside cabins, which have no windows or balconies and, therefore, no natural light or access to fresh air. They're terrific accommodations for passengers on budgets, those who prefer total darkness when they sleep and anyone who plans to be in their room only to shower and catch some zzz's.
One of the weirdest types of inside cabins I've seen are those with virtual balconies (like the ones found on select Royal Caribbean ships) or "magic" portholes (which appear in certain cabins on Disney Cruise Line vessels). They broadcast either real-time virtual views via LED screens or ocean scenes with random visits from beloved Disney characters like Mr. Potato Head from "Toy Story" or Scuttle and Flounder from "The Little Mermaid." Although some of Disney's land-based resorts offer similar "windows," they originated on board the brand's ships.
Related: Ultimate guide to choosing a cabin on a cruise ship
Muster drills
Safety is key on any sailing, and in that vein, passengers must complete muster drills that familiarize them with where their muster stations are and what to do in case of an emergency. They're like the fire drills you had in school, minus the surprise element, and they're required at the beginning of every cruise vacation.
I can't think of a land-based vacation equivalent to the cruise ship muster. In rare instances, you might have experienced a blaring fire alarm during a hotel stay, but it's not the norm, and it's usually not a drill. Nor do you have to deal with safety equipment like life jackets or lifeboats. True, safety briefings happen before each flight you take, but they don't last nearly as long, and you don't have to move from your seat in order to attend.
Shops that only open after you leave the destination
Cruise ships offer plenty of places to spend money, including casinos and shops that sell things like toiletries, souvenirs and duty-free items. But did you know they aren't allowed to operate when the vessel is docked?
Due to regulations that aim to prevent passengers from spending money on board instead of ashore in most ports of call, retail shops and casinos can only open in international waters, which begin 12 miles from land. That means you can't shop or gamble on your ship until after it has sailed away from the ports you're visiting.
Related: 11 things you should never buy on a cruise ship
Formal nights
Formal nights have been a leisure cruise staple since the days of classic ocean liners. Personally, I can't imagine a better excuse to dress up, but many travelers can't understand why they should have to pack bulky formalwear and dress to the nines on what is supposed to be a relaxing getaway. Luckily for those folks, onboard dress codes have been relaxed quite a bit in the last several years, and formalwear is now optional on most cruise ships.
Assuming you don't violate standard "no shoes, no shirt, no service" rules, no other vacation type requires you to dress up or bans you from dining in the main restaurant if you refuse to comply, as is the case on ships with strict dress codes. Cruisers choosing not to meet the level of elegance required on some formal nights could find themselves forced to eat at the buffet or order room service.
In-house TV programming
Cruise ships offer televisions in each cabin, but due to copyright laws, broadcasting restrictions and the availability of reliable satellites, live channels are often limited to basic news like CNN, FOX, the BBC and a select few others, along with on-demand movies and a navigational channel that allows you to see where your ship is in real time.
However, one odd addition to the channel lineup is house-produced programming, which is recorded by the cruise line. It could include port talks, educational lectures, spa and jewelry seminars and even daily shows produced by the cruise director or other members of the entertainment staff. If you love catching up on cable shows when you're in hotels, be prepared for a different selection of shows when you cruise.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
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- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.