11 Things You Should Never Ask Cruise Crew Members

Cruise crew members are some of the friendliest and hardest-working people you’ll ever meet.

They work long contracts, often months away from home, and spend their days making sure thousands of guests have a great time.

However, according to my research, there are a few questions crew members hear over and over again that can be awkward, inappropriate, or just plain annoying.

If you want to be the kind of passenger the crew actually enjoy serving, here are a few things it’s best not to ask…

1. How Much They Earn

Asking somebody how much money they make is generally considered rude in most situations, and cruise ships are no different.

Crew members come from all over the world, and in many cultures discussing salary is very private. Pay can also vary widely depending on the role, contract, and tips.

I think this is why some people might feel inclined to ask. There’s the whole debate over tipping on cruise ships, and whether daily gratuities actually make it into the hands of the crew. Still, it’s not something you should be asking a crew member about – talk about putting them on the spot!

I think the other reason people ask is because they think working on a cruise ship sounds glamorous, and so they want to find out more about how viable the

In short, it’s nobody’s business but theirs.

Read more: What Crew Members Really Think About Tipping

2. Whether They Live on the Ship

Guests asking ask crew members if they live on the ship happens more than you think.

And yes, of course they do.

Accommodation varies, but may look something like this…

During their contract the ship is their home. Crew members have cabins onboard and typically work for several months at a time before going home for leave.

It might feel like an unusual lifestyle to passengers, but for the crew it’s just part of the job. They’re hardly boarding the ship each day you arrive in port, or arriving via jet ski during sea days.

Even guest entertainers will live on this ship for short periods. It may only be one or two nights in some cases, but as most of the entertainment happens after the ship has set sail, they will have a cabin onboard.

3. Asking for Special Treatment That Affects Other Guests

Cruise ships are designed to keep thousands of people happy at the same time. And the crew will genuinely try to do whatever they can to make your stay onboard as comfortable as possible… within reason.

So when someone asks the crew to bend the rules in a way that negatively impacts other passengers, the answer is usually going to be no.

Crew members have policies to follow, and those policies exist to keep things fair for everyone onboard.

So don’t ask to be given priority over other guests, or for an event to be moved somewhere else because you want to enjoy the space yourself. Silly requests like this are just going to be ignored.

4. Talking About Man Overboard Incidents

Some people are oddly fascinated by dramatic incidents at sea and ask crew members if they’ve ever experienced a man overboard situation.

If they have, it’s something serious and potentially traumatic, not a story for casual holiday gossip.

It’s best to steer clear of this topic entirely.

5. Trying to Flirt or Hook Up With Them

Cruise crew members are working.

Hitting on someone who’s doing their job can put them in a very uncomfortable position, especially because many cruise lines have strict rules about relationships with guests.

In many cases, it could actually cost them their job.

So no matter how nice they’re being to you, or how attractive you find them, don’t be that person that flirts and pushes for something to happen at sea.

Holiday romances between guests? Fine. When they involve crew? Not fine.

Read more: Cruise Ship Crew Dating Guests: Rules, Reality and What’s Allowed

6. Whether They Get Seasick

It might seem like a harmless question, but it’s a bit like asking an airplane pilot if they’re scared of flying.

Most crew members quickly get used to life at sea, and modern cruise ships are incredibly stable.

That said, crew members are human, and yes, they do get seasick like the rest of us. The difference is, they still have to work. And if you’re trying to get through a shift while feeling sick, the last thing you want is to talk about how sick you feel. That will just make it worse.

Read more: Who Seasickness Affects Most And Why

7. If They Can Sneak You Into the Crew Bar

Passengers sometimes ask crew members if they can sneak them into crew-only areas like the crew bar.

I get it, we all wonder what’s behind the curtain. Myself, I’ve been lucky enough to step inside the crew bar onboard a Virgin Voyages ship, but not when crew members were present.

No photography was allowed, so I’ll just hare to describe it for you…

The bar is located on a low deck, very far forward inside the bow. That made it an interesting triangular shape! The walls are metal, and as the sea was rough, the ship was moving so much it was hard to stand.

There’s a normal looking bar, lots of tables and chairs and bench seating along the walls. There’s even a stage with a full drumkit and guitars. The atmosphere is dark and moody, like a nightclub. On one wall, hundreds of crew members have signed their names.

Of course, not all crew bars will look the same, and I would imaging that Virgin Voyages has one of the coolest ones, as they have a reputation for treating their crew very well.

But it’s important to know that crew areas are heavily restricted, and letting a guest in could get a crew member into serious trouble.

Read more: 12 Things Cruise Crew Do With Their Precious Time Off

8. Asking To Reserve Sun Loungers for You

Cruise ships aren’t like those hotels where you can ask someone to save you a sun lounger for later.

Crew members can’t reserve loungers for guests, and trying to get them to do it usually puts them in an awkward position. It’s also unfair on other passengers.

Reserving loungers is a big no-no on any cruise ship, and so asking the crew to take part is like asking them to sneak you drinks – you’re outright asking them to break the rules. Don’t.

If you want a good spot by the pool, the simple rule applies: get there early. And then stay there, don’t then head off for breakfast.

9. Suggesting Their Job Must Be Repetitive Or Boring

Cruise ships run like floating cities, and every crew member plays a part in keeping things running smoothly.

What might look repetitive to passengers is often part of a very organised system.

Asking someone if their job must get boring is generally rude in any situation, and it’s no different at sea.

10. Whether They Miss Their Family

Many crew members spend six to nine months away from home during a contract.

So yes, of course they miss their families.

Many of them have children at home – so they may be missing girst step, school graduations, and some men even miss the birth of their children altogether as they are working on the ship.

Asking this question can unintentionally bring up something emotional.

Alternatively, some crew members may not have any family. You think they want to answer the question with a ‘no’, though?

If you’re curious, a nicer approach is simply asking about their family. Many crew members actually enjoy talking about them.

But don’t say “do you miss them?”

Good Questions to Ask Your Cruise Crew Members

Not every question is off-limits, of course. In fact, many crew members enjoy chatting with guests, especially when the conversation is friendly and respectful – and it’s clear they have time to chat. Don’t try to strike up a long conversation when they’re obviously really busy!

If you’d like to have a positive interaction, here are some great things you can ask about instead.

General Information About the Ship

You’d be surprised how many people book a cruise without doing much research into the ship.

And so they get onboard not really understanding how dining works, what free options there are, where the entertainment is held, or even what there is to do onboard.

If only there were some people who lived on the ship who could point you in the right direction…

The crew are more than happy to explain things to you, and no question about your experience is stupid. So don’t be shy to ask for help or advice on what options are available to you.

You will need to ask the right person though. If you ask your cabin steward which bar does the best cocktails they will probably have no idea.

Recommendations for the Ports You’re Visiting

Crew members often visit the same ports again and again, which means they can be a brilliant source of local knowledge.

If you’re not sure what to do when you get off the ship, ask if they have any favourite places in port. They might know about a great beach, a small local restaurant, or a hidden spot most tourists miss.

And if you’re trying to avoid paying for expensive cruise WiFi, it never hurts to ask if they know any good places with free internet. They often do!

Interesting Facts About the Ship

Cruise ships are basically floating cities, and the people who work on them know all sorts of fascinating behind-the-scenes details.

Crew members are often happy to talk about how the ship operates, how long they’ve been working at sea, or what life is like onboard during a contract.

You might even learn something about the ship you’d never noticed before.

Their Favourite Ports or Destinations

Many crew members have travelled to dozens of destinations through their work.

Asking about their favourite ports, or which destinations they enjoy visiting most, can lead to some really interesting conversations.

You’ll often hear about places you hadn’t considered visiting before – just be careful as you might end up booking a cruise that goes there!

How Their Day Is Going

It sounds simple, but asking someone how their day is going can go a long way.

Crew members interact with thousands of guests each week, and a little politeness makes a big difference.

Taking a moment to ask how they’re doing – and actually listening to the answer – can make you stand out as one of the nicer passengers they meet.

Basic good manners are a good thing – who knew?

Read more: Rude Cruise Passengers: Shocking Onboard Stories You Won’t Believe

Whether There’s Anything You Can Do to Make Their Job Easier

This isn’t something most passengers think about, but small gestures can make life easier for the crew.

Returning glasses to the bar instead of leaving them on a random table, keeping your cabin reasonably tidy for your steward, or simply following the ship’s rules all help things run more smoothly.

It might seem like a small thing, but crew members definitely notice guests who are considerate. And it’s not like they’re going to rope you into hard manual labour just because you asked!

Read more: 13 Things Your Cabin Steward Secretly LOVES You Doing

Final Word

Cruise crew members work incredibly hard behind the scenes to make sure guests have an amazing holiday. Long hours, busy shifts and months away from home are all part of the job, but a friendly interaction with passengers can make a real difference to their day.

Most crew members genuinely enjoy chatting with guests when they have the time, and a bit of politeness and curiosity goes a long way.

By avoiding awkward questions and focusing on friendly conversation instead, you’ll likely have much better interactions with the people who help make your cruise special.

And who knows – you might even pick up a few great travel tips along the way.

Related Posts

• The One Cruise Etiquette Tip EVERYONE Should Know!
• 9 Cruise Planning Mistakes First-Time Cruisers Always Make
• Cruise Booking Mistakes That Cost People Hundreds