Cruise
Ship Etiquette
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Stake
out your Lido Deck space, but don't be a Chaise Hog
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Consideration,
Courtesy & Civility
by Linda Coffman
Of course it's your vacation and of
course you deserve to have the best time ever on your long-awaited
cruise. But do you really want it to be at the expense of others?
When it comes to our fellow passengers, it sometimes seems that way.
Cruise ships, particularly the ones
in the mega-ship size range, are cities at sea. Like any land-bound
city, a cruise ship is inhabited by a diverse population. Passengers
and crewmembers come from all corners of the globe and from varying
cultural backgrounds. The thing most guests have in common is the
desire to have a satisfying vacation—to
explore new places, to relax and revitalize, to spend time with
family and friends, or to just have some carefree fun.
It seems that some
passengers get a bit carried away in terms of carefree and forget to
pack one of life's little treasures—the good
manners we practice at home and in our everyday lives.
Cruise Diva's
Guide to Good Manners
Adhere to the Dress Code—The
ship's daily program will indicate the appropriate attire for every
evening of your cruise, generally beginning at 6pm. It is
inconsiderate to ignore the guidelines and do as you please. Sitting
next to someone wearing sweaty exercise clothing in the show lounge
or casino is nothing short of unpleasant.
Do Not Be a
Chaise Hog—Every morning an invisible
cadre of passengers piles towels and personal belongings on chaise
loungers by the pool to "save" them for later. This is
extremely selfish behavior. If you aren't using a lounger, it should
be available for others.
Do Not Save
Seats—Go ahead and set aside a seat for
a spouse or traveling companion who is joining you. But do not be
thoughtless and try to "save" entire rows of seats in the
show lounge or complete tables in the casual dining area. Again,
make room for others.
Control Your
Children—For their safety, and the
safety of others, parents shouldn't allow their children to freely
roam about the ship, run at the pool, splash water on other
passengers, cavort in the hot tubs, or play in the elevators. Some
parents are in total denial when it comes to the unruly actions of
their children... the "bad" kids can't be theirs!
Yes, it's their vacation and they just want to have fun, but don't
allow their good time to interfere with that of others.
Be a Considerate
Smoker—Those who smoke should only light
up their cigarettes, cigars, and pipes in the areas which are
clearly marked for that purpose.
Do Not Jog
Before Daybreak—It should be obvious
that if there are cabins located below the deck where jogging is
permitted, then passengers are probably still asleep in them before
the sun comes up. Only run on deck during the hours indicated in the
daily program.
Be Mindful of
Others in the Spa & Gym—Wear
appropriate work-out attire and wipe down the equipment when you are
finished using it. Take your turn in a reasonable amount of time,
especially when others are waiting.
Turn Down the
Sound—Portable electronics are wonderful
gadgets, but not everyone has the same taste in music. In public
areas, CD players should be used with headphones. In cabins and on
balconies, the sound should be kept at a reasonable volume. The same
goes for televisions, especially late at night.
Await Your Turn—Events
and activities are scheduled in a certain way for a purpose. For
instance, the orderly filling of shore tenders and the ship's
debarkation procedure at the end of the cruise. Don't be in such a
hurry that you compromise the safety of others.
Do Not Complain
While You Wait—No one cares to listen to
grumbling and whining. It's a vacation so lighten up and go with the
flow. Instead of complaining, try to strike up a conversation with
someone in line. You can meet interesting people while you wait to
book a tour or cash a traveler's check.
Listen and
Follow Instructions—This
is no more important than during the muster drill! Listening cuts
down the need to ask questions and can insure your safety in case of
an emergency.
Don't Forget the
Three "C's" at Sea
Let Consideration, Courtesy &
Civility be your guideposts. And don't forget to bring along...
- A pleasant attitude
- Your sunniest smile
- Good manners
Bon Voyage!
Related
Information:
- Cruise
Lifestyles --
Cruises fall into loose categories. Here's what distinguishes
Mainstream, Premium, and Luxury cruise lines from one another.
- Cruise
Line Profiles --
Descriptions of all the major cruise lines. It's what you need
to know to choose a cruise vacation.
-
Safety
Onboard
-- The muster
drill and beyond; crews take safety and security seriously.
-
Ship
Happens --
Bad weather, mechanical problems, and political unrest can set
your itinerary and plans adrift.
- Cruise
Wear -- Cracking
cruise line dress codes... what to wear and when to wear it.
- Passenger
Rights & Wrongs
-- What recourse do you have if the cruise on your Dream Ship
becomes a Nightmare? An interview with James Walker, a top
maritime attorney.
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