Most first-time cruisers don't break rules on purpose because they just don’t know them.
The rules on a cruise ship can be very different than what you're used to on land, and that's because of complicated maritime law as well as safety at sea.
Regardless of why the rule is in place, you certainly don't want to do something that could get you in trouble or create any danger.
Since new cruisers can feel like they're drinking from a firehose of cruise knowledge, here are some commonly broken cruise rules that you should always avoid.
Being too loud in your room
Your stateroom is your "home away from home," but it the walls are far less soundproof than your house.
Noise nuisances aren't allowed, including playing your music loudly.
In fact, the cruise line prohibits boom boxes, loud radios, or other noise nuisance(s). That being said, it's not against the rules to actually bring a Bluetooth speaker with you on the ship. It's all about the volume level you play it at.
Technically, Royal Caribbean publishes that Bluetooth speakers aren't allowed while ashore on Perfect Day at CocoCay.
If you do have a speaker with you, keep the volume at a low setting to avoid a visit from the cruise ship's security staff.
That drink package isn't for anyone else
No, you can't buy a drink for your kid with your drink package.
Royal Caribbean has very strict rules about not sharing drink package benefits. Each drink package purchase is exclusively for the person who purchased it.
This means you cannot get a soda with your benefits and give it to your kid. Or let someone else use your souvenir Coca-Cola cup, even if you have no intention of using it.
It might seem like a harmless thing to do, because one drink here or there isn't like a couple trying to share the package outright. Nonetheless, it's against the cruise line's rules.
You risk having your drink package cancelled with no refund if you're caught sharing drink package benefits.
Weed isn't allowed, even if you have a prescription
When you step aboard a cruise ship, it's almost like stepping onto foreign soil in some respects. How Royal Caribbean views marijuana use is one example of that.
Marijuana is not allowed on Royal Caribbean's ships, regardless of why you have it.
"Marijuana, even in its medicinal form or for medicinal purposes, shall be prohibited," is what the Guest Conduct policy says.
Royal Caribbean aren't prudes or the "fun police". Rather, they have to obey the international laws of the countries they visit. Many countries a ship visits do not allow it, which is why Royal Caribbean carries this law.
This prohibition includes CBD oil or CBD products.
You shouldn't use your balcony to dry clothes
I'll admit, I've broken this rule without knowing it, but you're supposed to leave anything on your balcony without being there to take care of it.
The issue here is something you're not monitoring could fly off the ship and into the ocean (or elsewhere).
"Guests may not leave items unattended on balconies, as the wind may cause items to fall overboard."
Royal Caribbean takes ocean pollution very seriously, and they don't want anything going into the ocean that shouldn't be there.
If you want to sit on your balcony and read a book while your clothes dry, go for it. But don't leave anything there without you being there to grab it if it were to start drifting away.
Feeding the fish, birds, or anything else that isn't your child
Another "it seems harmless" thing some people do is feed animals.
Feeding animals is against the rules because it encourages the animal to return for more later. Plus, they don't understand "okay, that's it!". So it disrupts their behavior.
Not to mention some animals have a tendency to defecate when they're fed, especially seagulls.
"Seagulls frequently defecate while being fed, largely because the high-energy, often processed food causes faster digestion and because they are highly social, flock-oriented birds that congregate in large, active, and messy groups."
The issue of feeding birds is much worse when at Perfect Day at CocoCay because the birds get excited and a feeding frenzy commences as they compete with each other for that fry.
Keep those french fries, pieces of bread, and chicken tenders for yourself or simply throw them away when you're done.
You can't reuse dishes at the buffet
Cruise ship or not, you shouldn't bring back a plate to reuse at the buffet.
While it may seem like you're cutting down on how much the crew have to clean, reusing plates can lead to cross-contamination and the spread of germs.
Leave your used plate at the table and go back up and get a new plate, even if it's just for one thing.
Read more: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet
