Here’s how to avoid being annoying on your first cruise, according to a couple who has been on 80 voyages

For most cruise cabins, you can expect an attendant to come by once per day. Make it easier for them by communicating your plans, Bucolo said.

“Try to meet them on the first day of your cruise, and let them know your schedule so they know when to make up the room,” he said.

This helps the attendant be more efficient since people on vacation tend to leave their rooms at different times.

“We’re morning people. So the stateroom attendant will service the room when we go out to breakfast or an excursion,” he said. “Other folks want to sleep in, so the stateroom attendant will hit you in the afternoon or later in the evening to make up your room.”

Many cruise ships have staterooms with balconies, and passengers often use the railing to hang dry towels and bathing suits — but they shouldn’t — Bucolo said.

He added that it’s not just a matter of etiquette — it’s a safety issue.

“Don’t hang any articles because even if you’re not actively moving, wind can come, an animal can pick things up, and things can go overboard,” Bucolo said. “We want to keep the oceans clean.”

In that same vein, don’t leave other items on your balcony like books, magazines, food, or toys — if they don’t go overboard, an animal could still come by and snag something.

“You can eat out there, but take your plates in when you’re done,” he added.

“Sharing is a big thing on cruises. We’re all part of this together. So nothing is really yours or theirs in the communal areas,” he said.

For example, don’t spend too much time playing a sport if others are waiting to use the equipment.

“Do you want to go shoot some hoops at a basketball court? There are only so many basketballs,” he said. “If there’s mini golf, they might be out of mini golf clubs. You’re going to wait in line. When the next person finishes their round, they’ll give you their mini golf clubs.”

He added that you shouldn’t hog charging ports, either.

“A lot of the coffee shops have seats with power outlets and USBs built into the bar,” he said. “Plug in and do some work, but don’t sit there all day using all the power.”

Cruise ship buffets get crowded.

“Lunchtime on a sea day in the buffet is most likely the busiest a cruise venue is ever going to be,” Bucolo said.

So don’t make it worse by hogging tables.

“Don’t sit in the buffet all day — especially during busy times. If you want to escape the heat, there are other public venues inside,” he said. “Be mindful and don’t linger in the buffet for hours while other people look for seats.”

There are also basic buffet etiquette rules that some passengers don’t follow.

“Don’t cut in line. Don’t reach over people. Use the utensils — don’t grab things with your hands,” he said. “Please wash your hands before you go.”

Getting an elevator ride on a cruise ship “can be very stressful, especially after shows or dinner,” he said. “And you can see some people just not being respectful of others.”

Bucolo has a term for these people — “elevator rushers.”

“They make a beeline or weave in and out of people to get right in front of the elevator — even though there are people in front of them who might have limited mobility or accessibility issues,” he said. “They just pretend like they don’t see those people. We never recommend that.”

Bucolo said the elevator should be first come, first served, “so don’t plow your way though.”

Once inside the elevator, Ducolo said to make as much room as possible for other guests.

“You don’t need to cram every single person in,” he said. “But if there’s a little bit extra room and you can move to get another couple in, try to do that too.”

Ducolo added that you can help thin the crowds by using the stairs or walking to another elevator bank if you can.

“If it’s only a couple of decks up or down, consider using the stairs,” he said. “If everyone is getting out of dinner and there’s an elevator bank right near the restaurant, there’s usually another one on the other end of the ship.”

“When going to the Caribbean, a lot of people want to go to the beach and have a good time,” he said. “But that’s a vacation area for locals, too. Just treat it like you would back home.”

So don’t litter, and research local culture before you arrive.

“Cruising gets a bad rep because it’s a lot of people at once,” he said. “Those ports can get overwhelmed, and some people don’t know the proper etiquette.”

Bucolo said to return at least an hour before your ship leaves the port.

“It will leave without you — unless you’re on an excursion sponsored by the cruise line,” he said. “So if you want to explore on your own, always give yourself time for traffic and bad weather that could delay returning the ship.”

Bucolo added that it may take longer to return to your ship than you think.

“Sometimes there will be multiple ships,” he said. “It could be a long walk from where your ship is docked all the way back to the main street area.”

On Bucolo’s blog, a post about annoying cruisers mentions “the influencer,” referring to passengers who take documenting too far.

While Bucolo recommends taking as many photos and videos as you want during your vacation, don’t get in front of crowds or disturb other passengers to do so.

Bucolo also added that sometimes he’s guilty of this, but he tries not to get in the way of other cruisers’ experiences.

“We know it can be a bit annoying for others if people are constantly on their phones taking pictures and videos,” he told BI. “That is why we always try to be discreet and film at off times.”