The Gross Mistake Many Cruise Ship Passengers Make That Workers Might Make Fun Of You For

It's no secret that cruises make some of the most memorable vacations. On top of offering incredible destinations and fun in the sun, cruises are unmatched for meeting and interacting with people from all over the world. Even though there may be many differences in cultures and behavior, cruise staff universally frown upon one cringe-worthy faux pas that transcends borders: bare feet away from the pool area. Even though many cruise lines allow informal attire, a general "don't" on most cruise ships is not to walk around barefoot. Some crew members will even go as far as making fun of passengers who break this rule.

Cruises are set up to help you maximize your enjoyment in a shared environment, but several gross behaviors can ruin the experience. Whether you're lounging in the sun, heading to the buffet, or experiencing the thrill of skydiving, surfing, or the many outrageous attractions on board, try to stay healthy and practice good etiquette. Along with using tongs at the buffet and making sure not to slam doors, this means wearing footwear.

Major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Disney, Celebrity Cruises, Viking Ocean, Oceania Cruises, and Virgin Voyages have some of the cleanest cruise ships, largely because the staff members work tirelessly around the clock to keep the entire vessel neat, tidy, and comfortable for guests. These tasks include sanitizing public restrooms, draining and maintaining the ship's 
swimming pools, and maintaining and serving at the ship's buffet. This is a team effort, and cruisers should do all they can to avoid getting on the wrong side of the staff.

Cruise staff want you to be happy and enjoy your trip to the fullest. However, workers might talk about passengers on each ship who don't wear shoes, and not in a positive way. Although footwear may not be a requirement on board, it is a good idea to wear shoes in public areas, especially if you are inside. Cruisers are often not allowed to go barefoot into the dining rooms on many cruises and will often be seen as unhygienic if they are walking inside on carpets where thousands of people walk daily. 

Worse, not wearing shoes on board can turn your vacation into a nightmare and could result in you getting injured on your trip. Even though the lido deck and the pool are where much of the action is on a cruise, it may be one of the most dangerous areas to walk barefoot. Before you walk around barefoot, be aware that stepping on a small piece of broken glass from a drink, slipping and falling, or scorching your soles on the scorching hot lido deck can cause you to miss out on onshore activities or an expensive trip to the ship's infirmary.

To maximize your and everyone's enjoyment, frequent cruisers and crew recommend wearing at least a pair of flip-flops or even boat shoes, which are slip-resistant and waterproof, to protect your feet while on the ship. Wearing footwear will help to keep your feet clean and will minimize the chances of you getting your feet dirty and spreading bacteria around the lido deck and in the pool. And most importantly, it will help everyone have an incredible vacation by keeping one another safe.