Etiquette onboard a cruise ship comes down to one basic rule- if you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it on the ship. That applies to just about every area of the ship and every activity, down to meals and dress codes.

A cruise ship is a large community on the ocean. Yes, it has all the amenities of a five-star hotel, but somewhere it will also have some of the rudest people you could imagine. No trip is completely without them, but that is no reason to let them ruin your vacation.

Common sense dictates most good manners and shipboard etiquette. Things like not “saving” deck chairs for people that won't be out of bed for another four hours, or seats in the theater for your entire party, when they decide to go elsewhere. This is not only annoying, it robs other people that have paid just as much as you did, of fully enjoying all the facilities and attractions.

Other annoying habits include people that cut into lines for disembarking at ports, hog time in the hot tub, or argue prices for a service after they've received it, while others are waiting behind them.

Simple things, like being considerate of how you close your stateroom door late at night, and how loud your entertainment system or television is, can go a long way towards making friends of the people in the cabin next door, instead of enemies. And if those neighbors happen to be the kind that hold loud, drunken parties on their patio at night, then a discreet call to security will get you the good night's rest you expected when you booked the cruise.

Another area of etiquette that varies a great deal, and can be very confusing, is the matter of tipping. Many cruise lines will automatically include gratuities in your ticket costs. While this does take care of standard services, when you receive exceptional cooperation from a waiter or steward, it is considered perfectly acceptable to reward them for going the extra mile. Other cruise lines do not include gratuities, but may provide you with a suggested range for the amount to be given each service, on a per passenger, or per day basis. You may tip upon each service, although it is easier and also quite acceptable, to wait until the final evening of your cruise, and discreetly hand your waiter, busboy, and maitre d', an envelope that shows your satisfaction. Your room steward's tips may be left in an envelope in your room, since they are sometimes scarce people to locate. And remember that a hand-written note of thanks is often appreciated as much as the money.