Cruises are supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable, but sometimes you might encounter some people who can ruin your vacation. Here are some of the most annoying types of people to avoid on a cruise and how to deal with them. Also, I’m sharing my travel loyalty program tracker as a free printable below.
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Most Annoying People to Avoid on a Cruise
1. The Chair Hogs
These are the people who hog the lounge chairs on the pool deck or the seats at the theater by leaving their towels, books, or bags on the chairs, even when they are not using them. They might be gone for hours, but they will not let anyone else enjoy the seats.
How to avoid them: If you see a chair that has been unoccupied for a long time, you can ask a staff member to remove the items and free up the space. Alternatively, you can wake up early and secure your own spot before the chair hogs do.
2. The Germ Spreaders
These are the people who do not follow the basic hygiene and health protocols. They don’t wash their hands at the buffet. They might be coughing, sneezing, or touching everything without covering their mouth, nose, or hands.
How to avoid them: If you see someone who is clearly sick or violating the health guidelines, you can keep your distance from them and sanitize your hands frequently. You can also wear a mask and avoid touching your face. If they are in your dining area, you can request a change.
3. The Inconsiderate Blockers
These are the people who will stand in front of you while you are seated enjoying the performance. They are inconsiderate and will block your view just so they can see better! It can happen anywhere- at the shore excursion, at the art auction, anywhere!
They might be oblivious, selfish, or rude, but they will not care about how they affect others. They might also refuse to move or make room for others.
How to avoid them: If you see someone who is blocking your view, you can politely ask them to move or step aside. You can also try to find another spot or angle where you can see better. If they are still bothering you, you can report them to the staff or the security. Do not push or shove them, as that might cause a scene or a fight.
4. The Loud Talkers
These are the people who have no regard for the volume of their voice or the content of their conversation. They might be chatting with their friends, or complaining about something, but they will do it so loudly that everyone around them can hear.
How to avoid them: If you are in a public area, you can try to move away from them or put on some headphones to block out the noise. If you are in your cabin, you can close the door and turn on the TV or some music. If they are still bothering you, you can politely ask them to lower their voice or report them to the staff.
5. The Line Cutters
When you’re on a cruise, you will be lining up a lot. One of the most annoying people to avoid at a cruise are the line cutters.
These are the cruise passengers who think they are entitled to skip the line and get ahead of everyone else. They will cut in front of you at the buffet, they will ignore the long line at the guest services desk and go straight to the desk! They might be in a hurry, have a special reason, or just be rude, but they will not respect the order or the rules of the line.
How to avoid them: If you see someone cutting the line, you can confront them and ask them to go back to their place. You can also alert the staff or the security to handle the situation. However, do not get into a physical or verbal altercation with them, as that might escalate the problem.
6. The Late Comers
These are the people who are always late when you’re at the shore excursions, making everyone wait for them and cutting your shore excursion time short. They might be careless, irresponsible, or disrespectful, but they will not care about how they affect others. They might also make excuses or blame others for their tardiness.
How to avoid them: If you are on a shore excursion with a late comer, you can try to remind them of the departure time and urge them to hurry up. You can also inform the tour guide or the staff of the situation and ask them to enforce the rules.
7. The Drunks
These are the people who drink too much and lose control of their behavior. They might be loud, obnoxious, aggressive, or inappropriate, but they will not care about how they affect others. They might also cause accidents, damage, or injuries to themselves or others.
How to avoid them: If you see someone who is clearly intoxicated, you can steer clear of them and avoid any interaction. You can also notify the staff or the security if they are causing trouble or endangering themselves or others. Do not try to reason with them or help them, as they might not appreciate it or respond well.
Check out: 21 Smart and Easy Ways to Save Money on a Cruise
8. The Family with Rowdy Kids
These are the parents who let their kids run around the lobby, the buffet, the pool, or any other place where they can cause a disturbance. They might be negligent, indulgent, or oblivious, but they will not care about how they affect others. They might also ignore the staff, the rules, or the safety measures for their kids.
How to avoid them: If you see a family with rowdy kids, you can try to avoid them or move to a quieter area. You can also report them to the staff or the security if they are bothering you or endangering others. Do not scold or discipline their kids, as that might offend them or cause a conflict.
9. The Complainers
These are the people who are never satisfied with anything and always find something to complain about. They might be unhappy with the food, the service, the entertainment, the weather, or anything else, but they will not hesitate to voice their dissatisfaction and demand compensation or special treatment.
How to avoid them: If you encounter a complainer, you can try to ignore them or change the subject. You can also sympathize with them and offer some positive feedback or suggestions. However, do not let them drag you down or ruin your mood. Remember that you are on a cruise to have fun and enjoy yourself.
10. The Know-It-Alls
These are the people who act like they are experts on everything and try to impress or correct everyone else. They might be giving unsolicited advice, trivia, or opinions on the destinations, the activities, the history, or the culture. They might also be rude, arrogant, or condescending to the staff, the locals, or the other guests.
How to avoid them: If you encounter a know-it-all, you can nod politely and move on. You can also challenge them with some facts or questions that they might not know. However, do not get into a debate or an argument with them, as that might waste your time and energy.
11. The Smokers
These are the people who try to smoke in areas that are not designated for smoking, or worse yet, they are smoking something other than cigarettes. They might be addicted, ignorant, or defiant, but they will not care about how they affect others.
How to avoid them: If you see someone who is smoking in a non-smoking area, you can politely ask them to stop or move to a designated area. You can also report them to the staff or the security if they are violating the rules.
Cruise Essentials
Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets!
Packing Cubes
Make cruise packing easier by using packing cubes. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. And unpacking is easy because you just need to take them out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves- so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you are not getting your cubes mixed up.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our 25 page cruise travel planner to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
Get Your Free Travel Loyalty Program Tracker
Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it to keep track of all the loyalty numbers and passwords of various cruise, airline and hotel loyalty programs. I hope you like it!
Check out these cruise packing lists with free printables
Mediterranean cruise packing list