Cruise Ship Etiquette?

[Makayna]

You seem to bring up alot of issues revolving around children, which is understandable on a Disney Ship. Lots of kids. In the same vein, you love your Aunt Hilga and Uncle Fred to pieces, they are your relatives, not mine. Some have said in other dining threads "Well, Uncle Fred is just difficult and stuck in his ways" which is code for he is a jerk and demanding for no good reason.

I may get flamed for saying this, but for every child I have seen out of control with a parent doing nothing...I have seen an equal number of downright mean senior citizens, who feel because they are near the end of their life with medical problems they can inflict their rage on all around them, whether it be demanding to get on the elevator first, being rude at dinner, or cutting in front of my family because they need a flu shot more.

Maybe that would be more a problem on another cruise line that has more older folks, but I have seen a few posts in other threads "my grandpa Floyd is a real pill to servers" and that is just to be accepted, but if you said "my little Dick and Jane are really rude to the waitstaff" no one would accept that. If your senior citizen cant control their rudeness and nastiness, order room service.

I hate to be saying this, but this thread seems to have become a dump on children and parents fiesta, and I would like to inject some balance. I am open to all flames.

It boils down to knowing those who are in your care, and being polite and respectful of those around you. I wont subject you to my twins meltdown if I dont have to listen to your beloved grandpa make racial slurs and mistreat the wait staff (been there, done that).

I think the difference between senior citizens and children is that senior citizens are adults - adults who can not necessarily be "controlled." Unlike a screaming 5 year old, you can't pick up Grannie Harriet and take her to another area of the ship until she calms down. Not without possibly breaking her hip! LOL!

In all seriousness, I think we ALL have family members who we are, at times, embarrassments to us. Now, I don't agree with making excuses for them, but it's not like you can really do anything about it if your grown aunt shows up for dinner in a bikini! As parents, you have more control (or, at least should have more control) over your kids than you do over your grown adult relatives.

Again, not excusing the behavior of some adults who choose to act like children. But there's not always anything that you CAN do about the adults.

 

[twindaddy]

I think the difference between senior citizens and children is that senior citizens are adults - adults who can not necessarily be "controlled." Unlike a screaming 5 year old, you can't pick up Grannie Harriet and take her to another area of the ship until she calms down. Not without possibly breaking her hip! LOL!

In all seriousness, I think we ALL have family members who we are, at times, embarrassments to us. Now, I don't agree with making excuses for them, but it's not like you can really do anything about it if your grown aunt shows up for dinner in a bikini! As parents, you have more control (or, at least should have more control) over your kids than you do over your grown adult relatives.

Again, not excusing the behavior of some adults who choose to act like children. But there's not always anything that you CAN do about the adults.

Your points are well taken, I suppose my above thread was kinda of knee jerk reaction to about the fifth post dumping on parents. I really dont know what you can do to control your crazy Uncle Teddy, I suppose if you just wheel him to his room thats like kidnapping, assuming he is in a wheelchair.

 

[girl_barrie]

Loving all of the great cruise etiquette tips!!
Here's a few that I haven't seen on here;

Bring a post-it note pad & pen/cil - leave notes on the doors of the staterooms whose decorations you like!! We left "Happy Birthday" & "Happy Anniversary" notes on the doors of people celebrating, as well as those who had great magnets & FE's. We really appreciated the notes that we received too!

Bring pre-packaged sweet / salty snacks in your souvenir bag to give to CM's as tips/gifts, they really appreciate it!! Really! (They have to pay "cruise ship prices" for their snacks!)

And not to dump on parents - as I am one...
But please watch and keep track of YOUR OWN children. Do not assume that because they are playing with another child & his parents that you don't have to pay attention to or supervise your child. We had an "extra kid" for the entire day of one of our shore excursions. Not cool.
We come on the cruise to spend time with OUR kid. Because we play with and really interact with our child, many kids who don't get that from their parents want to play too. We don't mind other kids being social and playing along, for a while, but many don't know when they have overstayed their welcome... We don't wish to be rude to the child - THEY don't know any better, its the parent's job to teach this social skill. It is truly sad how many times the "attention hungry" child's parent(s) are nowhere to be found. Or even worse, they are right there, completely ignoring the child.

And finally;
If you or your family member is ill & it is contagious - REBOOK YOUR CRUISE!!!! It is incredibly rude to inflict upon the rest of us your upper respiratory infection, stomach flu, virus, etc...
And to the family that coughed like a seal bark, it was NOT allergies!!! (What the "barkers" loudly declared to all within earshot!) It was a URI!!! It WAS contagious! You should have stayed home! We did NOT appreciate THAT souvenir!!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

You seem to bring up alot of issues revolving around children, which is understandable on a Disney Ship. Lots of kids. In the same vein, you love your Aunt Hilga and Uncle Fred to pieces, they are your relatives, not mine. Some have said in other dining threads "Well, Uncle Fred is just difficult and stuck in his ways" which is code for he is a jerk and demanding for no good reason.

I may get flamed for saying this, but for every child I have seen out of control with a parent doing nothing...I have seen an equal number of downright mean senior citizens, who feel because they are near the end of their life with medical problems they can inflict their rage on all around them, whether it be demanding to get on the elevator first, being rude at dinner, or cutting in front of my family because they need a flu shot more.

Maybe that would be more a problem on another cruise line that has more older folks, but I have seen a few posts in other threads "my grandpa Floyd is a real pill to servers" and that is just to be accepted, but if you said "my little Dick and Jane are really rude to the waitstaff" no one would accept that. If your senior citizen cant control their rudeness and nastiness, order room service.

I hate to be saying this, but this thread seems to have become a dump on children and parents fiesta, and I would like to inject some balance. I am open to all flames.

It boils down to knowing those who are in your care, and being polite and respectful of those around you. I wont subject you to my twins meltdown if I dont have to listen to your beloved grandpa make racial slurs and mistreat the wait staff (been there, done that).

I'm not going to flame you.

I will note however, that with age can sometimes come certain ailments which cause changes in behaviour.

I love her to pieces and if you met my mother you'd think she was one of the happiest, sweetest, nicest people in the world. But since her stroke, when she becomes frightened, she becomes unconsolably hysterical. Her brain simply doesn't function the way it used to. And it's not the same as removing a child (though we do what we can to minimize the impact to other people and will try to remove her from the situation if we can).

Many people will point out when talking about children that there are often medical conditions (such as Autism) that are "invisible" please be aware that for many seniors, there are often "invisible" medical conditions that can cause extreme behaviours that can not be controlled. And yes, sometimes that means inappropriate comments (racial slurs), swearing, screaming or what would be considered "general rudeness".

I know it's not ALL seniors but it's more common than you'd think.

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

And finally;
If you or your family member is ill & it is contagious - REBOOK YOUR CRUISE!!!! It is incredibly rude to inflict upon the rest of us your upper respiratory infection, stomach flu, virus, etc...
And if someone's cough sounds like a seal bark, it is NOT allergies!!! (What the "barker"'s parent loudly declared to all within earshot!) It is croup or pertussis!!! It IS contagious! You should have stayed home! We did NOT appreciate THAT souvenir!!

The bark may be asthma. I have 2 sons with asthma and have heard the bark many times. Yes it does sound like croup, but may not be.

 

[Makayna]

Many people will point out when talking about children that there are often medical conditions (such as Autism) that are "invisible" please be aware that for many seniors, there are often "invisible" medical conditions that can cause extreme behaviours that can not be controlled. And yes, sometimes that means inappropriate comments (racial slurs), swearing, screaming or what would be considered "general rudeness".

I know it's not ALL seniors but it's more common than you'd think.

I completely hear you. My dad has Alzheimer's. I would never take him on a cruise, simply because of it (he doesn't do well when he's not at home in his comfortable, safe environment), but quite often, he gets confused, and when he gets confused, he gets angry. He was NEVER an angry person when I was growing up. I NEVER saw his temper! But now, because of this disease, he definitely has changed personalities.

Again, I'd never take him on a cruise ship because that just wouldn't go well for ANY of us! NONE of us would enjoy that trip! But other families might want to take that relative on one last cruise before they pass on. And I can see that too.

I completely agree with the "hidden illness" thing. For YEARS, nobody would have known that my dad had any sort of senior memory problem (now, it's impossible NOT to know, but he's had this for many, many years) unless they were with him for extended periods of time. So passing strangers might have thought that he was perfectly fine mentally, but was just choosing to throw a fit at some point in time. When in reality, he couldn't really control himself in that manner anymore. He lost that ability to reason and to know what's going on.

So while I don't defend their actions, and again, I personally would never take my dad on a cruise ship or any extended vacation BECAUSE of his illness, some elderly people simply can't help it. They don't have the mental capacity to control themselves anymore. Sad, yes. But also very true.

 

[NHdisneylover]

The bark may be asthma. I have 2 sons with asthma and have heard the bark many times. Yes it does sound like croup, but may not be.

That is what I was going to say. DD14 was tested for croup and for TB because her barking cough sounded so much like those things, before finally being sent to a lung specialist where she was diagnoses with asthma. It is LOUD and very much a barking, croup like cough. it is much better now that she is on medication, but ti CAN still flair up--usually due to allergies (mostly dust or dust mites).

 

[Makayna]

That is what I was going to say. DD14 was tested for croup and for TB because her barking cough sounded so much like those things, before finally being sent to a lung specialist where she was diagnoses with asthma. It is LOUD and very much a barking, croup like cough. it is much better now that she is on medication, but ti CAN still flair up--usually due to allergies (mostly dust or dust mites).

Me too. I have asthma and have a barking cough sometimes. Definitely NOT contageous, but it IS a bark and it is NOT a cold. I can sometimes control it with medication, but sometimes, if I travel, since I'm in a climate that my body is not familiar with, it will act up and there's nothing I can do about it.

 

[latinqt]

Great thread

 

[Smith70592]

Loving all of the great cruise etiquette tips!!
Here's a few that I haven't seen on here;

Bring a post-it note pad & pen/cil - leave notes on the doors of the staterooms whose decorations you like!! We left "Happy Birthday" & "Happy Anniversary" notes on the doors of people celebrating, as well as those who had great magnets & FE's. We really appreciated the notes that we received too!

Bring pre-packaged sweet / salty snacks in your souvenir bag to give to CM's as tips/gifts, they really appreciate it!! Really! (They have to pay "cruise ship prices" for their snacks!)

And not to dump on parents - as I am one...
But please watch and keep track of YOUR OWN children. Do not assume that because they are playing with another child & his parents that you don't have to pay attention to or supervise your child. We had an "extra kid" for the entire day of one of our shore excursions. Not cool.
We come on the cruise to spend time with OUR kid. Because we play with and really interact with our child, many kids who don't get that from their parents want to play too. We don't mind other kids being social and playing along, for a while, but many don't know when they have overstayed their welcome... We don't wish to be rude to the child - THEY don't know any better, its the parent's job to teach this social skill. It is truly sad how many times the "attention hungry" child's parent(s) are nowhere to be found. Or even worse, they are right there, completely ignoring the child.

And finally;
If you or your family member is ill & it is contagious - REBOOK YOUR CRUISE!!!! It is incredibly rude to inflict upon the rest of us your upper respiratory infection, stomach flu, virus, etc...
And if someone's cough sounds like a seal bark, it is NOT allergies!!! (What the "barker"'s parent loudly declared to all within earshot!) It is croup or pertussis!!! It IS contagious! You should have stayed home! We did NOT appreciate THAT souvenir!!

Hope you never have a child with an inherited disease like Cystic Fibrosis were they have a persist chronic cough or as you put it (seal bark) that is non-contagious, because If we all lived by your rules, these children would be allowed to board the ship and experience the joy of disney like other "normal" health kids.

 

[princessjadesmom]

You seem to bring up alot of issues revolving around children, which is understandable on a Disney Ship. Lots of kids. In the same vein, you love your Aunt Hilga and Uncle Fred to pieces, they are your relatives, not mine. Some have said in other dining threads "Well, Uncle Fred is just difficult and stuck in his ways" which is code for he is a jerk and demanding for no good reason.

I may get flamed for saying this, but for every child I have seen out of control with a parent doing nothing...I have seen an equal number of downright mean senior citizens, who feel because they are near the end of their life with medical problems they can inflict their rage on all around them, whether it be demanding to get on the elevator first, being rude at dinner, or cutting in front of my family because they need a flu shot more.

Maybe that would be more a problem on another cruise line that has more older folks, but I have seen a few posts in other threads "my grandpa Floyd is a real pill to servers" and that is just to be accepted, but if you said "my little Dick and Jane are really rude to the waitstaff" no one would accept that. If your senior citizen cant control their rudeness and nastiness, order room service.

I hate to be saying this, but this thread seems to have become a dump on children and parents fiesta, and I would like to inject some balance. I am open to all flames.

It boils down to knowing those who are in your care, and being polite and respectful of those around you. I wont subject you to my twins meltdown if I dont have to listen to your beloved grandpa make racial slurs and mistreat the wait staff (been there, done that).

I have to say that I agree with you. I work in a hospital where I've taken care of MANY old grouches that seem to think that just because they're old it gives them the right to treat others like dirt. I know their medical histories. Yes, sometimes the grouchiness stems from a medical problem, but the majority of the time it's just because they're mean, nasty people.

 

[crashbb]

You seem to bring up alot of issues revolving around children, which is understandable on a Disney Ship. Lots of kids. In the same vein, you love your Aunt Hilga and Uncle Fred to pieces, they are your relatives, not mine. Some have said in other dining threads "Well, Uncle Fred is just difficult and stuck in his ways" which is code for he is a jerk and demanding for no good reason.

To be fair to the PP, she had TWO points relating to children and FIVE relating to adults.

 

[girl_barrie]

Hope you never have a child with an inherited disease like Cystic Fibrosis were they have a persist chronic cough or as you put it (seal bark) that is non-contagious, because If we all lived by your rules, these children would be allowed to board the ship and experience the joy of disney like other "normal" health kids.

O.K.
In our particular case, the fact that we saw the "barker" family around the ship, with other members "barking", the fact that my son got the same "barking cough" 3 days after we were stuck next to the "barker" family on an enclosed excursion bus, and that he was diagnosed with an URI when we went to the doctor upon arriving home, leads me to believe that in THIS case, it was NOT really allergies or CF...
To all the parents of kids with asthma, allergies or chronic coughs from non-contagious diseases, - I am NOT talking about YOU!!!! I am NOT a monster who doesn't want a child to have a "normal" life or to have any fun - c'mon, DISers!! I was saying that IF you or someone in your family IS contagious, rebook!!!!

 

[mmouse37]

Stay on topic, people. Thanks.

MJ

 

[MrsJobba1]

I have read this thread with great interest.

In regards to people leaving wheelchairs, pushchairs in the hallways. I agree this is problematic however the suggestion of placing them in the stateroom may not be possible.

In 2005 whist on sb I had a disc rupture in my spine. I was in a great deal of pain and the cm's were amazing. One who lived on the island went and got his car to get me back to the ship. Once at the ship I had to use a wheelchair. we were staying in a cat 10 inside room and the wheel chair would not fit through the doorway . We had to leave it outside of the room.

 

[SLK1]

If you or your family member is ill & it is contagious - REBOOK YOUR CRUISE!!!! It is incredibly rude to inflict upon the rest of us your upper respiratory infection, stomach flu, virus, etc...
And to the family that coughed like a seal bark, it was NOT allergies!!! (What the "barkers" loudly declared to all within earshot!) It was a URI!!! It WAS contagious! You should have stayed home! We did NOT appreciate THAT souvenir!!

I completely agree with this! They ask when you check in if anyone has a fever or diarrhea...like anyone will admit to that?! I have a friend who purposely did not tell them that her family had just had the stomach bug and in fact one child still had diarrhea that day. I get it...you're excited, you've been planning on it and looking forward to it, but it's just selfish to put thousands of people at risk of ruining their vacation because of you.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I wish people didn't rush the elevators when I've been clearly standing there waiting for an empty elevator to fit my stroller/kids and I...I always let the people who are standing first in when I need to use an elevator....but maybe that's not how it goes? you snooze you lose? I think I spent most of my time battling people/elevators. (and you know the ships elevators are small already!!)

This is our chief complaint on the ship and it's usually older guests who we've found to be the most rude when it comes to elevator etiquette.

 

[twindaddy]

I have to say that I agree with you. I work in a hospital where I've taken care of MANY old grouches that seem to think that just because they're old it gives them the right to treat others like dirt. I know their medical histories. Yes, sometimes the grouchiness stems from a medical problem, but the majority of the time it's just because they're mean, nasty people.

I was actually thinking about this thread today as I was driving home (scary, huh?) and my long response yesterday. I am friends with an elder law attorney, and when he hears someone talk about alzheimers, he always asks "mean or nice alzheimers". Very sad that some truly wonderfuly people have their mind ravaged by a disease that turns them into people they never were when they were younger. My response was a tad knee jerk, sorry if I offended anyone, I was just getting sick of parents getting dumped on over and over, no age group has a lock on bad behavior. For every person run down by a stroller tank there is a person run down by an ECV.

I saw this post on facebook yesterday, and it is so true. "Be kind to everyone you meet, for everyone is facing some kind of battle" So true!

 

[mousebrat]

Our oldest son (age 5) is suspected to have Asperger's. We can tell very quickly when he is having issues related to Asperger's and when he is misbehaving as any young child will at times. We handle each situation differently - there's a time for "discipline" and a time to help him work through something. With that said, and getting back to the theme of this thread, there are many people on a Disney cruise (moreso, I suspect, than other cruise lines) that may have special needs, some obvious, others not. Please be sensitive to this and treat everyone with respect and courtesy - no stares, no patronizing, etc.

An etiquette issue particular to cruise ships is to keep in mind how narrow the corridors are. Often, one person will need to duck into a recessed area so others can pass. If everyone is mindful of those around them, this is not an issue. If people run in the hall, insist on walking side-by-side, or simply fail to pay attention, there will be a collision.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I have read this thread with great interest.

In regards to people leaving wheelchairs, pushchairs in the hallways. I agree this is problematic however the suggestion of placing them in the stateroom may not be possible.

In 2005 whist on sb I had a disc rupture in my spine. I was in a great deal of pain and the cm's were amazing. One who lived on the island went and got his car to get me back to the ship. Once at the ship I had to use a wheelchair. we were staying in a cat 10 inside room and the wheel chair would not fit through the doorway . We had to leave it outside of the room.

Was it not possible to fold the wheelchair? DD injured her foot on an escalator just before our Celebrity cruise last year. She used a wheel chair on board and then did not leave the ship all week Anyway, even with the smaller staterooms on Celebrity we could fold up the chair and fit it in the room. It took up pretty much ALL the leftover space in the room, but we did it rather than block the hallway. I would think being in a wheel chair that your husband also would have realized how very hard it is to navigate hallways when they are blocked by chairs and strollers.