Cruise passenger ‘misstep’ to avoid

cruise holidays have had a revival since then coronavirus trip restrictions were lifted, leading many to embark on their first holiday at sea. But before they go to port, cruise expert, author and blogger Elaine Warren, who runs The Family Cruise Companionhas warned vacationers about some common “faux pas” they should avoid.

“Let’s face it, everyone has their quirks,” she told Express.co.uk. “But some cruisers go a little too far in mistakenly thinking that these quirks are acceptable in society.”

Arriving late at a port

In some cases, the problems can start before passengers reach the port – usually because they are late.

Elaine said: “Arriving late at the 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 a specific time frame for passengers to board. For some cruises, the time you can board your cruise varies depending on the type of stateroom you have and what time your cruise departs.

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Carrying excessive baggage

Packing for a vacation can be stressful, and with so many activities and events on offer, it can be easy to pack too much. However, Elaine urges passengers to really think about what they do and don’t need before putting it in their bags.

“One thing you should never do is pack too much stuff like a tourist,” she said. “Not only does this put extra strain on your back and shoulders, but it’s also illegal in many ports of call.

“If you’re caught packing more than is allowed by law, you could lose your holiday pay and be fined by the carrier.”

Cruise lines are likely to set rules about how much luggage you are allowed on board, as well as items that have been banned from the ship.

Passengers should always check these before zipping their bags up for the journey.

Being rude to employees?

No matter how much money you spend on a cruise vacation, being rude to the staff is never acceptable. Elaine even says it’s one of the biggest no-nos passengers.

“No matter how tired or busy someone feels during peak season, always treat employees with respect and refrain from speaking loudly or making hostile comments,” she said.

“I’ve seen countless people get kicked off the liner, mostly because of too much alcohol. It’s weird, but some people just behave differently on a cruise ship.

“It’s like when it rained at school and all the kids started acting like wild animals. It’s not tolerated at sea, so good behavior is paramount.”