I worked on cruises for 3 years and now frequently sail as a passenger. Here are the 10 things I do on every trip.

• As a former cruise employee and frequent cruiser, I always organize my cabin on cruises.
• When packing for a cruise, I almost always bring a swimsuit and French press in my carry-on bag.
• I pay attention to safety procedures and listen to the captain's announcements.

I spent three years working on cruise ships. Now, I frequently enjoy sailing around the world as a passenger.

Here are the 10 things I always do while cruising to have the best trip possible.

Knowing my ports is key

Before I even get on board, I make sure I understand my cruise's itinerary and the actual location of our ports.

After all, I've seen itineraries that list cities like Paris, Berlin, and Rome — none of which are on the coast.

Although an itinerary says Rome, you may actually be docking in the coastal city of Civitavecchia, which is an hour away by train. Knowing this could change your plans for the whole day.

I use port guides and a map to discern where my ship will actually be docked.

My carry-on always has a swimsuit

I always pack a bathing suit in my carry-on to prepare for embarkation day.

Depending on what time I get on the ship, my cabin and luggage may not be available for several hours. By bringing a swimsuit, I can go in the pool or hot tub and sunbathe on the lido deck.

There's nothing like watching our port fade away from the comfort of a pool or hot tub on the lido deck.

I always pay attention to safety procedures

During the mandatory safety exercise on each sailing, I familiarize myself with the route from my room to my muster station.

It's best to be prepared for an emergency since disaster can strike at any time — I've even experienced ship-wide power failures at sea.

You'll never find me removing gratuity from my bill

I do my part to reward the hardworking crew by paying the daily gratuity charges, sometimes called crew appreciation.

Some passengers remove this charge from their bill, but I'd never dream of doing that. The crew works long hours every day on contracts that can last for several months on end.

In addition, I provide extra tips to my cabin steward and any other helpful dining or beverage staff.

Money is not the only way to show appreciation. I highlight excellent service by using the post-cruise survey to praise specific people and departments.

When appropriate, I also reward great service by completing the onboard comment cards at the front desk. These simple actions can help those employees earn raises or even promotions.

I wash my hands very often

Cruises are close-contact environments, and I wash my hands often throughout every trip.

After all, I've seen passengers at the buffet stick their hands in their mouths and then grab the salad tongs. Because of this, I also use a paper towel or napkin to touch the serving utensils at the buffet.

Frequent walks on the promenade deck are often a highlight of my trip

Even as a crew member, I'd enjoy walking on a ship's outside decks.

It's a good way to combine exercise with fresh sea air. The views are often outstanding, and I've been able to watch whales, birds, sunsets, and passing vessels.

It's also a good spot to go for the few times I feel seasick as the crisp outdoor air often eases my queasiness.

Always listen to the captain's announcements

On many cruises, you'll hear an announcement from your captain at least once a day.

Some guests just increase the volume of their conversations to drown out the announcements, but I always tune in. This is often when important information is communicated, such as itinerary changes and weather forecasts.

It's helpful to know if we're headed into a storm with large swells or if we'll be late to our next port.

I bring my own coffee

I've sailed with seven cruise lines, and I've rarely found a cup of coffee on board that meets my standards.

So, I bring my own French-press coffee maker and ground coffee. After a few minutes of steeping, I can have exactly what I brew at home.

If I'm trying to pack light, I just bring my favorite instant coffee.

My room stays organized throughout the trip

I unpack as soon as my luggage is delivered to my room, which helps me quickly adjust to my new environment.

I like to bring a magnetic dry-erase board that I use to map out my port and write down exercise routines. It also provides a means to communicate with my cabin steward as we sail — sometimes, I have even returned to a surprise work of art.

Packing magnetic hooks has also come in handy when there aren't enough places to hang items in my room.

Lastly, I always lean into themed parties and events

Many cruise ships have themed events or nights, and I love looking them up in advance so I can prepare my outfits.

I try to pack clothing to suit any occasion on board since there's nothing like dressing up on vacation.