For some it is common, for others not so much: to be invited on board a ship. People who are usually invited on board, often know how to behave on a ship, but if this is the first time that happens to you, look after this help guide so that you don't go wrong with your host.

The first thing you need to know is that a ship should not be wearing heel or sole shoes. The ideal is to wear comfortable rubber shoes (nautical type) and eye, white sole, never dark sole.

The rest is practically like visiting a particular house. It is of thanks that you greet the ship's shipowner with a bottle of wine or liquor, and find out first what wine or liquor is his favorite.

Always be attentive to the rules indicated by the shipowner. Each has his own on his boat. He'll tell you where you can be and where you can't, for example in his cabin or in his bathroom. He will assign you cabin in case you stay to sleep, and he will always tell you which bathroom is for the guests. By the way, never throw in the wc papers, compresses, etc.; all ships have stationery or bags to deposit them.

If the shipowner prevents smoking on board, don't even think that on deck you won't bother if you smoke, because you can be water grass if the shipowner's genius is like mine on my boat and the smokers. The shipowner is the owner and he sets his rules.

Don't be surprised that the flag of the ship does not have the Spanish shield and has a crown... that is the official flag for the recreational ships in Spain in accordance with the rule No. 18 of Royal Decree 1511 / 1977, of 21 January, approving the Regulations of Banderas and Standard, Guiones, Insignia and Distinctivos (Jorge Alonso)

If the shipowner's couple, or the shipowner in their case, wear a full swimsuit or two pieces, it won't be well seen that you get on top less. You can ask if he doesn't mind if you do, but to make it a propon you go to the bow, away from the rest of the guests. But it's best not to if others don't. Wherever you go, do what you see...

At the time of meals on board, if you have been swimming, sunbathing, etc, dry and cover your torso with a T-shirt, polo, shirt, etc. Never sit at the table with your torso naked for as much in the middle of the sea as you are. It's different if you don't sit at the bathtub table, and you're informally having a snack. Although it is advisable to always cover for meals. And never throw in the water paper, napkins, aluminium paper, etc from the food. Never.

When it comes to recalculating in a plumbing area, never mind proposing to the master this or that place: he is the one that carries the ship and he is the one that decides where. Different is if you ask your opinion to go to one or the other cove, but if you don't ask, don't talk. He probably knows the fondeo sites better than you, and that's why he chooses one or the other.

When you tie and untie, unless the pattern tells you otherwise, sit in the place you are. The maneuver can end with the ship facing the next one, or hit the pants.

Jorge C. Alonso, journalist, MBA and Master in Communication, Protocol and RRPP