If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know the crew members work tirelessly to ensure you have the best vacation possible. But did you know that some passenger habits drive them absolutely nuts? Matt Hochberg, the mastermind behind Royal Caribbean Blog, recently shared a list of cruise crew members’ biggest pet peeves—and honestly, every cruiser should take notes.
Want to stay on the crew’s good side? Here are five things that drive them up the (ship’s) wall and why you should avoid them.
1. Sneaking Into Your Cabin Before It’s Ready
We get it—you’re excited to start your vacation. You’ve just boarded, and you can’t wait to dump your bags, flop onto the bed, and start enjoying that sweet, sweet unlimited buffet. But here’s the thing: cabins take time to clean, and crew members are working at lightning speed to get them ready for you.
Royal Caribbean doesn’t allow passengers to drop off bags in their rooms before they officially open, unlike its sister brand, Celebrity Cruises. Why? Because having guests in the hallways slows down the cleaning process, which means everyone has to wait longer.
And sure, maybe you can slip past unnoticed, but if enough people do it, it creates chaos. Plus, crew members have to stop and politely ask you to leave, which eats into the time they could be using to get your room ready faster. So, do everyone a favor—grab a drink, hit the buffet, and let the crew work their magic.
2. Bringing Your Own Toilet Paper and Wet Wipes
No one is saying cruise-ship toilet paper is luxurious. In fact, it’s basically one step above sandpaper. But there’s a reason it’s so thin—it’s specifically designed for cruise ship plumbing.
Bringing your own plush, ultra-thick toilet paper or (worse) flushing wet wipes can spell disaster for the entire plumbing system. And guess what? If you clog the system, it’s not just your cabin that suffers. Hundreds of cabins could experience plumbing issues—all because you wanted a softer wipe.
Want a pro tip? Bring some flushable wipes—but don’t flush them. Just toss them in the trash like a responsible cruiser. The crew will thank you (even if they never know you saved them from a plumbing nightmare).
3. Complaining to Guest Services About the Weather
Ah yes, the classic “Can you do something about this rain?” complaint. As much as the captain would love to be a weather-controlling superhero, he’s not Thor. He’s got navigation skills, not storm-summoning abilities.
Cruise lines do their best to avoid bad weather, adjusting routes when possible. But sometimes, rough seas, rain, or wind are just part of the adventure. Marching up to Guest Services to vent about the weather is like yelling at your Wi-Fi router for a slow connection—it won’t change anything, and it’s just frustrating for everyone involved.
Instead, embrace the moment! If it’s raining, grab a drink and enjoy a cozy indoor activity. If it’s windy, channel your inner Jack and Rose (minus the tragic ending). The crew can do a lot for you, but controlling Mother Nature isn’t one of them.
4. Asking Crew Members to Bend the Rules for You
“But my kid is really mature for his age!”
“But I’m only one inch too short for the slide!”
“But we’re on our honeymoon, can’t we just sneak into the adults-only area?”
Listen, we get it. Some rules seem ridiculous. But cruise lines don’t make these rules for fun—they exist for safety, fairness, and the overall experience of everyone on board. More importantly, crew members don’t make the rules. When you ask them to break them, you’re putting them in a tough spot.
Think about it: that lifeguard stopping your kid from riding the slide isn’t trying to ruin your vacation. They’re making sure your kid doesn’t get hurt. The server who won’t let you take 10 lobster tails from the buffet isn’t being stingy—they’re ensuring everyone gets a fair share.
So, instead of trying to bend the rules, just roll with them. After all, you’re on vacation!
5. Not Speaking Up When There’s a Problem
Ironically, one of the biggest frustrations for cruise ship crews is when passengers don’t complain—but then later leave a scathing review about an issue that could have been fixed on the spot.
Your cabin is too cold? Tell Guest Services. Your dinner wasn’t cooked right? Let your waiter know. Something’s bothering you? Speak up!
Crew members genuinely want to help. But if you stay silent and then blast them in a post-cruise survey, you’re not giving them a chance to make things right. Most issues can be resolved quickly, and the crew is happy to fix them. Just don’t expect them to conjure up a sunny day out of thin air (see point #3).
Cruise Ship Crew Members Work Hard—Help Them Out!
At the end of the day, crew members are there to make your vacation amazing. They work long hours, deal with demanding guests, and do it all with a smile. A little patience and understanding go a long way.
So, next time you’re cruising, remember these pet peeves and try to be the kind of passenger that crew members love. Trust us—your trip (and theirs) will be better for it.
What’s the most annoying thing you’ve seen a fellow passenger do on a cruise? Drop your stories in the comments below!
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