Opinion: Cruising in 2025 Is Testing Our Patience—and Our Wallets
Video inspiration: Cruising with Ben & David’s “Death by a Thousand Cuts – Cruising in 2025” is embedded below.
Despite record passenger demand and some of the strongest forward bookings the industry has ever seen, cracks are showing beneath the surface of cruising’s post-pandemic boom. Fares across most ocean lines are up roughly 6 to 7 percent year-over-year, yet many travelers report that the onboard experience feels diminished. While premium and luxury segments continue to lead in both yield and volume, even they’re leaning heavily on private-island development and tighter revenue management to drive margins. In other words, the numbers look great—but the product feels thinner.
I’ve sailed a lot. I love ships, sea days, and that feeling when a new port comes into view. But I’m not going to pretend the trend isn’t obvious: prices are up, value is down, and the little things that made cruising feel special keep getting chipped away.
Ben & David nailed it. Consider this my co-sign—and an expansion.
The Price–Value Gap Is Real
Yes, food, fuel, and labor costs rose. That explains some price pressure, not the steady erosion of what’s included. When fares climb while portions shrink, menus narrow, and “included” gets redefined, it’s not inflation. It’s a margin play.
I’m not anti-profit. I’m anti paying more for less and being told it’s the same experience. It isn’t.
Dining: Where the Nickel-and-Diming Shows First
Main dining rooms used to be the showcase: variety, decent pacing, and the freedom to try a second entrée if something caught your eye. Now you’re seeing upcharges for a second main, smaller menus, and cheaper substitutions for proteins. Specialty venues that were once a reasonable splurge are often double the old price and lighter on the plate.
If you want to protect the experience, cruise lines, start by fixing dinner. Guests notice immediately when the meal feels like an afterthought.
Entertainment: Less Live, More Loop
Big casts, live orchestras, and custom productions used to set lines apart. Now we’re seeing more jukebox shows with backing tracks and smaller teams. That saves money, sure, but it flattens the energy across the ship after 8 p.m. Music is the heartbeat on board. Cut it, and the pulse drops.
Service: Crew Are Doing Two Jobs at Once
Housekeeping once a day. Longer waits at bars and guest services. None of this is on the crew. They’re pros. They’re also stretched thin. When staffing falls below what a full ship needs, guests feel it everywhere—and goodwill erodes fast. If there’s one place not to squeeze, it’s the team that makes the vacation feel effortless.
Overcrowding by Design
Another quiet shift: more cabins wedged into refits and less public space per passenger on new builds. The result is predictable—packed lounges, long lines, and a scramble for seats at shows. I don’t book cruises to play calendar Tetris weeks in advance just to grab a table or a theater seat. Flexibility used to be part of the fun.
Private Islands and Resorts: Great Beach, Blurry Value
I enjoy a perfect beach day like anyone else. But the pivot to more private islands and private “resorts” tilts spend away from local businesses and back to the line. That can be fine once in a while. As a pattern, it narrows the very thing cruising promises: variety and discovery. Mix in real ports with real culture. That’s the product.
Shorex Messaging: Don’t Gaslight the Guest
The “only safe way is our transfer” line needs to stop. It’s one thing to market convenience. It’s another to imply there are no taxis or public options when there are. Tell the truth, price your product fairly, and let the guest choose. You’ll win more trust and, ironically, more business.
Who’s Still Getting It Mostly Right
There are bright spots. Disney continues to deliver consistent quality. Celebrity maintains strong food and design with fewer cuts. On the entertainment front, Royal’s marquee productions still feel premium on the newest ships. Proof that the good version of cruising is alive when leadership prioritizes it.
How Guests Can Push Back—Without Ruining the Trip
I’m not here to tell you to skip cruising. I’m here to tell you to be a sharper buyer.
- Vote with your wallet. Book lines and ships that still deliver real value. If a brand keeps shrinking inclusions, sit out a season and let them feel it.
- Be strategic on timing. The old “wave season solves all” rule is weaker. Track prices, stay flexible, and pay your final balance at the last minute inside the window. Reprice if it makes sense.
- Do the math on packages. Don’t autopilot into top-tier drinks or Wi-Fi. If you won’t hit the caps daily, buy à la carte and come out ahead.
- Choose the product that fits you. If you love entertainment, pick the ships that invest in it. If you want more included, look at lines that bundle Wi-Fi, gratuities, and dining. A higher fare can be cheaper by the end.
- Bring what’s allowed. Water, soft drinks, a bottle of wine—policies vary, but small prep saves real money.
- Research ports. Balance a couple of cruise-line tours with DIY days or reputable third-party operators. You’ll often get smaller groups and better experiences.
What Cruise Lines Should Do—Now
- Restore baseline dining value. Wider menus, honest portions, and fewer petty fees.
- Invest in live entertainment and music. It lifts the whole ship.
- Staff to occupancy. Don’t make guests pay for record loads with longer lines.
- Stop the “only through us” messaging. Sell your product on merit.
- Protect public space. Cabins can’t keep expanding while lounges shrink. That’s a short-term win and a long-term brand problem.
Why I Still Recommend Cruising
Because when it’s done right, it’s unbeatable: wake in a new place, unpack once, meet crew who remember your name, and watch the sun drop into the sea. That’s the product. That’s what keeps people loyal. It doesn’t require a gimmick. It requires care.
I’ll praise the lines that deliver and call out the ones that coast. If you have a standout crew member or a ship that exceeded expectations, tell the brand. If you felt nickel-and-dimed, tell them that, too. Feedback only works if it’s loud and specific.
Cruising doesn’t need to rediscover itself. It needs to stop drifting from what made it great.
Watch Ben & David’s video (the spark for this piece): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-QyawpSTNk
What did you notice on your last cruise—cuts, surprises, or wins? Join the CruiseNews Facebook community and lets us know!
