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Flight attendant reveals what happens if a passenger dies onboard

<p dir="ltr">A flight attendant has revealed what happens if a passenger dies onboard, and the morbid reason the protocol has changed in recent years. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mandy Smith has been a flight attendant for 12 years and thankfully, hasn’t had to encounter such a tragedy during one of her flights.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the protocol of the airline she serves, previously when passengers passed away on board they used to be put inside the bathrooms, but now their bodies are laid across the front seats. </p> <p dir="ltr">She explained to <em>LadBible</em>, “This has not happened to me, thankfully. It happened to a friend of mine, where they had a passenger pass away on the flight.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now, we used to have to put passengers in the bathrooms, and then lock the bathrooms off. But because they would be seated on the toilet, as they sat there - if rigour mortis set in - then they would be then stuck in that position, and they wouldn't be able to fit in their coffin.”</p> <p dir="ltr">'So, unfortunately, now, we have to lay them across the front of the seats and try and calm their loved ones down, treat them with respect, cover them with blankets, and maybe just cordon the area off with blankets tucked into the overheads, which is what I would probably do.'</p> <p dir="ltr">Mandy also explained that according to different laws, if someone dies on a flight, cabin crew officially have to keep going to their final destination.</p> <p dir="ltr">She said, “If they passed away on board, it's the law that we, as cabin crew, have to keep going. So, we have to keep doing any kind of resuscitation until they're deemed to be deceased.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“So, if it was an accident that happened on board, or if they had a heart attack, we would then just keep going doing CPR.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“But if it was someone who passed away from natural causes, or another kind of ailment, then obviously, we wouldn't need to do anything to them then.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“We'd need to contact the ground services to be met by an ambulance or the coroner. We wouldn't really do it as an emergency landing, we'd just treat it as a normal landing if that person's definitely passed away.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: YouTube </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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How to score yourself free onboard credit on your next cruise

<p>Everybody loves to splurge on holidays especially when you’ve been given free credit! Here’s how to score yourself some free cash.</p> <p><strong>Grab a deal</strong></p> <p>With so many cruise lines now sailing out of Australia, they will all be competing hard for your business. You can book a great deal at any time of year and, alongside things like free upgrades or 50 per cent off for a second passenger, you’ll find onboard credit. Do your research and you could easily score yourself hundreds of dollars to spend onboard at no extra cost.</p> <p><strong>Book through an agent</strong></p> <p>Specialised cruise travel agents develop strong relationships with the lines and will be able to secure you the best price. As part of their offering, they can also throw in some free onboard credit. This could be with an individual shopfront agent or one of the larger online third parties, so look around for the best offers. And if you don’t see anything advertised directly, it never hurts to ask!</p> <p><strong>Stay loyal to a line</strong></p> <p>Most major cruise lines will have a dedicated loyalty scheme that operates sort of like a frequent flyer program. Cruise multiple times with the one line and they will reward you with special fares, upgrades and (you guessed it) onboard credit. Make sure you use your unique identification number every time you book so that you don’t miss out on any of your points.</p> <p><strong>Book another cruise</strong></p> <p>If you’re loving your cruise, take advantage of the onboard sales office and book another one right away. You’ll be able to take advantage of exclusive offers that you won’t find on land and many of these include onboard credit. The line will be eager to get you to sign up again before you can look at other ships, so it’s a chance for you to grab some big bonuses.</p> <p><strong>Make the best of a bad situation</strong></p> <p>When something goes wrong on a cruise (like a change of itinerary, missing a port or a fault with your cabin) the line will very often compensate you with onboard credit. We’re not saying you can create a problem to grab some cash, but if you have a legitimate problem then alert the crew as soon as possible and see if they can offer you some in exchange.</p>

Cruising

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Solutions to common cruising problems

<p>Have you ever encountered any of these problems while you were out at sea? Here’s how to solve the most common problems encountered on a cruise.</p> <p><strong>1. You haven’t received your luggage</strong></p> <p>Most cruise lines ask passengers to be patient for the first few hours of the cruise after sailing. If you haven’t received your luggage after a few hours then you need to talk to someone at the purser’s desk. If your luggage was lost in transit then the cruise line will begin to trace their location and try to have them delivered to the ship at the next cruise port. If your luggage was loaded by a porter then it is possible that it is missing because there is a contraband item (like candles or alcohol) in your bag or it has been delivered to the wrong cabin.</p> <p>It’s helpful to carry on a bag with an outfit for your first day on the cruise along with toiletry essentials and medication.</p> <p><strong>2. Something in your cabin doesn’t work</strong></p> <p>The first step is to check with a cabin steward that there is a legitimate problem with the object and that it doesn’t just require a change of batteries. If the object still doesn’t work then call the front desk and notify them of the issue. If the problem can’t be fixed they may offer you a cabin upgrade or a gift like onboard credit. If they don’t offer you anything, be sure to ask!</p> <p><strong>3. You are unhappy with your dinner arrangements</strong></p> <p>If you are unhappy with your assigned dining time then you can request a switch in time slots or swap assigned dining for flexible dining. All dining requests cannot be accommodated, however, due to the high demand, but the staff will do their best to cater to your preferences.</p> <p>If you are not getting along with your tablemates then be upfront with the dinning staff when you request a new table. Often, the other party will also request for other arrangements.</p> <p><strong>4. Your ship had an itinerary change</strong></p> <p>All cruise contracts note that ports calls are not guaranteed and may be bypassed or changed. Usually, passengers will be refunded the port tax in the form of onboard credit, however, it is only a small amount of money. If you book excursions through the cruise line then you will be refunded your money but if you booked an excursion through a different company, you will need to contact them to find out about cancellation policies and refunds. It is always best to do your research in advance when booking a tour so if you do miss a port you won’t be short changed.</p> <p><strong>5. Your ship’s medical facility won’t accept your insurance</strong></p> <p>Cruise ships do not accept regular health insurance but keep your receipts as some insurance companies will reimburse you for medical expenses you incurred while travelling. A safe bet is purchasing a travel insurance policy that will cover any healthcare expenses.</p> <p><strong>6. Your onboard account is inaccurate</strong></p> <p>Incorrect account information can be fixed if you go to the purser’s office or call and explain the discrepancy. It’s best to keep an eye on your account throughout the cruise so you are not hit with any surprises at the end. It is helpful to save your receipts from onboard purchases if you need to contest anything.</p> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p>

Cruising

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Airline responds to "fat-shaming" onboard comments

<p dir="ltr">Dr Sydney Watson – a US-based Australian journalist and political commentator – took to Twitter on October 11 to complain about being sat between two obese people on an American Airlines flight.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her mid-flight comments caused an immediate furore as she posted that “I am currently - literally - WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight,” along with a photo of her personal space being invaded.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I'm stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don't care if this is mean. My entire body is currently being touched against my wishes. I can't even put the arm rests down on either side because there's no f***ing room.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm sick of acting like fatness to this extent is normal. Let me assure you, it is not.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you need a seat belt extender, you are TOO FAT TO BE ON A PLANE.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Buy two seats or don't fly.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am currently - literally - WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight.</p> <p>This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I'm stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours. <a href="https://t.co/9uIqcpJO8I">pic.twitter.com/9uIqcpJO8I</a></p> <p>— Dr. Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyLWatson/status/1579609743244800006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Dr Watson said she asked the passenger on her right if he wanted to move to sit next to his sister to which he declined.</p> <p dir="ltr">She continued the rest of her flight sitting uncomfortably with no air hostess offering to switch her seat.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her complaint went viral with the official American Airlines Twitter account responding to Dr Watson saying: “Our passengers come in all different sizes and shapes. We're sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This however was not enough for Dr Watson who eventually found out that “what happened to me went against American Airlines own policies regarding overweight passengers.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A few days later after her initial flight, an American Airlines worker got in contact with Dr Watson apologising for the inconvenience and offered her a $150 Trip Credit.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'd rather take the $150 American Airlines offered me as a refund and give it to someone who needs a PT or a gym membership,” she tweeted in response.</p> <p dir="ltr">Still furious at what occurred on the flight, Dr Watson said she has no regrets over being in the news for fat shaming.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm not sorry. I meant everything I said. Justifying obesity is NOT OKAY,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And, rock on to anyone trying to lose weight and change their lives. I believe in you.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter/Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Employee reveals “creepy” cruise ship facts

<p dir="ltr">A former cruise ship employee has opened up about some secrets that people might not know about cruise ships. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren worked on cruise ships for two years and shared a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@laurentalkssmack/video/7104262853795843371?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;q=laurentalkssmack&amp;t=1657168956193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> about the “creepy” rooms onboard. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s some crazy stuff about cruise ships you might not know as a guest,” she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I used to work on a cruise ship and I find it so interesting... like all these little things that are kind of creepy. There’s a morgue on board and there’s a jail on board.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She explained that anything could happen on board cruise ships and it was important to be ready. </p> <p dir="ltr">If someone dies, the person is placed in the morgue, and if a traveller breaks the law or causes any trouble they are taken to the jail on board the ship. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren went on to explain that there’s no “deck 13” onboard cruise ships either due to superstitious reasons surrounding the number. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a superstitious thing. Sorry, that’s weird. We’re on a cruise ship and you’re making me feel like superstition comes into play.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The now viral video has been viewed more than 850,000 times with many saying they didn’t know about these tiny details. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t know if it’s just me, I thought if someone died on board they would throw them off,” someone said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Death is everywhere and inevitable. It’s better to have a place to process grandma Ruth who had a heart attack at sea rather than having to go to land,” another said. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Cruising

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What life is like onboard the cruise ship with no destination

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hong Kong has tried several times to resurrect international travel after the devastation on the tourism industry, but to no avail. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The pandemic has seen international travel, especially cruises, come to a grinding halt in the country for over 18 months. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As Hong Kong, once Asia’s biggest international hub, continues to pursue their zero-COVID policy, many opportunities for travel bubbles with neighbouring countries fell through. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To help locals experience a taste of travel again, Dream Cruises have come up with a fitting alternative vacation option. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Passengers can now book their rooms on the Genting Dream ship, which floats around the country in a big loop before returning to the port. </span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844295/cruise-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/28b020cbbe2945e5a4eccefb8a8bc2b8" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Journeys last either two or three nights, with room ranging from $295AUD to $4,160AUD for the experience. </span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>The Genting Dream can normally hold more than 3,000 people, but ticket sales have been capped at half capacity to ensure social distancing measures are able to be adhered to. </span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>To board the vessel, all passengers must be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, as well as undergoing strict pre-boarding checks and health declarations. </span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Passengers on board are encouraged to book access to the pool on deck, and while the hot tubs were closed, sun loungers and sofas by the deck bars were freely available. </span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844296/cruise-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6b78c4da0ca647e0be77f8625e68ce6c" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Genting Dream’s medical centre. Image credit: Getty</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are also a range of activities to take part in, including a basketball court, a mini-golf course, a play area with activities for children and an arcade for teenagers, lethally fast water slides twisting down to the main deck, and a hair-raising ropes course with a zip wire jutting out over the open sea.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The ship also boasts a dedicated medical centre, fitted with an isolation room in case of any unprecedented COVID-19 emergencies. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The unique cruising experience gives travellers a chance to relax in a brief bubble of normality while overlooking the South China Sea, as a suitable substitute to overseas travelling. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Cruising

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Cruise ship workers reveal the “evil” lurking on board

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cruise ships host millions of people each year and thousands on a single vessel. While it is a holiday filled with relaxation, comfort and ease - there are a variety of different personalities that make their way onboard, and cruise staff must cater to each of these cruisers needs. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While it can be an enjoyable experience to make sure guests are satisfied, one former senior cruise ship officer Jay Herring told </span><a href="https://www.express.co.uk/travel/cruise/1132937/cruise-2019-cruises-ship-social-evil-cheating-infidelity-crew-passengers"><span style="font-weight: 400;">express.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> there is a clear “social evil”permeating through the cruises. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In his book, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Truth About Cruise Ships, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the former Carnival Cruise Lines employee said some experiences left a sour taste in his mouth, especially amongst passengers. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“For me, there was social evil on board the ship.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m speaking, of course, about rampant infidelity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“On land, I am probably surrounded by more unfaithful people than I realise.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jay also noted his wife, who worked abroad casinos on the same ship, saw “multiple affairs in progress every day.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It bothered me not just because I witnessed it, or it existed, what bothered me was that it was so commonplace and so frequent that its came to be considered normal behaviour,” she said. </span></p>

Cruising

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Airline “prohibits” passengers from taking photos onboard flight

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Garuda Airlines has found itself in some hot water recently after an internal memo circulated saying that passengers were “prohibited” from taking photos or videos whilst being on board their flight.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The memo circulated around July 14, saying that, “It is not permissible to document activities on the plane, either in the form of photos or videos, by the cabin crew or passengers.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The letter was quickly shared online and went viral according to Indonesian news site </span><a href="https://kumparan.com/@kumparanbisnis/penumpang-garuda-indonesia-dilarang-foto-di-dalam-pesawat-1rTeLeiiZFI"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kumparan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The tone of the memo has since been softened, with another internal memo going around on July 16 saying that travellers are being “urged” instead of “prohibited”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The initial notice also said that passengers could be “sanctioned” by the airline for breaking the rules, but it is currently unclear as to whether this is still the case.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The amended statement was signed by operational director of Garuda Indonesia, Captain Bambang Adisurya Angkasa, who said that the measures are being introduced as a part of the airline’s commitment to protecting the privacy of all passengers and crew.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This appeal is based on reports, suggestions and input from passengers who feel uncomfortable and disturbed by shooting and documentation activities without prior permission from the concerned person,” said Angkasa, according to </span><a href="https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20190716115331-4-85257/garuda-larang-foto-selfie-di-pesawat-ini-penjelasannya"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CNBC Indonesia</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He added that passengers are still able to take photos for personal use, such as selfies, as long as they’re not disturbing other travellers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"This appeal is intended so that all Garuda Indonesia flight operations comply with applicable rules and regulations including the aviation law, ITE Law, and other related laws."</span></p>

Travel Trouble

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Is there a doctor onboard? When passengers turn into patients

<p>There's nothing like a request for medical staff from the flight attendant to put your complaints about over-zealous seat recliners into perspective.</p> <p>What's a diverted inbound flight compared with an averted cardiac arrest? Being young, I rarely think about the toll flying can place on the body – other than the heightened stress when I'm languishing by the boarding gate too long.</p> <p>For many, it's a different story: where altitude pressure changes and long periods staying put can magnify present respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.</p> <p>This happened to a poor chap next to me on a recent flight from Vancouver to Auckland. Within minutes of take-off he found it difficult to breathe and nearly passed out. The call went out for doctors on-board, the cabin manager deployed the oxygen tank and within the hour he was back to normal.</p> <p>The situation was serious enough to stop me whining about the flight's niggles but was one a few I've been on where the cabin crew or flight deck had to do a shout out for any medical staff on-board.</p> <p>The airlines say their cabin crew are fully trained for most medical emergencies, professional doctors and nurses would merely be assisting – although I have witnessed some situations where they played a starring role. </p> <p>The carriers also have communication links to trained medical staff on the ground which can be called upon to talk them through anything major if a doctor is not onboard. To control the risk that there may not be a passenger with a medical degree onboard and, of course, for the benefit of the sick passenger too, each of the airlines surveyed said they used pre-flight medical checks.</p> <p>The only catch is that each passenger must sign up for these before getting clearance to fly, such as Air New Zealand's MEDA system, with the help of their GP. But how many older passengers can you think of who insist "I don't need all that fuss, I'm fine".</p> <p>My Auckland-bound Canadian clearly fell into this category. Check-in staff and ground crew are also on the look-out for passengers pre-flight who look visibly ill – and not just the ones who have gone a bit too hard at the departure lounge bar.</p> <p>Defibrillators, oxygen tanks CPR training and on-board medications for conditions like angina and allergic reactions are near-universal, but if things get serious in the air, it's the pilot not the doctor who gets to pull rank and decide if a diversion is necessary in a medical emergency.</p> <p>They will consider the passenger-turned–patient's condition, alternative airports, medical advice onboard from volunteers and from services such as MediLink and MediAire, which guide cabin crew on complex procedures.</p> <p>With the number of people flying increasing globally, combined with a wealthy but ageing population, it's easy to assume the number of these medical call-to-arms will increase rather than decrease (despite the design and technology improvements in newer aircraft).</p> <p>Of course, being dutiful and willing to help by nature, the holidaying doctors and nurses have always offered assistance without hesitation or, in fact, compensation. But, when things get serious, should airlines offer something more to than a cheery "thanks" to the passengers-come-medics?</p> <p>A gift of gratitude pales in comparison to costs related to a flight that may have otherwise been diverted causing commuter delays and holiday meltdowns aplenty and extra costs for the airline if diversions occur – or worse, if the cabin crew have to discretely deal with a passenger who dies en route (now that's a baggage fee we'd all like to avoid).</p> <p>It may only be tokenism, but one retired GP from the UK was irked enough recently when he was reportedly thanked by a budget airline for caring for a very sick woman on a flight with a free coffee from the snack trolley but asked to cough up $3 for a Kit Kat. He probably wanted to break more than chocolate fingers after the lack of awareness he (and other off-duty medical staff) shown by the cabin crew. It wasn't until he notified British media that he was gifted a flight voucher.</p> <p>Airlines closer to home have a mixed policy when I asked if they were known to bump-up any medical practitioners if they help out in a make-do-triage in the sky.</p> <p>Qantas informed me that any doctors or nurses that respond to the call of duty "insist it's their profession and a reward is not necessary". So back to cattle class please Doc if you're on the Flying Kangaroo.</p> <p>Its subsidiary, Jetstar, said although it doesn't officially have a reward programme "we have on occasion showed our appreciation by gifting a Jetstar flight voucher". The carrier kept it vague, but did say it "recognises" those who volunteer – which would come in handy when looking out for doctors or nurses on a flight.</p> <p>Singapore Airlines said they always reward medical assistance with "a gift", but whether it's a Kit Kat or an upgrade is anyone's guess.</p> <p>German giant Lufthansa passed with flying colours, giving doctors a €50 ($82) flight voucher just for signing up to their loyalty programme – that way the airline is aware ahead of time how many doctors are seated on a flight, should a mile-high medical situation occur.</p> <p><em>Written by Josh Martin. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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What you never knew about onboard cruise jails

<p>Cruise Security Officer, Vincent McNally, has revealed what happens behind the scenes when a passenger steps out of line.</p> <p>McNally, who previously worked at the FBI for 30 years, was a security officer for Holland America.</p> <p>"The security officer does everything,” McNally told Yahoo Travel.</p> <p>“I usually had a staff of seven or eight people, depending on how big the ship is. It could be more for bigger ships.” </p> <p>McNally said his job involved checking passengers on board, training and assisting in port security at ports of call.</p> <p>McNally revealed that his first response to a problem passenger was always to negotiate a situation.</p> <p>"One of the things that I pride myself on is that I never had to fight an individual all those five years,” McNally said. “If they were inebriated or if they were out of control, I was able to negotiate anything.”</p> <p>McNally shared one experience where he calmed down a drunk passenger.</p> <p>"He was yelling and screaming and walking around,” McNally said.</p> <p>“I intervened and then I just basically calmed the person down. You follow the level of voice up and down; you bring them down to a lower level then you escort them back to the room. It’s a difficult thing to do, but it can be done. I think that the format I developed worked pretty well since I had no fights, no physical altercations.”</p> <p>Whenever an unruly passenger would not negotiate with McNally, he would call the ship’s bridge and ask them to send down additional crew members as backup. The passenger would then see how outnumbered they were and quickly backdown.</p> <p>McNally also said that some cruise ships have jails for the most extreme circumstances.</p> <p>“Some [ships] have them and some don’t,” he said. “Basically it’s a padded cell.”</p> <p>“That would be in a severe case where the person has assaulted or gone another level above just yelling and screaming,” he said. </p> <p>However, the captain is the only person in charge of locking up passengers.</p> <p>“The captain would be the ultimate decision maker and he’d then consult with the duty person and security back at headquarters.” </p> <p>In his years working, McNally said he had never put anyone in a cruise jail cell.</p> <p>“I don’t think I ever put anyone in it,” he said. “I just get them to go back to their rooms." </p>

Travel Trouble

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5 reason to stay onboard when your cruise is in port

<p>Do you really need to rush for the gangway as soon as your ship pulls into the dock? Because there are quite a few good reasons for staying onboard.</p> <p><strong>1. No crowds</strong></p> <p>When (almost) everyone else gets off the ship that means there’s plenty of extra space for those who stay onboard. It can be a great opportunity to get a sun lounge right by the pool, try out some of the activities that usually have huge lines, or even just enjoy perusing the buffet without being surrounded by too many other hungry passengers. You’ll get quick service in the bar, never have to wait for an elevator and be at the front of the queue for guest services.</p> <p><strong>2. Special deals</strong></p> <p>Because they know most passengers will be on shore, the spa, bars and some specialty restaurants will offer great deals to entice more customers. You could save hundreds of dollars on a spa package and often there will be special treatments on offer that aren’t available on other days. Look out for two for one drink deals in the bars or special discounts on cocktails. It can also be a good time to try one of the specialty restaurants that’s always fully booked – and you might even get a discount or a free bottle of wine.</p> <p><strong>3. Explore the ship</strong></p> <p>Most passengers tend to find an area they like on the ship and stick to it. They have a favourite bar, sunny spot on deck or coffee lounge. And when the ship is full it can be daunting to explore any further – you might not find another empty seat. So when everyone else is on shore, head off around the ship. Go up to the very top decks, watch the wake from the stern or see what happens down on the lower decks. There are plenty of hidden spaces to be discovered – and you just might find a new favourite.</p> <p><strong>4. Take photographs</strong></p> <p>It can be almost impossible to get a good photo of you or your family onboard without hundreds of other happy cruisers in the background. On port days, you’ll be able to set up in front of the most picturesque parts of the ship and snap away. You also won’t be pursued by the (often annoying) ship photographers trying to take official photos for you to purchase later.</p> <p><strong>5. Relax!</strong></p> <p>On port-intensive cruises, where you’re stopping at a new destination almost every day, you can quickly become worn out. Exploring new cities is fantastic, but sometimes it’s nice to have a day where you can sit back and do nothing at all. Instead of getting up early to make it to the first tenders, sleep in. Watch a movie, order room service and have a swim. Remember – you’re on holidays.</p> <p>Do you think you should stay onboard when your cruise is in port, or should you venture ashore? Share your thoughts in the comments.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/5-reasons-not-to-stay-onboard-when-in-port/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>5 reasons not to stay onboard when in port</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/8-reasons-to-bring-duct-tape-on-your-next-cruise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 reasons to bring duct tape on your next cruise</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/why-more-and-more-people-are-retiring-on-a-cruise/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why more and more people are retiring on a cruise</span></em></strong></a></p>

Cruising

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10 of the best onboard pools in cruising

<p>There’s nothing like the feeling of sunning yourself on a lounge chair while enjoying a luxury cruise. And we’re not the only people who feel this way by any means.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.cruisecritic.com.au" target="_blank">Cruise Critic</a></strong></span> has put together a selection showing some of the best pools to enjoy on the high seas today. These cruises will give you serious travel envy.</p> <p>To see some of the best cruise pools, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>The images correspond to the list below:</p> <p>1. Norwegian Cruise Line's Haven Pool</p> <p>2. Royal Caribbean's Solarium Pool</p> <p>3. Princess Cruises' Retreat Pool</p> <p>4. Disney's Quiet Cove</p> <p>5. Holland America Line's Greenhouse Pools</p> <p>6. Seabourn Cruises' Whirlpools</p> <p>7. Viking Ocean Cruises' Infinity Pool</p> <p>8.MSC Cruises' Garden Pool</p> <p>9.Oceania Cruises' Main Pool</p> <p>10. Crystal Cruises' Seahorse Pool</p> <p>Have you cruised with any of these lines? What pool looks most enticing?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments! </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/5-juicy-confessions-from-cruise-crewmembers/"><em><strong>5 juicy confessions from cruise crewmembers</strong></em></a></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/why-more-and-more-people-are-retiring-on-a-cruise/"><strong><em>Why more and more people are retiring on a cruise</em></strong></a></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/8-of-the-strangest-things-witnessed-by-cruise-goers/"><em><strong>8 of the strangest things witnessed by cruise-goers</strong></em></a></span></p>

Cruising

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5 reasons not to stay onboard when in port

<p>Tossing up whether you should relax onboard or stay ashore? Here are five reasons you might want to head down the gangplank.</p> <p><strong>1. The shops are closed</strong></p> <p>Regulations mean that the onboard tax and duty free shops can only be open when the ship is in international waters. During port days all the main shops will be closed and the only one trading will be the general convenience-style store selling personal items or snacks. Head ashore and you can find great deals on duty free alcohol or souvenirs that you won’t find on the ship.</p> <p><strong>2. The casino is closed too</strong></p> <p>Due to the strict gambling laws in place in most countries, ships also have to close the casino when they are in port. It can’t open up again until the ship reaches international waters, so don’t plan on spending your day in port at the blackjack tables.</p> <p><strong>3. Safety drills and maintenance</strong></p> <p>Crew work 24 hours a day and have to schedule things like safety drills, maintenance and big cleaning jobs for when most passengers are off the ship. And that means port days. You may find that some areas of the ship are closed off or that there are fewer staff available to assist you. Maintenance can be noisy and often starts early in the morning, so don’t plan on a sleep in. A safety drill means all crew will be on the decks in the lifejackets and announcements will be made over the loudspeaker, which can be unnerving if you’ve never experienced it.</p> <p><strong>4. There’s less to do</strong></p> <p>On sea days, just about all of the facilities onboard will be open and there will be a packed schedule of activities, with trivia, bingo, karaoke, classes, movies and more. On port days, this is scaled well back. The crew assume that most of the passengers will be off the ship so they run at a reduced schedule. That could mean that some of the specialty restaurants are closed or there are fewer organised activities to keep you entertained.</p> <p><strong>5. You’ll miss the port!</strong></p> <p>Sure, flashy cruise ships bring new meaning to the phrase ‘it’s the journey not the destination’. But you don’t want to miss your chance to walk through some of the world’s most incredible cities or swim at some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Even if you only make it to shore for a short time, take advantage of the opportunity to experience an exciting new destination. You never know when you’ll be back.</p> <p>Do you stay on your ship, or head off on shore excursions?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/07/queen-mary-2-cruise-ship-gets-pet-friendly-makeover/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Queen Mary 2 cruise ship gets pet-friendly makeover</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/06/best-cruise-lines-in-the-world-revealed/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The world’s best cruise lines revealed</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/cunard-queen-mary-marilyn-monroe-showcase/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cunard to showcase world’s largest Marilyn Monroe collection</span></em></strong></a></p>

Cruising

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Norwegian Cruise Line offers onboard go-kart track

<p>Norwegian Cruise Line is planning to offer guests the first go-kart track at sea with its new ship the Norwegian Joy, which is currently being built in Germany.</p> <p>Due for launch in summer 2017, the Norwegian Joy will be primarily based in Shanghai and Tianjin, with a view to cater specifically for the Chinese tourist market.</p> <p>If driving a go-kart at precarious speeds on the deck of a cruise liner doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, the Norwegian Joy also is planning to launch a range of entertainment options to impress guests on this one particularly ambitious cruise ship.</p> <p>The Norwegian Joy will roll out an open-air laser tag course, two multi-storey water slides and a virtual reality room that comes complete with simulator rides, interactive video walls and a range of attractions that will entice travellers to come back for more.</p> <p>If you’re seeking a little more tranquillity from your cruising experience, the Norwegian Joy is also going to feature a small park for yoga and tai chi classes.</p> <p>Norwegian Cruise Line is not the only cruise line attempting to entice travellers with imaginative on-board attractions, with other cruise lines becoming equally as creative.</p> <p>For example, Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Harmony of the Seas, is set to introduce the tallest waterslide ever to be seen on a cruise ship, a whopping 65 metres high!</p> <p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/18968/intext-image-1_497x280.jpg" alt="Intext Image 1"/></p> <p>Not to be undone, Carnival Cruises is set to introduce the cruise industry’s first pedal-powered aerial attraction on its ship the Carnival Vista. The SkyRide will see riders climb aboard hanging bikes and cycle their way around 240 metres of suspended track.</p> <p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/18969/intext-image-2_497x280.jpg" alt="Intext Image 2"/></p> <p>You can’t help but wonder what’s next!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/princess-cruises-husky-puppy-program/">Princess Cruises husky puppy program</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/10-river-cruise-ports-you-must-experience/">10 river cruise ports you must experience</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/new-shore-excursions-for-royal-caribbean-cruises/">New shore excursions for Royal Caribbean cruises</a></strong></em></span></p>

Cruising