by Sheree Zielke

Created on: May 06, 2007   Last Updated: August 04, 2011

Cruise ship lines have turned people-pleasing into a science. While a cruiser should expect wonderful things onboard a cruise ship, sometimes the unpleasant happens, too. Here are 12 things, from a veteran cruiser's perspective, that are reasonable to expect on the average cruise. Both the good and the bad.

1. EXPENSIVE INTERNET USAGE. Cruise ships have responded to their passengers' need to access the Web while onboard and now provide Internet cafes or cubicles with both wired and wireless Web connections. But this service is VERY expensive.

2. SEATED WITH STRANGERS. If you are a shy sort, you may not like these arbitrary dinner seating arrangements. You should be prepared to eat with a group of strangers if you want to eat in the formal dining room in the evenings. You can choose your dining time, however. You can also choose to eat elsewhere on some ships, like in the upper deck buffet, or in one of your ship's alternative restaurants. Make your reservation ahead of time though; these specialty restaurants are very popular with cruisers.

3. SEASICKNESS. Expect seasickness. The odds of your ship or its tender boats hitting rocky seas are very high. But if you expect to be seasick, then you can prepare in advance so that you don't get seasick. The only way to avoid seasickness is to prevent even the first symptoms from occurring with drugs or acupressure wristbands.

4. FAIRLY DECENT ENTERTAINMENT: Expect to be entertained. Cruise lines offer huge Broadway-style musical shows, magicians, solo instrumentalists, and comedians in their theaters. Some shows are rather ho-hum, but they do help pass the time.

5. EXTREMELY CLEAN CABIN. A clean cabin should be at the top of your list of expectations when cruising. It should not smell, and your room steward should keep it sparkling clean, filled with fresh towels and chocolates on your pillows at night. They'll leave an event sheet outlining the next day's port and events, too.

6. LOTS OF FOOD - GOOD FOOD. Food varies from ship to ship, but one thing is certain: there is lots of it. You can expect to see 3-5 different menus during the day in the main buffet. And you will be treated to multi-course gourmet dinners in the main dining room. You can also expect to get food (simpler short order food) 'round the clock. Chocolate lovers will be pleased to note that on most ships they can expect a midnight chocolate buffet, too.

7. INTESTINAL UPSETS. Yes, this occurs regularly on cruise ships, unfortunately. In the worst case

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