After cruising for over 20 years I have stumbled across pretty much every form of offensive and inconsiderate passengers you can conceive.  When you are on a cruise it is not only your holiday, but also the other passengers onboard are on holiday.

For the most part, “cruisers” are very respectful individuals. Most passengers onboard are in good spirits, they are stress-free, and are enjoying themselves. Let’s face it that is precisely what cruising is all about. In actual fact, a cruise ship is undoubtedly one of the happiest places you could be. Without doubt, this is part of the appeal of cruise travel. If everyone follows some if not all of the guiding principle (listed below), I can guarantee you that your cruise holiday will be unforgettable!

Don’t Be A Deckchair Hog

Some guests head to the pool before daybreak just before breakfast and select the top deck chair

This is problematic on cruise ship. We all enjoy our days out at sea when we can relax in the sun. You get to the pool quickly to get in some of those morning rays, and there you have it, all of the deck chairs are “unavailable”, yet there is a small number of people looming.

Some guests head to the pool before daybreak just before breakfast and select the top deck chair, drop down their towel, a book or thongs onto the deck chair, and then head to the buffet.

Not only is this bad-mannered, it is prohibited on many cruise ships. On some ships, pool attendants may well collect your possessions and clear the deck chair for another guest.

If you need to use the restroom, or are only going to be gone from your deck chair for a brief period, let somebody close know (or notify one of the pool attendants/waiters).

Be On Time For Dinner

Don’t keep your dinner date waiting

This instruction only applies if you are dining in a “traditional” allocated dining room. Imagine you are on a table of 8, and dinner is at 8.15, and one of the couples don’t show up, usually the waiter that is assigned to your table will wait until all guests are seated to take your order.

You and the other two couples who showed up on time are a little irritated with the couple who arrives 15 minutes late. There are times when you choose to dine somewhere else on the ship. If so, its respectable to let someone else on your table know you won’t be present at dinner, or phone the Maitre’d in advance.

Don’t Slam Doors

Consider your fellow passengers and do not slam the stateroom door behind you

For all their engineering grandeur, one area that cruise ship designers have a tendency to oversee is the noise made from the cabin door when it closes.

Because of the closeness a cabin door that slams shut can echo through the walls and wake you from the deepest sleep. Some cruise lines are endeavouring to address this problem.

The problem of slamming cabin doors is exaggerated on the larger cruise ships where you see more “first-time” cruisers and larger crowds of people who don’t get back to their cabin until the early hours of the morning.

Balcony, or veranda, cabins present an even bigger rate of slamming doors. Furthermore, to the potential for the heavyweight balcony door to slam shut, the “venturi effect (moisture)” of the air coming from the ship’s air-conditioning combined with the outside air from an open balcony door can cause the cabin door to slam with such power that anyone standing in its way could essentially be injured.

It is imperative that we all be aware of the fact that other people may go to bed early, or be sleeping late. When closing your cabin door, grip the handle in the open position and pull the door fully closed before releasing the handle. Then, gently pull the door toward you until you feel the latch engage.

Keep Noise To A Limit In The Hallway

Respecting the privacy and relaxation of other guests relaxing in their cabins

This is to some extent related to the previous rull in that it involves respecting the privacy and relaxation of other guests relaxing in their cabins. I cannot tell you the amount of times that I have been woken by a group of passengers congregating outside my cabin conversing at full volume. Cruise ship walls are thin not like hotel rooms.

You may not realise you are doing it, but it is thoughtless to congregate in the hallway late in the evening or early morning and carry a conversation.

If you absolutely must speak in the hallway, at least lower your volume and be sympathetic of people sleeping or resting in their cabin. Likewise, if you are cruising with youngsters, please keep them from running up and down the halls.

Abide By The Smoking Regulations

Familiarise yourself with the smoking rules of the ship you are on

Cruise lines have rules and regulations regarding where smoking is permitted on the ship.

This is equally a well-being and a safety issue. Fire is the primary threat to a cruise ship. New cruise ships are equipped with extremely sophisticated fire detection systems.

However, the best way is to avoid a fire overall. If you smoke, familiarise yourself with the smoking rules of the ship you are on.

• Only smoke in nominated areas of the ship where smoking is allowed
• Never toss a cigarette butt overboard! The wind can easily blow a lit butt back into the ship on a lower deck and cause a fire.
• Do not smoke in your cabin

Don’t Move The Pool Deck Chairs At Night

Consider your fellow passengers who may be sleeping in the deck below

It’s the middle of the night, you and your friends have just delighted in a night of dancing in the nightclub, and decide to move to the lido deck for some star gazing.

You and your group grab a few pool chairs and drag them across the deck to position them for your evening of relaxation under the stars.

What you may not appreciate is that your fellow passenger’s cabin is situated beneath that deck and the sound of chairs and tables grinding across the deck is increased.

Everyone Doesn’t Need To Hear Your Phone Conversation

People have become at the mercy of their smart phone, and cruise lines are now making it possible for you to use your mobile phone onboard

A cruise used to be a holiday without television, radio, the news and telephones. Those were the good old days! People have become at the mercy of their smart phone, that many cruise lines are now making it possible for you to use your mobile phone onboard.

The broad population has never been educated on how to use mobile phones without invading on the privacy of others. We have all been in restaurants where someone at a table nearby is carrying on a conversation at full volume where everyone in the place can hear it.

If that is frustrating in a restaurant, visualise how aggravating it is when you are sitting on your balcony of your $300 a night cruise suite trying to enjoy the sound of the sea only to be interrupted by someone on their balcony blaring into a mobile phone.

Keep Your Complaints To Yourself

If a situation arises on your cruise, see the Pursers desk first. It is rude to complain to fellow passengers, notifying everyone you come into contact with about your complaint. Why ruin their cruise? If you go through the proper channels with your grievance, most cruise lines will go out of their way to satisfy your wishes.

Keep Your Chidren Under Control

Instil in your children appropriate behaviour in public

You may be oblivious to the ear-crushing cries of your children, but your fellow cruisers are not. A cruise is the perfect “teachable moment” to instil in your children appropriate behaviour in public.

• Don’t allow your children to run up and down the halls.
• Save the screaming and yelling for the pool.
• Don’t let your kids pick up food items on the buffet, then put them back.

Abide By The Dress Code

Abide by the cruise ships dress code

Cruise lines have dress codes for a reason, and several are hesitant to firmly impose them for the reason that they do not want to make a paying customer irritated.

• NEVER wear shorts, or swimsuits in the restaurant
• NEVER go barefoot anywhere inside the ship, anytime of day
• Always wear a cover-up (if you are wearing a swimsuit) in restaurants during the day, even the Lido buffet

Some ships have a casual dress code, always refer to your ship’s dress code and follow accordingly.

By following a few simple processes we can all have a much more pleasurable cruise holiday experience!