15 Things Cruise Passengers Do That Crew Members Secretly Hate

Most cruise passengers mean well and want to have a fantastic vacation without causing any trouble. However, there are certain behaviors that crew members find frustrating, even if they never say it out loud.

While most of these are minor annoyances, a few can actually put crew members in uncomfortable or impossible situations.

Let’s look at what cruise passengers do that crew members secretly hate, so you can avoid these common mistakes on your next sailing.

15 Things Cruise Passengers Do That Crew Members Hate

1. Filming Crew Members Without Permission

Before you point your camera or phone at crew members, it’s a good idea to ask if they’re comfortable being filmed. Major cruise lines actually require explicit permission to film crew members, and filming is restricted in crew-only areas. Interviews with crew need prior approval from the cruise line.

Many crew members don’t mind appearing in your vacation videos or TikToks, and some even enjoy it. However, others prefer not to be in the spotlight. When you’re creating content for social media or personal videos, always offer crew members the option to decline.

Some may be too shy to speak up, so asking first shows respect for their preferences and follows cruise line policy.

2. Walking Barefoot in Public Areas

This one might surprise you, but walking around the ship without shoes is actually against the code of conduct for many cruise lines. Shoes are required everywhere except pool areas, and going barefoot in dining rooms and other public spaces is considered unhygienic.

Even more annoying to crew members (and fellow passengers) is when people put their bare feet on furniture. This includes coffee tables, lounges, and other areas where people place their drinks or food. Keep your shoes on in public spaces and your feet off the furniture.

3. Complaining Instead of Asking

When something isn’t right with your vacation, the best time to address it is during your cruise, not after. Crew members can actually fix problems when you’re onboard, whether it’s an issue with your cabin or something else.

If you have a concern about your cabin, talk to your cabin steward directly first rather than going straight to their supervisor or guest services. Save the surveys and social media complaints for issues that couldn’t be resolved during your trip. Giving crew members a chance to make things right benefits everyone.

4. Going to Your Cabin Before It’s Ready on Embarkation Day

Embarkation day is one of the busiest days for the entire crew, not just cabin attendants. They have a very short window to clean and prepare hundreds of cabins between when the previous guests leave and when new guests arrive.

Most cruise lines restrict cabin access until they’re ready, which typically takes one to three hours after boarding. Some lines may let you drop off luggage early, but full access before the cabin is prepared is unusual. Trying to sneak into the hallways by opening fire doors is something you should never do, as crew members need that time to finish their work properly.

5. Refusing to Pay Your Final Bill

At the end of your cruise, you need to settle your account before you can leave the ship. Some passengers attempt to dispute charges or avoid payment, believing they can simply walk away. The reality is that cruise lines make it nearly impossible to disembark without settling your bill.

At best, you’ll be delayed and embarrassed at the guest services desk. At worst, you could face collections, bans from the cruise line, and even legal action. There have been some wild cases of passengers going to extreme lengths to avoid paying, including one passenger who jumped ship in San Juan to escape a casino debt. These situations create major headaches for crew members who just want to help guests have a smooth departure.

6. Tipping Extra on Your Bill Rather Than in Cash

When you visit the hair salon, spa, or have a specialty dinner, you might want to leave a little extra for great service. If you do, give cash directly to the crew member rather than adding it as a line item on your bill.

When you add tips to your bill, that money gets pooled and distributed rather than going directly to the individual who served you. Cash ensures your tip goes straight to the person who provided the service. For more information on cruise tipping practices, check out our guide on cruise tipping guidelines.

7. Demanding Off-Menu Items or Special Orders

You can certainly ask if the main dining room has something not listed on the menu. Simple requests like a fruit plate or basic soup (especially if you’re not feeling well) may be available if the kitchen has the ingredients on hand.

However, don’t expect complex dishes that require advance preparation. Sometimes a maitre d’ might offer to arrange something special for another evening, but this isn’t guaranteed and has become less common. If they do go above and beyond for you, keep it to yourself rather than telling everyone else on the ship, as this creates unrealistic expectations and puts pressure on the crew.

8. Having a Very Messy Cabin

Your cabin steward isn’t expecting a spotless room when they come to clean. That’s their job. However, leaving clothes scattered everywhere, food all over the place, or garbage and diapers strewn about makes their work much harder.

When clothing is everywhere, cabin stewards may hesitate to move it for fear of being accused of something going missing. An extremely messy cabin might not get cleaned as thoroughly as it could. A little tidiness goes a long way in helping your cabin steward do their job efficiently.

9. Not Supervising Your Kids

Cruises are wonderful family vacations, and kids absolutely should have fun. However, parents need to supervise their children throughout the ship, not just when they’re not in the kids’ club.

Even if there are lifeguards at the pool, younger children should always have a parent watching them. Kids also need supervision to ensure they’re not climbing on things or breaking safety rules. Crew members aren’t babysitters, and expecting them to monitor your children creates an unfair situation for everyone.

10. Getting Mad at Crew Members for Enforcing Policies

Crew members don’t make the rules. They just have to enforce them. When a crew member charges you a corkage fee for bringing wine to dinner or removes your belongings from a lounge chair you’ve been away from too long, they’re doing their job.

Getting angry at crew members for following cruise line policies accomplishes nothing. They can’t change the rules, and they certainly can’t ignore them just for you. If you disagree with a policy, that’s between you and the cruise line, not the crew member in front of you.

11. Being Rude or Disrespectful to Crew Members

This should go without saying, but yelling at crew members is never acceptable. Even if you’re frustrated at guest services, raising your voice is completely inappropriate. In extreme cases, this behavior could get you removed from the ship and banned from the cruise line.

Beyond obvious rudeness, there’s also everyday disrespect. When a crew member says hello in the hallway or asks how your day is going, acknowledge them with a response. A simple greeting in return shows basic courtesy and recognition that they’re people doing a job, not invisible servants.

12. Expecting or Demanding Cabin Upgrades

Here’s a secret many passengers don’t know: cabin upgrades are generally decided before you board the ship. Most cruise lines handle upgrades through their bidding systems, so cabins are already assigned by the time you embark.

If there are any empty cabins (which is rare since most ships sail full), they’re typically held for emergencies. Going to guest services and demanding an upgrade, especially while mentioning your loyalty status, won’t get you the results you want. It just frustrates the crew members who have no cabins to give you. Learn more about how cabin upgrades actually work.

13. Leaving Personal Items Unattended for Hours

Chair hogging is a real issue on cruise ships, and crew members are often put in the uncomfortable position of having to enforce the rules. When you leave your belongings on a lounge chair for hours while you’re elsewhere on the ship, crew members may need to remove your items.

Your belongings are usually taken to a secure location, such as the towel station, so they’re not lost. The crew is just enforcing a policy that helps ensure everyone gets a fair chance to enjoy the pool deck. Don’t take it personally or get upset with the crew member who’s just doing what they’re asked to do.

14. Ignoring Safety Demonstrations and Muster Drills

Safety drills might seem like an inconvenience, but they’re required by maritime law for good reason. When passengers don’t take these seriously or try to skip them, it creates extra work for crew members who need to track everyone down.

Crew members are responsible for ensuring all passengers know what to do in an emergency. Acting annoyed or rushing through the safety procedures makes their job harder and potentially puts everyone at risk.

15. Treating Crew Members Differently Based on Their Role

Every crew member deserves respect, regardless of whether they’re cleaning cabins, serving drinks, or working in guest services. Some passengers treat entertainment staff and officers with more courtesy than they show cabin stewards or buffet workers.

All crew members work incredibly hard to make your vacation enjoyable. They’re away from their families for months at a time, working long hours in a demanding environment. Treating any crew member as “less than” because of their position shows a lack of basic human decency.

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The Bottom Line

Most of these behaviors come down to common courtesy and respect. Crew members work hard to give you a great vacation, often while living away from home for months. A little consideration for their time, their jobs, and their dignity goes a long way.

The good news is that avoiding these behaviors is simple. Ask before filming, keep your shoes on, communicate issues when they happen, respect policies even if you disagree with them, and treat every crew member with kindness. When you do, you’ll not only make their jobs easier but you’ll also likely have a better cruise experience yourself.