Lee, The only rule that matters with guests is to make sure you state your preferences, expectations, tolerations and limitations up front, before the cruise. Except for one or two nights, which we can work through, we've had very few non-boaters as overnight guests. Boaters understand the limitations. Non boaters who've come to cruise have had many pre-arrival discussions with us before they came. Make allowances for elderly guests; they won't get it anyway, and if you didn't want to be flexible with them, you shouldn't have made them welcome. Make sure all guests understand that the weather rules on the water, and a cruise plan made at home may or may not happen when Mother Nature struts her stuff. Limit all guests to one, single soft sided duffle bag; medium sized, not a giant. Have a rule about computers and electronics. If you have guests that think they'll have connectivity at all times, make sure you have a plan for that. Showers aboard are possible, but we do make it clear that water aboard is limited, and showers ashore (marina) are preferred. Daily wash-up is OK. We have found that guests always want to help with washing/rinsing dishes, and that is more of a problem for guests to grasp than showers. Be sure all guests understand that they'll be expected to cooperate with your "rules and preferences" aboard. Parents of young children need to control the children or "go to their room!" All US states have requirements for children wearing life jackets; enforce them. I just tell people you're not willing to get an expensive citation because precious thinks the life jacket doesn't look kool. Kids cooperate willingly; it's their parents that don't. Our grandchildren all know us very well. Our rule is that grandchildren must be at least 10 yrs old before they can cruise alone with us. (That rule came up with one grandchild, fortunately not the first to cruise with us, who's Mom over-programs his time. He gets bored easily with spare time, and I'm not good at entertaining bored kids.) Our kids understand the origin of that rule, and all work with us. They also all understand that we "might be" more strict about some things than their parents, and they are expected to follow our rules when with us. Works for us. When children travel with you without their parents, get a "Power of Atorney" that allows you to enlist medical care if necessary. If traveling across international borders, have letters - NOTARIZED, WITH RAISED SEALS - that state explicitly that you have the parents permission to take their minor children across those borders! That was an interesting story when we took one of our grandchildren into Canada at Rouses Point. I can send you what I use if you're interested. Also, take copies of medical insurance cards and any pertinent medical history and meds. Carry prescription sheets in the child's name for meds, and carry meds in their original pharmacy containers. Kids learn very fast. We have taught them to secure the electric and get hooked up again. They like responsibility. They handle the boat's lines in Locks like the Erie Canal and the Rideau and Trent-Severn Waterways. They carry bags on shopping runs and handle the removal of trash. Keep kids movies aboard, and make sure the DVD player works. We have "Lion King," "Cars," "UP!," "Brother Bear," and several others. The kids also like the "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" series; if their parents don't like your choice of movies - within reason - "Criminal Minds" and "Dexter" isn't good for most 12 year olds - then have 'em send along what they do like or keep 'em home. Small dogs - housebroken - are OK. No cats! A cat overboard is a very bad thing! Don't let's go any further on that... We have one son with a mini-dog, and we're OK with it. There's no room for the chaos of large dogs and guests aboard our small trawler. There is a liveaboard cruising couple named George and Lynn Stateham that do seminars about cruising. They have several checklists, including a guest pre-arrival letter. Their boat is "Sunspot Baby," and they do have a web site that has a lot of their stuff on it. Try this: http://www.stateham.com/sunspotbaby. If you don't find what you want, send 'em an email and ask for their material on having guests aboard. Hope this helps! Perhaps it will help spark other thoughts, too. Jim Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary Currently at Rock Creek, Pasadena, MD Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436