Gary Bembridge, the creator of the “Tips for Travelers” YouTube channel, has conducted an in-depth analysis of online reviews and ratings for the 25 largest cruise lines catering to English-speaking passengers over the past nine months.
He noted that he frequently receives questions regarding whether cruise lines have declined in quality compared to previous years, and after examining the current ratings from cruisers, he found that the predominant response is indeed affirmative.
The content creator meticulously reviewed the online feedback for these major cruise lines during this time period.
An astonishing 20 of these cruise lines are receiving lower ratings than ever, while only two have seen an improvement.
Bembridge introduced his findings by stating that he aims to make this information as useful as possible, as he unveiled the current best and worst-rated lines in each of the five categories recognised by the cruise industry: mass resort lines, premium lines, small ship luxury lines, ultra-luxury lines, and locally focused lines.
Bembridge began with the category that attracts the most passengers, the popular resort-style lines, which include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Currently, the highest-rated line in this category, narrowly surpassing Carnival, is Royal Caribbean, with a score of 3.2 out of five.
He explained that cruisers are rating Royal Caribbean as the best primarily due to their entertainment offerings. 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. Bembridge noted that the new mega ships, particularly the Icon of the Seas, have positively influenced recent reviews.
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the Caribbean-class vessels, are dragging down overall ratings, as many passengers feel they are becoming increasingly outdated and worn.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, 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.
Bembridge explained that there are several reasons why cruisers rate MSC so poorly, despite many finding the ships visually appealing.
Firstly, passengers consistently mention that the ships are “overly crowded”, according to the YouTuber.
With children travelling for free and numerous shared family cabins, these vessels can become extremely packed, making it challenging to find space around the pools or in various venues.
Secondly, the overcrowding leads to slow service and a lack of attentive customer care, they claimed. Thirdly, the entertainment provided is reportedly deemed average, especially when compared to other lines in the same category.
Fourthly, the dining options are only considered mediocre, with many guests expressing disappointment at the buffet’s repetitive offerings.
Finally, there is a notable amount of upselling onboard. However, some passengers appreciate the low fares and the fact that children can travel for free, believing that MSC offers the best value among the cruise lines.
