'I work on cruise ships and this one popular destination is not worth visiting'
Crusing can be the perfect way for people to tick off a number of bucket list countries in one holiday, but for one seasoned cruiser there is one popular voyage she wouldn't recommend
Cruising gives people the opportunity to visit a number of countries at once - but according to one well-travelled cruise worker, there is one place she'd recommend avoiding.
Cruises offer the chance for travellers to visit the balmy Caribbean, historic European cities or even embrace some middle-eastern culture while setting sail.
But for Ally Kerr, who has worked on over 100 cruise ships as a singer and dancer, one popular cruise destination is "overrated". The 28-year-old from California urged people to not "limit" your cruise experience just to the Caribbean as everything "kind of looks the same" and said it's just a "bunch" of similar looking beaches.
She told The Independent: "'And if that's your cup of tea, perfect - but cruising, to me, is having access to unique adventures. My first cruise experience as a passenger was in the Mediterranean and I feel like I was absolutely spoiled.
"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."
She recommends going to the Mediterranean for culture as well as golden beaches. "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."
Ally also said Asia is another destination she'd advise if going on a cruise after she had an "amazing" time sailing around Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
It comes as Brits heading on cruise holidays, won't need to fork out for a cabin upgrade if they want extra storage, thanks to a simple but effective trick. While cruise suites often come with perks like extra storage space, they're not always within your budget; but opting for a cheaper cabin doesn't mean you'll need to pack a little more lightly.
In fact, there's one clever trick that cruise regulars swear by, and all you need to do is pack one extra item. The insiders over at Cruise Critic revealed the trick, explaining: "In many onboard bathrooms, there's just not enough space for all your toiletries, cosmetics, jewellery and other personal items you like to keep by the sink and shower.
"An old favourite trick of many cruisers is to hang up an over-the-door shoe organiser and fill the pockets not with footwear but with hairbrushes, detangling spray and other beauty needs. The cloth organisers are easily foldable to fit in your cruise luggage."
It wasn't the only tip they had. If you're packing lots of toiletries but think you won't have enough space for things like your shampoo or razor, then the travel experts recommend also bringing a "magnetic or suction hooks to hang on doors and walls to hang toiletries from etc too".
Do you have a story to share? Email niamh.kirk@reachplc.com