The 'cool' activity many people miss while on a cruise, according to ex-crew member
Even if you're a frequent cruiser, ships can be overwhelming.
With everything from waterslides and thermal spas to go karts and zip-lining, it's hard to keep track of every activity you can do while on board.
And according to one former cruise ship worker, many people are missing out on one really "cool" element of cruises.
There's so much to do on a cruise, it's easy to miss out on things. Supplied
There's a ton of live entertainment on board most cruise ships, from stage shows to small, intimate performances.
Melissa, a former Norwegian Cruise Line production cast member, says most people tend to miss out on those smaller shows which can be a big highlight.
"At any given time, you can find the ship's show band performing in non-obvious venues like in the main atrium, in one of the observation lounges or even in the main restaurants," she wrote for Parade.
She also says you can often find unexpected musical performances tucked away around the ship.
Smaller venues have great live entertainment. Supplied
"I've seen a country duo performing in random areas of the ship, a Latin quintet that would liven up the pool deck even hours into the night, and an R&B soloist you'd find in one of the ship's pubs or whiskey lounges," says Melissa.
She says the key is to keep track of events through the ship's app.
Make time to stop in and listen to the live music while having a pre- or post-dinner drink - these venues are usually pretty under visited, so you won't have to fight for space.
Melissa also shared two other tips she picked up after her many years on board Norwegian ships.
She recommends scoping out the ship for quiet observation lounges, which often have great views away from the crowds.
Like the Spinnaker Lounge on board many Norwegian ships. It's out of the way of most of the busiest areas of the ship.
"Here, you can enjoy drinks at the bar, sit in comfortable living-room-like seating configurations, and there are huge windows that span from floor to ceiling, allowing you to enjoy the views while you sail," she says.
You can often buy discounted access to the spa area. Supplied
Her next tip is to try and get yourself into the spa without having to book a treatment.
Many ships have spa areas with amenities like whirlpools, saunas, heated loungers, cold plunges, steam rooms and more.
You can usually access them without having to book a spa treatment - just book a day pass.
Keep an eye on your on-board app, as prices for this day pass can drop drastically on port days.
