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From moldy food to dirty ice dispensers to germy drink taps, CDC food inspectors have seen it all. Some recent discoveries resulting in unsatisfactory reports include uncovered containers of spices "out from under the sneeze shield" and bins of fresh eggs and other food not labelled with a 'discard by' date. In 2013, a surprise inspection caught one ship that hid trolleys of perishable food and dirty utensils in employee cabins. Ew!

True fact: Passengers put on an average of seven pounds during a one-week cruise. Eating at the ship buffet—where you can go back for unlimited portions over and over again throughout the day—pretty much guarantees you'll go home heavier than when you first boarded. A recent survey showed that the average cruise passenger gains a pound a day. Want to avoid that extra weight? Limit your dessert intake to dinner only, be mindful of how much alcohol you consume, and take only one plate of food at a time.

Because it's so easy for illnesses to spread on a cruise ship, most lines strongly encourage passengers to frequently wash their hands, especially before meals. Often, staff members are posted in front of dining areas, squirting sanitizer into everyone's palms before allowing them to enter. Some newer ships have also introduced hand-washing stations before the buffets. However, many people simply walk right by, and who knows when they last used a bar of soap.