That’s always been the unwritten rule for every elevator I’ve ever used. You always have assholes that think they are more important than the rest of everyone around them but they are the delusional small percentage of people (unfortunately it is a stat that has been climbing over the years).
Yeah, the table rule in the buffet is not a thing. Our family is absolutely going to locate a table before getting our food. I’m not about to walk around with a full plate of food while trying to find a place to sit…
Yup, these tips are essential. I'll soon be going on my third cruise, and I've never changed how I interact with the crew. Respect, kindness, and being easygoing go a long way. That might sound old fashioned, but it's true. I'm a photographer and spend almost all of my time both on and off the ships with a camera around my neck, so I tend to be recognizable. If I run into familiar faces, I'll always at least say hi and ask how their day went. I do that for every customer service person I interact with regularly, like at the grocery store or pharmacy. But it's different on a ship, when you're in relatively close proximity for an extended period. By the end of my 2nd cruise (Alaska with Princess in 2019), I had some staff and even random guests walking up to see what photos I'd taken during the day. Good times.
I think if you are dining from a buffet you should be able to pick out a table. When being seated by staff, obviously you can’t (although you can always be asked to be seated somewhere else). That way the waitstaff can pour water or bring coffee, etc. while you are at the buffet. Nothing worse than wandering around a dining area with your plate looking for somewhere to sit (esp if the sea is up).
I agree. My family will be taking our first family cruise, 2 adults and 7 children. We pretty much have to find a table, or a few near each other, before we get food or we'd end up split up.
There just aren’t enough table in the buffet. I don’t want to have my plates in my hands and no where to sit. I don’t agree with this rule. You can put your drink down go get one or two items, eat that and then go back for main course. Standing holding your plates with no where to sit for me is especially hard. I have severe pain in my feet and toes from severe arthritis. If you just look at me you wouldn’t know that.
I travel with my sister a lot and the times where we could not get a table before we went to the buffet, we ended up wandering around not just looking for a table - but looking for each other. Sometimes we would even end up with two tables which is worse than grabbing one table before you go to the buffet!
Having been in the service industry and relied on tips, I am generous with around 20% regardless if it is pizza delivery, instacart, doordash, etc. and I try and give cash. Now dining I would have an issue with as I am a introvert and don't like sharing a dining table unless it is family or close friends.
The children should have an earlier curfew in my opinion. I just returned from a Royal Carribean cruise and it was 11:00 pm. There were young adults screaming and fooling around by the elevator. A woman came out of her room and asked them to leave the area. They were so rude. I stepped in and put my teacher’s hat on and explained to them the consequences of their actions. I also told them that they were fortunate to be on a cruise ship. Be kind to others, it goes a long way. They left promptly. But a 1:00 am curfew was much too late for children.
I’ve never been on an excursion where someone hasn’t been late getting back to the bus. It’s usually the same person or persons over and over again and they don’t care.
Adding a written rule to one of your unwritten rules. Carnival has recently added that if you order two entrees that's fine. But if you decide to order a third that will cost you $5 US. I'm using American currency because that's where I am.
We have sometimes shared with others in the main dining room, tables, but this is not planned, on the cruises we have been asked do we mind sharing, the cruise staff are very good at pairing people up who are good matches with other guests. it more fun if we have bumped into passengers from previous cruises , we are polite to the cruise staff, even if we go on non cruises, there was a problem with the meat one evening, so my Dad had a polite chat with the chef, without making a scene , the chicken was not fully cooked on the buffet. You mention about the children on cruises, we go on all adults cruises, the problems have come in hotel with families, where some parents like their children run around like crazy, push in lines in the buffet and let their children run along the landings at night knocking on all the hotel bedrooms doors
I laughed at competitive laundry. 😂 I like the 30 minute rules. And don’t join up your chairs in a circle it’s a hazard. It’s gauche to be rude to staff or condescending Please dress appropriately. It’s a cruise. Not a disco Don’t know the time. Tip anyway.
My unwritten rules are fairly simple. 1. Dont go on a CCL trip...ever 2. If booking an excursion best to do it through the ship. You will get a safety net incase things go too long. Excursions not within the company's network dont have a safety net and if go too long you could be left behind.
In terms of the dining in the main hall, is it possible to get a table by yourself? Like is possible to get seat somewhere that's just meant for a solo traveler?
I have been on a total of 10 cruises with friends. It has never even occurred to me to be rude or condescending with the staff. I doubt that there are a whole lot of us who could, or would work under the conditions that they do, as far as work load and number of hours worked each day. There is a reason you see so few Americans working on cruise ships....like the fruit pickers of SoCal, or pool boys, this is another one of those jobs that "Americans won't do." Like I said, I would never even think of getting crappy with the staff. And if you are respectful and friendly with them, they will have no problems going above and beyond their basic duties for you. On one cruise, our steward remarked that my S.O. wasn't looking so good...actually, he just asked if she was feeling OK. She was just having an "acid tummy" episode (no, not reflux), and had forgotten to pack any antacids. We had docked in port already, (so the onboard stores weren't open) and she was get off the ship to find the local ABC Store and buy some. Our steward told her not to bother, and to stay there for a few minutes. He came back about 10 minutes later with one of those little travel bottles of Tums. He had gotten hold of the person who managed the stores (or maybe that particular store), and that person had gotten the Tums for my sweetie. When she tried to pay for it, the steward said it was on the house, because we were great passengers. Even more than in real life, on a cruise, kindness pays.
I wish Celebrity had guest laundry on the Edge class ships. It’s a bit of cash grab on longer sailings were as a man I’ll run out of clothes. The wife, not so much…
The being friendly with the crew rule does go a long way. On my HAL cruise last July, we befriended one of the server that was taking care of a specific section of the Lido Market during breakfast. Whenever she saw any of us at the table, she happily serve all of our coffees in warm cups and how each of us liked it. Of course, I did mentioned her in the survey to make sure that she had a bonus. She was an absolute sweetheart who definitely deserves the best.
Best service we had was on marella cruises. I use a portable scooter to get around and every night it was whisked away when I transfered to my seat. Nothing was too much trouble. One day one of the waiters charged off on my scooter to get our starters, he called it 'meals on wheels' a lovely young man who looked like deli Ali, the footballer, the rest of our table staff were equally helpful. Recommend Marella for the service and personality. Was open dining but the maitre d always tried to get us on the same table and never had to wait longer than 10 minutes. I thought the dining experience was better on marella than on p & o Britannia the year after it came into service
@@hollyb7981 I do think Gary did mention something in that regard. Also, the crew does mention it towards the end of the cruise, so, logically they are rewarded for that.
I always find it incredible how they remember passengers names/stories etc.. I struggle at times to remember people's names when I've just met them. I guess it becomes a practiced skill, and is in their best interest. I have found (and I've no means been on too many cruises), that most of the staff that go the extra mile, remember names etc... Are genuinely kind and caring people who enjoy their job, and they deserve the tips they earn.
On an excursion to Berlin from Warnemünde (which involved a three hour train ride each way), our tour guide made an interesting speech at the first stop. He said "You have eleven and a half minutes to be back here on the bus." Pointing to his wrist, he said "This is a Swiss watch on a German arm, and I am allowed to lose ten percent of you!" It got folks attention, at least, and generally the group was punctual.
As an Australian, I wouldn’t have gotten off the bus. You know how laid back we are. And talkative. I’d see the bus drive off before I even got 5m from it. 🤣
My cousin and I, both in our teens, were allowed to share a cabin instead of rooming with our parents and we always kept it cleaned. I couldn’t believe how many cabins I walked past with the doors opened that were trashed. Just because someone is cleaning your room for you doesn’t mean you have to make extra work for them. We also always let people with mobility scooters and the elderly go ahead of us in elevators. I couldn’t believe how many adults would push right past them and get on.
I'd be so embarrassed to have my cabin dirty. Also so glad to hear of you teens being respectful. Unfortunately I have seen on a few cruises where teens have been a bit obnoxious so it's awesome that you guys know how to act better than even some adults do.
I’m concerned about the wheelchair/scooter and elevator issue. My dad is unable to walk more than a few steps and has issues with being passive if people were to cut in front. Any suggestions how to handle this?
Gotta keep those small places tidy! I have developed a heart condition and I’m not to get my heart rate up if at all avoidable. (Can’t wait to get it fixed!) Under normal circumstances we use the stairs. The elevators are just too hard! I hated having to use them on our last cruise.
Lesson for life: The true mark of who you are is how you treat people whose job it is to serve you. Treat the crew with kindness. It speaks volumes as to who you are.
It costs nothing to be nice to the staff and it can make your cruise so much better. I cruised in 2013, and we had an exceptionally good Table Captain in the dining room. Went on another cruise in 2015 and when we were embarking, there he was as greeting staff for the day. The fact that we remembered his name and greeted him in person just lit up his face, and we got the best service in the dining room that trip (that wasn't the intention, just a nice consequence).
I had an experience like that with a bar waiter. When I boarded a cruise a year after the first one, he spotted me first night out, came over, addressed me by name, and he remembered my favourite drink order! This was in 2015, long before there were any apps that would help crew with such things.
And- in my experience- they are SO NICE! Fun to talk to and good listeners. I don’t know if it’s just good customer service and their job, but I really like them.
Don't do what my dad did on our Celebrity Cruise last month: Lean over to the couple dining beside us and blurt out "So, what do you think about Trump?"
That's when you smile sweetly, and pretend you didn't hear them/know their language. My relatives bait me like that. I refuse the Bair. I'd never be rude to a stranger, but those topics never go well. Lol
Hey Gary, here's a simple one: When you're done with a lounge chair, don't just leave your towels on the chair and expect a crew member to take them away. Many times while grazing for an unoccupied lounger, I find used towels but no personal items laying there. Are the people in the pool or just to lazy to deposit the towels in the bin? We're off on the Enchanted Princess next week! Woo-Hoo!
We went on an MSC cruise in South Africa and the pool towels were a different colour than the bathroom ones (orange instead of white), if you took it to the pool you had to return it to the cabin to avoid being charged for a missing towel. If you didn't take the one from your room but instead took one from the kiosk by the pool they booked it to your room so you would get charged for it if it wasn't returned. Its a simple idea but really encourages people to not leave them all over the loungers for fear of being charged for it.
You must have been on it for the first or second cruise down in the Carribean/Bahamas area. I was on it for its last New England cruise 10/29-11/5, assuming it would take about a week to reposition from NYC down that way.
An unwritten rule I follow is I always keep my cabin as tidy as possible so that when my assigned cabin staff member comes to clean it he or she doesn't have to pick through piles of detritus to get their job done. I also always thank them when ever I see them.
I have a question, if you have a moment. Regarding cash tips, is it common to leave them? Is it viewed as strange to do so when they are also included in the fare? (Especially for someone like a cabin steward or waitstaff that personally helps you and you'd like to thank them. )
@@Shayna11NM Not strange IMHO. We always thank our stewards with an envelope (extra tip) along with a genuine "Thank You"! While the crew may think of the included tips as part of their budget, anything added is a bonus. We've also "gifted" any other crew member that made our vacation better. :-)
@@Shayna11NM I cruise in Holland America. Even when tips are included many people still give cash to those who they interacted with. I give $2 anytime I get room service. I also tip the bar tenders and waiters and I especially tip my cabin stewards. They all work so hard and are trying to make better lives for their families!
@@LRP2023 Same here only cruise line I have been with is Thompson now renamed TUI and change the name of the cruise arm to Marella (not been on them since 2013 due to home caring for my inlaws till they passed away the last yr) BUT even before they went AL across the fleet tips were included in the price of your cruise BUT we ALLWAYS gave a cash tip to our cabin steward/stewardess, bar staff in the usual place we went to be it a lounge or bar overlooking the pool area, AND (depending on the dining situation we always sat at the same table so had same staff) we tipped our wine waiter and serving staff on the last night of the cruise .... They don't expect it from everyone as I said tips are included with Marella in the price you pay BUT we ALLWAYS used to give that extra tip in cash at the end of the cruise as an extra cause they normally do look after you so well ..VERY rarely we ain't left the staff that looks after us an extra tip! they all work so hard with very little time off so even though so-called tips are included in the price of your cruise ( just how much each crew member gets I don't have the foggiest) so that little personal extra tip does mean a great deal to them! I know a lot of cruise lines charge you so much per day gratuities on top of your cruise ....MY late departed father-in-law actually led a revolt on the QE 2 and refused to pay it ..saying he wanted to tip the staff that had given good service ect and not pay the daily charge they put on per person, etc he complained and about 50 other passengers followed his lead NOT a good day for Cunard 🤣 MInd you i wouldn't have argued with him being a career army retired Major!
I have received hand-signed letters from cruise line senior management personnel stating that they liked my post-cruise survey suggestions so much that they had already modified operations to include them. So yes, surveys are taken seriously! 🚢
Good for you. This is a complaint that I keep to myself. As many questionnaires I have filled out. Not one has ever got back to me and commented on my survey. Not talking about cruise, just in general.
I would also add something that occurs just before you get on the ship - be nice, polite, and have a good sense of humour with the person at the huge reception area who is checking you in. I have always found them to be so helpful when I do so, and they often give me some useful tips. And besides, it is great to give someone a pleasant moment during such a busy and hectic time for them.
I get that can be a tough time for some, but you are starting vacation! Start with your Vacation attitude and keep it going. I figure things many not go as planned, but I am not in my house in Ohio in Feb. May be they need to start serving fun drinks in the embarkation areas!
@@elizabethdazell4426 Could you tell us which cruise you're taking in February? Because I sure don't want to be on there with your Vacation attitude of "Me First, Screw the World." And your idea of fun drinks during embarkation renders the muster exercise useless. Even though it's YOUR vacation, you should know what to do in case of an emergency. Believe it or not, this isn't an amusement park ride. You are out in real seas with real potential danger. I don't know how much you've been around the ocean but it's no joke when things go wrong. I hope you have fun but I really hope you learn how to be a good human.
@@alaskachick7315 Genuinely interested, from what part of her comment did you get that Elizabeth was being selfish? Cuz I do believe she was referring to other guests, not staff. Her definition of vacation attitude apparently being that you should be nice and cheery even if can all get a little stressful at times and things can go wrong. Sounds like proper human skills to me.🤷
Just a couple of points: 1. The importance of your unwritten rules can't be overstated. When you encounter flagrant violations of these, it can really dampen your overall cruise experience. 2. The likelihood of being annoyed by violations of these obvious rules is inversely proportional to the capacity of the ship, which is why I have learned to stick with really small ships. 3. Being kind and respectful to the crew pays dividends. On a recent cruise, our cabin became flooded by a burst pipe from the galley. Instead of fussing, I politely and cheerfully spoke to the front desk staff who instantly sent a small army to the cabin, gathered all of our belongings and relocated us to a new cabin. For the rest of the voyage, we were treated like royalty.
Our friends did a Mediterranean cruise and on two of their excursions they had the same passenger. He was late getting back to the excursion free times every time. They all waited for him for 45 minutes on one excursion. My friend had no trouble telling him exactly what she thought but it fazed him not. I believe this is how he operates and other people don't matter to him. Very selfish.
It ought to be a rule that parents look after their children and actually teach them how to behave in areas such as dining rooms, bars, etc. I've had kids literally running around in a specialty dining venue, completely unchecked. It's inconsiderate towards others. That kids can be very well behaved I have seen, too. So it is possible.
Having children run around can be dangerous also.!, Such as on my last cruise in the end of 2018, I saw 10 year olds roughly, run around the corner and one ran into an elderly lady she fell and they didn’t even stop to see if she was OK. The parents were nowhere in sight.
My niece is 4 and knows how to behave, my parents, took me, my sister and brother in law and my niece (their grandchild) out for a meal a couple of weeks okay we went early around 6.30pm okay we were the only ones eating in the local restaurant but she sat still, praise the server for the food, and was allowed into the kitchen to thank the chefs , I don't remember me and my sister ran around the hotels during the evenings when we were children.
@@AM-dr9qd Adults probably did this hotel we stayed in, the whole block we stayed in were awoken by a couple having an argument which lasted all night, think security were called as we could have screaming and cries of pains
Many years ago on a Rhine River cruise, our waiter, a 40-something Austrian who spoke flawless English, was a valuable source of information about the ship and all the ports we visited. The tipping system was to put tips in an envelope on the last day, and I included a note that explained the many ways that Walter had enhanced my cruise experience. As we all disembarked, the crew was lined up to wave good-bye, and Walter broke from the line and came over to shake my hand, wishing me a happy and safe journey. Clearly, my little note had made a difference. If some crew member has enriched your cruise, say so in writing!
In 2000, my family and I went on a Carnival Cruise in the Caribbean and had a wonderful time. Our server (though I’ve forgotten his name in the past 22 years) was astounding and super helpful whenever we were in the restaurant. Then we went to Alaska the following year on Carnival, and not only was he on the ship, but he was the maître d’ of the main dining room. What’s more is that he remembered us and came to say hello almost every single meal we had in the dining room. We didn’t even remind him who we were, he surprised us the first night by serving us dessert. It’s true that being good to the crew is paramount to a great cruise, but if you cruise regularly, the crew will remember you, good or bad.
For the main dining rooms, I like to ask the waiter what their favourite meal on the menu is and order that. As one of them told me, the menu is made to appeal to a wide audience, so some items can be somewhat bland. We got to talking and he ended up bringing us food that the staff make for themselves/each other. He was from India, so we got an authentic Indian dish in addition to our meal every night without asking.
...I would be a tad worried about the amount of different spices that could be used ... a pinch of Chile powder is one thing a Tablespoon of Chile powder ... is quite another thing altogether ...
Cruise staff have their home countries listed on their badges. With translation apps so prevalent, it’s nice to at least check out how to say “thank you” in your staff’s native language, and perhaps a few more phrases. Ask them for pronunciation tips, and use them regularly. It shows staff that you are interested in them as a person and can make a real difference in your cruise experience.
So true! On our last cruise in October (Enchanted Princess New England cruise) I learned a few Serbian words to greet for our Platinum/Elite Lounge host and she was bowled over that I learned these few words just for her that afternoon. Same with our Ukrainian junior waiter - I greeted him with a hearty “Yak Spravy!” (How are you?). And his smile was the biggest I’ve seen in ages! At the end of the meal, at dessert, he didn’t have to ask, I chirped “kava, bud’ laska!” (Coffee please) and he was just so pleased with the attention.
Of course, if you do that when there are any Social Justice Warriors in the vicinity, they will dress you down for "cultural appropriation." 🤣🤣🤣 Of course, that's one of the great thing about cruises is that very few Woke Morons go on them, and Trumptards are more interested in enjoying their vacations than preaching the Gospel of MAGA....and even the members of the wokest group of all, college students, pretty much just want to hang out together and drink. It makes for a very enjoyable vacation. Especially, the lack of Snowflakes.
Stunned by the narrowness of @@russs7574 . Honestly, I shouldn’t be, as he sounds like the typical white make ‘Murican. The rest of the world “loves” you, Russ. 🙄
... I have asked then taken a cell picture to include their name tag for the correct spelling ... later you can mention them by name on after cruise reviews ... can be very helpful for that crew member ...
I cringe when I see an employee being treated poorly by people who think that they are there to serve them and only them. It's amazing how well you get treated when you treat them with respect. I got a laugh out of your last "rule". Reminds me of the character "Topper" in the Dilbert cartoon--the guy that always had to top your experience by saying "That's nothing...."
I learned about the laundry rule in college. I walked into our laundry room to find a female friend doing laundry. I started a wash load myself. My friend had her wash in the dryer when I started mine. I however never leave the laundry while doing mine but she did. Her dryer stopped and I needed a dryer so I took hers out and folded it. So I am still waiting for my wash to be done. She walks in and finds her laundry folded and placed in her laundry basket. She asked me who folded and put her laundry in the basket. I said I did. I explained I needed a dryer and her clothes were dry. So I folded them for her. She was ballistic. I didn't understand why. I said you were gone so long and her clothes would be wrinkled if I hadn't. She said she didn't like someone touching her clothes. I then said if I didn't already know, I'd say you grew up as an only child. I grew up in a household of 8 people. All of us had to fold the clothes of the whole hosehold. We were farmers and we did a minimum of a load a day often more. I didn't get it then, I do now. And she apologized at dinner after she had a chance to cool off. We both learned totally different things that day.
I dont like people touching my clothes but as a result I made sure to always be at the laundry room of the dorm like 10 minutes or so before my loads finished so I was there before it was finished so people knew I wasnt going to be gone for a while or were left waiting on my machines. If someone doesnt want their stuff touched they ought to ensure they are around before it finishes as somebody else may be waiting in line. I also checked the status of all the dryers before starting my wash load to ensure that I would always be guaranteed a free dryer to not have to worry about people who just left their laundry in teh machines for hours which I did see happen since I didnt want to touch somebody else's clothes either personally and then be confronted about it.
I really don’t care if people touch my laundry as a general rule. What bothers me, when someone folds my clothes wrong. I don’t have much space where I live and I need to fold my laundry so it fits where I store it. I have been very I’ll lately and my sister was kind enough to do my laundry. The problem was the majority had to be folded a second time. My towels have to be folded the same way you find towels folded in a hotel for example. I have a towel self much the same as ones you find in a hotel. My way allows me to store 3 towels wide per shelf, my sister’s way only two per shelf and the second one hangs off halfway. I am always a stickler to make shirts are right side out when being folded for storage, because being disabled, I don’t have any extra energy while getting dress to turn clothes right side out. I pass out if I expend myself. So I dislike looking at every item before putting away. I hate asking my sister to change her habits as she does this as a Good Samaritan and she is a busy person all the time, going out of her way to help others.
Seems like you were in a pretty nice house then. In all student houses I lived in, the rule generally was to wait 5 more minutes after a machine is done and then the clothes just get dumped on one of the tables in the room in whatever state they come out of the dryer or washing machine. That really did wonders to ensure people will be back when their machine is finished and would not just leave their stuff in there all day.
I recently completed a transatlantic voyage on Princess, and I noticed that I was one of the very few passengers I heard using "please" and "thank you" when addressing crew. Other passengers spoke in polite, pleasant tones, to be sure, but those two courtesy words were noticeable by their absence in most cases. Unwritten rule: ALWAYS use "please" and "thank you" when addressing crew. Further comment re: the survey. Princess isn't using the recognition cards any more so being sure to fill in the online survey with names of all the people who've given you exceptional service then becomes doubly important.
I asked a flight attendant for something and started with excuse me...I also used please and thank you. She thanked me afterwards for approaching her and being so polite. It's sad that basic manners are something that a service person is thankful to hear, they should be standard.
@@ttdur8102 It never hurts and it takes no time. I always say it when in a foreign country before I ask for anything … because please (and thank you) are usually the only words I know in their language!
@@johnsrabe It definitely never hurts and takes no time. I just prefer not to and am still able to ask for things respectfully and sweetly. Being in a different country is a lot different as I'm restricted since I'm not fluent in their language. I've been in Korea for about 2 years and always say "please" and "thank you" as it's the only way i know how to express gratitude in their language. It's not the same when I'm interacting with people who speak my language.
I took your advice and took photos of the name badges of staff who impressed me. It was a blessing in remembering their name and position when filling out the comment cards
I disagree with the "wait until you have your food to find a table". We were on a 90% full cruise last month and if we had waited like that, we would have had no table to find.
We have found this a problem sometimes, not enough 4 tables, sometimes, as there are three in our party, we tend to take it in turns to grab a bit of food before the rest of us up to grab some food for the buffet.
I agree, I just came back from a cruise with a party of 5, we used a general area as a meetings space around meals, everyone didn’t want the same food but we always wanted to sit together. Usually one person found a table and someone else from the group would grab their food or wait until others came back to go get their own. I think it worked well to establish this on day 1. Even if we went off to do other things we always knew where we could find everyone come meal time.
@@tipsfortravellersI worked in hospitality for decades and this is an offensive take. If your friend did this, they are a terrible human being and it reflects poorly on you to call them friend.
Always good advice. About recognizing staff, on my last cruse there was a box at the purser's desk where you could fill out a card and recognize exceptional service. Don't wait until the end of the cruise to give compliments. As for chair hogs, there just has to be a better way to do this. So many come out to the pool early, throw something on a chair and then go and eat breakfast, and basically spend the day doing whatever they want while hogging up a chair. And, now that chairs are spaced less closely, this is an even bigger problem. Perhaps each person should be issued a card, coded with name and room number (not visible to all) and have to clip it to a chair. If the chair is left vacant, the crew member scans the card and returns the items to the room, to make the chair available. No confrontations.
Maybe some kind of reader on the chair that you scan with your room card. It would be an easier way of monitoring how long the chair has "invisible" or "thought" guest. 😁
You’re addressing civilized people with manners and your points are well taken. The problem isn’t these folks - it’s the uncivil folks without manners. They’re not listening. This is why I’ve cruised many lines but would never consider Carnival.
@@miata1492 This was one of Carnival's Journeys cruises. It went from Galveston to do a Partial Transit of the Panama Canal. We had 5 sea Days on our way to the Panama Canal. We stopped in Costa Rica and Cozumel on the way back to Galveston. We had at least 2 more sea days out of the 11-day cruise. My sister and I didn't go to the casino and didn't hang out in the bars. I didn't see or hear any rowdy behavior. There were very few kids on board. This wasn't a low cost cruise. Lectures were well attended.
You'd probably say my family violates the "staking a claim to tables" rule. The reason we do it is that, regardless of how empty or full the buffet is, one person with the silverware sets up and orders beverages while the rest, having seen where the table is, now go to get their initial plate. This way, we're getting the overall meal process started sooner AND we don't have a bunch of people wandering around with plates and dodging / bumping into people because our eyes are distracted with trying to figure out if / where we have a table. In the end, does that really do any more of a disservice to other passengers than if I grabbed a wrap or piece of fruit as I walked in and grabbed a table while my family went through the lines because I don't feel like wandering through the buffet line, right now? The effect is the same: I'm sitting there, by myself and telling people "this is where my family will be" or "my family's off getting their second plate (since we don't need to be piling them high)", so these seats aren't available. It's not like someone's going in and staking out a table during a dead time and chilling there for an hour while the rest of the family is watching a show or doing something else in the rest of the ship but they want a table ready and waiting for them if they show up during rush hour. A bigger issue, in my estimation, is lingering at your table. If you have finished eating, please go find somewhere else in the ship to sit and chat with your party so that someone who hasn't eaten can do so.
I had a good laugh with the last one. I had a friend who was a car salesman, and said if you're happy with the deal, enjoy it. He said everyone will tell you they got or could have gotten a better deal than you did, no matter what - even if it sounds absurd. If the dealer gave you the car for free, they would brag they could've done better. He said the same goes for purchasing a home, so don't fall for it. That was decades ago, and over the years he was right, everyone always seems to brag that they got a better deal. I've heard some whoppers!
Here's another rule. If you are in the buffet and sharing the serving utensils, don't lick your fingers or hands then touch those same shared utensils again. I see that all the time and it's super nasty.
Another unwritten rule is when gathering food from the buffet never pick up with your hands, for example a roll or some other food and then decide you don’t want it and put it back.
I remember being in a hotel with my parents, some kids thought it was okay to put their hands in the ice cream bowl , I much prefer the staff to serve us if we want ice-cream, I been on cruises where the staff have done this.
There was a restaurant chain in Australia called Sizzlers (no longer in operation). It was buffet style and at the dessert bar they had a soft serve ice cream dispenser that you could fill an ice cream cone or add some to your dessert.I remember once they had to close it for the rest of that meal service as one child decided to open his mouth under the dispenser and pull the the lever. Children should always be supervised at a buffet.
I saw a guy testing the freshness of multiple slices of bread on a cruise buffet. I told him to take one or move along. He told me he wasn't hungry, but just curious as to the softness of the bread!!! I told a staff member what happened and they removed the whole tray of bread and dumped it (I saw them bin it). They said that they were so tired of people doing things like that as it was such a waste of food.
About time keeping: Make sure you are clear on the ship rules when it comes to time zone differences when you are out. I used to work on guest servoces, and people missed the ship all the time for not adjusting their clocks to the ship's time.
I could not agree more when it comes to treating crew well and taking care of them by following the pre-set tipping at minimum and giving them high marks on the survey. On my one and only cruise I have been on, they treated us as guests like royalty. I have never been so pampered in my life. It was so nice and yet it made me feel a tad bit uncomfortable knowing that many crew members come grom economically struggling communities and that cruise lines are not held to the same labor laws and pay requirments as those in the service industry in the US. I felt horrible hearing our serving staff practically beg for high marks (that they deserved anyway) because their contract renewal depended on it. The crew are usually the reason you are having a great experience and seldom the reason if you are not, but if you treat crew well, they will go above and beyond to help you resolve any problem you have.
I really hate having a full plate of food (getting cold) and a drink and wandering around the buffet trying to find a place to sit. My wife and I always find a table, and one of us stays there and orders drinks while the other gets their food, then we swap. Does this make us horrible people? I completely agree with all your other "rules".
We did something similar because we were traveling with kids. One parent and grandparents go with the older kids to help them get their food and somethings for the baby while the other parent stays at the table with the baby. Then grandparents can eat and supervise kids while parents get their food. A bit of a hassle, but better than giving the kids free reign of the buffet!
Also makes more sense, nothing is more annoying than people roaming around with plates and glasses in their hands, and there's always a chance they drop it. However as a German cruising with the German lines, buffet is the focus anyway and rules are slightly different
Another rule to consider, DON'T turn your TV volume up too loud, especially if the TV is mounted to an adjoining wall. The walls between cabins are not very thick and not very well insulated. Our neighbor on the Royal Princess had their volume up to the point that we could actually hear the dialogue clearly.
i could see this being an issue due to so many cruisers being elderly and having issues with their hearing. My father turns the TV up to unbearable levels just to hear normal dialogue. This is why I bought headphones for him to listen to the tv. But when traveling, a lot of people would have a problem. In other words, they may not be doing it on purpose.
Speaking of the "Takeaway rule", I've also seen staff perfectly willing to accept takeaway orders at the front hostess station. Especially at the sitdown option that many cruise lines have at lunch or breakfast. Can just go up and ask for those menu items and wait outside, they'll bring them out to you with the covers on them. You can take them to any public seating area or your room to enjoy.
It amazes me that some passengers would be rude and or treat the crew poorly especially when they're on holiday travelling. Being nice always goes a long way. I'm glad you mentioned the 'all you can eat' rule as I took full advantage of this multipule times whenever I have cruised. The other diners at the table have sometimes been flabbergasted when I've asked for multiple lobster tails, filet mignons and such, much to my amusement.
Possibly not a rule, but an adage: It never hurts to ask. (The worst that can happen is that you will receive a polite refusal.) I asked if it would be possible to see the ship's mechanical equipment below deck. "Sorry -- our insurance does not permit that." On a river cruise one passenger (apparently homesick for fast food) was served a hamburger and French fries. How did you manage that, we wondered. He said the two magic words: "I asked."
Took my first cruise in September, so everyone had more and better cruise stories than I did, but I had better land adventure tales than they did. I took it as an opportunity to learn about other cruises and such. Also, I was raised to ALWAYS treat service and wait staff well.
My issue has always been people leaving towels on lounges by the pool, even at resorts they get up at 6am and put their junk on all the chairs then show up in the afternoon. Its totally disrespectful and when I go to the pool Ill give it an hour, if no one shows up I move their crap. If they have a problem they can complain to the staff. There is no reserving or saving chairs, you either use it or lose it.
I’ve been on 35 plus cruises and the one thing that drives me crazy are door slammers. Whether it’s the cabin door to the unit or the door to the balcony it boggles my mind how inconsiderate and thoughtless some people are.
The same goes for people who drag around the chairs on their balconies. I found that noise just about intolerable after 15 days on Norwegian transatlantic.
However, just a side note. On my recent transatlantic, my balcony door wouldn't stay where I put it. I always close it when I step outside, to help with the a/c. Every time the ship hit a wave, the door would slide open by itself, and then slam shut a moment later. Never had that experience before, and there were a few loud bangs before I figured out how to wedge the door shut with the balcony table, and then wedge the table in place with the chair i was sitting in. That finally solved the problem.
Thank you very much - especially about respect to the crew. Some passengers simply forget that and consider themselves as "royalty" when cruising.... it is wrong!
I agree with everything you said in the video only one thing I did not really care for. Tipping tipping is getting out of hand. Corporations refusing to pay a livable wage and making billions in profits for them on the shared holders. This nonsense has to stop. PAY LIVABLE WAGES TO WORKERS. it modern slavery on cruise ship and in the Middle East. In the USA it’s the same nonsense.
In Sitka, I was on a tour of the Raptor Center, Fortress of The Bears, and this other science center...the tour guide, at each stop, advised what time he was leaving and that there would be no deviation or waiting. He left on time from each spot and no one was late.
I can relate to the excursion story. We went on an excursion to Rome, for those who dont know there is a fair amount of travel from the cruise port. At every spot a couple of ladies were late. We went to the Vatican and the guide asked us to wait whilst she got the tickets. The same two ladies went off wandering. Eventually they decided they would grace us with their presence. I then saw something I had never seen before and the tour guide gave them a public dressing down that met with applause. At the end of our Vatican tour the guide gave us free time around St Peters Square and the local shops, sure enough the shamed ladies turned up to the meeting point only 20 minutes late. As my late dad would say, you cant educate pork!
I’ve been on a lot of cruises/tours and there is ALWAYS at least one couple that is dawdling and late. Very frustrating to the tour guide wherever you go.
We had somebody like that on a nile cruise, he was always bartering with the stall holders at the sites visited. Mind you he was great fun so you couldnt really take offence
Hi Gary, It always chocked me how many people don't close their cabin door, they just let them "smash them" with a bang and not just during the day, but during all hours of the night as well🙄
Being respectful to crew is a big one. I was on a cruise last month and there was a women who was so mean it was almost unbelievable. She was dining by herself. When ordering she made it extra complicated and got frustrated and disrespectful when the staff tried to double check their understang to accommodate her. She ordered half the menu for herself and got mad when they brought out the first half yelling at the server "bring me my chicken wings now!" I felt so bad for the server, i started to talk to the women to distract her and hopefully get her to leave them alone. I made sure to be nice, make her job easy and tip well. That same server went above and beyond for me to the point we started talking and now we're dating!
I wish tipping was, in fact, a gratuity - A favor or gift according to Webster. If they DEPEND on it, add it to the cost and their wages. We recently went on a Viking River Cruise and were actually lectured about the survey and their expectation of me to actively participate in those promotions. I view it as pure laziness on the part of the cruise line that employees are so dependent on my survey for raises and promotions. Further, the survey we were asked to complete was very poorly written. AS EXPECTED turned our to be a third choice or seemingly bad rating. Getting what I expected is what I expected and fine. We were pretty much informed that any other type of input (negative was not on the survey) would probably meet the shredder. From the time we first took a Viking River Cruise in 2008 to 2022, the line - the crew - had amped up the shill and self-promotion at public meetings - organized public begging as it were. I expected better behavior. I wrote the line with comments. Of course, we've heard nothing back. I'm guessing the shredder is in good working condition.
The option to rate things according to your expectations is a totally meaningless question, unless you already know my expectations. It's a ridiculous question and I don't know why it comes up on so many surveys.
I would that you should not forget the people in the children's area that take care of your children. I went on a cruise with my 10yo grandson. It is my custom to write a note with some cash in it to crew I wish to tip. There were too many to tip them all so I had him pick out one that was special to him and had him write her a note to go with the tip. She reacted as if this was out of the ordinary and wrote him a note back.
If I was designing a cruise ship I would make the laundry room connected to one of the bars. That way you can go start your laundry, go have a drink, watch sports whatever. Then go flip your laundry from the wash to the dryer have another drink, grab your laundry and go back to your room. It's a double revenue generator for the cruise line.
They need to have a bar area next to the laundry room and the washer or dyer sends you a text message letting you know it is almost done. The bar is only open when the laundry room is open.
This is an awesome idea. Makes so much sense. It's sad that the responses you have received assume that anyone in a bar is automatically drunk thereby making your idea a bad one. Getting blasted is the problem, not this great idea.
I have heard people say that it’s “rude “to reserve your seat at the buffet before getting your food. But that doesn’t make any sense to me! Often times I come in carrying a purse, a jacket, and usually a drink from the bar. I have to set those down before I can go and get my food❤️
As a Solo cruiser on the RARE occasion I use a ship’s buffet, I sit my day bag on an empty chair with a note on the table that I am getting food and will be right back. Yes, I carry a laminated page with that note. Sad, but necessary. Sometimes it works, and sometimes I come back and find my things thrown on the floor and somebody sitting in the chair. One major reason I nearly always eat at the MDR or a venue where I am given a particular chair by staff to occupy.
@@arribaficationwineho32 I do that too when I'm with my dad who's in a wheelchair. We pass the buffet so he can see what's there, then I bring him to the table, go get his food and then go back to get mine. It's impossible otherwise as I can't push a wheelchair and carry a plate of food at the same time, at least not without most likely steering the wheelchair into another table. And anybody who has a problem with that is cordially invited to try it themselves.
arribaficationwineho32 - yes, this is what we do... I travel with my bestie, and we have an unplanned but at this point, well refined method. We scout out a table first, and one of us sits while the other gets her food, then we switch. I agree that I have to put all of my stuff down first and go empty-handed to fill my plate, its much less dicey than trying to juggle personal items along with a plate of food.
I'm going on my first cruise tomorrow in 15 years. Looking forward to what's changed. Also, it shocks me (but doesn't) that one rule is to treat the crew with respect. I'm allergic to entitlement attitudes so being like that is abhorrent to me!
It is shocking that someone would even have to suggest that treating someone with respect is a good thing to do. You should treat everyone with respect until they give you a reason not to.
What's the difference between piling up your plate once versus coming back to the buffet multiple times? As long as you eat what you take and don't waste food.
I can't believe anyone would be rude to any member of the staff! They might not be my friends, but I always greeted them, and apologize if I realize I haven't. There is a limit to how much I might ask about their families, that is private. But where are they from, how long they've worked for the line, those are givens.
I am not a cruiser, but my mum is a Cunard fanatic. I am a frequent traveller and spend a lot of time in planes and hotels. I went with her on the Queen Elizabeth just before Covid and my steward introduced himself to us and we did the same. At the start of the cruise we got to know more about Ramon, we would have a chat when our paths would cross and he started introducing us to some of his colleagues. We would ask if he had a chance to contact his family at ports etc and it made the experience so much better for all of us. I have no doubt that he would look after all of his cabins well, he just seemed to be like that, but I am also sure that he looked after the two of us that little bit better as he knew what we liked, we would leave for a short period, 30-45 minutes to return to a spotless cabin, even leaving a plate of biscuits that he knew I liked. The rule that I always follow is to treat the staff well at what ever place I'm at in life generally. If you think about it, if you get treated with courtesy and respect you feel good and when you treat others the same way, the world is a better place.
I took my 1st and only cruise on the QM2 on its Inaugural Voyage for 11 days to E Caribbean back in '04 from Ft Lauderdale. She'd just arrived after her Maiden Voyage from UK. I was in my 30s, and one thing I noticed, on Cruise Lines like Cunard, the age of passengers is quite up there. The people on the ship closest to our age, and had more in common with, were the crew. So that's who we ended up befriending. We found out, it's a big NO NO for the crew to fraternize with passengers. We weren't classist, we treated them as we would anyone else our age. There were nasty people who were just rude. A couple times when we witnessed some pretentious prig being demeaning to the crew. As passengers, we tore into them for being assholes. They can't fire me
I’m never bothered if the table I sit on seats 10 and I’m only one. I do have a problem with the fact that some larger groups then get shitty when you don’t move. I had that once at a small fish and chip shop at the beach. Sorry, I’m not rushing my meal just because your group decide they need one more spot. I was polite enough to let you seat in the unoccupied seats. I taught my niece this just the other day. We went to the zoo and the food area near the elephants was quite empty when we had some food so we sat on either side of the table. Fast forward 30 mins (the kid is hungry again?!! 😲) so I get some more food. The area is much busier but we get the same table. The kid wants to sit on the other side but I told her she needed to sit on my side or I on hers. I explain about sharing space and sure enough a German family sits on the other side. She was fascinated by that and didn’t eat all her food 😖 so much for being hungry!
So you move to another food station. Or use other dining options if you don't have patience to wait in lines. I move on and come back. It's not life or death. It's a spoon of tomatoes😊
Great list with exception of one rule. My wife and I, when going to the buffet always claim a table first, before getting our food. We leave an item or two at the table and then get our food. Here is why. My wife and I usually go different directions for food and then would have to find each other again and then wander around and find a table. By then our food would be cold. It's just not practical to get your food first. We have been on 17 or 18 cruises and have seen many others do it this way and have never seen a problem.
Don’t use the elevators in rough seas, or if you like the buffet at all. Don’t drag childfree family members along with the intention of making them babysit for you so you don’t have to spend money on the kids clubs.
Hi, I'm afraid that I break the queue rule at the buffet all the time. I'll try and describe the situation. Say, at the left end of the buffet there is carrots. And there are 2 or more people slowly picking through the carrots. But, in front of the french fries there is no one. So, I just walk up to the french fries take what I want and then leave. I've slowed down no one and in fact I've sped things up because now I'm not 'in line' anymore. Is what I'm doing wrong? I didn't cut in front of anyone that was walking toward the french fries. It was open, so I got what I wanted and then got out of people's way. Seriously, did I do wrong? Should I just wait in the 'queue' behind someone picking up the 3 or 4 things in front of the french fries when I don't want any one of those things? What about desserts? Should I go get in line at the 'salad' end of the buffet and progress all the way through the entire buffet until I get to the dessert section? Or should I just walk up to the desserts, pick 1 (or 4 or 7 ;) ) and go back to my table?
Basically there is only ONE unwritten rule and it applies to life in general, not just cruising. Apply that rule at all times and you won't go far wrong .... "DO AS YOU WOULD BE DONE BY" 👍
I have one you didn't mention. It's not just on a cruise but it definitely is a bigger problem on them. That is, let people get off the elevator before you try to get on! I can't tell you how many times someone has been right up against the door and the second it opens, and without looking up, they've just tried to barge onto the elevator. As for me, I won't move and I don't apologize because I'm not the one who made the mistake.
The best thing about the buffet is to try a little of everything and find out what you like.Then go back for more. I had a fantastic experience on Oasis of the Seas.The staff was impeccable,the food was great and it was an excellent trip all around. My only complaint was that the ship was so big that by the time I figured out where everything was and how to get there my 8 days were over.
Oh my goodness - the world of cruise ship laundry drives me INSANE. I had a room beside a laundrette on a recent cruise, and I couldn’t believe the people popping in to do laundry after midnight - I assumed they’d lock it as the ‘closed’ slot!
I think that sounds more like design mistake by cruise company. It really should be in area not next to cabins, but next to storage or supplies on all sides.
Unwritten rule - Let people who are in the elevator get out before you try getting into the elevator. It makes it go so much more smoothly.
That’s always been the unwritten rule for every elevator I’ve ever used. You always have assholes that think they are more important than the rest of everyone around them but they are the delusional small percentage of people (unfortunately it is a stat that has been climbing over the years).
Pandemic made people forget how to use an elevator, seriously
100% agree. The amount of people who jump in front of myself and my wife in town. She needs a wheelchair/mobility scooter when out and about
YES!
Yes! So many people don't get this...
"never be awful to someone who's going to be alone with your toothbrush" This... This right here is truth. lolz
Yeah, the table rule in the buffet is not a thing. Our family is absolutely going to locate a table before getting our food. I’m not about to walk around with a full plate of food while trying to find a place to sit…
I agree especially since I'm single
Yup, these tips are essential. I'll soon be going on my third cruise, and I've never changed how I interact with the crew. Respect, kindness, and being easygoing go a long way. That might sound old fashioned, but it's true. I'm a photographer and spend almost all of my time both on and off the ships with a camera around my neck, so I tend to be recognizable. If I run into familiar faces, I'll always at least say hi and ask how their day went. I do that for every customer service person I interact with regularly, like at the grocery store or pharmacy. But it's different on a ship, when you're in relatively close proximity for an extended period. By the end of my 2nd cruise (Alaska with Princess in 2019), I had some staff and even random guests walking up to see what photos I'd taken during the day. Good times.
I think if you are dining from a buffet you should be able to pick out a table. When being seated by staff, obviously you can’t (although you can always be asked to be seated somewhere else). That way the waitstaff can pour water or bring coffee, etc. while you are at the buffet. Nothing worse than wandering around a dining area with your plate looking for somewhere to sit (esp if the sea is up).
I agree. My family will be taking our first family cruise, 2 adults and 7 children. We pretty much have to find a table, or a few near each other, before we get food or we'd end up split up.
There just aren’t enough table in the buffet. I don’t want to have my plates in my hands and no where to sit. I don’t agree with this rule. You can put your drink down go get one or two items, eat that and then go back for main course. Standing holding your plates with no where to sit for me is especially hard. I have severe pain in my feet and toes from severe arthritis. If you just look at me you wouldn’t know that.
I sit down and order my drink, then go up and get my food.
I travel with my sister a lot and the times where we could not get a table before we went to the buffet, we ended up wandering around not just looking for a table - but looking for each other. Sometimes we would even end up with two tables which is worse than grabbing one table before you go to the buffet!
Having been in the service industry and relied on tips, I am generous with around 20% regardless if it is pizza delivery, instacart, doordash, etc. and I try and give cash.
Now dining I would have an issue with as I am a introvert and don't like sharing a dining table unless it is family or close friends.
as former crew that crew rule is exceptionally important.
The children should have an earlier curfew in my opinion. I just returned from a Royal Carribean cruise and it was 11:00 pm. There were young adults screaming and fooling around by the elevator. A woman came out of her room and asked them to leave the area. They were so rude. I stepped in and put my teacher’s hat on and explained to them the consequences of their actions. I also told them that they were fortunate to be on a cruise ship. Be kind to others, it goes a long way. They left promptly. But a 1:00 am curfew was much too late for children.
I’ve never been on an excursion where someone hasn’t been late getting back to the bus.
It’s usually the same person or persons over and over again and they don’t care.
Great tips. All based on basic respect and decency.
Thank you for your excellent advice😊
And don’t forget, no picking your nose in public or farting in the hallway.
Adding a written rule to one of your unwritten rules. Carnival has recently added that if you order two entrees that's fine. But if you decide to order a third that will cost you $5 US. I'm using American currency because that's where I am.
When I do laundry i stay there. I bring a book.
We have sometimes shared with others in the main dining room, tables, but this is not planned, on the cruises we have been asked do we mind sharing, the cruise staff are very good at pairing people up who are good matches with other guests. it more fun if we have bumped into passengers from previous cruises , we are polite to the cruise staff, even if we go on non cruises, there was a problem with the meat one evening, so my Dad had a polite chat with the chef, without making a scene , the chicken was not fully cooked on the buffet. You mention about the children on cruises, we go on all adults cruises, the problems have come in hotel with families, where some parents like their children run around like crazy, push in lines in the buffet and let their children run along the landings at night knocking on all the hotel bedrooms doors
I laughed at competitive laundry. 😂
I like the 30 minute rules. And don’t join up your chairs in a circle it’s a hazard.
It’s gauche to be rude to staff or condescending
Please dress appropriately. It’s a cruise. Not a disco
Don’t know the time. Tip anyway.
My unwritten rules are fairly simple.
1. Dont go on a CCL trip...ever
2. If booking an excursion best to do it through the ship. You will get a safety net incase things go too long. Excursions not within the company's network dont have a safety net and if go too long you could be left behind.
When there is a 30 minute rule, set a timer for 31 minutes, then toss their stuff.
over the side of the ship? 😳
Never talk about politics or religion.....I know this applies to most life situations, but a good reminder for cruises.
In terms of the dining in the main hall, is it possible to get a table by yourself? Like is possible to get seat somewhere that's just meant for a solo traveler?
Depends on the cruise line. Some cruise lines offer “free-style” dining that allows to to dine at your place and time of choice.
2:23 What is the building with the boat on top?
Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore.
The 9th rule was not hijacking the ship by telling the captain "Look at me! I am the captain now!"
I have been on a total of 10 cruises with friends. It has never even occurred to me to be rude or condescending with the staff. I doubt that there are a whole lot of us who could, or would work under the conditions that they do, as far as work load and number of hours worked each day. There is a reason you see so few Americans working on cruise ships....like the fruit pickers of SoCal, or pool boys, this is another one of those jobs that "Americans won't do."
Like I said, I would never even think of getting crappy with the staff. And if you are respectful and friendly with them, they will have no problems going above and beyond their basic duties for you. On one cruise, our steward remarked that my S.O. wasn't looking so good...actually, he just asked if she was feeling OK. She was just having an "acid tummy" episode (no, not reflux), and had forgotten to pack any antacids. We had docked in port already, (so the onboard stores weren't open) and she was get off the ship to find the local ABC Store and buy some.
Our steward told her not to bother, and to stay there for a few minutes. He came back about 10 minutes later with one of those little travel bottles of Tums. He had gotten hold of the person who managed the stores (or maybe that particular store), and that person had gotten the Tums for my sweetie. When she tried to pay for it, the steward said it was on the house, because we were great passengers.
Even more than in real life, on a cruise, kindness pays.
I wish Celebrity had guest laundry on the Edge class ships. It’s a bit of cash grab on longer sailings were as a man I’ll run out of clothes. The wife, not so much…
The being friendly with the crew rule does go a long way. On my HAL cruise last July, we befriended one of the server that was taking care of a specific section of the Lido Market during breakfast. Whenever she saw any of us at the table, she happily serve all of our coffees in warm cups and how each of us liked it. Of course, I did mentioned her in the survey to make sure that she had a bonus. She was an absolute sweetheart who definitely deserves the best.
Best service we had was on marella cruises. I use a portable scooter to get around and every night it was whisked away when I transfered to my seat. Nothing was too much trouble. One day one of the waiters charged off on my scooter to get our starters, he called it 'meals on wheels' a lovely young man who looked like deli Ali, the footballer, the rest of our table staff were equally helpful. Recommend Marella for the service and personality. Was open dining but the maitre d always tried to get us on the same table and never had to wait longer than 10 minutes. I thought the dining experience was better on marella than on p & o Britannia the year after it came into service
Your bartender is someone that can give you a lot of information that isn't normally known...
Do all of the crew members get a bonus if you name them in a survey?
@@hollyb7981 I do think Gary did mention something in that regard. Also, the crew does mention it towards the end of the cruise, so, logically they are rewarded for that.
I always find it incredible how they remember passengers names/stories etc.. I struggle at times to remember people's names when I've just met them. I guess it becomes a practiced skill, and is in their best interest. I have found (and I've no means been on too many cruises), that most of the staff that go the extra mile, remember names etc... Are genuinely kind and caring people who enjoy their job, and they deserve the tips they earn.
On an excursion to Berlin from Warnemünde (which involved a three hour train ride each way), our tour guide made an interesting speech at the first stop. He said "You have eleven and a half minutes to be back here on the bus." Pointing to his wrist, he said "This is a Swiss watch on a German arm, and I am allowed to lose ten percent of you!" It got folks attention, at least, and generally the group was punctual.
"I'm allowed to lose 10% of you" , That's FANTASTIC!! LOL!
Furtively looking at the rest of the group while doing quick calculations to figure out how many people equals 10%...
LOL!
As an Australian, I wouldn’t have gotten off the bus. You know how laid back we are. And talkative. I’d see the bus drive off before I even got 5m from it. 🤣
@@marissabishop1833 head count!
Do you mean we should all be kind and considerate. It’s amazing that as a society we need to be told “rules” on how to be respectful.
Thanks for saying exactly what I was thinking 🤔.
Everything I needed to know I learned in kindergarten
My cousin and I, both in our teens, were allowed to share a cabin instead of rooming with our parents and we always kept it cleaned. I couldn’t believe how many cabins I walked past with the doors opened that were trashed. Just because someone is cleaning your room for you doesn’t mean you have to make extra work for them.
We also always let people with mobility scooters and the elderly go ahead of us in elevators. I couldn’t believe how many adults would push right past them and get on.
Our cabin is always kept really tidy too and we'd often just say not to worry about the turn down service to save the attendants some time
Your parents raised you right and glad to see teens being respectful
I'd be so embarrassed to have my cabin dirty. Also so glad to hear of you teens being respectful. Unfortunately I have seen on a few cruises where teens have been a bit obnoxious so it's awesome that you guys know how to act better than even some adults do.
I’m concerned about the wheelchair/scooter and elevator issue. My dad is unable to walk more than a few steps and has issues with being passive if people were to cut in front. Any suggestions how to handle this?
Gotta keep those small places tidy! I have developed a heart condition and I’m not to get my heart rate up if at all avoidable. (Can’t wait to get it fixed!) Under normal circumstances we use the stairs. The elevators are just too hard! I hated having to use them on our last cruise.
Lesson for life: The true mark of who you are is how you treat people whose job it is to serve you. Treat the crew with kindness. It speaks volumes as to who you are.
It costs nothing to be nice to the staff and it can make your cruise so much better. I cruised in 2013, and we had an exceptionally good Table Captain in the dining room. Went on another cruise in 2015 and when we were embarking, there he was as greeting staff for the day. The fact that we remembered his name and greeted him in person just lit up his face, and we got the best service in the dining room that trip (that wasn't the intention, just a nice consequence).
I had an experience like that with a bar waiter. When I boarded a cruise a year after the first one, he spotted me first night out, came over, addressed me by name, and he remembered my favourite drink order! This was in 2015, long before there were any apps that would help crew with such things.
And- in my experience- they are SO NICE! Fun to talk to and good listeners. I don’t know if it’s just good customer service and their job, but I really like them.
Don't do what my dad did on our Celebrity Cruise last month: Lean over to the couple dining beside us and blurt out "So, what do you think about Trump?"
Lol
Well it is a conversation starter. It will work well if you have ascertained they have a similar view😊, otherwise not so much.
That's when you smile sweetly, and pretend you didn't hear them/know their language.
My relatives bait me like that. I refuse the Bair.
I'd never be rude to a stranger, but those topics never go well. Lol
AMEN. #9 Don,t chat politics
😂
Hey Gary, here's a simple one: When you're done with a lounge chair, don't just leave your towels on the chair and expect a crew member to take them away. Many times while grazing for an unoccupied lounger, I find used towels but no personal items laying there. Are the people in the pool or just to lazy to deposit the towels in the bin? We're off on the Enchanted Princess next week! Woo-Hoo!
We went on an MSC cruise in South Africa and the pool towels were a different colour than the bathroom ones (orange instead of white), if you took it to the pool you had to return it to the cabin to avoid being charged for a missing towel. If you didn't take the one from your room but instead took one from the kiosk by the pool they booked it to your room so you would get charged for it if it wasn't returned. Its a simple idea but really encourages people to not leave them all over the loungers for fear of being charged for it.
german tourists securing new Lebensraum XD
I brought my own pool towel from home. I never used the ones from the cabin.
You must have been on it for the first or second cruise down in the Carribean/Bahamas area. I was on it for its last New England cruise 10/29-11/5, assuming it would take about a week to reposition from NYC down that way.
That goes with the most important unwritten rule have fun and don’t be an asshole.
An unwritten rule I follow is I always keep my cabin as tidy as possible so that when my assigned cabin staff member comes to clean it he or she doesn't have to pick through piles of detritus to get their job done. I also always thank them when ever I see them.
I have a question, if you have a moment. Regarding cash tips, is it common to leave them? Is it viewed as strange to do so when they are also included in the fare? (Especially for someone like a cabin steward or waitstaff that personally helps you and you'd like to thank them. )
Same
@@Shayna11NM Not strange IMHO. We always thank our stewards with an envelope (extra tip) along with a genuine "Thank You"! While the crew may think of the included tips as part of their budget, anything added is a bonus.
We've also "gifted" any other crew member that made our vacation better. :-)
@@Shayna11NM I cruise in Holland America. Even when tips are included many people still give cash to those who they interacted with. I give $2 anytime I get room service. I also tip the bar tenders and waiters and I especially tip my cabin stewards. They all work so hard and are trying to make better lives for their families!
@@LRP2023 Same here only cruise line I have been with is Thompson now renamed TUI and change the name of the cruise arm to Marella (not been on them since 2013 due to home caring for my inlaws till they passed away the last yr) BUT even before they went AL across the fleet tips were included in the price of your cruise BUT we ALLWAYS gave a cash tip to our cabin steward/stewardess, bar staff in the usual place we went to be it a lounge or bar overlooking the pool area, AND (depending on the dining situation we always sat at the same table so had same staff) we tipped our wine waiter and serving staff on the last night of the cruise .... They don't expect it from everyone as I said tips are included with Marella in the price you pay BUT we ALLWAYS used to give that extra tip in cash at the end of the cruise as an extra cause they normally do look after you so well ..VERY rarely we ain't left the staff that looks after us an extra tip! they all work so hard with very little time off so even though so-called tips are included in the price of your cruise ( just how much each crew member gets I don't have the foggiest) so that little personal extra tip does mean a great deal to them! I know a lot of cruise lines charge you so much per day gratuities on top of your cruise ....MY late departed father-in-law actually led a revolt on the QE 2 and refused to pay it ..saying he wanted to tip the staff that had given good service ect and not pay the daily charge they put on per person, etc he complained and about 50 other passengers followed his lead NOT a good day for Cunard 🤣 MInd you i wouldn't have argued with him being a career army retired Major!
I have received hand-signed letters from cruise line senior management personnel stating that they liked my post-cruise survey suggestions so much that they had already modified operations to include them. So yes, surveys are taken seriously!
🚢
Good for you. This is a complaint that I keep to myself. As many questionnaires I have filled out. Not one has ever got back to me and commented on my survey. Not talking about cruise, just in general.
Let the people off of the elevator before barging your way in!
And let the people who stood back to let people in enter the elevator.
I would also add something that occurs just before you get on the ship - be nice, polite, and have a good sense of humour with the person at the huge reception area who is checking you in. I have always found them to be so helpful when I do so, and they often give me some useful tips. And besides, it is great to give someone a pleasant moment during such a busy and hectic time for them.
Manners are never wasted.
I get that can be a tough time for some, but you are starting vacation! Start with your Vacation attitude and keep it going. I figure things many not go as planned, but I am not in my house in Ohio in Feb. May be they need to start serving fun drinks in the embarkation areas!
@@elizabethdazell4426 Couldn't t agree more, booked cruise Nov 2023, I'm so determined to enjoy it even if I hate it.
@@elizabethdazell4426 Could you tell us which cruise you're taking in February? Because I sure don't want to be on there with your Vacation attitude of "Me First, Screw the World." And your idea of fun drinks during embarkation renders the muster exercise useless. Even though it's YOUR vacation, you should know what to do in case of an emergency. Believe it or not, this isn't an amusement park ride. You are out in real seas with real potential danger. I don't know how much you've been around the ocean but it's no joke when things go wrong. I hope you have fun but I really hope you learn how to be a good human.
@@alaskachick7315 Genuinely interested, from what part of her comment did you get that Elizabeth was being selfish?
Cuz I do believe she was referring to other guests, not staff. Her definition of vacation attitude apparently being that you should be nice and cheery even if can all get a little stressful at times and things can go wrong.
Sounds like proper human skills to me.🤷
Just a couple of points: 1. The importance of your unwritten rules can't be overstated. When you encounter flagrant violations of these, it can really dampen your overall cruise experience. 2. The likelihood of being annoyed by violations of these obvious rules is inversely proportional to the capacity of the ship, which is why I have learned to stick with really small ships. 3. Being kind and respectful to the crew pays dividends. On a recent cruise, our cabin became flooded by a burst pipe from the galley. Instead of fussing, I politely and cheerfully spoke to the front desk staff who instantly sent a small army to the cabin, gathered all of our belongings and relocated us to a new cabin. For the rest of the voyage, we were treated like royalty.
Our friends did a Mediterranean cruise and on two of their excursions they had the same passenger. He was late getting back to the excursion free times every time. They all waited for him for 45 minutes on one excursion. My friend had no trouble telling him exactly what she thought but it fazed him not. I believe this is how he operates and other people don't matter to him. Very selfish.
Let the ship leave his late ass one time, he’ll move differently I bet
Probly bioks excursions with the line only so he won't be left@JacquelynLevy
It ought to be a rule that parents look after their children and actually teach them how to behave in areas such as dining rooms, bars, etc. I've had kids literally running around in a specialty dining venue, completely unchecked. It's inconsiderate towards others. That kids can be very well behaved I have seen, too. So it is possible.
Having children run around can be dangerous also.!, Such as on my last cruise in the end of 2018, I saw 10 year olds roughly, run around the corner and one ran into an elderly lady she fell and they didn’t even stop to see if she was OK. The parents were nowhere in sight.
This happened on the queen Mary two
My niece is 4 and knows how to behave, my parents, took me, my sister and brother in law and my niece (their grandchild) out for a meal a couple of weeks okay we went early around 6.30pm okay we were the only ones eating in the local restaurant but she sat still, praise the server for the food, and was allowed into the kitchen to thank the chefs , I don't remember me and my sister ran around the hotels during the evenings when we were children.
I saw adults doing exactly the same thing. 😱😱😱
@@AM-dr9qd Adults probably did this hotel we stayed in, the whole block we stayed in were awoken by a couple having an argument which lasted all night, think security were called as we could have screaming and cries of pains
The laundry room sounds exactly like being a student. Set a timer on your phone so you know when to go back.
What if you don't have a phone - not everyone does
@@michaeldianewynne8414 take a stopwatch. Or just a watch that has a timer.
Many years ago on a Rhine River cruise, our waiter, a 40-something Austrian who spoke flawless English, was a valuable source of information about the ship and all the ports we visited. The tipping system was to put tips in an envelope on the last day, and I included a note that explained the many ways that Walter had enhanced my cruise experience. As we all disembarked, the crew was lined up to wave good-bye, and Walter broke from the line and came over to shake my hand, wishing me a happy and safe journey. Clearly, my little note had made a difference. If some crew member has enriched your cruise, say so in writing!
In 2000, my family and I went on a Carnival Cruise in the Caribbean and had a wonderful time. Our server (though I’ve forgotten his name in the past 22 years) was astounding and super helpful whenever we were in the restaurant. Then we went to Alaska the following year on Carnival, and not only was he on the ship, but he was the maître d’ of the main dining room. What’s more is that he remembered us and came to say hello almost every single meal we had in the dining room. We didn’t even remind him who we were, he surprised us the first night by serving us dessert. It’s true that being good to the crew is paramount to a great cruise, but if you cruise regularly, the crew will remember you, good or bad.
For the main dining rooms, I like to ask the waiter what their favourite meal on the menu is and order that. As one of them told me, the menu is made to appeal to a wide audience, so some items can be somewhat bland. We got to talking and he ended up bringing us food that the staff make for themselves/each other. He was from India, so we got an authentic Indian dish in addition to our meal every night without asking.
...I would be a tad worried about the amount of different spices that could be used ... a pinch of Chile powder is one thing a Tablespoon of Chile powder ... is quite another thing altogether ...
@@willgaukler8979 We had already established our spiciness preference, which is closer to traditional Indian food than North American Indian food.
Quite honestly I think your channel is so much more sophisticated than some of the other channels kudos to you
Cruise staff have their home countries listed on their badges. With translation apps so prevalent, it’s nice to at least check out how to say “thank you” in your staff’s native language, and perhaps a few more phrases. Ask them for pronunciation tips, and use them regularly. It shows staff that you are interested in them as a person and can make a real difference in your cruise experience.
So true! On our last cruise in October (Enchanted Princess New England cruise) I learned a few Serbian words to greet for our Platinum/Elite Lounge host and she was bowled over that I learned these few words just for her that afternoon. Same with our Ukrainian junior waiter - I greeted him with a hearty “Yak Spravy!” (How are you?). And his smile was the biggest I’ve seen in ages! At the end of the meal, at dessert, he didn’t have to ask, I chirped “kava, bud’ laska!” (Coffee please) and he was just so pleased with the attention.
Of course, if you do that when there are any Social Justice Warriors in the vicinity, they will dress you down for "cultural appropriation." 🤣🤣🤣 Of course, that's one of the great thing about cruises is that very few Woke Morons go on them, and Trumptards are more interested in enjoying their vacations than preaching the Gospel of MAGA....and even the members of the wokest group of all, college students, pretty much just want to hang out together and drink.
It makes for a very enjoyable vacation. Especially, the lack of Snowflakes.
Stunned by the narrowness of @@russs7574 . Honestly, I shouldn’t be, as he sounds like the typical white make ‘Murican. The rest of the world “loves” you, Russ. 🙄
... I have asked then taken a cell picture to include their name tag for the correct spelling ... later you can mention them by name on after cruise reviews ... can be very helpful for that crew member ...
I speak Spanish I always say Bonjour to them
I cringe when I see an employee being treated poorly by people who think that they are there to serve them and only them. It's amazing how well you get treated when you treat them with respect. I got a laugh out of your last "rule". Reminds me of the character "Topper" in the Dilbert cartoon--the guy that always had to top your experience by saying "That's nothing...."
I learned about the laundry rule in college. I walked into our laundry room to find a female friend doing laundry. I started a wash load myself. My friend had her wash in the dryer when I started mine. I however never leave the laundry while doing mine but she did. Her dryer stopped and I needed a dryer so I took hers out and folded it. So I am still waiting for my wash to be done. She walks in and finds her laundry folded and placed in her laundry basket. She asked me who folded and put her laundry in the basket. I said I did. I explained I needed a dryer and her clothes were dry. So I folded them for her. She was ballistic. I didn't understand why. I said you were gone so long and her clothes would be wrinkled if I hadn't. She said she didn't like someone touching her clothes. I then said if I didn't already know, I'd say you grew up as an only child. I grew up in a household of 8 people. All of us had to fold the clothes of the whole hosehold. We were farmers and we did a minimum of a load a day often more. I didn't get it then, I do now. And she apologized at dinner after she had a chance to cool off. We both learned totally different things that day.
I dont like people touching my clothes but as a result I made sure to always be at the laundry room of the dorm like 10 minutes or so before my loads finished so I was there before it was finished so people knew I wasnt going to be gone for a while or were left waiting on my machines. If someone doesnt want their stuff touched they ought to ensure they are around before it finishes as somebody else may be waiting in line.
I also checked the status of all the dryers before starting my wash load to ensure that I would always be guaranteed a free dryer to not have to worry about people who just left their laundry in teh machines for hours which I did see happen since I didnt want to touch somebody else's clothes either personally and then be confronted about it.
I really don’t care if people touch my laundry as a general rule. What bothers me, when someone folds my clothes wrong. I don’t have much space where I live and I need to fold my laundry so it fits where I store it. I have been very I’ll lately and my sister was kind enough to do my laundry. The problem was the majority had to be folded a second time. My towels have to be folded the same way you find towels folded in a hotel for example. I have a towel self much the same as ones you find in a hotel. My way allows me to store 3 towels wide per shelf, my sister’s way only two per shelf and the second one hangs off halfway. I am always a stickler to make shirts are right side out when being folded for storage, because being disabled, I don’t have any extra energy while getting dress to turn clothes right side out. I pass out if I expend myself. So I dislike looking at every item before putting away. I hate asking my sister to change her habits as she does this as a Good Samaritan and she is a busy person all the time, going out of her way to help others.
Seems like you were in a pretty nice house then. In all student houses I lived in, the rule generally was to wait 5 more minutes after a machine is done and then the clothes just get dumped on one of the tables in the room in whatever state they come out of the dryer or washing machine. That really did wonders to ensure people will be back when their machine is finished and would not just leave their stuff in there all day.
You are too nice. You should have thrown laundry on the floor.
I recently completed a transatlantic voyage on Princess, and I noticed that I was one of the very few passengers I heard using "please" and "thank you" when addressing crew. Other passengers spoke in polite, pleasant tones, to be sure, but those two courtesy words were noticeable by their absence in most cases. Unwritten rule: ALWAYS use "please" and "thank you" when addressing crew. Further comment re: the survey. Princess isn't using the recognition cards any more so being sure to fill in the online survey with names of all the people who've given you exceptional service then becomes doubly important.
I asked a flight attendant for something and started with excuse me...I also used please and thank you. She thanked me afterwards for approaching her and being so polite. It's sad that basic manners are something that a service person is thankful to hear, they should be standard.
Interesting. I never say "please", but I do ask politely and I always say "Thank you".
"Please" just sounds unnecessarily extra to me.
@@ttdur8102 It never hurts and it takes no time. I always say it when in a foreign country before I ask for anything … because please (and thank you) are usually the only words I know in their language!
@@johnsrabe It definitely never hurts and takes no time. I just prefer not to and am still able to ask for things respectfully and sweetly.
Being in a different country is a lot different as I'm restricted since I'm not fluent in their language. I've been in Korea for about 2 years and always say "please" and "thank you" as it's the only way i know how to express gratitude in their language.
It's not the same when I'm interacting with people who speak my language.
I’m Canadian. I always say please and thank you automatically. I also apologize way too much. I’m sorry.
I took your advice and took photos of the name badges of staff who impressed me. It was a blessing in remembering their name and position when filling out the comment cards
I disagree with the "wait until you have your food to find a table". We were on a 90% full cruise last month and if we had waited like that, we would have had no table to find.
That’s often true, since especially the Buffet area it’s very hard to find a table in certain times.
I don't think Gary is usually doing the buffet.
We have found this a problem sometimes, not enough 4 tables, sometimes, as there are three in our party, we tend to take it in turns to grab a bit of food before the rest of us up to grab some food for the buffet.
I agree
I agree, I just came back from a cruise with a party of 5, we used a general area as a meetings space around meals, everyone didn’t want the same food but we always wanted to sit together. Usually one person found a table and someone else from the group would grab their food or wait until others came back to go get their own. I think it worked well to establish this on day 1. Even if we went off to do other things we always knew where we could find everyone come meal time.
Loved the "someone alone with your toothbrush" comment. LOL! I never thought about THAT, Gary! Thanks!
It is something a friend of mine in hospitality once told me!
@@tipsfortravellersI worked in hospitality for decades and this is an offensive take. If your friend did this, they are a terrible human being and it reflects poorly on you to call them friend.
Always good advice. About recognizing staff, on my last cruse there was a box at the purser's desk where you could fill out a card and recognize exceptional service. Don't wait until the end of the cruise to give compliments. As for chair hogs, there just has to be a better way to do this. So many come out to the pool early, throw something on a chair and then go and eat breakfast, and basically spend the day doing whatever they want while hogging up a chair. And, now that chairs are spaced less closely, this is an even bigger problem. Perhaps each person should be issued a card, coded with name and room number (not visible to all) and have to clip it to a chair. If the chair is left vacant, the crew member scans the card and returns the items to the room, to make the chair available. No confrontations.
Maybe some kind of reader on the chair that you scan with your room card. It would be an easier way of monitoring how long the chair has "invisible" or "thought" guest. 😁
Love this!!
Nice suggestion 👍
Nah. After 20 minutes, just throw whatever's on the chair overboard.
@@rocketraccoon1976 hi
You’re addressing civilized people with manners and your points are well taken. The problem isn’t these folks - it’s the uncivil folks without manners. They’re not listening. This is why I’ve cruised many lines but would never consider Carnival.
I went on an 11-day Carnival cruise in 2019. I saw no uncivilized passengers. Everyone I met was mannerly and polyie
@@jacquelyns9709 That story is pretty difficult to believe, Jacquelyn . . . just saying.
@@miata1492 This was one of Carnival's Journeys cruises. It went from Galveston to do a Partial Transit of the Panama Canal. We had 5 sea Days on our way to the Panama Canal. We stopped in Costa Rica and Cozumel on the way back to Galveston. We had at least 2 more sea days out of the 11-day cruise.
My sister and I didn't go to the casino and didn't hang out in the bars.
I didn't see or hear any rowdy behavior. There were very few kids on board.
This wasn't a low cost cruise. Lectures were well attended.
You'd probably say my family violates the "staking a claim to tables" rule. The reason we do it is that, regardless of how empty or full the buffet is, one person with the silverware sets up and orders beverages while the rest, having seen where the table is, now go to get their initial plate. This way, we're getting the overall meal process started sooner AND we don't have a bunch of people wandering around with plates and dodging / bumping into people because our eyes are distracted with trying to figure out if / where we have a table.
In the end, does that really do any more of a disservice to other passengers than if I grabbed a wrap or piece of fruit as I walked in and grabbed a table while my family went through the lines because I don't feel like wandering through the buffet line, right now? The effect is the same: I'm sitting there, by myself and telling people "this is where my family will be" or "my family's off getting their second plate (since we don't need to be piling them high)", so these seats aren't available.
It's not like someone's going in and staking out a table during a dead time and chilling there for an hour while the rest of the family is watching a show or doing something else in the rest of the ship but they want a table ready and waiting for them if they show up during rush hour.
A bigger issue, in my estimation, is lingering at your table. If you have finished eating, please go find somewhere else in the ship to sit and chat with your party so that someone who hasn't eaten can do so.
My husband is disabled and I get silverware and drinks and hold the table so he’s not wandering/stumbling/dropping food while looking for a table.
I had a good laugh with the last one. I had a friend who was a car salesman, and said if you're happy with the deal, enjoy it. He said everyone will tell you they got or could have gotten a better deal than you did, no matter what - even if it sounds absurd. If the dealer gave you the car for free, they would brag they could've done better. He said the same goes for purchasing a home, so don't fall for it. That was decades ago, and over the years he was right, everyone always seems to brag that they got a better deal. I've heard some whoppers!
love what you said cruise is like poker get any group of poker players and remember WE DONT CARE ABOUT YOUR BAD BEAT STORIES
Here's another rule. If you are in the buffet and sharing the serving utensils, don't lick your fingers or hands then touch those same shared utensils again. I see that all the time and it's super nasty.
oh god this one. People who lick their fingers are the grossest
Or dropping the utensils on the floor and not telling the staff so this can be replace.
OMG!
don't pull your chair up to the buffet and start digging in. sure it's convenient but it interferes with the other guests
Sometimes if I don’t like any of the main entrée‘s, I ordered two starters and a soup or salad.
Another unwritten rule is when gathering food from the buffet never pick up with your hands, for example a roll or some other food and then decide you don’t want it and put it back.
I remember being in a hotel with my parents, some kids thought it was okay to put their hands in the ice cream bowl , I much prefer the staff to serve us if we want ice-cream, I been on cruises where the staff have done this.
There was a restaurant chain in Australia called Sizzlers (no longer in operation). It was buffet style and at the dessert bar they had a soft serve ice cream dispenser that you could fill an ice cream cone or add some to your dessert.I remember once they had to close it for the rest of that meal service as one child decided to open his mouth under the dispenser and pull the the lever. Children should always be supervised at a buffet.
I saw a guy testing the freshness of multiple slices of bread on a cruise buffet. I told him to take one or move along. He told me he wasn't hungry, but just curious as to the softness of the bread!!! I told a staff member what happened and they removed the whole tray of bread and dumped it (I saw them bin it). They said that they were so tired of people doing things like that as it was such a waste of food.
Thats...just a basic hygiene rule that everyone knows. I shudder to think there are any adults on the planet that don't know that.
About time keeping: Make sure you are clear on the ship rules when it comes to time zone differences when you are out. I used to work on guest servoces, and people missed the ship all the time for not adjusting their clocks to the ship's time.
I could not agree more when it comes to treating crew well and taking care of
them by following the pre-set tipping at minimum and giving them high marks on the survey. On my one and only cruise I have been on, they treated us as guests like royalty. I have never been so pampered in my life. It was so nice and yet it made me feel a tad bit uncomfortable knowing that many crew members come grom economically struggling communities and that cruise lines are not held to the same labor laws and pay requirments as those in the service industry in the US. I felt horrible hearing our serving staff practically beg for high marks (that they deserved anyway) because their contract renewal depended on it. The crew are usually the reason you are having a great experience and seldom the reason if you are not, but if you treat crew well, they will go above and beyond to help you resolve any problem you have.
I really hate having a full plate of food (getting cold) and a drink and wandering around the buffet trying to find a place to sit. My wife and I always find a table, and one of us stays there and orders drinks while the other gets their food, then we swap. Does this make us horrible people? I completely agree with all your other "rules".
I think that's fine!
No, it makes you sensible. That's what my partner and I do, especially if the buffet area is busy.
We did something similar because we were traveling with kids. One parent and grandparents go with the older kids to help them get their food and somethings for the baby while the other parent stays at the table with the baby. Then grandparents can eat and supervise kids while parents get their food.
A bit of a hassle, but better than giving the kids free reign of the buffet!
Also makes more sense, nothing is more annoying than people roaming around with plates and glasses in their hands, and there's always a chance they drop it.
However as a German cruising with the German lines, buffet is the focus anyway and rules are slightly different
Agree with you wholeheartedly. That's what we do.
Another rule to consider, DON'T turn your TV volume up too loud, especially if the TV is mounted to an adjoining wall. The walls between cabins are not very thick and not very well insulated. Our neighbor on the Royal Princess had their volume up to the point that we could actually hear the dialogue clearly.
i could see this being an issue due to so many cruisers being elderly and having issues with their hearing. My father turns the TV up to unbearable levels just to hear normal dialogue. This is why I bought headphones for him to listen to the tv. But when traveling, a lot of people would have a problem. In other words, they may not be doing it on purpose.
@@catherinesanchez1185 I’m sure they weren’t doing it on purpose to annoy us. I did mention it to them and they made an effort to keep it lower.
@@catherinesanchez1185 Oooo...what kind of headphones can you bring to listen to the wall-mounted TV?
Speaking of the "Takeaway rule", I've also seen staff perfectly willing to accept takeaway orders at the front hostess station. Especially at the sitdown option that many cruise lines have at lunch or breakfast. Can just go up and ask for those menu items and wait outside, they'll bring them out to you with the covers on them. You can take them to any public seating area or your room to enjoy.
It amazes me that some passengers would be rude and or treat the crew poorly especially when they're on holiday travelling. Being nice always goes a long way. I'm glad you mentioned the 'all you can eat' rule as I took full advantage of this multipule times whenever I have cruised. The other diners at the table have sometimes been flabbergasted when I've asked for multiple lobster tails, filet mignons and such, much to my amusement.
How a person treats service staff anywhere says a LOT about their character.
Possibly not a rule, but an adage: It never hurts to ask. (The worst that can happen is that you will receive a polite refusal.)
I asked if it would be possible to see the ship's mechanical equipment below deck. "Sorry -- our insurance does not permit that."
On a river cruise one passenger (apparently homesick for fast food) was served a hamburger and French fries. How did you manage that, we wondered. He said the two magic words:
"I asked."
Took my first cruise in September, so everyone had more and better cruise stories than I did, but I had better land adventure tales than they did. I took it as an opportunity to learn about other cruises and such. Also, I was raised to ALWAYS treat service and wait staff well.
My issue has always been people leaving towels on lounges by the pool, even at resorts they get up at 6am and put their junk on all the chairs then show up in the afternoon. Its totally disrespectful and when I go to the pool Ill give it an hour, if no one shows up I move their crap. If they have a problem they can complain to the staff. There is no reserving or saving chairs, you either use it or lose it.
worst case, pretend somebody else moved their junk 😜
I’ve been on 35 plus cruises and the one thing that drives me crazy are door slammers. Whether it’s the cabin door to the unit or the door to the balcony it boggles my mind how inconsiderate and thoughtless some people are.
The same goes for people who drag around the chairs on their balconies. I found that noise just about intolerable after 15 days on Norwegian transatlantic.
However, just a side note. On my recent transatlantic, my balcony door wouldn't stay where I put it. I always close it when I step outside, to help with the a/c. Every time the ship hit a wave, the door would slide open by itself, and then slam shut a moment later. Never had that experience before, and there were a few loud bangs before I figured out how to wedge the door shut with the balcony table, and then wedge the table in place with the chair i was sitting in. That finally solved the problem.
Thank you very much - especially about respect to the crew. Some passengers simply forget that and consider themselves as "royalty" when cruising.... it is wrong!
I agree with everything you said in the video only one thing I did not really care for. Tipping tipping is getting out of hand. Corporations refusing to pay a livable wage and making billions in profits for them on the shared holders. This nonsense has to stop. PAY LIVABLE WAGES TO WORKERS. it modern slavery on cruise ship and in the Middle East. In the USA it’s the same nonsense.
Dont let the room door slam get in and out of your room. Isn't it hard to hold the door. Use common sense.
Agreed, nothing more annoying than the neighbor’s slamming cabin or balcony door when you’re trying to sleep.
In Sitka, I was on a tour of the Raptor Center, Fortress of The Bears, and this other science center...the tour guide, at each stop, advised what time he was leaving and that there would be no deviation or waiting. He left on time from each spot and no one was late.
I can relate to the excursion story. We went on an excursion to Rome, for those who dont know there is a fair amount of travel from the cruise port. At every spot a couple of ladies were late. We went to the Vatican and the guide asked us to wait whilst she got the tickets. The same two ladies went off wandering. Eventually they decided they would grace us with their presence. I then saw something I had never seen before and the tour guide gave them a public dressing down that met with applause. At the end of our Vatican tour the guide gave us free time around St Peters Square and the local shops, sure enough the shamed ladies turned up to the meeting point only 20 minutes late. As my late dad would say, you cant educate pork!
Your Dad was a smart man!
That last sentence was funny as hell!
You’re the only other person I’ve come across that uses that saying! My gran used to use it.
I’ve been on a lot of cruises/tours and there is ALWAYS at least one couple that is dawdling and late. Very frustrating to the tour guide wherever you go.
We had somebody like that on a nile cruise, he was always bartering with the stall holders at the sites visited. Mind you he was great fun so you couldnt really take offence
Hi Gary,
It always chocked me how many people don't close their cabin door, they just let them "smash them" with a bang and not just during the day, but during all hours of the night as well🙄
The ship's horn is there to tell you the ship has left, not that it is leaving.
Being respectful to crew is a big one. I was on a cruise last month and there was a women who was so mean it was almost unbelievable. She was dining by herself. When ordering she made it extra complicated and got frustrated and disrespectful when the staff tried to double check their understang to accommodate her. She ordered half the menu for herself and got mad when they brought out the first half yelling at the server "bring me my chicken wings now!" I felt so bad for the server, i started to talk to the women to distract her and hopefully get her to leave them alone. I made sure to be nice, make her job easy and tip well. That same server went above and beyond for me to the point we started talking and now we're dating!
Oh, I hate thoseselfish and rude aholes...hope the Marie Antoinette got banned. What a twat.
Longshot: I would love some tea … and T.
I wish tipping was, in fact, a gratuity - A favor or gift according to Webster. If they DEPEND on it, add it to the cost and their wages. We recently went on a Viking River Cruise and were actually lectured about the survey and their expectation of me to actively participate in those promotions. I view it as pure laziness on the part of the cruise line that employees are so dependent on my survey for raises and promotions. Further, the survey we were asked to complete was very poorly written. AS EXPECTED turned our to be a third choice or seemingly bad rating. Getting what I expected is what I expected and fine. We were pretty much informed that any other type of input (negative was not on the survey) would probably meet the shredder. From the time we first took a Viking River Cruise in 2008 to 2022, the line - the crew - had amped up the shill and self-promotion at public meetings - organized public begging as it were. I expected better behavior. I wrote the line with comments. Of course, we've heard nothing back. I'm guessing the shredder is in good working condition.
The option to rate things according to your expectations is a totally meaningless question, unless you already know my expectations. It's a ridiculous question and I don't know why it comes up on so many surveys.
I would that you should not forget the people in the children's area that take care of your children. I went on a cruise with my 10yo grandson. It is my custom to write a note with some cash in it to crew I wish to tip. There were too many to tip them all so I had him pick out one that was special to him and had him write her a note to go with the tip. She reacted as if this was out of the ordinary and wrote him a note back.
The more I learn about these cruises the more I know a cruise is not something I would enjoy.
They aren’t for everyone. You either love them or you don’t. 13 cruises for me. They’re my favorite vacation.
If I was designing a cruise ship I would make the laundry room connected to one of the bars.
That way you can go start your laundry, go have a drink, watch sports whatever. Then go flip your laundry from the wash to the dryer have another drink, grab your laundry and go back to your room.
It's a double revenue generator for the cruise line.
yeah if you don't get too drunk to start procrastinating isn't😂
They need to have a bar area next to the laundry room and the washer or dyer sends you a text message letting you know it is almost done. The bar is only open when the laundry room is open.
In Cleveland, Ohio back in the 70's I used a laundromat that had a connecting door to the tavern next door! What fun!
This is an awesome idea. Makes so much sense. It's sad that the responses you have received assume that anyone in a bar is automatically drunk thereby making your idea a bad one. Getting blasted is the problem, not this great idea.
Of course, it also assumes that everyone is interested in spending time in a bar.
Elevator etiquette is important especially with respect to the handicapped.
I have heard people say that it’s “rude “to reserve your seat at the buffet before getting your food. But that doesn’t make any sense to me! Often times I come in carrying a purse, a jacket, and usually a drink from the bar. I have to set those down before I can go and get my food❤️
Sit down and allow your partner to get a plate then serve yourself
As a Solo cruiser on the RARE occasion I use a ship’s buffet, I sit my day bag on an empty chair with a note on the table that I am getting food and will be right back. Yes, I carry a laminated page with that note. Sad, but necessary. Sometimes it works, and sometimes I come back and find my things thrown on the floor and somebody sitting in the chair. One major reason I nearly always eat at the MDR or a venue where I am given a particular chair by staff to occupy.
@@atomicrancher3745 stand over the people who moved your bags and enjoy your food
@@arribaficationwineho32 I do that too when I'm with my dad who's in a wheelchair. We pass the buffet so he can see what's there, then I bring him to the table, go get his food and then go back to get mine. It's impossible otherwise as I can't push a wheelchair and carry a plate of food at the same time, at least not without most likely steering the wheelchair into another table. And anybody who has a problem with that is cordially invited to try it themselves.
arribaficationwineho32 - yes, this is what we do... I travel with my bestie, and we have an unplanned but at this point, well refined method. We scout out a table first, and one of us sits while the other gets her food, then we switch. I agree that I have to put all of my stuff down first and go empty-handed to fill my plate, its much less dicey than trying to juggle personal items along with a plate of food.
I'm going on my first cruise tomorrow in 15 years. Looking forward to what's changed. Also, it shocks me (but doesn't) that one rule is to treat the crew with respect. I'm allergic to entitlement attitudes so being like that is abhorrent to me!
I hope you have a wonderful time! That will be really exciting🎉
... relax and just remember ship's time ... your on holiday time now ...
It is shocking that someone would even have to suggest that treating someone with respect is a good thing to do. You should treat everyone with respect until they give you a reason not to.
What's the difference between piling up your plate once versus coming back to the buffet multiple times? As long as you eat what you take and don't waste food.
I can't believe anyone would be rude to any member of the staff! They might not be my friends, but I always greeted them, and apologize if I realize I haven't. There is a limit to how much I might ask about their families, that is private. But where are they from, how long they've worked for the line, those are givens.
A minute and a half in confirms my suspicion that no one in their right mind would do this.
I am not a cruiser, but my mum is a Cunard fanatic. I am a frequent traveller and spend a lot of time in planes and hotels.
I went with her on the Queen Elizabeth just before Covid and my steward introduced himself to us and we did the same. At the start of the cruise we got to know more about Ramon, we would have a chat when our paths would cross and he started introducing us to some of his colleagues.
We would ask if he had a chance to contact his family at ports etc and it made the experience so much better for all of us.
I have no doubt that he would look after all of his cabins well, he just seemed to be like that, but I am also sure that he looked after the two of us that little bit better as he knew what we liked, we would leave for a short period, 30-45 minutes to return to a spotless cabin, even leaving a plate of biscuits that he knew I liked.
The rule that I always follow is to treat the staff well at what ever place I'm at in life generally. If you think about it, if you get treated with courtesy and respect you feel good and when you treat others the same way, the world is a better place.
I took my 1st and only cruise on the QM2 on its Inaugural Voyage for 11 days to E Caribbean back in '04 from Ft Lauderdale. She'd just arrived after her Maiden Voyage from UK.
I was in my 30s, and one thing I noticed, on Cruise Lines like Cunard, the age of passengers is quite up there. The people on the ship closest to our age, and had more in common with, were the crew. So that's who we ended up befriending. We found out, it's a big NO NO for the crew to fraternize with passengers. We weren't classist, we treated them as we would anyone else our age. There were nasty people who were just rude. A couple times when we witnessed some pretentious prig being demeaning to the crew. As passengers, we tore into them for being assholes. They can't fire me
Wank**s😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉
I’m never bothered if the table I sit on seats 10 and I’m only one. I do have a problem with the fact that some larger groups then get shitty when you don’t move. I had that once at a small fish and chip shop at the beach. Sorry, I’m not rushing my meal just because your group decide they need one more spot. I was polite enough to let you seat in the unoccupied seats.
I taught my niece this just the other day. We went to the zoo and the food area near the elephants was quite empty when we had some food so we sat on either side of the table. Fast forward 30 mins (the kid is hungry again?!! 😲) so I get some more food. The area is much busier but we get the same table. The kid wants to sit on the other side but I told her she needed to sit on my side or I on hers. I explain about sharing space and sure enough a German family sits on the other side. She was fascinated by that and didn’t eat all her food 😖 so much for being hungry!
I'm not waiting for 35 people at a buffet to take a spoon of tomatoes before I can move on.
So you move to another food station. Or use other dining options if you don't have patience to wait in lines. I move on and come back. It's not life or death. It's a spoon of tomatoes😊
Great list with exception of one rule. My wife and I, when going to the buffet always claim a table first, before getting our food. We leave an item or two at the table and then get our food. Here is why. My wife and I usually go different directions for food and then would have to find each other again and then wander around and find a table. By then our food would be cold. It's just not practical to get your food first. We have been on 17 or 18 cruises and have seen many others do it this way and have never seen a problem.
Don’t use the elevators in rough seas, or if you like the buffet at all.
Don’t drag childfree family members along with the intention of making them babysit for you so you don’t have to spend money on the kids clubs.
Hi, I'm afraid that I break the queue rule at the buffet all the time.
I'll try and describe the situation.
Say, at the left end of the buffet there is carrots. And there are 2 or more people slowly picking through the carrots. But, in front of the french fries there is no one. So, I just walk up to the french fries take what I want and then leave. I've slowed down no one and in fact I've sped things up because now I'm not 'in line' anymore. Is what I'm doing wrong? I didn't cut in front of anyone that was walking toward the french fries. It was open, so I got what I wanted and then got out of people's way.
Seriously, did I do wrong?
Should I just wait in the 'queue' behind someone picking up the 3 or 4 things in front of the french fries when I don't want any one of those things?
What about desserts? Should I go get in line at the 'salad' end of the buffet and progress all the way through the entire buffet until I get to the dessert section? Or should I just walk up to the desserts, pick 1 (or 4 or 7 ;) ) and go back to my table?
No I think that's perfectly acceptable. I think he was talkin about when there are long lines and no gaps
So pretty much just be kind and pay attention to what you're doing and how it affects others. What we should be doing in everyday life.
Basically there is only ONE unwritten rule and it applies to life in general, not just cruising.
Apply that rule at all times and you won't go far wrong ....
"DO AS YOU WOULD BE DONE BY" 👍
I love the Water Babies character reference there but it's true
Not exactly unwritten, someone wrote it down in the Bible 😉 Matthew 7:12
I have one you didn't mention. It's not just on a cruise but it definitely is a bigger problem on them. That is, let people get off the elevator before you try to get on! I can't tell you how many times someone has been right up against the door and the second it opens, and without looking up, they've just tried to barge onto the elevator. As for me, I won't move and I don't apologize because I'm not the one who made the mistake.
The best thing about the buffet is to try a little of everything and find out what you like.Then go back for more.
I had a fantastic experience on Oasis of the Seas.The staff was impeccable,the food was great and it was an excellent trip all around.
My only complaint was that the ship was so big that by the time I figured out where everything was and how to get there my 8 days were over.
Genuine kindness towards the staff gets you SO FAR on cruises! Just enjoy the moment and enjoy the people, it is such a short time.
We like to buy the plus packages with tips included. That way, we don't forget and the crew is treated well.
Oh my goodness - the world of cruise ship laundry drives me INSANE. I had a room beside a laundrette on a recent cruise, and I couldn’t believe the people popping in to do laundry after midnight - I assumed they’d lock it as the ‘closed’ slot!
It is a definite competitive and brings out the worst in some!!!!
I think that sounds more like design mistake by cruise company. It really should be in area not next to cabins, but next to storage or supplies on all sides.