We love cruising. That’s exactly why this article, and the video that goes with it, wasn’t easy to make. After sailing on 19 cruises in 2025, we shared our Top 5 Cruise Ships of the Year and promised we’d also talk honestly about the other side of the experience. This article delivers on that promise. Welcome to our Worst Cruise Ships of 2025: What Went Wrong?
These are our lowest-ranked cruise ships of 2025, based entirely on first-hand sailings, real onboard footage, and direct comparisons across multiple cruise lines. No rumors. No second-hand stories. Just what we personally experienced at sea.
Watch the full video breakdown, where we discuss each ship in detail and explain what worked, what didn’t, and why the ship made our Worst Cruise Ships of 2025: What Went Wrong? list.
This Isn’t About Negativity; It’s About Accountability
To be very clear: this list is not about tearing cruise lines down.
It’s about accountability.
We’ve sailed Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and other major cruise brands extensively. We know what they’re capable of, and that’s exactly why repeated issues stood out so clearly in 2025.
Across multiple sailings, we saw patterns emerge:
- Declines in food quality
- Inconsistent or overwhelmed service
- Cleanliness concerns in public areas and cabins
- Maintenance issues that impacted the onboard experience
In several cases, we sailed ships from the same cruise line just months apart. The contrast made these shortcomings impossible to ignore.
What We Cover in the Video (and This Article)
In our Worst Cruise Ships of 2025: What Went Wrong? video, we break down:
- Cruise ships that consistently fell short of expectations
- The real impact of staffing challenges and cost-cutting
- How food quality and service consistency changed in 2025
- Where certain ships struggled, and why
- Highlights and positives that still deserve recognition
Some of the ships discussed come from Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises. The list includes a mix of older ships and brand-new sailings, proving that age alone isn’t the issue.
Ships Discussed in Our Worst Cruise Ships of 2025: What Went Wrong? Video
We’re not ranking ships in this article, those details are revealed in the video, but the ships discussed include::
- Carnival Liberty
- Carnival Radiance
- MSC World America
- Norwegian Escape
- Carnival Vista
Each ship mentioned has been sailed by us personally in 2025. For each ship, we’ve provided specific examples of where the ship or brand fell short of expectations. You’ll see why the worst of the worst in 2025 really let us down.
Important Context: Who This List Is (and Isn’t) For
Cruising is personal. What’s disappointing to one cruiser might still work for another, especially depending on itinerary, expectations, and price point.
This list is for:
- Cruisers researching an upcoming sailing
- Guests comparing ships within the same cruise line
- Travelers noticing changes in onboard experience
- Anyone curious how cruising evolved in 2025
It’s not meant to suggest these ships should be avoided, but rather that there are important trade-offs to understand before booking.
Watch the Video for Full Rankings & Onboard Footage
The full rankings, side-by-side comparisons, and onboard footage are featured in our Worst Cruise Ships of 2025: What Went Wrong? video. Seeing the condition of the ships, food offerings, and public spaces tells the story far better than text ever could.
You can also watch our Top 5 Cruise Ships of 2025 video to see these same cruise lines at their very best.
Your Turn
Have you experienced similar issues on any of these ships? Did your sailing tell a different story? We’d love to hear your perspective; cruising is always evolving, and guest feedback matters.
As always, thanks for sailing along with us.