Cruise passenger ‘faux pas’ to avoid
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Cruise holidays have had a resurgence since coronavirus travel restrictions were lifted, prompting many to embark on their first holiday at sea. But before heading for the port, cruise expert, author and blogger Elaine Warren, who runs The Family Cruise Companion, has warned holidaymakers of some common “faux pas” to avoid.
“Let’s face it, everyone has their quirks,” she told Express.co.uk. “But some cruise guests take things a little too far by mistakenly thinking that these idiosyncrasies are acceptable in society.”
Arriving late to a port
In some cases, the problems can start before passengers have even made it to the port – usually because they are running late.
Elaine said: “Arriving late to port may not seem like a big deal, but it can really disrupt disembarkation procedures and upset other passengers who have been waiting patiently for hours.”
Most cruise lines set out a specific timeframe for passengers to board. For some cruises, the time you can board your cruise varies depending on what kind of stateroom you have and what time your cruise departs.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean arriving at the exact time you’ve been designated to embark. Celebrity Cruises advises its passengers to arrive ahead of their instructed embarkation time slot.
“To avoid long lines at security and the check-in desk, plan on getting there right when boarding begins,” they said.
“Lines also tend to be much shorter during the last hour of boarding, but then you’ll be missing out on a few hours on board on embarkation day.”
Of course, there are unforeseen circumstances that might mean you are running late.
“If you’re running behind schedule, try to communicate with your cruise line ahead of time so that steps can be taken to minimise disruptions down the line,” Elaine said.
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Carrying excessive luggage
Packing for a holiday can be stressful, and with so many activities and events on offer, it can be easy to overpack. However, Elaine urges passengers to really think about what they do and don’t need before stuffing it into their suitcases.
“One thing you should never do is overpack like a tourist,” she said. “Not only will this cause extra strain on your back and shoulders, but also it’s illegal at many ports of call.
“In fact, if you’re caught packing more than what is allowed by law, you could lose your vacation money and face penalties from the carrier.”
Cruise lines will likely set out rules on how much luggage you are permitted to bring onboard, as well as items which are banned from the ship.
Passengers should always check up on these before zipping up their bags for the trip.
Being rude to staff members
Regardless of how much money you’ve shelled out for a cruise holiday, being rude to staff is never acceptable. In fact, Elaine says it is one of the biggest no-nos passengers can do.
“No matter how tired or busy someone might feel during peak travel season, always treat employees respectfully and refrain from speaking loudly or making hostile comments,” she said.
“I have seen countless people removed from liners, usually as a result of overindulging with alcohol. It’s weird, but some people just behave differently when on a cruise liner.
“It’s like when it used to rain at school, and all the kids would start behaving like wild animals. It is not tolerated at sea, so best behaviour is of the utmost importance.”
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