Cruise tips from the ‘Makeover Girl’

Don’t be a seat hog: Speaking of poolside, on some ships it takes nerves of steel or a secret strategy to get a deck chair or chaise lounge on a sunny day. Many people try to reserve space ahead of time by putting towels and personal items out long before they ever sit down. In fact, many cruise lines now regularly “sweep” the decks and remove anything that’s been untouched for 30 minutes. So use it or lose it.

Keep your germs to yourself:  Despite all that polishing and vacuuming, there are still regular outbreaks of norovirus and other illnesses on cruise ships. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tracks them here. So keep your germs to yourself by washing your hands as often as possible. And keep your wits about you. Sadly, there are plenty of stories about theft, assaults and rapes on cruise ships. So don’t tempt fate: Lock your cabin and balcony doors, use the in-cabin safe and be alert when walking down those long hallways late at night.

Complain correctly: While cruising has become so popular that some people have made it a lifestyle, there are plenty of folks for whom a cruise is that once-in-a-lifetime, save-those-pennies special event. So if you’re disappointed that the lobster tails aren’t as succulent as the ones you had on your last five cruises or that the singers in the shows aren’t quite up to snuff, don’t ruin if for someone else by complaining over dinner or online. Take it up with the appropriate crew member or with your travel agent when you get home.

And if you happen to find yourself seated on the sundeck next to that week’s “Makeover Gal” once her fancy hairdo has had a few days to grow out, try not to make fun of her.

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