Your dream cruise should be paradise—sun-soaked decks, endless buffets, and top-notch entertainment. But for some cruisers, reality hits hard. The pool deck? Overcrowded. The food? Bland. The cabins? Dated and noisy. Hidden fees and long lines add to the frustration, turning dreams into regrets. These are the cruise ships that leave passengers swearing, “Never again.”
Based on real cruiser reviews, I’m uncovering the ships that miss the mark, so you can steer clear of disappointment and avoid wasting your precious vacation days. Ready to see which ships made the list? Let’s dive in.
Behind the Scenes—How I Picked the Worst Cruise Ships
This isn’t a random list. It’s based on hundreds of reviews from Cruise Critic, TripAdvisor, and Reddit. When you see the same complaints come up again and again – bland food, dirty cabins, overcrowded pools, and poor service – it’s not a coincidence.
The patterns of frustration go beyond isolated rants. These ships are consistently letting passengers down, and the numbers back it up. If you want to avoid a cruise nightmare, these insights will help you make a smarter choice.
The 18 Worst Cruise Ships Ranked Based on Real Reviews
Cruising should be about luxury and adventure, but some ships completely miss the mark. From cold buffets to broken attractions, these floating disasters, including ships from MSC, Costa, and Carnival, keep showing up in cruiser reviews. Read on to find out which ships you might want to skip!
Majestic Princess
The Majestic Princess cruise ship is a hit or a miss, judging by the 750 reviews on Cruise Critic. The main issues are the cramped cabins and insufficient onboard facilities. It also seems that people with mobility issues struggle to get around the ship efficiently.
The poorly designed theater and limited capacity also get slated in many online reviews, leaving cruisers disappointed by the entertainment experience. Rated as average, the ship’s redeeming factors are its cleanliness, friendly staff, and relaxed ambiance—something the cruise line is famous for.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.6/5
Carnival Horizon
Carnival Horizon promises fun for families, but many reviews paint a different picture. Famous for its party atmosphere, many cruisers seem to go overboard (not literally) with partying. Passengers report noisy atmospheres, long lines at buffets, repetitive menu choices, a packed poolside, and aggressive behavior.
Some of the most disturbing comments were about staff and cleanliness. Cruisers tell of unclean rooms, hair from previous guests, and staff with “attitude.” On the brighter side, the ship offers a variety of entertainment options and water slides that appeal to younger travelers.
The consensus seems to be that it’s a great, cheap cruise option for shorter cruises and a party atmosphere but not for longer, more relaxing vacations.
Discover the worst Carnival cruise ships.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.5/5
NCL Epic
The Norwegian Cruise Line ship “Epic” seems anything but judging by most of the online reviews. Even many of the best reviews mention quirky features, disappointments, and awkward bathroom setups. The common threads in most reviews are poor entertainment, long lines for drinks, and overcrowding in pool areas.
Despite its average rating, it seems that the experience on the NCL Epic put many cruisers off traveling with the line again. In saying that, other cruisers rave about their experience, citing positives like attentive staff, good Main Dining Room menus, and clean cabins.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.5/5
Carnival Firenze
Looking for Italian-inspired charm on your cruise? Although the Carnival Firenze promises it, it fails to deliver anything close to Italy. Recurring themes on cruise forums include disorganized dining, with long waits and lukewarm, bland food that barely nods to its Tuscan theme.
The ship’s decor gets praise, but even the most stylish spaces can’t make up for overcrowded public areas and slow service. One described it as “underwhelming at best but a beautiful ship.” If you’re looking for an authentic Carnival vibe, Firenze might feel more like a missed connection.”
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.3/5
MSC Preziosa
The MSC Preziosa fails to impress many cruisers despite the great value of European cruises. Recurring complaints highlight poor service, with many citing inattentive staff and long waits at dining venues. Food quality is another sore spot, described as bland and inconsistent, leaving some cruisers disappointed.
Entertainment options often fall short of expectations, with some cruisers calling them flat-out boring, awful, and a snooze-fest. On a positive note, the friendliness of the staff and the embarking/disembarking process get top marks across most reviews.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.2/5
Cunard Queen Anne
I was shocked to discover that a premium cruise line like Cunard would have a ship on the “worst cruise ship” list. Yes, Queen Anne scores the same as budget lines like Costa and MSC Cruises. What is it about this luxury cruise ship that travelers hate? Here’s what I discovered.
Despite its elegant decor and refined atmosphere, passengers feel it falls short of Cunard’s iconic standards. Common complaints include slow service in dining venues and entertainment that lacks variety and excitement. Many reviews talk about its poor design and noisy cabins. And it’s definitely not a hit with younger travelers or families with children.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.2/5
Costa Pacifica
Costa Cruise Line continually gets ranked as the worst in the cruise industry, and it’s no surprise that many ships are poorly rated. Cruisers frequently mention issues like overcrowded public areas, long waits for dining, and poor food quality. Surprisingly, many English-speaking guests have trouble understanding announcements.
Of all the complaints, the most common are regarding dining options—long buffet lines, dining room chaos, lack of tables, and no variety. A common theme is that quality extra food items come at an additional cost. In general, the ship seems disorganized and not a great choice if you’re looking for a stress-free getaway.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.1/5
MSC Meraviglia
MSC Meraviglia cruise ship gets just as many complaints as good reviews. However, repeated themes crop up in reviews. These include unfriendly staff, poor-quality food, and long, disorganized buffet lines. I also read complaints about unhygienic practices at the food stations.
Even the ship’s design can be frustrating, with crowded elevators and public spaces that lack the wow factor. Some guests praise the entertainment offerings, but others feel the 45-minute productions are more filler than feature. While Meraviglia means ‘wonder,’ it seems the wonder fades quickly for many.
On the plus side, cruisers praise MSC cruises for their cheap prices and great deals.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.0/5
Costa Fortuna
Booking a cruise on the Costa Fortuna may be a gamble that doesn’t pay off. After reading a ton of reviews on Cruise Critic, Tripadvisor, and Reddit, I’m not surprised it got a poor rating. Stories tell of repetitive buffet options, hygiene issues, inadequate sanitation, and overcrowded pools.
One of the serious gripes is the lack of English announcements and chaos boarding. Many reviews noted that the ship’s age means constant maintenance issues with bathrooms, water slides, and other amenities.
Ultimately, the Costa Fortuna didn’t live up to its name—unless ‘Fortuna’ refers to the luck you’d need to enjoy your trip.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 3.0/5
Carnival Sunrise
It’s more like the sun has set on this Carnival cruise ship. Despite its promise of fun and relaxation, the reality on board Carnival Sunrise falls disappointingly short. Expect for outdated decor, overcrowded public spaces, long lines at the buffet, and high noise levels—all combined to make a poor cruise experience.
A redeeming factor about dining options on Carnival ships, including the Sunrise, is that Guy’s Burger Joint is part of the free dining package. Also, the staff gets top marks. Apart from that, a poor deck layout on an aging ship and lackluster amenities make it impractical for longer cruises.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.9/5
NCL Prima
Of all the ships Norwegian Cruises operates, the NCL Prima is the worst, with a poor rating of 2.9. Cruisers are frustrated by the small communal spaces like the buffet, pool deck, and atrium that feel closed in and cramped. Also, food quality seems to suffer from a lack of options in the main buffet.
The recurring theme in NCL Prima reviews involves a lack of space. Many say the small venues cannot accommodate all the people wanting to attend. In general, the entertainment is “so-so,” with only one Broadway-style show per cruise. For a ship named Prima, it seems to leave too many cruisers longing for a more satisfying experience.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.9/5
MSC Seascape
MSC Seascape looks like a modern masterpiece, but for many passengers, it’s more “meh” than magic. Repeated objections center on bland food that barely passes muster, service that feels nonexistent, and pool decks so packed you’d think they were hosting a concert.
Sure, there’s a zip line, but who wants to wait hours to use it? The family-friendly vibe is there, but the organization? Not so much. For many, Seascape’s flashy exterior hides a poor cruise experience that doesn’t quite deliver on its promises.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.85/5
Costa Fascinosa
More frustrating than fascinating is how many reviewers describe Costa Fascinosa. Frequent complaints include food that feels recycled, rude or inattentive staff, and activities that fail to entertain. Overall, it has a cheap hotel vibe onboard. Overcrowding in dining areas and public spaces adds to the frustration.
While the ship’s bold design gets some credit, it struggles to deliver on service and organization. Poor quality, rip-offs, and extortionate prices are frequent words describing the experience. For anyone seeking a stress-free getaway, Costa Fascinosa might leave you wishing for smoother sailing.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.7/5
Costa Deliziosa
For many cruisers, the experience on board the Costa Deliziosa is anything but tasty. Like most ships in the Costa Line, most complaints revolve around dining options and organizational logistics. Many experienced cruisers mention poor staffing, unfriendly service, deceptive drink packages, and bland food.
Why would anyone decide to cruise on a Costa ship like the Deliziosa? Low prices. But as one reviewer said, “You get what you pay for.” And for some cruisers, it’s worth booking a cheaper cruise to sail to exotic ports in the Mediterranean.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.7/5
Carnival Luminosa
Despite being a relatively new cruise ship, the Carnival Luminosa is not making waves in terms of rave reviews. Just the opposite, guests rate its dining and entertainment options as poor, with long waits—some say over an hour—at the buffet. Others described it as noisy and that “the ship rattles all night.”
On the positive side, Luminosa’s smaller size appeals to travelers seeking a more intimate cruising experience, and some guests commend the friendly service staff. However, for travelers expecting Carnival’s signature fun and energy, the ship may feel like it’s running on low wattage.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.6/5
MSC Seashore
Passengers love the MSC Seashore cruise ship for its modern design, spacious staterooms, and excellent specialty restaurant. But for some cruisers, these features don’t cut it. The vessel gets overall poor results due to cold, repetitive meals, untrained service staff, and lackluster free dining options.
Missing stateroom basics, like cabin tissues and broken facilities, create a sense of cutting corners. Even standout features like the infinity pool and zip line get crowded at peak times, leading to long waits that ruin the vibe. While some appreciate its sleek style, many feel Seashore needs more substance to match its promising appearance.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.9/5
Costa Toscana
Don’t get expectations up about enjoying some Tuscany-inspired vibes on the Costa Toscana. The majority of cruiser reviews describe bland food, overcrowded public spaces, slow service, boring entertainment, and long lines for most activities. Although the ship is praised for spacious cabins, the recurring complaints leave passengers underwhelmed.
Many experienced cruisers describe the onboard experience as one of their worst ever. From what I can gather, the low cruise prices mean passengers don’t have high expectations and are willing to put up with some of the cruise line’s failings. It’s described as a “5-star ship run like a 2-star cheap hotel.”
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.8/5
Costa Smeralda
The Costa Smeralda is rated as one of the worst cruise ships in the world. It has a poor 2.2 rating, with poor scores given for entertainment, dining, and cabins. Words describing the buffet include “terrible,” “completely tasteless,” “lack of quality,” and “catastrophic.” Despite the ship’s stunning facilities and layout, staff are described as rude and unhelpful.
While the ship’s eco-friendly features and vibrant decor earn some praise (it’s one of the first LNG-powered cruise ships), these positives are often overshadowed by logistical chaos and inconsistent service. For a ship that promises Italian flair, Smeralda is more fiasco than fantastico.
Learn about the dirtiest cruise ships according to the CDC.
Rating on Cruise Critic: 2.2/5
Better Options for Your Next Cruise
Thankfully, not all cruise ships are floating disappointments. With so many options, the key to a great cruise vacation is knowing how to choose wisely. So, do your research, dive deep into online reviews, join social media groups, and balance your budget with expectations.
Here are some ways I research the best ships before booking a cruise:
Online reviews: Research specific cruise lines and ships on sites like Cruise Critic, Tripadvisor, and Reddit. Look for patterns in complaints—if multiple reviews mention bad food or overcrowding, take it seriously. Pay attention to ships with consistently high ratings for service, food, and entertainment.
Match the ship to your needs: Cruise lines cater to different experiences. Prefer family fun? Look at lines like Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruises. Want luxury? Check out Celebrity Cruises or Cunard. Ensure the ship offers amenities that align with your interests, like water parks, adults-only pools, or gourmet dining.
Prioritize cabin location: Avoid cabins near high-traffic areas like elevator banks or below noisy venues. Choose mid-ship or aft cabins for smoother sailing and better access to amenities. For added relaxation, consider upgrading to a balcony or suite.
Check the itinerary and capacity: Smaller, less crowded ships can offer a more relaxing experience. Look for itineraries that prioritize destination variety and port times, ensuring you make the most of your stops. Avoid peak travel times to minimize crowds.
Trust reputable lines with consistent scores: Cruise lines like Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Virgin Voyages, and Holland America often score highly for food, service, and overall satisfaction. Stick to ships with strong reputations to avoid surprises. For example, on this list, Costa Cruises has six ships and Carnival four—it tells you something.
My Final Thoughts
Cruising can be the trip of a lifetime—or a total letdown. The secret? Choosing the right ship with your eyes wide open. Don’t just trust the glossy brochures. Instead, dig into genuine reviews and know what you’re booking. A little research now can save you from a sea of regret later.
Related articles:
