Have you read the sailor conduct policy lately?

[CineGraphic]

Some interesting things spelled out in the rules, including "no reserving seats" anywhere.

 

This Sailor Conduct Policy is intended to help ensure that all Sailors are able to participate in a safe and enjoyable voyage onboard and sets forth standards of conduct for Sailors to follow throughout their voyage, including transfers to and from ships, inside terminals, while onboard, at ports of call, during shore excursions, and at the Bimini Beach Club. 

This policy is not intended to be all inclusive, and it is likely there will be conduct issues not specifically addressed herein. In that event, as in all others, the Ship’s Master will take appropriate action to ensure the safety, security and well being of our Sailors and Crew. In addition to this policy, there are also U.S. and foreign laws that may apply to Sailors in various destinations.
 

Sailor Conduct

Verbally Abusive or Offensive Language 
Verbally abusive or offensive language directed toward anyone, to include Sailors, crew members, and governmental officials, is not permitted. This includes slurs based on race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Criminal Acts  
Any criminal acts or allegations of such acts, including but not limited to the following, will be addressed on board through de-escalation or acting to end the apparent criminal act, and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency: 

• Uninvited physical contact 
• Stalking
• Solicitation
• Harassment 
• Sexual misconduct
• Vandalism, tampering with or damage to ship’s equipment/property
• Theft 
• Violence or Threats of Violence
• Drug use
• Unauthorized Access (to crew areas or other sailor cabins)
• Use of fake/false Identification
• Underage drinking (see alcohol section)
• Fraud

Unsafe Behavior 
Sitting, standing, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other  protective barriers, or tampering with ship’s equipment, facilities or systems is not permitted.

Sailors may not enter or access any area that is restricted or is solely for the use of crew members. Any other unsafe behavior, including failure to follow safety/security instructions from ship’s crew, is not permitted.

A Sailor posing a risk to themselves or others either by threat or act will be subject to action pursuant to the “Consequences Section” of this Sailor Conduct Policy. 

Disorderly or Abusive Conduct 
This behavior is not permitted. These characterizations are meant to encompass a spectrum of behavior that serves to (1) disrupt other persons’ enjoyment of their Sailor experience or (2) impact the safety and security of the ship, crew, or other Sailors. Examples of such conduct include:

• Reserving pool, deck and theater chairs  
• Use of pool or whirlpools outside operating hours or during inclement weather 
• Topless sunbathing in unauthorized areas (contact Sailor Services for more information)
• Indecent Exposure or nudity (for example, wearing jockstraps in public violates this policy)
• Verbally abusive, Racial slurs or epithets
• Initiation of verbal confrontation
• Roller blades, roller skates, skateboards, scooters, surfboards, bicycles, and similar items may not be utilized on­board (except  for mobility aids related to special needs)
• Usage of loud personal speakers in public areas is not permitted
• Noise levels in the Sailors cabin that may affect others

Any Crew member observing discourteous, disorderly, disruptive, or abusive conduct is expected to take appropriate action.

Smoking 
Smoking or Vaping inside cabins or in cabin balconies is not permitted.
Smoking or Vaping in public areas is permitted in designated areas only (contact Sailor Services for more information or check out the smoking FAQ). 

Curfews 
Ship’s management reserves the right to enact curfews on an individual, group, or ship­wide basis, if in the sole judgment of the ship’s Captain, such steps become necessary to ensure Sailor or crew safety.

Alcohol
Sailors are expected to be responsible for their actions at all times, including during transfers to and from ships, inside terminals, while onboard, at our ports of call, during shore excursions and at the Bimini Beach Club. Consuming alcohol to excess impairs one’s judgment and reduces one’s ability to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Sailors who choose to consume alcohol must do so responsibly.

The minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Virgin Voyages ships is 18 in international waters; it is 21 in U.S territorial waters. 

Any Sailor who has appeared to have over indulged in alcohol, as determined within a crew member’s sole discretion, will be refused service.

Sailors are not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages onboard except on embarkation day (2 bottles of wine per cabin) for consumption or any other purpose. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased from onboard shops or in ports of call (which must be presented to security upon boarding), will be secured by the ship's crew and delivered to the Sailor’s cabin just prior to the conclusion of the voyage. 

Security may inspect any containers at any time, and those concealing or attempting to conceal alcohol will be subject to action pursuant to the “Consequences Section” of this Sailor Conduct Policy. 

Sailors who violate any alcohol policy, including but not limited to underage drinking; providing  alcohol to an underage Sailor; possessing, concealing or attempting to conceal alcoholic items in their luggage, when boarding, or while on board; or failing to consume alcohol responsibly, will be subject to action pursuant to the “Consequences Section” of this Sailor Conduct Policy.

Sailor and Crew Interaction
Crew members are prohibited from engaging in physical relationships with Sailors. Crew members are not permitted to socialize with Sailors beyond their professional duties, and are not permitted to be in Sailor cabins, except for the performance of their duties. Sailors are expected to respect these policies and are similarly prohibited from engaging in physical relationships with crew members. Sailors are not permitted in any restricted or crew area of the ship, including crew cabins, corridors or recreational areas.

Prohibited Items
Virgin Voyages maintains a list of Items prohibited onboard all company ships. This list can be found in the company website and includes items prohibited for Safety, Security and Health reasons. Any person found in possession of a prohibited item onboard or during embarkation may be denied boarding, the item may be confiscated, disposed of or not permitted onboard.

Drugs or Other Illegal Substances 
No illegal drugs or other illegal substances are allowed onboard or may be used onboard a Virgin Voyages Ship. Illegal drugs or substances will be confiscated and appropriate action taken, which may include a search of the Sailor’s cabin, belongings and person, confiscation of any suspect substance or items found, removal from the ship and involvement of appropriate authorities. In addition, foreign governments at ports of call have strict laws that address drug possession. Sailors found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution by the next jurisdiction at which the ship is calling or located, and may be disembarked.

Health 
Sailors must report to the ship's crew if they or someone they know is experiencing symptoms onboard or just prior to their voyage that indicate any symptoms suggestive of a communicable disease. This will permit the crew to take steps to reduce the chance that your or other’s illness will spread to others on the ship. Failure to immediately report a contagious illness to the ship’s medical staff, or to accurately describe its onset, greatly increases the likelihood the illness will spread to others and is a violation of this Sailor Conduct Policy. In the event of a contagious illness, the ship’s crew will take steps to curtail its spread to other Sailors, including if necessary, steps set forth in the Consequences Section on next page.

Environment 
Sailors are prohibited from disposing and/or throwing any items over the side of the ship. This includes garbage and personal belongings. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard.

Ports of call may prohibit or restrict items from being taken ashore or landed. These items may include meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds, soil and products made from animal or plant materials. (this includes sand and shells taken from beaches.)

Consequences
Failure to act in accordance with this policy may result in: 

• Intervention by Security Team, Ship’s Management, or the local law enforcement agency
• Disembarkation with no refund. Disembarked Sailors are responsible for their own accommodations and transportation home. Documentation requirements for re-entry into the Sailor’s home country would also typically be the responsibility of the Sailor
• Detention/confinement onboard
• Refusal of service in dining or other public areas
• Fees and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by Virgin Voyages as a result of the detainment, disembarkation or damages to ship’s property and/or equipment
• Removal of certain onboard privileges, to include service of alcohol, public area privileges
• Confiscation of illegal/contraband/prohibited items (may be turned over to law enforcement  authorities) 
• Denial of future voyages
• Reporting of incidents to governmental and law enforcement authorities

 

https://www.virginvoyages.com/safety-security/sailor-conduct-policy

 

[Lustate]

16 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

Some interesting things spelled out in the rules, including "no reserving seats" anywhere.

 

https://www.virginvoyages.com/safety-security/sailor-conduct-policy

 

 

I would imagine this is the usual fair use and reasonable behaviour policy. For example, you go up to sit on a lounger at mid-day while your friend/partner is still getting ready, and popping their towel down for 15 minutes is fine. Going up at 7am, sticking two towels on loungers, and not going up till 4 p.m. is not really fair use. Same with shows etc. turning up 10 minutes before and reserving another seat at the table is fine, but turning up, dropping your stuff off, and going to another bar for an hour as you only want to see the second half of the show would be being a bad sport. 

[chillyw]

Honestly, love this code of conduct and that they spell it out. 

[aviators99]

3 hours ago, chillyw said:

Honestly, love this code of conduct and that they spell it out. 

The sailor-crew interaction section seems to be different from what I've heard.  

[cantgetin]

1 hour ago, aviators99 said:

The sailor-crew interaction section seems to be different from what I've heard.  

It is essentially the same as the written policy on any other line.  Yes, we once encountered a crew member who tried to arrange for the older teens in our group to meet them at a specific location on shore (the mothers put a stop to that really quick without getting the crew member involved). There are always rumors and I don't doubt that some of them are true, but that doesn't make it OK with the cruise line.  On the other hand, off duty crew are always required to assist passengers while on shore, etc. if needed.  VV is far more flexible than other lines in allowing off duty crew to be in passenger areas, but the level of interaction is regulated.  For instance, crew at some levels can join sailors for dinner if the sailor initiates the invitation.  VV is the only line I know that allows this!

Edited August 30, 2023 by cantgetin

[jcarter4551]

Wonder what drove the “no jock straps in public areas” rule? Really, you have to spell that out lol. 

[Lustate]

7 hours ago, jcarter4551 said:

Wonder what drove the “no jock straps in public areas” rule? Really, you have to spell that out lol. 

We were on a voyage and someone I think improvised a bit too far for the PJ party with a jock and a dressing gown. Nothing was on show and from what you could see it was nothing less than swimwear with a throwover... but there will always be someone who would go that step too far. 

[Chrish2]

• Roller blades, roller skates, skateboards, scooters, surfboards, bicycles, and similar items may not be utilized on­board (except  for mobility aids related to special needs)

 

No wonder with the size of that pool 😂