Top five things only cruisers know (and get excited about)

Cruising with 9Travel brings you the best tips and tricks plus everything you need to know, from self-confessed cruise addict, Honida Beram aka Cruising With Honey. She has sailed the seven continents of the world, on a seafaring mission to uncover the globe and share her adventures.Cruisers are a special type of people, special like that super-fancy icecream that you splurge on every now and then. They're friendly and outgoing and always up for a chat.But there's one 'secret' they all share, something that landlubbers are not privy too – and we like to keep it that way!READ MORE: Tour guide's number one thing you need on a holiday to the Australian outbackWhat's the secret? Cruisers have a long and very exclusive list of things that we get very excited about. We have passed this precious info down from cruise addict to cruise addict - with a wink and a secret handshake of course.But as I'm feeling generous (and I surreptitiously want to convert you all into cruisers) I will now share with you the Top 5 Things Only Cruisers Know and Get Excited About.READ MORE: Take a look inside England's first luxury sleeper train The Britannic ExplorerAhoy pilot!One of my most thrilling memories is watching the pilot literally jump aboard the ship I was on as we were returning from Antarctica. It was honestly like watching a scene out of an action movie.The sea was churning, the sky was grey and I had the best vantage point up on the Bridge with the Captain. The athletic, agile man was perched on the side of the pilot vessel as it was expertly manoeuvred to some alongside the ship. As the two vessels got closer, he jumped from the pilot boat, scurried up the ladder and made his way up to the bridge to guide us into port. What an adrenalin rush.Cruisers in the know get very excited about catching those few heart-stopping moments when the pilot boards and leaves a cruise ship. While most people are out on deck at a sailaway, partying with cocktail, serious cruises are glued to the antics of the pilot. Die-hard cruisers will also get up before sunrise to watch the pilot jump aboard (yes, I admit I've done this).FYI The pilot takes command of a cruise ship during entry and departure from a port. The local pilot knows the intricacies of the shape and depth and any other important details – such as protecting the local infrastructure and environment - to ensure a safe port arrival and departure. This is one of the most critical times of any voyage and relies on skill, experience, precision and nerve.READ MORE: Inside the Delta One Suite: What it's really like flying business class to LAXAnimals from the land of Terry (Towel)I don't know why these origami-d bath towels illicit such joy among cruisers – of every age – but towel animals are definitely something cruisers get excited about.Whether you're five or 95, walking into your cabin and seeing a hanging towel monkey wearing your sunglasses is just funny. Sometimes it's quite easy to figure out what the animal is, other times it's a little tricky.Honey Tip: If you let your cabin steward know you love towel animals, they might surprise you with a whole army of these cuties. You can also attend towel animal making classes and there also books to buy on some ships.Resplendent in WhiteI'm the first to admit that I love seeing the Captain and his officers all spiffied up in their Dress Uniforms. Swoon! And, cruise addicts like me get very excited for the Captain's Cocktail reception where her introduces his team like a proud father.If you're a new cruiser, you might not be aware of this unique event that only happens on cruise ships. It's a heart-warming moment, and guests get the opportunity to take photos with the senior officers and toast men and women who work so hard behind the scenes.Honey Tip: On many ships, this event usually coincides with Formal Night, so get dressed up to the nines and take that photo with the handsome Captain.Behind the ScenesIf you get invited to a get a tour of the Galley, do not hesitate to lap it up! Cruisers get very excited about going behind the scenes to see where the food magic happens.Some cruise lines offer this as a paid extra, but sometimes, those with lots of cruises under their belt get invited to see the ship kitchens. Likewise, a tour of the Bridge is a very exciting tour to take on board.Honey Tip: While you're usually allowed to take photos on the Bridge, video is often not permitted, especially of navigational screens.Cruisers get very excited about seeing these exclusive areas, and so if you're ever invited, do not pass up this opportunity.Boarding Day BuffetNow I know that I have written in a previous article to avoid the buffet on boarding day. But there is an exception, and you have to get there early.On boarding day, the fabulous chefs create some wondrous food items to display in the buffet. From fruit carvings, bread masterpieces and, very typically, a HUGE cake that has a welcome message and the name of the ship in bright-coloured frosting. Cruisers get very excited about snapping a pic of these beautiful displays and especially of the cake.Honey Tip: Go early, snap your pics and, if the buffet starts getting too busy to eat, go to the main dining room for a sit-down meal. The one piece of inside information I can reveal, is that on some ships, the buffets offer a premium selection of food – I've seen lobster, oysters and giant prawns – only on boarding day. So, it's worth going up for a squizz.There are many more 'cruising secrets', but I won't divulge them all just yet, - I don't want to get kicked out of the club! I'd encourage you to go on a cruise – go on as many as you can – and discover those delectably fun and interesting things that are unique to cruising.