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Cruise worker shares behind-the-scenes look at cruise ship

<p dir="ltr">A cruise employee has given the world a look at the areas strictly for crew members aboard the world’s biggest cruise ship.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bryan James, who works as a musician on board the Royal Caribbean vessel Wonder of the Seas, has shared clips of spaces off-limits to passengers below deck, including shops, bedrooms and areas to socialise away from cruise goers, per <em>The Sun</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">In one TikTok video, James shows viewers a “secret hang out” located inside the ship’s funnel, explaining that it is a perfect spot to watch sunsets.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just discovered a new place yesterday,” James said. “It’s like a secret hangout that’s by the funnel of the ship.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-59bdcf4e-7fff-3746-c8b2-393d05c0a4f2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“And not even by the funnel. I mean, it’s in the funnel and it’s so pretty to be up here and to see the sunset.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/cruise-secrets1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The cruise shop is off-limits to cruise passengers and was vital for workers stuck on ships during the pandemic according to Bryan James. Images: @bryanjames.music (TikTok)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Another area James gave a behind-the-scenes look at was the crew shop, which is located below deck and only staff members can visit.</p> <p dir="ltr">He explained that the shop, which is where you can get “pretty much anything” you need, became crucial during the eight-month period during the pandemic where workers weren’t allowed to leave the ship to visit ports.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There was a time when crew weren’t allowed off the ship for eight months,” he recalled.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was like Christmas morning every single time the store got restocked, there was such a long line.”</p> <p dir="ltr">James also showed off his quarters, described as the “world’s smallest cruise ship cabin”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-264d4d72-7fff-acfb-e263-42188f86e590"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">He demonstrated how he could touch all four of his bedroom walls at the same time, despite a single bed, TV, sink and cupboards somehow being squeezed in.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/cruise-secrets2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Bryan James described his bedroom as the “world’s smallest cruise ship cabin”, complete with an equally small bathroom that he shares with another cabin. Images: @bryanjames.music (TikTok)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The musician has an equally tiny bathroom, including a shower that he has to duck under in order to use.</p> <p dir="ltr">To make matters even more cramped, James revealed he shares his bathroom with another cabin.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9e4b3047-7fff-c9be-1b84-f9f7291a8df6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">As for what staff eat, James said it was pretty similar to the buffets passengers are treated to during their stays.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/cruise-secrets3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The tasty buffets passengers enjoyed are a shared experience for cruise employees, with a menu that often changes. Images: @bryanjames.music (TikTok)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">He added that the food changes frequently for staff, but that there was always a salad bar.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the clip, he also showed the vast array of desserts available, including a crepe station, as well as the meats and cheeses staff members have access to during meal times.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8895b789-7fff-fe87-a09b-cef6f4bbe9e6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images / @bryanjames.music (TikTok)</em></p>

Cruising

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5 things you must never do on a cruise pool deck

<p>The pool deck is one of the most popular locations on any cruise liner, and it might just be the one where the most faux pas are performed. <a href="http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cruise Critic</span></strong></a> has put together a list of cruise ship pool mistakes everyone must avoid. Here are five of the most common.</p> <p>Avoid these mistakes, or face walking the plank!</p> <p><strong>1. Hog the deck chairs</strong></p> <p>Now this is one way to make enemies out on the open ocean. Only reserve chairs that you are actively using (heading off to the buffet to pig out for an hour means you’re not actively using it), especially if you’re not planning to return for an extended period.</p> <p><strong>2. No applying enough sunscreen</strong></p> <p>How many holidays have been ruined by sunburn? Instead of spending hours of your trip doused in aloe vera gel, make sure you regularly apply sunscreen when you’re on the cruise pool deck. It’s also worth taking additional measures like hats and sunnies.</p> <p><strong>3. Wearing a Speedo</strong></p> <p>Unless you’re moonlighting as a Calvin Klein model, wearing a Speedo can be a quick way to cause a mutiny onboard. You have to remember that people of all levels of modesty will be sharing the deck, so make sure your swimmers leave something to the imagination.</p> <p><strong>4. Taking your drink into the pool</strong></p> <p>While it might seem like a natural thing to do, taking your drink to the pool and lead to an unfortunate spill. And if it’s an alcohol beverage, you leave yourself open to an increased change of dehydration and dizziness which is the last thing you need.</p> <p><strong>5. Moving around too quickly</strong></p> <p>This one should be a given, but the pool deck is slippery and you’d be surprised how many people end up upside down because they weren’t taking care. Moving around on a pool deck too quickly can leave you open to a nasty slip, or even knocking someone else over.</p> <p>Do you have any cruise pool deck faux pas you think we should add?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Cruising

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Deck the halls! The extravagant Christmas trees and decorations inside Buckingham Palace

<p>Christmas is well and truly on its way if Buckingham Palace is anything to go by, as the royal residence has been decked out with extravagant Christmas trees complete with bespoke crown and carriage decorations.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 491px; height: 444px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7822298/capture.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6179a414ff6a4e818bf26d7ddf3d6d5a" /></p> <p>The Marble Hall at Buckingham Palace has been transformed into a festive wonderland as three fir trees have been erected and adorned with ornaments inspired by the Queen herself.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 492px; height: 442px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7822299/palace1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/81f14ced060d4d51bc413c50ef62c5f5" /></p> <p>The decorations include miniature versions of the coronation crown worn by the Queen in 1953 alongside other hanging ornaments with the word “Palace” embroidered on them.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 491px; height: 447px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7822300/palace2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0d6813ff465d47a9a73f752d90e21888" /></p> <p>And it doesn’t just stop there, the grand staircase has also been covered in garland complete with colourful baubles to bring about the holiday cheer.</p> <p>The decoration process was filmed and posted to the official Royal Family Twitter account, where they captioned it: “It’s officially Christmas at Buckingham Palace!”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 496px; height: 440px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7822301/palace3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b50220d495e742d58fb2976efece262d" /></p> <p>Glittering white lights have been wrapped around the three trees, and as mentioned in the video, many of the decorations are available to the public through the Royal Collection Trust’s online store.</p> <p>The “Palace” ornament can be purchased online through the Royal Collection Trust and costs NZ$27.40. Also available is a decoration with the word “Buckingham” across it.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">The Christmas Trees have arrived at Buckingham Palace!<br />🎥 Watch as the Marble Hall transforms for the festive season. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Christmas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Christmas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuckinghamPalace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuckinghamPalace</a> <a href="https://t.co/bsdFvWbacN">pic.twitter.com/bsdFvWbacN</a></p> — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1069895913164939265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>The central Christmas tree stands 15ft tall and all three were grown in Windsor and brought to the palace at the start of December.</p> <p>The Queen will be hosting her annual pre-Christmas lunch just before the royal family make their way to Sandringham for Christmas Day.</p> <p>The lunch, which happens every year, is held for extended royal family members and senior royals who are generally not invited at her Norfolk estate on December 25th.</p> <p>The Norfolk estate is usually decorated in holiday décor the day before Christmas, where the royal family light up their tree at Sandringham House. The tree is said to be 20ft tall and is cut from the estate.</p>

Home & Garden

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Can you spot the snake hidden on this deck?

<p>Australia is a lucky country. We have beautiful landscapes, a laid-back culture, incredible cities and some of the best beaches in the world. So, what’s the trade off for living Down Under? We have to deal with the odd snake from time to time.</p> <p>A family from Buderim, Queensland, found this out first-hand over the weekend, when they discovered a python which had cleverly hidden itself on their back deck.</p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastSnakeCatchers/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers</strong></em></span></a> were called out to the property and tasked with the job of removing the serpent, but once they arrived they had a little trouble finding it, posting the below photo. Can you spot the cleverly hidden python?</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSunshineCoastSnakeCatchers%2Fphotos%2Fa.1484959141755876.1073741830.1483562515228872%2F1949230368662082%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;width=500" width="500" height="541" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p>If you can’t, don’t worry. You’re not the only one! We’ve highlighted where this deceptively clever serpent has hidden itself, scroll through the gallery above to see where.</p> <p>'This little coastal carpet python couldn't have been more than a week old,' Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers posted on Facebook.</p> <p>'The little guy decided that curling up in the very corner of the outdoor lounge would be a safe place to laze away the day.'</p> <p>Have you ever had an encounter with a snake? Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers  </em></p>

News

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Cruise ship workers dish the dirt about what goes on below deck

<p>Even if you’re an experienced cruiser, odds are you’ve only seen one side of life on these ships as a passenger. But for the crew members on these vessels, life at sea is a very different prospect, and once the boat leaves port anything goes.</p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/7g5m1j/cruise_ship_employees_of_reddit_what_are_things/" target="_blank">Reddit</a></strong></span></em> user willfulpool posed the question: “Cruise ship employees, what are things that happen aboard the ship that the guests don’t know about?”</p> <p>And the response was staggering:</p> <p>One user said: “You work with like, 20 other people in your department, all in this little prison of a job for six months at a time, except every few weeks two to three of the people might just be swapped out to other people.”</p> <p>Another useer revealed: “A family friend use to work for a cruise line and told me deaths are common, especially with the elderly.</p> <p>“Senior/nursing homes are expensive and for a much smaller price tag the elderly can be gone for a week or two at a time and have people constantly checking on them and they get all their meals.”</p> <p>Yet another added: “I did a behind-the-scenes tour of a cruise ship once and they showed us the morgue.</p> <p>“They also have two full ICUs on board since, even with helicopters, it can be days between someone falling ill and getting them to a proper hospital.”</p> <p>One more really spilled the beans, saying “You would be amazed at what people will flush down the toilet. Pool noodles, T-shirts, shoes... pretty much anything that people don't want to pack with them when they leave.</p> <p>“The ship also needs to fuel up (bunkering) and sometimes passengers are on board while that is going on. No open flames are allowed outside while bunkering is ongoing and this becomes a problem with passengers who need a smoke.</p> <p>“To get around this they smoke in their rooms, which sets off the smoke detectors. There is also a regulation that bunkering must immediately stop if a fire alarm goes off until the hazard of a fire has passed. So somebody from the crew has to go to your room and make sure it isn't on fire. Then they call down to the engine room to report it's a false alarm. Then we can start the pumps again. </p> <p>“On average, bunkering is usually interrupted three or four times due to this and it's annoying as hell.”</p> <p>Were you aware of the secret life at sea?</p>

Cruising

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Top adult-only cruise sun decks

<p>The best adult-only cruise sun decks will provide you with the perfect peace and serenity while you are on your cruise.</p> <p><strong>Carnival’s Serenity</strong></p> <p>The Serenity deck is kid-free, requiring passengers to be 21 or older in order to use the area. The decks vary slightly between ships but you can expect plush loungers, shade umbrellas and pools or whirlpools. Carnival Splendor is the only ship that doesn’t have a pool or whirlpool on this deck. The deck is free so availability of loungers will depend on the demand and time of the day. Carnival Sunshine’s Serenity area includes a waterfall and spans over three decks. Waiters are on the deck and ready to serve cocktails and drinks to those who need to cool off.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36923/norwedgian-spice-h20_500x333.jpg" alt="Norwedgian Spice H 20"/></p> <p><strong>Norwegian Cruise Line’s Spice H20</strong></p> <p>Spice H20 is on the Norwegian Epi and the Norwegian Breakaway. It is an escape from children and has hot tubs, loungers and a waterfall. At night, the deck transforms into an open-air dance club and provides lots of great memories and laughs. The best thing about Spice H20 is that there is no fee for use.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36920/princess-sanctuary_500x333.jpg" alt="Princess Sanctuary"/></p> <p><strong>Princess’ The Sanctuary</strong></p> <p>This exclusive adults-only deck boasts plush lounges, chilled face towels, MP3 players, refreshing drinks and snacks. The Lotus Spas also have two private cabanas where massages can be booked. If you book an outdoor massage you can use the deck free of charge for an hour after your massage. Unfortunately, the deck does cost money but you can get access for half-day passes for $20pp or full day passes for $40pp.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36921/msc_500x333.jpg" alt="MSC"/></p> <p><strong>MSC’s Top 18 Exclusive Solarium</strong></p> <p>The Top 18 Deck is available on MSC Cruises’ Fantasia, Divina, Preziosa and Splendida. This adults-only deck includes a bar, spa services, reflexology and facial treatments and massages. There are also two private hot tubs in the area. There is a fee which is dependent on which piece of furniture you use and for how long. Be sure to check your onboard currency before sailing and this line may charge by the euro.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36924/the-retreat-po_500x333.jpg" alt="The Retreat PO"/></p> <p><strong>P&amp;O’s The Retreat</strong></p> <p>This adult-only deck is available on Azura, Ventura and Britannia. The Retreat has its own private terrace, cabanas and sun beds. During summer time when the main sun deck can become overcrowded with kids, The Retreat is a good escape that also provides access to the Oasis Pool which is located below the deck. The Retreat does cost money but includes a Thermal Spa pass. The deck can sell out quickly but it can only be booked onboard at the Oasis Spa. Passes to the deck can sometimes be obtained when a spa package is booked.</p> <p>Do you enjoy adult-only decks on cruises? Share your experience in the comments below. </p>

Cruising