20 Secrets Cruise Ships Don’t Want You to Know

There are many places to get great deals, but one of the best is signing up for newsletters from the cruise lines. Don't overdo it, though, or your inbox will be jammed with offers.

For more ways to save on your next trip, check out these 10 tips to avoid paying too much for travel.

Another great way to save big on travel is to hop aboard a repositioning voyage. The big companies reposition ships at various times of the year depending on the seasonal popularity of a destination. It's a chance to sail across the Atlantic or Pacific for a fraction of the regular cost.

If you're not a big fan of group tours and decide to explore a port of call on your own, be aware that the ship will not wait for you if you're delayed. But, notes Conde Nast Traveller, if you're on a cruise line organized tour, the ship will wait.

What's scarier than being left ashore? Maybe these 16 terrifying hikes.

Conde Nast Traveller recommends reading the ship's daily newsletter for special offers, free drinks and other discounts. And if you're worried about gaining weight on your cruise, look for free activities that save money and burn calories.

For more freebies on your next trip, check out 15 free things you can still get on an airplane.

If you've brought the kids along, you may find the need for a parental time-out. Conde Nast Traveller points out that most major cruise lines have free childcare facilities on board. Take full advantage!

And if you don't have kids yet, take advantage by visiting these 10 spots you need to check out before you have children.

Is your all-inclusive really all-inclusive? A lot of first time passengers fail to read the fine print only to discover that not everything is included on their voyage. Take the time to read the details about what your package includes and doesn't, so you're not surprised when you board. If you have questions, ask before booking and bust those travel myths on the spot.

One way to reduce on board spending, suggests Conde Nast Traveller, is to dine at specialty restaurants for lunch, when the menu is cheaper. Also, look into buying restaurant packages as part of your ticket.

Save even more money by grabbing these great dollar store items you'll need on your next trip.

Don't get nickel-and-dimed on your cruise. Conde Nast Traveller recommends skipping non-essentials like the onboard photography services and tacky souvenirs.

However, these popular souvenirs from around the world are actually worth the splurge!

Many cruises offer packages for drinks. But Conde Nast Traveller says you should add up what you expect to spend (don't forget to include tips) and compare that to the package. Sometimes you're better off paying as you go to avoid getting ripped off while travelling.

If you're travelling with all sorts of electronic gizmos and gadgets, be aware that most cabins only have one or two power outlets. Unless you want to follow a complex recharging schedule or fight with your cabin mate over the one remaining outlet, pack a power bar.

See 20 more things you should never travel without.

If you can afford it, you should book a cabin with a balcony. You'll appreciate having a private place to hang out. Also, make sure your cabin isn't under anything noisy like a bar or the gym. And Conde Nast Traveller recommends staying away from cabins at the front of the ship if you don't like the motion of the ocean.

Another way to save on your cruise is to simply avoid peak season. Easy!

Private balcony notwithstanding, sometimes you need your own space. During your first few days at sea look for a place that you can call your own. It might be a little more than a hidden spot tucked around a corner on a popular deck. It can be your special place to gaze out over the sea and ponder the magic of it all.

Read on for 19 other expert tips that will make travelling so much easier.

When you have so many people packed into a relatively small space, it's no surprise that it's easy for something like a norovirus to spread. To reduce the chances of picking up a bug while travelling, wash your hands a lot. Packing some hand sanitizer is a good idea too.

Onboard internet can be quite expensive. Unless it's really important, most online activities can wait until you can access free WiFi in the next port of call. Put the phone down and enjoy your cruise experience!

Before you get too upset over the occasional episode of bad service, remember that many cruise ship employees are paid peanuts.

Tested.com says most ships aren't regulated by our labour laws and staff are worked hard for very little. Most employees that interact with passengers receive better salaries, but domestic staff rely on your tips to make a decent living.

If you die on your cruise, don't expect the party to stop on your behalf. You won't be buried at sea, either. Instead, your body will be relocated to the refrigerated morgue until the cruise ends.

For more weird travel facts, see the 13 weirdest things people have tried to smuggle through customs.

According to Tested.com, most ships also have a small jail (brig) to hold suspects until the ship reaches a port of call. At that point, the miscreant is handed over to the local law. So maybe avoid doing anything illegal or dangerous while travelling?

Ever wonder why you don't see staff mixing it up with customers in the bar? It's because they're not allowed to. But, they do have access to a secret staff bar — and you're not invited.

Where does all the waste from a cruise ship go? You guessed right: the ocean. According to Tested.com, a one-week cruise can generate nearly 800,000 litres of human waste, also known as blackwater. That's far too much to store and transport back to land. So, when the ship is a certain distance from shore, the tanks are pumped out. Sorry, it may be gross, but it's a truth about travel.