Cruising in 2026: Why Prices Are Up, Quality Is Down & What To Do About It
We’ve spent months of our lives at sea. Big ships, small ships, luxury ships, budget ships — we’ve done it all. And we still love cruising just as much as we did on day one. But lately something feels different, and not in a good way.
Prices keep climbing, yet somehow the cruise experience keeps shrinking. So, the big question for 2026 is this: have cruise lines finally pushed things too far? And is this era becoming a slow “death by a thousand cuts”?
This article breaks down what’s really changing, which cruise lines are trimming the most, and — most importantly — how you can still get great value for your money in 2026.
Watch the full video investigation below:
The Cruise Industry in 2025: Record Profits, Rising Prices
Cruise lines are making record profits.
Carnival Corporation has reported some of its strongest results ever. Royal Caribbean’s share prices are sky-high. And globally, the industry welcomed nearly 35 million passengers in 2024, the most in cruising history.
So, if ships are full and profits are up, why are we getting less? The “post-COVID recovery” excuse has officially sailed. What we’re seeing now isn’t survival.
It’s strategy — and a very profitable one.
Cruise lines are making record profits.
Carnival Corporation has reported some of its strongest results ever. Royal Caribbean’s share prices are sky-high. And globally, the industry welcomed nearly 35 million passengers in 2024, the most in cruising history.
So, if ships are full and profits are up, why are we getting less? The “post-COVID recovery” excuse has officially sailed. What we’re seeing now isn’t survival.
It’s strategy — and a very profitable one.
Dining: The Cuts You Can Taste
Dining used to be one of the true joys of cruising: big menus, attentive service, and the freedom to try anything. But across multiple lines, cuts are becoming impossible to ignore.
Shrinking Menus and Extra Charges
Norwegian Cruise Line now charges $5 for a second main course in the main dining room. Princess has reduced menu variety, swapping premium cuts of meat and seafood for cheaper alternatives.
Specialty Dining Prices Have Exploded
Restaurants that were once $25–$30 per person now often run $60, $80, or even over $100. Meanwhile, portions shrink while prices rise.
Drink Package Reductions
Carnival and MSC have both reduced the number of drinks allowed per day on their packages. You’re paying more, but getting less — a worrying theme you’ll see throughout this article.
Even on our current Princess sailing, we’ve noticed:
Smaller menus
Fewer drinks included
More à la carte pricing sneaking into “included” venues
When a line posts record profits and raises prices and lowers quality, that’s not inflation. That’s greed.
Entertainment: Fewer Cast Members, More Pre-Recorded Tracks
There was a time when cruise entertainment rivaled Broadway: live orchestras, big casts, elaborate sets, and huge energy.
Some lines still deliver this. But others are clearly cutting back.
Norwegian Cruise Line as an Example
Shows like Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Jersey Boys, Six — all major selling points — are disappearing. In their place: smaller casts, pre-recorded music tracks, and cheaper jukebox-style productions.
Less Live Music Around the Ship
Many lines have cut orchestras and reduced the number of musicians on board. Even trivia sessions, deck parties, and daily activities have shrunk simply because there aren’t enough staff.
When the energy drops, the whole ship feels different.
Crew Cuts: The Backbone Is Under Strain
Cruise crew are the heart of the industry. They’re the reason so many people fall in love with cruising. But they’re being stretched thinner and thinner.
Examples We’re Seeing More Often
Cabin service reduced to once per day
Fewer bar staff leading to long waits
Housekeeping rushing between cabins
Guest services overwhelmed
Crew doubling up on roles
We’ve spoken to many crew members who are exhausted. They care deeply — but they’re being asked to do too much with too little.
When service suffers, it’s not the crew’s fault. It’s a direct result of cost cutting.
Overcrowding: More Cabins, Less Space
Cruise lines have realised they don’t need to build new ships to grow capacity. They just need to add more cabins.
How Overcrowding Shows Up
Bars and lounges packed at all hours
Pool decks with no free loungers
Restaurants fully booked months ahead
Theaters with long queues and no seats
Long waits for dining tables
Even brand-new mega ships — spectacular as they are — can feel oversold.
The days of being spontaneous on a cruise are disappearing. Now you sometimes have to book entertainment, dining, and activities weeks or months in advance just to get in. Flexibility is becoming a luxury.
Private Islands: Beautiful, Fun… and Extremely Profitable
We love a private island day just as much as anyone, but there’s no denying the new trend: cruise lines are building private islands and private resorts everywhere because they’re money machines.
On private islands:
The cruise line collects all the port revenue
Every cabana, excursion, and cocktail goes straight back to them
You don’t interact with local culture
You don’t support small businesses onshore
To be fair, some do it well. MSC’s Ocean Cay and Disney’s Lookout Cay both celebrate local design and culture.
But others? They’re essentially fenced-off beach resorts designed to keep your wallet open.
See: Norwegian’s Private Island Is Getting a Giant Waterpark (and We’ve Got Thoughts)
If you want authentic culture — go ashore at real ports, support local businesses, and see the destination properly.
Shore Excursions: Rising Prices and New-Style Pressure
Excursion prices have soared. A basic bus tour can now cost $150–$250 per person.
But there’s a more subtle shift happening: cruise lines increasingly imply there are no alternatives to their excursions.
We’ve heard cases of:
Claiming no taxis exist
Suggesting local transport is unsafe
Pretending the only way to reach a city is via their shuttle
Overstating walking distances
Downplaying independent options
In Marseille, for example, we were repeatedly told the only way into the city was via the cruise line’s transfer bus. This simply wasn’t true. There’s a taxi rank right outside the port — just as there always has been.
Our Advice
Research before your cruise
Check Google Maps and port review sites
Watch recent YouTube videos
Consider reputable independent tour companies
We often use Shore Excursions Group — smaller groups, lower prices, and guarantees to get you back to the ship on time.
Who’s Still Doing It Right?
Not everyone has gone down the heavy-cutting route. Credit where it’s due:
Disney Cruise Line
Still offers excellent food, personal service, great entertainment, and strong staffing. They’re pricey — but the product matches the price.
Celebrity Cruises
Consistent food quality, creative entertainment, well-maintained ships, and no major cutbacks.
Royal Caribbean
Their newest ships still offer world-class live entertainment, big productions, and huge investment in signature experiences. However, dining has slipped and can be hit or miss.
How to Get the Best Value for Your Cruise in 2025
Cuts might be happening, but you can still have a fantastic cruise without overpaying. Here’s how.
1. Vote with your wallet
Support cruise lines that deliver value. Don’t reward companies that cut quality while posting huge profits.
2. Be flexible when booking
Prices fluctuate wildly in 2025. The old “wave season” rules no longer apply.
Tips:
Sail off-peak
Avoid holidays
Book early… or book last-minute
Check prices repeatedly
Pay your final balance at the last moment, not months ahead
Re-book if the price drops and it’s worth losing the deposit
3. Think carefully about packages
Do the math:
Will you really drink 15 drinks a day?
Is the Wi-Fi bundle actually good value?
Will you eat enough in specialty restaurants to justify a dining package?
Many people overbuy.
4. Compare what’s included
Some premium lines look expensive but actually include far more:
Viking Cruises: includes an excursion at every port
Virgin Voyages: includes Wi-Fi, gratuities, and all specialty dining
Others include basic drinks or more entertainment
Sometimes the “expensive” cruise is the best deal.
5. Bring what you’re allowed
Most cruise lines allow:
Bottled water
Soft drinks
A bottle of wine
In some cases, a bottle of spirits
It can save you a lot, especially on longer cruises.
Where Cruising Goes From Here
Cruising has bounced back stronger than ever post-2020, which is fantastic. But somewhere along the way, some of the magic has been chipped away.
The personal touches.
The sense of being looked after.
The feeling that you’re more than a number.
Those things don’t require billion-dollar investments. Just a bit of care.
We still love cruising — completely. Nothing beats waking up in a new port, meeting amazing crew, or watching the sun set over the ocean. But it’s time for cruise lines to listen.
If they’re cutting corners, passengers notice.
If they’re doing things right, they should hear that too.
Your most powerful tools as a passenger are your feedback and your wallet.
Final Thoughts
Cruising is still an amazing way to travel. We’d recommend it to anyone. But in 2025, it pays to be smart, selective, and informed.
Look closely at what you’re being offered.
Look closely at what you’re paying.
And choose cruise lines that genuinely earn your loyalty.
If you enjoyed this guide, explore more of our cruise advice and destination posts — and happy cruising.
