Happy TRAVEL TUESDAY, friends!
When blog reader Liz emailed me to ask about “cruising etiquette” for first time cruisers, I thought it was a great topic for a blog post 🙂 .
Andrew was making his breakfast one morning, and I plopped down at the bar with my MacBook and together, we made a little list of our own personal CRUISING ETIQUETTE. These were just the first things that came to mind when we thought about the topic. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on cruising etiquette too!
You know how much our family LOVES cruising, and we want you to go and love it too.
In no particular order, if any of you are heading out this summer on your first cruise, here are a few pieces of etiquette (with my own cruising pics sprinkled in for fun)…
#1: TIPPING
As a travel agent, I get asked about tipping and gratuity often. Cruise lines include gratuity into the price of your cruise fare. This amount is collected and divided amongst the entire crew. Many of the crew members on board passengers will never see but their jobs are equally as important as the crew that do interact with guests. The gratuity included in your fare goes to all crew members. It is perfectly acceptable though and very much appreciated when guests give additional tips to those on board interacting with them. Cabin stewards, servers, etc very much appreciate any additional tips you wish to give before disembarkation.
#2: ARRIVING
Prior to embarkation, you will get an arrival boarding time. This really is the ideal time for you to arrive and be ready to board the ship. Arriving early only makes the cruise terminal more congested and arriving late only adds to the boarding time for those scheduled to board during that window. If at all possible, arriving on time keeps the flow moving, the lines shorter, the terminal less busy, and embarkation more pleasant for everyone.
The same could be said for…
#3: DEPARTURE
Prior to disembarkation, passengers are notified about what time they are to expected to leave the ship when the cruise is finished. To minimize crowds, reduce elevator traffic, and allow cabin stewards proper time to turn over cabins, it’s ideal if you can exit during your specific window.
#4: WASH HANDS
Often on cruise ships, a crew member will hold out antibacterial and say “washy, washy, happy, happy” which always makes me smile. WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN. As much as you can. Make sure your kiddos are washing their hands too. Often, often, often. Antibacterial stations and sinks are located throughout the ship. Use them. Even if you don’t think you need to use them, use them.
#5: WATCH YOUR VOLUME
I honestly find cruise ships very quiet. From your cabin, you can’t hear the cabin next door (or above or below). It’s actually pretty darn quiet. Obviously though, if your kids are screaming or you have the door propped open or you are really just being super loud, that will be heard. Try hard to minimize excessively loud noise. Also, don’t forget to pay attention to your volume when you’re on your balcony (sound will travel right over to your neighbor’s balcony), try to be quiet when walking down the corridors between cabins, and things like that too.
#6: ISOLATE YOURSELF IF YOU’RE SICK
If you do not feel well, isolate. Of course, seek medical treatment on board if you’re really ill, but if you think you *might* be unwell, stay in your cabin and avoid public spaces.
#7: TAKE THE STAIRS
Okay this is one of my pet peeves. I understand that *some* people cannot take the stairs, but I think *many* people just don’t want to take the stairs. If you can’t take the stairs, by all means, please take the elevator…but if you can take the stairs, take the stairs as often as you can to free up the elevators. If you’re going from deck 1 to deck 17, the elevator is a necessity. It always blows my mind when people get in with me on that deck 1 and then get off at deck 2. This slows down the flow of the entire elevator system on a cruise ship. When you can, take those stairs.
#8: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR ATTIRE
Cruise lines love a fun, festive, and entertaining afternoon by the pool. They play music, have contests, and keep things lively. Keep in mind though that when it’s time for dinner, they would like your attire to be respectful. You don’t have to get fancy, but make sure you’re not in a wet swimsuit and barefoot. Some restaurants have specific dress codes, but all restaurants (unless they’re poolside) would like guests to be in dry clothes.
#9: PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF
I’m always amazed by how many people just go on vacation and expect everyone else to clean up after them. If you finish your water, toss the empty bottle in the recycling bin. If you finish your lunch in the buffet, clear your table. If you’re in the gym and are leaving, toss your dirty towel in the hamper. Of course, the cabin crew will come behind you and do it…but let’s be good cruisers and do it ourselves.
#10: WAIT FOR YOUR TENDER NUMBER
If you are tendering to the port from the ship, wait until your “tender number” is called (if that is the process on board that ship). No one likes a tender number jumper. 😉
#11: BUFFET/SHARED FOOD
Okay, this little piece of etiquette isn’t just for cruising…this is for all buffets in life…don’t be gross. Don’t touch the food with your hands. Don’t manhandle the food with tongs until it falls apart. Don’t cut in line. Be respectful of all guests when you’re going through the buffet. Also, make sure you always get a new, clean plate or cup if you’re going back for seconds.
#12: DON’T SAVE TOO MANY CHAIRS FOR TOO LONG
“Saving” chairs by the pool is such a touchy topic, but if you can, try not to “save” too many chairs too early (ie: don’t go down there at 7:00 AM and save them if you don’t plan on going to the pool until noon) and/or don’t save eight chairs if you and your husband only need two and your kids don’t ever plan on sitting down. I’ve never been on a cruise and not found a seat by the pool (they always have plenty!), but it’s courteous to be mindful of the chairs you’re saving.
And when you’re done…
#13: REMOVE YOUR TOWELS
Toss those used towels in the bins and throw away your trash so that others can occupy your former seats.
And those are just a few pieces of cruise etiquette 🙂 .
Of course, I would LOVE to read your cruising etiquette in the comment section too!
Don’t forget, I also have MY FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO CRUISING as well TRAVEL ITEMS WE LOVE FOR CRUISES and nineteen years worth of my own CRUISE BLOG POSTS you can read too.
Plus…
…my travel agency LOVES cruising so much that we even do it together 😉 . CONTACT US TODAY for more information on all of our cruise options. From American cruises (New England and more!) to majestic Alaskan cruises, expedition cruising, river cruising, luxury liners, family-friendly options, themed cruises, group cruises…AND MORE, we love all cruises 🙂 .
I have a really yummy summer dessert recipe that I’m sharing today too! Make sure you check that out before you go.
Happy Tuesday, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Brooke Griffith says
This list is spot on!! My biggest pet peeve on a cruise ship is defintley the chair saving. So many chairs reserved with nobody using them for hours 😩.
Elspeth Mizner says
These are all great pieces of advice for cruising and beyond!
Thanks for sharing!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Shannon says
Yes, I wish everyone would follow these. As we get ready to go on our next cruise in just under 3 weeks (so excited!) my 19-year old made a great point about cruising etiquette recently.
He was talking about when a fellow cruiser does something inconsiderate, he said, “my guy, we’re going to be on vacation together for a whole week, let’s not act that way.”
So something you may not think of as a first time cruiser is you are around these people all week, so be kind, be friendly, and consider your fellow cruisers because you’re one big happy family all week! 😀
Mix and Match Mama says
I hope you have the BEST time on your cruise!
Shannon says
Thank you! ♥️
Bernadine says
Hi Shay!
Completely off-topic, but I’d love to see some “throwback” posts about your bridal shower, honeymoon, baby showers, etc. It would be fun to hear what you loved, what you’d do differently today, and whether there are any gifts or ideas from those celebrations that you still use or recommend. I think a lot of us would enjoy a little stroll down memory lane leading up to your 20yr blog anniversary 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness, those would be some really old photos I would have to dig up. My baby showers are actually here on my blog (because I’ve been blogging THAT LONG, ha!). I could absolutely find pics to post of my wedding stuff though. I would have to take a pic of the pic because it was before I had a digital camera.
Alicia says
This is a great list! My only addition is that it is never appropriate to show up to breakfast in your pajamas. I’m shocked when I see people do this! Whether it be on a cruise or hotel. Yuck. Just don’t do it!
Jeanie H says
I hate to say it but these tips are why we have never been on a cruise. If you have to remind people of simple etiquette, it’s not for me.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, I could certainly do the exact same post for airplane travel and land vacations too. Unfortunately, people forget etiquette across the board.
Jo says
Spot on reply!
Patty says
Jeanie, after going on many cruises I’d have to say the people who don’t use common sense with cruise etiquette are far less than the ones who do. We’ve found people to be mostly respectful and kind. Unfortunately, it’s the complainers who are the loudest.
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
I haven’t been on a cruise (yet) but those are great tips and applicable to so many other types of vacations as well. I can’t stand it when people don’t pick up after themselves!
Paula Hobbs says
The “chair saving” drives me crazy!!! I mean, we’re all adults…don’t be a chair hog!! Also, please don’t use your phone speaker to have a conversation beside me. I do not care to hear your conversation!!! I’m sure no one else wants to either. Also, the buffet deal…I just cannot…it’s just so gross. People sneezing and using their hands to grab food…gross…just gross LOL 🙂 It’s like a church potluck with the Jell-O salad made by the crazy cat lady LOL 🙂 No thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, speakers in general should not be used in public spaces on board cruise ships…on the phone conversations or music.
Kimberly moore says
Ugh on our last cruise someone had a phone call on their balcony on speaker well over 30 minutes with volume up. I ended up having to go to customer service. We could not enjoy our balcony during this time and you heard it inside. It was nighttime!
Dana P says
This is so funny to me. I’ve never been on a cruise, but it makes me imagine some of the behaviors that might happen. I feel like you’re never ever bossy, but this one seems like you’ve seen some things in your day. 🙂
Maybe it would be the most boring post ever, but it might be good to do an etiquette in Europe post, too!
Mix and Match Mama says
And on airplanes. And in hotels. And at the grocery store. And at Target. Bahahaha! People forget how to behave sometimes 😉 .
Susan S. says
I seem to always be on a cruise where free range parenting is rampant. The last one there were kids running up and down the hallways in the middle of the night loudly. Ugh.
K.K. says
Cruising sounds so so fun! One day!
Joann says
This comment doesn’t have to do with cruising, but it’s Travel Tuesday and I wanted to give a shout out to Erika and Jane for a magical time we had last week at Disney World. Their planning and attention to detail gave us a wonderful week. I can’t thank your travel team enough for all you did in planning our three-generation trip. I’m recommending your agency to everyone I know!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! This is my favorite comment today! Erika and Jane ARE AMAZING! We are so so happy you had a wonderful time at Disney. Thank YOU for allowing us to be a part of your vacation. We are so grateful! xx
Elizabeth B says
Great list! Just got off Utopia yesterday 😭 and I felt like everyone had read this, haha! My girlfriends and I had a fantastic experience, and we are already planning a fall family cruise!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yay! I’m so happy you loved the Utopia too!!
Lisa G says
I have an etiquette question about seating in bars and lounges— hubby and I rarely drink alcohol anymore. Can we occupy seats for an event (show/game) or to watch sports on tv and not “buy” drinks? Or should we buy a non alcoholic beverage to occupy the seat? Maybe just tip? We generally stick to water/coffee so aren’t going to get something.
Mix and Match Mama says
I say absolutely if you’re partaking in some beverage or snack. If you’re just sitting and not even having a water, it’s probably best not to take up space. As long as you’re drinking anything (and I would say water is just fine), I think it’s totally okay to sit there.
Anne says
What exactly is a tender number?
Mix and Match Mama says
If the ship is too big for the port that day, it will drop anchor and ferry the passengers back and forth to the port on smaller boats. It moves really quickly if everyone goes when their tender number is called (you’re given your tender number a variety of different ways depending on the cruise line).
Carly T says
These are all great and really just good tips for traveling in general whether it’s a cruise or resort!
We have cruised many lines, but recently took a Ritz Carlton cruise in Italy for the first time. All I can say is- all other cruises are now ruined for me! It was EPIC!
Mix and Match Mama says
That is what all of my clients are telling me too. I can’t wait to try it myself!
Darcy says
This whole post and reader comments is fantastic, but unfortunately, I think the people who really need these tips aren’t the ones that read your blog!!! 🙂 My pet peeve on our last cruise was some parents letting their teenagers get flagrantly drunk in Mexico on the ship and on the excursions (it wasn’t rampant, but was noticeable). The only positive of this was being able to tell my then 16 year old son that is exactly why he is not allowed to go to Mexico for his high school graduation! I’ve given my son options of Palm Springs/Desert and other US resort places, but it seems that many graduating seniors nowadays all want to go to Mexico where they are allowed to drink! It is alarming to me the number of parents that allow this and even participate with their kids! I have moved our family Boston/Nantucket trip to 2027, so that it will be my son’s high school graduation trip and he knows well in advance that Mexico with friends has already been vetoed by his mom!
Janet says
Thank you for the buffet etiquette reminder. We have a soup buffet at the hospital I work at, and a person pulled the ladle out of one of the soups and tasted the soup right from the ladle and then put the ladle back in the pot:0
The pot was immediately removed, but wow.
Tina says
My biggest pet peeve is parents who let their kids run wild. It’s like they forget that there can be 5,000-ish passengers (depending on the ship of course), all of which a hand full are total strangers. These same parents would never let their kids run around town unsupervised yet they allow their kids to roam the ship at all hours, “swimming” in the hot tubs, running up and down the halls, pushing all of the deck numbers in the elevators…it’s crazy. Oh and I forgot the parents who take their young kids to the 18+ comedy shows and then expect the comedian to tone it down. We have been on a lot of cruises and have seen it all! LOL. I’m glad that families can travel together and relax but it’s like some parents forget to be parents if you know what I mean. (don’t get me started on deck chairs…the number of times I’ve seen some crazy cruise passenger tossing towels on 6, 8, even 10 loungers at 6am is insane. I truly hope cruise lines start to crack down and remove towels from loungers that are clearly just being reserved for people who have no intention of occupying that chair in the very foreseeable future)
Debra says
I love your tip about using the elevators judiciously – my husband and I try to walk up the stairs to our cabin most every time – it is good for us and, as you point out, a kindness to those who cannot take the stairs.
Bren says
I loved your tip about using the stairs too, Shay. I eat a little crazy while cruising 🙂 so give me as many stairs as I can for some movement too. (Grateful and thankful I can use the stairs. ❤️)
Andrea says
Where was the cruise to in that 5th picture with that beautiful mountain range? What a view!
Mix and Match Mama says
Alaska! Our Alaskan cruise was SPECTACULAR!
Erin R says
One way to avoid some of these traps is to avoid Carnival. 😂
Mix and Match Mama says
That is the ONLY cruise line my agency does not work with 😉 .
Maddy says
I wish I could be become a cruise person but I can’t get past the fact that all of the sicknesses breakouts you hear about come from cruise ships! I genuinely wish I could let this go. Do you have any tips for this? It seems like cruise ships are filled with so many germs and viruses.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have clients on board cruise ships 365 days a year and honest to goodness, I never ever have clients get sick. I know that we hear the worst of the worst on the news sometimes, but that is such a rare rare occurrence and not the norm at all. Try it once. I bet you’ll love it!
Lori says
My son and daughter in law will be cruising from Texas to Cozumel. Do you suggest having a passport going into Mexico? Or is a birth certificate fine?
Mix and Match Mama says
You need a passport to go to Mexico. I would never leave the US without a passport, but yes, you need one for Mexico.
Lori says
Thank you!