Editor’s note: This is an opinion piece about value and expectations.
The cruise industry is booming. Ships are full. Lines are building bigger boats, putting in slides, investing heavily in private islands and spending heavily on marketing.
But if you talk to cruisers, many are unhappy, citing increased prices, nickel-and-diming and a sense of losing some of the specialness of cruising.
Here’s what longtime passengers are saying about some of their favorite lines.
12. Holland America Line
A calmer atmosphere that appeals to an older crowd. Great itineraries for people who want to spend a lot of time in ports of call. Music.
Lackluster entertainment, poor food, inadequate maintenance. HAL has a loyal following. When those loyalists start to complain about service and other issues, that’s cause for concern.
11. Princess Cruises
Princess has traditionally been the line to cruise Alaska or take a Panama Canal itinerary on. Poor app, less-distinctive food, pricey add-ons.
Princess has been the line that tries to appeal to everyone, a sort of middle-ground cruise line between mass-market and luxury. That identity could be lost amid complaints that cruising on Princess is getting more complicated.
10. Celebrity Cruises
For years, Celebrity was the place to go if you didn’t want to sail Carnival or Royal. You wanted something more grown-up, more refined and a little more upscale. That’s still the case.
Increasingly pricey specialty restaurants, reduced service and food quality, overcrowding. Celebrity’s upscale, polished image means any cuts are more apparent.
9. Disney Cruise Line
Disney’s service and entertainment are the best for families with small children. Expensive fares, short sailings.
DCL has the highest-quality product in the industry. But at some point, many folks are reaching the conclusion that the fare and the value don’t justify the cost of a Disney cruise.
Read more: 29 Ridiculous Time Wasters All Cruisers Must Avoid
8. Royal Caribbean
Royal has perfected the art of the mega-ship. There’s something for everyone on Royal’s behemoths. Royal’s mega-ness, long lines for attractions, crowds everywhere.
Royal has been criticized for abandoning traditional cruising in favor of creating floating resorts. Royal’s latest ships have neighborhoods. But the idea of boarding a cruise and having to wait in line for things feels more theme-park-y.
7. Carnival Cruise Line
Inexpensive and lively cruises that appeal to people looking for a good time.
Crowded ships, long lines at the buffet, mediocre food. Carnival is a value-oriented brand. So it’s OK if the food is functional rather than fantastic. But if passengers are complaining that it’s difficult to grab a chair on the pool deck, you’ve got a problem.
6. Norwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle cruising, the notion of doing whatever you want to do when you want to do it. The small print associated with freestyle cruising, the need for dining reservations, an atmosphere of upselling.
NCL’s whole premise is freedom. Yet repeat cruisers say that’s not necessarily the experience they have on Norwegian’s ships, citing fees and add-ons.
5. MSC Cruises
Great value fares on sleek, modern ships. Poor service, lack of communication, a European attitude toward cruising that rubs Americans the wrong way.
MSC is benefiting from a hot product and great value. That’s why any negative perceptions of service and a European attitude toward cruising are worrisome.
Read more: 21 Cruise Drink Package Mistakes That Cost Passengers
4. P&O Cruises
P&O is a traditional cruise line that appeals to devoted British cruisers. P&O’s push into value-oriented, family-friendly mega-ships could turn off traditional P&O cruisers.
It remains to be seen how successful P&O’s mega-ships will be. But in pursuing them and value-oriented fares, P&O could turn off its loyalist base.
3. Cunard
Heritage and service, Cunard has an ocean-liner identity and knows it. Any change to Cunard’s food or service could be met with resistance.
The whole point of Cunard is its rich history of transatlantic crossings. Change to that formula could turn off diehard fans of the line.
2. Oceania Cruises
Upscale food served in a relaxed atmosphere. A perceived loss of Oceania’s luster in terms of food and other areas. Complaints over what’s included and what’s not.
Oceania charges a premium to sail and has carved out its niche as the line to go on if you love food. When loyalists start to complain about cuts and changes to the product, it’s cause for concern.
1. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Top-notch service and an all-inclusive product. Any negative experiences get amplified.
Regent charges a lot of money to sail. So if the plane to get you to a cruise isn’t up to snuff or if a hotel isn’t impressive or if you’re served an OK filet mignon, it’s a big negative in Regent cruisers’ eyes.
The Pattern
The all-inclusive concept, pay one price for meals, lodging and entertainment. Fewer inclusions, nickel-and-diming and increased prices.
It seems like cruisers of every stripe are unhappy these days, from budget-minded cruisers to luxury-oriented types. It’s not unusual to hear travelers say they feel as though they’re paying one big chunk of change and then cruise lines are breaking vacations into pieces and selling them back.
It reflects larger trends in travel from falling standards at airport lounges and hotel chains to inconsistent service at cruise-ship restaurants and shore tours. Read more: cruise shore excursion mistakes. Read more: cruise cabin mistakes that ruin trips. Read more: airport lounges that no longer feel worth it. Read more: hotel chains travelers say have gone downhill. Read more: restaurant chains diners say lost their old appeal.
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