5 Places to Avoid on Cruise Ships

A cruise is a wonderful vacation with exciting entertainment, gourmet dining, and exotic destinations. Every cruise ship is filled with fun, from miniature golf courses and water slides to casinos and spas, but there are five places on a cruise ship all travelers should try their very best to avoid.

1: The Infirmary

Cruise ships are equipped with experienced medical personnel and advanced lifesaving technology, but getting sick or injured will quickly end your vacation. Even if you are able to stay onboard the ship, feeling poorly will keep you from enjoying your seagoing getaway. Furthermore, the services of the medical staff on board are not usually covered with your cruise fare, and seeking medical assistance even for a simple condition such as a headache or sunburn can be costly.

To avoid the infirmary...

*Take vitamins and keep yourself healthy long before you sail so you are in top condition to enjoy your cruise.

*Use sunscreen liberally during shore tours and when lounging on deck, and stay properly hydrated to avoid heatstroke.

*Avoid overindulging on unfamiliar food or drinks that might lead to seasickness.

*Always watch your step on board, including holding handrails and watching for puddles on deck to avoid falls.

*Pack your own supply of over the counter medication for headaches and other minor ailments, and be sure to bring along any necessary prescription items.

*Get plenty of sleep so you are fresh and have the energy to enjoy all the activities on board without stress or strain.

2: The Brig

Security may not be prominent on board a cruise ship, but there are security officers available to react to any disturbances or problems. Cruise ships also have secure areas where they can keep passengers isolated and under surveillance if necessary. Should you end up in the brig, not only may you face fines and other punishments from the cruise line, but you may also be subject to other penalties as well depending on the severity of the offence and where it took place.

To avoid the brig...

*Read the cruise line's website or the literature provided to you by your travel agent about proper behavior and other expectations for passengers.

*Stay away from restricted areas such as the bridge, crew quarters, and backstage areas that are not open to passengers.

*Avoid too much drink or other overindulgence that could cause you to lose control or otherwise act irrationally.

*If there is a problem or conflict, do not try to solve it yourself. Instead, contact the proper authorities on board for assistance.

*Be aware of the regulations for different activities, such as no photography or taping during shows or age requirements for visiting the dance clubs, and abide by those restrictions.

3: Internet Café

You're on vacation, and going online while you're on board a cruise ship will only keep you connected to the world you want to temporarily leave behind. For the majority of passengers, there is no need to routinely check email or social networking sites during a cruise, and doing so will prevent you from enjoying the other available activities. Furthermore, the internet service on cruise ships is far slower than what you'd be accustomed to at home, and per-minute rate charges are exorbitant.

To avoid the internet café...

*Check all your emails before leaving home, and set vacation messages to let people know when you will return.

*Give family members contact information for the cruise line, as well as the ship name and sailing date, in order to contact you in case of emergency, so you do not have to feel obligated to check emails for essential messages.

*Use the ship's television to check news stories rather than relying on websites or online newsletters for your news updates. Better still, avoid the news altogether while on vacation!

*If you bring your laptop with you on the cruise, perhaps to use while traveling to the cruise port, leave it packed away in your luggage once you set sail to avoid the temptation of going online.

4: Front Rows of the Adult Comedy Show

Cruise ships routinely offer amazing comedy shows, usually with a family friendly show in the early evening and an adults only show at night. If you're sensitive to profanity, vulgarity, or off color jokes, you may want to avoid the adult comedy show altogether, but if you do want to see the show, the front row is not the best place to be. While you may have a good view of the comedian, he or she will also have a good view of you, making you center stage for being the butt of audience jokes. Your fellow passengers may remember those jokes for the remainder of the cruise, and if you're easily embarrassed, the front row is the last place you want to be.

To avoid the front row...

*Arrive at the show at least 20 minutes early for the best choice of seats.

*Opt for a seat several rows back or off to the side where you won't be at the center of the comedian's view.

*Avoid other obvious seats, such as sitting in the front of the bar or in spot lit areas throughout the lounge.

*If you get easily offended by adult material, choose a seat near one of the exits so you can leave unobtrusively if desired.

5: Snack Racks

Every cruise ship has an on board shopping mall, complete with different souvenir shops, jewelry stores, and liquor boutiques. In those stores, you're sure to find a rack of chips, candy bars, cookies, and other snacks that should be completely unnecessary. Not only is there unlimited food on board the ship that is included in the price of your fare - buffets, ice cream, room service, pizzerias, regular meals, etc. - but you can always bring your own candy bars or chips on board in your luggage. Furthermore, the prices for snacks in the souvenir shop are highly inflated and not worth the expense when you have other options available.

To avoid the snack rack...

*Don't be afraid to try different snacks available on the Lido deck or at buffets.

*Bring a piece of fruit or a few cookies back to your cabin for an extra snack instead of being tempted to buy something.

*Review the room service menu and don't be afraid to call for a snack whenever you like.

*Pack small snacks in your luggage to munch on board. While bringing liquids on board, such as alcohol or bottled water, is not usually permitted, snacks are not typically confiscated.

Outside of these five places, there is plenty to explore on board a cruise ship - get out of your cabin and enjoy your vacation!