Cruise ship staff lead a “dream” lifestyle on board, akin to that of a “traditional English gentleman”. This could last for a series of weeks, or perhaps just days, depending on the length of the trip and the distance of the destinations. That’s according to a former cruise ship worker, who has detailed his experiences in his new book, Cruise Ship SOS. Many cruise ship passengers know all too well how their trip allows them to enjoy the polished, lavish side of life in a host of restaurants with formal dress codes or particular evening entertainment. Related articles Cruise secrets: The reason certain entertainment features on ships Cruise secrets: The ‘six tonne’ passenger weight gain on each ship Yet until now, the crew’s enjoyment of ship life has remained relatively hidden. Former cruise ship doctor Ben MacFarlane detailed a conversation with a cruise ship co-worker and told how his friend quizzed him on the benefits of cruise life, and said: “You want a better perk? “How about the chance to live like a traditional English gentleman for four months? You need your clothes washing? “Leave them on your cabin floor and they’ll be take away and cleaned before you’ve said ‘Chinese Laundry’. “Your cabin will be cleaned and tidied every day and your steward will bring you tea or coffee or whatever you want for breakfast in the morning.” Cruise secrets: A cruise ship officer has revealed a 'dream' lifestyle on board (Image: Getty) He added: “You’re a three stripe officer on a passenger ticket. “You can go to the spa or work out at the gym any time, and go to the theatre every night. “Just sign for anything you want to eat or drink and it’s free. “You’ll get discounts if you want anything from the shops and don’t settle your bill at the end of the night. ”This is the kind of life people dream about, my friend.” Related articles Cruise secrets: The HUGE consequences when a ship ‘steers too sharply' Cruise secrets: Passenger brings VERY strange luggage on each ship Cruise secrets: The cruise ship crew are on board for the same duration as passengers (Image: Getty) Cruise secrets: Staff benefit from the same perks as passengers, according to a cruise ship doctor (Image: Getty) Meanwhile, the reason some entertainment shows feature on cruise ships – and others are scrapped – has been revealed. Steve Leatham, creative director of tedGroup heading up the entertainment on adult only cruise Marella Explorer 2, exclusively explained some of the new cruise ship’s show's scheduling secrets. Steve told Express.co.uk: "We compare it to different times of the year as different shows do better at different times of the year, depending where the ship is located. “It has appeared to us the more contemporary content has worked better in the Mediterranean, as well as the more modern stuff we do like festival. “Things that are more like classic theatre, such as the physical shows and dance shows, they work really well in the Caribbean season.”All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility