Comments on: Have Declining Prices Led to Declining Civility Onboard?

By: jaxon

jaxon — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:36:26 +0000

I can’t say that I have personally seen a decline in civility, but then I have only been cruising for a decade (with the exception of one cruise two decades ago). When I have seen obnoxious behavior, it’s been young people of my own cultural background, or another — isn’t that somewhat expected from youth? They tend to be self-indulgent, and oblivious to others’ need for more decorum.

I have seen rude behavior on Eurpoean cruises from adults, and I certainly formed some opinions regarding their ethnicity — yikes! the worst offenders were from my ethnic heritage.

By: GaNavy

GaNavy — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:06:50 +0000

Kuki -
Sorry, but you invited the “class” comparisons in the way you framed your article – lower prices mean more passengers, and just who are those passengers? They’re people who couldn’t afford to cruise until prices were lowered. So rich man/poor man is naturally where the comments are going to go.

I have not noticed any lowering of standards of civility – if you think civility is measured by what someone wears, well good luck to you – and my reaction to the occasional obnoxious passenger is always the same: leave and go somewhere else onboard! Book one of those cheap balcony cabins, and relief is closer than ever!

Really enjoy your articles. Keep up the good work.
G.

By: Kuki

Kuki — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:52:47 +0000

This situation is somewhat different than ” a reflection of what’s going on”… in that at least cruise ships used to be a bastion of “well mannered behavior”.

For that reason alone the differences may be more noticeable.

I agree with everyone who says that wealth is not the indicator to use as the bar.

I do think there’s more cause and affect releationship with what is considered “socially acceptable behavior” and the norms of behavior of the diverse sections of society who are now finding themselves coming together, sharing the same ships.

And tensions maybe rising when those living by the “norms” of their home community, expect those from other areas with different social norms to act the same as what they understand.

And those expectations work both/each way… not just the rich looking “down”, but the less rich looking “up” and declaring them all snobs.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:52:08 +0000

I agree that it is simply a reflection of our changing society. We dress casually all the time and hatred and angry talk permeate our air waves every day. It has become a part of our daily existence and I think most have become numb to the crass behavior around us.

I do believe you will find more civility among the higher educated and wealthier folk, however, there are nasty people in all walks of life and economic situations.

I rarely experience angry people because I immediatley remove myself from that kind of negative energy. But years ago, I heard Maya Angelou speak and she said when you are offended by words or by behaviors of those around you, you SHOULD state your disapproval in a calm, non-judgemental way. “Excuse me, but I do not agree with that” or “Excuse me, I think your words have offended or hurt somebody”. When we stay silent, the energy put out by a wrong action or deed is allowed to travel and infect others.

I think our silence has allowed the dumbing down we see all around us, and not just on cruise lines.

By: Captain Tennille

Captain Tennille — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:10:23 +0000

monkey thyme: I think the implication was that somehow wealthy people are naturally “better raised”. ie: If you take a poor man, and give hime some bucks, he remains uncouth. This is a fallacy. You can teach a fortunate person good manners. Whether he chooses to use them is another story. I can personally vouch for tons of folks who cannot rub two nickels together, but have impeccable manners. The problem now it seems is some people view cruising like a country club… “now just how did get in here?” Jeans in the dining room, muscle shirts in the buffet line, NASCAR talk in the elevator… etc. It seems to truly bother some people.

By: Lavona

Lavona — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:29:08 +0000

The first time we noticed this was a few years back when the Royal Caribbean ship we were on had sold 7 day trips for dirt prices in Puerto Rico. The pools were full of empty bottles that the staff tried to keep clean, the noise level on the pool deck even during the day made it impossible to read. The people did not tip and were rowdy and disruptive. It made the cruise experience not at all what we had come to expect and enjoy.

By: monkeythyme

monkeythyme — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:40:39 +0000

In my forty-several years in the country entertainment business, Joe six-pack was very good to me. In my day job as a CPA, Joe six-figure has been likewise. But I have learned that both are equally prone to obnoxious behavior. Having “beer money and champagne taste” is one problem, but expecting to get champagne for a beer price is just as bad.
One of the things I cruise for is the diversity. After years of being the show, it is fun to have others be the show for me. The only ones who get under my skin are the angry people, and I can walk away from them with the consolation that they cannot walk away from themselves.

By: Tim Butler

Tim Butler — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:54:58 +0000

I agree with Trip and Dave….Passengers on cruise ships are just a reflection of what we have become as a society.

By: Captain Tennille

Captain Tennille — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:17:39 +0000

No more or less civil than usual. I think the statement referring to the declining “quality” of cruise passenger is in very poor taste indeed. I know some wealthy folks who are utter a**es in public. On-cruise behaviour has not changed at all, from my viewpoint. Some of the peeves mentioned above have always existed, and they exist everywhere, not just on a ship. I guess it’s a cruiser’s favorite past-time to complain.

By: Kuki

Kuki — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:45:56 +0000

Dave.. I was kind of hoping this discussion wouldn’t go there. It’s much too sterotypical, and besides there’s reverse prejudices as well.

I think Trackpup stated it well.. income doesn’t dictate behavior.

There’s no way to prove it, but perhaps the stereotypes working both ways is part of what causes less acceptance of others and thus less civility towards one an other.