The Rudest Things You Can Do On A Cruise, According To Etiquette Gurus

Ignoring Health And Hygiene

“Don’t ever use your hands to touch food at the buffet,” Kosciolek said. “This is one of the biggest ways illnesses spread on ships. Use the tongs or other utensils provided.”

If you want to go back to the food stations for seconds, don’t bring your original plate or use your fingers or used table utensils to serve yourself. 

“Use a new plate if you return to the buffet line for an additional serving,” Claytor said. “Step away from the table or buffet line to cough or sneeze. Helping to minimize the spread of germs is invisible good etiquette.”

Don’t forget about handwashing as well, especially after using the restroom. 

“This should be common sense, but you’d be surprised by the number of people I see walking out of the stall and straight out the door,” Kosciolek added. “Always wash your hands.”

Do your part to mitigate the spread of illness on the ship. We’ve all seen the headlines about disease outbreaks on cruises. 

“If you feel ill, remain in your cabin and request a visit from the doctor onboard or go straight to their office,” Vernon-Thompson advised. 

Showing Up Late For Things

“Be on time, especially for shore excursions,” urged Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and host of the “Were You Raised by Wolves?” podcast. “Don’t make people wait for you.”

Remember that your lateness affects other people. Crew members might have to put in extra work to make up for the delay, and you can cut into your fellow passengers’ schedules. 

“Whether it’s to dinner, to a spa appointment or returning to the ship from an excursion, it’s inconsiderate to be late,” said cruise expert Stewart Chiron, a.k.a. “The Cruise Guy.” “The ship can be delayed departing and then arriving at the next port of call. Cruise lines can also leave you.”

He noted that showing up late to a dinner reservation or spa appointment can throw off the whole schedule for others too.

“Say you timed your spa treatment perfectly to go back to your cabin and continue relaxing before dinner, but the guy before you showed up 45 minutes late and rudely insisted on having his treatment,” Chiron said. “That eats into your time.”

Forgetting About Tipping

“Be sure to read the fine print on tipping when cruising,” said Jodi R.R. Smith, the president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. “Sometimes tips or partial tips are included. Sometimes certain staff tips are included and others are not.”

That includes “invisible” staff like housekeepers and porters, Smith added.

Err on the side of being generous with your tips if you’re unsure.

“Tipping culture is alive and well on most cruises,” Leighton said. “When in doubt if gratuity has already been included or what an appropriate amount should be, just ask.”

If tipping is going to be an issue for you, reconsider your travel plans. 

“Don’t remove gratuities from your bill,” Kosciolek said. “Hardworking crew ― including people behind the scenes who wash the dishes and do the laundry ― depend on them. Instead, build the cost of tips into your vacation budget so it’s accounted for. If you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to cruise.”