12 Things Not to Do On a Cruise – From a Crew Member
Cruises are incredible – but there are some things not to do on a cruise. Some are things to avoid to make your cruise better, and some are just in poor taste to do.
I was a cruise ship crew member for about ten years and I’ve been on about 20 cruises as a passenger. I’ve been on hundreds of voyages over thousands of days at sea. In that time I learned all of the things not to do on a cruise. Some of these are things that drove the crew members nuts but mostly there are things that will help make your cruise better.
12 Things Not to Do on a Cruise
Here it is. The things not to do on a cruise ship. These are sure to make your trip just a little more spectacular.
12. Pay Attention So You Don’t Get Hurt!
Getting hurt is part of life. None of us have managed to get to adulthood unscathed. However, some accidents are avoidable. When I reached out to friends about things they wish passengers would stop doing onboard I wasn’t expecting one from falling down. This one came from a friend that worked in the theater but was seconded by nearly anyone that had to fill out any sort of safety reports. Falling down in itself is not the issue here, but rather not paying attention and that resulting in falling down.
This made the list because of how much it can impact a guests vacation. If it’s just a little fall it might not be a big deal. But, say you’re walking down the stairs of the theater, you aren’t paying attention and you trip and fall. You aren’t too concerned because you’re young and spry and hip. However, you fall into the person in front of you that recently had hip surgery. They then fall down and break their hip. Or maybe you fall and you break your ankle. Regardless, an injury on vacation would put a huge damper on the situation, likely prevent all of that fun snorkeling you had planned, and leave you with a decent bill from the medical department. Let’s just avoid all this and pay attention when we’re moving around the ship – for your sake and the other passengers – and in this case my friend that would both feel bad for your injury but also have to fill out a ton of paperwork.
While we’re at it – it’s not just the theater on a ship where you might trip and fall. Decks get wet and slippery and ships sometimes feel the motion of the ocean. As one of my friends said, “there isn’t a fasten seatbelt sign like on an airplane, but you still need to pay attention!”
For the crew – it’s a whole host of extra paperwork. Nearly anytime there is an accident of any sort onboard a ship there needs to be paperwork filed. Then, there are safety meetings where they talk about improving the safety of the ship. But, most importantly it’s about the passengers safety and wellbeing.
So, for everyone’s sake, please just pay attention to where you are trying to navigate. If a deck is slippery or if the ship is rocking quite a bit make sure to grab onto a hand rail.
11. Being Late Getting Back to the Ship
If you’ve cruised much you’ve probably seen a ship runners. These are the people that waited until it was nearly all-aboard time to get back to the ship and then end up running down the dock, various bags in hand, flip flops flying. Or maybe you’ve seen the headline that pops up every once in awhile with a passenger furious that the ship left them in port. On the list of things not to do on a cruise – being late getting back to the ship is a big one.
The reality is if you aren’t on a shore excursion and you are late getting back to the ship the ship will probably leave you. They don’t leave you because they are mean or rude or just not nice. It could delay the arrival into the next port, there might be another ship that is scheduled to use that same berth, maybe there is bad weather coming in. Not least of which, it costs a ton of money to be berthed in port. We’re talking 10’s of thousands of dollars. That’s a lot of money to lose waiting for a passenger so they could have one more daiquiri. The point is, there are lots of reasons they might not be able to wait – so just be on time getting back to the ship.
Or let’s think about it this way – do you expect a plane or a train to wait for you? Nope. You know full well they will leave without you. A cruise ship will, too.
No one wants to make the decision to leave passengers behind but it absolutely happens. So, in the future we will all try to be a bit more punctual – our friends on the bridge, security, and engine teams would be ever so appreciative.
10. Things Not To Do On a Cruise – Ignore Barriers of Work Areas
The majority of “behind the scenes” work the crew tries to keep behind the scenes. And, if it is something that can’t be kept behind the scenes most of the time the crew will try to organize that the work be done at the least inconvenient time for the passengers. Most of the time this means during a port day while the passengers are ashore.
But, sometimes there are areas of maintenance that need to be worked on either before the port day or there is something planned on that port day that would prevent that maintenance getting done. No, that doesn’t mean the crew is ashore enjoying the sunshine – it could be things like public health inspections, Coast Guard inspections, or immigration.
There are also times that certain projects can only happen in port – whether that be working on certain parts of the engines, the lowering system for the lifeboats, or maybe there is a specialist that is coming on to facilitate a project and they are only onboard for that one day.
Regardless, there are a boat load (pun intended) of reasons why a project might have to get done a certain time – whether that be while the ship is sailing or while it is docked. And yes, some of the time this maintenance has to get done even if it ends up inconveniencing passengers. No one likes inconveniencing the passengers on their vacation. Passengers don’t like it either (why would they?). The reality is that these ships are floating cities with a lot going on and sometimes they have to get worked on even when it’s inconvenient.
When these projects are going on an area might be roped off. Let’s take the promenade deck with lifeboats above (I realize some ships do not have this – but I’m going to use it as a for-instance). Perhaps there is something wrong with one of the lifeboats. Whether it is a lifeboat for use as a tender and if it doesn’t get fixed it won’t be able to tender the next day or if it needs to get fixed for very lifeboaty-type lifesaving reasons, if crew have roped off the area underneath and they are working above don’t walk around the ropes or the barricades. They put those barricades there for your safety! That is how you end up with something heavy falling on your head!
It should be pretty common sense that if someone is working on something and ropes off the area – don’t go there.
And, in addition to moving/ignoring ropes and barricades… if a crew member asks oh-so-nicely if you could pretty please maybe move a little bit so that they could access the area that they need to work on – please just move that little bit. They hate asking you and hate inconveniencing you but if they’re asking then it’s work that needs to get done.
9. Disregarding Open/Close Times For Various Venues
There are a lot of public areas on a cruise ship that are open 24 hours a day. Certainly not the entire ship though.
If you find a venue onboard and all of the lights are off in it and the door was closed (even if it wasn’t locked), it’s a safe bet that you aren’t meant to be there. There are some doors on ships that even if a venue isn’t open will remain unlocked as it might be part of an emergency plan or evacuation route.
Respecting when a venue is closed is for both your health and safety and also for respect for the ship and the crew. Prior to a venue opening there are likely health and safety protocols that need to be followed, this is to help keep everyone from getting sick. Also, if a venue isn’t open there will be less people around if you do fall (see number 12) and get hurt. It’s possible that the venue is closed to get ready for a private party, or maybe even a crew event (we have those sometimes). Regardless of which reason speaks to you, please let the crew do their job. Let them sanitize what needs to be sanitized and let them do the behind the scenes stuff behind the scenes. I promise there will be time to enjoy all the ship has to offer. It’s going to be okay.
In addition to that – if a venue is about to close (whether it be the buffet, the dining room, kids club, casino, shops, etc) don’t show up 10 minutes before it closes and plan on being there for hours. These places are all open enough hours in a day that it can be fit into your schedule.
8. Things Not to Do on a Cruise – Complain (Incessantly) About the Weather – Or Think the Crew Can Change the Weather
We all have days that the weather is not what we wanted it to be. Big plans of a sunny day at the beach are squashed by a thunder storm. It’s frustrating, it’s annoying. We all have those moments. Most people recognize that the weather is not something that literally anyone has control over.
Then there are the people that don’t like the weather and go to the front desk to complain about it. Demand refunds. Now, a refund for a shore excursion you didn’t get to go on, that’s reasonable. But a refund on your entire cruise because it rained during hurricane season. Much like a wedding vendor won’t refund you for rain on a wedding day, a cruise line doesn’t have control over the weather.
There are some things you can do to try to fool the weather gods though. Use the tools available to you to see what the weather is likely to be when you’re thinking of cruising. Take a look online at what the average weather is for that area during that time of year. There are tons of online resources to let you know what the expected weather for an area is. It will tell you that it rains more in Alaska in May and September, and it’s a bit warmer up there in June, July, and August. Cruising in the Baltic is warmer in the summer. Caribbean cruises in the fall are ripe for some rain from a hurricane. Now, none of this is fool proof – just because it says online, “it never rains in July!” doesn’t mean it won’t rain in July, and should it rain still doesn’t give you any sort of excuse to complain – or ask for a refund – to anyone onboard the ship that it is raining.
7. Going on a Cruise for One Specific Port
The majority of passengers take itinerary changes in stride. Most realize that they are a potential reality of cruising. There are those that feel… differently (and let you know it).
Itineraries can change for a number of reasons. The most common is the weather (see number 8). Depending on what is needed to get into the port will depend on the call on the weather. It’s not just rain and wind that can cancel a port other conditions such as if it’s a tender port and there is a large swell could be enough to throw off the entire day.
Itineraries can also change due to medical emergencies. I was on a cruise once that was halfway between Hawaii and Mexico when the decision was made to turn the ship around so that a guest could be medically disembarked by helicopter. While this didn’t result in a skipped port we did get back to our homeport a day late and the guests for the next cruise got a one day shortened voyage (and thus they had a port cancelled). Medical emergencies could also cause a ship to make an unscheduled stop in port to get the guest to a hospital sooner. This could alter the itinerary of the cruise and result in port cancellations.
Or, it could be something happening in that port – whether there are concerns about terrorism, protests, or unrest and the cruise line (or local port) has deemed it unsafe to go into port.
Or, you could be on a ship when the pandemic shuts down the whole world and then have some serious itinerary changes. (Too soon for this?)
Amongst the most awful reasons to have an itinerary change is a man-overboard situation. In those cases the ship usually has to turn around and start a search party for the person. This almost always results in itinerary changes and also often very sad outcomes.
Itineraries can change for a number of reasons – because of this if one place is on your bucket list, if it is the be all end all of your existence to see this place – please don’t go on a cruise to go there. Just go there. Or, if you are dead set on going on a cruise, see if a cruise either starts or ends in your “ultimate” destination. Then you can fly in a few days early or stay a few days late. It is far less common (but not impossible – see any cruise that was happening in March of 2020 for further understanding on that one) for an embarkation or disembarkation port to change.
No one wants an itinerary to change and especially not to have a port be missed. Trust me, waking up to the announcement that it was a surprise sea day when you thought you had the morning off (and a surprise sea day means you should have been at work 20 minutes ago) is not what a crew member wants, either.
Next time it happens maybe we all just be happy that we’re on a ship and can look out at the beautiful ocean. I asked a friend once what the secret to happiness was and she said gratefulness – so let’s all be grateful.
6. Not Being Respectful During an Emergency
Emergencies happen onboard a cruise ship. Sometimes it’s a medical emergency, maybe it’s an emergency helicopter evacuation for a sick passenger, or maybe a fire alarm is going off. In any of these situations a nosy passenger or someone trying to get a bit too close isn’t okay. At a very base level you’d likely be in the way, it’s also disrespectful for the sick passenger, and depending on the situation could in fact end up being dangerous.
Now, by all means if you are around the ship and you come across someone needing emergency help, get help! Or, if you end up seeing a fire or emergency, get help! Otherwise, please be considerate and give the emergency responders space to deal with the situation and give anyone experiencing a medical emergency the privacy they deserve (and I assume you would want for yourself).
5. Things Not to Do On a Cruise (Or in Life) – Being Inappropriate
Inappropriate questions, inappropriate advances, and general massive lapse in judgement. From the awkward person that tries to dance a little too close to the questions about how much money a crew member makes. Let’s just leave all that in the past, shall we?
There was a point I was so used to the inappropriate questions that I almost forgot they weren’t okay. I couldn’t count the number of times I got asked some variation of, “how much money do you make?” If I then asked them how much money they made – would they not consider that rude? Come on people.
Before my husband and I got married (both while I was working onboard and when I was sailing with him as his fiance and not working) I would get asked by passengers all the time whether or not we stayed in the same cabin. It was so awkward. Were they asking out of genuine curiosity? Were they about to tell me that I was living in sin and I was going to hell? If I answered wrong were they then going to write something negative on a comment card?
Questions like these might seem like innocent questions of curiosity but can be awkward when asked about in the work place. And, remember, the ship is their work place.
It’s understandable to be curious. It’s especially understandable if it’s a long voyage. It’s natural for people to get to know each other. I am not saying that you shouldn’t be interested in crew members lives and that it’s not appreciated when you do try to get to know the crew – just try to use some amount of common sense and decency.
How about we leave it at this – think about if you would feel comfortable with someone asking you that same question. Okay, now think about if you would feel comfortable with someone asking you it at work. If it passes the test, go ahead, otherwise, maybe rethink it.
In terms of inappropriate physical behavior – that could potentially get the crew member fired, so please just don’t go there at all.
4. Thinking the Customer is Always Right
I have some unfortunate news for you – the customer is not always right. If you’ve ever worked in a customer service job – and actually enjoyed it to some extent – you know that when you can you will do everything you can to help a customer have a good experience. It’s a great feeling to think that you’ve made someones life a bit brighter. However, that doesn’t mean they are always right and certainly doesn’t mean that a crew member has to do whatever a passenger says.
The biggest reason that a customer might not get what they are looking for – rules! There are so many rules that crew members have to follow. So many. There are rules for each specific job. Then there are rules for the health, safety, and security of the ship as a whole. And, then there are the rules of the ship itself. It’s a lot of rules to keep track of and follow. And, depending on what the rule is, if a crew member breaks it – even to accommodate a guest request – they could get fired.
So, to those guests that say things like, “you are ruining my vacation!” and, “I’m the customer, and the customer is always right, so I’m right and you have to do what I say.”
The crew don’t have to do what you say. Let me repeat that: The customer is not always right and the crew member does not have to do what you say.
If it’s reasonable, then yes, I am sure the crew member will happily delight in helping you however they can. However, if you are asking the crew member to bend or break rules it is not reasonable. Whether that be to open early, stay open late, give you extra discounts on products or services, or look the other way with different age restrictions (drinks, kids club, kids in staterooms, etc), none of it is okay.
To make the rules situation even more challenging – a lot of rules aren’t decided by anyone on the ship, but instead by the corporate office. This means that even if there could be some leeway on a rule, even if everyone on the ship thinks the rule is silly, most likely there would need to be approval from the corporate office before it could happen. And, even if the shipboard management decides to reach out to the head office – if it’s a weekend, a holiday, or if the person you need is on vacation – you’re going to be waiting a little while for an answer.
This isn’t to say that rules can never be changed or adjusted. You should never expect that they will be though and you should certainly never expect a crew member to break the rules to accommodate your wishes. There are a few exceptions to this though. Say you’ve done your due diligence and find out that the cruise line has a policy that you believe will negatively affect your cruise. Contact the cruise line ahead of time! There is a chance that the corporate office will sign off on some special accommodation and/or advice the ship as to what accommodations can be made.
Also, I am not saying to email the company about everything. But, say you are bringing on a family of 30 for a grandparents anniversary – you want to plan an anniversary dinner for them but the general policy is that you can’t book large tables in the dining room pre-cruise. Reach out to the company and explain the situation to see if something can be done.
It’s not a guarantee that they’ll make an exception for you, but at least you know before you get onboard. That way you can either research and find another cruise line that will better accommodate your needs or hopefully search out all the ways the cruise will be awesome!
The last piece of this puzzle is…people talk.
Even if there’s a situation when you could bend the rules a little bit, it’s never just “I’ll bend the rules for you”. If the rules are broken or bent for one person inevitably that decision will haunt the crew member. Either someone on that same cruise will hear about it, or that passenger will end up on another ship and say, “well, when I was on xx ship they did this for me”. There is a reason the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” exists.
3. Things to Stop Doing on a Cruise – Treating Any Crew Member as Less Than
I remember vividly as a teenager on a cruise (as a passenger) sitting in the Lido with some new ship friends. When we went to leave the table one of the other teens had left a pile of sugar packets and napkins just a total mess on the table. His logic was, “it’s their job to clean it up.”
This kind of behavior is certainly not exclusive to cruise ships, and in general we should as a society stop having this attitude.
When you are onboard a ship the crew are there to ensure that you have a great vacation. A fun bonus of being more considerate towards the crew? They’ll likely have more energy and enthusiasm to go even more above and beyond to ensure you have a great time.
2. General Rudeness
My grandmother always said, “you catch more flies with honey”. Well, a happy crew will result in a happier vacation experience for everyone.
Whether it be not saying “hello” when a crew member says “hello” to you (which on a lot of lines they are required to do), or if it’s trying to get them fired (on Christmas Day) for not letting their kid play X-Box when they wanted to (happened to me on my first Christmas on board), there are all sorts of ways that small bits of rudeness just well, stink. I wish I could think of a better way to put it but when someone ignores your existence, yells at you (thinking of all the people in the Front Office with this one), or just demeans you, for lack of a better phrase – it really sucks.
I want to say emphatically that this is a small percentage of passengers. The majority of passengers are truly nice and kind people. I also try to think that if someone is yelling or being mean that I don’t know what’s going on in their life. They could have just gotten horrible news and while that doesn’t excuse them yelling, maybe they don’t know how to deal with it.
Now, cruise ship employees are really good at keeping a smile on their face and not reacting in these situations. If you are an employer that needs someone to work in customer service or that might have to take the brunt of someone’s bad day – hire a former crew member.
However, just because there isn’t a big negative reaction, just because they aren’t yelling back doesn’t mean that the words you say don’t hurt. The crew have insanely thick skin, but let’s just go with the basic concept of, “treat others how you would want to be treated”, and go from there. Also, if you want your kid to play X-Box that badly while on Christmas vacation, please bring your own X-Box onboard. Thank you.
1. Things Not to Do On a Cruise – Not Letting the Crew Know When Something is Genuinely Wrong
Remember how I said that most passengers are absolutely delightful, wonderful, kind people? There are some passengers that are so concerned about being a bother or a nuisance that they will let real, genuine – and fixable – issues go unresolved for their whole cruise.
The number one thing that people need to stop doing on cruise ships is not letting the crew know when something is genuinely wrong. I have heard of people going nearly a whole cruise without hot water in their cabin simply because they didn’t want to inconvenience the crew! While that is super sweet of them it is also super unnecessary. Some things – like issues in cabins – the crew probably won’t know about or know to fix unless someone brings it up.
All of the cruise ship employees want to make sure that the passengers are having a great cruise, but it can be harder when they don’t know what is wrong! So, if something really is wrong, please let someone know! The ship has a full staff of plumbers, electricians, engineers, and everyone else you can think of to try to resolve issues.
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