You already know the drill; modern cruise ships can carry thousands of passengers, and not everyone is polite and respectful to others.
Unfortunately, it can happen to find rude people on board but there are also times when we might do something wrong ourselves, perhaps without even realizing it.
For this reason, let’s take a look at the things that cruise passengers often do but that others generally dislike.
1. Excessive Complaining
It’s absolutely understandable to voice concerns when something isn’t right.
You can contact the guest services desk, your cabin steward, or speak directly to the cruise line’s customer service department.
However, some passengers take it too far by complaining about many minor inconveniences. This behavior can bring down everyone’s mood and create a negative environment.
For example, I often read complaints about long waits when the cruise is in the peak season. It’s obvious that there will be some waiting if the ship is completely full.
Or, I read a complaint from a couple who said their captain was rude because he did not wait for them when they were late getting back to the ship.
2. Poor Hygiene
The lack of hygiene is a major concern for both passengers and crew members.
As I have said many times before, it is very easy for infectious diseases to spread on cruise ships.
This happens because they are closed places with a very high number of people.
For this reason, everyone needs to follow basic hygiene rules. This includes washing hands before eating, especially at the buffet.
Unfortunately, as you can see in the article on the 10 things you must never do at the cruise buffet, not everyone respects these standards of civilized behavior.
3. Saving Spots in Lines
As I said at the beginning of the article, if the ship is full, you may encounter several lines, especially at peak times.
However, holding a place in line (especially for a large group) is particularly irksome to others who have been waiting patiently.
Whether it’s for shows, tenders, or buffets, this behavior often leads to frustration and fellow cruisers will hate you for doing it.
4. Being Rude to Crew Members
This is something I don’t like at all and unfortunately see too often.
Crew members are on board to work and certainly to meet your requests, but remember that they are not at your complete service.
Passengers who treat crew members poorly, whether by making unreasonable demands or being outright rude, not only affect the morale of the staff but also irritate other passengers who witness such behavior.
In addition, remember that they usually have less-than-stellar salaries, so be kind to them.
5. Allowing Kids to Run Wild
On a cruise everyone is on vacation, some people want to have fun but many people also want to relax.
Sometimes unsupervised children can create a bit of chaos on the ships. During the years I’ve seen kids running around public areas, entering hot tubs or adult-only areas, pushing elevator buttons, or making noise during shows.
If your children are very lively keep an eye on them and try not to disrupt the experience for everyone else.
A good idea might be to explain the ship’s rules to them before boarding.
6. Door Slamming
You’ve probably noticed that, for safety purposes, cruise cabin doors are very heavy.
For this reason, they make a lot of noise when slammed shut.
Please, especially if you are returning to your cabin late at night, make an effort to close it quietly to avoid disturbing other passengers. Keeping noise to a minimum is essential to sleeping well on a cruise.
7. Messy Eating Habits
On cruise ships, you can eat and drink at all hours of the day, but that does not mean you should become rude and leave stuff everywhere on the ship.
Some passengers leave trails of food and drinks as they move about the ship, and they often leave plates and glasses in inappropriate places, like stairways or hallways, which is both inconsiderate and hazardous.
When you finish bring your glass or plate back to the bar, or leave them in your cabin and your cabin steward will take them out.
8. Ignoring Dress Codes
All cruise ships have dress codes but these can vary greatly by cruise line.
Some have a more casual atmosphere while others require more formal and elegant clothes.
Usually, the dress code is stated in the daily planner so remember to take a look at it.
Some cruise lines also have theme nights, it’s not mandatory to follow them but I think it is a very nice and fun thing to do.
You can find the schedules of the theme nights here, but to avoid mistakes also remember to check the things not to wear on a cruise.
9. Chair Hogging
Chair Hogging is a very common practice on cruise ships, and many say they hate passengers who reserve deck chairs without actually using them.
Some passengers even wake up early in the morning just to reserve the best chairs, usually those closest to the pools.
They often place towels or personal items on them and then leave for hours. This practice is obviously frustrating for those who are genuinely looking for a spot to relax by the pool.
That’s why I wrote a guide to outwit chair hogs on cruise ships.
10. Disturbing Shows
Another thing I have frequently noticed is that many passengers disturb during theater performances or entertainment activities.
Arriving late or talking during performances can be distracting for both performers and other audience members.
Try to be as respectful as possible to maintain a pleasant atmosphere for everyone.
Now that we’ve explored the things that other passengers dislike, let’s take a look at the 10 things cruise ship workers hate to see from passengers.
