Research led by SlotsUp has analysed 20 of the busiest cruise lines and has identified which ones have received the most negative feedback.
The team looked at terms including “poor” and “terrible” on Cruise Critic, which is a trusted cruise review platform acquired by TripAdvisor back in 2007.
SlotsUp found which cruise lines let passengers down with issues such as overcrowding, subpar customer service and overall unsatisfactory experiences deeming poorly in the travel results.
At the top of the worst list pile is Costa Cruises which received a staggering 39.16 percent of negative reviews. Out of 1,532 reviews, 600 of those were rated as ‘poor’ and ‘terrribe’.
Reasons for negative reviews including overcrowding, lack of adequate amenities, and inconsistent catering quality.
One passenger travelling with the cruise claimed: “Save yourself, literally, and just don’t book with Costa unless you want an overcrowded experience with food poisoning, a disrespectful reception, negligent safety, dirty rooms, towels and bed lining.”
Another reviewer suggested: “Avoid Costa Cruise at any cost! The most despicable and dishonest cruise line that we’ve ever experienced after sailing around 60+ cruises with other lines. It was our first cruise trip with Costa, and for sure, it would be the last and only one!”
Another cruise line which received poor results was MSC Cruises with 32.76 percent out of its 10,358 reviews labelled as negative.
The Swiss-Italian cruise seems face challenges in delivering clear communication with its customers.
A Cruise Critic user who travelled with MSC opined: “Disembarkation was a disaster! There is zero communication.
“They had the walk-off passengers line up shoulder to shoulder for over three hours before seeing movement. People were jammed in stairwells for three hours! It was the worst experience ever after the 37 cruises I have been on!”
The top 10 worst-rated cruise lines and percentage of negative reviews:
1. Costa Cruises – 39.16 percent
2. MSC Cruises – 32.76 percent
3. Ambassador Cruise Line – 28.57 percent
4. P&O Cruises – 23.65 percent
5. Marella Cruises – 21.08 percent
6. Norweigan Cruise Line – 20.59 percent
7. Regent Secen Seas Cruises – 20.57 percent
8. Fred.Olsen Cruises – 19.61 percent
9. Cunard Lane – 17.60 percent
10. Ponant Cruises – 17.22 percent