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Topics: Travel, Cruise ship, US News, World News
Ellie Kemp
A cruise ship expert has warned Americans of three major mistakes they make when visiting Europe.
You usually want the most out of your vacation, especially if you're seeing a number of new places on a cruise.
While one woman who lives the seas has revealed the guest habits that gross her out, there's another expert who's helping us when it comes to venturing across the pond.
He comes in the form of Royal Caribbean fan and cruise extraordinaire Matt Hochberg.
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He is part of the Royal Caribbean's Pinnacle Club - a prestigious loyalty program status meaning that, well, he's been on a hell of a lot more cruises than I have...
Matt first set foot on a cruise ship more than a decade ago, and loved it so much, he set up the Royal Carribean Blog and YouTube channel to share his experiences and tips.
And this summer, he embarked on his first ever European cruise.
After spending two weeks on the cruise and some more time around London, Paris and Denmark, he's rounded up some tips to make sure fellow Americans don't get caught out.
One of the biggest mistakes Americans make when cruising in Europe is not learning simple greetings in the local language.
Matt says you don’t need to be fluent, but making the effort to say 'something very basic' like 'hi,' 'thank you,' or 'goodbye' in the native language goes a long way.
In many countries like France or Spain, even a basic 'bonjour' or 'hola' is appreciated.
"They do respect that," Matt said.
It shows respect and helps avoid the stereotype of the rude, entitled tourist expecting everyone to speak English.
Another common issue is being overly picky about food, Matt warns.
While it's fine to seek out familiar options, part of the joy of travel is trying local dishes.
Matt says that European cities have plenty of restaurants that serve international food like burgers and pizza, but stepping slightly out of your comfort zone can make your trip more memorable.
Matt said: "You don't have to go crazy. Like when I was in Copenhagen, I never tried some of the cold herrings that are really famous. I'm sure it's lovely. It's not my thing."
If you're unsure what to try, just ask the staff for a mild local recommendation - most are happy to help.
This is a major one - and could add even more hassle to your vacation.
Many travelers make the mistake of flying in right before the cruise and leaving immediately after.
But in Europe, it's smart to add extra days before or after your cruise.
Matt says that arriving early helps you adjust to jet lag and enjoy the city of departure, while staying after the cruise lets you explore more and avoids the stress of rushing home.
Matt said: "You're probably paying hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for your flight to get over to Europe. The longer you spend in Europe, arguably you get more value out of it."