A crew member has revealed the secrets of a cruise ship, including what happens when people die at sea.
Lauren Heavner is a singer who has worked on cruises for over 10 years, across six different lines on over 1,000 voyages, so she knows the ins and outs of her work environment.
She told the Mail some of a ship’s top secrets, including that they have a small hospital’s worth of doctors and nurses on board.
Lauren said: “For a behemoth carrying 4,000 guests, you’ll typically find two doctors and six or seven nurses ready to handle everything from seasickness to something more sinister.
“But on the smaller vessels – say, those hosting under 1,000 guests – you’re looking at a leaner operation: one doctor, a couple of nurses.”
She said that over the years she has seen many medical emergencies, including falls causing broken bones, heart attacks and norovirus outbreaks.
The singer also revealed that ships have a morgue for if the worst happens and someone dies while the ship is at sea. Lauren said: “The process is handled with quiet professionalism. The cruise line notifies the family, offering comfort and support.
“If the ship is far from port, the body is respectfully stored in the ship’s morgue. Once ashore, arrangements are made to repatriate the deceased, ensuring they return home with dignity.”
Lauren said that the captain often sets the atmosphere on a ship: “It all comes down to the captain. Some prefer to keep a low profile, only showing up for the obligatory events.
“Others are the opposite – outgoing, approachable, and eager to connect with the crew. Every captain brings their own style to the bridge, and they set the tone for the entire ship.”
And finally, she revealed that cruise ships have been known to hit whales: “I was on a ship cruising through Alaska when we struck a whale – a collision that left the whale draped over the ship’s bow as we pulled into port.
“The reactions from both passengers and crew were strikingly similar – helplessness mixed with an unsettling sense of guilt, even though it was beyond anyone’s control.”