22 Cruise Trends That Passengers Say Need to Stop

Love cruising but don’t like where the industry is headed? You’re not alone. We recently asked our Facebook community about the worst cruise trends, and wow—the responses flooded in. While we don’t agree with all of them, there are plenty of cruise trends that we think seriously need to stop. Here are the most popular answers from fellow cruisers.

1. Nickel-and-Diming Has Gone Too Far

Remember when a cruise fare actually covered your vacation? Those days are long gone. Now, the base fare is just the beginning. It’s gotten to the point where you almost need a spreadsheet to figure out what you’re actually spending.

From up-charges for extra entrees in the main dining room, to an increase in the number of for-fee activities and onboard attractions, to charging for services that were once free like room service, these costs can add up quickly. Knowing these costs upfront is crucial for budgeting appropriately.

2. Mega-Ships Are Ruining the Experience

While we love cruise ships of all sizes, including mega-ships, we understand that for many passengers bigger isn’t better. With cruise ships measuring in at up to 250,000 gross tons, they really are floating cities. We appreciate the variety that these large ships offer when it comes to amenities, dining options, and accommodation choices.

However, with size comes increased passenger capacity. Now, you might be sailing on a ship with 6,000 other guests, making you feel like just a number. It also results in crowds and lines around the ship and contributes to over-crowding in popular tourist destinations.

Many cruisers wish that cruise lines would build new ships that are smaller and more intimate.

3. Port Stops Are Becoming Too Short

Six-hour port stops are becoming the new normal, and it’s barely enough time to see or do anything, nevermind experience any of the culture. What’s the point of visiting a destination if you can’t actually experience it?

Fellow cruisers report feeling rushed during their port stops and wish more cruise lines offered longer port calls and overnight stays. They want time to explore at a more leisurely pace and not worry about getting back to the ship on time.

4. Private Islands Over Authentic Destinations

Cruise lines are increasingly swapping ports of call with private destinations, beach clubs, and exclusive experiences, especially in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Don’t get us wrong: we love the cruise lines’ private destinations. They’re great beach days with ample amenities and even options for thrilling activities.

Though, many cruisers miss the more authentic experiences you get outside of these cultivated destinations. They want more local culture, local food, and real experiences.

5. Cruise Ducks Are Everywhere

What started as a cute idea has become an obsession. Now, there are cruise ducks everywhere. And personally, this is one of the cruise trends we wish would stop immediately. We get it that many love hiding and finding ducks on cruise ships, but it almost seems like a form of littering. Everywhere you go, there are ducks — on railings, in stairwells, in public spaces, and even sometimes in inappropriate places.

While some cruise lines discourage guests from hiding ducks, Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line to actually ban ducks in the Central Park neighborhood on select ships.

6. Chair Hogs Are Out of Control

We’ve all seen it: You head out to the pool deck at 8 AM on a sea day and half the chairs are already taken. No, they’re not filled with other passengers but rather with towels that were laid out hours ago while they’ve gone to the gym or to eat breakfast. Or, maybe one person is staking claim on a whole row of prime poolside loungers for when their family and friends wake up.

While many cruise lines now post signs, most passengers seem to ignore them and few cruise lines seem to enforce them.

This chair hogging behavior even extends beyond the pool deck now. Fellow passengers also wish that cruisers would stop reserving multiple chairs in the theater and other venues around the ship for family members who never show up.

7. Basic Amenities Should Be Included

Along the same lines of nickel-and-diming, cruisers want the trend of charging for basic amenities to stop. They feel that items like WiFi, soda, bottled water, and specialty coffee should be standard—not premium add-ons.

While this is typical on luxury lines where these amenities are included, most contemporary lines charge extra for everything. Want a bottled water to take on your shore excursion? That’ll be extra. Need to check an important email? Pay up for internet access. The frustration grows when you consider that hotels routinely include WiFi. So, why should cruise ships be different?

Some cruise lines do offer add-on bundle packages, but even that’s not the norm across the industry. In fact, some cruise lines don’t even include these beverages in their for-fee drink packages.

8. No Kids in Hot Tubs

Lots of cruisers had complaints regarding children. From kids running around unsupervised to kids invading adult-only spaces, but overwhelmingly, they want kids out of hot tubs.

They get that cruises are family-friendly, and many appreciate that aspect of cruising. However, they feel that kids should stick to the pools. Hot tubs simply aren’t designed for children to use as splash zones. They’re meant to be relaxing spaces where adults can unwind with the jets and warm water.

The issue isn’t just about preference—it’s also about safety and hygiene. Hot tubs have temperature and capacity limits for good reason. When kids pack into them like it’s a pool party, it defeats the entire purpose of having a hot tub in the first place.

9. Casual Dress Codes Have Gone Too Far

Most cruisers aren’t asking for tuxedos and ball gowns. In fact, most don’t even like formal nights. However, several passengers voiced concerns over others showing up for dinner in the main dining room dressed too casually. There used to be something special about dressing for dinner, and we miss that. We agree that t-shirts, shorts, and other beach-type attire doesn’t belong in the main dining room.

Yes, we get that it’s your vacation and you want to be comfortable. So, if you don’t want to change for dinner, simply go to the buffet or one of the other casual eateries on the ship. If you want to enjoy the main dining room, putting a little effort into your dress code isn’t too much to ask.

10. FaceTime and Speaker Phones in Public Spaces

Nothing is more obnoxious than someone walking around the ship while having a FaceTime conversation or someone video calling a friend so they can watch the sail-away party too. Better yet, someone who decides to use speakerphone on the bus transportation for a shore excursion or while sitting on their balcony while you’re trying to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Frankly, the rest of us don’t need to or want to hear your conservation. So, use airpods or take the conversation somewhere more private. It’s just basic courtesy for everyone around you. When did we forget this?

11. Elevator Etiquette Is Dead

You’re on vacation and don’t have anywhere to be in a hurry. So, why is it that rushing the elevators before people can exit has become the norm?

The scene plays out constantly: elevator doors open, and before anyone inside can step out, a crowd pushes forward trying to squeeze in. This creates a bottleneck that actually slows everyone down. We’ve watched people literally block the doorway while passengers inside are trying to exit with walkers, strollers, or just their personal space intact.

If you simply let people off first, you’ll get where you’re going quicker—it’s not a complicated concept.

12. Pushy Upselling for Everything

If it’s not enough that cruising has shifted away from a semi-inclusive model to a more a la carte pricing model with several up-charges, cruisers also point out the increasing number of sales pitches. And sometimes the staff can be quite pushy.

Whether it’s the spa attendants trying to sell you the products used during your service, the photographers trying to convince you to buy an unlimited photo package, or the waitstaff trying to push specialty dinners, bottles of wine, or even shots in the main dining room (we’re looking at you Carnival), cruisers have had enough.

13. Calling It a “Boat”

It’s a ship. Not a boat. Just ask Capatin Kate! One thing that irks us is when other passengers refer to the vessel as a boat, not a ship. And we’re not alone as several fellow cruisers also cited this as a “cruise trend” they wish would stop.

Common explanations for the difference between the two include: ‘You can put a boat onto a ship, but you can’t put a ship onto a boat’ and ‘a boat is what you get into when the ship sinks’. Regardless of your reasoning, a ship is generally a “large sea-going vessel” and a boat is a “small vessel for travel on water”. Further, ships are typically built for travel on seas and oceans, while boats generally travel on rivers and smaller waterways.

14. Self-Assist Disembarkation Chaos

When disembarking a cruise ship, passengers have the option to complete self-assist walk-off where they carry all their own bags off the ship or they can have the staff transport their luggage to the terminal for them on disembarkation morning. The latter usually means placing your bags outside your cabin the evening before so staff can collect them. It also means that you’ll need to wait until your luggage tag number or color is called before getting off the ship.

We get it that you want to be on your own schedule and that you may want to avoid the lines that generally form later in the disembarkation process, but please, if you can’t manage your own luggage don’t do self-assist disembarkation. Nothing is worse than being stuck behind someone who is struggling down the gangway with three suitcases in tow.

15. Removing Gratuities

Removing gratuities seems to be one of the increasing cruise trends that need to stop. Yes, cruise gratuities continue to rise with some being over $20 per person, per day. And yes, we agree that tipping culture has gotten a little out of hand everywhere. However, we would still never recommend removing these daily service charges.

Crew members work incredibly hard and rely on these tips. They are away from their families months at a time working long hours each day to ensure we all have memorable cruise experiences. While some cruisers might argue that they’ll just tip those who provide them great service, this doesn’t take into account all the behind-the-scenes staff like dishwashers, laundry staff, cooks, and the like.

We can debate whether or not gratuties should just be wrapped into the cruise fare, but the most common sentiment from fellow cruisers is: “If you can afford to cruise, you can afford to tip.” Do you agree?

16. Price Increases on Everything

Cruise fares are up. Drink package prices are up. Shore excursions cost more. Specialty dining is more expensive. Gratuities have increased. You get the gist; not only are you paying more for the base cruise fare, but you’re also paying significantly more for all the add-ons that make the experience more inclusive.

Increasing prices is another one of the most cited worst cruise trends. And some of the increases have been substantial. For instance, drink packages that cost $50-60 per day a few years ago now run $80-100+ per day on many lines.

While in an ideal world, no one wants to pay more for a cruise, the fact of the matter is that prices are up everywhere—from hotels to airfare to theme parks. Even a simple dinner out costs significantly more than it did a few years ago. But despite the increases, cruises continue to offer one of the best vacation values when you consider that accommodations, meals, entertainment, and transportation between destinations are all included in one price.

17. Loyalty Perks Are Disappearing

Long-time cruisers are disappointed with the declining value of being loyal to one cruise brand. Cruise line loyalty programs are designed to reward repeat guests with perks, but these perks seem to be disappearing on some cruise lines. Perhaps the most signifcant changes come with Carnival’s VIFP program shifting to Carnival Rewards in 2026 where guests face losing lifetime loyalty status. MSC’s loyalty status also expires after five years.

However, some cruise lines are actually making their loyalty programs more flexible with crossover between sister brands. NCL’s Latitudes Rewards now will be honored on Oceania and Regent, though only on a per cruise basis. Royal Caribbean Group offers status matching across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea as well. To date, Royal Caribbean Group’s loyalty programs reign supreme in our opinion.

18. Infinite Verandas Aren’t Balconies

More and more cruise lines are marketing “infinite verandas” as the next evolution in balcony cabins, but many cruisers aren’t buying it. These cabins eliminate the traditional outdoor balcony space and replace it with floor-to-ceiling windows that open at the touch of a button. While cruise lines tout them as an upgrade with more interior living space and unobstructed views, they’re missing what makes a balcony cabin special in the first place—the ability to actually step outside.

Sure, infinite verandas offer some benefits like more privacy, weather protection, and additional interior seating. They might appeal to cruisers sailing cooler destinations like Alaska or those with young children. However, for most cruisers who book a balcony cabin, they want the authentic outdoor experience—the ocean breezes, the separation from the cabin interior, and the ability to enjoy the balcony without affecting everyone in the room.

Most cruisers wish that cruise lines would stop calling them balconies or verandas when they’re really just ocean view rooms with windows that open.

19. Self-Service Buffets Are a Problem

While some cruise lines try to be playful with “washy-washy” staff outside the buffet, most cruisers still don’t trust other cruisers’ hygeine and want self-service buffets gone. We’ve all seen it: someone coughs or sneezes right into their hands and then picks up the buffet serving utensils. Or, someone bypasses the handwashing stations and heads straight for the food. We’ve even witnessed passengers grabbing food from the buffet stations with their bare hands. And this is the main reason we typically avoid cruise ship buffets when other options are present.

We’ll be honest, we miss the post-pandemic buffet setup. We wish that all cruise lines would bring back the staff-served service at the food stations.

20. Food Quality Decline

We’ve definitely seen a shift in the food quality on cruises post-pandemic, and many other cruisers agree. It’s particularly evident in the main dining rooms, with inconsistent quality across meals and across ships in the fleet. While cruise prices are increasing, it feels like cruise lines are sourcing cheaper products to save money.

In more recent years, our tendency is to pay extra to dine in specialty restaurants because the meals are elevated over what’s served in the main dining rooms. Though, some cruisers disagree and think that even the food in the specialty restaurants has declined.

Aside from quality, cruisers also cite smaller meal portions, decreased variety in menus, and more upcharges on menus for items that used to be complimentary.

21. Everything Requires the App

With advances in technology, almost all cruise lines have an app that’s becoming less of a convenience and more of a necessity. It’s basically crucial now to download and use the app on a cruise vacation—and if you don’t, you’re at a significant disadvantage. Want to see today’s schedule? There’s an app for that. Check your onboard account? App. Make a reservation at a specialty restaurant? App.

While it’s convenient to have these services at your fingertips, it becomes a major problem when the app glitches, crashes, or won’t load…which happens more often than cruise lines would like to admit.

Further, some cruisers report that they specifically go on vacation to disconnect and don’t want to stare at their phones every minute. This app-centric model doesn’t allow for an unplugged vacation experience. Even we admit that we prefer the paper daily schedule and usually have to hunt one down at guest services.

22. Short Cruises Are Becoming the Norm

And finally, many cruisers report that they don’t like the trend of more and more short cruises dominating the market. While a 7-day cruise is still technically the most popular itinerary, cruise lines are increasingly focusing on three and four-day sailings, predominantly visiting private destinations in the Bahamas rather than diverse ports of call.

These shorter cruises are certainly appealing as quick, affordable getaways for first-time cruisers or those with limited vacation time. However, they don’t allow for the unique ports of call or in-depth destination exploration that many cruisers want. By the time you unpack, figure out where everything is on the ship, and settle into vacation mode, it’s already time to pack up and disembark.

This shift in length changes the overall atmosphere as well. The onboard vibe on these shorter cruises is often that of a “party cruise” where the focus is less on the destination and more on maximizing the onboard experience—particularly the bars and nightlife—which doesn’t always appeal to more seasoned crusiers.

The Bottom Line

Despite these frustrations, we still love cruising. There’s nothing quite like waking up in a new destination, enjoying incredible ocean views, and having everything taken care of in one convenient vacation. But the cruise industry needs to remember what made cruising appealing in the first place—value, relaxation, and authentic experiences.

And let’s be honest—it’s not just the cruise lines. Fellow passengers need to take some responsibility for their actions too. Basic courtesy and respect for shared spaces shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Comments

Do you agree with this list of cruise trends that need to stop? Do you have any other cruise pet peeves? Drop us an anchor below to share your worst cruise trends.