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Have you ever wondered what the Captain's quarters are like on a cruise ship?

The captain of a cruise ship is a professional who oversees all onboard operations to ensure that the vessel is safely operating during each and every voyage.

Captain Kate McCue, the current captain of Celebrity Beyond, posted a TikTok in August 2020 showing what her living quarters were like while she was the captain of Celebrity Edge. 

While most people will dine in the cruise ship's buffet at least once for breakfast or lunch, it is often overlooked when dinner time rolls around. With so many other options, such as the complimentary dining rooms and specialty restaurants, you might be looking forward to the elevated dining experiences on your cruise. 

On nearly every cruise ship, there is one place that is typically the most crowded — and I am not talking about the main dining room. On sunny days, you'll hear swimmers splashing, upbeat music, and the cheerful chatter of vacationers soaking up the sun. You may also smell the aroma of fresh food being cooked, on top of the sweet, salty ocean breeze.

This vibrant social heart of the ship is called the lido deck. It is one of many cruise terms you may hear while on your vacation. It's a famous deck that typically is a selling factor when it comes to picking a cruise.

In 2012, Costa Concordia, a cruise ship owned by Costa Cruises, capsized off of the coast of Italy shortly after departing from Civitavecchia. While not as deadly as the infamous sinking of the Titanic in 1912, this incident resulted in some modifications to the safety guidelines within the cruise industry. 

These days, there’s no denying that cruise lines are focusing their efforts on building mega cruise ships that are bigger and more innovative than ever before. While newer cruise ships are certainly flashy and stylish, all cruise lines still rely on their older ships to cater to specific destinations and demographics.

While the main purpose of any vacation is to take a break from your everyday life, you cannot forget to act with common courtesy. 

During your cruise vacation, it may seem obvious to show respect and consideration for other passengers and crew members. There are, however, some other rules of cruise ship etiquette that are good to know prior to getting on the ship. 

Here are 20 rules of cruise ship behavior to prepare you for your next cruise. 

Today, the cruising industry is constantly striving to be bigger and bolder. Twenty years ago, who would have thought that there would be roller coasters, go-karts, and skydiving simulators at sea? Modern cruise ships are the epitome of a fun family vacation that offers something for everyone. 

What about the ships on the other end? You know, the ones that may lack some of the thrills that make the newest and biggest cruise ships so enticing? 

Amidst all the excitement of embarkation day, you will have to complete the required safety drill. Do not worry, though. It must be done before sail away, so you will still be able to sip on a drink while watching the shore disappear into the horizon. 

While emergencies at sea are rare, the safety, or muster, drill is meant to familiarize you and your travel party with your assigned assembly station and other protocols. It is mandatory for all passengers, even those who have cruised before, as the assigned location will most likely be different on each sailing. 

Room service is a staple to many vacationers. It is your time off, why shouldn't you enjoy breakfast in bed (or better yet, on your private balcony!) before a busy day spent ashore or running around the ship?