What Cruisers Complain About Most (and What You Should Know Before You Sail)

Cruises are one of my favorite ways to travel because so much is taken care of for you. Once you're onboard, your room is ready, meals are available, and there's always something to do...or nothing to do at all, which honestly is part of the appeal.

But even the most relaxing cruise isn't perfect.

After helping travelers plan cruises and talking with people after they return home, I've noticed many of the same complaints come up again and again. The good news? Most of them are completely manageable once you know what to expect.

Whether you're planning your first cruise or it's been a while since your last sailing, understanding these common frustrations can help you set realistic expectations and enjoy your vacation even more.

📖 Table of Contents

🚢 Before You Sail: Surprises That Catch Travelers Off Guard
🛳️ Common Complaints Once You're Onboard
🌴 When Things Don't Go According to Plan
💙 The Truth About Cruise Complaints
❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🚢 Before You Sail: Surprises That Catch Travelers Off Guard

Some of the biggest cruise complaints actually begin before the ship ever leaves port. They're usually the result of expectations that didn't quite match reality.

💲 Cruise Fares

Cruise fares can look very appealing at first glance, and sometimes that's exactly what gets people excited about booking.

But that advertised fare often isn't the final number.

Your cruise fare typically includes your cabin, meals in the main dining room and buffet, entertainment, and many onboard activities. What often surprises travelers are the additional costs, such as Wi-Fi, gratuities, specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, and shore excursions.

That doesn't mean cruising isn't a great value. In many cases, it absolutely is. It simply helps to know ahead of time which expenses are included and which ones are optional.

💵 Gratuities

One of the biggest surprises for first-time cruisers is seeing daily gratuities added to their onboard account.

Most cruise lines automatically charge gratuities, although the amount and policies vary. If you don't know they're coming, it can feel like an unexpected bill at the end of your vacation.

I always encourage travelers to include gratuities in their vacation budget from the beginning so they become part of the plan instead of an unpleasant surprise.

If you're wondering how cruise tipping works, including whether gratuities can be adjusted, I explain more in my guide to Cruise Tipping: Pros, Cons & Can You Refuse?

🚢 Ship Size

Not every cruiser loves sailing on a giant ship.

Some people step onboard and immediately love the energy, endless dining options, and nonstop entertainment. Others take one look around and think, "Wow...that's a lot of people."

Neither reaction is wrong.

Larger ships typically offer more restaurants, activities, and entertainment, while smaller ships often provide a quieter atmosphere and are easier to navigate. Choosing the right ship for your travel style can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your cruise.

🛏️ Cruise Cabins

Cruise cabins are another common surprise, especially for first-time cruisers.

Compared to most hotel rooms, they can feel smaller than expected. That's because cruise ships are designed to make efficient use of every inch of space.

A smaller cabin doesn't mean it's uncomfortable. It simply means choosing the right cabin location and category becomes even more important.

A little planning here can prevent a lot of "I wish I had known that." If you're not sure what the differences are between inside, ocean view, balcony, and suite cabins, my guide to Cruise Lingo 101: Cabin Types walks through the basics.

🛳️ Common Complaints Once You're Onboard

Once the vacation begins, a few things tend to surprise first-time cruisers. Fortunately, they're all part of the normal cruise experience.

🧳 Embarkation Day

Embarkation day is exciting.

It's also one of the busiest days of your vacation.

There can be lines, waiting, security checks, and thousands of people all trying to start their vacation at the same time. Some travelers expect to walk right onboard and immediately relax, but embarkation usually requires a little patience.

The good news is that once you're settled onboard, the pace changes and vacation mode quickly takes over. If you'd like to understand the process better, my Cruise Lingo 101: Embarkation guide breaks it down.

🍽️ Cruise Ship Dining

Food is personal, which means cruise dining can be too.

Some people absolutely love the food. Others find it just okay.

The buffet can become crowded during peak times, and dinner service in the main dining room may feel slower than you're used to at home. On the other hand, many ships offer multiple dining venues, giving you plenty of opportunities to discover your favorites throughout the week.

☕ Extra-Fee Items

Another common complaint comes from travelers who assume everything onboard is included.

While many things are, some aren't.

Specialty coffee, bottled water, specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, certain desserts, and room service on some cruise lines may come with an additional charge.

Knowing what's included before you sail makes these extra costs much less surprising.

🏖️ Chair Hogs

Ah yes...the famous pool chair debate.

Few things frustrate cruisers more than seeing pool chairs "reserved" with towels, books, or flip-flops for hours while no one is actually using them.

It's one of those cruise complaints that seems to exist on almost every sailing.

If relaxing by the pool is important to you, arriving a little earlier often makes finding a chair much easier. If you've ever heard cruisers joking about "chair hogs" and weren't quite sure what they meant, you're not alone. My Cruise Lingo 101: Chair Hogs guide explains this common cruise term and why it continues to be one of the most talked-about pool deck frustrations.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids

Families love cruising, and that's part of what makes cruises so much fun.

But during summer vacation, holidays, and school breaks, there can also be a lot of children onboard.

For some travelers, that's part of the lively atmosphere. Others may prefer a quieter vacation.

If you're looking for a more peaceful experience, choosing your sailing date and cruise line carefully can make a noticeable difference.

🛗 Elevators

It sounds like a small thing until you're onboard.

After a popular show ends or everyone returns from a port at the same time, elevators can fill up quickly.

Many experienced cruisers simply take the stairs whenever it's practical, especially if they're only traveling a few decks.

🌴 When Things Don't Go According to Plan

Sometimes the biggest complaints aren't caused by the ship at all. They're simply part of traveling.

🌴 Changed or Canceled Itineraries

This is probably one of the most disappointing cruise complaints because it usually involves a destination people have been looking forward to visiting.

Sometimes a ship skips a port. Sometimes arrival times change. Occasionally an itinerary changes completely.

Weather, port congestion, mechanical issues, or local conditions can all affect where a ship can safely go. Cruise lines don't make these decisions lightly, even though they can be frustrating.

One of the best ways to enjoy cruising is to fall in love with the entire experience, not just one specific port.

🚤 Tendering

Tendering can catch first-time cruisers off guard.

Instead of walking directly onto a pier, you'll board a smaller boat that takes you ashore.

The process usually goes smoothly, but it can take longer than expected. If the seas are rough, it may take even more time or, in rare cases, be canceled altogether.

Knowing how tendering works ahead of time helps set realistic expectations. If you've never heard the term before, my Cruise Lingo 101: Tendering guide explains how the process works and what to expect on port day.

🎟️ Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are often the highlight of a cruise, but they're also one of the most common sources of disappointment.

Some travelers think they're expensive. Others are disappointed when popular tours sell out or when an excursion doesn't quite match what they imagined.

Doing a little research before your cruise and choosing excursions that fit your interests and activity level can make a big difference. My Cruise Lingo 101: Shore Excursions guide explains the basics and what to consider when planning your port days.

☁️ Weather

Cruise lines can plan almost everything.

Weather isn't one of those things.

Rain, wind, rough seas, or tropical systems can affect ports, excursions, and even the ship's itinerary.

It's disappointing when it happens, especially if you've been dreaming about a particular beach day for months. But it's also part of ocean travel, and your captain's first priority is always the safety of everyone onboard.

💙 The Truth About Cruise Complaints

Most cruise complaints really come down to one thing: expectations.

When you know ahead of time that embarkation takes patience, cabins are smaller, weather can change your plans, and not everything onboard is included, those little frustrations don't feel nearly as overwhelming.

And honestly? Even when a cruise isn't perfect, it can still be an amazing vacation.

A delayed embarkation, a smaller cabin, or a rainy port day usually doesn't erase the sunsets, the ocean views, the fun onboard, and that wonderful feeling of not having to cook dinner.

Being prepared helps you focus less on the little inconveniences and more on making wonderful memories.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What do people complain about most on a cruise?

Some of the most common complaints include extra fees, daily gratuities, small cabins, crowded elevators, pool chair "hogs," itinerary changes, and weather affecting port visits. Most of these are normal parts of cruising and become much easier to handle when you know what to expect.

Are cruises worth it despite these complaints?

For most travelers, absolutely. Cruises continue to be one of the best vacation values because they combine accommodations, meals, entertainment, and transportation between destinations. Most complaints are relatively minor compared to everything travelers enjoy during their trip.

Can you avoid most cruise complaints?

You can't control the weather or itinerary changes, but you can avoid many surprises by choosing the right ship, budgeting for optional expenses, and understanding how cruising works before you sail.

🚢 Ready to Cruise Smarter?

Every vacation has a few bumps along the way, and cruises are no different. The difference is that most cruise frustrations are easy to manage when you know they're a normal part of the experience.

If you're planning a cruise and would like help choosing the right ship, itinerary, or cabin for your travel style, I'd love to help. At Downtime Destinations, my goal is to help you feel prepared, confident, and excited long before you step onboard, so you can spend your vacation doing what matters most: relaxing, exploring, and making wonderful memories. 🚢🌴