15 Things Polite Floridians Never Do On Cruises
When you board a ship like Norwegian Encore or Carnival Mardi Gras, you’re basically agreeing to share your vacation with a few thousand strangers.
That’s part of the fun—and part of the challenge.
From saving seats at shows to buffet etiquette, here’s what the politest Floridian passengers never do on board.
Hogging Deck Chairs on the Lido Deck
On ships like the Carnival Celebration, the Lido Deck pool area becomes a battleground for deck chairs the moment the sun comes up. Some folks toss a towel or a paperback on a chair at 7:00 a.m. and vanish until lunchtime, thinking they’ve claimed a spot for the whole day.
Polite passengers know better.
Cruise staff will even leave “courtesy notes” on abandoned chairs if they see you’ve disappeared for too long.
If you’re just popping into the BlueIguana Cantina for a breakfast burrito, fine. But if you plan on vanishing for hours while you play trivia or get a spa treatment, it’s only fair to give up your chair.
Everyone deserves a shot at snagging that perfect sunny spot without having to play detective over who “owns” which towel.
Deck chairs are precious real estate, especially on sea days. A little self-awareness goes a long way. Sit when you’re sitting. Leave when you’re leaving. Simple.
Cutting the Buffet Line at Windjammer Café
Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Café is buffet heaven. But it can also turn into a nightmare if people start cutting in line.
Nobody wants to see someone sneak between stations just because they “only want one slice of pizza.” Polite passengers wait their turn, even if the smell of warm garlic bread is driving them crazy.
Buffet lines on ships like the Odyssey of the Seas usually move faster than newbie passengers expect. Staff are constantly restocking the bacon, pancakes, and desserts.
Plus, missing out on one tray of crab legs isn’t the end of the world—they’ll likely bring out more in five minutes.
On a cruise, patience pays off. Nobody needs a hangry showdown at the salad bar.
Yelling in Hallways on Disney Wish
Cruising on Disney Wish feels like stepping into a floating fairy tale. But it’s not so magical when passengers come staggering back from Pirate Night parties at 1 a.m., yelling and laughing through the hallways.
Cabin walls are as thin as Olaf’s arms; every loud word feels like it’s happening inside someone else’s room.
Polite cruisers keep their voices down at night, especially when they’re walking to their rooms. Whisper-laughing after midnight is way better than shouting about how awesome the fireworks were.
If you must gush over the deck party or sing a rousing chorus of “Let It Go,” save it for inside your cabin.
Your neighbors will silently thank you—and so will their sleepy kids.
Saving Whole Rows at the Norwegian Bliss Theater
The theater on Norwegian Bliss hosts everything from Broadway musicals to comedians.
But getting a good seat doesn’t mean throwing down a dozen flip-flops and claiming an entire row for your buddies who are still at the buffet. Polite passengers know it’s rude to reserve more than one or two seats, max.
On busy show nights, Norwegian even warns passengers that saved seats can be taken if your group isn’t there.
And trust us, nobody wants to argue about chair rights two minutes before “Jersey Boys” starts.
Plan ahead. Meet up early, grab your seats together, and enjoy the show without making enemies before the first note even plays.
Blocking Walkways on Royal Promenade
On Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the Royal Promenade is the heart of the ship. It’s packed with shops, parades, pizza, and dancing robots.
It’s also a major traffic zone, and polite passengers don’t clog it up.
Stopping dead in the middle of the promenade to look at your phone, debate gelato flavors, or argue about which elevator to take causes a human traffic jam.
If you need a minute, pull off to the side—just like you would if you needed to check a map in Times Square.
Everyone’s trying to get somewhere, whether it’s a flash mob dance or a last-minute sale at the souvenir shop. Keep it moving and you’ll make everyone’s day smoother.
Tossing Trash Overboard
It’s heartbreaking—and infuriating—when a passenger thinks it’s okay to toss a plastic cup or cigarette butt over a cruise ship railing.
Polite passengers never treat the sea like a dumpster.
Carnival, like most cruise lines, has strict rules about keeping the oceans clean. If you get caught littering, you can be fined or kicked off the ship at the next port.
Not exactly the kind of souvenir you want to bring home.
Most decks have tons of trash and recycling bins, and crew members work hard to keep everything spotless. Help them out and respect the ocean you’re lucky enough to be floating on.
Hogging Elevators on Norwegian Encore
Elevators on ships like Norwegian Encore turn into bumper cars during busy times—especially after shows or when everyone’s trying to get to the pool deck.
Polite passengers don’t shove in when elevators are already packed, and they definitely let people with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility issues go first.
If you’re able-bodied and only need to go a few floors, taking the stairs is usually faster anyway. Plus, it lets you feel a tiny bit better about hitting the chocolate buffet later.
And when you do get in an elevator?
Step aside so others can squeeze in too. It’s not rocket science—it’s just basic courtesy.
Sneaking Kids Into Adults-Only Areas on Royal Caribbean’s Solarium
Royal Caribbean’s Solarium is pure bliss: adults-only pools, waterfalls, and hot tubs where grown-ups can chill without splash fights.
But every now and then, someone tries to sneak their kid into the 16+ area “just for a little while.” Polite passengers don’t do that.
The Solarium isn’t about being anti-kid. It’s about giving adults a place to truly relax. There are entire splash parks, family pools, and ice cream stations made just for kids elsewhere on the ship.
Let the adults have their bubble of peace, and take the little ones to adventure elsewhere.
Everyone will end up happier—including your kids, once they see that giant waterslide with no adults in the way.
Camping Out in the Hot Tub for Hours on Disney Fantasy
On the Disney Fantasy, the hot tubs near the Quiet Cove Pool are pure magic. They even have glass bottoms so you can look down at the ocean while you soak.
But polite passengers know better than to treat a hot tub like their personal living room for hours on end.
Spending a little time bubbling away is great, but hogging a spot all afternoon while others awkwardly hover nearby is just bad manners. Hot tubs are small, and on a busy sea day, half the ship might want a turn.
Plus, sitting in hot water too long can’t even be good for you. Hello, prune fingers.
The best cruisers take a quick dip, relax, and move on. It’s more fun anyway—you get to enjoy the hot tub, the pool, the loungers, and maybe a Mickey ice cream bar after.
Win-win.
Being Rude to Crew on Carnival Sunshine
The crew on the Carnival Sunshine work incredibly hard to make sure your cruise is unforgettable, from the bartenders who know your drink order by day two to the housekeeping staff who fold towel animals like wizards.
Polite passengers never, ever take out their bad mood on the crew.
Sometimes stuff goes wrong: your cabin isn’t ready exactly when you arrive, the pizza line takes forever, or the weather causes your snorkeling trip to be canceled.
None of those things is the crew’s fault. Yelling at them or being snippy only ruins your vacation—and makes you look like the villain in someone else’s cruise story.
The happiest cruisers treat the crew like the superheroes they are. A smile, a “thank you,” or a quick compliment can absolutely make someone’s day.
Plus, if you’re especially nice, you might just find an extra chocolate on your pillow one night.
Being Drunk and Disorderly at Royal Caribbean’s Schooner Bar
The Schooner Bar on Royal Caribbean ships like the Harmony of the Seas is the perfect place to grab a cocktail, sing along to piano classics, and soak up the ship’s cozy atmosphere.
But polite passengers know the golden rule: Don’t be that drunk guy or gal.
It’s easy to get carried away on cruise ships where drinks are flowing and the bartenders are generous with their pours.
But slurring your words, knocking over tables, and shouting through “Piano Man” ruins the fun for everybody else. Plus, security on cruise ships is no joke—you can get cut off, kicked out, or even confined to your cabin.
Enjoy your drinks, sing your heart out, and have a blast—but know your limits.
Nobody wants their Caribbean getaway to end with an embarrassing story starring you.
Leaving Room Service Trays All Over the Hallways on Norwegian Escape
One of the best little luxuries on the Norwegian Escape is free room service breakfast while you’re still in your pajamas.
But polite passengers know what to do after the meal is over: don’t just abandon the tray in the hallway for hours like it’s some kind of art installation.
Yes, it’s totally normal to put your empty tray outside your door once you’re done—but it’s also good manners to do it thoughtfully. If you leave piles of plates, half-eaten bacon, and tipped-over coffee cups right in the middle of the walkway, it becomes a hazard (and a gross one at that).
Stack your items neatly off to the side so the hardworking crew can swoop by and collect them easily.
Bonus: You’ll make the hallway smell a lot less like day-old syrup and soggy scrambled eggs.
Hogging Laundry Machines on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas
If you’ve ever sailed on Liberty of the Seas, you know there’s a secret hidden treasure onboard: self-serve laundry rooms.
They’re lifesavers on longer cruises, but polite passengers remember those washers and dryers aren’t their property.
Starting a load and then disappearing for three hours while a line of people builds up? Super rude.
Filling three machines at once when other people are waiting? Also rude.
The nice way to do it is to set a timer, come back when your load’s done, and keep things moving.
Taking Over the Sports Court on Carnival Vista
On the Carnival Vista, the SkyRide and the SportsSquare courts are major hangouts for families and teens. But polite passengers don’t take over the basketball court for hours without letting others have a turn.
Just because you won three games of pickup doesn’t mean you now own the hoop.
Crew members usually set rules for these spots—like limiting games to a certain time or rotating teams. But even without official rules, a little courtesy goes a long way. Play a game, take a break, let a new group jump in.
Trust us: dunking on strangers might feel cool for about ten seconds, but sharing the court makes you way more popular.
Plus, you’ll get a breather to go grab a Guy’s Burger while someone else takes a shot.
Forgetting to Shower Before the Pool on Norwegian Breakaway
There’s a reason there are signs everywhere at the pools on Norwegian Breakaway telling you to rinse off first. Polite passengers actually do it.
It’s not just about washing off sunscreen and sweat—it’s about keeping the water clean for everyone else.
Nobody wants to swim through a soup of lotion, hair gel, and mystery oils. A quick rinse under the showers near the pool only takes a minute and makes a massive difference in how clean the water stays.
Think of it this way: if you wouldn’t dive into a pool someone who just ran a 5K is swimming in, you probably shouldn’t be that sweaty person either.
A fast rinse = a fresher pool = a happier ship.
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