Month: October 2025

• Business Insider asked etiquette experts about the mistakes you should never make on a cruise ship.
• Guests should always review itinerary details before packing and making dinner reservations.
• Don’t be the person who reserves lounge chairs or leaves their children unsupervised.

Cruises are fun for family trips and adult-only vacations alike. However, being aboard a ship with rude passengers can ruin the experience for everyone.

That’s why Business Insider asked three etiquette experts about the mistakes that should never be made on a cruise ship. Here’s what they said.

Not reviewing your itinerary before packing

Depending on the type of cruise you’re going on, specific dress codes may be required. That’s why it’s essential to review your itinerary beforehand so you know what to pack, etiquette coach Jules Hirst told Business Insider.

Although themed events are typically optional, you should be dressed appropriately if you choose to attend.

“Showing up at a formal night in shorts and flip-flops is unacceptable. If you do not want to participate, that is your choice, but do not ruin the event for the other passengers,” Hirst said.

Skipping lines and cutting in front of others

Hirst told BI that most guests will undoubtedly have to wait in line at some point while on a cruise ship. But no matter how tempting it is, skipping and cutting lines can create a bad travel experience for everyone involved.

“Cutting the line creates tension among your fellow passengers and shows a lack of respect for them,” Hirst said.

Treating the crew poorly

Going on vacation presents the opportunity to relax and unwind, but it’s important to remember to be courteous to the crew and use good manners, Hirst told BI.

The crew is there to make your stay more enjoyable, and they should always be treated with respect.

Disrupting others’ vacations

Since cruise ships are full of shared spaces, self-awareness is crucial for ensuring a fun experience for all guests.

“Have the time of your life as long as it doesn’t impede others’ experience,” Bethany Skorik, etiquette coach and founder of Ascent Etiquette and Communications, said.

For example, disrupting others by speaking loudly or blocking traffic on the ship to take photos is considered rude behavior.

Reserving lounge chairs with towels

According to Hirst, guests who save lounge chairs for hours on end are making a major faux pas. When it comes to these chairs, ‘first come, first served’ rules apply.

“There are never enough lounge chairs on a cruise ship, but trying to save them by putting a towel on them and expecting nobody to use them until you return is ridiculous,” Hirst told BI.

Letting children wander the ship unsupervised

When traveling with kids, Dallas etiquette expert Lisa Burdette told BI it’s essential to keep your family together and to never let your children run around on their own.

“There’s nothing worse than unsupervised children running down the halls or dangerously close to the pool or balconies,” Burdette told BI. “Brief your children on proper behavior and the importance of keeping noise down.”