If you cruise enough, you start to see patterns and some passengers do things on ships that I wish they wouldn't do.
When I was on one of Royal Caribbean's smallest ships recently, I saw one person reserve an entire row of pool chairs just after dawn, but their family didn't arrive until a few hours later.
Chair hogs are a classic example of things people do on a cruise ship that just make you shake your head and wonder why.
After more than 20 years of taking Royal Caribbean cruises around North America and Europe, here are seven things I wish passengers would stop doing.
Vaping where they're not supposed to
I can count on there being a few people who vape in places they aren't supposed to on every cruise I take.
Since a vape is easier to conceal than a cigarette, some people sneak a quick one in and then exhale the vapor into their shirt, to the side, or somewhere else they think won't be noticed.
Royal Caribbean's rules about vaping are clear, and it can only be done in designated locations.
Similarly, I've seen plenty of people smoking on their balcony, especially marijuana. The distinct smell carries and it ruins the balcony experience for everyone else.
In both cases, it's against Royal Caribbean's rules and a nuisance to other passengers.
Bringing fake service animals on ships
Royal Caribbean only allows service animals, not emotional support animals or pets, to be brought on a cruise ship. And yet, some people clearly sneak their pets on anyway.
They buy a "service animal" harness online, and then pass it off as such. But you can tell they're not certified service animals because they're transported in carriers, bark at passengers, are fed from the table, and other things service animals aren't supposed to do.
Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean can't do much because privacy laws prohibit them from asking for proof of a disability.
It's one of those things that is not only against the cruise line rules, but also very selfish. And it disparages those with legitimate disabilities and real service animals.
Dragging their luggage around on embarkation day
Not everything on this list are passengers breaking the rules. When I see people dragging their luggage instead of checking it with a porter, I question why they're starting off their cruise painfully.
Some passengers don't check their luggage with the porters to have it delivered to their stateroom at the terminal. Instead, they bring it onboard themselves.
I'm not talking about the people that travel light and have a small suitcase. I'm talking about the family that is literally pushing their giant suitcases all around the ship until their cabin opens at 1:00pm.
It seems like an arduous task that doesn't have to happen.
Yes, you should tip the porter a dollar or two per bag. And while there is a chance your luggage could be delayed or even lost, as often as I cruise, I'd say it's a very rare occurrence (especially the latter).
Watching videos or listening to music without using headphones
It amazes me when someone watches a video or conducts a video call without any headphones so everyone around them is forced to hear it.
It's been my experience that there are many more video calls occurring without headphones in public places than people watching a video or listening to music.
United Airlines recently added a rule to kick passengers off a plane that refuse to use headphones, which adds credence to the issue at hand.
Suffice to say, no one wants to hear your whole conversation on speakerphone.
Being late on shore excursions
It seems like any group shore excursion I take, there's one family that's inevitably late getting back to the agreed upon meeting time.
Even when I went on an ultra-luxury cruise line this happened to me, and it not only slows down the pace and schedule of the group, but it's disrespectful to everyone else's time.
While sometimes it is an unforeseen circumstance, most often it's someone who unapologetically arrives late because they took more time to sight see.
Always plan to return well before the time you're supposed to be there so you can account for delays.
Taking up seats in the casino
It's natural to want to watch a family member or friend gamble try to win it big in the casino, but onlookers need to free up a chair as soon as someone else approaches to want to play too.
Cruise ship casinos are small, so seating is limited. There's nothing wrong with sitting down in an empty seat, but once you do that, I think that person should instantly jump up if another player comes nearby and has that look of wanting to play.
Royal Caribbean's rules state that chairs are for players only. In fact, at the table games the dealers usually won't even allow someone not playing to sit down. But at the slot machines, the rule is less enforced.
Elevator etiquette
There are two important things not to do at any elevator, including on cruise ships.
First, is respect who was waiting there first. This is an inexact science, but at least give the people that were already in the elevator lobby the chance to get on the elevator before you.
If they're aloof or not paying attention, that's on them. But give them the opportunity to get onboard since they were waiting longer than you.
Second, stand to the side when an elevator door opens. Let everyone out, and then get onboard.
Seems like a simple thing, but you squeezing in while there people at the back of the elevator car trying to exit slows everyone down.
