Cruise Ship Etiquette?

[bitlerzx4]

great tips

 

[mommy_grrl]

Take the hand wipe without complaint in the line for dinner (unless you have a medical reason not to use one). I am shocked at how many people are offended that a cast member is suggesting they should wash their hands.

Hand washing is good....just do it.

Oh, if you could have seen the number of ladies who simply left the stall and walked straight out the door without washing hands <shudders> - after that, I defo also used a paper towel to open the door (as suggested).

I think the hand wipes are a fabulous idea - and even if you washed your hands before leaving your stateroom, keep in mind that there ARE other people who didn't, and they might have touched the elevator button just before you.

Can I also add that when you get to the bottom of the stairway (or exit the elevator) do NOT stop with your group to discuss where you are going/what you are doing! I think this was my only (other than the non-handwashing) peeve on the ship, was that you'd reach your landing, and groups would be hanging out, blocking the stairwell, and you'd be stuck.

Likewise, if you are walking down the hallway side by side and meet someone coming your way, please step to the side and walk single file. Can't tell you how many times my 5yo got mowed over by a grownup who was walking in her path (despite that she would move in front of me to walk).

Really, it all is simple courtesy.

This is a great thread!

 

[SuperRob]

Don't walk around the ship in your bathing suit without a cover up LOL
I live in Miami and we don't cover up when walking about so if you see my DD's and I going on our way in our bathing suit's just say "they are form Miami" LOL LOL it is way to HOT to put cover ups on OK if I go to eat lunch other then the fast food then yes I'll put a dress over my suit but if I am going to the pool or at the pool going to get something NO I am not going to cover up. TO me some just OVER think things (what others do or don't do) WHO CARES I don't care what you wear or don't wear how you act or don't act be who you are and live your life and HAVE FUN!!!!! I care only what my family is doing or not doing or who they make me look and for the best 38 years I have have never been told off for what I do or don't do) OK from my mom or dad LOL
I just wish we would just believe the best in eachother when you see someone NOT dress the way you think they need to be maybe to them that is the best they have.

At the risk of getting flamed, I'm going to respond to this in the spirit of the thread ...

The entire point of this etiquette thread is to remind and reinforce that what may be common where you're from may be inappropriate on a cruise ship. Yes, it may be acceptable to walk around Miami in a small bikini due to the heat and proximity to the beach. However, it's not acceptable anywhere other than the immediate pool or spa area on the ship.

As someone said earlier, it's not about you. Show more courtesy to those around you. It's not that much more uncomfortable to wear a light shirt and shorts when leaving the pool area to go eat or go to another area of the ship, and it's a show of respect to the other cruisegoers to respect that custom.

From what you said, it sounds like you already put a dress on when you leave to get food, and that is a big complaint of many, so good on you. If you're still in your swimsuit to go to the bar, that's fine. But so many people just wander around in swimsuits all the time all over this ship, and that's the issue.

Sorry to pick on your post.

 

[plyeng2ff]

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.

Total agree 100 percent. My wife uses a wheelchair for long distance or travel because of MS. I lost count on our last cruise how many times we be the first one there and an elevator door would open and people would just jump right in front of us. I would say it was the adult more than the kids.

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.

Please if you can folded up the wheelchair and put it your stateroom it help out alot. Trying to navigate the hallways are very hard between the wheelchair, scooters, and host or hostess carts. It a real pain.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Just using "Please", "Thank You" or "No Thank You" as well as "Have a nice day" to others goes a long way. It can actually throw people off guard... try it on the phone to a company employee/representative. There's a pause often just because it is unexpected! Those few phrases can change a situation and yet can leave quite the impression @ times!

I second that! As someone who has worked in the travel industry for years I can guarantee: you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Sadly, hearing grouchy, demanding, and accusational tones is far more common than hearing smiley, friendly ones. And please and thank you are almost nonexistent.

The way to tip the scale when asking for that early boarding number or trying to switch your dining schedule: please, thank you and a friendly voice. It makes people want to keep working with you, and consequently, work harder to help you out!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I second that! As someone who has worked in the travel industry for years I can guarantee: you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Sadly, hearing grouchy, demanding, and accusational tones is far more common than hearing smiley, friendly ones. And please and thank you are almost nonexistent.

The way to tip the scale when asking for that early boarding number or trying to switch your dining schedule: please, thank you and a friendly voice. It makes people want to keep working with you, and consequently, work harder to help you out!

And don't forget to smile at people, it really does help - even if you need to complain. As much as words play a part, when dealing face to face, body language is so important.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

A huge pet peeve of mine is the guests not thanking the servers. I have seen it time and time again where guests don't use their please and thank you's. Your important conversation can pause long enough to use your manners. Look them in the eye when ordering, smile at them. Ask them about their day. Thank them for delivering your food. Don't treat them like a "server" but as a friend or if anything, like you would want to be treated.

Please remember when coming home from the clubs late at night that not all guests are awake. Quietly walk through the hallways and if you have to talk, whisper. Please teach your children the same. Don't let them run to their rooms. Teach them to walk as it is much quieter. Don't slam your door day or night.

Please don't break your party into two tables, one for the adults and one for the kids and forget the kids exist. It is not the job of your server or those around you to babysit so you can have adult time.

Smile back at a guest that smiles at you. It doesn't hurt.

Never be late for dinner. It puts everyone's schedule off.

Think about those around you while taking pictures or video taping during the shows. Your screen is illuminated and does affect those around you.

Do not send your kids running down the stairs in the theater to get the first row. I have seen time and time again kids close to knocking down others just to get that first row.

Elevator problems exist. Age doesn't make a difference. I have seen bad elevator manners from children all the way to the seniors and every age in between. Everyone should pay attention when they approach the elevators who was there first and let them on first. Step out of the elevator to make it easier for others getting off. Keep your hand on the door by the sensor and it won't leave without you.

Above all, treat everyone with respect. That includes the guests all the way to the CM's.

 

[jdb in AZ]

For the most part, cruisers are well-mannered. What's the old cliche, "dull women never made history" -- well-mannered passengers don't get written up on the DIS boards.

On a recent cruise we got to the dining room a few mins before it opened and saw an elderly woman in a wheelchair, with her daughter. They made it a point to arrive early each night so they wouldn't have to hassle with the crowds at the elevators. While it was polite of them to do so (and probubbly self-preservation on their part) if I saw someone trying to crowd ahead of them onto an elevator I would make it a point to say something on their behalf.

I was waiting outside a movie theatre in the 113F heat (yes, 113F, this is Arizona) and two tweens were chasing each other and trying to step on each other's feet. The heat had fried away my patience, and when they got a tad too close I quietly threatened, "If you step on me, I'll hurt you." They immediately stopped horsing around and went and stood by their momma. Sometimes it helps to speak up.

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

I love the tips about thanking the staff we watch a show called "Mighty Ships" I highly recomend it I had no idea cruise staff worked as hard as they do. When we go in 5 months I will be beyond understanding if anything goes wrong and will be thanking my dining room team

Another thing when its your time to get your room cleaned hurry up and get out after watching that show and seeing how busy everyone is you not being ready to have your room made up can set the whole day behind.

and one big thing from watching that show DO NOT BE LATE BACK TO THE SHIP AT PORTS!!!! Every 30 mins people are late it costs the ship roughly $40 000 in fuel because they have to speed up to make up the time, and you can be left behind

 

[jjgarv]

For the most part, cruisers are well-mannered. What's the old cliche, "dull women never made history" -- well-mannered passengers don't get written up on the DIS boards.

It's 'Women who behave rarely make history.'...I've got it on a t-shirt. But your point is absolutely true, whether it's about fellow passengers or CM's. That's why we go out of our way to speak to a manager to give praise for excellent service in restaurants or where ever good service finds us. We tell DD that folks frequently go out of their way to complain, but hardly anyone goes out of their way to praise/say 'thank you'. It feels good when someone recognizes a job well done, so we make the effort to spread the good vibes when we've had a great experience.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It's 'Women who behave rarely make history.'...I've got it on a t-shirt. But your point is absolutely true, whether it's about fellow passengers or CM's. That's why we go out of our way to speak to a manager to give praise for excellent service in restaurants or where ever good service finds us. We tell DD that folks frequently go out of their way to complain, but hardly anyone goes out of their way to praise/say 'thank you'. It feels good when someone recognizes a job well done, so we make the effort to spread the good vibes when we've had a great experience.

We had excellent service at a nice restaurant and asked the waiter to send over his manager. When the manager came over, the waiter hovered in the background, fearing the worst and waiting to defend himself in case we had a complaint. So yes, praise is in short supply, even for the very deserving.

Whenever I thank a waiter he/she always responds with "you're welcome," making it a point to respond to courtesy with more courtesy.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We tell DD that folks frequently go out of their way to complain, but hardly anyone goes out of their way to praise/say 'thank you'.

Unfortunately that is so true. I read reviews but have learned to take them with a grain of salt.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

We had excellent service at a nice restaurant and asked the waiter to send over his manager. When the manager came over, the waiter hovered in the background, fearing the worst and waiting to defend himself in case we had a complaint. So yes, praise is in short supply, even for the very deserving.

Whenever I thank a waiter he/she always responds with "you're welcome," making it a point to respond to courtesy with more courtesy.

 

[DaniB]

I love the tips about thanking the staff we watch a show called "Mighty Ships" I highly recomend it I had no idea cruise staff worked as hard as they do. When we go in 5 months I will be beyond understanding if anything goes wrong and will be thanking my dining room team

Thanks for mentioning this! I'm going to see if I can find an episode or two. It sounds interesting.

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

Thanks for mentioning this! I'm going to see if I can find an episode or two. It sounds interesting.

http://www.discoverychannel.ca/Showpage.aspx?sid=13057

Check it out its really good show (its the one show my DH watches i can tolerate lol)

 

[DaniB]

I watched "The Oasis" Mighty Ships episode last night and loved it! It was great.

I especially understand better why the cruise ships can be so strict about their depature times on *time*. I wondered if the Captain would really leave all those people behind for the Oasis' first cruise.

Our friends are sailing on it's sister ship this Sunday. This morning I re-watched it again with my kids and told them this is the ship their friend will be on soon. My DS7 was awestruck!

Hey - at the very first port (St. Maarten I believe), it showed a shot of the Oasis docked and another cruise ship to it's left. I was surprised at how much smaller the other cruise ship (and later on a Disney ship) was in comparision. Anyone know what cruse line it's from?

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

I watched "The Oasis" Mighty Ships episode last night and loved it! It was great.

I especially understand better why the cruise ships can be so strict about their depature times on *time*. I wondered if the Captain would really leave all those people behind for the Oasis' first cruise.

Our friends are sailing on it's sister ship this Sunday. This morning I re-watched it again with my kids and told them this is the ship their friend will be on soon. My DS7 was awestruck!

Hey - at the very first port (St. Maarten I believe), it showed a shot of the Oasis docked and another cruise ship to it's left. I was surprised at how much smaller the other cruise ship (and later on a Disney ship) was in comparision. Anyone know what cruse line it's from?

Glad you enjoyed it I saw the same episode it's unreal all that goes into the day to day management of the ships. I remember seeing the Disney ship but not the other one your asking about. When we go on our first cruise in january I will have a whole new respect for the cruise staff then I had before watching that show

 

[tomspixie]

Remember to fill out your survey at the end of your cruise! They honestly read each and every one of them. We did a B2B and by the time we were reboarded, the Cruise Director came up to us to ask about an incident that had happened on the first half! We were shocked to know that they really do read them! Often, I will usually add an additional note really praising the many cast members that make our trip sparkle with pixie dust!

 

[mmouse37]

I watched "The Oasis" Mighty Ships episode last night and loved it! It was great.

I especially understand better why the cruise ships can be so strict about their depature times on *time*. I wondered if the Captain would really leave all those people behind for the Oasis' first cruise.

Our friends are sailing on it's sister ship this Sunday. This morning I re-watched it again with my kids and told them this is the ship their friend will be on soon. My DS7 was awestruck!

Hey - at the very first port (St. Maarten I believe), it showed a shot of the Oasis docked and another cruise ship to it's left. I was surprised at how much smaller the other cruise ship (and later on a Disney ship) was in comparision. Anyone know what cruse line it's from?

The Oasis is an RCCL ship.

MJ

 

[disneynoodle]

This tread is extremely helpful for those first time cruisers (like myself). Many of these tips aren't innate. These are some that I found to be particularly helpful:

1. I had no idea it was poor form to walk from cabin to pool sans cover-up. I'm so glad I learned this before hand before I completely embarrassed myself while on the ship!

2. Who ever leaves a crying baby unsupervised outside their cabin should be reported to CPS! I would immediately attend to the infant and call 911. Is there a 911-type-line on The Disney Dream? (not just for Child Protective Services reports, but for other emergencies like heart attack?)

3. I knew that WDW didn't want gum in the parks, but I hadn't thought about this on the ship. Glad to learn now before boarding the ship!

4. I had no idea you should cancel an entire vacation for an illness. Would DCL even allow you to do that? Have other families successfully cancelled in the past with a refund?