"pushy" cruisers

I've been reading that the Europeans on many MSC ships can be rude and pushy compared to the US cruisers.....

This brought back memories of our first cruise which was on the Carnival Legend in 2007....Although we had a good time, my husband thought the passengers were outrageously pushy.

On another cruise we were seated with a woman who complained from the second she sat down at dinner to when we left. Nothing was right for her.

We decided to ask for a table change rather than endure this woman for 7 nights....This was done and we are still in touch with the new tablemates.

In Roatan, we were amazed at the different culture and had a wonderful time there on a private excursion. A fellow passenger claimed that the country was filthy, so they walked off the ship and returned to it promptly.

We've cruised w/different cruiselines and ships and now look at things that we dislike as "experiences" and make the best of them.

Different strokes for different folks...We're looking forward to our first cruise on MSC!

Barbara

We sailed on the MSC Armonia a couple of weeks ago and did not find our fellow guests pushy. Yes, a few guests ignored lines, but you find that on any cruise.

I've been reading that the Europeans on many MSC ships can be rude and pushy compared to the US cruisers.....

 

This brought back memories of our first cruise which was on the Carnival Legend in 2007....Although we had a good time, my husband thought the passengers were outrageously pushy.

 

On another cruise we were seated with a woman who complained from the second she sat down at dinner to when we left. Nothing was right for her.

We decided to ask for a table change rather than endure this woman for 7 nights....This was done and we are still in touch with the new tablemates.

 

In Roatan, we were amazed at the different culture and had a wonderful time there on a private excursion. A fellow passenger claimed that the country was filthy, so they walked off the ship and returned to it promptly.

 

We've cruised w/different cruiselines and ships and now look at things that we dislike as "experiences" and make the best of them.

 

Different strokes for different folks...We're looking forward to our first cruise on MSC!

 

Barbara

As a Brit, I probably lean towards the American idea of queing. If queing was an international sport, Britain would win Gold, Silver and Bronze year in, year out.

The Europeans however have a different view, which could be probably summed up as milling around in no particular order, try to be served but give way to anyone who claims was there before you.

To the untrained eye it can be seen as impolite, or just plain rude, but it does make for a more "sociable" experience as during the milling stage you can talk to people rather than staring at the back of someones head, as you would while queing.

Anyone who is unprepared for this change in etiquette may become frustrated, but hey, you're cruising, don't let it bother you.

If "milling around" was an international sport, Italy would win Gold, Silver and Bronze year in, year out.

In terms of complaining, again, I'm British, we don't complain about anything, ever!

As a Brit, I probably lean towards the American idea of queing. If queing was an international sport, Britain would win Gold, Silver and Bronze year in, year out.

 

The Europeans however have a different view, which could be probably summed up as milling around in no particular order, try to be served but give way to anyone who claims was there before you.

 

To the untrained eye it can be seen as impolite, or just plain rude, but it does make for a more "sociable" experience as during the milling stage you can talk to people rather than staring at the back of someones head, as you would while queing.

 

Anyone who is unprepared for this change in etiquette may become frustrated, but hey, you're cruising, don't let it bother you.

 

If "milling around" was an international sport, Italy would win Gold, Silver and Bronze year in, year out.

 

In terms of complaining, again, I'm British, we don't complain about anything, ever!

Absolutely perfectly put, Papcx.

I always think that the British way of queuing is relatively simplistic and under-developed. The 'expert' Continentals run rings around us, sometimes literally. They do have a good sense of queuing order but won't reflect it in the physical locations of their bodies. That would give the game away. Why reveal your hand unnecessarily ? They will take advantage of our low skills and that is where we tend to lose out and get frustrated.

Instead of Italian language or dancing classes onboard they ought to have classes in 'how to queue like an Italian'. This would give the Brits and North Americans a valuable insight into a totally alien part of their culture and a fighting chance in the daily battles.

I have an aft balcony, so, we just used the lifts at the aft or stairs. Only need to wait for lift to go kids club or disembark.

Generally, if we are using baby stroller, someone will offer to let us in first. Impressed.

Just sailed on MSC Poesia (in Caribbean). We previously sailed in Europe in Med & Northern Europe, but majority of our fellow cruisers were from US and UK.

This time we had even split, or maybe US cruisers were little bit less than European. I haven't noticed any pushiness at all, but a little difference. For example if table (in buffet or near the pool) is taken, American cruisers will not try to join, unlike Europeans. It was good and bad on different occasions.

- Good, if you are wishing to meet and talk to other people (which I did a lot)

- Bad, if you are looking for privacy.

On several occasions it was a bit rude, as I saw people smoking and then new person who joined the table pulled an ashtray close to him/her.:mad:

Just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by its cover....I just came off a fantastic cruise, 4 days in the Carribean with 5,500 Rock n' Rollers and we had a blast! In 4 days I did not see one act of rudeness, obnoxious behavior or even drunkeness. We had way much fun because we had so much to do! :)

I was on the Poesia on the March 30th cruise and we had many experiences with rude cruisers. The buffet had the worst examples, followed by the elevators, followed by the kids club pickup/drop off. It gave me quite a few "teachable moments" to share with my kids about manners.

I was prepared for the different languages and different cultures. I was not prepared for the "rules don't apply to me" attitude of so many cruisers - far more than on any of my previous cruises. I can understand that one doesn't line up frequently in their country, but when you pass by 20 people in line for breakfast, you have to understand that you can't insist that 5 of them back up so that you can move in to get a fried egg.

Just sailed on MSC Poesia (in Caribbean). We previously sailed in Europe in Med & Northern Europe, but majority of our fellow cruisers were from US and UK.

 

This time we had even split, or maybe US cruisers were little bit less than European. I haven't noticed any pushiness at all, but a little difference. For example if table (in buffet or near the pool) is taken, American cruisers will not try to join, unlike Europeans. It was good and bad on different occasions.

 

- Good, if you are wishing to meet and talk to other people (which I did a lot)

- Bad, if you are looking for privacy.

 

On several occasions it was a bit rude, as I saw people smoking and then new person who joined the table pulled an ashtray close to him/her.:mad:

I would not mind if someone asked to sit with us at the buffet, but not if they smoke.

Is smoking allowed in the buffet and dining rooms?

This might be a deal breaker for me, going on MSC.

I was on the Poesia on the March 30th cruise and we had many experiences with rude cruisers. The buffet had the worst examples, followed by the elevators, followed by the kids club pickup/drop off. It gave me quite a few "teachable moments" to share with my kids about manners.

 

I was prepared for the different languages and different cultures. I was not prepared for the "rules don't apply to me" attitude of so many cruisers - far more than on any of my previous cruises. I can understand that one doesn't line up frequently in their country, but when you pass by 20 people in line for breakfast, you have to understand that you can't insist that 5 of them back up so that you can move in to get a fried egg.

I was on the same cruise and didn't experience much rudeness at all. Overall, the people I encountered were very polite and quite friendly.

Tropicgal2 ... Smoking is not allowed anywhere where there is food! such as the Buffet and Dining rooms.

I would not mind if someone asked to sit with us at the buffet, but not if they smoke.

 

Is smoking allowed in the buffet and dining rooms?

This might be a deal breaker for me, going on MSC.

NO smoking anywhere around the food

only one side of the lido outdoors

part of casino

and one side of the Poeti bar/lounge

No smoking in cabins or on balconies

they have drastically limited it now

NO smoking anywhere around the food

 

only one side of the lido outdoors

part of casino

 

and one side of the Poeti bar/lounge

 

No smoking in cabins or on balconies

 

they have drastically limited it now

Thanks! to all, now I can make my plans!

I was on the same cruise and didn't experience much rudeness at all. Overall, the people I encountered were very polite and quite friendly.

You must have met us! ;)

Teasing ya! Glad you met nice people.

No smoking in cabins or on balconies

Actually smoking is strictly prohibited on balconies, but not in cabins. They recommended not to smoke in bed. ;)

Our neighbors smoked on their balcony. :(

I would not mind if someone asked to sit with us at the buffet, but not if they smoke.

I meant smoking near the pool. There are tables where you can smoke, or eat, or... If table is taken, Americans usually won't ask if they can join. At least not on my 20 cruises. In most cases they won't ask to join a table in the buffet too.

This is not good or bad, just different. As I mentioned it can be convenient or not depending on a situation.

I am from a different country, long time ago, so I am observing different cultures. :)

:) I just got off of the MSC Divina. Yes, the culture is different. Buffets can be a confusing time. As we say when in Rome do as the Roman's do. A lot of Europeans do not believe in a proper line at the buffet. Oh well. My first European cruise it really wigged me out until I said oh well. Now on a Caribbean cruise I expect nice lines at the buffet and do not cut. In Europe? Oh well. It's just life. It's chaotic but you just go with the flow and you will be fine. Did I run into "pushy" people. No. I've actually seen a lot worst behavior by US citizens than the Italians.

Signed the slightly OCD person who likes order.