I have spent more than a decade living on cruise ships because my husband works as a Chief Staff Engineer. This unique lifestyle allows me to travel the world without paying a mortgage or buying groceries.
It often feels like a permanent vacation because I never have to cook, clean, or make a bed. However, my status on board is somewhere between a guest and a crew member, and that comes with specific restrictions.
The most surprising rule I must follow is that I am strictly forbidden from gambling. You will never see me playing the slot machines or sitting at a card table in the ship’s casino.
The reasoning behind this is actually quite logical. It would look incredibly suspicious if the wife of a high-ranking officer suddenly won a massive jackpot.
To avoid any accusations of fixing the games, I simply stay away from that part of the ship. I have plenty of other perks, such as discounted drinks and access to the spa, so I don’t miss it.
There are other protocols I have to respect regarding the paying passengers. For example, guests always have priority when the ship docks, so I usually wait an hour after them to disembark.
I also follow a personal rule of etiquette regarding public spaces. If the pool deck is crowded, I will give up my chair to a guest because they have paid to be there.
Privacy is another serious matter for me. I make sure never to film guests or crew members for my social media videos without getting their permission first.
People often assume ships are full of germs, but my husband has been at sea for 34 years and has rarely been sick. Keeping healthy really just comes down to washing your hands frequently.
Living this way is a privilege, but it requires respecting the boundaries between my home life and the guests’ vacation.
Tell me in the comments if you think you could give up gambling to live this lifestyle.
