Tips on Cruise Etiquette

Cruise ships are a relaxing way to explore the world. However, if you are embarking on your first cruise, then you must be aware of some basic cruise ship etiquette. Even the savviest and seasoned cruise traveller will appreciate the tips on cruise etiquette as they are relevant for anyone taking the first or tenth cruise.

Avoid loud conversations in the hallways.

Every cruise has all kinds of people – early to bed folks and night owls. It is expected that you will keep your voice soft in the corridors to show courtesy to people who sleep at different times of the day. Every cruise ship has beautiful public lounges that are perfect for livelier conversations rather than the cabin corridors. If your stateroom has a veranda, then you should speak in a low voice as a courteous gesture to your neighbours.

Follow table manners in the dining room.

If you are at a table that seats 4 to 8 people, you must wait until everyone is served each course. One must be polite to the wine stewards and servers. It is important to note that good table manners are a reflection of your nature, and you must show cruise ship etiquette even if you have food in a casual eating area.

Dress appropriately for the dining room

The recommendations for attire differ from one cruise line to another. There are dinners wherein guests are allowed to wear smart casuals, while some nights call for extravagant attire. So one should dress as per the laid down norms and enjoy the sumptuous buffet on offer.

Share the chairs

If you do not plan to relax until late morning, you need not occupy a sun lounger right from 7:00 in the morning. Similarly, if you are saving seats for your buddies at the theatre (within the cruise) and running late, you should release those seats for other guests.

Manage the tipping

Almost all major cruise lines across the world charge a daily fee as tips. These tips get added to the on board billing account daily. These tips are shared between the different crew members. So it is a good idea to ask your travel agent about the tips part before you get on the cruise. If tips are not included, then you must be prepared with some extra cash as giving tips is part of cruise ship etiquette.

Always be on time

If you have a spa appointment or a dinner reservation at an appointed time in the main dining room, it is proper cruise ship etiquette to always be on time. If the ship has anchored at any port and you are exploring the area, you must have plenty of spare time in hand to get back on the ship. Not many people know that ships are very serious about "all aboard time."

Kids will be kids

If you have booked your tickets on a Disney cruise, then you can expect a few kids to disrupt your solitude. It is a good idea to keep the expectations reasonable, and one should always keep in mind that Disney cruises are bound to be a bit noisy, and you should not complain about it.

Matt Higgins is a cruise expert and entrepreneur, who love sharing ideas about cruising. Here, he discusses a list of changes to expect while cruising post Covid-19.