Dress Code: What to Wear and When
Lifestyle cruises balance casual daywear with glamorous evening attire. From laid-back beachwear to black tie and LBD nights, each event onboard has its unique dress code. Swimwear with cover-ups and stylish but comfy sandals are the perfect combo for daytime activities by the poolside.
As the sun sets and events shift to more sophisticated evening affairs, fine dining restaurants like Prime C and Aqualina require a formal dress code, so be sure to keep your jeans and trainers in your cabin. For events like the elegant Mansion Night or themed gatherings such as Kreatures of the Night, think: alluring, elegant and chic. Cocktail dresses, formal gowns and smart suits or tuxes add to the night’s allure and blend beautifully with the cruise’s evening atmosphere. For a truly immersive experience, embrace the opportunity to dress up. It will only add to the charm.
Respecting Crew Members and Their Roles
Dedicated to making your journey as special and memorable as possible, the lifestyle cruise crew are the unsung heroes on the ship. They also work long hours and deserve the utmost respect. Being polite and recognising their efforts is a prerequisite and will enhance everyone’s onboard experience.
Many guests ask about tipping, which is typically recommended for cabin stewards, dining staff, and others who go above and beyond to deliver the best service. It’s a lovely gesture that never goes unappreciated.
While the crew is there to ensure your needs as a guest are met, remember that workplace boundaries are essential. Casual chats are an enjoyable part of the experience, but be mindful that they are working and may have other tasks or people they need to attend to.
Navigating Onboard Dining Etiquette
Dining on a lifestyle cruise is as much about the experience as it is about the dish. Whether you’re sampling Italian cuisine at Aqualina or indulging in poolside bites from The Patio, dining etiquette helps to create a smooth and pleasurable time for all.
Buffet-style dining is often more casual, but a few basics make it better for everyone. Always take a fresh plate for return trips to the buffet, and be mindful of hygiene. If you’ve made a reservation, please do your best to arrive on time. This helps to ensure a steady service flow and prevents other guests’ dining experiences from being interrupted. If you’re sat at a shared table, keep conversations inclusive and light so everyone can feel comfortable.
Hallways and Common Areas: Being Considerate of Fellow Passengers
Cruise ship hallways and elevators are shared spaces, and a little courtesy makes for a better experience for everyone. When moving through hallways, please keep voices down, particularly during the evenings when some may be resting after a busy day of activities or excursions.
The same goes for elevators. Give people space, let them exit first, and wait for the next one if it’s too crowded. This helps to conserve a relaxed, respectful atmosphere onboard. When gathering in lounges, allowing room for others to pass comfortably will make for a more pleasant and relaxing experience for all.
Onboard Etiquette: Non-negotiables
Lifestyle cruises offer a world of excitement—poolside parties, indulgent spas, and vibrant themed events—but with all this indulgence, rules must be followed to keep the atmosphere safe and pleasant. Treat shared spaces like pools and hot tubs as communal; after using these facilities, please be considerate and tidy up so the next guest can enjoy the space just as much.
If taking photos or videos whilst onboard, consent is essential. Please ensure you only capture shots or footage of those who have agreed to be featured. If uploading to social media or online, please ask for the subject’s permission beforehand so that privacy is always respected.
Dining areas and lounges are non-smoking spaces. If you smoke or vape, use designated smoking areas to ensure that everyone’s health needs are accommodated. Environmental etiquette is essential too. Throwing items overboard isn’t just against the rules—it can cause significant harm to sea life. If caught doing this, you may be required to pay a financial penalty.
Shore Excursions and Conduct
Venturing ashore for excursions is one of the most awaited parts of a cruise holiday. Each port offers an opportunity to explore new cultures, landscapes, and adventures. Yet, just as on the ship, respect and courtesy go a long way here too.
Being punctual ensures that group excursions stay on schedule, allowing everyone to enjoy the outing without feeling rushed. During excursions, please pay attention to guides and respect local customs. There may be times on land when shoulders need to be covered or where taking photos isn’t deemed appropriate.
When returning to the ship, the reboarding process is easier for everyone when guests remain considerate and patient. After a long day of exploring, common courtesy rounds off the day beautifully for all.
Interacting with Fellow Passengers: Balancing Friendliness and Privacy
Part of the allure of a lifestyle cruise is the opportunity to meet like-minded people. Knowing how to balance friendliness with respect for privacy ensures everyone feels at ease.
For many guests, a lifestyle cruise is about breaking free and exploring desires, so embrace the social side with a welcoming approach. Light and friendly conversation during group activities or in social lounges can lead to memorable connections. But remember, not everyone may be ready to chat, and so respecting when someone needs space is key.
During evening events or themed parties, dive in and connect, but also let each person set their own pace. Some will love being in the spotlight, whereas others will prefer to be quiet observers. With sensitivity and social awareness, you can enjoy the ship’s dynamic energy without overstepping anyone’s comfort zone.
You are part of the experience too
Mastering cruise ship etiquette is your ticket to an enhanced, stress-free journey. By embracing respect for crew members, dressing appropriately, and showing consideration in shared spaces, you can add to the magic. Courteous manners enrich the experience, making each encounter and every destination all the more rewarding. With a confident grasp of these guidelines, you’re ready to navigate your lifestyle cruise elegantly, enjoying every party, excursion, and shared laugh along the way.
Antonia J is a seasoned writer, editor, and consultant with over a decade of experience, specialising in topics that celebrate identity, diversity, empowerment, and intimacy. As a proud bisexual and neurodivergent woman, her work is fuelled by a passion for fostering acceptance, inclusivity, and meaningful conversations about human connection and liberation.She has collaborated with pioneering brands such as Killing Kittens, WAX, Coco de Mer, Hunger Magazine, and The Diversity Standards Collective, bringing visions to life through impactful words, creativity and storytelling. Notable contributions include crafting articles with sex and relationship experts for Killing Kittens, shaping the WAX community’s inclusive values, and conceptualising Coco de Mer & Sotheby’s “Eroticism in Art” film. This project, a collaboration with acclaimed photographer and director Rankin, drew thought-provoking parallels between the worlds of art and sex and was showcased at Sotheby’s “Erotic Passion & Desire” event in 2018. Her writing has also featured in DIVA Magazine, the leading global publication for LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary individuals.Drawing from her extensive study and lived experience, Antonia’s work explores themes such as relationship dynamics, tantra, polyamory, unicorns, shibari, mindfulness and mental health awareness. Deeply inspired by the intersections of psychology, attachment theory, and personal transformation, she brings a knowledgeable and non-judgemental voice to the evolving dialogue on modern relationships and sexual expression, and views every connection and exploration as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.