Cruise Ship Facts Most Passengers Don't Know About

Behind their promise of paradise, cruise ships can often cover up some less than idyllic secrets. These could include work violations or even disappearances... So if you're one of the early 30 million people who set sail on cruise liners each year, here's what to watch out for. You've probably been totally unaware of the potentially unsavory things going on behind the scenes. 

40. Decks are more polluted than most city streets

Cruise ships release appalling amounts of pollutants into the air. An average liner’s exhaust is 100 times more toxic than a motor vehicle’s fumes – and much of this smog hangs around a ship’s upper deck. But the worst part? According to research by conservation charity NABU, cruise passengers regularly breathe in air that’s more polluted than any found in city streets. Yikes.

39. Crew members work long hours for very little money

Yes, while working on a cruise may sound like a dream job, the reality for ship staff can be downright nightmarish. Agonizing 100-hour weeks aren’t unusual, and the Miami Herald reports that crew members at companies such as Royal Caribbean are paid only $400 a month. The upshot of all this? Cruise lines regularly recruit from developing countries where labor laws are less stringent.

38. Cabin crews have an unspoken social hierarchy

Though cabin crew are often isolated from the outside world, life below deck follows societal norms to an uncomfortable degree. As former cruise ship performer Danielle Gauer revealed to Cruise Law News in 2013, a ship’s staff maintain incredibly strict hierarchies. Basically, menial workers often sleep in the lowest decks. They and other low-ranking crew are also quietly dissuaded from fraternizing with officers.

37. Every corner of a ship is covered by CCTV

Think you’re going to get some peace and privacy on board? Well, think again! Because of the surprising number of crimes reported on a typical cruise, security is naturally a big deal. That means ships come equipped with more CCTV equipment than a bank vault – leaving no corner unobserved.