If there’s one destination that people often head to on a cruise, it’s the Caribbean.
But, for Ally Kerr, from California, who has worked as a singer and dancer on more than 100 cruises, it’s overrated.
‘Don’t limit your cruise experience to just the Caribbean,’ the 28-year-old cruise entertainer told The Independent. ‘When you do, everything kind of looks the same. It’s just a bunch of beaches, which all look the same after a while.
‘And if that’s your cup of tea, perfect – but cruising, to me, is having access to unique adventures.’
In fact, Ally recommends heading on a cruise to somewhere much closer to home than the Caribbean, if you want the same golden sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, plus a lot more history and culture thrown in.
‘My first cruise experience as a passenger was in the Mediterranean and I feel like I was absolutely spoiled,’ she said.
‘It was incredible. I went to so many different countries along the Mediterranean coast, such as France, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro, Israel, Greece… it was such a crazy experience.
‘And every place that you go is so different.
‘The culture is so different, the offerings are so different – there’s some beach, there’s some city, there’s some history. It’s so eclectic and immersive.
‘Plus, there’s the potential for the Caribbean to be a bit sketchy, but I never felt unsafe in the Mediterranean.’
Asia is another continent Alley recommends going on a cruise to see, having had an ‘amazing’ time sailing around Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
Having worked as an entertainer on cruises, including on the likes of Royal Caribbean International, for several years, Alley now regularly shares insider tips on her YouTube channel, @wanderlustalley.
In a recent clip, she warned passengers of the hidden traps lying in wait, that could hinder their whole experience.
According to the seasoned cruise worker, embarkation day, also known as boarding day, can feel chaotic, as long lines of guests queue to get on board.
Some passengers worry about securing popular activities, restaurants and add-ons – which often leads to panic buying and everything becoming sold out.
Alley said: ‘On embarkation day, it is absolutely insane. If you can avoid waiting for embarkation day and get it done in advance, your life is going to be so much easier.’
She noted that she often witnessed first time cruisers’ disappointment after they realised there were no experiences left to book.
Alley added: ‘People who have never cruised before often get on the ship and then suddenly at the end of the day, they’re like, “Oh, everything’s sold out.” There’s limited availability for a lot of things.’
Luckily, cruise passengers can often find cheaper and more varied shore excursions by booking independently through local tour operators at each destination, rather than relying solely on the cruise line’s excursions.
Independent excursions can also provide a more authentic and immersive experience with local tour operators and businesses.
While cruise line excursions offer convenience and peace of mind – especially for first-time cruisers – they often come at a premium price, leaving passengers out of pocket not long after leaving the dock.
