There are some places on the cruise ship where you can take a deep breath after your busy working schedule.

Legendary I-95

Sometimes, I just finish my busy day at work and stand and chill on I-95, saying hi to other crew members passing by. I love it. It makes me feel like I'm in my village when I come outside my house and greet neighbors and locals with a massive smile on my face.

The I-95 is an essential area for the crew and the entire cruise ship. Known as the I-95, it is one large corridor that extends almost the entire ship's length. From here, the crew can access different staircases and elevators to get to their cabins.

The I-95 is always busy with crew members heading off to work and for those who have some free time to chat with their friends. When guests embark and disembark the cruise, the I-95 takes center stage. All the luggage is stored in the corridor and in a space called the Marshaling Area; from there, housekeeping can get to the luggage to deliver it to passengers' staterooms. The same happens when the voyage ends; the luggage is taken off in pallets and then transferred to the terminal.

Crew Open Deck

You might have wondered about that area with the jacuzzis or a small pool down below near the ship's bow. This is an area where the crew can head out for some fresh air. When off duty, they can relax in the pools as much as they want and enjoy the stunning ocean views.

When the vessel departs its homeport, the crew can often be seen getting the last cell phone signals and calls back home. The deck can be full of activity at night, with fellow workers socializing and enjoying their limited free time. This was one of my favorite places on the cruise ship and one of my favorite things to do on the ships that had a crew pool. You have to be lucky to work on some bigger and newer ships to enjoy this great opportunity to relax.

The Crew Bar

The other option to relax on the ship is a crew bar. It's a great way to release stress, drink, listen to some nice music, and socialize with colleagues and friends. The only thing about it is to know your drinking limits. Otherwise, you will deal with a huge hangover the day after. It's all about enjoying responsibly for your own safety.

The cruise industry is not only about breathtaking itineraries and delivering lifetime experiences to guests. It is also home to the crew world, an entirely different universe hidden behind the glitz and glamour of guest areas. Once you've dived into ship slang and routes to navigate behind-the-scenes lifestyle, it's inevitable to experience the crew bar. After a long day of work, the crew bar is your hideaway from work life and your place to connect with fellow crew. It is where friendships start and where you build strong relationships with your colleagues.

The legendary Crew Bar is a place where all the action happens and the center of crew life while onboard. It is usually located on deck zero, just off the I-95 on the bigger ships. The bar will open early evening, and during this time, any crew member can come in and enjoy a drink or two. Prices are very cheap; I'm not going to tell you how much because it is so cheap you won't like it! Snacks can also be purchased from the bar, including popcorn and chocolate bars.

On most ships, around 9-10 in the evening, the Crew bar will start getting really busy; the bartenders will be running around like crazy trying to keep everyone happy. The busiest day is the last day of the cruise; the reason for this is that on each cruise, many crew members will have completed their contracts. They'll often meet in the bar to say bye to friends for some last drinks together.

Also, in the Crew bar, many events and activities will be held, including a poker night, karaoke, quiz night, bingo, and even a foosball competition. Without the Crew Bar, life onboard would not be so good. Never ask a crew member how the bar was last night! What happens in the crew bar stays in the crew bar!

I also spent some time working as a crew bartender on many different ships, and it was the best time of my life, the most valuable experience ever.