Cruise Etiquette: The Unwritten Sea-Manners!

Cruising is always fun, whether it is your first time or your nth time. With all the adventure and fun, there are a few important etiquettes to make your journey memorable. A little courtesy goes a long way when cruising. Read the ‘Cruise Etiquette: The Unwritten Sea-Manners!’ for smooth sailing. 

Navigating your Seaway 

Cruising is all about relaxation, leisure, and adventure. This becomes tricky when there are thousands of people sharing the same space. At times like this, etiquette makes the cruise vacation a little less hectic. One of the important parts of sailing starts with the safety muster drill. This is a mandatory drill that helps ensure that everyone on board knows what to do when in crisis. Seasoned travelers or first-timers, following cruise etiquette will help in a smooth voyage for everyone onboard, including you.  

Punctuality Counts

As you know, cruise ships run on tight schedules, and it is important for a traveler to be on time. Being punctual helps in ensuring you are not left behind. Unless you are on a ship-sponsored tour, the ships would never wait. Keep an eye on the time for everything, including shore excursions, scheduled dinner, or shows.  

Dress Code Check  

Many cruise lines have relaxed dress code policies, but that doesn’t vouch for all of them. Certain cruises and their venues still enforce formal attire for evening meals or other special nights. Respect the policies and dress accordingly to avoid awkward situations.  

Shared spaces – Share with Kindness 

In a cruise ship, except for your private rooms, most of it is shared spaces where everyone can come in and enjoy their fun time. However, you must also be mindful of other travelers. Mentioned below are some spaces where you need to be additionally careful. 

• Pool deck chairs/sun loungers: Poolside lounges and chairs are for everyone, so only claim one if you are using it. Chair hogging, reserving chairs/ loungers by leaving towels and disappearing, is one of the most hated behaviors. Please be kind enough and do not reserve any chairs if you are not using them. Know that most cruise lines will remove the item you have left within 30 to 45 minutes and make space for other travelers. 
• Elevators & hallways: Corridors and elevators are mostly packed inside a cruise ship. Don’t overcrowd the lifts; instead, if it is just one floor, make use of the stairs. Make sure that the fellow travelers exit before you enter an elevator. If you see someone with strollers or mobility needs, please be patient and expect delays. Walk to the right of the hallways and always be quiet, especially during sleep time.  
• Buffets & queues: Another shared space to follow basic etiquette is while dining and in queues. Cruise dining mostly comes with shared buffets and group seating. Never skip lines and wait for your turn. Avoid taking excessive food that you don’t intend to finish. In case you are assigned shared seating, try to be friendly with others. If it is very uncomfortable, politely request a different table. As always, no saving seats with items and bags. 

Noise and Consideration 

Remember, the ship walls are thin, and loud noises would create problems for everyone onboard.  

• Ensure you do not slam doors and keep your voice low. In case you are chatting in corridors, do it quietly or move to other common areas.  
• Adhere to the quiet rule posted in the spa, adult pools, and everywhere mentioned.  
• Music is always fun, but do not blast music from your room or balcony and create a nuisance for other travelers. Instead, carry your earphones around for calls and jamming. 

Smoking and Vaping 

Want to grab a smoke inside your cruise ship? Make sure you are only smoking in the designated areas. Be it cigarettes, vapes, or cigars, you are only allowed to smoke in specific parts of the ship. Disregarding these rules can be heavy on you and might even lead to fines or disembarkation. After smoking, ensure that you have carefully discarded the cigarette buds, since throwing them overboard is both dangerous and illegal. 

Kids and Adults-Only Areas 

Cruises are definitely family-friendly, but they also come with certain rules.  

• Supervise your kids closely and do not tell them to run through the elevator or hallways since this can be unsafe and disrupt other travelers. 
• Ensure your kids are soft-spoken, polite, and kind to the crew.  
• Respect the adults-only area, and do not bring your children over here. The same goes for adults-only events.  
• Remember not to let your minors into cocktail lounges or serenity pools.   

Crew and Kindness 

The cruise ship staff work long hours to make everything easier for travelers. Treat them with the same respect you expect in return. You do not have to make grand gestures, but even a smile or a thank-you note would be received with happiness. Be mindful and do not order around; instead, speak to the department’s head or the guest service if you are in need of help.  

Tipping and Gratuities 

Check your cruise line’s policy before sailing and learn if the gratuities are automatically charged or are to be paid according to your discretion. Many cruises already include daily gratuity charges, which cover cabin crew and dining room staff, etc. You can also add extra tipping for great service. However, for shore excursion guides and porters, tipping cash is customary.  

Also Read: Paws Ahoy! A Guide to Dog Friendly Cruises 

In Summary 

Bringing etiquette with fun makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone on board. These are never less about strict rules but are more about common courtesy to be followed while cruising. Respect, mindfulness, and patience go a long way in a cruise, turning it into an unforgettable experience. Bon voyage, and be the reason why others enjoy the journey. 

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