Even though it may not be known by all, the Companies do everything possible to keep the ships full. The innumerous reasons go from increasing revenue to minimizing costs. And so the yearly average occupation rate hovers around 90 to 95%.

When the ship is initially launched (after it's built) it makes its Maiden Voyage to its home port, where it will begin its cruises.

Except for cruises around the world, the ships begin and finish a cycle in the same port: where it embarks and disembarks its passengers; where it pulls into the port early in the morning and set sail in the afternoon in route to its destination, rarely are there any exceptions.

In the morning, the passengers, bags, and crew members going on vacation get off, along with refuse and recyclable trash. At noon begins the embarking of food, supplies, bags, passengers and crew members returning from their vacation, as well as crew members going on their first contract.

This is called Embarkation Day, the busiest time on board, especially in the Purser Department, the F&B Department, and the House Keeping Department take place .

The Port Days is when the guests go on shore to go sightseeing or for an excursion; the ship is nearly empty and calm. It is, at this exact time, when the crew members have their day off, when they can do whatever they want: go to the fitness room, to the beach, rent a jeep, “have a drink” with friends, go for a dive, see places, visit ruins or museums.

All in all, take advantage of the moment and take pictures, since it should be registered in high style. The reasoning for this is the following: when guests are on board, work and duties have to be done; when guests are off the ship; it's time to relax.

To the more curious, the cruises generally last 3, 4, 7 or 12 days. And conforming to tradition, there is always a Dinner with the Captain, known as Formal Night, an occasion when he presents all of the officials on board responsible for running the ship.

At sea or in port, the movement on board begins very early in the morning. In the afternoon, the majority of the crew members are resting, walking around, snoozing, chatting in the crew mess, etc. In the early evening the movement once again picks up. After work, the restaurant team together with the group from House Keeping invades the crew mess and the crew bar, “party time”, where they meet up with the rest of the crew. And this is generally what the day-to-day for the crew members is like.

Just by thinking about it you start feeling sick. You know that this feeling has lots of travelers afraid of discovering this style of vacation. Anyone can get seasick. Prevention is the best remedy. Though, if it's easy for you to get seasick, this really shouldn't be your line of work. But remember that the cruise ships don't rock like small boats, and they do have stabilizers.

Things that should be avoided as a precaution:

•  Looking through binoculars for a long period of time;

•  Try not to be disoriented, looking from one side to the other. Find a window to orient yourself;

•  Staying unoccupied, keep yourself busy all the time;

•  Never have an empty stomach.