A lot of factors come into play when rating cruise lines. These include food, cabin quality, cleanliness, service, off-shore excursions, history, entertainment and even the impact on the environment. The following cruise lines fail in at least one of these categories, with some disappointing in a number of them. From a history of unreliable ships to dangerous ports of call to teeny tiny cabins to horrible food, there is no shortage of things that can make a cruise go from good to bad in a matter of seconds. Friends of the Earth (FOE), a compilation of environmental organizations, produces a yearly report card on the cruise ship industry. Based on their recent study, here are 8 cruise lines to avoid in 2015. It makes us wonder, are they any really good reliable cruise lines left on the high seas?
8. Royal Caribbean
How did a reputable cruise company with spacious cabins, great service, amazing amenities and otherwise good reviews end up on this list? One word; norovirus. This is the fourth time in two years that this company has had to cut cruises short due to an outbreak of this quickly spreading gastrointestinal illness. Vomiting and diarrhea aren’t exactly fun symptoms to have on a rocking ship in the middle of the ocean. Although this cruise line is being credited with dealing with the situation as best they can, we have to wonder why this virus is impacting this particular cruise line so heavily. One thing is for sure; you may want to avoid them if you want to stay healthy.
7. MSC
Bland and overcooked food, watered down drinks, small cabins and damaged or lost luggage seems to be why this company has a poor reputation. They also get a failing grade in terms of sewage systems and air pollution according to the FOE. A history of problems with their ships doesn’t help matters, as numerous reports of ships losing power have been reported over the years. Don’t mistake MSC as a romantic cruise line either, as they are known for their lack of action when unruly children are running all over the ship and splashing guests in the adults-only pool. On the plus side, they don’t seem to have any dangerous ports of call lined up in the next year; they just pollute the ocean as they see fit.
6. Norwegian
Horrendous customer service seems to be the number one complaint about this giant cruise line and is just one of the reasons to avoid it in 2015. One of the worst offenders for their cancellation policy, it doesn’t seem to matter what dire situation causes you to cancel – they will not refund your money. From a passenger dying weeks before departure to a family that found out their child had cancer, this cruise line seems to have no heart for returning money to those who can’t cruise. Along with that, passengers report bland food, unhelpful service staff and invoice discrepancies that the cruise line refuses to fix. Expect mysterious charges, missing items and crowded ships on this cruise line.
