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Taking a cruise vacation has never been more popular, based on recent financial data disclosed by the major lines. Royal Caribbean Group posted record profits in the fourth quarter earnings report based on the highest demand and increasing fare prices. 

Unlike hotels where you can leave to eat at a nearby restaurant, a cruise ship functions as your primary source of food while onboard. Naturally, it's curious to be interested in the kitchen and what goes into making sure that thousands are people are satisfied with each meal. 

Every aspect of the dining experience has been carefully calculated by the cruise line, ensuring that there are enough supplies and variety for the duration of the sailing— and then some! 

Here are 10 facts about cruise ship kitchens and food that you probably didn't know! 

Cruise ships aren't just engineering marvels; they're also the home to the thousands of crew members who work onboard the ship to ensure that you have a memorable vacation. 

Since ships are essentially floating cities, there are all different types of jobs onboard, ranging from, of course, the Captain to nurses, cabin stewards, bartenders, photographers, electricians, and more. 

While you might be familiar with tiny crew cabins, have you ever seen what a cruise ship Captain's living quarters are like?

The Captain is the individual who oversees all onboard operations, ensuring that the ship is safely operating during each and every sailing, so it makes sense that they have more space. 

Instead of bunk beds and shared bathrooms, Captains tend to have multiple rooms just to themselves. Plus, they'll often connect directly to The Bridge, which is where the Captain and other officers navigate the ship. 

Have you ever wondered where and how today's cruise ships are built? These engineering marvels can spend years under construction, and that does not include the time that cruise lines worked behind the scenes to conceptualize them. 

While the majority of maritime fans may only be interested in tracking where cruise ships are en route to, some might be curious about the construction process itself. It's rather interesting, especially when you think about how only a handful of shipyards are equipped to handle these massive projects. 

The best way to get away with smoking on a cruise ship is to follow the rules and smoke in designated spots. If you're caught lighting a cigarette on your balcony or in one of the public lounges, you could face a hefty fine of up to $500. 

The specific areas vary by cruise line and ship. For example, if you are used to vaping freely in Royal Caribbean's casino, you'll be disappointed to learn that Celebrity's casinos are smoke-free. 

When people think of cruises, they often think about unlimited food, and while that's true, the dining experience onboard a cruise ship differs from land-based restaurants. 

You, for instance, will not receive a check at the end of your meal. While it might seem a bit foreign, all you have to do is say thank you and leave! No need to worry about having anything billed to your onboard account— Unless, that is, you choose to dine at one of the ship's specialty restaurants or order a premium selection in the Main Dining Room. 

Did you know that modern cruise ships can travel around 575 miles per day?

As humans, we travel nearly every day, whether commuting to and from work, going to the supermarket, or boarding a plane to visit relatives in another state. In other words, the speed of various modes of transportation is something that's thought about almost daily. 

Sometimes when on a cruise, I will see another ship in the distance. Curosity always gets the best of me, and I begin to try and figure out which ship it is. If they're close enough, I might be able to tell from the funnel— it is impossible to mistake Disney or Carnival's funnels! Usually, though, they're too far. Even if I can see, it is fun to learn where the ship is heading. Is their cruise almost over, or did they just depart?