Cruise Confessions: 25 Cruise Pet Peeves Real Cruisers Secretly Can’t Stand
I love cruising — the sea breeze, the sunrise coffee, the pure joy of waking up in a new port. But let’s be honest: not everything on a cruise ship is sunshine and daiquiris. Even the most loyal cruisers (myself included!) have a few things they’d happily toss overboard.
Over the years, I’ve heard countless cruisers share what really bugs them onboard — and while I might not agree with all of them, they pop up often enough to be worth sharing. So in the spirit of cruise honesty, here are 25 things that real cruisers secretly can’t stand. Some of these cruise pet peeves may surprise you, and a few might make you say, “Wait, I thought I was the only one!”
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🍽️ Dining Drama
I love cruise food as much as the next person — but let’s not pretend it’s all filet mignon and flawless service. From seating surprises to sticky soda stations, there are a few dining quirks that get cruisers talking (and not always in a good way).
1. The Cruise Buffet
It's convenient, sure. But navigating the buffet during popular times (like embarkation day)? It’s basically a contact sport — with sneeze guards and side-eye.
2. The Washy-Washy Song
That overly peppy crew member singing at the buffet entrance? I personally love it — it’s cheerful and keeps the germs away — but plenty of cruisers find it annoying. Either way, that song tends to live rent-free in your brain long after you’ve left the ship.
3. Waiters Dancing in the Dining Room
Is it fun? Absolutely — the first time. But when the crew already has so much to do, adding performer to their list just doesn't seem fair.
4. Having to Dine with Strangers
Some cruisers love meeting new people. Others would rather not spend dinner talking with strangers about the weather in Omaha.
5. Self-Serve Soda Stations
Endless refills? Yes, please. But once you see the sticky fingerprints all over the buttons and puddles the size of kiddie pools, it starts to lose its sparkle.
6. Theme Nights
Not everyone wants to pack for White Night, Formal Night, and ’80s Night. For some, cruise vacations are a break from being told what to wear — not more rules in costume form.
Read more cruise dining tips for Embarkation Day here
🏖️ Poolside Problems
Cruise pool decks are meant to be fun and relaxing… but sometimes they’re more chaotic than calm. Between the chair-saving Olympics and overcrowded hot tubs, it can sometimes be anything but fun or relaxing.
7. Chair Hogs at the Pool
There’s always someone claiming four loungers at sunrise with a towel, flip-flops, or a paperback from 1998. Spoiler: they won’t be back until 2 p.m. Some cruise lines are cracking down, but in the meantime… it’s peak poolside frustration.
8. People Who Never Leave the Hot Tub
It’s not a soak — it’s a stakeout. Bonus points if they’ve got drinks, a Bluetooth speaker, and friends who rotate in for hours like it’s a timeshare. And yes, some cruisers do wonder how they're able to stay in that long without ever taking a break — which only adds to the mystery (and the ick factor).
9. Children in the Hot Tub
Sure, parents love the built-in entertainment. But for the rest of us hoping for a peaceful soak, all of the in and out mixed with the splashing, isn’t exactly the vibe.
10. Overcrowded Pools
When the pool starts to feel like people stew — shoulder-to-shoulder with no room to float — it’s a hard pass. I’ll take a sea breeze and a lounger over that chaos any day.
Check out Cruise Critic’s forums to see how people really feel about poolside behavior.
🍹 Cabin Conundrums & Drink Debates
11. Obnoxious Cruise Directors Yelling Over the PA
Waking up to a booming “GOOD MORNING CRUISERS!” might be your nightmare in surround sound. Enthusiasm is great… but not before coffee.
12. Everyone Being Forced to Get the Drink Package
If one person wants it, everyone in the cabin has to get it — even if you only drink water, mocktails, or wine at home. See Royal Caribbean’s policy as an example.
13. Feeling Pressured to “Drink Your Money’s Worth”
If you do spring for the package, it can feel like a mission to break even. Hello, overconsumption — goodbye, liver. You can see how Virgin Voyages is handling this issue in my article Ways Virgin Voyages Turn No Into Yes.
14. Putting Bags Out the Night Before
Nothing says “vacation’s over” like digging through your carry-on for pajamas because your real clothes are already in the hallway.
15. Room Key Lanyards as Fashion
Practical, yes. Stylish? Debatable. With many cruise lines moving to wearable devices and apps, the lanyard days may be numbered.
16. The Ever-Present Smell of Weed
Even though you are not supposed to have it onboard, it somehow finds its way to your balcony — and your nostrils.
🎭 Entertainment Overload
Some cruisers live for the shows, contests, and high-energy fun. Others? Not so much. These are the entertainment moments that some folks say they’d rather skip — and hey, that’s okay.
17. Broadway-Style Shows
For every person raving about the vocals, there’s someone else quietly counting down the minutes to sneak out the back.
18. Overpriced Bingo
It used to be a $10 game. Now you need a bingo loan officer just to play three cards.
19. Late-Night Karaoke
Some voices are cruise-worthy. Others… should’ve stayed in the shower.
20. Cruise Ship Casinos
If the slot machines don’t get you, the lingering haze of smoke might. Although many cruise ship casinos are non-smoking, they sometimes have a smoking area close enough that you can still smell the smoke.
Reddit’s r/Cruise has opinions about cruise entertainment, and they’re not holding back.
🪜 Just Plain Annoying Stuff
These are the small things that bug people — not dealbreakers, just little cruise quirks that seem to drive some folks just a little bananas. You’ve probably seen a few of these (or maybe you secretly agree with them too).
21. Cruise Photographers Everywhere
They're waiting at the gangway, dinner entrance, and mid-walk to the restroom. Please — not every moment needs to be captured forever.
22. Excessive Door Magnets
One magnet = cute. An entire gallery of every cruise moment you've ever experienced? A little much in a narrow hallway.
23. Cruise Ducks
Sure, they’re harmless fun. But not everyone wants to spend vacation playing hide-and-seek with plastic poultry.
24. Same 10 Caribbean Ports
If you’ve done the Eastern, Western, and Southern loops, it can start to feel like one big floating circle.
25. Feeling Pressured to Participate in Everything
You don’t have to attend every trivia game, silent disco, and karaoke contest. It’s okay to just… relax.
Not sure what to expect from your next port? Use my 60-second port planner!
❓ Cruise Confessions FAQ: What Real Cruisers Want to Know
Is it normal to not love everything about cruising?
Absolutely. Cruise ships are floating resorts packed with people, so it’s totally normal to have a few cruise pet peeves. Whether it's the buffet, the bingo, or the Broadway shows, you’re not alone if some parts of cruising just don’t do it for you.
Do cruise lines listen to feedback on common cruise annoyances?
They try — but change is slow at sea. Complaints like smoky casinos, chair hogs, and excessive upselling are pretty common across cruise lines, but guest feedback can help shape policy over time.
Is cruising still worth it if I don’t like things like theme nights or group dining?
Definitely. The beauty of cruising is that you can curate your own experience. Skip the main dining room and hit the buffet or specialty dining, opt out of dress-up nights, and spend your time how you want. You do you, sailor.
How do I avoid the things I don’t like on a cruise?
Start by choosing the right cruise line for your vibe. Some lines are more relaxed and adult-focused (like Virgin Voyages), while others are all about big shows, family fun, and nonstop energy. Research your ship, choose flexible dining, and don’t be afraid to say “no thanks” to cruise activities that aren't your cup of tea.
Are these cruise complaints common across all ships?
Many are, especially on larger ships and mainstream cruise lines. But smaller ships, luxury lines, and newer vessels often have better layouts, fewer crowds, and more thoughtful experiences — it all depends on what matters most to you.
📅 What’s Your Cruise Confession?
For a deeper look at common cruise behaviors and etiquette, check out this guide from Cruise Hive. And if you're sailing with MSC, don't miss these MSC cruise tips you’ll be glad to know.
So there you have it — a little cruise truth serum. Whether you're nodding along with every confession or shaking your head at the haters, just remember: there’s no “right” way to cruise. Do what makes you happy, and skip the rest.
And remember, we’re with you from shore to cruise!
Written by Michelle Strawcutter, cruise enthusiast and travel educator with 30+ cruises under her belt. Founder of Shore to Cruise, where first-time cruisers and curious travelers find real talk, practical tips, and cruise planning confidence.
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