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I've eaten countless cruise ship meals during my two-decade cruising career. Some have exceeded expectations while others left a lot to be desired. 

Rarely do I expect cruise food to be Michelin-caliber; however, some dishes really are that good! 

I've found that certain lines, namely Celebrity and Princess, tend to offer more consistent dining experiences, but that doesn't mean other lines haven't surprised me. 

Here are the 9 best things I've tasted on cruise ships that stood out from the rest. 

There is nothing better than reflecting on your memorable cruise experience! We often look back at photos, our key chains, or other small gifts you’ve purchased from the gift shop or on the island where you docked.

But what if you could cherish something you didn’t have to pay for at all? 

Take a look at our list of 10 cruise souvenirs you can find onboard most ships for the extremely low price of absolutely nothing at all.

Eating is a quintessential part of any cruise vacation, from the all-you-can-eat buffet to indulgent three-course meals in the dining room. Because of the variety of dining options, you're unlikely to go hungry while onboard — there will always be something tasty to satisfy your palate!

However, there are a few odd quirks about cruising that someone new to vacations at sea might not expect. For example, eating dinner in a cruise ship dining room is unlike anything you'd experience at a traditional restaurant at home. 

Historically, all you need to board a domestic plane in the United States is a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license. Cruise ships, however, are stricter, and if you fail to provide proper documentation, you will be denied boarding. 

From engineers to cabin stewards, dining staff, and officers, running a cruise ship requires a massive team. Among them are bartenders, who work long shifts shaking cocktails. A good bartender can make any vacation more enjoyable, but have you ever wondered how much pouring drinks on a cruise ship pays?

When you hear or read the words "poop deck" what do you think of? A deck dedicated to cruisers’ poop? A deck where birds poop? The smelly deck of the ship? 

Well, this actually isn’t the case. These non-smelly decks are typically on older ships or sailing ships. 

So, if you’re wondering where exactly these decks are or what their purpose is if not associated with the toilet, read more!

I've been cruising since I was five years old. While I don't remember every aspect of my weeklong Disney cruise, I remember the excitement of boarding the ship. 

Over the years, my love for cruising has grown into a full-fledged obsession. On any given day, I can be caught browsing at least one cruise line's website, trying to fit another vacation into my busy schedule. 

As a travel writer, I've honed my cruise planning skills, learning the ins and outs of different cruise lines, ships, itineraries, and cabins. 

Though rare, you can get banned from a cruise ship for certain actions. 

While cruise lines want you to let loose and enjoy your vacation onboard, you must also take care to obey their rules and policies. These are in place to ensure that everyone has a safe voyage! If you don’t, you could find yourself the subject of a nasty news article. 

From stealing suitcases to jumping off of balconies, here are 10 reasons guests have been banned from cruising.

Ocean liner vs cruise ship, are the two vessels in competition? Not quite.

You don’t hear too much about ocean liners nowadays, yet cruises are a hot topic. So much so, “cruisetok” is a trending hashtag on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The hashtag “#cruise” alone has almost 15 million posts associated with it.

The glamour, the high-class dining, the endless entertainment—cruise ships are evolving more and more to captivate people all over the world. But before these extravagant ships took the seas, there were ocean liners.