Monday, April 1, 2024

The 14 Worst Cruise Lines According to Reviews

best and worst cruise lines

Wonder of the Seas has taken the Oasis-class concept and refined it to its best. Expect amazing dining venues, the best suites at sea (including some stunning two-storey accommodations) and just so much to see and do, from the FlowRider, to the zip-line, to the water slides, to the live shows, and so on. The main criticisms are that the evening entertainment isn’t quite as good as that one newer ships, and the food in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer are a little uninspiring, but again she remains popular despite her age.

Worst: MSC Cruises

With a myriad of options available in the cruise industry, travelers often look for a more general ranking that provides a holistic view. That said, the cruise brand doesn't earn any less than three stars across each of the categories, and has been awarded several four-star ratings. While some reviews mention bad food, on the whole, Royal Caribbean has great food according to reviews.

Best for Budget Travelers: Carnival

Instead, the focus is on providing excellent service, great quality food, and a pleasant vibe that’s as suited to families as it is to older guests travelling solo or with friends/partners. Second from the bottom is MSC Cruises (15th), which lands a customer score of 68 per cent. The Italian cruise line receives just two stars for customer service, though it achieves four-star ratings in categories including cabin quality and port excursions. Seabourn markets themselves as a luxury cruise vacation, and they certainly seem to live up to it.

Worst: Star Clippers -3.0

Some complaints from passengers include last minute itinerary changes, small cabin rooms and expensive rates. Widely regarded as one of the best family cruise lines in the world, it’s no surprise to see Disney Cruise Line near the top of this list. This leader in family fun brings the magic of the Disney Parks experience to the high seas with their fleet of 4 ocean liners. With sailing destinations including Alaska, Caribbean, Bahamas, Canada & New England, California Coast, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal and Transatlantic, it’s almost guaranteed there’s a destination to suit your family.

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Review The best (and worst) activities on the world's biggest cruise ship - The Washington Post

Review The best (and worst) activities on the world's biggest cruise ship.

Posted: Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Crystal travels to exotic locations around the world and offers fun excursions at every port. While Crystal may have a higher price tag than other cruise lines, the amenities it offers certainly make it worth the extra money. Enchantment of the Seas was the third of the Vision-class ships to launch, debuting in 1997. Eight years later, the ship was lengthened, making her slightly bigger than her sister ships. She is still considerably smaller than later ships in the fleet, so don’t expect the same amount of activities for younger guests.

From the top choices in each category to those you might want to steer clear of, this ranked cruise lines guide has got it all. We’ve set our compass to bring you the best of the best, ranking the best cruise lines to fit your specific needs. Recommended Provider status - Noble Caledonia, Viking, Saga and Marella Cruises. The research used an AI 'sentiment tool' to analyse the text in thousands of posts and assign a score to them according to whether they mentioned the carrier positively or negatively. Third place goes to the British company Saga, which has also been named the best mid-range cruise line. An MSC Cruises representative told Insider at the time that the cruise line had launched an internal investigation based on the inspector's concerns and taken immediate corrective actions.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's worst rated cruise ship. Here's what it was really like. - Royal Caribbean Blog

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's worst rated cruise ship. Here's what it was really like..

Posted: Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

But there are a few themes that do stand out, including the food, which some guests found repetitive and a little bland, although there were just as many reviews praising the dining options too. The quality of the ships does get some negative attention in the reviews – the ships are older and the renovations haven’t always made everything brand-new. Some guests have reported broken furniture, dirty cabins and general wear and tear around the ships. Also, since the focus is very much on the ports of call, don’t expect a wealth of things to do during the day on your ships, although the evening entertainment helps to bring much of the local culture to life. Of those negative reviews, the main issues seem to be around the limited dining options and the quality of the food that was served, and the accommodation quality, with small and unwelcoming cabins. NCL is one of the bigger cruise lines in the world, with a large fleet of ships.

Azamara stands out for its destination-focused itineraries and longer port stays, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in local cultures. The smaller ships provide a more intimate atmosphere, and the line offers luxurious touches without the staggering price tag of ultra-luxury cruises. Oceania Cruises, on the other hand, focuses on culinary excellence and personalized service.

best and worst cruise lines

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In addition to its high customer satisfaction, Celebrity Cruises has also been voted the “Best Premium Cruise Line” for 7 consecutive years as per Travel Weekly Reader Awards. With 10 ships and 3 classes ranging in occupancy from 3046 on the high end, all the way to the intimate 98 passenger Celebrity Xpedition, you’re likely to find a ship to suit your needs. Favorite destinations include Australia and New Zealand, Bermuda, Hawaii, Europe, Galapagos and South America.

Some customers also claimed that other cruise lines offer a similar experience for much less money. This may be right up your street but the line’s three-star rating shows it’s not for the faint-hearted. A  number of unsatisfied customers have criticized the ships for having no elevators and huge amounts of stairs and for not being child-friendly. Like other Freedom-class ships, she has a lot to see and do – more than the older Voyager-class and Radiance-class ships but surpassed by the newer ship classes. Most people love the balance of size and features against the crowds, with any negative comments focussing on the ship needing an update in some places.

Oceania has carved out a niche with relatively small, upscale ships that offer a significant upgrade from mass-market vessels but aren't quite as fancy (or pricey) as luxury offerings. A giant of cruising in Europe, Switzerland-based MSC Cruises is making a big play for North Americans with newer, bigger ships sailing year-round from Florida to the Caribbean and Bahamas. This much-beloved luxury line recently restarted operations under new owners after shutting down for 18 months. For years, it was considered the ultimate luxury cruise operator, and our take after sailing on Crystal Serenity after its relaunch is that the line is even better than before. But it recently announced plans to expand rapidly with four more ships over the next six years.

The industry is set to expand its horizons, literally and figuratively, allowing for a broader range of cruising experiences to suit every taste and interest. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment, it’s crucial to be aware of some common red flags. While a cruise might seem like a great deal at first glance, additional charges for amenities, excursions, and even some dining options can quickly add up. A cruise line could have a fleet of state-of-the-art ships, but if its crew doesn’t treat you right, the entire experience takes a hit. Equally vital are the itinerary options, the value for money offered, and the safety measures implemented on board. These factors collectively contribute to the making or breaking of your cruise experience.

The biggest criticisms for Jewel seem to be levied at the food quality, which many say has taken a downturn in the last couple of years. This mainly applies to the Main Dining Room but a couple of people mention other restaurants too. Odyssey of the Seas is the best example of the Quantum Class, with all the innovative tech including the incredible Two70 venue and the SeaPlex providing hours of entertainment. Despite that, she’s fallen in the rankings a little way this year – she used to be second favourite in the fleet. I’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean several times, but certainly not on all the ships, and so that’d be a really unfair judgement for me to make.

The ships, made for ocean crossings, offer old-fashioned services to their clientele, including a proper afternoon tea, black-tie dinners, and ballroom galas. This cruise line’s fleet of three tall ships offers travelers a chance to experience real sailing and all the modern conveniences you could hope for with some luxury touches thrown in. The tall ships offer a unique experience and one that is unlike that offered by other cruise lines. Amadeus offers a typical river cruise experience, primarily exploring the rivers of Europe and offering a relaxed atmosphere onboard, albeit with little to do during your sailing time beyond some simple entertainment. The aim here is to spend your time exploring – not fill your days with endless activities onboard. The ships are quite relaxed and modern – don’t expect to find crazy water slides, robotic bartenders or any other gimmicks.

The price to board the boat includes everything—airfare, alcohol, gratuities, shore excursions, and more. However, that also means a Regent cruise may be quite pricey, as there’s little room to save money on certain luxuries. In addition, Viking is highly rated in terms of space, food, and onboard facilities. The ships sail in gorgeous locations around the world, including Northern Europe, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Australia. Each ship is designed to offer a cultural experience along with your vacation. Plus, the ships include jaw-dropping elements like a salon and spa, a theater, and a sports area.

You’ll pay a premium for a Scenic cruise, but you get a lot included for the price as well, such as your shore excursions and your drinks, and your flights are always included in the fare as well. Complaints from customers in the negative reviews primarily focused on the ships themselves, with cleanliness being a big issue – especially of the cabins. Guests also criticised the overall quality of the cabins including very small bathrooms and furnishings that are worn out.

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