The Biggest Cruise Controversies Settled: From Chair Hogs to Secret Pineapple Codes!

In this article, we look at the most contentious debates in modern cruising and separate cruise urban legends from reality. We've scoured the internet and our comment sections to gather the biggest pain points and arguments cruisers face today. From financial dilemmas like tipping and drinks packages, to onboard etiquette, unruly passengers, and wild cruise myths, we are putting our opinions forward and settling the score.

The Money Debates: Are You Being Ripped Off?

Cruising offers incredible value, but there are a few areas where passengers constantly question if they are getting a raw deal.

Are Auto-Gratuities a Scam?

This is a massive gray area. Cruise tips now average $20 to $25 per person, per day, which is a huge chunk of change for a family. Some lines, like Disney Cruise Line, are incredibly transparent, giving you a breakdown of exactly which crew members receive your tips. However, there is growing chatter that some cruise lines use these tips to subsidize base wages rather than acting as a bonus.

The Verdict: Gratuities are essential for the hardworking crew, but we'd love to see more transparency across the entire industry.

The Drinks Package Dilemma

Are they a massive rip-off or a vacation essential? It completely depends on your travel style. We used to buy them for peace of mind so we wouldn't face a gigantic bill on debarkation day. Lately, they’ve become much more expensive.

• Do the math: Calculate how many drinks you actually consume daily.

• Factor in port days: You aren't drinking on the ship when you're exploring a city for 8 hours.

• Pro Tip: If you buy the package, order your drinks by name (e.g., "Grey Goose Martini") to ensure they don't use lower-tier spirits.

See Also:A Comprehensive Guide to Royal Caribbean Beverage Packages: Which One is Right for You?

Can You Cruise Solo Without Paying a 100% Supplement?

Is solo cruising a financial trap? Usually, yes—but options are improving. Historically, solo travellers have been hit with a 100% "single supplement," meaning a solo passenger pays the exact same cabin rate as two adults sharing.

However, several lines now cater directly to solo travellers

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Features dedicated Studio cabins with private lounge access and zero single supplement.

• Virgin Voyages & Princess Cruises: Offer dedicated single-occupancy staterooms.

The downside is that solo cabins sell out quickly due to high demand and limited inventory. If they are sold out, you will be back to paying double for a standard cabin.

Inside vs. Balcony Cabins: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Is paying extra for a balcony stateroom worth it over an inside cabin? It depends entirely on your itinerary and travel style.

• Book an Inside Cabin if: You’re on a short 2–3 night cruise, on a tight budget, or won't spend much time in your room. You can always pop up to the public decks for fresh air and sea views for free.

• Book a Balcony if: You are sailing scenic routes like Alaska or the Norwegian Fjords, feel claustrophobic without natural light, or love drinking morning coffee on your private veranda as you pull into port.

Sill stuck? Watch our Guide to the Different Types of Cruise Cabins.

Are Casino Cruise Offers Actually Free?

Many cruise lines invite frequent casino players back for "free" future cruises. But is it a trap? Unless you’re tracking every dollar you put into a slot machine, the house always wins. While the offer may cover the cabin fare, you still have to spend a substantial amount in the casino to earn it—meaning those "free" cruises are far from free.

Shore Excursions: Cruise Line vs. DIY

Are cruise line excursions just an overpriced safety blanket? Yes and no. The main perk of booking with the ship is the guarantee that they will wait for you if your tour runs late. If you DIY and miss the all-aboard time, you'll be waving at the ship as it sails away.

Read our guide to How We Book Shore Excursions on a Cruise.

Bad Behavior & Cruise Etiquette

We like to keep things positive, but there are a few behaviors that completely ruin the vibe on a ship.

Chair Hogging

Getting up at 6:00 AM to put a towel and a book on a prime sunbed—only to vanish for four hours—is downright selfish. Fortunately, cruise lines are getting stricter. Many now enforce a 30-minute rule: if you're gone for half an hour, your belongings will be sent to Guest Services. Good riddance!

Saving Seats in Show Lounges

Just like pool deck chair hogging, saving entire rows in the theatre for friends or family who arrive at the last second is frustrating and unfair. Most cruise lines explicitly state that show seats are first-come, first-served, yet passengers keep doing it anyway.

Sneaking Alcohol Onboard

Filling shampoo bottles with vodka to bypass the ship's alcohol limits is a terrible idea. If caught, you risk being kicked off the ship or banned from the cruise line for life (and remember, parent companies often own multiple cruise lines!). Stick to the allowed limits.

Buffet & Dining Room Attire

Should you be able to wear a damp swimsuit and no shirt in the buffet? Absolutely not.

While we don't mind a relaxed dress code (shorts and Crocs are fine by us), rolling up to the cheese plate shirtless and dripping wet is simply disrespectful. Save the tight bikinis and bare chests for the pool deck.

Unruly Adults, Ship Jails, and Lifetime Bans

Kids aren't the only ones misbehaving. Passengers who drink too much, fight, or break safety rules face serious consequences. Cruise ships have security teams, CCTV everywhere, and onboard holding cells ("the brig"). If you get out of line, you can be detained, kicked off the ship at the next port, and permanently banned—not just from that cruise line, but across all sister cruise lines owned by the same parent company.

The Rumours & Myths

Are Kids Ruining Cruises?

Kids will be kids—they run around and make noise. If you want a peaceful, child-free vacation, book an adults-only line like Virgin Voyages, or travel outside of school holidays. Alternatively, lines like Disney are brilliant at segmenting the ship, offering massive adult-only pools and lounges where you can escape the chaos.

The Upside-Down Pineapple

Is it a real secret code inviting fellow cruisers into your cabin for "extracurricular fun"? While the rumor is rampant online, 99% of the upside-down pineapples you see on cabin doors are placed there as a joke. We’ve cruised over 100 times and have never seen this happen in reality.

The "Floating Petri Dish" Myth

Why does it seem like cruise ships are always in the news for Norovirus? Because cruise lines are legally mandated to report illness outbreaks to the CDC and other authorities. Hotels, theme parks, and stadiums do not have this requirement.
How to stay safe: Wash your hands constantly, use hand sanitizer, and wipe down your cabin on day one. We are incredibly careful, and we've only been sick once in over a hundred cruises.

Medical Emergencies at Sea

What happens if you break a bone or have a heart attack onboard? The rumor is that the ship will hold your passport ransom until you pay a $10,000 bill.

• The Reality: They legally cannot hold your passport. However, they will charge the medical fees to your onboard account.

• The Solution: You absolutely must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers cruising and emergency medical evacuation. Declare all pre-existing conditions so your policy is valid. Modern cruise ships have fantastic medical centers, but the bills can be astronomical without insurance.

Final Thoughts

We don't usually like dwelling on the negative side of cruising—we'd much rather be out on deck enjoying a sea day! But understanding the reality behind these common cruise debates helps ensure you avoid unexpected fees, stay safe, and have the best possible holiday.