We've All Seen Them (And Maybe Been Them)
Picture this: You're settled into the stunning main theater aboard your cruise ship, excited for tonight's Broadway-style production. The lights dim, the curtain rises, and the magic begins... until a sea of bright phone screens suddenly illuminates the audience like a constellation of inconsiderate stars.
Sound familiar? If you've cruised before, you've definitely encountered "those people" – fellow passengers who turn what should be an immersive theater experience into a light show of glowing devices. Worse yet, you might have been one of those people yourself, desperately trying to capture your cruise memories while unknowingly disrupting everyone around you.
Here's the reality: On every cruise ship, in every theater show, there are passengers recording with their phones blazing like beacons in the dark. They're blocking views, distracting performers, and frankly, ruining the theatrical magic that cruise lines invest millions to create.
But what if there was a better way?
The Cruise Theater Dilemma: A Nightly Occurrence
The Scale of the Problem
On a typical 7-day cruise with 4,000 passengers, the main theater hosts 2-3 shows per night. That means:
- Up to 6,000+ audience members per week
- Dozens of people attempting to record each performance
- Numerous bright screens disrupting the carefully crafted theater environment
- Frustrated passengers whose experiences are diminished by inconsiderate recording
Why Cruise Guests Feel Compelled to Record
We get it. Cruise vacations are special, and the entertainment is often spectacular:
- Once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you want to share with family back home
- Incredible performances that deserve to be remembered
- Social media moments that showcase your amazing vacation
- Memory preservation for reliving the magic later
The desire to record these moments is completely understandable. The problem isn't wanting to capture them – it's how most people are doing it.
Meet the Game-Changer: Considerate Video
Cruises with Friends has discovered a revolutionary solution that's transforming how savvy travelers record their cruise memories. The Considerate Video app does something brilliant: it records videos with a completely black screen.
How It Works
- Open the Considerate app instead of your regular camera app
- Tap anywhere on the screen to start recording
- Your phone screen remains completely black (no bright interface)
- Only a subtle "Recording" indicator appears that only you can see
- Tap again to stop recording
- High-quality video with crystal-clear audio is automatically saved to your camera roll
The result? You get amazing footage of the show while being completely invisible to other passengers, performers, and crew members.
Why This Matters on Cruise Ships
Respect for Fellow Passengers
Cruise ships create unique social environments where you're sharing experiences with thousands of strangers. Using Considerate shows:
- Consideration for others who paid the same amount for an unobstructed view
- Awareness of shared spaces and communal experiences
- Cruise etiquette excellence that makes you a welcomed fellow traveler
Enhanced Theater Experience
Professional cruise entertainment is designed with specific lighting and atmosphere in mind:
- Preserves the magic that lighting designers carefully crafted
- Maintains immersion for all audience members
- Respects the performers who deserve an engaged, undistracted audience
- Supports the production value that cruise lines invest millions to create
Better Personal Memories
Ironically, using Considerate often results in better recordings:
- No distracting screen glare affecting your video quality
- More stable recording since you're not constantly adjusting for screen brightness
- Better audio capture without interface sounds
- Longer battery life with the black screen
Real Cruise Guest Experiences
The Royal Caribbean Convert
"I was embarrassed when I realized how much my bright phone was bothering the couple behind me during the 'Hairspray' production. A fellow cruiser told me about Considerate, and now I can record the amazing shows without feeling guilty. The app is a game-changer for cruise vacations!" - Barbara., Frequent Cruiser
The Cruise Critic
"As someone who reviews cruise experiences, I need to document the entertainment. Considerate allows me to capture authentic footage without becoming part of the story myself. It's essential for ethical cruise journalism." - John, Travel Blogger
Perfect for Every Cruise Entertainment Venue
Main Theater Productions
- Broadway-style shows and musicals
- Comedy performances and variety acts
- Guest entertainers and celebrity appearances
- Production shows and original cruise line entertainment
Specialty Venues
- Piano bars and intimate lounges
- Deck parties and pool performances
- Cooking demonstrations and wine tastings
- Art auctions and shopping presentations
Port Excursion Moments
- Cultural performances during shore excursions
- Local entertainment at destination venues
- Group activities and tours
- Special experiences unique to each port
The Two Modes for Different Cruise Situations
Discrete Mode
Perfect for formal theater productions:
- Pure black screen, except for the slightly visible text saying "Recording" for minimum disruption
- Ideal for main theater shows and formal entertainment
- Respects traditional theater etiquette
- Best for intimate venues and quiet performances
Preview Mode
Great for casual entertainment:
- See what you will be filming before you tap to record, when the screen basically go black
- Perfect for pool deck shows and outdoor entertainment
- Helpful during longer performances
- Ideal for variety shows and interactive entertainment
Cruise Line Policies and Considerate Recording
Understanding Recording Policies
Different cruise lines have varying policies about recording:
- Royal Caribbean generally allows personal recording for personal use
- Norwegian Cruise Line permits recording in most entertainment venues
- Carnival allows recording but asks guests to be considerate of others
- Disney Cruise Line has specific guidelines for different venues
Important: Always check with guest services about specific policies, and remember that even when recording is allowed, being considerate is always appreciated.
Professional vs. Personal Use
Considerate is designed for personal memories and social sharing, not professional recording or redistribution. Always respect:
- Copyright laws regarding performances
- Cruise line intellectual property
- Performer agreements and contracts
- Fellow passenger privacy
Getting the Most from Considerate on Your Cruise
Pre-Cruise Preparation
- Download and test the app before you sail
- Choose your preferred mode during setup
- Ensure adequate phone storage for multiple performances
- Pack a portable charger for longer recording sessions
Onboard Best Practices
- Arrive early to choose seats that won't block others when recording
- Keep your phone steady for better video quality
- Be mindful of audio – the app captures excellent sound
- Share responsibly on social media with appropriate credits
Social Media Integration
Considerate recordings are perfect for:
- Instagram Stories showcasing cruise entertainment
- Facebook memories to share with family
- TikTok content with amazing cruise show footage
- YouTube vlogs documenting your cruise experience
Beyond Entertainment: Other Cruise Applications
Educational Opportunities
- Captain's presentations and ship talks
- Port lectures and destination briefings
- Art demonstrations and cooking classes
- Wine tastings and educational seminars
Special Occasions
- Birthday celebrations and anniversaries
- Formal night activities and parades
- Holiday celebrations and themed parties
- Milestone moments during your cruise
Group Travel Documentation
- Multi-family vacation memories
- Corporate cruise events and team building
- Special interest group activities
- Reunion cruises and celebrations
The Cruises with Friends Recommendation
Why We Love Considerate: As cruise enthusiasts who've sailed with hundreds of fellow travelers, we've seen firsthand how inconsiderate recording can impact everyone's experience. The Considerate Video app solves this problem elegantly while still allowing you to capture incredible cruise memories.
Our Promise: When you use Considerate on your cruise, you're joining a community of thoughtful travelers who believe that amazing memories and respectful behavior aren't mutually exclusive.
Download Considerate Before Your Next Cruise
Don't be "that person" with the bright phone screen ruining everyone's theater experience. Be the considerate cruiser who captures amazing memories while respecting fellow passengers.
Get Considerate now:
- iPhone users: Download from Apple App Store
- Android users: Download from Google Play Store
One off purchase of £1.99 • Works on all cruise ships • No internet required during use
Special for Cruises with Friends Readers
Share your Considerate cruise videos with us! Tag @CruisesWithFriends and @ConsiderateApp in your social posts for a chance to be featured in our cruise community highlights.