10 Things Polite People Never Do On Cruises + 4 That Will Get You Labeled That Passenger
Cruising is all about relaxation, adventure, and enjoying life at sea—but it also means sharing space with a lot of fellow travelers. From poolside lounging to dinner seating and everything in between, your behavior can make or break the vibe for those around you.
The difference between a great cruise and a frustrating one often comes down to how well you navigate the unspoken etiquette onboard. Here’s how to steer clear of the kind of habits that get noticed for all the wrong reasons.
1. Hog Lounge Chairs For Hours Without Using Them
Nothing frustrates fellow vacationers more than seeing empty chairs draped with towels all day long. This ‘chair hogging’ prevents others from enjoying pool areas when chairs are supposedly ‘reserved’ but unused.
Fair use means actually sitting in your chair, not claiming territory for theoretical future use. Most cruise lines now have policies allowing staff to remove items from unattended chairs after 30-60 minutes.
2. Ignore Crew Member Instructions Or Safety Protocols
Safety drills exist for good reason on massive vessels carrying thousands of people at sea. Skipping these mandatory briefings or disregarding crew instructions puts everyone at risk during emergencies.
Crew members undergo extensive training to handle crisis situations. Their directions during drills or actual emergencies aren’t suggestions—they’re potentially life-saving commands that deserve immediate compliance and respect from all passengers.
3. Cut Lines At Buffets, Bars, Ar Shore Excursions
Waiting your turn is basic courtesy that somehow gets forgotten on vacation. Line-cutting creates tension and resentment among fellow travelers who’ve been patiently waiting their turn.
Cruise ships operate on schedules with enough food and activities for everyone. Those few minutes saved by cutting ahead aren’t worth the dirty looks and damaged reputation you’ll earn. Patience shows respect for other passengers enjoying their hard-earned vacations too.
4. Talk Loudly On Balconies Or In Hallways Late At Night
Sound travels surprisingly well through thin cabin walls and across open balconies. Your 2 AM laughing fit or hallway conversation becomes everyone else’s unwanted alarm clock.
Cruise ships pack thousands of cabins close together. What feels like private space often isn’t acoustically isolated from neighbors. Keeping voices down after hours shows consideration for those who’ve turned in early or need rest for tomorrow’s adventures.
5. Let Kids Run Unsupervised Around The Ship
Cruise ships aren’t giant playgrounds despite their fun amenities. Unsupervised children running through hallways, pressing all elevator buttons, or splashing adults at pools create hazards and annoyance.
Parents remain responsible for their children’s behavior even on vacation. Most ships offer excellent supervised kids’ programs where young cruisers can burn energy appropriately while parents enjoy adult time, creating a win-win for everyone onboard.
6. Reserve Group Tables And Not Show Up
Saving prime seats in busy venues without using them frustrates both staff and fellow passengers. Those empty-but-claimed tables could serve others who are actively waiting for a place to enjoy their meals.
Dining areas often operate at capacity during peak hours. If plans change, simply inform staff so they can accommodate other hungry guests. This small courtesy helps everyone enjoy smoother dining experiences throughout the cruise.
7. Complain Loudly About Minor Issues In Public Spaces
Broadcasting disappointments ruins the atmosphere for everyone nearby. That slightly delayed excursion or imperfectly prepared steak doesn’t warrant a public meltdown that dampens others’ experiences.
Cruise staff genuinely want to help resolve problems. Taking concerns to appropriate personnel privately often leads to better solutions anyway. Remember that your fellow passengers paid for positive vacation experiences too, not front-row seats to complaint theater.
8. Treat Crew Members Rudely Or Dismissively
Crew members work incredibly long contracts, often seven days weekly for months without seeing family. Their tireless efforts create your perfect vacation experience despite challenging conditions.
Basic respect means learning names, saying please and thank you, and treating staff as valued humans rather than servants. Kind interactions with crew consistently rank among the factors that distinguish pleasant passengers from problematic ones in staff eyes.
9. Disrespect Dress Codes In Formal Or Themed Areas
Specialty restaurants and formal nights maintain certain atmospheres that swimming trunks and flip-flops disrupt. Dress guidelines aren’t arbitrary rules—they help create special experiences many passengers specifically look forward to.
Cruises offer plenty of casual dining options for those preferring relaxed attire. Honoring dress codes for select venues shows respect for both tradition and fellow passengers who enjoy these more elevated experiences as part of their vacation expectations.
10. Overindulge And Disrupt Others’ Enjoyment
All-inclusive drink packages don’t mean unlimited permission to become the ship’s walking disruption. Excessive intoxication leads to behavior that ruins experiences for families and fellow adults alike.
Enjoying vacation drinks is perfectly fine until it crosses into loud, inappropriate, or dangerous territory. Moderation ensures you’ll remember your amazing cruise experiences while allowing others to create their own positive memories without your unwanted starring role.
11. Sneaking Alcohol Or Contraband Onboard
Those “clever” rum-filled shampoo bottles aren’t fooling anyone at security. Attempting to smuggle prohibited items creates uncomfortable situations and potential consequences including confiscation or even denied boarding.
Cruise lines have specific policies about outside alcohol for safety and business reasons. Package options exist for those wanting to enjoy drinks without breaking rules. Following guidelines prevents embarrassing security incidents that start your vacation on the wrong foot.
12. Ignoring Health Protocols Or Quarantine Rules
Cruise environments can quickly spread illness when health guidelines are disregarded. Skipping handwashing, hiding symptoms, or breaking quarantine puts thousands at risk in the contained ship environment.
Recent years have shown how quickly health situations can impact entire voyages. Following protocols protects not just your vacation but everyone else’s too. Responsible passengers prioritize community wellbeing even when inconvenient.
13. Getting Drunk And Causing A Scene
Free-flowing drinks don’t excuse behavior that security must address. Excessive intoxication leading to public arguments, inappropriate comments, or physical boundary violations ruins the cruise atmosphere for everyone.
Alcohol-fueled incidents often result in being confined to cabins or even removed at the next port. These consequences come with significant financial and logistical problems, as you’ll need to arrange your own transportation home from potentially unfamiliar foreign locations.
14. Starting Fights With Fellow Passengers Or Crew
Heated confrontations have no place in vacation settings where everyone seeks relaxation. Physical or verbal aggression toward anyone onboard represents the fastest route to serious consequences.
Ship security takes conflicts extremely seriously. Zero tolerance policies mean aggressors face cabin confinement, early disembarkation, or even being handed to authorities at the next port. No disagreement warrants risking your entire vacation and possibly facing legal troubles in foreign jurisdictions.