So you think you want to take a cruise, be courteous

If you've never been on a cruise, or happen to be one of the offenders we're talking about here, this piece is for you, read on.... 

 

Common Courtesy at Sea

Unfortunately every ship attracts its share of Inconsiderate Passengers—a disruptive, “entitled” group who go out of their way to rock the boat. While you might not think this applies to you, to assure nobody else does here are 10 guidelines on your next cruise:

 

1. Dress the part:  While many passengers sport stunning cruise wear, some, to put it bluntly, dress like slobs. This is not a good thing. For everybody’s sake, please dress according to the shipboard code, which is always outlined, in the daily program. On "formal nights, a tuxedo or suit are appropriate for men and a cocktail dress or gown for women. “Informal” translates into a jacked for men, an attractive evening outfit for woman while “casual” means smart resort outfits NOT shorts, jeans or for goodness sakes NOT warm ups.

 

2. Please keep unruly children under control: Maybe everybody loves kids but not tykes who take over the swimming pool and jump, splash and dive on top of anybody in their path. Sure, kids just want to have fun. However, they should respect adults who just want to swim or lounge in the pool. If you travel with little ones please control their behavior. This means keeping them out of casinos and other adult play areas where they don’t belong.

 

3. Try to talk the talk.  Refer to your vessel as a "ship" not a "boat" especially if the Captain is in earshot. Remember that a ship is female. We’re not sure why offense is taken here, but always call your vessel a she or her. Know your left from your right, and back from your front. Left is "port", right is "starboard." "Aft" means rear or stern. The "bow" is the front or pointy end of the ship. Tender doesn’t refer to how you want your steak, but rather a lifeboat and/or the vessel that takes passenger to and from shore when the ship is at anchor in a port. The Bridge is where the Captain operates the ship, not something the ship sails under (although on occasion is does). Do not just walk into the Bridge unless invited--some Captains have "open bridge" policies which means passengers are welcome to visit at any time.  On the other hand, the "Brig" is where you don't want to be, as this is the ship's jail.

 

4. Queue Up and shut up:  Some folks throw etiquette to the wind when it comes to waiting in line. Lines happen. Be patient, wait your turn, and do it with grace. The worse offenders are those who crowd the stairs to disembark on tenders even after the crew pleads with them not to.

 

5. Wine reciprocals: Ordering wine can prove awkward. The proper procedure, if everyone partakes of the grape, us to reciprocate the wine buying.  But this doesn't always happen. Sometimes one passenger or one couple winds up stuck with the tab.  To avoid this, talk it over with tablemates on the first night.

 

6. Don’t blow smoke in your shipmates’ faces: Smokers are a major turnoff for those who have kicked the habit. Puff away if you must but only in designated areas. For the sake of all concerned, don’t throw lighted cigarettes overboard.

 

7. Do not hoard seats in the showroom: While it's acceptable to save a seat for your traveling companion, it shows poor etiquette to save an entire row. It's first come first seated at show time, folks. Just grab your friends and go together.

 

8. This applies to deck chairs, too: Many unscrupulous sorts race up on deck early in the morning and drop suntan lotions, books, magazines, and whatever else they can on lounges so they can keep them all day for themselves even if they don't show up for hours. 

 

9. Be a considerate jogger: Please only jog according to the hours posted so passengers in the cabins below can sleep or nap soundly.

 

10. Exercise manners: If you use a gym or health club at home the same rules and courtesies apply on a cruise ship. This means limiting time on equipment such as tread­ mills, bicycles and ellipticals to 30-minutes when others are waiting. It also entails cleaning off equipment after use and wearing proper, decent attire.

11. And, just like on shore, please go off somewhere private for your cell phone chats. Sure most cells don't work in staterooms, save for those where you can go out on the balcony, making it necessary to go up on deck to yada yada yada. but keep it private, personal and out of ear shots of passengers who just want to relax.

Don't laugh it's amazing what some people put on to work out.

 

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