There’s no denying that the “big three” cruise lines have their issues with consumers, but they aren't the only cruise line with downsides to them.
I recently wrote an an article dedicated to the things I don't like about Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean, but I wanted to expand this to other major cruise lines. While they may the biggest cruise lines, I also wanted to talk about three more popular cruise lines.
Choosing a cruise line can be a daunting task, especially for first-time cruisers. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, by considering a few key factors, you can narrow down your choices and find the right cruise line for you.
Cruise ships come in a variety of sizes and styles, and each offers a unique experience. Some ships are designed for families, with plenty of activities and amenities for kids, while others are geared towards adults and offer a more upscale experience. Deciding which type of ship is right for you will depend on your personal preferences and the type of vacation you're looking for.
No matter which line you consider, there are going to be negatives to them. Like every company, no cruise line is perfect. However, these issues aren't necessarily a reason not to sail with them.
This post is intended to share specific shortcomings of the experience offered by each cruise line. You may not find the issue at hand a big deal because it doesn't impact your cruise style.
In looking at the entire cruise experience, I wanted to pick out the one thing that I like the least about MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages so you make the most informed decision possible.
What I like least about MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is a bit of enigma, because they have been very aggressive with building new ships, coming in to the market with extremely low prices, and even building a very impressive private island, and yet, they struggle to gain market share in North America.
The thing about MSC Cruises I like the least is the experience if you aren't in the Yacht Club. While the prices are cheap, the experience lacks compares to other contemporary mass-market cruise lines.
If you're on a budget, you will find some incredible deals for an MSC Cruise, especially when you factor in their promotions that include free wifi, drink package, and even kids fares. How bad could it be?
When you have such a low barrier for entry, you're going to find plenty of upcharges on your sailing.
There's very little complimentary dining available: the buffet and dining room. There's not even free soft-serve ice cream on MSC.
Of course, the promos the line have tend to include drinks and specialty dining a lot of times, but when you book, it may not be part of the price you end up paying.
In short, MSC Cruises established themselves in the European cruise market, but their approach to American cruising just isn't quite up to par with their competition. They're trying very hard and I think they'll get there, but the experience just isn't there yet.
There's no denying you'll likely find the lowest cost for a cruise on MSC, but there's a lot of extras you will find yourself paying for, unless you bump up to the Yacht Club experience.
What I like least about Disney Cruise Line
Whether you wear Mickey Ears and can sing along to just about any Disney film or are just looking for a fun cruise, it's hard to overlook the crazy high prices Disney Cruise Line charges.
Disney has never been a cheap cruise line in terms of fares, but their pricing over the last few years has gone from "pricey" to "super expensive" in short order.
From the start of Disney Cruise Line in the late 1990s, they priced themselves at a premium to start with, just like their theme parks cost more than other theme parks. But it seems their pricing lately has really gotten out of hand.
Whether you are looking at a Caribbean, Alaska or Mediterranean cruise, you will almost certainly pay a lot more than a competing family cruise line.
Certainly Disney's approach to cruising is a little different than other lines, including the fact there is no casino onboard, soft drinks are included at certain locations, and of course the Disney character integration that no other line can offer. But is Disney worth paying thousands of dollars more for those benefits?
When we talk to Disney fans, they are conditioned to paying more for the experience. Many Disney cruise fans are also Disney Parks fans, and the cost of that vacation has sky rocketed just as much. Plus, they love the Disney brand so much that they are willing to overlook the pricing.
If you aren't someone that loves Disney, then the shockingly high price tag is going to be an issue. I think equally important is the over-the-top Disney integration their ships have. Characters, movies, songs, and decor are all heavy on the Disney motif. So it makes sense why a casual Disney fan may not love a non-stop Disney sailing.
I don't think many will question if a Disney cruise is a fun vacation, but I wish their prices were not as astronomically high as they are for a non-luxury line.
What I like least about Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages is the new kid in town with their line launching in just the last couple years but their "we're not a traditional cruise line" approach has rubbed me the wrong way.
When Virgin looked to launch their own cruise line, they wanted to toss out certain norms the cruise industry has always had. Some ideas, like going adults-only, resonated with a lot of cruisers.
While they are not the only no kids allowed cruise line out there, some of their other choices thus far evoke a kind of "we're too cool for school" sense, which I don't think is necessarily their goal.
Passengers are called "sailors" instead of passengers, there's lots of innuendo in venue names, there's a tattoo parlor, hammocks on the balcony and so much more.
I can appreciate they included gratuities in the cruise fare (something all lines should do), all the dining is included with no assigned times, there is a base wifi package included for all passengers. Anyone that has cruised before will quickly take note of these differences.
Without a doubt, Virgin wants to not only attract other cruisers, but lots of people who never considered a cruise. All cruise lines want to market themselves towards people that have never cruised before because that is the giant market where any line can grow exponentially. I just wish Virgin didn't feel they need to go so over the top to market themselves as "we're not a cruise line cruise line", while at the same time relying still on people that have cruised before to fill their cabins until they can truly tap that new source of passengers.
If it sounds like maybe I'm being a stick in the mud and resistant to change in the industry, you may be right. For fun, I'll also toss in another thing I really dislike about Virgin, and that is all their ships so far are carbon copies of their first ship. That may have worked a couple decades ago, but other lines differentiate new ships within the same class quite a lot today.
Matt Hochberg
Matt loves to cruise, and started Cruise.Blog as a place to share different cruise experiences, advice, and what to know before going on a cruise.
He lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters, where he can be found on any given day trying to convince his wife they "need" to book another cruise.
