Inconsiderate Cruisers

[hubbard53]

This must have been before the new alcohol policy because, you know, there were drunks stumbling all over the boats back then after drinking a fifth of vodka for breakfast.

 

[Jennifer777]

We were taught growing up that when you're dining out and done eating, you stack your plates and do your best to clean up your mess to make it easier for servers. Not because it's required, but because it's polite. On our first two cruises, we had very attentive dining staff and when they caught us doing that, they seemed upset. I think they took this to mean they weren't doing their job fast or well enough. I was very conflicted, feeling like I was rude if I didn't do it but feeling like I was insulting them if I did. Our last cruise, our dirty dishes often sat stacked on the side of our table for 10+ minutes before we saw our servers and they never seemed to mind.

Biggest pet peeve for me is the line cutters, the chair savers and the unattended children running around. We had a woman try to cut the line to get off the ship last week and a guy called her on it. She started yelling and swearing at him, claiming she wasn't trying to cut the line. I thought she was going to hit him. The people who are rude enough to try something like that are usually the first ones to lash out if someone dares to call them on it, like somehow, they're the victims. On that same cruise, we also had a woman who let her toddler walk around the pool area with an ice cream cone dripping all over people's legs and belongings. She was SUPER busy playing on her phone and couldn't be bothered. After a while she'd go corral him back over to the table she was sitting at and then watch as he wandered away again, dripping ice cream the whole way.

 

[southerngirl528]

We really wanted to see the Paint the Night parade on Saturday night, so at 6:30 my kids and I found some decent seats on the cement next to the castle where we had the privilege of sitting for the next 1.5 hours until parade time at 8:00. The only time any of us moved was when my 2 kids went to New Orleans Square to get some Mickey Beignets.

Fast forward to about 7:55 and here comes the onslaught of parents with strollers wanting to plop down in front of us so their kids could see the parade. I couldn't believe how many people tried to "squeeze" into our little area. Then they had the nerve to get pissed at me because I wasn't willing to contort myself into a ball so they could see the parade

Oh man! I feel you pain, ClubDisney Chandler! Every time we go to MVMCP at WDW I stake out a place with and for my big family close to 2 hours out. And you are so right that people will literally push you or your children right over to squeeze into obviously full spaces. And then if you politely (but firmly) say something about them squashing your family they look at you like you're satan!

 

[southerngirl528]

I refuse to buy cocktails anymore for this exact reason. Last cruise I was only drinking beer or wine from a purchased bottle b/c cocktails were weak and wine by the glass was either turned or served waaaayy too warm.

I would never pay for a drink/wine that was not at least "average". I politely tell my server/barkeep that the drink is not satisfactory and why. They have always been swift to both apologize and ask what they can bring me in return. I have found that on longer cruises DH and I tend to find one or w CM's that we really like to make our beverages so we try to order from them when possible.

My first cruise ever (and on the Magic less than two weeks ago), it was just hubby and I, and we were waiting in line the first night to see goofy and this obnoxious (drunk) lady with her kid was upset that the CM had closed the line to see goofy as it was already 1/2 hour past his allotted time and they needed to get the next character there in that spot. She threw a fit and made a HUGE scene. I was just so embarrassed for her family. I saw her around the ship a lot those four days and she was the same obnoxious person the entire time. I knew she was drunk the first night as she had finished the drink of the day and had another one going.

Sorry you got lambasted, Cheermom. The way I read your post I thought you made it quite clear that the reason you said the woman was drunk was by her behaviors. Doesn't take a nuclear physicist to figure out when someone is drunk, huh?

 

[cheermom2four]

On that same cruise, we also had a woman who let her toddler walk around the pool area with an ice cream cone dripping all over people's legs and belongings. She was SUPER busy playing on her phone and couldn't be bothered. After a while she'd go corral him back over to the table she was sitting at and then watch as he wandered away again, dripping ice cream the whole way.

OMG I would never let my child out of my sight around a pool. Yes, I'm one of those helicopter moms LOL (and have witnessed my niece almost drowning in a pool while my sister and I were sitting on the edge chatting). Takes a split second to drown. As for walking around with ice cream dripping, do they allow food right near the pools? It was too cool when my DH and I went on our first cruise and we arent going till Sept with the kids on our second so I'm clueless on this

 

[Hundredacre]

We were taught growing up that when you're dining out and done eating, you stack your plates and do your best to clean up your mess to make it easier for servers. Not because it's required, but because it's polite. On our first two cruises, we had very attentive dining staff and when they caught us doing that, they seemed upset. I think they took this to mean they weren't doing their job fast or well enough. I was very conflicted, feeling like I was rude if I didn't do it but feeling like I was insulting them if I did. Our last cruise, our dirty dishes often sat stacked on the side of our table for 10+ minutes before we saw our servers and they never seemed to mind.

Biggest pet peeve for me is the line cutters, the chair savers and the unattended children running around. We had a woman try to cut the line to get off the ship last week and a guy called her on it. She started yelling and swearing at him, claiming she wasn't trying to cut the line. I thought she was going to hit him. The people who are rude enough to try something like that are usually the first ones to lash out if someone dares to call them on it, like somehow, they're the victims. On that same cruise, we also had a woman who let her toddler walk around the pool area with an ice cream cone dripping all over people's legs and belongings. She was SUPER busy playing on her phone and couldn't be bothered. After a while she'd go corral him back over to the table she was sitting at and then watch as he wandered away again, dripping ice cream the whole way.

Not to be blunt but stacking used plates on a table is a huge faux pas!! You are supposed to put your knife and fork together in the five o'clock position to indicate to your server you are done. If the service is good, they will pick it up immediately when they see this.

 

[ktate82]

Haha...not on Disney cruise drinks you aren't getting drunk after 1 or even two drinks. It took my husband a Cognac tasting with 4 different cognacs plus one more after the tasting to get a buzz. lol
I had 3 Amaretto Sours in the course of the day...(GASP...call AA) and never even felt it. Which is funny because I am not much of a drinker to begin with.

Lol I guess I got the bartender in the Skyline on the Fantasy. Two drinks and I was snuckered! I have a limit of only one drink from there from now on!

 

[ktate82]

Biggest pet peeve for me is the line cutters, the chair savers and the unattended children running around. We had a woman try to cut the line to get off the ship last week and a guy called her on it. She started yelling and swearing at him, claiming she wasn't trying to cut the line. I thought she was going to hit him. The people who are rude enough to try something like that are usually the first ones to lash out if someone dares to call them on it, like somehow, they're the victims. On that same cruise, we also had a woman who let her toddler walk around the pool area with an ice cream cone dripping all over people's legs and belongings. She was SUPER busy playing on her phone and couldn't be bothered. After a while she'd go corral him back over to the table she was sitting at and then watch as he wandered away again, dripping ice cream the whole way.

Yes! Line cutters drive me crazy! The only exception I ever have is for a small child who had to use the bathroom or someone who is older or disabled and can't stand in the line. Other than that, if your whole party isn't together, there is no "catch up". We will all get on the ship, ride the ride, get to dinner, get off the ship, etc eventually, calm down, remember the kindergarten lessons, and wait your turn!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Not to be blunt but stacking used plates on a table is a huge faux pas!! You are supposed to put your knife and fork together in the five o'clock position to indicate to your server you are done. If the service is good, they will pick it up immediately when they see this.

Totally correct in a good restaurant! However, I've been to several nicer restaurants where they don't take that subtle, but correct, hint.

 

[truck1]

Not to be blunt but stacking used plates on a table is a huge faux pas!! You are supposed to put your knife and fork together in the five o'clock position to indicate to your server you are done. If the service is good, they will pick it up immediately when they see this.

True, but DCL cant get guests to wear appropriate clothes to dinner, or follow simple requests. I really don't expect most to know where to put a knife and fork when there done, let alone how to properly use them.

 

[Skiton]

Not to be blunt but stacking used plates on a table is a huge faux pas!! You are supposed to put your knife and fork together in the five o'clock position to indicate to your server you are done. If the service is good, they will pick it up immediately when they see this.

I believe she was referring to Cabanas, though, not MDRs. Of course you aren't supposed to stack your plates if you're getting table service (OR throw your used napkin on your plate to signal you're finished, that drives me nuts), but I, too, stack things neatly at the buffet. My kids can be a disaster with jelly and cream cheese packets everywhere, and empty cereal containers, etc. so I try to consolidate everything for the staff before we leave.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Not to be blunt but stacking used plates on a table is a huge faux pas!! You are supposed to put your knife and fork together in the five o'clock position to indicate to your server you are done. If the service is good, they will pick it up immediately when they see this.

This is what I was taught, and I have taught kids.... However unless we are in a 5 star restaurant (very rare) or at disney most places don't get the hint..
After having kids I quickly realized that stacking the plates would get them off the table MUCH faster.. And any parent knows less on the table the better!

I believe she was referring to Cabanas, though, not MDRs. Of course you aren't supposed to stack your plates if you're getting table service (OR throw your used napkin on your plate to signal you're finished, that drives me nuts), but I, too, stack things neatly at the buffet. My kids can be a disaster with jelly and cream cheese packets everywhere, and empty cereal containers, etc. so I try to consolidate everything for the staff before we leave.

 

[phinz]

Not to be blunt but stacking used plates on a table is a huge faux pas!! You are supposed to put your knife and fork together in the five o'clock position to indicate to your server you are done. If the service is good, they will pick it up immediately when they see this.

I was taught knife and fork at 3 and 9 and completely inboard, but yes, the same basic thing.

 

[truck1]

I was taught knife and fork at 3 and 9 and completely inboard, but yes, the same basic thing.

That's more or less what my grandmother taught me, but it goes along with the same basic principal. Visual cue as to whether your done eating or not.

 

[Skiton]

I was taught knife and fork together at four or five o' clock. Not that it matters, just saying I'm Team Hundredacre on this one.

 

[Jennifer777]

True, but DCL cant get guests to wear appropriate clothes to dinner, or follow simple requests. I really don't expect most to know where to put a knife and fork when there done, let alone how to properly use them.

Yikes! I referenced what my parents taught me growing up to explain what is engrained in me, that you do what you can to help those helping you. I should probably elaborate that growing up on a cops salary, we never dined at white linen and 5 o'clock fork/knife establishments, we didn't even have any in our town, but even in all their poorness, my parents did somehow manage to teach us how properly use utensils.

For a little more clarification, at Cabanas we stack and consolidate all dishes on the side of the table and if we're out by the pool area, we bus them ourselves. In the MDR, with the exception of our last cruise, I don't stack and consolidate all dishes like we're eating at a buffet but if we're done with our bread plates, I put that on my regular plate and I absolutely HAVE to pick up/straighten up after my kids as much as possible. (This is part upbringing referenced earlier, part Mom OCD.) I never throw my napkin on my plate (gross) and I rarely lick my plate clean ;-) (<--before you get you get too worked up, that was a joke) Now our last cruise, we DID eventually start stacking things on the side of the table, frowned upon, I know, but after staring at used plates for 15+ minutes and not seeing our servers I couldn't take it anymore. I had hoped it would help move things along, our son has ASD and does not do well in crowded dining rooms so sitting there for well over an hour each night just waiting is not ideal, but it did not help. We ended up skipping our two last meals in the MDR because of it.

 

[Skiton]

Yikes! I referenced what my parents taught me growing up to explain what is engrained in me, that you do what you can to help those helping you. I should probably elaborate that growing up on a cops salary, we never dined at white linen and 5 o'clock fork/knife establishments, we didn't even have any in our town, but even in all their poorness, my parents did somehow manage to teach us how properly use utensils.

For a little more clarification, at Cabanas we stack and consolidate all dishes on the side of the table and if we're out by the pool area, we bus them ourselves. In the MDR, with the exception of our last cruise, I don't stack and consolidate all dishes like we're eating at a buffet but if we're done with our bread plates, I put that on my regular plate and I absolutely HAVE to pick up/straighten up after my kids as much as possible. (This is part upbringing referenced earlier, part Mom OCD.) I never throw my napkin on my plate (gross) and I rarely lick my plate clean ;-) (<--before you get you get too worked up, that was a joke) Now our last cruise, we DID eventually start stacking things on the side of the table, frowned upon, I know, but after staring at used plates for 15+ minutes and not seeing our servers I couldn't take it anymore. I had hoped it would help move things along, our son has ASD and does not do well in crowded dining rooms so sitting there for well over an hour each night just waiting is not ideal, but it did not help. We ended up skipping our two last meals in the MDR because of it.

Thanks for clarifying about not licking your plate (too often). It made me laugh.

 

[Sytrace]

Yikes! I referenced what my parents taught me growing up to explain what is engrained in me, that you do what you can to help those helping you. I should probably elaborate that growing up on a cops salary, we never dined at white linen and 5 o'clock fork/knife establishments, we didn't even have any in our town, but even in all their poorness, my parents did somehow manage to teach us how properly use utensils.

For a little more clarification, at Cabanas we stack and consolidate all dishes on the side of the table and if we're out by the pool area, we bus them ourselves. In the MDR, with the exception of our last cruise, I don't stack and consolidate all dishes like we're eating at a buffet but if we're done with our bread plates, I put that on my regular plate and I absolutely HAVE to pick up/straighten up after my kids as much as possible. (This is part upbringing referenced earlier, part Mom OCD.) I never throw my napkin on my plate (gross) and I rarely lick my plate clean ;-) (<--before you get you get too worked up, that was a joke) Now our last cruise, we DID eventually start stacking things on the side of the table, frowned upon, I know, but after staring at used plates for 15+ minutes and not seeing our servers I couldn't take it anymore. I had hoped it would help move things along, our son has ASD and does not do well in crowded dining rooms so sitting there for well over an hour each night just waiting is not ideal, but it did not help. We ended up skipping our two last meals in the MDR because of it.

I stack the plates at Cabanas as well and have my kids take the plates and trash to the station where servers take them. I don't do that in the MDR's and actually do put my knife and fork in the "I am done" position on the plate...just not in the MDR's on the ship.

I am glad you clarified the plate licking...I am still trying to break my 13 year old of this habit and it might help if he sees that an adult has stopped and moved forward. lol Thank you for the giggle.

 

[truck1]

Yikes! I referenced what my parents taught me growing up to explain what is engrained in me, that you do what you can to help those helping you. I should probably elaborate that growing up on a cops salary, we never dined at white linen and 5 o'clock fork/knife establishments, we didn't even have any in our town, but even in all their poorness, my parents did somehow manage to teach us how properly use utensils.

For a little more clarification, at Cabanas we stack and consolidate all dishes on the side of the table and if we're out by the pool area, we bus them ourselves. In the MDR, with the exception of our last cruise, I don't stack and consolidate all dishes like we're eating at a buffet but if we're done with our bread plates, I put that on my regular plate and I absolutely HAVE to pick up/straighten up after my kids as much as possible. (This is part upbringing referenced earlier, part Mom OCD.) I never throw my napkin on my plate (gross) and I rarely lick my plate clean ;-) (<--before you get you get too worked up, that was a joke) Now our last cruise, we DID eventually start stacking things on the side of the table, frowned upon, I know, but after staring at used plates for 15+ minutes and not seeing our servers I couldn't take it anymore. I had hoped it would help move things along, our son has ASD and does not do well in crowded dining rooms so sitting there for well over an hour each night just waiting is not ideal, but it did not help. We ended up skipping our two last meals in the MDR because of it.

You didn't have to explain. I was more taking a shot at DCL then anything else. I looked at it more as the level of manners are going down, and more people are taking the "I paid to be on this boat ( calling it a boat drives me nuts. Its a ship. A boat is something a ship carries, but I digress.) I paid for this vacation and Ill do what ever I want when I want and I don't care about anyone else except me."

When I grew up, if you considered a child, you had your own table at family gatherings and pretty much were seen not heard. Whatever you did, don't forget your manners. My grandmother taught me a lot about eating in public etc. My grandmother and even my parents are of the type of if you went to a fast food place, (which was a luxury when I was growing up) you left your plates for someone else to clean up. Their reasoning was that if you clean up your plates, you were taking/doing someones job from/for them. Cabanas, Ill at least try and get the dirty plates where a cm can get to them, an not have to reach over or around us, and say thank you to them when they do it.

 

[Ofinn]

OMG you people are cracking me up. Are you really that bothered by how someone positions there knife and fork, how they stack their plates, what they wear to dinner. I never notice any of this. I work the hardest customer service job in the world, and none of this would bother me. I'm so happy to be on a vacation I could care less if a kid drops an ice cream cone on my head, someone cuts in line...who cares. I guess it's all about perspective.