Unpleasant cruise ship problems you aren't prepared for
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
- From diarrhea to sunburn and copious amounts of sweating, here are the top 22 unpleasant cruise ship problems you aren’t prepared for!
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Two of the most disgusting things you will see all the time on Cruise Ships are not mentioned: (1) People putting their feet up on chairs and tables, including where you eat and drink (2) People using their hands in the buffet to take food , ignoring the provided utensils.
I take it that you did not report the greasy hands people?
I agree on #1, as well.
😮yuck
Some people don't see the utensils so I point to it and dont make a big deal. I don't think its on purpose
@@Sophie3647s I have pointed out the utensils also, right on top of the food tray.
After mucho business traveling for 30+ years I’ve come to the conclusion that there are only three (3) things you must take on any road (cruise) trip: 1) Yourself, 2) a credit card, and 3) Immodium.
Or the dulcolax 😂
A cruise is one of the few times I indulge, but I take the stairs always. Don't take the elevator if you are physically able to take the stairs it helps keep the weight down. :)
Matt, you mentioned the toilet paper on the cruise ship good to note don’t just bring your own toilet paper and flush it because their system is very sensitive. You really need your own toilet paper are you Gotta make sure and throw it away in the trashcan every single time if you cause an issue in the plumbing and they find out it to you there’s a huge fine don’t be that person.
Sensitive yes. Using 3 ply toilet paper? No. You're not flushing down wet wipes.
No, not even, I always take some Charmin and system safe wipes and have NEVER had issues.
Never flush ANY wipes. They build up and clog pipes and the tanks.
@@scubasteve1555 As someone whose job was to know a ship’s sewage system I can 100% say don’t flush ANYthing down the toilet that isn’t provided by the ship. Oh, and your own bodily waste; that should be a given. Ships sewage systems are not like land-based ones. Wipes should NEVER be flushed on a ship. It doesn’t matter what the manufacturer slapped on its website or on the package itself. Wipes are bad. Other toilet paper shouldn’t be used, either. How do I know? I am retired US Navy (HT) with a further background in material science. There is a distinct difference of varying toilet papers manufactured processes and how they behave in a particular environment. Wipes aren’t made of the same material and behave differently than paper pulp. The sewage system on ships (we call it CHT (collection, transfer and holding) in the Navy) is not designed for anything that isn’t provided. Need a better cleansing down there? Jump in the shower afterward or use your wipes and throw them in the trash.
@scubasteve1555 no such thing as flushable wipes even if it says flushable on the packaging they ARE NOT safe for any system
Yes, always bring a laxitive. I pop one right before the first dinner to keep everything going. No matter where I go, air travel does this to me all too often.
Also, pack an emergency dental kit. If a filling pops out on a cruise, you'll be in a lot of pain until you find a port. The doctor on board generally cannot help with any dental issues. While it's extremely rare, once that filling falls out you will have a lot of trouble (and pain) eating or drinking anything. The emergency kit is very easy to use and provides a temporary filling that lasts a few days - long enough to seek dental help at the next port.
Matt, thanks! All are good tips. As a large senior male with some mobility issues who sails mostly the older Royal ships (primarily Radiance and Vision class) they of course do not have the flowriders, water slides, etc. to burn calories and I cannot use the stairs (except in a major emergency). They do have gyms and I spend time on the treadmills, in addition to walking the length of the ship several times during each day. Your mention of fiber is a good point, too. In fact, we bring Benefiber stick packs to add to our morning coffee every day to help with digestion. And one more tip in the spirit of the TMI items you mention. Even using just the shipboard TP, sometimes the toilet will not completely flush. Before trying multiple times or calling maintenance, push down on the toilet lid with one hand while pressing the flush button with the other. This appears to improve the required suction and has not failed me yet! Happy cruising!
Thanks for the flush tip.
Good tips! I like the tip to get some activity in to avoid weight gain. Also, I get annoyed by chair hogs also! I especially get annoyed when somebody gets a chair for every body in their party, including the kids - and the kids are in the pool and they don't need a chair to sit on. We have that problem at the local pool. In my opinion, the chairs need to be mainly for adults. If the kids come out for a break, they can sit on the edge of a chair with their parents for a few moments.
i agree but in sum circumstances the older kid should be able to sit down to i get like 3-8 year olds could sit with there parents
I had an itinerary change when sadly someone jumped ship in the middle of the night. The ship circled back trying to save the person and searched for hours before coastguard got there and took over. The next morning I could not believe the rude passengers (who I can only hope was unaware of the situation) freaking out and requesting a full refund due to one port change.
Buyers remorse
@@danieltdavis9788 the jumper was a crew member. He got arrested at the previous port trying to get deported home but instead they took him back to the ship.
Unhappy entitled Democrats.
Bless their little hearts.
@@bugwar5545 most of the crew were foreign workers stuck in a 2 year contract away from their families. I don’t know what was going on in his personal life in order to choose to take his own life but I can’t imagine he would have had any interest in either political party!
@@corinabalderas1754 Thanks for pointing that out.
I was referring to the complaining passengers. Looks like I should have done a better job in describing who.
Be aware of ship time vs.port time.
Thanks.
I will set my watch to ship time, but it is good to know there may be a difference.
A big one that wasn't mentioned is choice of cabins and noise. I was on my first cruise to AK and booked a room under the Lido deck. I figured AK....nobody is gonna be using the Lido deck right? WRONG! I averaged about three hours of sleep a night and ended up getting very sick and sleep deprivation was a contributing factor. Choose your room location for both noise and sea sickness purposes carefully
ear plugs might have helped.
It's amazing how walking on the jogging track for 30 minutes a day really helped to keep the weight gain at bay for me. And trust me, I indulged. :)
I used the stairs instead of the elevator.....helps tremendously!
Old lifeguard tip for sunburn. Take 2 plain aspirin to dull the burn. Not Tylenol or any other pain killer. Just plain old aspirin!
The best thing I've ever found to relieve the pain of a sunburn is vinegar. Yep - just pour it liberally on your skin after you shower. You'll smell like a pickle, but you won't hurt.
I would add, being loud in the halls after 11, letting cabin door slam shut, and smoking on your balcony- yes it’s forbidden but has happened every cruise lately 😢
I was just on a cruise and some guy woke us up yelling to someone at 2 am
Weed smokers are the worst. So inconsiderate to those around you!!! And there are designated areas for cigarettes
I take it you did not report them?
I’ve been on Several Royal Caribbean Cruises and I Never had a problem 🤣🤣at all 👍🏾
5 cruises . . . all different . . . never had a problem except GAINED 5-7 pounds EACH TIME.
🤣🤣👍🏾
Matt, this may be my favorite video you've done. Such good advice here. I also love that you don't disparage cruising while still being real. Well done. (And next time someone posts the fb question "what essentials should I bring?" I'll respond with "diarrhea drugs" instead of "magnetic hooks" 🤣🤣)
We will only cruise on an Oasis Class ship to prevent seasickness. Those ships are too big to sway back and forth. It feels like you’re not moving the entire time 👍🏼
good to know.
Handy tip, but I love feeling the motion.
I took Dramamine with ginger on my last cruise because I'm prone to motion sickness. Found out that it also helps with vertigo when we hit port after 5 straight sea days and vertigo hit hard.
raw ginger?
😂😂😂... yeah but cruising is still so worth it. 🎉
Sweating:
Babies wearing nappys (diapers) have wet skin in folds. Babies get nappy rash because of that.
Adults get wet skin in sweaty folds of skin.
Nappy rash soothers and preventers work just as well for adults as they do for babies!
Be aware of ALL your skin folds. Armpits and crotch are obvious. Under breasts are also skin folds. If your beer belly has a skin fold under it, that also captures sweat.
Hair makes a kind of not-skin-fold. The back of the neck is terrible. If your hair goes into a high ponytail or pigtails, do that. If you're lucky to have hair that does a chignon or bun, do it. If you have hair that goes into those beautiful, beautiful tight braids, do a set that leaves the back of your neck clear.
And apply sunburn cream or wear a hat.
Chafing:
I get chafing under my breasts, and either wear sweat wicking bras, or sew sweat wicking fabric to the underside of the bras.
Sunburn idea:
Wear long sleeves, long pants, covered shoes (or socks), and a big hat. I know that spoils some ideas of fun, but for me, I find no sunburn trumps skimpy clothes.
You can use light, flowy fabric if you want. You can wear bamboo or silk if you want. I go for flowy maxi-skirts and light, flowy jackets. No sunburn + looks great.
As somebody who has Ulcerative Colitis and have not been in a cruise since this diagnosis, I'm low key nervous for this cruise I got in July lol
Try immune tree first milking colostrum for your gut (they changed my life taking every morning and 30 minutes before every meal. Helped slowly heal my gut lining and helped with ulcers in my colon) hugs
I have diverticulosis and COPD. I'm still hoping for another cruise. I am 68 and disabled.
Good tips
I returned on Sunday from a cruise on Oasis of the Seas
the crew where on top of washing hands at the Windjammer.
But, the parents putting small to grade school children in the sauna
and the kids vomiting was disgusting
Tip for the chaffing problem… One word Spanx no matter if you are a big girl, a skinny, or any body type in between if you like wearing dresses around they are great to keep raw thighs from rubbing.
Sorrento's Pizza = Heartburn, at least for me. I love the pizza, but I always take Alla-Seltzer on a cruise.
Sea sickness was a real issue for me, but I am prone to motion sickness- roller coasters, simulators, etc. After trying every drug I could find, patches, sea bands, etc I finally discovered raw ginger root. A bucks worth from the grocery store and a single edge razor blade to make thin slices lasts me for over a 2 week cruise and makes it completely vanish. I start eating it the day before and then a slice or 2 every few hours and the trip is wonderful.
really? that's interesting. i didnt know you could do this. How did you get the ginger on board? i thought you couldnt take things like this on board?
also i had no clue raw ginger helps with that. I shall try it if im able to bring it on baord
@@SwayPromo I’ve always just packed it in my carryon in the case with my razor, toothbrush, meds, etc and never had a problem.
@@fredrosenbaum8630 okay cool. I’ll try that. Thank you.
We board the Harmony of the Seas this Saturday 5/27. We can't wait!
So how was the trip?
@@bugwar5545 it was awesome
I always go for the vegetables first on cruises, as well as on holidays in hotels in places like Mexico, Cuba etc. and I take the chance if we go to places like Greece, Spain I make sure if there is vegetables on the menu to have some, or just things like orange juice to help me go.
Awesome video! Thank!!
Lots of great advice in this video. Thanks, Matt!
Thank-u for posting
Thanks for making this video
Make sure the sun screen is environmental safe for the oceans reefs. Also make sure the sun screen is fresh not last years
Me and my boyfriend are going on our first proper holiday together in July and he’s never done a cruise before (we’re doing anthem of the seas!) and when we booked it I was stressing about how we’re going to be back at least hour before departure, anyway I keep sending him your vids as they’re so insightful for first time cruisers and he was laughing when you said about getting back to the boat an hour before! I’d hate to say I told you so but… better than watching everything sail away without you 🤣
trust me, get back an hour. thats more than enough. but dont push it. Ive had friends litterly be left on the side with the boat a few feet away from them lol
Great video. Well done. Beautiful photos. Thank you
Well done! It's a great tool for newbies! Everything is right on!
I constantly have heartburn and have Tums like it's candy.
My cruise the beginning of this month was a whole week without heartburn.
And what did you learn from this?
@@bugwar5545 That the only way to avoid heartburn is to go on a cruise.
Another good video,thank you❤
Thanks Matt!
I’ve watched many, many, many cruise tips and experiences videos, but I found a few of your suggestions new to my ears, so thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
On my last cruise, not RC, we got up to the Adults-only pool at 730am lots of open chairs and tables. There were a few saved chairs. I parked the group and got breakfast, we are light eaters, we were next to some saved chairs.. it was after 2pm when they finally came. Rude!
Happens on almost every cruise I’ve been on…18 and counting
awesome and common sense!!! tysm
Heartburn meds and anti-dihedral meds are always in my medication bag. Also carry couch drops and vitamin C and DayQuil because of the air conditioning is different than mine at home. Great tips thanks for the videos Matt.
Great video Matt, one thing though. @6:16 the Western Wall in Jerusalem may be an excursion but probably not a busy port.
Bing all your own meds, I paid 6 bucks for a roll of TUMS last cruise I was like WHAT?
The lines to get off the ship at port the line was 3 decks long and every one cutting an crowding.its harder when you have disabilities but the staff worked with us if you have a disabilitie let the staff know.
terrific tips
Sunburn yes, we didn't do a good enough job applying last year on Oasis at Coco Cay because we got burnt pretty bad. Luckily the kids were spared the pain though.
Every comment, every video, adds to my conviction to get out of yet another cruise on the USS Busybody, The doublewide of the sea.
I get the constipation no matter the type of travel I do. I’ve been told it’s the bodies fight or flight response. I always drinks lots of water anyway but make sure I do more so especially if I’m somewhere sweating a lot (I’m hot when it’s above 68 so it’s often). Try to eat fiber and stay away from stuff you know contributes to the problem like cheese is a big no no for me even though I love it. Thanks for the tips. Love the channel
I take stool softeners and helps!
@@pattyford2228 that’s a good idea.
I take it that psyllium powder (as in Metamucil or generics) isn't working for you??????
Stomach Formula by Lily of the Dessert is amazing for me and has drastically reduced the number of acid reflux episodes. Definitely taking the little travel size bottles with me during my Bermuda cruise in September ❤ and electrolyte powder packets definitely help me stay hydrated.and if youre drinking drinking try some tonics you can get at a local asian market. They come in mini bottles and work wonders. 😅
Diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, chafing, hangovers and weight gain? Sounds like a pretty typical day. I’m going to feel right at home on the ship!
@8:00 Hangovers... In high school I used to run a day surf camp for inlanders (you tourists) and although my friends and I thought it was funny to watch you struggle in 3 foot waves while learning to surf hungover, the company who paid us had a rule that we were to turn away anyone who was drunk or hungover. If you're dead set on water sports and need to rent gear, you may want to save that beer or booze till after because I have had to turn people away. I got paid by the hour so it was no problem for me.
I bought Nexium for $20 lol
I also realized you walk a LOT more on a cruise ship than you think. I just got off Oasis and i had TWO APPETIZERS every night. I also walked the crap out of myself every day. Total cancelling out LOL
Chair hogs. On a cruise to Cuba a few years ago , the lounge chairs were all taken all day. I had to sit on the edge of the pool.
I got a bad sunburn on my back and no one to put aloe on my back. I was worried about my nieces getting burnt and forgot to reapply the sunscreen.
California Linda shares 😅😅😅 regarding never expect Cottonelle tissue on any cruise. It's true that toilet paper must be thinner due to the flushing system, and you can be charged for clogging a toilet in specific cases. In many foreign counties you always place used toilet tissue in the provided container. We enjoy your vlogs and thanks Matt for the hours you spend creating informative, non dramatic cruise content.
ummmm, is that why the gratuity is mandatory?🤣
Oh and yes port day if you have already been there and have nothing planned staying onboard and visiting the pool is a great relaxing day.
I was sooo bloated on my last cruise after eating at Izumi the second night
First time cruisers should be mindful of wrinkled clothes because you can’t bring an iron. Use downy release on all your clothes on the first day or pay to have them ironed.
Thanks.
How does one pay to have them ironed?
@AJimenezHarper you'd use the laundry bag on your cabin and select what you want and your stateroom attendant will take the bag. It may take a day or 2.
😱Mat! Life Happens even on a Royal Caribbean ship?!? Oh, Nooooo! 😂 Also Sunburning! Consider a wide-brimmed hat. They really work! But be respectful of others when in crowded lines.
Also, if your hat does have a wide brim make sure it has a tie or elastic for under your chin and USE IT. The brim can cause your hat to be blown off your head by a breeze. To this day I have a Tilley hat that is somewhere in the Caribbean as I had to remove my hat for some pictures with several parrots and when I put it back on I forgot to use the tie and while we were walking along a dock a strong breeze came along and whipped it off my head. Before I could catch it the thing ended up in the water well out of retrieval range. That was that hat’s first and last cruise. Lol.
Well, since you went with problems in the bathroom. Here's another that a lot of new cruisers don't realize. The bathrooms are small. There isn't a lot of space in your room bathrooms. The showers are tight, and all the toilets are half the size of normal ones. And when you are as big as me (6 foot 5 and sadly overweight) it does make it a little difficult to do much in them.
Had no idea the toilets were sized for midgets.
Digestive issues can center around a new water source. I would never drink from the bathroom spigot. Water storage tanks can be a problem. Drink bottled water, including when brushing your teeth
Bring a portable bidet, then you don't need toilet paper.
I EAT ALOT O A CRUISE... I USUALLY LOSE ABOUT 5 POUND. I DO ALOT OF WALKING !!!😅
I bring a second deodorant stick with me on cruise ships and apply that one to my upper legs to counter chafing. It works well.
The toilet paper is awful and so is the shampoo and body wash
Bring your own soap. Personally, I am allergic. I always use my own soap.
"Damn it, Jackie I can't control the weather!"
So beautiful 👌🏻💯
Important fact: water resistant does NOT translate to waterproof. My wife and I applied water resistant sunscreen several times while in St. Maarten where we enjoyed the water at Maho Beach. She only got minor sunburns but since I was in the water more, I ended up with a severe burn that started to blister😢
Highly recommend body glide for chafing ..worked amazing in Disney for me and me family.. It looks like a deodorant stick
On my last cruise, a passenger missed the ship at our first port so he flew to the next port to catch up with the ship. Only to find out the port was closed due to rough seas. I don't know what happened after that.
OUCH!
lol damn
The captain’s message at 6 am when we are entering port 🤬🤬🤬
To the chair hogs...... if I need a chair and you've been away from yours for an extended amount of time..... Im throwing your crap on the floor and taking your chair
Hangovers are for the weak! 😂
Seriously though, if you are on a drinks package drinking far too much can happen all too easily.
Bring pepto bismol
take 2 caps of apple cider vinegar with water every night before bed and thank me in the morning.
Matt you forgot to mention about prescription medication if u run out
Check your meds at least 2-3 weeks beforehand so you can refill as necessary!!!
How clean is the pool water
About as clean as 6,000 people let it be.
Fortunately, I did not have to worry about heartburn or other digestive problems on my April cruise on the Harmony this year, as the included food was so bad, I didn’t get the chance to overeat. I’ll be doing my future bookings on either Virgin or HAL. So long, Royal 👋
That is good news.
You get to find out how bad the other lines are, and we don't have to hear your whining any more.
@@bugwar5545 “How bad the other lines are?” Interesting… Celebrity was spot-on, HAL was spot on, Princess has been spot on, Norwegian has been spot on. Royal used to be great! What’s Royal’s problem now? …wait, what was your complaint again?
@@TVHouseHistorian No complaint, just looking forward to your departure and the ensuing quiet.
@@bugwar5545 don’t engage in the first place and you won’t hear a single thing from me 🤷♂️
@@TVHouseHistorian Promises, promises.
#8 all day 🤠
Only problem i have is weight gain. Usually round 10 pounds.. i eat like crazy
Outstanding list, except this is pretty much my daily life, except for the sea stuff.
Alka-Seltzer! Settles your stomach and takes care of the dastardly hangover.
3 days until Allure of the Seas
Wife and I am on that one as well. Should have good weather!😁
@user-vz1ig2gz7t I hope so hi and hope to say in person
So how was the trip?
@@bugwar5545 it was amazing 👏 I can not wait to sail again
This last cruise we had the worst after effects! Nausea and tiredness for days after returning home! Usually 2 days but this time 4-5!
covid
Are you sure you weren't sick with a bug ???
@@carolynwilliams7414 no just exhausted! I think we didn’t get enough sleep and it caught up with us! Also, we were in the 2 story room and I think we experienced more motion when sleeping than a normal room.
@pattyford2228 good to know. I will think twice before booking one of those suites.
@@carolynwilliams7414 we usually choose mid ship deck 11 or higher for less movement
I prefer key card instead of the wristbands. Thanks for the news and tips.
Just did my first cruise last week 15th-20th really enjoyed the cruise but not the ports, costa Maya and Cozumel were terrible we did not do excursions just walked around
How can you legitimately say the ports are horrible if all you did was "walk around" and you didn't bother to go anywhere or do an excursion? I've been to Cozumel many times and there are a lot of fun things to do there and it has some of the best snorkling. In Costa Maya you could have taken a short cab ride to the beach, had some food/drinks, gone for a swim or had a beachside massage for $20.
there is an advisory to not go to most Mexican Ports too
@@rachelf8454 agree with you 100%. Cozumel is great for snorkeling or just hanging out at one of the resort beaches like Paradise or Mr Sanchos. Next time you are in Costa Maya take an excursion to one of the Mayan ruins. Fantastic history.
Not the most pleasant topic, but any video with a @BigDawgRon AZ mention is well worth the watch! 😂
CHAIR HOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t you get Dukoral and an antibiotic to take with you? I always do. I also take immodium.
Most of these things you won't be prepared for if you only sit at home.
🤬People refilling their water bottle directly from the dispenser ignoring the sign.
Sp many deck chairs that there wasn’t a problem. Windjammer table hogs different story. Should move their little tokens then watch unsuspecting eaters sit at the table and get yelled at. Now that’s entertainment. Also disembark day is total disaster.
You had an issue with leaving the ship?
The title should be: First world problems while on vacation 😂
I wrote a comment about kids pooping in the pool. They drained the pool multiple times. Pool is full of kids. Symphony of the Sea's. No response.
I went in a pool after a kid pooped. The people next 2 the pool told me 2 get out. No staff available. I finally asked staff and they said take a shower. Really?
2nd time cruising on that ship.
Thanks Matt. No response.
I eat street food all the time and never get sick
same here in NYC: all my life . . . .body builds up resistance and/or you can catch a germ anywhere (school, church , movies, work, workout places . . .)
Can't wait till you graduate to road kill. That outta step up your metabolism.
Oh boy
What about laundry, crime, and security: How is that taken care of?
For what it's worth- I had laundry done on my RC cruise last month. Left the laundry bag in my room and my room attendant collected it from there. When it was done he returned it to my room. I discovered little easily removed sticker tags on all my items with my deck/room number which answered the question of how they avoid mixing people's clothes up.
I was on freedom of the Seas last august and they didn't have anywhere to purchase toiletries :(
Chair hog here… Until Royal creates a place where we can store our stuff while we are in the pool all day, that chair is mine…
I don't think that's being a chair hog. A chair hog is someone that reserves a chair, then goes to bed or eat or somewhere else
@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog unfortunately, many people feel like if you aren’t actively sitting in the chair, then you are a chair hog.
@@jamesb.8201 That is because you are.
Should I spend the money on something called the Key for a family of 6 in order to disembark more quickly. Internet would also be nice.
WANT