cruising etiquette

[heybabeitsbrooke]

Are there any unspoken rules about behaving the correct way on a cruise ship that i am probably unaware about? im assuming its the same that goes for being anywhere, but is there anything in peticular that ticks people off?

[Planer's Edge]

Hang around here long enough and you find that everything ticks off off at least one person or another.

 

As to your initial question I have always lived by the Golden Rule in general and on cruises. The main thing is to not sweat the little things.

 

PE

[katiel53]

There are a lot of unspoken rules, but basically if y ou are well mannered, you won't be breaking the rules.

 

Some that come to mind, don't put your hands, fingers etc. into the food in the buffet.

 

Don't pick something off your buffet plate and eat it while in line and then pick up tongs that others will have to use.

 

No cutting in lines---anywhere

 

No saving seats in the theatres

 

No chair hogging

 

 

See, all simple things. Just relax, don't complain about anything/everything and enjoy your cruise.

[salty dingo]

I would add that no pushing or shoving as you make your way through crowded spaces. No loud, boisterous manners at the dinner table. And only put on your plate at the buffet enough for a human to eat - not an elephant.:p

[Rumncoke]

#1 -- No whining.

[Toyz711]

the space on a cruise ship is smaller, hence our personal space is smaller. remember that and respect everyone's personal space.

[LOWTYD]

Treat others (including the staff) as you would like to be treated.

Remember, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinager.:)

 

Don't let you eyes be bigger than your stomach! Take only what you can eat. I hate to see so much food wasted. You can always go back for more if needed.:D

 

Please don't mess up the public restrooms (please fhit you target, please flush and please throw your trash IN the waste basket, not near it! And don't forget to wash your hands! (See Norovirus threads!):eek:

 

Don't save pool chairs for 6 people with all your stuff at 8:00 A.M. if they don't plan to show up unitl noon:mad: . They don't really enfornce this (I wish they did) but they do have signs that nobody pays attention to.

 

Don't be a sloppy drunk. Very unbecoming:rolleyes:

 

Strike up a conversation with someone you don't know. You may be pleasantly suprised:p

 

Have a great cruise!!!

[granger]

When returning to your cabin late at night use your indoor voice, also close the door don't let it shut by it's self.

[LOWTYD]

This space for rent!

[mousey]

I agree with all posters here!:D I think following the "Golden Rule" is especially important. Keep a big smile on your face and all is well!

[Guest Anorak33]

Hang around here long enough and you find that everything ticks off off at least one person or another.

 

As to your initial question I have always lived by the Golden Rule in general and on cruises. The main thing is to not sweat the little things.

 

PE

 

Something else to bear in mind is that you may tick someone off badly on here by a thoughtless post - and then find you are cruising with them not long afterwards.

[Planer's Edge]

Something else to bear in mind is that you may tick someone off badly on here by a thoughtless post - and then find you are cruising with them not long afterwards.

 

But, how would you know or even care???:eek: Besides I don't write thoughtless posts!!:rolleyes:

 

PE

[coka]

the spa area is a rest/relaxation area...not really a good place for a therapy-pool-party

 

be aware of cigarette smoke even while in a designated area

 

always say please and thank-you

 

if you see someone who needs a hand, trips, or looks like they need assistance, then offer to help or find someone who can

 

coka

[heybabeitsbrooke]

hahaha people get mad about how much food you eat? thats funny because im guessing a lot of people pig outt since the food is free.

[heybabeitsbrooke]

people get mad about saving seats in theatres? that must be hard because how else can you make sure nobody sits down next to you when your waiting for a family member or friend?

[LOWTYD]

hahaha people get mad about how much food you eat? thats funny because im guessing a lot of people pig outt since the food is free.

I wouln't call it free. It's included in the price of your cruise. Still, it's a shame to see piles of uneaten food go to waste.

[heybabeitsbrooke]

yes you're right about that. im just saying that because people dont have to pay for the amount they eat, they probably will pilee it on their plates.

[I'mwithhim]

I will probably be flamed for this but quite honestly don't think that anyone has the right to be ticked off by the amount of food others take... yes, I would agree that it is a shame to waste, but that wasn't the question. ;)

 

And I would say that if you are saving a seat for family in the theatre that is much different than say...saving 12 chairs for people who are doing a shore excursion.. I get that, but I would like to sit with my DH while watching shows and if he goes to the heads and I save the chairs, I would be ticked off if someone had the balls to call me on it. It would also tick me off knowing that others on board are watching how much I eat. Now to me. that is so rude. Blows the etiquette rule right out of the water. :mad:

 

Most of these responses seem to me to be purely what some people want others to do to make them personally comfortable...not etiquette rules of cruising.. for example "be aware of cigarette smoke even in designated areas" ... I would suggest that you should be aware that if you don't smoke, this is a designated area for those who do. Since these areas are outside or in the cigar bar, casino, etc, I would suggest you should avoid it if smoke bothers you. Don't expect someone to "control" their smoke outside.. it just won't happen. (and no, I don't smoke) And it would be equally as rude to go into one of these area and comment on the fact that their smoke is bothering you.. :)

 

Those that stated things like "mindful for personal space", "manners", "smile", don't slam doors, use your 'inside voice', etc are more on the train of thought for public good etiquette, but that to me, is just common sense. The Golden Rule takes people far in life.. and on board. :D

 

And as a final thought, I have to ask.. has anyone ever seen a drunk that wasn't sloppy? :D

[heybabeitsbrooke]

I will probably be flamed for this but quite honestly don't think that anyone has the right to be ticked off by the amount of food others take... yes' date=' I would agree that it is a shame to waste, but that wasn't the question. ;)

 

And I would say that if you are saving a seat for family in the theatre that is much different than say...saving 12 chairs for people who are doing a shore excursion.. I get that, but I would like to sit with my DH while watching shows and if he goes to the heads and I save the chairs, I would be ticked off if someone had the balls to call me on it. It would also tick me off knowing that others on board are watching how much I eat. Now to me. that is so rude. Blows the etiquette rule right out of the water. :mad:

 

Most of these responses seem to me to be purely what some people want others to do to make them personally comfortable...not etiquette rules of cruising.. for example [i']"be aware of cigarette smoke even in designated areas"[/i] ... I would suggest that you should be aware that if you don't smoke, this is a designated area for those who do. Since these areas are outside or in the cigar bar, casino, etc, I would suggest you should avoid it if smoke bothers you. Don't expect someone to "control" their smoke outside.. it just won't happen. (and no, I don't smoke) And it would be equally as rude to go into one of these area and comment on the fact that their smoke is bothering you.. :)

 

Those that stated things like "mindful for personal space", "manners", "smile", don't slam doors, use your 'inside voice', etc are more on the train of thought for public good etiquette, but that to me, is just common sense. The Golden Rule takes people far in life.. and on board. :D

 

And as a final thought, I have to ask.. has anyone ever seen a drunk that wasn't sloppy? :D

 

i think you're 100 % right about everything you just said. except for the smoking, where i think smokers should be respectful about where they blow out their smoke. but you're right, if you care about breathing in smoke, then dont go in a place designated for smoking =]

[Guest Anorak33]

But' date=' how would you know or even care???:eek: Besides I don't write thoughtless posts!!:rolleyes:

 

PE[/quote']

 

One might find out by a post on a rollcall.

 

One might meet them at a meet and greet.

 

I must admit I am looking forward to meeting one or two of the members on here at a meet and greet on board.

[NoVaCruiser60]

This is a real problem because of the close quarters aboard a cruise ship. Walk ten steps this way, you're in a loud, smoky casino, two steps that way, you're in the chapel, up one flight, a disco, over ten steps, someone's front door. Its hard to change how you are acting that quickly, but its essential to proper cruise behavior.

 

One more thing: avoid entitle-iteness. When everybody is trying to do everything for you, its easy to become ever-more demanding. I have seen hard-working people who would never mistreat service employees turn into raging a$$holes after a week on a cruise ship. We all pay to have great service, and we should demand it, but remember what its like to be on the other side of that equation.

[Mooder]

I am a huge proponent of courtesy and the golden rule, but agree with those that said there is nothing wrong with saving a couple of seats in the theatre. We have just come from dinner, made a point of scheduling so we can get there early and get a good seat, so if one or two of us needs to use the restroom before the show starts, that's just normal civilized behavior. Just as I would save a seat in a movie theatre for my companion while he or she uses the rest room. Of course, one person saving an entire row is another story. Finally, I find that the overwhelming majority of people on a cruise are having a great, relaxing time and are in a good mood so they are thoughtful and considerate.

[zqvol]

I do think that one important thing that was mentioned earlier concerns noise in the hallways. Everyone tends to forget how load the doors close and how the sound travels into rooms. So it is a good idea to make an effor to be quiet in the hallways, becuae people sleep at all times of the day or night.

 

If you know how to act in public, you know how to act on the ship. A first time cruiser may not be aware of the nosie in the hallways issue, but everythign else is simply good manners. You either have them or you don't!

[Lisa&Neb]

One of my biggest pet peeves on a cruise is the people who don't think they need to go to the muster drill, or those who think that they can come 15 minutes after they have called us. Really people, it's not the most exciting part of the cruise and I'm sure that very few people would rather be in a small area with their life jackets on waiting for someone who doesn't think that the rules pertain to them. I know that the others in the muster station are anxiously waiting your arrival so we can get the drill done and over with, get our life jackets off and finally go and enjoy our vacation.

 

Please please please show up to the proper station and on time, with your life jackets and be quiet while the crew member does their job. Also, leave your helmut of beer in your cabin, don't bring it to the drill, really it's not necessary.

[flashdog_1]

Most of the stuff we take for granted, but sometimes we slip up, so the reminders are welcome. I personally hate to offend someone, especially when i didn't know I was doing so! I know parents read their kids the riot act about behavior on the ship EXCEPT those people who don't read cruisecritic.com. Surely they are the ones that annoy us, not one another :)