Question: I recently ran an encounter on a "restaurant boat" where my players had to obtain info from a noble on board. They successfully bluffed/bribed/sneaked their way on board. Certain areas of the ship were off limits to guest, such as the crew's quarter's, the captain's cabin, and the lower deck with rowers moving the ship along.

My players found a somewhat quiet spot on deck. They proclaimed they wanted to sneak past the guests, who were busy with eating/socializing/etc., into the forbidden areas. One of them cast *pass without trace*, and I asked them to all roll for Stealth. No one got less than 19 on their Stealth check (after modifiers). They then proceeded to "sneak" past guests into the upper areas (not forbidden per se) and then further into "Staff Only" areas.

How do I adjudicate this?

Obviously, they pose as guests, no weapons or armor on, so they would just blend into the crowd and then, in an opportune moment, sneak past a door/curtain/rope barrier. But they are still moving in plain sight of at least a dozen NPCs. The NPCs can probably see them, but they do not *perceive* them.

The same problem would arise for me if they wanted to escape someone following them in a dense marketplace or in a crowded tavern. How can you Hide/roll for Stealth in a crowd of - admittedly uninterested in you - NPCs?

Answer: 
A Charisma (Deception) vs Wisdom (Insight) check
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I'm guessing that you're referring to a *certain location* in Storm King's Thunder. If I'm right, the book suggests the following on page 216:

> 
>  The adventurers might try to replace one or more of the workers [of the Grand Dame] [...] A character who wants to get aboard in this fashion must **succeed on a Charisma (Deception) check contested by Captain Storn's Wisdom (Insight) check**. A character who wins the contest can board the ship without raising suspicion.
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The informational text on this page is talking about getting on board from the docks while it is tied up between trips, not getting into the *CREW ONLY* sections of the ship while it is underway and entertaining guests onboard but I think the Charisma (Deception) vs Wisdom (Insight) check works for both situations.

It might not be the Captain's Insight they are trying to oppose but that of whomever sees them attempting to access the off limits areas. This could be a crew member or the pit boss Pow Ming).

Even if I'm totally wrong on the campaign, I think the recommendation is still universally applicable.
Stealth fits the situation
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The [Stealth](https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/using-ability-scores#Stealth) section lists the situation you describe as an example:

> 
> Make a Dexterity (Stealth) check when you attempt to **conceal yourself from enemies, slink past guards, slip away without being noticed**, or sneak up on someone without being seen or heard.
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We can see that 3 out of 4 of the examples listed under this skill directly apply to the situation you are describing. The players are concealing themselves, slinking past guards, and slipping away without being noticed. It's a perfect fit. Clearly, Stealth is the right choice for this situation.

Taking ques from Hiding
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Hiding is a mechanic that uses Stealth checks. The abridged version of hiding is: roll a stealth check, enemies contest this with their passive perception, or with their perception if they make an active attempt. Until enemies succeed this check (or the hider leaves hiding), they can't be seen. It would be reasonable to use something similar in this situation too.

Your players rolled well, and the (perhaps intoxicated and distracted) party guests weren't too observant. It doesn't sound like anyone was particularly suspicious of the PCs, and so no one was actively hunting them. The plan has succeeded. Good job players!