Ex-Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line workers reveal their 11 best hacks for living on a cruise ship

A former chef for Oceania Cruises said it's important for cruise-ship workers to save some of the money they make.

"When you leave, you will leave with nothing if you didn't save," he said.

A former retail employee for Princess Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corp., said workers should bring clothing for multiple seasons, but not too much, since they might not have a lot of space in their cabin.

If you don't leave extra space in your suitcase for the things you buy during your contract, "you'll have to end up doing what I did and buy a whole new suitcase," a former photographer for Norwegian Cruise Line said.

Bringing your own sheets can help you feel more at home, the former Norwegian photographer said.

Decorating your cabin with photos, for example, can also help you feel more comfortable, the former Norwegian photographer said.

"Bring your own hand soap," said Abigail Segner, a former regional training manager for American Cruise Lines. "Don't rely on the soap on the boat. It's gross."

Segner also said workers should bring their own towels and washcloths.

"I was sleeping above one of our engine rooms for about a week-and-a-half and I didn't get any sleep," Segner said.

"Definitely take advantage of your time off the ship and explore," a former Norwegian bar server said. "Don't go to the places where the crew hangs out. Go to where the guests go or the locals go and hang out."

"The rooms are very small," said Kristy Berlin, a former event manager for Holland America, which is owned by Carnival Corp. "Definitely pack light. Don't pack heavy. If you need anything else, you can definitely buy it while you're there when you go off into port."

You don't get to leave the ship often, so make sure you do when you can, a former waiter on Disney Cruise Line said.

"Enjoy all the time off you have," he said. "You don't have too much."

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