Behind the tropical drinks and ocean sunsets, life on a cruise ship can look very different for the people who work there. In this episode, an anonymous crew member shares their story from behind the scenes of life at sea — from confusing contract structures and delayed pay to allegations of discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and dismissive responses from management.

Through a documentary-style narrative told from crew to crew, this episode explores what the Maritime Labour Convention says about seafarers’ rights, how policies onboard can affect workers’ lives, and why many crew members feel their concerns go unheard. It also touches on reports surrounding a tragic 2025 incident involving crew fatalities, raising broader questions about safety and transparency in the cruise industry.

This is not the view from the pool deck.This is the view from below deck — and a call for crew, passengers, and future seafarers to understand the realities behind the industry.

If you would like to share your story, or just need to speak with someone, e-mail us at podcastdeck13@gmail.com

Cruise ships are built to hide their truths.
Deck 13 is the deck that doesn’t officially exist — skipped out of superstition and silence.
In this trailer episode, we introduce Deck 13 Podcast, a space where real people share real stories about life at sea: the good, the bad, and the things no one warns you about.
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of cruise ship life, this is where it begins.
Welcome aboard.
Welcome to Deck 13.

If you would like to share your story write to the email: deck13podcast@gmail.com