7 tips to make your cruise crew love you
Cruise staff look after thousands of passengers every year, so a little good manners can go a long way. Follow these seven simple tips and you’ll be the most popular passenger onboard.
1. Be polite
This should be a standard rule for life though many people forget their manners when they’re on holiday. Yes, the crew are there to serve you, but they are also people who deserve your respect. Say hello, please and thank you, and try to have a smile on your face.
2. Don't get angry
If you have a problem, of course you should report it to a crew member. However remember that getting angry rarely achieves anything. There’s a good chance that this specific crew member is not directly responsible for the problem, so there’s no point yelling at them. Remaining calm and clear is the most effective way to get a positive resolution.
3. Listen to their instructions
Of course the crew is there to ensure you have a good time, but their primary function is actually to keep you safe. Take the time to listen to the safety drills onboard or for shore excursions. If there’s a problem onboard and you’re asked to use a different lift or wait for something to be cleaned up, then do so. If they tell you the bar is closed, take it with good grace and head back to your cabin. No one wants to end up in the brig.
4. Remember their names
Even though there can be thousands of crew members onboard, you’ll probably see the same few every day. Your room attendant and wait staff in the main dining room remain the same, and if you have a favourite bar or café you’ll likely see the same people working there too. Remembering their names (or taking a quick peek at the name badge) and giving a friendly greeting goes a long way.
5. Ask them about themselves
Onboard your ship you’ll find the most internationally diverse group of people you’re ever likely to come into contact with. So take the opportunity to learn something new about their home country. You can also ask them about their favourite ports. These people spend most of the year travelling around the world, so are sure to have some insider tips.
6. Don’t leave a mess
We’re not saying you have to make your own bed or clear your own table, but there’s no need to be a complete slob. If you’ve had a big spill in your cabin, alert someone to it quickly and ask for help rather than leaving it until the morning. Same goes for any breakages. When you’re eating, it’s not too hard to keep things relatively tidy on your table to assist the waitstaff.
7. Be reasonable with tipping
As Kiwis, we don’t have a strong tipping culture. It pays to remember that many cruise ship staff are paid very low wages and rely on tips to supplement their income. If you'd prefer to have the daily gratuity removed from your bill you can do that, but think carefully about all the people (including the hundreds you never see) who have made your cruise as smooth as possible. You can also reward specific staff members if their service has been truly outstanding.
What’s your take on these tips? Are there any you think you’ll implement on your next cruise? Let us know in the comments section, we’d love to hear from you.
Related links:
5 juicy confessions from cruise crewmembers
Secrets from a cruise ship kitchen
Cabin staff reveal what it’s really like to work on a cruise ship