Simple Cruise Etiquette

A cruise vacation is a great opportunity to get away from it all, a chance to relax and have fun in some exotic locales, surrounded by food, fun and friends. Many people work hard to make a cruise as rewarding as possible for passengers, and many passengers enjoy cruises at the same time, with ship populations climbing as the cruise market gets larger and larger. With all of these people involved, there are a few smart things you as a cruise vacationer can do to ensure that the experience is fun and rewarding for everyone.

One of the first things you may hear about cruise ships is that tipping the staff is expected. This isn't as unusual as it may sound at first. After all, you tip the wait staff at a restaurant, and the maids at a hotel, right? How about the people who carry your luggage to your rooms? Well, a cruise ship has all of these people and more, and tipping them is a gesture of etiquette that is well appreciated. Too many staff on cruise ships get stiffed by passengers who believe that, since they paid a 'package price' for their vacation, they do not have to shell out any more cash. But the staff on a cruise ship are there for the same reasons staff in restaurants and hotels are there, and they deserve the same compensation. So don't stiff the staff. They're there to enhance your vacation, and they deserve an _expression of your gratitude.

Aside from the wait staff, it's also important to be courteous to your fellow passengers on a cruise ship. Everyone is there for the same purpose- to enjoy their vacation. Simple things, like quiet conversations in crowded rooms, leaving the theater during shows if you need to talk, and waiting your turn at buffet dinners, are obvious. Other forms of etiquette that might be less obvious include things like the ship's dress code: It's there for a reason. Many people argue that because they are on vacation, they should not have to comply with a dress code; but certainly they would not take that attitude at a fancy restaurant on shore, and there's no reason to take it on a cruise ship. Several meal options are offered, and those who don't wish to follow the simple rules can easily eat in the informal restaurant or order room service. It's a reasonable courtesy to your fellow passengers.

Finally, relax. It can be intimidating to be on a boat with several hundred other strangers, all trying to enjoy their vacations. Use some common sense and politeness. Being on a cruise ship with so many other people is a lot like living in a city: Everyone is there for their own reasons and to follow their own pursuits, and the best they can do for each other is be kind, say please and thank you, and don't take things too seriously. After all, this IS a vacation!

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