15 Things You Should NEVER Do in Your Cruise Ship Cabin

Cruises are a time to kick back, relax, and not think about day-to-day responsibilities. Even so, there are some rules -- both explicit and implied -- that you should follow while onboard.
You should not, for instance, smoke in areas that are not designated for smoking or engage in any unruly or disruptive behavior.
When it comes to your stateroom, while it is your "home away from home" for the duration of the cruise, there are some things that you should refrain from doing in your cabin.
Some are against the cruise line's rules, and others are simply a courtesy to those around you in neighboring rooms.
Here are 15 things you should never do in your cruise ship cabin.
Read more: cruise.blog/

[@pooryorick831]

I smoked on my cabin balcony. I bought a Cuban cigar in Colombia and I wanted to smoke it. I asked the cabin steward if it was allowed. He said yes and brought me an ash tray. My advice is that if you are wondering whether something is allowed or not, ask. Maybe it is allowed. But never assume something like that is allowed.

[@colonial6452]

When on cruises, we have had several Indonesian stateroom attendants or dining room staff. My wife speaks Indonesian and when the staff finds this out, our service level suddenly improves. We were told that there was a 45 minute wait for a table in one specialty restaurant but, when the hostess learned that my wife was fluent in her language, a vacant table was available. Interesting. Be nice to the staff.

[@ivanamitchell6944]

I always look for Indonesian crew when on the cruise!

[@willgaukler8979]

...remember they are working ... your the one on vacation ... just always be nice ... makes you feel good too ...

[@steveredacted1394]

I've never been on a cruise but I've stayed in hotels enough to know you should always be nice to the staff, it makes a huge difference to how they will treat you

[@user-gg5mb8de6w]

You make 'statesroom' one word. Why not 'diningroom"?

[@youdontknowme2915]

Racism is fun

[@carolepeck3829]

Cabin attendants are heroes. Dishes in narrow hallways are trip hazards.

[@Old_Foxy_Grandpa]

What is amazing to me is that people need to be told this.

[@fen0000]

They really don't 😊

[@nikkibest5010]

Welcome to the 2020s😮

[@chrisrolinson-do8yg]

We have just returned from a South Pacific cruise and were absolutely stunned by the totally rude and aggressive way some passengers treated the staff as if they were their servants. Drunk, demanding, horrible. The crew worked so hard to assist and nothing they did was good enough. People please pack your manners when you leave home.

[@ST52655]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@tinawilliams983]

Most ships DO NOT want you to put your food trays/dishes outside your cabin. It’s a hazard for anyone walking by. Instead call and have it removed from your cabin.

[@dobees8183]

Weird, I just went on my first cruise ever on RC, and that's actually their rule, to put all dirty dishes outside on the hallway. Yes, I get your point, there's drunk people stumbling in the hallways....

[@donnaschuepbach3830]

​@@dobees8183Same when I asked on Discovery Princess and Carnival Panorama.

[@jusadude7162]

Don’t take your kids into the adults only area! Every freaking cruise some idiot parents trot their youngsters into the adult pool. Apparently the rules don’t apply to them 🤦‍♂️

[@cijmo]

My dad worked on a cruise ship a long time ago (that's how my parents met LOL ... mum was taking a cruise and met the bartender!) and he said one of the reasons for not hanging things on your balcony is that, if it blows off, it creates a false 'man overboard' because they don't know if it's clothing or just a towel, is someone out there? It's very expensive to search and find out it was just someone's towel or beach wrap that blew off.

[@jgesselberty]

Was on a cruise where the people in the next cabin sat out on their balcony, with the door open and their television on full blast so they could hear it outside. Complete jerks.

[@MoDavI-sl7iy]

Smh. Why not report them?

[@yvonnenolan8945]

@@MoDavI-sl7iy😊😊Iuhn

[@teams3345]

I always clean my room be fore leaving each day.

[@alallen2767]

Maybe you should have also said,... If any of these things seem unreasonable to you, JUST DON'T CRUISE!

[@christinejewels2944]

too true I cannot anything worse

[@laureneeheman5981]

Ask your cabin steward where to put dirty dishes. Some cruise lines dont want them in the hallway due to tripping hazards (and who wants to round a corner and accidentally step in leftover pizza.)

[@helenbinns8306]

With at least 10 dining rooms on a ship, WHY would anyone eat in their room ,(unless one was ill)

[@willgaukler8979]

... this will also help set the tone with your cabin steward

[@bluscorpion]

Thanks for the tips and reminders. It's sad to think people would throw things off of the balcony, but no surprise. I work in transportation and it's surprising how little regard people have for throwing trash on the ground and on the subway car.

[@udubeats4543]

You should never assume that putting dishes outside your door is appropriate. You MUST ask. Most cruise lines will see leaving things in the hall as a hazard and request you leave them in your room. If that's the case, don't just spew them all over. Neatly stack them on the desk or coffee table if provided, a single spot, to save your steward from having to search for everything.

[@cassandramuthleb2486]

So true. The hallway in front of the room doors is so narrow on most cruise ships that it is a hazard putting anything in the hallway.

[@Tee55118]

Oh Cuz I do that on land resorts. Thanks

[@cassandramuthleb2486]

@@Tee55118 The hallways at a land resort are two to two and a half times wider than ship hallways. Very narrow...

[@willgaukler8979]

... leave the dishes neatly in your cabin ... if there really bothering you call back to room service ...

[@mariaharrison7228]

It's sad that you have to say ' don't jump off your balcony ' the general public are scary! 🤣🤪🤣🤪

[@karagregory69]

I love the code of conduct policy. I like to hang out in the piano bar, and on every cruise so far I've taken there always is at least one person around 11pm or midnight on the drink package who gets cut off because they are drunk and they start to scream at the barender or server who denied the drink. 3 security personel were in the room in about 8 seconds to ask them to step outside the room.

[@ravannaschonlau6388]

Ooops!! Man overboard 😂😅🤣

[@elohoawusi3845]

Are the drinks free?

[@cruisecrazy7066]

I believe the rule is "Do not use power cords WITH a surge protector". I think that you have it backward at 7:02.

[@dchenkin02]

Most cruise lines now prohibit any power strips and extension cords. Only USB adapter ports are now allowed by many cruise lines.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

@@dchenkin02 That's news to me. So how do you put a clock by your bed?

[@michaels3003]

​@@cruisecrazy7066, you bring a travel ⏰ that runs on batteries🔋🔋.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

@@michaels3003 My clock stays lit all the time, so I don't have to reach over and push a button to read it. I just open an eye, and then easily go back to sleep.

[@michaels3003]

@@cruisecrazy7066 , I've seen videos of ships' cabins showing electrical outlets (receptacles) close to the floor near backs of the beds. I assume the cabin attendants know about them. I don't know, however, if a clock with a cord would be removed from the luggage during the embarkation (based on a *potential* trip hazard).

[@CrankyBeach]

I bring a battery-powered candle every time I travel, including cruising. It serves as a night light in the bathroom.

[@billroettgen7099]

You need to correct your advise stating not to use power cords without a surge protector.

[@margiecoleman7058]

So true about birds getting into stateroom thru open balcony door. While cruising off Catalina Island I noticed a sea bird sitting happily on my balcony railing. I closed the balcony door (after getting a few pictures of my visitor.)

[@frankrosenbaum3471]

Another 'never do' is to wait till the last minute to get to the muster drill. Since Carnival has gone to the new style drill, my wife and I go to the assigned muster station as soon as we get onboard.

[@NJ-Cathie]

You forgot have a barbecue on your balcony or stoke up the George Foreman grill in your cabin! 😂

[@edl5731]

I remember overhearing two teenage boys telling a third boy about the lady on the adjacent ship that hadn't followed you advice about closing the curtains when nude. Sounded like it was the highlight of their cruise. They were quite glad they had brought binoculars.

[@nikkibest5010]

Lolz! I can imagine. 😅

[@MoDavI-sl7iy]

😂🤣😭

[@jesseinAZ]

Convinced me to stay off these floating fire hazards!

[@suemommie]

Princess Cruise Lines have a laundry room with washers and dryers as well as ironing boards and irons for passenger use fyi. Edit: you will have to either bring laundry pods and dryer sheets or purchase them from the dispenser.

[@susan7775]

Definitely take some. They are extremely overpriced

[@MaggieHarriss01]

All that stuff is free on Cunard. 😊

[@queenslanddiva]

Your actual writing says "Don't use power cords without a surge protector" You might want to fix that.

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

I had little battery candles, the replacement battery’s were in the draw below. Our attendant changed the batteries in our candles! So nice! He was wonderfully, left an extra tip on leaving

[@seedabeauty]

Wet toilet wipes shouldn't be flushed, either. They should be tossed into a plastic bag lined pail. Those wipes can cause clogs even though they are marketed as flushable. This is frustrating because they are great sanitary finishes after you wipe. Sorry, if this seems crude. It isn't meant to be.

[@carlosa.sanchez896]

Nothing could be funnier than a careless passenger returning to their room and discovering that Jonathan Livingston Seagull did a doodle on their bed!

[@gbgentleman]

One thing people should not do is bring their own toilet paper. They might want that extra softness, but it very likely incompatible with the waste system onboard.

[@tamimoberg5079]

This is great info!!

[@lynettemcendarfer8672]

I miss cruising!! I have not been since before COVID. The cheapest, best vacations I have ever been on.

[@cousinevey]

These rules seem so obvious, but people still need to be told. Thanks for doing that. But I wonder why you don't tell us on what ships some of those magnificent state rooms are. I'd sign up right now to have them!

[@travelwithdebandnick]

Great advice :)

[@mjc8281]

My understanding while its not common there are still a number of cruise lines that allow smoking on balconies... Costa for example.

[@sheilathompson7613]

I took a cruise in 2016,( it was about my 20th cruise), and the experience was so horrible that I made the decision to never cruise again. I won’t name the cruise line, but it was a popular one with which I had cruised a few times prior to the 2016 one. The cabin steward was rude and lazy. We found clothes that had been left behind by previous guests under one of the beds. She argued with us when we brought this to her attention and refused to remove the items. The dining room waiter was also inattentive and largely absent, but the busboy was wonderful. The overall experience was so negative that I went to the purser on the final night requesting that the line refund my mandatory tip. I’d never done this before in all the years that I’d been cruising. I guess I’ve said enough.

[@jewelqueen5949]

Whoops... I violated two of them on my first cruise a month ago. My cabin mate left opened the curtains, and left the stateroom for coffee while I was in the shower. I had to scramble to close when I came out. Also, I honestly didnt know about the steamer. On formal night I steamed my dress...

[@grrriallen7192]

II have actually used my hair straightener to press my clothes. Just make sure you clean the plates well, place the fabric between the plates and iron away. Or just put them no the bed and lay he back side of the heated hair ctraightener across the garment and it will do pretty well.

[@davidh9844]

I wasn't aware that jumping off your cabin balcony was frowned upon. Very good report, I wish you had identified the ship and room categories of the various cabins that you presented in the video.

[@annm.7176]

The last trip we made on Prince's even the best breads were dirty. We did take a cheaper broom at the last minute with bunk beds but we were never in the room anyway.

[@dobees8183]

If you can't live without your cigarettes, candles, and whatever else, STAY HOME.

[@rickhinds3130]

You can not get by with closing your balcony door you have to lock it to get the AC to work. Guess how I found that out.

[@lizarichards2243]

NOOOO!!! Do not leave dirty dishes outside your cabin! The hallways are very narrow and there are some cruisers in wheelchairs and scooters. We always make it easier by scraping food into the trash can and stacking the plates.

[@jackiegromacki686]

There is no reason to be rude. My husband uses depends shields for urine leaks. I take ziplock bags to put the used ones in. Safety for the room attendant.

[@kimberlylee8639]

Love the tips. Great reminders. I don’t understand the recent obsession with the portable speakers 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@Maturleyglam]

Great video BUT you can NOT use serge protecters ANYWHERE ANY SHIP!! You may want to fix that on your video! You say don't use power strips WITHOUT surge protectors but then turn around and say not to. Very confusing for anyone who hadn't cruised before

[@thatbannanwastgood]

In Feb 2023, I had a state room attendant named Carlton on the Allure of the Seas. This man was very friendly, and got good humor. He asked for pizza and we delivered it to him. If anyone sees this man again, let me know!

[@22285CB]

We are grossed out when we see food left outside cabins. It smells, people trip over it and it’s downright tacky! I don’t believe the ship approves either!

[@burjuddubowy347]

It is what you are told to do. However, if you call housekeeping and politely request someone to remove your trays, they do so..

[@iantoh53]

I’d never do any of these. I can’t believe anyone else would.

[@user-xo5tb3cv9h]

Another courtesy tip if sharing a cabin. If you are a light sleeper and wake up about 3am, don't turn your overhead light on to read your book. Leave the cabin and go to a space on one of the numerous floors to read your book. Also, don't open the curtains a little bit at 3am to see what's outside especially on an Antarctic trip where it's still light.

[@thatbannanwastgood]

Why so?

[@locohombreau]

Regards the toilet, land-based toilets arent that different to cruise ships. you should never flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet anywhere. I live in a multi-unit housing complex and others have disposed of things other than toilet paper and the sewerage has overflowed multiple times because of this.

[@stormygcannon1229]

Anyone who has Traveled. Think how one acts should have Commonsense. In the Future learn Etiquette for any Traveling, Especially if from the USA please be kind to all who help. Don't treat the cabins as home nothing should be a fixed to walls and please remember you are not alone on a Cruise. 😊

[@chicagogyrl4846]

Which cruise line/ship was featured at the beginning? My guess is a Carnival ship, which embarks in New Orleans.

[@robertaviles8451]

8:45 I'll be on THAT ship in January 2024! CARNIVAL ELATION My uncle has paid for an a cruise for me, my Mom, my aunt, and my aunt, and him to be onboard for a little "family reunion" ! Who knows when the Dowling family will be together, since Mom and my uncle are in their 60's now. So my uncle decided to do this for reunion, because we live so far apart now.

[@davecooper3238]

Think I will. Carry on camping.

[@freonxkipper]

I've never been on a cruise because I'm a yachtsman and one is ever allowed to steer the ship themselves. And when I hear this, (fully logical) 15 things like don't smoke in none smoking areas of don't steal the bathrobes or towels and so on, I doubt if I will ever do. Just the thought of being surrounded by people who have to be told they should not steal annoys me.

[@anniebananie7887]

Who brings candles on vacation, especially a cruise?

[@devilblueduke]

I know really. I bring firewood and a metal iron stove to use instead

[@Always_Meeka]

Carnival has irons in their laundry rooms for guests to use.

[@charleighconaway9437]

So on our first cruise I was taking a shower and came out finish getting stuff yo get ready for formal night and just had the towel on but my husband had opened the curtain to the balcony and also while in the shower another ship had pulled into port beside us. Needless to say the white haired gentleman across the way got a nice site. But I learned always poke my head out or throw on a robe 😂

[@penguinvic4188]

It wasn’t a cruise ship but a long distance large ferry in the Philippines. On my honeymoon forgot that the (sea) straights were quite narrow. Looked up and out the window of my cabin to see 😮 😯 😲 on the ferry boat travelling in the opposite direction. Then went back to the task at hand ...

[@lancelange9377]

Great video. But i'm a little confused about the surge protector part. You had "don't use power cords without a surge protector" at the top of the screen then say "cruise ships ban surge protector strips" . Am I missing something?

[@Travelin_Gal]

The text is the part that was wrong. Surge protectors are NOT allowed.

[@lancelange9377]

@@Travelin_GalThank you for the clarification.

[@stephanie7572]

I went on 2 cruises, got sick on both, and said never again. Cruising is not for everyone. I wish you would do a video on folks who should NOT be cruising.

[@Eric-jo8uh]

The problem with common sense is…….it’s not common.

[@svetlanashubina4745]

Do NOT leave trays in the hallway - huge hazard plus service carts will not be able to pass through. Call room service if it need to be removed right away.

[@JWParkerPhDDDiv]

Most of these are similar rules to Hotel/Resorts. if you need an iron at more luxary resorts the rooms usually have their own Irons. the irons in hotels have safety features that some reidential irons.

[@CharleneCTX]

Some ships have laundry rooms with irons you can use.

[@kevbama5827]

Yep. Some people think because they are up everyone should be. My generation was taught not to let doors slam. I'm shocked at the people who open hotel and cruise ship cabin doors and just let them slam shut. Incredibly inconsiderate and rude. Societal norms have definitely diminished. Regarding being naked in porT. What if your body is attractive?

[@redhatbear1135]

I have a mobility scooter and now wheelchair. If I can keep a non automatic cabin door from slamming, so can you! There are however a few doors that need a gentle tug which I think causes some to just let it slam!

[@jimstone5401]

Some people are moorons.

[@nogames8982]

Why do people completely lose their minds on vacation? What little common sense they have and daily life completely disappears on vacation. I don't understand it.

[@bethpeters3477]

Really it had to be mentioned not to jump off the balcony. It also should be mentioned not to hang anything on fire sprinklers. Doing so can cause it to go off. Which will cause a big wet mess & a huge fine.

[@annhenriques3520]

I had my next door neighbor do this at the condominium I used to live in. Flooded my place, I was so mad!

[@mrsfivepip]

Don’t leave your dishes in the hall!! People with scooters can’t always get by them. I find it rude to do so!

[@mikev4089]

You forgot #16: Do not drop a deuce (💩) on the bed.

[@keithnewton8981]

Sorry how many cruisechave you been on ? Every one i have been on have self laundry. There are steam irons and ironing boards provided in the laundry rooms on ever deck

[@suzannemcelwee206]

Not on Royal. Our cruise on Carnival we looked but could never find the area that the map said it was and stewards weren’t helpful.

[@chelseaw8617]

So, you appear to be well-versed on cruise ships however, I can tell you were someone to cruises 18+ cruises a year, half of what you’re saying is not true.

[@crazy808ish]

The hilarious part about that is half the people in the comment section saying "this is common sense". Such an amazing superiority complex while being wrong.

[@kathyargento3138]

I think you meant to say: "Don't use a power strip WITH A SURGE PROTECTOR".

[@reyinfante5553]

There should be rule as well for cruise ships stop charging hidden costs like after you max out with your internet use fee, guided tour fee, , certain foods at the dining table fee, swimming with dolphins fee, room service convenience fee, drinks while foood is free, corkage fee, adults with no children room fee, fitness class fee, playground attraction fee, inflation fee and most of all the Tax that is sometimes almost the same as the cruise fee.

[@andreaelizabeth5494]

Are you freaking kidding me? If there was an absolute everything included cost it would be astronomical and no one cruise. Get real

[@user-ny7rt6rt2e]

@@andreaelizabeth5494 wow don’t think I’ll bother going on a cruise it sounds like a money pit and you don’t even know you’re being charged. I thought you paid for the cruise and a drinks package then every thing on ship was for use by everyone.

[@devilblueduke]

Why would a adult get charged a fee for not having a child or children with them ?? Wtf are you on ?? My parents go on a cruise ship every year and they never heard of that !!

[@georgina4874]

Non-surge only.

[@jomonte1326]

It’s rude to leave your dishes outside of your cabin. It’s difficult for people who are in a wheelchair or scooter, it’s makes it difficult for them to pass if those dishes are in their way. Put them on a table or counter asking your attendant to dispose of them.

[@rM-xk9ob]

There are special crude power strips.

[@randycarter2001]

The big deal about shipboard fires is "There's no place to run." So that's why they're so adamant.

[@chrisman1985]

I don't vape and hate smoking, but please tell me in what universe is vaping a REAL problem? Other than people cant smoke, so it's not fair that people can vape. And why you shouldn't be able to do it in your room?

[@glenystranter6423]

If you want to listen to music or watch movies, I would suggest taking headphones or earbuds, so that others can't hear the noise.

[@andreabaumann6301]

longinded!!!

[@user-ob1oi7kn2w]

Try not to throw your kids off the balcony😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@christopherangeli8847]

Don't be rude to your stateroom attendant? Some of these suggestions are just filler. You might as well add Don't hang your underwear on the railing.

[@nancysego4989]

These are the same people that will be nasty to the person who draws their blood and also the same people who will complain about food and send it back.

[@helenbinns8306]

Fancy having to explain common decency to people...shocking state of affairs

[@samcolt1079]

These things should go with out being said. People that act this way should just stay home. Dont be stupid. Thats the trick.

[@paulawashington3175]

One thing not mentioned is not to close the balcony door all the way. This past summer my cousin and I shared a room on a Nile cruise. We discovered that closing the balcony door all the way meant being locked out of the state room. We learned either to leave a slight crack or to pull the drape in front of the lock when on the balcony.

[@nathanwahl9224]

Huh?

[@margotconway8605]

I would have asked someone who worked on the ship if it was possible if the lock was broken. That's a bad hazard for the passenger to be locked out on the balcony. Cruise line could be held liable I would have thought??

[@pamelalambe1356]

Idk, I do not like trying to walk down a hall , and more so when ship is moving a lot and holding on a wall rail and then trying to step over some ones food, ick , walking down the hall that is full of plates people have just layed out in the middle of where you have to walk I think is wrong. , when you know your attendant will take them out of your room several times a day. So I really disagree on that one. Beside the fact is just gross to be walking by stinky half eaten food on the floor. Better to call the attendant to have taken away if you don't want your plates and glasses in your room, not put that on other people by laying outside your door. I keep my cabin tidy agree with that, mostly do that so all surfaces and floors get cleaned well.

[@martinrogers3723]

I can’t believe people need to have this information. Are people that ignorant and selfish?

[@devilblueduke]

Have you been living in a cave all your life ?? Yes they are !

[@cindyhomm9235]

Just normal civilized behavior, as one should use everyday. Although pretty hard for some, they are beyond rescue 😅

[@VerilyVerbatim]

9:35 One thing not mentioned... don't try to feed birds when in port. EVER. Seagulls, especially, will quickly swarm on an available food source. They will try to look for food sources in adjacent areas, and it takes a long time for them to give up. In the meantime, there is the very real potential for bird droppings - the ship crew have enough do as it is, and needing to divert staff to clean bird poop across several balconies - you are not going to be popular.

[@stampinggenuises3093]

I viewed a man vaping in the main dining room of Symphony of the Seas.

[@georgina4874]

!Don't slam your door!!

[@SteveStowell]

What about when your stateroom attendant is rude to you. You clearly don’t cruise often

[@jem1009]

I have no idea why they call it common sense when it not common at all.

[@chicagogyrl4846]

Everyone’s clothes are wrinkly?! I wouldn’t be caught dead in any clothes item being wrinkled! 😂😂

[@SandraHof]

So people can smoke their cigarettes on a cruise ship, but I can’t bring my clothes steamer???🙄

[@casondave]

Nope for a few of these "rules" - my money - my cruise - and I'm the customer .......

[@kathrynbrook9261]

These are just common sense

[@keithnewton8981]

You must be going on really budget cruise because there is no charges for pool towels there are stacks on deck you help yourself to towls and then drop in the laundry baskets on deck .

[@kathypeiffer3103]

Royal caribbean charges the $25 fee. Only cruise line that does this.

[@devilblueduke]

You should use spell check

[@MelanieTheEquestrian]

That is true about the towel stacks on deck that you help yourself to and then drop them off into the baskets on decks like you said for free but at least on Royal Caribbean you have to show them your sea pass card and then they’ll scan it when you take them and when you return them and my understanding is that the payment is $25 if you haven’t returned them by the final night.

[@suzannemcelwee206]

We had to have our card scanned on Carnival and then again when we turned them back in.

[@keithnewton8981]

@@devilblueduke I should but I cannot as my disabilities make it difficult but then I am no anal like some folks

[@chadfrisk6522]

I'm surprised nobody addressed excessively loud love making in your cabin or on the balcony. nobody wants to see or hear that!

[@kfrost8162]

DUH