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There are so many things you can do on a cruise ship, so to some, the ship is as much a destination as the ports of call. 

If you are looking to make the most out of your time onboard, consider an itinerary that includes a few sea days. It will be difficult to get the full experience, especially on larger ships, if you do a port-intensive cruise and only are onboard at night. 

Amazon's Prime Day sale began today and will continue for 48 hours through July 12. While you can snag a deal on tons of different products, ranging from household items to fashion accessories, Prime Day is a great time to think ahead to your next cruise vacation. 

These deals can be accessed by anyone; however, Amazon Prime members will receive the best discounts. If you want, you can opt in for a 30-day free trial. Just remember to cancel it later if you do not want to continue being charged!

From those in culinary services, housekeeping, youth staff, and more, you are sure to interact with lots of different crew members during your cruise. 

While there is no denying that all crew members work to enhance your overall experience, there are some who can go above and beyond to make your cruise even more memorable. Sometimes it is the little things that matter most!

The next time you find yourself on a cruise, take a moment to seek out these crew members. Even if you do not introduce yourself at first, it is good to know what resources are available. 

Whether you are taking a cruise to the Caribbean, Europe, or Alaska, you are sure to need a bag to carry all of your essentials off of the ship with you while in port. 

The type of bag, though, may vary. If, for instance, you plan on spending most of your time ashore at the beach, you will want a good beach bag that is large enough to carry your towels, sunscreen, a hat, book, etc. 

If exploring different culturally rich destinations in Europe, you will want an anti-theft bag, as many of these places are, unfortunately, known for pickpocketing.

I recently took my first-ever European cruise onboard MSC Cruises' MSC Seashore. 

I am no stranger to cruising, as I have taken over ten cruises in the past; however, sailing the Mediterranean was a new experience for me, as well as sailing on MSC. 

Read more: I stayed in a $1,175 stateroom on MSC Seashore - see what my room on this cruise ship looked like

When planning the perfect cruise vacation, one of the most important considerations is the itinerary. On a weeklong cruise, you can visit anywhere from three different ports to six! 

Once you place the deposit on your cruise fare, you can begin to talk to others about what kinds of activities they want to do while ashore. You will want to make sure that you budget for tours to make the most of your limited time in each place. 

When traveling on a cruise ship, it is important to note that you will not have access to your cellular data like you would on land, meaning that you sometimes have to get creative with how you choose to communicate with your travel party. 

Cruises are popular family vacations because they offer something for everyone to enjoy, especially if part of a large party. Nobody has to worry about being dragged to the same activities or being together constantly for the duration of the cruise. 

If you are starting to pack for an upcoming cruise vacation, you will want to read into your cruise line's prohibited items. 

Packing something that is not allowed, whether it is inside of your carry-on or checked luggage, will delay your boarding process. If you try and hide something in your checked bag, you may find that it takes longer for the crew members to deliver the bag to your room. You do not want to be without your things for longer than you have to be!

Regardless of whether you sail on one of today's mega-ships or one of the oldest cruise ships at sea, you will be impressed by the offerings on these impressive vessels, the largest of which have the capability of transporting thousands of passengers and crew members across the globe while offering seemingly endless dining and entertainment options onboard.