I worked on cruises for 15 years and now live on a ship. Here are 7 things first-time cruisers should know before sailing.

I lost my job in the cruise industry during the coronaviruses epidemic. My husband and I sail on cruises half of the year as a married couple.

On my TikTok account, I share my adventures on land and at sea. I think cruising is a great way to see the world.

It can be difficult to plan your first trip.

Future first-timers should know these important things.

The ship will not wait for you

This appears to be common sense to most. It's easy to forget there's a ship waiting when you add in a beautiful destination, a drink and a song.

If your boat has already been untied from it, you are not going to get back on board.

The passengers who miss the boat are responsible for the cost of airfare and hotel to get to the next port where they will disembark.

If you're docking for less than 8 hours, book your excursions through the ship

People have different opinions on this. When my parents come sail with me, I always book excursions with a simple rule in mind.

It's not important to book excursions through the ship if you're in a port for a long period of time because you have plenty of time to get around the stop.

If your ship is in port for less than eight hours, I would recommend booking an excursion through the ship.

You're out of luck if a taxi breaks down or you get stuck in traffic. The ship will not leave you behind if you are on an excursion.

You might not want to skip the international travel insurance

There are people on every ship. I spent two months in a New Zealand hospital after I was taken off of the ship due to sickness.

Since I was an employee, my medical expenses were covered, but I think it's a good idea for travelers to talk to their insurance provider before they go.

Even though you're on vacation, the world won't protect you from accidents.

Seasickness is no joke — even I get ill after over a decade onboard

Even though I have been sailing for 12 years, I still get sick.

Many cruisers come on board without knowing that they get motion sickness. It's already too late when the sickness starts. Prepare to be down for the count for at least 48 hours.

Wristbands, patches, or other natural remedies can be used to prepare. I take a non-drowsy medication if I know rocky seas are in the forecast.

I'm not a medical professional, but I've tried everything to get rid of nausea on the seas. What works for you?

Your cruise line is just as important as your destinations

Each cruise company has something different. Key factors include age, interests, and your preferred sleep time.

I would send the children to a Disney ship. Carnival is a good choice for young adults or young-at-heart adults. Virgin or Celebrity are good for a bit of posh. Holland America Line has good food and music.

I was able to go on and on. Ships can be different too. Do your research and make a good choice.

Research each destination and port before you go to them

A cruise ship can take you around the world and dock in some amazing places.

I've seen a lot of cruisers disappointed because they picture their ship docking somewhere perfect where they can just walk off of the ship and have a great time.

This is sometimes not the case. A popular tourist spot in Asia is a cargo port.

Unless you book an excursion, taxi, or shuttle, you won't be able to experience the food and culture of the area. Don't plan out of the blue.

A little bit of kindness goes a long way — and even though we've heard all of your jokes we'll laugh at them anyway

Crew members are very hard working. Many of us enjoy being at the beach. You shouldn't talk to the crew if we are happy to help.

A small act of kindness can go a long way. We give back the favor.

A guest will say "It looks like we're all walking drunk" as they go through the ship. A guest will say in the dining room that all the food is paid for and that he will pick up the check.

We will still smile and laugh at your jokes.

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