Cruise Ship Etiquette?

[Cerberus9]

Thank you for all of this! It's exactly what I was looking for!

I realize that most of this is common sense. Unfortunately, in my experience, common sense isn't so common anymore.

 

[Zandy595]

Thanks for posting the list MJ. I second the one about letting the cabin door slam. It bothers me when people do that, especially late at night or early in the morning. I'm always careful to close it quietly everytime.

 

[Makayna]

In the "it takes a village" mode, and sensing that they were good kids, I told them that I didn't want to have to spoil their fun by talking to parents or the front desk and "knew" that wouldn't run anymore and that after 9pm that they were going to not make noise in the halls for a sleeping baby. Delightful boys--no issues after that.

I LOVE this!!! As a certified teacher, I have this innate desire to do exactly as you did... to complete strangers kids when they're doing something they shouldn't be doing and there is not a parent in sight. I know many parents would be outraged at a stranger doing something like this, but sometimes, it's necessary. And the look of shock and terror on the kids' faces is priceless.

 

[drparoo]

When leaving your cabin don't let the doors slam.

This is my pet peeve on a boat....and in a hotel, actually.

 

[Makayna]

I realize that most of this is common sense. Unfortunately, in my experience, common sense isn't so common anymore.

So true.

 

[wildel1021]

very nicely put

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

I LOVE this!!! As a certified teacher, I have this innate desire to do exactly as you did... to complete strangers kids when they're doing something they shouldn't be doing and there is not a parent in sight. I know many parents would be outraged at a stranger doing something like this, but sometimes, it's necessary. And the look of shock and terror on the kids' faces is priceless.

I am probably one of the few parents who want others to reprimand my DD if she needs it. So, thanks in advance from me!!

 

[mmouse37]

Thank you for all of this! It's exactly what I was looking for!

I realize that most of this is common sense. Unfortunately, in my experience, common sense isn't so common anymore.

I know it helped me before I cruised for the first time.....some things you would not necessarily think about!

MJ

 

[truck1]

Something else to add, at dinner, the seats at times can be close between tables.Remember there are others around you, and they need room also. Dont sit 6 feet from the table and push the people behind you into the table. Same for getting up from your table.

Along that line, is watch your language. Just because 4 letter words are common where you are from, it doesnt mean everyone else wants to hear it.

 

[Zandy595]

Something else to add, at dinner, the seats at times can be close between tables.Remember there are others around you, and they need room also. Dont sit 6 feet from the table and push the people behind you into the table. Same for getting up from your table.

Along that line, is watch your language. Just because 4 letter words are common where you are from, it doesnt mean everyone else wants to hear it.

I agree with both of those.

Also, don't be late to dinner. Your servers wait to take everyone's orders at once, so it's rude to your tablemates if you aren't there on time. I've also heard it makes it harder on the servers if you don't show up on time. Something about how things are timed.

 

[Makayna]

I agree with both of those.

Also, don't be late to dinner. Your servers wait to take everyone's orders at once, so it's rude to your tablemates if you aren't there on time. I've also heard it makes it harder on the servers if you don't show up on time. Something about how things are timed.

Wow, really?!?! I figured it'd be easier on them because generally, EVERYONE shows up at the same time, so I figured if some people were a bit late, that they'd actually prefer that. Good to know that that's not the case!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Etiquette onboard ship is not much different than anywhere else. How would you behave in a hotel? Hopefully courteous to your neighbors and hotel staff.

Wow, really?!?! I figured it'd be easier on them because generally, EVERYONE shows up at the same time, so I figured if some people were a bit late, that they'd actually prefer that. Good to know that that's not the case!

With everyone showing up at the same time they can do things in batches.

All appetizers.
All salads.
All main courses.

If you show up late it becomes:
All appetizers.
All salads.
Late party's appetizer.
All main courses.
Late party's salad.
All desserts.
Late party's main course.
Late party's desserts.

- Dreams

 

[ALK$Disney]

I
There is a reason cruise ships don't sell gum....if you bring your own don't stick it where it does not belong (like on the floor or under furniture). Dispose of it properly.


MJ

Also don't spit the gum or dispose of it into the ocean. I am sure a lot of teens are guilty of this.

 

[Purdue Mouse]

PLEASE don't call and complain about large strange rodents or water fowl spotted on board (unless they steal your cheese)

Compliment Minnie's attire and don't ask how many pairs of shoes she has. After all, Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life
(for the record, Mickey and Minnie have over 500 outfits)

 

[tiggerb]

I LOVE this!!! As a certified teacher, I have this innate desire to do exactly as you did... to complete strangers kids when they're doing something they shouldn't be doing and there is not a parent in sight. I know many parents would be outraged at a stranger doing something like this, but sometimes, it's necessary. And the look of shock and terror on the kids' faces is priceless.

This would be me too! And I teach Preschool! I do this all the time, or just giving the "Mommy look" as one of my parents told me. That mean business!

 

[Makayna]

This would be me too! And I teach Preschool! I do this all the time, or just giving the "Mommy look" as one of my parents told me. That mean business!

I taught preschool for a while. I must say, it works WAY better on random strangers' kids than it does the kids in your class! LOL!

 

[tiggerb]

I taught preschool for a while. I must say, it works WAY better on random strangers' kids than it does the kids in your class! LOL!

Nah... it works well even in my class! One Pre-K kid once asked my son if I say that at home. His response "Yay, and she means business! You better listen." She cleaned up RIGHT away!

I can go from being silly and having fun to "I mean business" w/ my serious "mommy look". Works on older kids too! But really, I am not that scary... I just expect manners and proper display of etiquette!

 

[joandherboys]

Firstly, just wanted to say that I am enjoying this thread and it is good to get suggestions around behaviour that I may not have considered.

I just wanted to make people aware about reprimanding other people's children if they do not approve of their behaviour - on a cruise or otherwise.

My son has aspergers. If you looked at him you would have no idea that he has this disabilty. His behaviour can at times be challenging and may cause adults to look at him and label him a 'naughty boy', which he is most certainly not. As I am aware of these issues, I make a point of supervising him as much as is humanly possible. However, I also have a toddler and I simply cannot do it all!

Comments/looks made by strangers (although maybe done with the best intentions) do not help and actually increase a very stressful situation. So please no 'teacher' looks or comments made - please think that you have no idea if a child has such a disabilty!

 

[Raspberry Beret]

Firstly, just wanted to say that I am enjoying this thread and it is good to get suggestions around behaviour that I may not have considered.

I just wanted to make people aware about reprimanding other people's children if they do not approve of their behaviour - on a cruise or otherwise.

My son has aspergers. If you looked at him you would have no idea that he has this disabilty. His behaviour can at times be challenging and may cause adults to look at him and label him a 'naughty boy', which he is most certainly not. As I am aware of these issues, I make a point of supervising him as much as is humanly possible. However, I also have a toddler and I simply cannot do it all!

Comments/looks made by strangers (although maybe done with the best intentions) do not help and actually increase a very stressful situation. So please no 'teacher' looks or comments made - please think that you have no idea if a child has such a disabilty!

Excellent point and a reminder that things are not always as they seem.

 

[flexsmom]

LOVE the door-slamming one. That is a big problem in the mornings. I think a lot of times, kids leave the rooms a few seconds before mom/dad, and they bound out and let the door go. I'm constantly reminding my kids about this when we cruise. I should just put a yellow sticky on my forehead about the stateroom doors and standing back from the elevator doors so they see it every time they look at me.

Anyway, my other recommendations are more "nautical" in nature. The ships are "ships"....not "boats"! The crew is probably used to guests using terminology of right/left/front/back, but getting into the swing of things with starboard/port/forward/aft will definitely help you figure out where things are more quickly and be able to communicate with crew more efficiently as well, since they tend to answer the questions about "where is XX" using those terms.