Quinceanera Cruise Etiquette

So you're going on a cruise! Celebrating your Quince Años is a time when you'll look and feel like a princess. With good manners you can act like a princess, too, and if you're reading this, that means you're interested in doing just that! If you put your best foot forward during the cruise, everyone will have a great time - you, your parents, and the people around you during the cruise.

The first question about cruise etiquette is whether you need to tip. Most of the people who work on the cruise ship receive a smaller salary than you realize, and tipping is an important part of their income. But your parents will be doing most of the tipping, so for the most part you don't need to worry about it.

You can help them, though, by visiting the cruise line's website to see if they've spelled out their policy on tips, which are also called gratuities. Many of them automatically add a standard amount to their daily charges, usually $10-15, which is divided among the stateroom person, the head waiter, the waiter, and the kitchen staff. If you and your parents feel that a greater or lesser amount is deserved, it can be adjusted with the office on the ship. Other cruise lines leave tipping entirely up to the passenger.

If you are permitted to sign for any snacks or soft drinks that you have during the day, you can write on the tab - add fifteen percent - so that your service person gets a tip. You can do the same thing if you go to the beauty salon. What you should avoid doing is leaving just a penny to show that you disliked the service you received. People often say that's the proper way to show dissatisfaction, but it's not. If you feel the service was poor, you can tell someone in charge what problem you encountered. Your complaint will be handled by someone with the authority to resolve poor service issues, and you won't have the same problem repeatedly throughout the trip.

That brings us to general good manners on the cruise. It's true that your family is paying a lot of money for the cruise, but polite behavior is still expected from you. No matter who is waiting on you, there is no need to talk down to them and be rude. You should know that a true lady makes everyone around her feel good, and if you have a problem with a service person on the cruise ship, again, discuss it quietly with one of the cruise managers or supervisors.

What about the handsome young men working on the ship? Even if they smile at you brightly, there is probably a ship policy that forbids them from dating passengers. So no matter how cute your waiter is, remember that he is just trying to make you feel special and there is no potential for romance - but it's okay to flirt just a little!

When you are in your cabin, keep your noise to a minimum. The walls are thin between cabins and you don't want to disturb other passengers with loud music, voices, or doors slamming. The same applies if you are coming or going in the hallways.

If you are the first person in your party to reach the sundeck or other area where there are seats for passengers, you cannot save seats for friends and family. Seats are available on a first-come basis.

If you need to use your cell phone, make certain you go to an area where you will not disturb other passengers.

Look up the ship's dress code for different activities. Your play clothes are okay for the sundeck, but people at a formal dinner don't want to see you in them. And don't go out into the hallway in your pajamas!

If you're watching a show on the ship, don't sit in front if you think you might not stay for the entire show. It's rude to get up and leave in the middle of someone's performance.

Expect that there will be some imperfections on your trip! The people behind the scenes are only human. If a piece of equipment goes on the fritz, or one of the meals is less than optimal, or someone's karaoke stinks, just be patient and polite. There are times when you make mistakes, too, and the most uncomfortable situations can be improved when you smile. You are doing your part by being gracious.

The last but not the least tip is to have patience with your fellow travelers. Remember that they, too, paid for their trip. They, like you, are in unfamiliar surroundings. Even if they seem weird or annoying, they are entitled to the same service and courtesy as you.

If you practice good etiquette on the ship, your trip will be even better than you anticipate. You will make the trip nicer not just for yourself but for your family, the cruise line staff, and your fellow passengers. Remember, it doesn't cost you anything to be polite, but good manners certainly have a high value!