I spent years working on cruise ships. Here are the 8 things I used to wish all cruisers knew about the job.

I learned a lot of lessons while working on cruise ships for several years. Sharon Waugh I worked on cruise ships for six years and used to wish passengers knew more about the crew. The comment cards in cruisers' rooms can help employees get raises and promotions. Even if a guest enjoys spending time with crew members, they should respect the workers' free time. Throughout my six years working on cruise ships — first in guest services, then in onboard entertainment — I came across many different types of guests. Some made my job easier by calmly communicating their needs and respecting the crew's boundaries, but others did not. I've seen passengers ask for exceptions to ship-wide rules and raise their voices at minor inconveniences. Through it all, the crew must remain polite and professional.