Most cruise passengers only ever see the public areas and cabins of a cruise ship.

They see the restaurants, theatres, pools and cabins, but cruise ships are basically floating cities with huge hidden operational areas underneath the passenger decks.

If you are paying attention, you might see glimpses of crew areas – crew access only doors, staircases, corridors, etc. (often when you disembark on lower decks, either directly onto the dockside, or by tender boat.)

Some cruise lines sell “behind-the-scenes” tours that let passengers visit areas normally completely off limits.

These tours can often be quite expensive!

Tours can include:

• The ship’s laundry
• Galley kitchens
• Engine control rooms
• Crew corridors
• Recycling centres
• Food storage rooms
• Theatre backstage areas
• The Bridge or navigation areas

I’ve taken multiple tours with Norwegian Cruise Line and absolutely love them.

Because I have cruised with Norwegian often and have a high loyalty status, I am usually entitled to a free tour as a loyalty perk.

I always try to take that tour whenever possible.

The laundry is my favourite part of the tour because:

• Their laundries are huge, the scale is ridiculous.
• Everything is really well organised.
• Seeing huge piles of dirty laundry in trolleys brings my easy job into perspective!
• Watching thousands of sheets being pressed and folded is weirdly satisfying.
• Seeing how hard the crew work, in hot, cramped conditions is quite sobering.
  • I would never remove cruise automatic gratuities. Unseen staff like the laundry team work so hard and deserve every penny/cent they earn.
  • They are stuck in the laundry for hours at a time, usually in low-down areas of the ship, with no windows or access to natural light.
• Seeing this behind-the-scenes area completely changed how I think about cruise ship operations

Find out more about what I think about removing cruise gratuities here:

Removing Cruise Gratuities to “Tip in Person” Doesn’t Work – It’s Unfair and Here’s Why

Most passengers never even think about how many towels, sheets and uniforms have to be washed every single day to keep things onboard running smoothly.

What Happens On A Cruise Ship Behind-The-Scenes Tour?

Tours can take place on sea days or port days and are usually offered in small groups with limited numbers.

Bridge tours often take place only when the ship is docked, as access is strictly controlled while the ship is sailing.

There may be rules and regulations that guests must abide by.

These could include guests:

• Should wear suitable clothing – no shorts, open-toed shoes, or sandals.
• Not taking photos in certain areas.
• May have to have security checks.
  • There could be restrictions on carrying backpacks and larger bags.
• Be mobile enough to take the tour.
  • They are not usually wheelchair accessible.
• Are willing to complete a health declaration, stating they have no signs of illness.
  • The last thing the ship needs is guests with nausea or fever infecting the crew!

You will be led through the crew area by a guide.

The crew will continue working as usual as you pass by.

Some tours are short, others can take two to three hours. Tours vary hugely depending on the cruise line and ship.

A typical example of rules regarding P&O cruises ship tours:

This tour will take approximately 3 hours and will involve walking and standing throughout, there will be flights of stairs to negotiate as well as step-over thresholds. As you will be entering crew areas, you will need to wear flat, closed toe footwear and avoid any flowing clothing. Phones and photography are not permitted. You will be asked to complete a waiver and health declaration prior to taking the tour and pass through a security scanning arch prior to commencement. This tour is not permitted for guests under 12 years of age. Children aged 12-17 taking part must be accompanied by a guardian.

P&O Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line

I have taken more behind-the-scenes tours with Norwegian than on any other line, as they are free as a perk of my latitiudes loyalty status.

I can highly recommend these tours if you have time.

Things commonly included:

1. Laundry
2. Main galley
3. Food storage
4. Recycling Areas
5. Engine control room
6. Theatre backstage
7. Crew areas

Norwegian’s tours feel particularly operational and “real,” – not overly polished.

The tours seem to take place when the galley is not particularly busy, which makes sense.

Think rows and rows of gleaming stainless steel surfaces.

The floor is so clean you could “eat your dinner off it” as the old expression goes!

If you are not entitled to a free loyalty tour, passengers report prices of around $79–$99, depending on the ship and sailing.

Cruise fans especially love these tours, because they bring into sharp focus how complicated running a cruise ship is!

You feel like you are discovering the “hidden world” at the bottom of the ship.

You will end up with a huge appreciation for crew members and how hard they have to work to give you the perfect cruise experience.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s tours are called “All Access Tours”

They may include:

• The Galley
• Laundry
• Engine control room
• Bridge
• Provision areas
• Theatre backstage areas

These are often among the most expensive mainstream cruise tours, typically around $155–$200 per person.

Royal Caribbean’s huge ships make the scale of operations especially impressive.

GO BEHIND THE SCENES
Go behind the scenes for a look at ship operations and see how we bring the Royal Caribbean experience to life. Learn how dishes are prepared and where ingredients are stored. Explore the Engine Control Room and the crew corridor and get an exclusive tour of the Bridge.

Royal Caribbean International

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival’s tours are called “Behind The Fun” Tours.

Carnival’s tours are often considered one of the better-value behind-the-scenes tours; they cost less and go to more places.

They often include:

• Engine control room
• Galley
• Laundry
• Crew corridors
• Staff dining areas

Prices start around $90 per person, and can be up to around $150, depending on the ship and tour.

Tours are limited to 16 guests per tour group – so they do sell out quickly.

Explore beyond the public areas with visits to the ship’s bridge, engine control room, main galley, staff dining areas, storeroom, laundry, and other spaces for a rare insider’s view of many areas typically seen only by the ship’s crew.
The tour is extremely exclusive, offered only once during the cruise on a sea day and is limited to only 16 participants. Led by our onboard Learning & Development Manager accompanied by a member of our security team, you’ll get to visit sensitive areas operated at elevated security levels. Tour participants will also be able to meet and interact with shipboard staff while visiting the different areas.

Carnival

Carnival include more in their tours, even though the price is lower than many other cruise lines.

It would seem that Carnival’s tours offer good value for money.

At the time of writing, tours also include:

• Limited edition ‘Behind The Fun’ baseball cap, identifying guests as Honorary Team members
• Complimentary commemorative photos
• Carnival-branded goodies
• Light snacks and pastries

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line generally does not offer traditional behind-the-scenes or engine room tours.

Instead of backstage access, they focus on two complementary public tours:

• A thirty-minute walking tour
  • A general, family-friendly overview of the ship’s layout
• Art of the Theme Show Tour
  • An 18+ walking tour that “explains the hidden details, Imagineering, and artistic choices” across the ship’s public spaces.

You can find the times and locations in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App on embarkation day.

No prior reservations are needed.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises’ “Inside Access” Behind-the-Scenes ship tour typically costs between $125 and $139 per person.

It’s a two-hour tour that includes guided access to restricted areas such as the bridge, engine control room, galley, and laundry facilities.

Join a crewmember for a rare inside-access look at the inner workings of your Celebrity Cruise Ship.
Visit the Bridge, Engine Control Room, and Laundry for a first-hand look at how the ship’s critical areas operate.
Stroll down the i95 Celebrity Way corridor in the crew’s quarters, named after the longest highway on the U.S. East Coast.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity seem to have more Terms & Conditions attached to their behind-the-scenes tours than most other lines!

Celebrity’s terms and conditions:

Important details and advisements

• Guests must be able to walk and stand for extended periods and climb numerous steps.
• Guests in wheelchairs and those with limited mobility should not select this tour.
• Guests must wear personal protective gear (PEP) if and when provided.
• Photos and videos are restricted during the entire tour.
• Consider physical fitness and medical history when selecting this tour.
• Guests with concerns should consult their personal physician.
• Guests with back, neck, knee or ankle issues should consult with their physician before participating in this tour.
• Guests with heart issues, poor physical fitness, and other health concerns should not select this tour.
• Please note that the tour order may change.
• Children must be six (6) years or older to participate in this tour. Minors under 18 should be accompanied by an adult.
• Masks won’t be required at all times. They might be needed in certain areas.
• For the duration of the tour, participants must wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers a range of different tours, from 90 minutes to 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The tour numbers are strictly capped, typically around 15 to 20 people at a maximum

You can take a tour that suits your particular interests – whether that be the engine room or backstage theatre.

MSC tours seem to offer very good value for money, compared to some of the American cruise lines.

• Tour 1 – Command and Control Areas (Bridge & Technical Tour).
  • Costs £45 to £55 / $50 to $65 per adult
  • This tour focuses heavily on navigation, the command centre, and safety operations.
  • It includes a bridge tour where you will meet the officers, as well as a tour of the engine control room.
• Tour 2 -Backstage Areas Tour (Theatre & Operations)
  • £39 to £49 / $45 to $55 per adult
  • A tour is geared toward entertainment and hospitality fans.
  • It takes about two hours and covers the ship’s theatre, the main galley and the laundry facilities.
  • It normally takes place on a sea day.
• Tour 3 -The “Ultimate” All-Inclusive Tour combines the two tours above.
  • It costs £70 to £80 / $80 to $90 per adult

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises used to offer an “ultimate ship tour”, but availability now seems to vary from one ship to another and from one itinerary to another.

Tours aren’t widely advertised, as on other cruise lines.

When we checked with the lovely members of our Facebook group about whether Princess are still offering tours, they told me:

• Suite guests reported being offered behind-the-scenes tours, organised by the concierge.
• Others reported attending talks by the chefs or culinary demonstrations, then being shown the galleys afterwards.
• Others kindly checked whether ship tours were available on the “Cruise Personaliser” page for bookings on their upcoming Princess cruise, but found no mention of them.

My advice would be to check with reception or in the Princess app as soon as you get onboard, so see if anything is available.

Princess holds regular complimentary “Behind the Scenes” multimedia presentations in the theatre.

These are held on sea days, when senior officers (such as the Chief Engineer or the Captain) answer guests’ questions.

You can watch pre-recorded, multi-part documentary tours on your stateroom television.

These videos detail the operations of the galley, the laundry facilities, the engine control room, and environmental systems.

Are Cruise Ship Behind-The-Scenes Tours Worth It?

I think it very much depends on your interests – and the price of the tour – as to whether they are worth it for you.

Lots of cruise fans absolutely love them, and it is probably something well worth doing at least once.

Tours make you appreciate crew members far more, as you get to see how hard they are expected to work, often in very cramped conditions.

Seeing the hidden operational side can change your perspective on cruising entirely.

A trip to the bridge is not something to be missed, if it is available.

If guests love ships, engineering, logistics or just want to understand how cruising actually works, these tours can offer good value.

Others like to see the galleys and understand the logistics of providing food for thousands of guests every day.

For me, it’s the laundry operations and the backstage theatre tours that interest me most.

There really is something for everyone – but it comes at a price!

Things To Know Before Booking

• Tours often sell out quickly
  • I would advise booking as soon as you get onboard – or book before you board if possible.
• Some are only available on sea days, and bridge tours often take place when the ship is docked.
• Some areas may be cancelled for operational reasons.
• There are dress code requirements for safety reasons, so check before you book.
  • No open-toed shoes or sandals is a common rule.
• Photography restrictions are common.
• Some tours have minimum age limits.
• Accessibility can vary because of stairs/ladders.
  • If you have any mobility issues, check what the tour involves before you book.

Before You Go

One place I have never seen tours take guests is inside the cruise ship lifeboats. Get a proper look at what they keep inside and how many passengers each is ship is supposed to accommodate here:

Inside a Cruise Ship Lifeboat (Crew Tour) – Emergency Food, Engine, Seating Plan and More

When is it best to book your cruise to get the best value for money? Find out here:

Booking A Cruise Last Minute Vs Early – Which Is Actually Cheaper?