Cruises offer a fun and relaxing vacation environment overall, but they aren’t without downsides. Sharing the ship with thousands of other passengers can sometimes make it challenging to find a lounge chair by the pool or a quiet space to relax away from the crowds.
On most cruise ships, it’s not difficult to find a quiet corner if you venture beyond the main pool deck and other hot spots. But those quiet spots often become a magnet for a rude habit that’s becoming more and more common in public places.
Although it’s not a problem that’s exclusive to cruise ships, the rude behavior tends to be extra irritating to cruise passengers seeking a relaxing vibe at sea. Just when you think you’ve found a quiet place to soak up some tranquility, an impolite passenger comes along and disrupts the peaceful atmosphere.
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FaceTime calls can be disruptive in cruise ship public spaces.Image source: MIA Studio / Shutterstock
Speakerphone calls in public spaces frustrate cruise passengers
One fed-up cruise passenger recently raised the issue for discussion in the Cruise community on Reddit and suggested a penalty for the rude behavior.
“If you FaceTime or call without headphones onboard, your WiFi package should be revoked,” books_cruises_coffee posted in the Cruise subreddit.
The cruiser was frustrated after their relaxation was interrupted by an inconsiderate passenger.
Related: The surprising thing some cruisers forget to do after a cruise
“We all know this is such a rude thing to do in public anyway, but especially on a cruise ship and especially when you go into the specifically meant-to-be-quiet-and-chill part of the ship (like the Solarium on a Royal or Celebrity ship) to FaceTime because it’s too loud on the pool deck,” books_cruises_coffee said. “I would say ‘read the room’ but you’re too self-involved to realize there are dozens of people around you.”
Even if you’re relaxing with earbuds, it’s difficult to ignore a loud speakerphone call in a quiet space.
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Should speakerphone calls be banned on cruise ships?
More than 250 cruisers upvoted the post to express their agreement with the idea that cruise lines should impose a penalty for speakerphone use in public spaces.
In comments on the thread, a number of cruisers shared their own encounters with passengers making speakerphone calls on cruises, airplanes, and in other travel settings.
Cruisers also shared their suggestions for dealing with the rude habit — like joining in on the call.
“Why else would they be using a speakerphone, unless they wanted more people to join in,” goawaybating reasoned.
Related: How to handle a crowded cruise ship
Cruisers say speakerphone use has also become a major nuisance in cruise ship dining rooms. One Carnival passenger recently wrote to the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, to request a ban on phone calls in Carnival cruise ship dining rooms. Heald didn’t think it was a bad idea to discourage speakerphone use during cruise dinners.
Although cruise lines haven’t taken an official stance on speakerphone use, Carnival does have a rule that requires passengers to wear headphones when listening to music or watching shows/movies on personal devices in public spaces. Portable speakers are also prohibited on Carnival cruise ships. Adding a ban on speakerphone use does seem like a fitting extension of those rules.
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 7, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.