There are rules about going on a cruise ship, but a few might be ones you're breaking without knowing it.
Royal Caribbean publishes all of its rules and policies on its website. Most are quite obvious and apply to any form of travel, such as not bringing weapons, chemicals, or starting a fight with someone.
But some things you do on a cruise might seem innocent until you realize it's actually against the rules.
A reader asked me about a particular policy (see the first thing on our list below for what it was), and it got me thinking about the sort of things you might inadvertently do without realizing it's against Royal Caribbean's rules.
To help ensure you're never "that guy", here's a few not-so-obvious rules to avoid breaking.
Obstructing hallways
Royal Caribbean welcomes guests to bring their strollers or wheelchairs with them on a cruise ship, but you cannot park it in the hallway.
According to the cruise line's mobility disabilities policy, you've got to keep them parked in your cabin.
"Assistive devices including mobility scooters must be stored and recharged in your stateroom so fire doors, corridors and elevator lobbies are kept clear for emergency evacuation."
This is an important rule for anyone that has a powered wheelchair they're bringing onboard. While it might be tempting to keep it parked outside your cabin, it's against the rules.
If you plan to bring a powered wheelchair, I'd recommend booking an accessible cruise ship cabin so that the doorway entrance is wide enough to easily get the chair in and out.
Plus, these cabins offer more space for the wheelchair to maneuver around.
One more thing to remember is when you're out and about on the ship, you need to ensure the wheelchair isn't left blocking a hall.
"When parked throughout the ship, they must be parked out of the way to allow safe and easy access by other guests and crewmembers."
If you want to bring a stroller, I'd recommend buying a collapsible umbrella stroller rather than the fancy one you use at home. Something that collapses and is easy to fly with as it is to cruise with is a good idea, such as this one that folds down to "personal item" size on airplanes. (This has an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use but I get a small commission)
Being rude to crew members
Not only is being rude socially unacceptable, it's against Royal Caribbean's rules.
I understand you might get frustrated when a series of events doesn't go as you expected, but it's not an excuse to lash out at a crew member.
Royal Caribbean's rule is clear on this, "Verbally abusive or offensive language directed toward anyone, including guests, crew members, governmental officials, or others is not permitted."
Moreover, you're also obliged to follow any instructions given to you by crew members during the course of the cruise.
Ignoring instructions is equally wrong, and could land you in trouble with the ship's security.
Beyond the cruise line's rules, remember that these crew members are living thousands of miles away from their families on a ship and are trying to help you have a great vacation. They didn't make the rules, they're just enforcing them.
Playing your music too loud
A cruise vacation is the perfect excuse to party, but leave the music to the ship's DJ.
You are not allowed to play your own music loudly on the ship, "Boom boxes, loud radios, or other noise nuisance(s) are not permitted."
Royal Caribbean has seemingly started to crack down on this on its private island too.
You're better off bringing headphones rather than a Bluetooth speaker with you. If you do opt to bring a speaker, I'd only use it off the ship on an excursion and keep the volume low.
If you're renting a cabana on Perfect Day at CocoCay, there are Bluetooth speakers provided to use there.
Leaving your clothes on the balcony
Something I'm sure a lot of people do is leave their stuff on their balcony, but it's actually against the rules.
Whether you leave something out on the balcony or intentionally, it's not permitted because of the risk of it flying away.
"Guests may not leave items unattended on balconies, as the wind may cause items to fall overboard."
The cruise line takes littering in the ocean seriously, and while I doubt most people leaving things on their balcony is intentional to litter, the reality is the wind can really kick up quickly.
Not only do you not want your stuff to end up in the ocean, they don't want it to go there either.
