Cruising is arguably the easiest way to unpack once, visit multiple destinations and enjoy a vacation where nearly everything is taken care of for you. But even experienced cruisers continue to discover surprising facts about life at sea.

Whether you're planning your first voyage or your 10th, here are a few cruise insights that might make you look at your next sailing a little differently.

1. You'll Never Find a Deck 13

If you're looking for Deck 13 on most cruise ships, you’ll be searching for a while. Much like hotels and office buildings, many cruise lines skip the number 13 entirely due to long-standing superstitions surrounding the number. Unfortunately, your fitness tracker isn't nearly as superstitious. If you're taking the stairs to offset your buffet visits, it won't award you an extra flight just because the numbering jumps from 12 to 14.

2. You May Not Need a Passport

While a passport is always recommended for international travel, many closed-loop cruises – those that begin and end at the same U.S. port – allow U.S. citizens to sail with a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. That means you can visit destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and parts of Canada without a passport. Before sailing, always check your cruise line's requirements and government travel guidance, as rules can vary.

3. The Crew Comes From Around the World

One of the most fascinating parts of cruising is meeting the people who make it all happen. Crew members often represent dozens of countries and cultures, creating an incredibly diverse onboard experience. From your dining staff to your stateroom attendant, you will interact with people from every corner of the globe before you even arrive at your first international port.

4. Cruise Ships Function as Small Cities

Today’s cruise ships aren't just floating hotels – they're floating cities. One of the largest ships at sea, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas can carry up to 7,600 passengers and 2,300 crew members. With more than 20 dining venues, seven pools, a waterpark, a theater, medical facilities, retail stores, a fitness center and ice-skating rink, it stretches longer than three football fields. For days or weeks at a time, these cruise ships become self-contained communities traveling from one port of call to the next.

5. The Fresh Water Onboard Starts as Ocean Water

Ever wondered how cruise ships carry enough fresh water for thousands of passengers? Most modern cruise ships create their own fresh water by converting seawater through desalination systems. The water used for showers, pools, laundry, cooking and even your morning coffee often began as ocean water. The robust treatment facilities on larger ships can produce hundreds of thousands of gallons of fresh water every day.

6. Some Passengers Never Really Leave

Cruises aren't just vacations anymore. A growing number of retirees have discovered that spending extended periods aboard cruise ships can be comparable in cost to some traditional retirement communities. With meals, housekeeping, entertainment and healthcare access in many ports, life at sea has become an appealing option for some adventurous seniors.

While most of us aren't ready to trade our home address for a cabin number, there's something to be said for embracing a little of that cruise mindset. The best vacations are the ones where relaxation starts before you even step aboard, which is why savvy travelers look for ways to simplify every part of the journey, from airport parking to embarkation day.

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