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Several guests also found the ship’s design to be unfavourable, mentioning overcrowded areas and the constant obstruction caused by staff pushing large carts. The decor, notably the “gaudy paintings”, was another sore point for many. Not only did many find the a la carte restaurant’s offerings subpar, but several guests reported facing food poisoning incidents on board.
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Cruises promise sun-soaked decks, luxurious amenities, and ports bursting with exotic adventures. But not all ships sail to the same high standards, and some offer a much better experience than others. The flip side of the coin features cruise lines that, unfortunately, have room for improvement.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Disembarkation procedures were described as chaotic, with passengers left waiting for hours without clear instructions. On the brighter side, some mentioned the smooth embarkation process, and there was an acknowledgement of the ship’s aesthetics. The entertainment was noted to be primarily in Italian, leaving those who didn’t understand the language feeling excluded. Another grievance was related to room service, with one diabetic cruiser stating that their breakfast, vital for their condition, was not delivered as requested. The overall sentiment was one of disappointment, with many vowing never to cruise with MSC Cruises again. English-speaking passengers felt particularly out of place, noting a stark language barrier and many of their tours had to be combined with other non-English speaking groups.
Worst Cruise Line for Luxury Seekers: MSC Cruises (MSC Yacht Club)
Additionally, many felt ‘nickel and dimed’ by the ship, with even basic amenities like water coming at a cost. Noble Caledonia, Viking and Saga, which include everything from wi-fi to excursions in the headline fare, were among the top-ranking brands. Tui’s highly rated cruise line, Marella Cruises, has a low average price per night, which includes drinks and tips. From luxury small-ship cruises to big-name brands with full entertainment and leisure facilities, the cruise lines rated top are always those that have the best passenger-to-space ratio on board.
The Worst Cruise Ship Horror Stories - Cheapism
The Worst Cruise Ship Horror Stories.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
And some people felt that their cruises were a bit rushed – a 2-night cruise was really only one day, since guests didn’t get onboard til late and were rushed off the ship on the last day. Celestyal Cruises is a cruise line that does things a little differently, compared to larger companies. It focuses only on the Mediterranean and specifically the Greek Islands, but what makes the cruises so special is that you’ll often enjoy multiple ports of call in a single day. NCL is one of the bigger cruise lines in the world, with a large fleet of ships. While none are close to being the biggest ship in the world, they’re all at least mid-sized and some of the newer ships have capacity for around 4,000 guests. One important point for MSC – they don’t tend to run traditional cruises with a single start and finish port.
Instead, it offers cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Canary Islands and Asia, cutting out the sea days by sailing from ports much closer to the action. With such a packed schedule, dining hours are a little more limited on a Celesytal ship and that’s drawn some ire in the reviews too, along with some instances of poor customer service. 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.
There is not much choice and only a few options are available for those with intolerances or for people following special diets. Most of the complaints are about the ship itself, the food, and the overall service. I see that, since then, the reviews have not improved and passengers continue to complain about various aspects. I must say that I traveled with Fortuna several years ago, I think about 10.
Olsen ships than they are on some other British cruise lines, but they aim to offer a more traditional cruise experience with high standards of service. Amadeus is a river cruise line that also trades as Luftner Cruises for the German market. Under the Amadeus brand, the marketing is more global, but the result is a fleet of ships that attract a multicultural group of guests. The crew are comfortable in English as well as German so communication issues aren’t anything to worry about. P&O Cruises is an established cruise line catering to the British market. The ships have traditionally been mid-sized, though the more recent additions of Iona and Arvia are definitely large cruise ships, offering even more variety of bars and restaurants onboard.
Least Affordable for the Value: Pullmantur Cruises
The second ship on this list, Costa Firenze, is actually joint first as the review scores were exactly the same as Costa Fortuna across Cruise Critic, Cruiseline and TripAdvisor. Of course, I’ve not been on every ship, so these are not my personal opinions. Just the opinions of thousands of cruisers who have left reviews online. When choosing a cruise line, the stakes are high, but certain companies consistently rise above the rest.
With careful planning and a keen eye on promotions, the world’s oceans, seas, and rivers become accessible playgrounds, offering adventures and relaxation without stretching your wallet too thin. In the vast sea of cruising options, it’s crucial to find the right ship and line that resonate with your travel desires. Here we delve into a well-rounded assessment considering factors like value for money, onboard amenities, dining, entertainment, service, and itineraries. In most cases, with a little bit of research and prep, you can find the perfect cruise line for you, and it could well be any of the cruise lines on this list. The approximate prices I’ve quoted are without flights but you can choose fares with flights included too. Otherwise, you’ll find that all dining, drinks, tips and excursions are covered, along with transfers to/from the ship from the airport.
Cruising offers many choices that can elevate your vacation into a memorable journey or turn it into a regrettable experience. With information on the best and worst cruise lines, the red flags to be cautious of, and tips for snagging the best deals, you’re now equipped to make a more informed decision for your next cruise. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-timer, prioritizing quality and doing your due diligence can go a long way in ensuring a fantastic voyage. Feel free to share your cruising experiences in the comments below and help others navigate these waters more efficiently. Azamara stands out for its destination-focused itineraries and longer port stays, allowing passengers to immerse themselves in local cultures.
Nowadays, it has become the smallest ship in the whole fleet as it was built in 2002 so over 20 years ago. I must say that Carnival cruises rank quite well and often have high ratings from passengers. In short, different aspects need improvement to move this cruise ship up in the ratings. Passengers reported in the reviews several problems they found aboard this ship.
Recommended Providers also scored at least four out of five stars for both customer service and that all important passenger-to-space ratio. Our ocean cruise rankings reveal a huge difference in the quality of the experience on-board, so it always pays to do your research before booking – for 2024 and beyond. However, at the heart of it, every cruise offers the promise of adventure, rejuvenation, and memories that last a lifetime. Luxury isn’t just about opulence; it’s about refinement, personal attention, and the ease of knowing every detail is looked after. For those who seek the pinnacle of cruising elegance, these luxury lines promise a journey that’s as captivating as the destinations themselves.
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