Cruising Etiquette...a list.

[Danno]

For new cruisers, (and many old cruisers) a few do's and don'ts that I think are important while on a cruise...these are just my opinion...feel free to add.

 

-Don't discuss, or ask, what you paid, or what I paid, for my cruise...I don't care and I don't think it's anyone else's business.

 

-Don't rave about how much better another cruise line is...some people are quite loyal to X and, right or wrong, don't want to hear it.

 

-Nobody wants to see a drunk staggering around...tacky.

 

-Keep your voice down...some people (me) don't want to enjoy your conversations.

 

-Look the staff people in the eye...say good morning...and mean it. These are PEOPLE you know!!

 

-Run the correct way on the track...there's always one!! If you are on the track for a stroll, please don't walk 3-4 abreast...be aware people are trying to get by you.

 

Just a few that I think are important...any others group.

[Schplinky]

Great list and I agree with all of them.

 

-Be on time to dinner. Your tablemates might be more polite than you and will actually wait. Besides, it's hard for the waiter to be running back and forth for different courses.

 

- Don't save 8 seats in the theatre because your friends are coming. Those who really wanted seats showed up early. Everyone else should get what's left

[Cruise Arizona]

Danno,

 

Sometimes I stagger but I like to blame in on the motion of the ship not the 3 glasses of wine with dinner. :)

 

Other than that I think you have some pretty good suggestions.

[Danno]

-don't storm the gangway to disembark at a port...the island will still be there in 20 minutes...it creates a huge bottle neck in the lower decks. Let those who need to be off early, for an excursion, get off and out of the way...enjoy another coffee.

 

-let the staff do their jobs...the waiter isn't requesting to take your tray in the buffet because it's his hobby...it makes them happy!!

[Char]

- don't handle the buffet food and then put it back (I've seen people pick over the rolls with their hands and not use the tongs)

 

- do smile at the Guest Relations staff when you greet them with a problem. It will make their day to see a smiling face instead of a grumpy, mad one, and your problem will be resolved more easily.

 

- don't lean on all the elevator buttons when in a crowded elevator. Most folks don't want to stop on every floor.

 

- do let your waiter and table mates know when you are going to eat dinner in a different venue so there won't be a delay in ordering while they wait for you to come to dinner.

[I Luv Crusin]

Follow the rules:

 

Dress as requested

 

Smoke in smoking areas.

 

Don't save deck chairs.

 

Treat others politely including staff and other guests.

 

Control your children. Go over with them the rules before and during the cruise.

[Blazerboy]

Ah, Danno, best to you and Jib.:D How's the puppy? (all dogs are puppies, no matter their age!)

 

Hmmmm. Don't complain randomly to anyone who will listen! Always amazes me that folks complain a lot, and then wonder why other passengers avoid them for the rest of the trip.

 

Take responsibility for being social! I hear constanly the complaint that the social hostess or the entertainment staff "didn't do enough for me." Frankly the best staff is one where you're not really aware of their efforts on your behalf.

 

Cruising is a social vacation; do your part to be pleasant at the dinner table, to carry the conversation if necessary those first few meals, and try to draw out the shy types. It'll pay off handsomely.

 

There are thousands more, but lunch is calling me!:)

 

Andrew

[Schplinky]

-Don't sit on the aisle in the theatre and then grumble loudly when you have to allow people in or out.

 

- Don't complain, while in the islands, that things are not done as they are back home; presumably, you left home for a week for a reason.

 

- don't save chairs by the pool for folks unless they're going to be there in a matter of seconds. It's simply not fair to those who are there now and could be enjoying the chairs.

 

- don't show up hours before the designated boarding time and then complain loudly about the boarding time being later than folks claimed on internet reported. Cruise Critic is great anecdotal advice but it is just that.

 

 

- don't smoke in non-smoking areas or complain when smokers do smoke in designated smoking areas.

[Danno]

Ah, Danno, best to you and Jib.:D How's the puppy? (all dogs are puppies, no matter their age!)

 

Andrew

 

OT...:( Poor little guy is not so good...fever, tremors, no energy...we are praying, and the vet doesn't think, it's not Parvovirus...(if it is, I don't want to think about it)...he's in the hands of a great vet and we'll do whatever it takes...and we'll pray we're not saying good bye to another friend soon...too soon :( .

[TEXASMUNK]

Just because you are 8,000 years old, that does not mean you can take your hoverround onto the elevator at 95 mph BEFORE those ON the elevator can get off! Wait, just like the rest of us that are either walking, using a cane, staggering back to our cabin (high seas..never alcohol :D ), or any other level of mobility.

[rowmcvie]

I agree with all of these don'ts - especially the ones about complaining. Actually whining is probably more appropriate. I don't have a problem with complaining per se, when it's done respectfully and to someone who can actually do something about the problem.

 

I do have a question about running on the track. I totally get going a prescribed direction and not being 4 abreast. But what about us fast walkers? Are the tracks only for runners? In the past, I've tried to stay to one side when walking so runners can easily get by....

[Danno]

I do have a question about running on the track. I totally get going a prescribed direction and not being 4 abreast. But what about us fast walkers? Are the tracks only for runners? In the past, I've tried to stay to one side when walking so runners can easily get by....

 

I'm a "fast walker", 13 min miles...I just listen for steps behind me, check over my shoulder and stay to one side as the runners come up on me...it's not a big space, but if everyone is courteous, it works out ok.

[Schplinky]

Wow, you are a fast walker. That's impressive. Have you ever walked a marathon?

[Danno]

Wow, you are a fast walker. That's impressive. Have you ever walked a marathon?

 

No...my best is 13.5 miles from my home to yacht club...the last mile was tough...I lost about 100lbs and this is part of my plan to keep it "lost".

[tarheelmjfan]

Good suggestions everyone! :) I have read that many of you on here may not agree with me, but I think the one single thing that could put the biggest damper on my cruise enjoyment, would be dinner conversation. I don't want to hear (or care):

 

- how much money you make

- how much money you have (saved or otherwise)

- what your political or religious opinions are (I have my own opinion on this & we may not agree. Why alienate your tablemates, before you even get a chance to know them?)

 

My DH & I are pretty easy to get along with & will put up with most anything. However, the above mentioned conversations would be enough to make us quickly look for alternate dining options.

 

P.S. Danno, I hope it's something minor with Jib, & he's back to his normal, loving self in no time. :)

[Blazerboy]

Danno, hope all goes well with Jib.:(

 

On topic:

 

(lecture coming- be forewarned!;) )

 

Don't assume that people are trying to put you down by talking about their life's experiences; Yacht Club, Summer House, Boarding Schools, Fancy Cars, all that stuff might just be part of someone's life, not a tool they use to measure your worth. Sometimes our insecurities make us think others are bragging, when they're really just telling a story with descriptors that are common parlance for them.

 

Here's a case in point to over-illustrate my thoughts: my Volvo. I think of it as an 8 year old stationwagon, a really practical car, and one in a series of Volvos that I've owned. When I use the descriptor of "I was driving my Volvo...", (Well, not a phrase I'm likely to utter, actually, but you get the idea) I usually imagine it says about me- "stable, family oriented vehicle- practical, safe, and a little dull." And yet some people react to it as though I've just said " I drive a fancy foreign car designed for yuppies who aren't patriotic, and only eat Brie on imported crackers..."

 

All a matter of perspective, and, especially when first meeting people, give the benefit of the doubt. :)

 

Hey, some of us Volvo drivers are actually worth knowing!:D

 

Andrew

[steveweese]

No Speedos in the dining room..............Unless it is Formal night.

[Cruise Arizona]

Blazerboy,

 

DH drives a Volvo, but he thinks of it as his little practical sports sedan for commuting over the mountain range into Tucson.

 

Guess what our other car is???? Well we actually have two, one is a 9 year old beat up Ford Expedition that I use for hauling the kids and all there stuff around, and the other is a Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Pick-up that DH decided was too impractical for his commute, but useful for living out in the country.

 

So if someone heard me talking about the Volvo they might get one impression of me, and if they heard me talking about taking my garbage to the dump in the Silverado they might get another impression of me.

[hhv100]

No Speedos in the dining room..............Unless it is Formal night.

 

You can only wear your Speedos in the dining room on formal night if your wear a bowtie that matches your DW's dress.

[Danno]

Danno, hope all goes well with Jib.:(

 

On topic:

 

(lecture coming- be forewarned!;) )

 

Don't assume that people are trying to put you down by talking about their life's experiences; Yacht Club, Summer House, Boarding Schools, Fancy Cars, all that stuff might just be part of someone's life, not a tool they use to measure your worth. Sometimes our insecurities make us think others are bragging, when they're really just telling a story with descriptors that are common parlance for them.

 

Andrew

 

Thanks...I'm at home now and he seems quiet a bit improved...a long way to go, but I'm optimistic.

 

Re:the "yacht club"...I have a 30 year old, 27 foot sloop...my club dues are less than $500 a year...anyone impressed yet?? :confused: Actually the term "yacht club" might not be the best...perhaps it would better be described as a "beer drinking club, with sailboats" ;)

[Happy ks]

Speaking of speedos, make sure yours have enough spandex left to cover the parts that shouldn't be shared with the rest of the pax. If the speedo is old and starting to stretch out a bit, it's time for a new one. If you are unsure of the condition of the speedo, you need to be wearing a pair of swim shorts. Come to think of it, most of us want you to not wear a speedo, I don't care what part of the world you come from or how buff you may be.

 

Same for bikinis with strings. (men may/will disagree)

 

Seriously though, if you have to eat at the buffet, take only what you really think you will eat. I have a hard time walking through and seeing all the waste. If you really like something, you can go back for seconds if you are still hungry. All you can eat buffet is not a contest.

[Danno]

Seriously though, if you have to eat at the buffet, take only what you really think you will eat. I have a hard time walking through and seeing all the waste. If you really like something, you can go back for seconds if you are still hungry. All you can eat buffet is not a contest.

 

GOOD POINT!!! I don't care if it's "free" or not...wasting food is still not proper...and I didn't grow up during the depression.

[Lois R]

I am just wondering...yes, I wonder sometimes:eek:

 

Oh Hi Dan, hope the pup gets better soon:)

 

Back to wondering, Am I the only person who says "Thank You" to the

dining room staff? Example...after your waiter takes your dinner

order and you give him back the menu, do most of you say

"Thank You" to him? I always do. It feels like a common courtesy

and is the right thing to do.

There have been times I have seen folks almost ignore them...

much less thank them. It is sort of sad if you ask me.:(

Sort of like...they are only there to serve...which I know that

is there job, but they are people too! And they are the ones who

make my cruise so outstanding:)

 

Anyway, "Please and Thank You" go a long way (in my opinion).

[flashdog_1]

Back on subject.

 

If you are sunbathing, do not move your chaise into the jogging path to catch a better view or more rays etc.

 

Make sure your kids know where they can and cannot go.For instance, the T-pool and casino are no nos.

 

Except when traversing many decks, use the stairs for just a deck or two to help with elevator congestion and speed as well.

 

Bring shy people out by asking them questions before you give up on them when they are sitting at your table! Everyone's not like us and ready to spill all! Don't ask it so they can give a yes or no answer and stop. Instead of "how was your day?" "Fine." say something like, "What did you do today?" "Oh, I attended the such and such lecture." Then you can take it from there. Why? I guess I think the friendliness of other passengers affects how good a cruise is so no one goes home saying, "they all kept to their own little groups and didn't include me."

 

If your steward is antsy to clean your room and you don't want to leave, just tell him to go ahead and you'll wait on the balcony.

 

Please and thank you with a smile go a long way. Much better than harrumph.

[tarheelmjfan]

Don't assume that people are trying to put you down by talking about their life's experiences; Yacht Club, Summer House, Boarding Schools, Fancy Cars, all that stuff might just be part of someone's life, not a tool they use to measure your worth. Sometimes our insecurities make us think others are bragging, when they're really just telling a story with descriptors that are common parlance for them.

 

 

Andrew

 

I hope you didn't think that was what I was implying with my post. I would have no problem with any of these things coming up in a conversation, & we very much enjoy hearing of other's life experiences. We also find conversations on differences in regions of the US or other countries a fun topic. What I was referring to is someone being blatant about their perceived self worth. Example... my sister took a cruise this summer. She came home telling us everything her table mate owned & went as far as telling us the exact amount this woman was worth. She even knew who her beneficiaries were & how much she was leaving each of them. Sorry, but I would have been running from a table like that on the 1st night. I really don't want to know this type of info., nor do I care. IMHO, personal finances should stay that way. On the other hand, tell me all the times you got in trouble in boarding school & I'll be happy to laugh "with" you. :D

 

Lois,

If people aren't saying please & thank you to their wait staff, they probably don't say it to anyone. Those are common courtesies that she be conveyed regularly.