Cruise Ship Etiquette?

[bound2travel]

They ask when you check in if anyone has a fever or diarrhea...like anyone will admit to that?! QUOTE]

Actually, I have answered the health questionaaire correctly one trip. The day before the cruise, I was in the parks and my sinuses started acting up. I put on the form that I had been coughing and sneezing. I was told the ship's doctor would have to clear me for sailing. The dr came off the ship, checked me out and cleared me for sailing. They have a certain temperature threshold that would require you to see an urgent care center before boarding if your temperature is higher. I was fine and not contagious - thankfully.


Another tip to be thrown out - pick up after yourself. Yes there are magical being who clean up for us, but how much trouble is it to pick up your candy wrapper or empty cup and put it in a trash can? What kills me at work is when people eat sunflower seeds and drop the shells on the floor . Mind you, I work at a library so people are dropping the shells on a carpeted floor ! This is just disgusting.

On the using the tongs for food, I was told once that a CM at the Contemporary told them that they have to throw away any food that is touched by hand - even if a person took the only thing they touched.

Only other advice for etiquette is to read and follow signs - it can help prevent problems.

happy cruising

Kristi

 

[disneynoodle]

Thanks for the information about canceling for illness and filling out the health questionnaire! In relation to keeping everyone healthy onboard, I just found an etiquette tip on the Cruise Secrets that DCL Doesn't Tell You thread for the proper way to use the Drink Stations:

"You can bring your own larger capacity cups to fill on deck 9, however they do require that you use the smaller DCL disposable cups to actually get the beverage from the machine and then pour it into your own cup. This may take several fills/pours, but it eliminates the chance of germs from your personal cup being transferred to the spout on the machine- so it's a logical policy."

 

[Dismom1025]

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.

My MIL has a bark cough too, but hers really is from allergies, lol. She has chronic post nasal drip, no matter what medication she's on. She absolutely hates it & constantly carries cough drops, so I'm sure she'll get looks from other cruisers next week if it starts, thinking she's contagious!

 

[Bethshaya]

My pet peeve anywhere on vacation are parents who are traveling with their children and somehow think they have a vacation from parenting.

The kids are wild, mouthy and wound up with candy and sugar.

Just because you are on vacation does not mean you have skirted your responsibility as a parent. Discipline is even more important when in non-familiar places then at home. They are opportunities to teach manners and skills that your child will need into adulthood.

• Model proper behavior for them.
  
  
• Dining rooms are perfect places to teach formal dining etiquette. Show them that the napkin goes on their lap, and which fork or spoon goes with which course.
  
  
• If your small children start to get wiggly and loud during dinner, it is time for one parent to take them on a sight seeing tour outside for a bit and burn some of that energy off.
  
  
• Tell your children your expectations with regards to their behavior every step of the way. Let them know where you are going, what they can expect to see and do and how you expect them to behave. They can't do what they've never been taught to do.
  
  
• Do not go into the dining room without some sort of activity to do quietly at the table for them to pass the time. We used to bring coloring books or activity books and stories based on wherever we were vacationing. It is easy to find Disney things. We've even downloaded cartoons and kids games onto my iPhone that I can turn to in a pinch. I change them up so they are fresh. They can put the earphone in and listen to the movie or do an educational game quietly while they wait.
  
  
• Do not ignore your children during dinner with just adult conversation between you and your spouse. Engage your children in conversation about their day, or the food they are expecting or even their surroundings. Ask their feedback on what they liked best that day, or least, or what they are excited about tomorrow. First it lets your children know you care about what they think, and two, it keeps them thinking and engaged in between.
  
  
• Teach them to respect their elders. Have them hold doors or carry packages. Let them wait as elderly people pass. Remind them that please and thank yous, and yes, sir, no sir is still in effect.

I can tell you from experience that teaching manners pays off and can make a parent proud.

A few years ago my spouse and I went on vacation for the first time alone and we left my son with my parents for the week. When I returned, I had two voicemails on my machine from older ladies at my mothers church telling me how nice it was to have such a polite child in church. It seems it was raining that Sunday and he walked each of the ladies out with an umbrella to their cars and then came back for his grandmother so none of them got wet. One of the ladies commented that her own grandchildren wouldn't even do that for her. He did this without me there and without prompting.

Teach a child the way they should go, and when they are old, they shall not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

 

[Bethshaya]

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.

We are the opposite. My father has Alzheimer's and every minute we have left with him is a blessing. He is a 45 yr career firefighter, who helped with Ground Zero recovery on 9/11. He is our hero!...still

We are getting married on this cruise and we chose that venue because we wanted to have a slow relaxing getaway with him and the rest of the family on both sides so that we could create memories with him. He may not remember it, but he just takes joy in so much around him that even on his bad days, it is a blessing.

He is a wanderer, so we need to take precautions, and we have connecting rooms so that we can watch him. He likes to watch people, and sometimes, ...er, he forgets to put on pants before he goes outside. We will rig the doors with "Jingle bell necklaces" from Christmas that will ring during the night if he opens the door. Thankfully, the latches in hotel rooms confuse him and he can't get out. But we weren't sure if they were on the cruise doors. So we came up with this.

Thankfully, he is a "pleasant Alzheimer's patient". He tries so hard to please those around him, even if he can't remember. We have to find humor in the things he does, otherwise we will cry.

For some reason, he thinks my mother is two different people. He split her personality. The "demanding woman" is "That lady", and his lovely wife, is Nancy. So we know that when he talks about "That Lady", that mom probably gave him a chore to do that confused him, or scolded him for doing something. But now we tease Mom when she does something to us and we say "Listen here, Lady"...and she laughs.

Dad is very excited about the wedding and the trip and he can't wait to walk me down the aisle. He keeps asking when we go. He's like a little child waiting for their first trip to Disney. Next year we hit Italy with him too!

Every minute we have left with him is precious!

 

[Cruellafan]

I have a low threshold for bad behavior from children, which is usually connected somehow to inadequate parenting, or parents who themselves have no regard for other people (much like a child in a tantrum) and don't care about their children's behavior.
On DCL, however, I can think of very few instances of such abysmal behavior. At a showing of "Tangled" last December, a child who was clearly too young to be at a movie was kept there much too long by his mother. On the other hand, the joy and delight of the other children at the antics on screen enhanced the experience for me.
Meltdowns happen. Most of the time on DCL, the going-critical child was dealt with as competently as possible by the parents.
So, good marks to most DCL parents, and a plea to other adults to realize that there are other people in the world, and that they have not signed up to deal with your misbehaving child. You did, so please deal with her/him.

 

[jerseygirl74]

My DD has gone to restaurants with us since she was an infant and has very good manners. But on vacation I dont parent less, I just relax a little more. I refuse to let her be disrespectful but if she laughs a little louder its ok with me. I refuse to have stepford child. I let go a little more on vacation to. I expect that on a Disney cruise kids will be a little more wild and it ok....its a Disney Cruise after all.

 

[SharonLowe]

On the using the tongs for food, I was told once that a CM at the Contemporary told them that they have to throw away any food that is touched by hand - even if a person took the only thing they touched.

Using the tongs is a great tip (can't believe people would actually use their hands ). Can I add, please only use the tongs for a particular food item when you are getting stuff from a buffet. Those with food allergies or other dietary needs really appreciate it if people don't cross-contaminate food by using, for example, the tuna tongs to also get their cucumbers.

This thread has some great tips.

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

My pet peeve anywhere on vacation are parents who are traveling with their children and somehow think they have a vacation from parenting.

The kids are wild, mouthy and wound up with candy and sugar.

Just because you are on vacation does not mean you have skirted your responsibility as a parent. Discipline is even more important when in non-familiar places then at home. They are opportunities to teach manners and skills that your child will need into adulthood.

• Model proper behavior for them.
  
  
• Dining rooms are perfect places to teach formal dining etiquette. Show them that the napkin goes on their lap, and which fork or spoon goes with which course.
  
  
• If your small children start to get wiggly and loud during dinner, it is time for one parent to take them on a sight seeing tour outside for a bit and burn some of that energy off.
  
  
• Tell your children your expectations with regards to their behavior every step of the way. Let them know where you are going, what they can expect to see and do and how you expect them to behave. They can't do what they've never been taught to do.
  
  
• Do not go into the dining room without some sort of activity to do quietly at the table for them to pass the time. We used to bring coloring books or activity books and stories based on wherever we were vacationing. It is easy to find Disney things. We've even downloaded cartoons and kids games onto my iPhone that I can turn to in a pinch. I change them up so they are fresh. They can put the earphone in and listen to the movie or do an educational game quietly while they wait.
  
  
• Do not ignore your children during dinner with just adult conversation between you and your spouse. Engage your children in conversation about their day, or the food they are expecting or even their surroundings. Ask their feedback on what they liked best that day, or least, or what they are excited about tomorrow. First it lets your children know you care about what they think, and two, it keeps them thinking and engaged in between.
  
  
• Teach them to respect their elders. Have them hold doors or carry packages. Let them wait as elderly people pass. Remind them that please and thank yous, and yes, sir, no sir is still in effect.

I can tell you from experience that teaching manners pays off and can make a parent proud.

A few years ago my spouse and I went on vacation for the first time alone and we left my son with my parents for the week. When I returned, I had two voicemails on my machine from older ladies at my mothers church telling me how nice it was to have such a polite child in church. It seems it was raining that Sunday and he walked each of the ladies out with an umbrella to their cars and then came back for his grandmother so none of them got wet. One of the ladies commented that her own grandchildren wouldn't even do that for her. He did this without me there and without prompting.

Teach a child the way they should go, and when they are old, they shall not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

Thank you, these are great. And I agree 100% with Pr. 22:6. That has been my philosophy since I became a mom in 1981.

 

[Bethshaya]

Thank you, these are great. And I agree 100% with Pr. 22:6. That has been my philosophy since I became a mom in 1981.

Thanks! He's 18 now and ready to fly the nest. He has autism, so social skills did not come naturally to him, but he has been a pleasure to have every step of the way. I'll take the Stepford child to a Damien any day.

He's gone from a child who wouldn't make eye contact or speak to anyone, to a bright and vibrant young man off to follow his dream of being a chef. I couldn't be prouder.

 

[disneydreamin-gang]

Thanks! He's 18 now and ready to fly the nest. He has autism, so social skills did not come naturally to him, but he has been a pleasure to have every step of the way. I'll take the Stepford child to a Damien any day.

He's gone from a child who wouldn't make eye contact or speak to anyone, to a bright and vibrant young man off to follow his dream of being a chef. I couldn't be prouder.

I guess we have more in common than I thought. My youngest DS 12 out of 5 has PDD-NOS. He has table manners and shows courtesy in public. Now at home maybe another story(meltdowns over minor things). But I have hope that giving him the right example and expecting him to behave in public will pay off.
We are taking our first cruise in 3 weeks. He's really looking forward to it.

 

[mmouse37]

Please keep this thread on topic of cruise ship etiquette..it seems to have swayed away a bit.

Thanks.

MJ

 

[viniesmom]

all of the above,plus:
keep your TV/radio as low as possible to hear it. Cabin walls are thin and next door will be able to hear it.
Be quiet when walking thru halls, esp. at night.
Supervise your kids--yes, it's pertty safe, so the tendency is to let them have more freedom--but I got mowed down by some 8 yr olds having fun/chasing each other in the hallway. 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.
For all kids, esp. teens, reinforce appropriate behavior rules the 1st day--even if other kids are following them.
For a sold-out cruise with over 1000 kids onboard, the Dream was the nicest, most well behaved group we have ever seen. Virtually all of the common manners PP mentioned were observed. have fun. Elaine

Definitely something to "go over" with the DS(11) before we leave. Thanks for the tips!

 

[twindaddy]

Please keep this thread on topic of cruise ship etiquette..it seems to have swayed away a bit.

Thanks.

MJ

Yes, please. Return this thread to the kid bashing fiesta it turned in to. (note extreme sarcasm in tone, not directed at mod)

I could go on another diatribe, but I think I did earlier in the thread.

 

[disneynoodle]

I found two more good etiquette tips!

1. Don't take FE gifts from other cruiser's Fish Extenders.

2. Don't relieve yourself in places other than in the bathrooms. I've read several Disboard entries about people (or children) peeing on the AquaDuck steps, on the outdoor decks, and in the ponds/lakes around WDW parks. It might seem really convenient at the time, but you have to think about everyone else that has to use those same steps or decking.

 

[MommaMouse411]

DID you say people pee while waiting in line for aquaduck? really...i cant even see my 3yr old doing that

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I found two more good etiquette tips!

1. Don't take FE gifts from other cruiser's Fish Extenders.

2. Don't relieve yourself in places other than in the bathrooms. I've read several Disboard entries about people (or children) peeing on the AquaDuck steps, on the outdoor decks, and in the ponds/lakes around WDW parks. It might seem really convenient at the time, but you have to think about everyone else that has to use those same steps or decking.

Wow, out of ten cruises, we have NEVER seen either one.

 

[sues14]

I had heard that you cant put towls on the side rails and cant throw anything overboard because it can get sucked back into the ships engine and that can cause a fire! They announced that on board NCL epic during the saftey drill. sounded good enough for me!

 

[H2OMama]

I think it is good cruise ship etiquette to wear your smily happy face and say hello to people you pass in the hall. I have only been on a few cruises and not Disney ones, but seems to be the general rule, everyone seems to be extremely frinedly more so then usual. It makes for a very fun vacation!

 

[ravensilverlight]

If you know you will not be dining in the main dining rotation for dinner (you have Palo reservations or plan to eat at the buffet, etc) tell your waitstaff the night before. If you decide not to that day, try to swing by your assigned dining room at or before your dining time and tell the head waiter at the podium your table number and that you will not be dining tonight. Otherwise your table-mates and waiters do not know if they should be waiting for you or not.

I just completely had a "DUH" moment. I wouldn't have thought of this, but it completely makes sense and is a great tip.

Fantastic thread...like others have commented, common sense is king - just too bad it isn't as "common" as the name might imply.