The fall cruise season is well underway – and I’m always being asked two things about cruises – neither of which has anything to do with the destinations themselves.

First, people want to know about tipping; from the skycap at the airport to the bartender on board, tipping on a cruise can be confusing.

And then there’s etiquette – something that I am always glad to get on my soapbox about, as I think so many of us – surely unintentionally – have lost our sense of propriety when it comes to traveling.

As I am a bit of a newcomer to the cruise scene, I turned toward the professionals for advice: The American Society of Travel Agents. ASTA’s TravelSense.com is a great Web site on all travel-related topics, not just cruising.

Here’s what their advice is in regards to tipping and on-board etiquette:

TIPPING

Tipping is a traditional part of cruising and an important part of the income of those who help make your cruise enjoyable. Each cruise line will provide its own guide to tipping, with some even providing envelopes for you to pass them out in.

Here are some general guidelines:

• Airport skycaps generally - $1.00 for each bag.

• Porters at the loading area of the ship - $1.00 for each bag.

• Cabin Stewards and Waiters - $3.00/$3.50 each, per passenger per day.

• Servers or Busboys - $1.50/$2.50 per passenger, per day.

• Maitre d’- $2.00 to $10.00 per passenger for the entire cruise depending on how helpful they have been.

• Many bar and lounge tips are included on your bill at a standard 15 percent which you can generally adjust for poor or excellent service. Check your individual bills to see if a tip has already been included.

ETIQUETTE

Even though your cruise ship may be bigger than your hometown, it’s still one place where many people must coexist harmoniously. Be courteous and respectful of others by following these guidelines.

Dress Properly -Even if you’re allergic to dress codes, do not show up to a formal dinner in jeans and flip-flops. The ship will have a code for each day, so learn it.

Keep Your Children Close - Kids, we all love them, except when they’re someone else’s. If you travel with your little ones please keep them under control, especially around pools and while passing through more adult-centered areas such as the casino.

Learn the Ship’s Language - Your vessel is a ship and never a boat, and the ship is always a she or her. Left is port, right is starboard. Aft means rear or stern, while the bow is the front of the ship. The bridge is where the Captain and his crew control the ship, and only some ships have open bridge policies.

Save One Seat, Not All - While it’s okay to save a seat for your companion, it’s poor form to save a row of seats for your entire table. The same goes for deck chairs.

Follow Jogging Rules - Most ships post hours when running is allowed because passenger cabins are often located under the jogging deck and some people prefer to sleep at 6 a.m. than listen to your footfalls.