An ocean cruise is supposed to be an all-inclusive vacation package, but for some, it becomes an expensive nightmare when the cruise leaves them behind at port.
Norwegian Cruise Lines recently left a family of nine on a remote Alaskan island after a shuttle excursion misunderstanding. That's a nightmare in its own right, but Norwegian exacerbated the problem further by charging $9,000 in additional fees, which hit their credit card while trying to book emergency hotel stays and flights home.
The cruise line charged the family the hefty fee for violating the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Norwegian says this fee is from U.S. Customs and Border Protection; however, according to the federal agency's documentation updated in 2021, the cost is $798 per passenger. Thus, it appears the cruise line decided to add on its own fees rather than ask for an emergency exemption due to its own mistake.
The cruise line must request emergency fee waivers, and legal counsel may need to be obtained if they refuse while also at fault, but the actual fine implemented by CBP is standard. However, individual cruise lines have different fine amounts listed, so the fee would have been $941 per person if this had occurred on a Carnival cruise.
If you've been considering stepping up your travel game, we scoured online reviews to find the 10 worst cruise lines and what customers had to say about each.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Costa Cruises
![costa toscana cruise ship](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/costa-toscana-cruise-ship-adobe.jpg)
Costa Cruises offers some incredible bargain vacations around the world — from Mediterranean voyages to treks to Dubai and United Arab Emirates — but customers have not always been pleased.
The cruise line has a 3.0 overall rating on Cruise Critic, a site where customers can leave reviews, making it the lowest-rated cruise line on this list. Former passengers had an array of complaints ranging from food to technology to things like bars onboard being closed.
MSC Cruises
![msc orchestra sailing during sunset](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/msc-orchestra-sailing-during-sunset-adobe.jpg)
MSC Cruises is a European company that offers many great bargains for trips to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and beyond.
While you’ll find plenty of happy customer reviews online, the line’s overall Cruise Critic rating is on the lower side — 3.3 — and previous customers tended to have issues with the food, restaurant service, cleanliness, and staff being generally disorganized.
P&O Cruises
![p and o cruise liner](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/03/p-and-o-cruise-liner-adobe.jpg)
Britain-based P&O; Cruises certainly has some perks — it sails to more than 70 destinations worldwide, and it’s one of the only cruise companies that has adults-only ships.
However, its Cruise Critic rating, 3.5, leaves a bit to be desired. While customers generally seemed to be pleased with the ships themselves, as well as onboard entertainment, several customers found their accommodations unsatisfactory and were unhappy with the food options.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Norwegian Cruise Line
![norwegian jade luxury cruise ship](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/norwegian-jade-luxury-cruise-ship-adobe.jpg)
Norwegian prides itself on giving its passengers the “freestyle” vacation experience on all its ships — offering plenty of dining options, entertainment, and amenities with no set schedule so guests can enjoy at their leisure.
While one of the perks is that Norwegian has a huge number of bargain cruise options, previous customers had some serious complaints. The company’s Cruise Critic rating is 3.6, with the food, service, and lack of nighttime entertainment being common complaints.
Regent Seven Seas
![regent seven seas cruise ship](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/regent-seven-seas-cruise-ship-adobe.jpg)
Regent Seven Seas is a luxury cruise line that offers all-inclusive experiences around the world. While you’ll find many happy past customers online, others had some serious concerns and issues.
The company’s overall rating on Cruise Critic is 3.7, with many of the complaints focused on onboard issues — either with the ship's mechanics or with cabins — and trouble reaching and getting answers or refunds from management.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
![fred olsen cruise lines ship](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/fred-olsen-cruise-lines-ship-adobe.jpg)
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers cruisers opportunities to see some unique ports as it operates smaller ships. From cruising around Norway’s fjords to a trek through the Adriatic Sea, the British company has many adventures to choose from.
The cruise line’s overall rating on Cruise Critic is 3.7 as of spring 2024, and guests had some serious complaints about crowded ports, issues with itineraries, and whether the vacation packages were worth the price tags.
Carnival Cruise Lines
![carnival conquest cruise ship](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/carnival-conquest-cruise-ship-adobe.jpg)
Carnival is one of the more well-known cruise companies in the U.S. While its Cruise Critic rating is not terrible — 3.8 out of 5 — many customers had serious complaints.
A perk of booking with Carnival is it offers serious bargains and cruises worldwide, from the Bahamas to Alaska to Australia. While guests generally reported enjoying perks like views from their cabin balconies, many complaints were lodged about food and the boarding process.
Princess Cruises
![sky princess cruise ship](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/sky-princess-cruise-ship-adobe.jpg)
Like Carnival, Princess Cruises did not have a terrible rating on Cruise Critic — 3.8 — but the customers who did have complaints had serious ones. The price versus value was a common concern, with several customers questioning whether the excursions offered on board were worth the extra cash.
On the plus side, Princess runs the gamut with cruising options — with destinations ranging from the California Coast to the Caribbean to Tahiti and the South Pacific.
Cunard
![black and white cruise ship](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/black-and-white-cruise-ship-adobe.jpg)
One of the great things about Cunard is the array of voyages it offers — from short trips across the Atlantic to grand and world voyages across and around Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
With that being said, the cruise line’s overall rating on Cruise Critic is 3.8, and many customers complained about food (mainly the wait to get both buffet and restaurant food).
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Silversea
![cruise ship silver muse](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/03/cruise-ship-silver-muse-adobe.jpg)
Silversea is another luxury liner that guests had some serious complaints about. A perk of booking with Silversea is the all-inclusive packages — guests can enjoy an array of premium wines and spirits, in-suite dining, butler service with every suite, and more.
The company’s overall rating on Cruise Critic was 3.8 as well, and even negative reviewers praised the onboard service. It was the food and excursions/onboard activities that seemed to attract the most scorn.
Bottom line
![cruise ship near town perast](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2024/06/05/cruise-ship-near-town-perast-adobe.jpg)
Even though these cruise lines have received some online jeering, they may offer some packages that work for you and your needs — just keep the shortcomings fellow cruisers have reported in mind when deciding if their vacation packages are worth your vacation budget. And use a great travel credit card to maximize your savings.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
![Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/0x0/filters:quality(100)/images/2023/08/22/boa-travel-rewards-credit-card.png)
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now