Latest news with #GlobalWork&Travel
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
What really happens below deck on cruise ship uncovered as expert tells all
A travel expert has shed fresh light on what goes on below deck of commercial cruise ships - including what happens when passengers die onboard and the cryptic codes shared on the PA system Netflix's new documentary Trainwreck: The Poop Cruise has caused quite the commotion, leaving many curious about the inner workings of mega cruises. One travel expert has the answers, sharing insider secrets of life below deck. Global Work & Travel 's Jessie Chambers shares five of the most surprising secrets from the cruise world, including onboard jails and morgues. She also unpacks common codes blasted over the PA system. According to Chambers, most cruise ships have a brig which is essentially a 'secure jail-like room' to detain unruly or dangerous passengers. The brig houses these passengers until they can be removed at the next port. Cruise ships also have a place to house deceased passengers. Given that some cruises have an older average passenger age, it isn't altogether uncommon for deaths to occur onboard. For this reason, most cruise liners are equipped with morgues that can hold multiple bodies until the ship reaches land. In rare cases, families can potentially request burials at sea – a practice that still exists under strict regulation. According to Chambers, some passengers even pre-plan their final voyage, ashes included. When it comes to the code system used by staff, Chambers explains that these are used to signal emergencies. Cruise staff are trained to use discreet codes (i.e. 'Code Oscar' or 'Code Alpha') to flag medical incidents, man overboard alerts, or even biohazard events like mass vomiting. Chambers' last insider secret is that not all ports will welcome all passengers, even if they have paid already. She says that if your cruise ship has a health issue onboard or if weather turns, your port stop can be cancelled. If this happens, passengers can be left with no recourse or compensation. She says this has happened frequently in the post-COVID era. Despite some of the less glamorous aspects and potential dangers, Chambers says cruises are still a great way to travel. 'Cruises are brilliant fun – but they're also floating cities, and that means everything from crime to chaos has to be accounted for. 'The Trainwreck: Poop Cruise documentary might seem extreme, but outbreaks, delays, even onboard arrests are all part of the behind-the-scenes reality. It's important travellers know what they're signing up for – not to scare them, but to empower them,' she concludes. That said, there are some passengers of the infamous cruise that argue that the documentary ' doesn't even scratch the surface ' of how horrific the experience was. The cruise voyage from Texas to Mexico descended into chaos after an engine room fire caused a massive electrical failure, leaving over 4,000 passengers and crew to wade through urine and feces and camp on deck. Tay Redford, 24, a passenger who was only 12 at the time of the incident, says she felt "hurt" by the portrayal after watching the trailer. Tay vividly recalls the fear and chaos, arguing that Carnival failed to provide meaningful support after the ordeal. "I've only seen the trailer, but from what I saw, it doesn't even scratch the surface," she said. "It's just Carnival workers telling the story. It's really hard watching the documentary come out and seeing all these people making money from it.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Having one common drink on holiday could make you sick, expert warns
Ahead of the fast-approaching summer holidays, travel experts have warned that a popular beverage loved by Brits could lead to a slew of nasty side-effects including bloating, cramps and nausea Brits have been warned about one popular beverage that could make them ill when abroad - and it's not tap water. With the summer holidays just around the corner, swathes of UK households will be packing their bags for a week or two in the sun. Despite the cost-of-living crisis continuing to hit cash-strapped Brits hard, research from found that more than half (55 per cent) of us are planning an overseas holiday this year. If you have children that are still in school, you'll have little choice but to jet off during the summer months - despite travel agents ramping up their prices. The upside to this is that you're almost guaranteed constant sunshine and scorching temperatures. But, whether you're flocking to the party-mad hotspot of Benidorm - or the tropical delights of Thailand - falling ill can completely ruin your holiday. While most Brits are extra cautious about tap water or ice when abroad, many don't think twice about consuming milk. In a statement sent to the Mirror, Jessie Chambers from Global Work & Travel warns that unlike the fresh dairy milk that is abundant in the UK, many popular tourist destinations use UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) milk instead. This beverage is made by processing milk at 135C for several seconds, killing bacteria but also altering the milk's structure. It's designed to give the quickly-expiring product a long shelf life that can survive in hot climates. But adding it to your tea or coffee could lead to some nasty side-effects. "We get so many travellers saying they felt 'off' after a coffee or hotel breakfast, assuming it was the food," the travel expert said. "But in reality, they've just had a strong dose of UHT milk, which can trigger digestive issues, especially if you've got a sensitive stomach." While many Brits will be absolutely fine with drinking UHT milk, especially in such small quantities, Global Work & Travel says it could lead to symptoms such as bloating, cramps and nausea if you have IBS or gut sensitivities. Often, this is mistaken for food poisoning. Jessie therefore advises Brits to ask hotel or restaurant staff whether they have fresh milk, or only use UHT. If you're staying in self-catering accommodation, it's worth looking for labels such as 'UHT' or 'Ultra-Heat Treated' when picking up a bottle of milk from the supermarket. Even if it is stored in the fridge, you still might be accidentally picking up UHT milk instead of its fresh counterpart. If you're extremely sensitive to lactose or have a dodgy stomach, it could be worth skipping the milk altogether. The pro also warns against drinking unlabelled or room-temperature milk unless you're sure it's safe and pasteurised. "A strange-tasting brew might not be bad beans – it could just be shelf-stable milk messing with your gut," Jessie added. "Know what you're drinking – especially in hot climates where milk storage works differently to the UK."
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Holiday money mistake costing Scots hundreds of pounds this summer
Travellers should be cautious when choosing how to pay their bills whilst abroad. Travellers jetting off abroad this summer are reportedly unknowingly falling into a costly trap at restaurants, shops and ATMs whilst on holiday. According to Jessie Chambers, Travel Expert at Global Work & Travel, choosing to pay in pounds (GBP) instead of the local currency could be inflating holiday spending by as much as 10% per transaction - thanks to a little-known practice called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). She said: 'It feels familiar and safe to choose pounds, but it's one of the biggest travel money mistakes Brits make. You're letting the shop or ATM provider apply their own conversion rate – and it's almost always worse than your bank's. Dynamic Currency Conversion is when a foreign card machine offers to convert your bill into GBP on the spot. While it sounds convenient, this 'service' often comes with: Inflated exchange rates Hidden mark-ups (typically 6–10%) Additional fees layered on top A €100 meal in Spain could cost £84 when paid in local currency, but would actually £8 more when paid in GBP via DCC. Multiply that over a week-long trip with hotels, restaurants, and activities, and travellers could be losing £100–£250 without realising. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Money saving tips when spending abroad Always pay in local currency – especially at ATMs and restaurants Use a card with no foreign transaction fees (e.g. Revolut, Monzo, Chase) Decline 'conversion to GBP' offers from shopkeepers or waiters Withdraw cash abroad in local currency using fee-free apps Jessie added: "We've had travellers message us mid-trip after realising how much they've lost to bad conversions. The worst part? It's totally avoidable." Another thing to consider, according to Alastair Douglas, CEO at TotallyMoney, is which credit card to take - if at all - to make sure you're not being hit by hefty currency conversion charges. Alastair warned: 'Don't get burnt by bank charges this summer and take a fee-free card with you. Otherwise, if you pack the wrong one, you could find yourself paying £8.15 for £5 of cash when abroad.' Alastair also advises checking your providers flat fees. He added: "When using your card, remember that making multiple, smaller purchases or withdrawals can really add up. In which case, you might be better off withdrawing a larger amount of money once, and setting a daily budget.' Alastair also warned if you're in the UK and switching one foreign currency to another foreign currency, then it's likely that you'll be charged two sets of fees or commissions. One will be to convert your cash into pounds, and another from pounds into the new currency. So, you might be better off waiting until you reach your destination and exchanging there.
