Crew Conduct You’ll Never Forget
Cruises promise relaxation and adventure, but staff interactions often define the experience. Attentive crew members can make guests feel valued and comfortable, while rude employees can turn even the most scenic voyage into a nightmare. Reviews reveal which lines consistently delight and which leave travelers disappointed. To set things straight, we’ll first cover the cruise lines that have gained notoriety for less-than-stellar staff behavior, according to frequent cruisers.
1. Carnival Cruise Line
Service inconsistencies have been a recurring issue across Carnival ships. On Carnival’s Paradise ship, one traveler reported dealing with a cabin plumbing problem that remained unresolved despite multiple complaints. Others noted long wait times at customer service and understaffed dining areas during peak hours.
2. Hurtigruten Expeditions
Hurtigruten prioritizes expedition experiences, sometimes at the expense of comfort. Several reviewers mentioned being denied lunch even when the dining room wasn’t full. While cabin staff earned praise, service in public areas often felt inconsistent, and communication was unclear.
3. Margaritaville At Sea
A reviewer called their “Worst experience ever!” voyage memorable for all the wrong reasons: service desk rules got weird (eviction‑style notices under doors), and paying a bill turned into a treasure hunt. This ship might relax the dress code—service expectations? Not so much.
4. Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal earns solid marks for entertainment and itineraries, but service isn’t always smooth. Multiple reviews describe crew members avoiding responsibility for small issues. Guests experience delays in cabin cleaning and say follow-ups are met with shoulder shrugs, not solutions.
5. Phoenix Reisen
Unless you speak German, prepare to feel invisible. Passengers frequently complain that staff ignore non-German speakers, even when assistance is clearly needed. Reports describe that most crew brush off English questions or respond curtly, creating an atmosphere where international guests feel unwelcome.
6. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Despite praise for some crew members, multiple reviews highlight rude treatment at guest services. Delays, room assignment issues, and occasional communication gaps have also appeared in reviews, especially when expectations leaned toward modern luxury standards.
7. Costa Cruises
Passengers frequently criticize Costa’s staff for unprofessional behavior. Verified reviews describe curt replies, dismissive attitudes when cabin or booking problems arise, and visible impatience with complaints. Multiple accounts explicitly call the staff rude, which just adds to the frustration already caused by service and organizational issues onboard.
8. Ambassador Cruise Line
Not every sailing feels the same. Some enjoy efficient service, while others wait endlessly for attention from a visibly stressed crew. On some sailings, passengers described difficulties with onboard communication and occasional disorganization during embarkation.
9. MSC Cruises
Many MSC reviews describe frustrating customer‐service experiences: unanswered emails and phone calls, difficulties resolving problems through official channels, and wide gaps between expectations and responses. Issues aren’t always about the crew onboard, but the support systems often leave travellers feeling unheard.
10. P&O Cruises
Forums regularly mention long delays in contacting P&O’s support, disappointment with responsiveness, and a sense that recent operations have declined in quality. Many feel that value for money is slipping, even when paying for standard amenities.
However, not every cruise line gets it wrong. Some go above and beyond to make every interaction feel unforgettable.
1. Disney Cruise Line
It’s not just magic for the kids—there’s magic for adults here too. Reviews mention that staff are “very friendly and very helpful,” especially in dining and public areas service. Guests are welcomed early and feel that staff go out of their way to maintain high standards of cleanliness and attentiveness throughout the ship.
2. Viking Ocean Cruises
Reviews frequently note the professionalism of Viking’s staff. Guests describe crew members as attentive and respectful, with a focus on anticipating passenger needs. Many accounts mention that staff maintain a calm, consistent level of service that contributes to the line’s reputation for smooth sailing.
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Service that shines in the details. Passengers often call the staff “splendid,” especially for how they help manage complicated itineraries and onboard requests with elegance. Dining, cabin maintenance, and cruise reps are regularly known for going beyond what’s expected.
Piergiuliano Chesi on Wikimedia
4. Holland America Line
HAL earns praise for its calm, spacious ships and friendly, helpful crew. Many recent reviews mention “very friendly staff” and “helpful crew” as standout features. The line is known for combining classic charm with attentive service, even onboard its larger, more modern ships.
5. Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn earns praise for anticipating guest needs. By letting passengers set preferences in advance, the staff can remember requests for drinks or suite arrangements. Reviewers consistently highlight the deeply personal and dependable nature of the service.
Piergiuliano Chesi on Wikimedia
6. Royal Caribbean International
With a workforce spanning 130+ nationalities, Royal Caribbean naturally fosters inclusive service. Guests often commend crew members for thoughtful gestures, such as finding a preferred drink not on the menu, while cabin staff consistently deliver friendly, attentive care.
7. Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises frequently gets nods for its calm embarkation process and well‑orchestrated onboard service. Passengers note that first impressions carry through—friendly greetings, clean public spaces, and staff who know their way around both guest needs and amenities. The vibe leans upscale yet welcoming.
8. Azamara
Step on board and feel a true personal touch—crew often learn names and preferences very quickly, to create an atmosphere that turns meals and even shore excursions into something special. Their friendly and helpful service stands out in nearly every review.
9. Ponant Cruises
Service aboard Ponant earns steady praise on Cruise Critic, especially for its refined atmosphere and attentive crew. Staff are consistently described as efficient and professional, contributing to a seamless luxury experience that reflects the line’s French hospitality roots.
William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland on Wikimedia
10. Silversea Cruises
Luxury here feels effortless as the cruise provides butler service in every suite, with staff‑to‑suite ratios nearly 1:1. These butlers help with minibar stocking, wardrobe oversight, and in‑suite service for food and beverages. Many travellers highlight this attention to detail as one of Silversea’s greatest assets.
