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Most cruise ship passengers mean well and want to have a great vacation without causing any trouble. However, some behaviors are frustrating to crew members, even if they never say them out loud.
While most of these are minor annoyances, some can actually put crew members into uncomfortable or impossible situations.
Let’s take a look at some of the things cruise ship passengers do that crew members secretly hate so you can avoid these common mistakes on your next cruise.
15 things cruise passengers hate crew members do
1. Filming crew members without permission
Before pointing your camera or phone at a worker, it’s a good idea to ask them if they want to be filmed. In fact, major cruise lines require explicit permission from crew members to film, and filming is limited to crew-only areas. Interviews with crew members require prior approval from the cruise line.
Many staff members wouldn’t mind appearing in your vacation videos or TikToks, and some even love it. Others, however, prefer not to be in the spotlight. When you create content for social media or personal videos, always give staff the option to decline.
Some people may be too shy to speak up, so asking first shows respect for their preferences and follows the cruise line's policy.
2. Walking barefoot in public places
It may surprise you, but walking around a ship without shoes is actually against many cruise lines' codes of conduct. Shoes are required everywhere except in the pool area, and going barefoot in restaurants and other public places is considered unhygienic.
Even more annoying for the crew (and other passengers) was people walking on the furniture with their bare feet. This includes coffee tables, break rooms, and other areas where people place drinks or food. Wear shoes in public places and keep your feet away from furniture.
3. Use complaints instead of asking
When something goes wrong on your vacation, the best time to fix it is during the cruise, not after. While you're on the boat, the crew can actually solve a problem, no matter what your problem is cabin or something else.
If you have questions about your cabin, please contact the cabin crew directly first rather than contacting their supervisor or Guest Services directly. Save surveys and social media complaints for issues that can't be resolved during your trip. Giving the crew a chance to correct their mistakes benefits everyone.
4. Proceed to your stateroom before getting ready on embarkation day
Embarkation day This is one of the busiest days for the entire crew, not just the cabin crew. They have a short time to clean and prepare hundreds of cabins between the departure of the previous guest and the arrival of the new one.
Most cruise lines restrict cabin access until ready, which usually takes one to three hours after boarding. Some lines may let you check your luggage in advance, but it's unusual to fully access the cabin before it's ready. Trying to sneak into a hallway by opening a fire door is something you should never do as staff need time to do their job properly.
5. Refusing to pay the final bill
At the end of your cruise, you will need to check out before disembarking. Some passengers try to dispute the charges or avoid paying, thinking they can just walk away. The reality is that it is almost impossible for cruise lines to disembark a ship without checking out.
At best, you'll be delayed and embarrassed at the customer service desk. In the worst-case scenario, you could face debt collection, an injunction from the cruise line, or even legal action. There have been some crazy cases of passengers going to great lengths to avoid paying, including one who jumped ship in San Juan to escape a casino debt. These situations create a huge headache for cabin crew who just want to help guests depart smoothly.
6. Tip extra on the bill instead of cash
When you go to a hair salon, spa, or a specialty dinner, you may want to set aside a little extra to get great service. If you do this, give cash directly to the crew rather than adding it as an item on the bill.
When you add a tip to your bill, the money is pooled and distributed rather than going directly to the individual who served you. Cash ensures that your tip goes directly to the person who provided the service. For more information on cruise ship tipping practices, check out our guide Cruise Tipping Guide.
7. Request off-menu items or special orders
Of course you can ask if main restaurant There are things not listed on the menu. If the kitchen has ingredients readily available, simple requests like a fruit plate or basic soup can be accommodated (especially if you're not feeling well).
However, don't expect complicated dishes that require advance preparation. Occasionally the maitre d' might offer to arrange something special for another evening, but this is not guaranteed and has become less common. If they do exceed your requirements, keep it to yourself rather than telling others on the boat as this can create unrealistic expectations and put stress on the crew.
8. The cabin is very messy
When your cabin crew comes to clean your room, they don't expect it to be spotless. That's their job. However, clothes were strewn across the floor, food was strewn, trash and diapers were strewn about, making their job even more difficult.
When clothing is strewn all over the place, a flight attendant may be hesitant to move it for fear of being accused of missing something. An extremely messy cabin may not be cleaned as thoroughly as possible. A little tidiness goes a long way in helping you cabin crew Get the job done efficiently.
9. Not supervising your children
The cruise was great family vacationkids should definitely have fun. However, parents need to supervise their children throughout the ship, not just when they are not in the kids club.
Even if the pool has a lifeguard, young children should always have a parent present. Children also need supervision to make sure they don't climb objects or violate safety rules. Staff are not nannies and expecting them to monitor your children creates an unfair situation for everyone.
10. Angry at crew members enforcing policies
Crews don’t make the rules. They just need to enforce it. When staff charge you a corkage fee for bringing wine to dinner, or take your belongings from the lounge chair you left too long, they are doing their job.
Getting angry at crew members who follow cruise ship policies has no effect. They can't change the rules, and they certainly can't ignore them just for you. If you disagree with a policy, that's between you and the cruise line, not the crew member in front of you.
11. Being rude or disrespectful to crew members
This should go without saying, but yelling at a crew member is absolutely unacceptable. even if you're frustrated about it guest serviceraising your voice is completely inappropriate. In extreme cases, this Behavior that could get you kicked off the ship and banned from cruise ships.
In addition to the obvious rudeness, there is also the everyday disrespect. When a staff member greets you in the hallway or asks how your day was, respond with a thank you. A simple greeting shows basic courtesy and recognition that they are a person doing a job, not an invisible servant.
12. Expect or request cabin upgrades
Here’s a secret that many passengers don’t know: cabin upgrades are often decided before boarding the ship. Most cruise lines handle upgrades through their bidding system, so cabins are assigned when you board the ship.
If there are empty cabins (which is rare as most ships sail with full crew), they are usually reserved for emergencies. Going to customer service and asking for an upgrade, especially when it comes to mentioning your loyalty status, won't get you the results you want. This will only frustrate the crew who don’t have a cabin for you. Learn more about How the cabin upgrade actually works.
13. Leaving personal belongings unattended for long periods of time
Chair hogging is a real problem on cruise ships, and crew members are often put in the uncomfortable position of having to enforce the rules. Leave your belongings on the deck chair for a few hours while you are elsewhere on the ship, the crew may need to remove your belongings.
Your belongings will usually be taken to a secure location, such as a towel station, so they won't get lost. The staff is simply enforcing a policy to help ensure everyone has a fair chance to enjoy the pool deck. Don't take it personally and don't get upset with staff who are just doing what they're asked to do.
14. Ignoring safety demonstrations and assembly drills
Safety drills may seem like an inconvenience, but maritime law requires them for good reason. When passengers don't take these seriously or try to skip them, it creates extra work for the crew who need to keep track of everyone.
It is the crew's responsibility to ensure that all passengers know what to do in an emergency. Showing annoyance or rushing through safety procedures can make their jobs more difficult and potentially put everyone at risk.
15. Treat crew members differently based on their role
Every cabin crew member should be treated with respect, whether they are cleaning cabins, serving drinks or working in guest services. Some passengers are more polite to entertainment staff and officials than they are to cabin crew or buffet staff.
All crew members work very hard to make your holiday a great one. They were away from their families for months at a time, working long hours in demanding environments. Treating any crew member as “less than” because of their position shows a lack of basic human dignity.
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bottom line
Most of these behaviors come down to common courtesy and respect. The crew works hard to provide you with a great holiday, often after being away from home for months. A little consideration for their time, work, and dignity can go a long way.
The good news is that avoiding these behaviors is simple. Ask before filming, wear shoes, communicate when issues arise, respect policies (even if you don't agree with them), and treat every crew member well. When you do this, not only will you make their job easier, but you may also have a better cruise experience yourself.
