You think you’re being helpful, even courteous. You might even consider yourself the perfect cruise guest. But how do you know that behind the polite smiles, your tablemates are silently cringing, the couple you just spoke to is already planning how to avoid you tomorrow, and you never get to see the eye-rolling behind your back.
Cruise lines are built on hospitality and harmony, but passengers? They’ve got limits. After combing through Cruise Critic rants, Reddit threads, and Facebook groups, one thing is clear: behaviors some cruisers think are polite and helpful are downright annoying.
And let’s be honest—not all of them are even polite. Some just seem harmless or well-meaning at the time, until you’re the one being avoided in the buffet line.
Here’s the kicker: annoying cruiser habits aren’t the obvious blunders. They’re the subtle, well-intentioned moves that make you that guest—without ever realizing it.
So what are the “harmless” habits cruisers secretly can’t stand?
Here come the top offenders—called out by real cruisers who’ve had enough.
Your Kid’s Elevator Game Is Annoying
Pressing every button isn’t cute—it’s elevator chaos. You may think it’s harmless fun, and your kid may think it’s hilarious, but unnecessary stops are so annoying for fellow cruisers. One cruiser posted, “We went from Deck 5 to 15, stopping at each floor, and no one got off once.”
Teach kids cruise manners, not how to be an elevator villain in training. Everyone will love you for it.
That’s Not “Friendly”—You’re Breathing Down Their Neck
Cruise lines love efficiency, but that doesn’t mean standing close enough to fog someone’s sunglasses in line. Whether it’s for tenders, ice cream, or guest services, back it up a step. One woman said, “I could feel his breath on my neck—and not in a good way.” Give people space. You’re not boarding a lifeboat—yet.
Hallway Catch-Ups Sound Like Shouting Matches at 2 a.m.
We’ve probably all done it. Returning to a cabin late at night and stopping for a quick hallway chat. But cruise ships carry sound like megaphones through a canyon, especially at night. Also, if you’ve had a few drinks, you may not realize how loud you’re talking.
One cruiser said they were woken three nights in a row by late-night door gossip. If it’s past bedtime, keep chats to a whisper. Your conversation doesn’t need an audience of cabin neighbors.
You Smiled and Squeezed In—They Held Their Breath
Cruise Critic threads are packed with elevator rants—and this one comes up a lot. Obnoxious passengers who try to squeeze into an already packed elevator. One cruiser shared, “There were already 10 people, and this guy wedged in anyway, all sweat and sunscreen.”
We get it—you don’t want to wait. But shoving into a packed lift doesn’t make you efficient—it makes you unforgettable for the wrong reason. Wait for the next one.
Your Perfume Entered the Room Before You Did
They wanted to make a massive impression for formal night, and they certainly did—not for the kind anyone enjoys. Their Chanel hit the elevator before they did, turning heads for all the wrong reasons. One cruiser shared, “I coughed and spluttered the entire elevator ride. I’m sure the scent was still on my clothes the next day.”
Strong scents linger in tight spaces. One spritz too many, and you’re the main course no one ordered.
They’re Not Impressed—They’re Irritated
You meant to entertain. To bring the energy. To “add a little fun.” But to everyone around you? It came off as loud, attention-hungry, and just plain exhausting. These are the moments when you put on a performance, and nobody’s clapping.
You Brought the Beats Nobody Asked for
A common complaint on cruise forums is about people blasting beats on their Bluetooth speakers while others are trying to relax. It’s no wonder Carnival Cruise Line has banned portable wireless speakers. Remember, the pool deck isn’t your personal DJ booth. Some cruisers are sipping coffee, others are dozing off.
Keep the party in your headphones—unless you’re the cruise director hosting the sailaway.
Think your Bluetooth speaker’s harmless? Cruise lines are starting to disagree.
Find out why this popular item is getting banned: Cruise Lines Are Quietly Banning This Surprising Item.
You’re Not the Host of This Dinner Party
It’s not what they’re saying—it’s that they won’t stop. Every pause becomes their cue to keep going. Stories, opinions, cruise tips, grandkid updates—nonstop, no questions asked. One cruiser posted, “Our frustrating tablemate talked through four courses without taking a breath.” The worst part? They had to put up with it every time they had dinner.
Remember, it’s dinner, not a one-person show. Let someone else get a word in. Or at least finish their soup.
Think hogging the conversation is bad? That’s just the appetizer.
See what other habits make you that guest: Rude Cruise Passenger Habits That Drive Everyone Nuts.
You Bought a Ticket—Not a Solo Performance
Don’t be that annoying cruise passenger who thinks that scream-singing to your favorite musical is acceptable. Some cruisers seem to mistake music performances for karaoke nights at sea. One traveler nailed it on Facebook, “I didn’t pay $900 to hear the woman two rows back scream ABBA. Dancing Queen? More like Screaming Queen.”
Love the music? Great. But unless you’re on the payroll, let the professionals take it from here.
Oops, You “Accidentally” Took a Stranger’s Selfie
One cruiser shared how a woman’s partner stormed over and accused him of secretly taking her photo. He’d been snapping the sunset, but from her angle, it looked like the lens was aimed right at her. Her partner demanded to see the camera roll, creating a very awkward and embarrassing moment.
Even if you’re innocent, perception matters. On a crowded deck, it’s easy to look creepy fast. So, make sure you get your angles right.
Talking Through the Show Doesn’t Make You Witty
They whispered. Then chuckled. Then dropped a loud “That’s not how real pirates talk!” mid-scene. One cruiser told how the annoying couple behind her gave a full running commentary during the musical—“like a live DVD extra nobody asked for.”
Here’s the thing—if the cast can stay quiet offstage, so can you. Save the jokes for the bar. The rest of us came to listen.
The Crew’s Working—Not Auditioning for Your Reel
A bartender had just finished mixing the cocktail, and some guy shouted, “Do it again for my TikTok!” The crew smiled—barely. A fellow passenger nearby said it was “cringeworthy to watch. I really felt sorry for the guy.”
Crew members aren’t props and part of your vacation footage. They’re at work. Don’t turn their shift into your social media content. Respect the moment. Not everything needs to be filmed.
Think filming the crew is harmless fun? You might end up starring in a thread of your own.
Check out the weirdest cruise moments caught (and regretted) — These Real Cruise Stories Are Stranger Than Fiction.
Your Buffet Habits Are Ruining Everyone’s Appetite
For some reason, the buffet brings out the worst instincts. Unwashed hands, wandering fingers, and annoying cruisers who can’t resist chomping on shrimp midline. Others think it’s a contest to turn their plates into the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Others? Blissfully unaware, they just grossed out half the room.
Here’s what ruins the feast before you even sit down.
Skipped the Sink? Everyone Saw, Everyone’s Grossed Out
Nothing grosses out fellow guests faster than watching someone breeze past the handwashing station like it’s optional. One cruiser said, “He scratched his scalp, touched his nose, then picked up the tongs.” You don’t want to be that passenger who grabs attention for the wrong reasons.
Here’s the thing: people notice. And now they’re avoiding the salad, pushing plates away, and thinking twice about going for seconds.
Wash your hands. It’s the easiest way not to become a buffet horror story or be Ground Zero for a norovirus outbreak.
Further reading: 26 Things You Should Never Do at a Cruise Ship Buffet.
Greasy Fingers + Shared Tongs = Secret Side-Eyes
One of the most frustrating and appetite-destroying buffet habits? Using the tongs with hands that are still slick from fried chicken or ribs. Cruise forums are full of comments about passengers picking up tongs with greasy hands. The collective cringe is instant.
Those tongs are for everyone—so grab a napkin, clean your hands, and stop spreading your lunch and bacteria around the buffet line.
Saving Dishes? That’s Not What Your Plate Said
A top pet peeve among buffet regulars is the “I’ll just reuse my plate” move. It sounds eco-friendly—until someone walks up with a sticky, half-eaten mess and dives in for seconds. The issue? It’s unhygienic. “I saw shrimp tails and sauce smeared across the bottom,” one guest wrote.
Cruise lines ask you not to reuse for a reason. Grab a fresh one. Always.
Trying to be helpful with your plate? It’s one of the biggest rookie moves.
See what other “nice” habits break cruise code: 45 Unwritten Rules Every Cruiser Should Know.
You’re Already Eating? We Haven’t Even Sat Down
Few things kill the group vibe faster than someone snacking through the buffet line like it’s a Costco sample aisle. One cruiser wrote, “She was chewing ribs while reaching for salad.” We get it—we’re all hungry, but this isn’t a drive-thru.
Wait until you’ve got a table, a napkin, and ideally, the dignity not to sauce your fingers in public.
This Isn’t a Stacking Contest—Chill With the Portions
Nothing screams “first-time cruiser” like a mountain of eggs, bacon, hash browns, sausage links, and four pastries teetering on one plate. One Facebook user said, “He stacked ten pancakes like it were a Jenga tower—and left half.” Some cruisers really need to remember that it’s a buffet, not a bulk buy.
Go back for more if you’re still hungry (don’t forget to use a clean plate). Wasting food isn’t impressive—it’s just messy, and yes, people are judging.
You Didn’t Get the Bacon—But You Got a Side-Eye
Few things fire up buffet rage, like someone reaching across your tray to grab “just one piece.” Several cruisers mentioned “elbow-to-egg contact” from impatient guests leaning over for toppings or food items. One said, “She nearly knocked my plate trying to get a croissant.”
If you can’t reach it without a stretch, wait. The buffet isn’t about to run out of food.
Just Because There’s a Seat Doesn’t Mean It’s Yours
One of the most quietly irritating habits on any cruise? Dropping into an open seat at a shared table without asking. OK, it can be difficult to find a place during peak times, and open seats are like gold dust. Seating is often shared, but taking a spot without asking is peak cruise rudeness.
Sometimes, cruisers want to save seats for friends or family. If you’re not careful, you’re not crashing the table, you’re crashing the moment.
Platinum Doesn’t Mean You Get to Cut the Buffet Line
The most obnoxious passenger behavior at sea? “Entitled” cruisers who flash their lanyard like it’s an all-access VIP pass to the bacon tray. Here’s the thing: Status gets you perks, not permission to be rude. There’s no buffet hierarchy—everyone from Gold to Pinnacle Club is created equal. Wait your turn like the rest of us.
You Call It Friendly—They Call It Trapped
Some classic rookie mistakes quietly drive seasoned cruisers up the wall. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got a polite smile and a cheerful tone. Asking the wrong questions can come across as awkward, invasive, and sometimes downright exhausting. Here are “friendly” habits that are anything but.
Oversharing Personal Information Ruined the Appetizer
The shrimp cocktail hit the table just as he launched into a play-by-play of his colonoscopy prep. Anything related to medicine should be off-limits for dining. One guest shared how they quietly pushed their plate away while listening to graphic descriptions of a procedure. Another left. A third said it “nearly ruined lobster for life.”
Cruise dining is not your personal open mic night. If it involves tubes, fluids, or anything that oozes—save it for a chat with your doctor, not a fellow cruise guest you only just met.
Asking About Fares? Well Done on Killing the Vibe
Want to suck the joy out of a dinner faster than a lukewarm soufflé? Ask what everyone paid for their cruise. Seasoned cruisers hate it. You’ll create one of two awkward situations. First, you’ll discover you way overpaid. Second, you’ll make your fellow cruisers annoyed that they paid too much. Mood ruined.
Bragging About Your 19 Cruises? Spoiler Alert: No One’s Interested
There’s always one irritating cruiser. The kind that drops their loyalty tier before the appetizers. Or others who love to talk about their “usual cabin” like it’s a second home. What they don’t understand is that nobody is impressed, and they couldn’t care less.
One cruiser shared, “The most tiresome and boring cruise passenger I met never stopped going on and on about their cruise history. He listed every ship he’s sailed—twice. I couldn’t escape the conversation fast enough.”
If you’re that experienced, you should know: humble goes down better than smug.
You Wanted a Debate — They Wanted Dessert
Nothing sours the mood faster than turning a dinner table into a political or religious battleground. Many cruisers mention how quickly dinner can turn tense when someone brings up the economy, healthcare, or current headline drama. People start staring into their wine, checking their watches, or planning a quiet escape.
If you want to vent your political views, save the debate for your Facebook page—not the dessert menu.
Your Cabin Isn’t as Private as You Think
You might feel tucked away behind that stateroom door—but trust me, your neighbors hear more than you think. From slamming doors to balcony overshares, plenty of cruisers don’t realize just how far their “private” behavior travels and how irksome it can be.
Curious what’s getting talked about in the hallway? Here’s what’s making you unforgettable—for all the wrong reasons.
Your Door Slam Echoed Down the Whole Deck
Many cruisers consistently rank door slamming as one of the most annoying cabin habits on any ship. You think you’re just closing it. But at 6:30 a.m.? It’s a wake-up call for the entire hallway. Some guests vent their frustrations, saying they counted dozens in a single morning.
Want to stay on good terms with your neighbors? Catch the handle—don’t let it bang. And watch for balcony drafts—those can slam a door harder than you ever meant to.
Your Balcony Chat Is Now Public Record
It’s easy to forget those dividers are paper-thin. You’re just catching up with your partner—meanwhile, your annoyed and probably embarrassed neighbor is now fully briefed on your “private” conversation. Many cruisers admit they’ve heard full arguments, medical updates, and even “romantic” shenanigans.
The best advice? Keep your voices down on the balcony if you don’t want your neighbors to know about your personal business.
Deck 10 Doesn’t Want to Hear Your Netflix Binge
The balcony door’s open. Volume’s up. And suddenly, half the ship is stuck listening to episode three of whatever crime doc you’re binging. Cruisers say it’s one of the most common noise complaints. It’s not dramatic, it’s just plain annoying.
If you need background noise, use headphones. Your neighbors didn’t book this cruise to hear courtroom reenactments through the wall.
Leaving Room Service Trays in the Hall “Because That’s What People Do”
Cruise forums are packed with rants about this one. Trays left out all day—half-eaten toast, warm milk, sticky plates baking in the hallway sun. One post called it “a scavenger hunt of sadness.” Yes, the staff collects them. But not every 30 minutes.
If you’re done, call it in—or at least don’t leave it outside like a forgotten science experiment.
Smuggling Your Smoking Habit Onto the Balcony
It’s got to be one of the most frustrating habits some cruisers have—smoking on the balcony. They think they’re being sneaky, but they’re not. Non-smokers say it ruins their balcony time completely. And yes, people report it. Frequently. And even more annoyingly, some cruise ships ignore complaints.
Want to light up? Don’t be that obnoxious passenger—instead, use the designated area, preferably far from other people’s lungs.
Get the real rules before you light up: What You Need to Know About Smoking on a Cruise Ship.
You Left the Alarm On—And Left Everyone Furious
It goes off at 6:00 a.m. The maddening part? You’re long gone, already in the gym or grabbing coffee. Meanwhile, your cabin neighbors are trapped listening to beep, beep, beep through the wall. Some cruisers say it ruined their entire morning.
Set it if you need it. But if you’re not there to hear it, you just became the most infuriating person on Deck 9.
That Divider Isn’t a Wall—It’s a Nerve Trigger
Some balcony dividers are low, louvered, or shared—and that one guy had towels, clips, and a GoPro mount spread across the whole thing. You think you’re organizing. Your neighbors think you’re taking over. Very annoying!
The balcony divider isn’t your fence. It’s a line of trust. Cross it with gear and clutter, and you’re not just encroaching—you’re declaring territorial war with your neighbor.
You Thought You Were Being Nice—Now You Know Better
You’ve just dodged some of the most common cruise faux pas—without even leaving your seat. These are the annoying habits people whisper about onboard and scream about online because, simply put, they ruin the vibe for everyone.
And now? You’re the one who knows better. One cruiser summed it up best: “The worst part is they genuinely thought they were being helpful.” Not you. You’re in the know now.
Cruise smart. Cruise thoughtfully. Most importantly, cruise like someone you’d actually want to sit next to twice.
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