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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!

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.

Recently, a Royal Caribbean cruise passenger went overboard while sailing on Explorer of the Seas. Unfortunately, it wasn't a one-time occurrence. Though not insanely common, it's not rare for passengers to go overboard while on a cruise. 

Even if you've never seen a cruise ship deploy its lifeboats to aid in the search and rescue mission, you've likely seen new headlines about people falling overboard. 

When a passenger goes overboard, the situation is immediately treated as an emergency, and the cruise ship’s crew jumps into action. 

Cruise ships aren't built overnight. The average time to build a cruise ship is 12 to 18 months, from when the keel is laid to the maiden voyage welcoming paying guests. However, the entire process, from its conceptualization to its official launch, can take over 5 years. 

It's important to prioritize rest between exploring new ports of call and enjoying the ship. However, cruise ship beds aren't always the most comfortable. I find most beds on the firm side, and getting a good night's rest can be tough if you're used to a softer mattress. 

After 27 cruises, I've learned that the small details can make a huge difference in ensuring your vacation goes smoothly. 

Unfortunately, I've made my fair share of mistakes along the way over my two-decade cruising career. For example, I've booked shore excursions at the last minute and paid significantly more than I would have if I purchased the tour in advance. I've also pushed myself too hard trying to see and do everything, only to end up exhausted. 

After years of trial and error, here are 10 sure-fire ways to make your cruise vacation even better.