Sorry. It's our first cruise. We didn't know the etiquette...

[TucsonBlonde]

We had a 4-5 year old in the dinning room completely lose it during a meal. Crying, screaming, throwing hi

Self on the floor...dad somehow thought this was a negotiation and spent 5 minutes discussing things with his obviously exhausted child. It is a good thing looks can't kill or dad would have been buried at sea! The grandfather at the table, VERY aware of the looks and comments being directed at their table, finally got up, took the child by his arm and walked him out, with dad following anxiously behind. Grandpa must have read him the riot act, because the little one never came back to the MDR. My point is that I understand meltdowns happen, but I have ZERO patience for parents who do not quickly and efficiently deal with the situation.

[TucsonBlonde]

Sorry, hit send by mistake! So I think both sides here have a good point. Ships are big, bright and overstimulating for children and even adults sometimes, meltdowns are bound to happen. But it is the parents job to remove the child from the situation so they are not disturbing everyone else.

[luvella4ever]

:confused:

Does anyone know how much they check the luggage? Do they take things out of suitcase to check? I really want to take a steamer, but am afraid it will be confiscated.

 

 

I was planing on bringing my travel iron? Will they not allow this ?? I didn't see any "no travel irons/steamers" rule listed on cruise line web sight.:confused:

[lisiamc]

In addition to basic manners.....PLEASE wash your hands often. If you need to sneeze or cough, rather than doing so into your hands, use the crook of your elbow and wash your hands afterward.

 

I'm a messy sneezer - I wish I could sneeze little cat sneezes like some people, but I can't. You would not be happy if I sneezed into the crook of my elbow - trust me on this. And I will look very strange walking across the dining room with my face still hidden in my elbow. (And I'm very likely to fall over something since I can't see properly that way!):o So I'm going to keep sneezing into a tissue if I can find one in time, or into my hand if not. But I promise that I will go immediately and wash my hands before I touch another thing.

[paul929207]

Travel irons are not allowed.

 

Some lines have passenger self-service laundries and have irons in them.

[flashdog_1]

Do not under any circumstances let children, even if accompanied by an adult, into the hot tubs. There is a sign there indicating the required age. The kids you see hogging them can read. This "it doesn't apply to me business" is quite irritating. If you take children on a cruise inform them of the rules ahead of time, and do not just let them run loose.

 

I would guess that most adults do not want to step foot in a hot tub that is being used as a private swimming pool for splashers.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Travel irons are not allowed.

 

Some lines have passenger self-service laundries and have irons in them.

 

 

Not only are they a fire hazard, but they draw a lot of power. In my quilting group we know that one iron uses as much electricity as seven sewing machines running.

[ducklite]

:confused:

 

 

I was planing on bringing my travel iron? Will they not allow this ?? I didn't see any "no travel irons/steamers" rule listed on cruise line web sight.:confused:

 

Very few if any will allow this. Most will take it from your checked luggage and return it after you get off the ship. Pressing charges are very reasonable. Bring a bottle of Downy Wrinkle Remover and send out things that are hopelessly wrinkled.

[Mom2B&Z]

I would add to this by saying that Couples should take their first cruise without children. That way when you do not everyone in the family is new at it. Even if you are on another cruise line, you kinda know what to expect, and than can then focus on your family having a great time.

Respectfully, I have to disagree. Anyone who has done the least bit of travelling will be able to successfully take children on a cruise.

IMNSHO it's easier to cruise with children than take land-based vacations, as a cruise ship is a self-contained environment. It's very difficult to figure out how exactly how X resort in Y country will be run, what type of food it will have, entertainment, quality of children's programs etc. There can be significant differences even within one chain of hotels due to differences in location, which you don't get as much with cruise ships.

[Evasofia]

I am very surprised at all the things that annoy people. We are all so different and come from different countries, and what is common sense in one culture can be very different in another.

Why putting so much energy into what other people do or don't. Think about what you do yourself. You can only change your own behavior never anyone elses...

I try to laugh inside me instead of being angry at people's different manners.

Enjoy cruising and focus on what is important! :)

[luvella4ever]

Thanks for the info everyone. I wasn't aware that travel irons were not allowed and no I won't drag it all the way there to not be able to use it! I was just hoping I wouldn't have to go to the pressing station , but I will have no problem doing so now.

Great info everyone, even if some of the posts make me laugh .I am bringing my 6 year old daughter, and I promise all the negative nellies that she will not throw peas at other cruisers heads during dinner! ;)

[CruiseLuvver]

A couple of other ideas:

Please, please wear some kind of footwear in the buffet area. Too many times I've seen people come into the buffet with bare feet, stop and scratch the bottom of said feet and then serve themselves in the buffet. That's just gross. Heck, for that matter, please wear a cover up if you're in a bathing suit. Nothing like sitting in a chair after someone in a thong was sitting there, covered in greasy suntan lotion.

 

Oh good heavens! Don't the staff stop them? All the lines I've been on have staff waiting at the doors, and no way would they let someone in with bare feet or wearing just a swimsuits.

 

 

 

I would also add to the previous comments:

1. Don't push into lifts. Those coming out have right of way, and if someone's trying to get out of your lift, get out and give them room to leave.

 

2. Don't load your plate with half the buffet. The ship will not run out of food, but you may well run out of stomach space, and then that food is just wasted.

[CruiseLuvver]

However, this topic does raise one question in my mind...

Why are there no "adults only" cruises?? We our going on our first cruise in Feb., and I searched for an adults-only venue (again, only because I'm not bringing my own kids along) but I couldn't find ANY that offer that. Has anyone every been on one or heard of one??

 

Interesting - there certainly are in Europe. Someone else mentioned P&O - it has two adults-only ships, and Thomson offers one.

[CruiseLuvver]

Respectfully' date=' I have to disagree. Anyone who has done the least bit of travelling will be able to successfully take children on a cruise.

IMNSHO it's easier to cruise with children than take land-based vacations, as a cruise ship is a self-contained environment. It's very difficult to figure out how exactly how X resort in Y country will be run, what type of food it will have, entertainment, quality of children's programs etc. There can be significant differences even within one chain of hotels due to differences in location, which you don't get as much with cruise ships.[/quote']

 

I agree - the trick is to go for one that's family-friendly, preferably with a kids' club, a special dining time/room, and a babysitting service. I've been on several cruises where there were a lot of kids, and most of them were kept very busy, and didn't disturb us at all. We got friendly with one mother and daughter on the plane out, and later the mother joined us at most meals because the daughter was too busy having fun in the kids' club.

[ManitoulinTwo]

I am very surprised at all the things that annoy people. We are all so different and come from different countries, and what is common sense in one culture can be very different in another.

Why putting so much energy into what other people do or don't. Think about what you do yourself. You can only change your own behavior never anyone elses...

I try to laugh inside me instead of being angry at people's different manners.

Enjoy cruising and focus on what is important! :)

 

Evasofia: You are so right! It is better to behaving politely and be kind and tolerant than to grumble and gripe. I am enjoying reading this thread though so that I can learn about what the protocols are.

 

Errr...What about hair straighteners? Are they generally tolerated?

[suzski]

 

Errr...What about hair straighteners? Are they generally tolerated?

 

Yes they are absolutely authorized! This girl does not travel without one!

[gottahavefun]

If you have the time,the best way to see it all is to just sit back and people watch embarkation and embarkation. Sometimes this show is better than any you will see on the ship.

[pr1vatepiles]

thanks for all the info guys and gals, has proven very useful indeed.

 

PP

[lovevacadays]

The staff are hardworking, and cater to your every whim with a smile on their faces. Do not feel that gives you the right to treat them like servants or slaves. Say "please" and "thank you".

 

It does amaze me how people don't use please and thank you. But, I see this in my local Starbucks as well. When did "could I please have a...." go out of style?

[lovevacadays]

I am very surprised at all the things that annoy people. We are all so different and come from different countries, and what is common sense in one culture can be very different in another.

Why putting so much energy into what other people do or don't. Think about what you do yourself. You can only change your own behavior never anyone elses...

I try to laugh inside me instead of being angry at people's different manners.

Enjoy cruising and focus on what is important! :)

 

I think this was just a general thread for fun

[Beopthtuh]

Done! I think we can shake hands now. ;)

 

However, this topic does raise one question in my mind...

Why are there no "adults only" cruises?? We our going on our first cruise in Feb., and I searched for an adults-only venue (again, only because I'm not bringing my own kids along) but I couldn't find ANY that offer that. Has anyone every been on one or heard of one??

 

Of course, my husband's concern was that if we DID find an adults-only cruise, it would be full of "swingers" :eek: LOL

uk based p&o cruise has 3 adult only ships the cruise the seven seas and not for the cultural adult scene u mentioned.

its not only mums and children who offend people us adults can do the same .

cruisings for everyone we just need to be more tolerent of other folks feelings

[trolleywood]

One of the tips I didn't seem to see, and I apologize if it has been posted previously, is one regarding ironing your clothing. The first cruise we went on we waited until the formal night to iron dress shirts and slacks, and that was a huge mistake as everyone else had the same idea! The next year we were much better about it and got all the ironing done the day we got on the ship. It might seem like a hassle at the time, but you'll be glad later when you don't have to wait for a half hour to use an iron!

 

Also, try and keep your cabin as clean as possible. This seems like a no brainer, but especially with kids it seems that the cabin gets messy really quick! On our first cruise it was a hassle to pack because everything was strewn about. Since then we've gotten much better about containing our mess, especially dirty clothes!

[KBS1607]

We had a fine time, and greatly enjoyed the ports of call, but the sea days (and particularly sea nights) were not what I would consider a family friendly environment, regardless of what the cruise commercials would make you think. When children are annoying and their parents don't resolve the situation, I agree, it's a pain. It doesn't usually happen all night though.

 

The drunken adults on our cruise were much more disrespectful and obnoxious, and for far longer, than any of the children.

 

My $.02.

This was from several pages back but I'd love to know what line you were on? To avoid it. Our adult daughter loves cruising and has been cruising since she was five. I am sorry your 8 yr old and you didn't enjoy it.

 

Kim

[CruiseLuvver]

One of the tips I didn't seem to see, and I apologize if it has been posted previously, is one regarding ironing your clothing. The first cruise we went on we waited until the formal night to iron dress shirts and slacks, and that was a huge mistake as everyone else had the same idea! The next year we were much better about it and got all the ironing done the day we got on the ship. It might seem like a hassle at the time, but you'll be glad later when you don't have to wait for a half hour to use an iron!

 

Also, try and keep your cabin as clean as possible. This seems like a no brainer, but especially with kids it seems that the cabin gets messy really quick! On our first cruise it was a hassle to pack because everything was strewn about. Since then we've gotten much better about containing our mess, especially dirty clothes!

 

Too right - the laundry rooms are a madhouse on formal nights!

I spotted fabric drawstring laundry bags in a dollar store on a trip to the US a while back, and they've been invaluable for keeping clothes tidy - I pack all the formal wear on the way out to protect them, and then they hold all the dirty clothes while on the ship, and they're perfect for carrying it to the laundry room. Just wish I'd bought a few more!

[Suzieanna]

I know this post has been asleep for a while but I have two things worth mentioning. Good timekeeping is essential. If you are on a port day, make sure you get back to the ship in good time! They will not wait for you! Many's the time I have stood on my balcony watching people running as fast as they can before the ramp is took away! In casinos, do not put your bag/phone etc on the gaming table at any time. You will be told in no uncertain terms from the dealer to shift it! Of course, This is the same in all casinos but if a person is not a regular at these sort of gigs they might not know that.