Cruise ships are floating cities where thousands of passengers share common spaces for days at a time. While most cruisers are respectful and follow the rules, some behaviors can seriously ruin the experience for everyone else and could even result in being kicked off your ship or banned for life.
From serious rule violations to unwritten etiquette guidelines, here are the passenger behaviors that could land you in hot water with cruise security and fellow passengers alike.
The Serious Stuff: Behaviors That Break Real Rules
1. Fighting or Physical Altercations
Physical violence is the fastest way to find yourself banned from cruising. Recently, over 20 passengers got into an all-out brawl in the cruise terminal in Galveston after disembarking. According to eyewitnesses, this was a continuation of conflicts that had been brewing on board for days.
Carnival Cruise Line banned all participants for life, even though the fight happened after the cruise ended. In another incident on Royal Caribbean, a passenger was assaulted in an elevator by teenagers, causing a ruckus. The result? Arrest and a lifetime ban from Royal Caribbean cruises.
The question many cruisers are asking is whether these bans should extend across all cruise lines. Currently, when you’re banned from Royal Caribbean, you’re likely also banned from Celebrity and other brands within their group; however, there is no industry-wide database that shares this information.
2. Bringing Banned Substances Onboard
Even if something is legal where you live, it may not be allowed on cruise ships. Ships follow federal maritime law and visit countries where certain substances may be illegal. Cabin attendants who discover these items are required to report them, which can lead to security investigations and removal from the ship, even in foreign ports.
In a particularly unusual case from January 2025, a Florida deputy was caught trying to smuggle pills aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, hidden in a bag of Skittles. He was not only denied boarding but also fired from his job.
3. Sneaking Alcohol Aboard
That viral TikTok hack showing how to smuggle alcohol in mouthwash bottles? Cruise lines are onto it. Carnival Ambassador John Heald points out that they’re not fooled by someone bringing a large mouthwash bottle for a four-day cruise.
Cruise lines monitor social media, and if they catch you trying to sneak alcohol aboard, they’ll search your cabin, confiscate the items, and remove you from the ship. You’ll also be banned from sailing with them again.
Most cruise lines allow you to bring one bottle of wine onboard on embarkation day, but hard liquor like rum and vodka is strictly prohibited.
4. Hanging Laundry on Your Balcony
While hanging a damp bathing suit over a chair might seem harmless, setting up a full laundry line on your balcony is prohibited. It’s considered a fire hazard, environmentally unfriendly, and frankly, it just looks terrible.
Balcony etiquette is more important than many realize. If crew members spot laundry lines, they’re instructed to remove them immediately. Your balcony should enhance the ship’s appearance, not detract from it.
5. Feeding Wildlife
You might think feeding seagulls while docked in Alaska sounds fun, but it’s strictly forbidden. Feeding birds creates sanitation issues and attracts flocks that could steal food from other passengers.
According to cruise contracts, throwing anything overboard – including bread for birds – violates the rules. This applies specifically to being on the cruise ship, not during shore excursions in port.
Dress Code Violations That Get Attention
6. Inappropriate Dining Attire
Cruise dress codes have relaxed over the years, but there are still limits. Maître d’s regularly have to turn away passengers trying to dine in the main dining room wearing only bathing suits and see-through mesh cover-ups.
While you might get away with this at the buffet, sit-down restaurants maintain standards. Think of it like dining at a restaurant at home – if you wouldn’t wear it there, don’t wear it to the ship’s dining room.
7. Wandering Around in Bathrobes
Those plush white bathrobes are perfect for spa visits or poolside lounging, but wearing them to restaurants is frowned upon. I’ve heard of passengers being stopped at the dining room entrance and asked to return to their cabins to put on proper clothes.
It’s an unwritten rule that makes sense when you consider you’re sharing dining spaces with hundreds of other passengers.
The Unspoken Rules That Matter
8. Chair Hogging
Chair hogging is officially against the rules on most cruise lines, though enforcement varies. Recently, Norwegian Cruise Line has been taking this seriously, with crew members placing stickers on unattended chairs starting at 10 AM and removing items after a one-hour grace period.
Reserving chairs and then disappearing for hours can frustrate fellow passengers who struggle to find seating. What do you think is a reasonable grace period before chairs should be freed up?
9. Skipping Hand Hygiene at Buffets
Buffet etiquette starts with clean hands. You’ll find crew members stationed at buffet entrances either directing you to sinks or offering hand sanitizer. Some will even sing the “washy washy song” to encourage proper hygiene.
Given how quickly illness can spread on ships, this isn’t just polite – it’s essential for everyone’s health.
10. Blasting Bluetooth Speakers in Public
Some cruise lines have banned Bluetooth speakers entirely, placing them on prohibited items lists. Others allow them but expect you to use them only in your cabin.
Using speakers loudly in public areas or even on your balcony disturbs other passengers trying to relax. Keep the volume reasonable and consider your neighbors.
11. Drunk and Disorderly Behavior
Having a few drinks is part of the cruise experience for many, especially with the inclusion of beverage packages. However, extremely drunk and disorderly behavior can lead to serious consequences across all cruise lines, from budget to premium.
I’ve seen cruise security intervene discreetly, with passengers being cut off from their drink packages for the remainder of the cruise, and some being confined to their cabins. The goal is to enjoy yourself without ruining others’ vacations.
The Bottom Line
Most of these behaviors stem from common sense and basic courtesy. We’re all sharing the same floating resort, and a little consideration goes a long way toward ensuring everyone has a great time.
The serious violations – fighting, drugs, and smuggling alcohol – can result in lifetime bans and legal consequences. The etiquette violations might not get you kicked off, but they’ll certainly make you unpopular with fellow passengers and crew.
What’s the worst passenger behavior you’ve witnessed on a cruise? Share your experiences and thoughts on whether cruise line bans should be shared across the industry.
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