Cruise line named 'worst-rated' with 'overcrowding' among passenger gripes

Gary Bembridge, who runs the Tips for Travelers YouTube channel, has given a telling verdict on cruise lines after conducting a thorough review of online ratings and reviews for the 25 largest cruise operators that serve English-speaking holidaymakers over the last nine months. He's often quizzed about whether the quality of cruise holidays is dipping compared to previous years and his analysis of contemporary cruiser feedback suggests the majority sees it that way.

In an extensive look at the digital opinions of travellers during this period, Mr Bembridge discovered a staggering 20 out of the 25 cruise companies are being rated lower than ever before - only two have improved their standings. Presenting his analysis, he stressed his goal is to turn the data into actionable insights for travellers as he pinpointed which are currently facing rough seas and which are smoothly sailing in the different industry categories, such as mass resort, premium, small ship luxury, ultra-luxury, and regionally-focused lines.

He kicked off with the mass-resort category, a crowd favourite encompassing big names like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line, revealing that Royal Caribbean just scrapes ahead of rival Carnival with an average score of 3.2 out of five.

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Cruisers are primarily rating Royal Caribbean as the best due to their entertainment offerings, according to an explanation given. The reviews highlight the impressive shows, including large theatre productions, ice performances, and water shows, as well as a packed daily schedule suitable for all ages.

The variety of onboard activities, such as flow-riders, water slides, game rooms, and zip lines, also contributes to their appeal. It was noted that the new mega ships, particularly the Icon of the Seas, have positively influenced recent reviews, reports the Express.

However, older ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, especially the Caribbean-class vessels, are dragging down overall ratings, as many passengers feel they are becoming increasingly outdated and worn. As Royal Caribbean promotes their fleet with bold, action-packed ships, many guests find themselves disappointed when they board the older vessels.

Reviews and ratings also suffer due to overcrowding on ships. Many vessels are now operating at over double their capacity, with children sharing cabins with their parents, which leads to congestion in popular areas like the Windjammer buffet and water slides.

Currently, MSC Cruises ranks as the lowest among resort lines, says the YouTuber, with a score of just 2.7 out of 5, and they received the highest number of one-star ratings of all 25 lines reviewed. There are several reasons why cruisers rate MSC so poorly, despite many finding the ships visually appealing, it was explained.

Passengers frequently report that the ships are "overly crowded", as described by a YouTuber. With children allowed to travel at no cost and numerous family cabins shared, these cruise liners often feel too full, particularly around pool areas and in different venues, passengers claimed.

In addition, the busy setting leads to slow service and less attentive customer care, the YouTuber noted.

When it comes to dining, the options provided are thought to be nothing special, with regular grumbles about the buffet’s lack of variety. On the flip side, the matter of persistent upselling onboard is something guests have called out.

Yet some travellers see the positive side, valuing the low prices and complimentary child places, believing that MSC offers the best value among the cruise lines.