Even the most well-planned cruise vacations can be met with annoying, unpleasant, and gross problems.
If you’re new to cruising, you may daydream about a perfect vacation. After all, you are spending a good chunk of your hard-earned money on a relaxing getaway.
Sure, cruise vacations involve fruity cocktails on the pool deck, picturesque beaches, and world-class entertainment, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
From diarrhea to painful sunburns and uncomfortable bloating, here are the top 25 unpleasant cruise ship problems you probably aren't prepared for.
Heartburn and acid reflux
Royal Caribbean cruises are known for their indulgent food options, from multi-course meals in the dining room to greasy pizza and poolside tacos. As such, most passengers indulge in more fatty and fried foods than at home, which can quickly lead to miserable heartburn.
Even if you don't frequently suffer from uncomfortable acid reflux, you should pack TUMS or other antacids. The chewy TUMS are my preferred go-to since the consistency is less chalky than the original tablets. However, whatever you have in your miscellaneous medicine cabinet, whether Alka-Seltzer, Pepcid, or TUMS, will suffice.
You could also limit your 1:00 a.m. Sorrento's pizza trips. This does take more willpower, though, and it isn't always fun to monitor your diet on vacation!
Diarrhea
Another unfortunate problem many cruisers face while onboard is upset stomachs. The sudden change of diet, combined with new types of food and long hours of traveling, can wreak havoc on your digestive system.
This problem can get even worse if you eat questionable street food or drink contaminated water in a foreign country, such as Mexico or the Dominican Republic.
Along with antacids, it's smart to pack anti-diarrhea medication for your cruise, as you never know when or if you will experience an upset stomach.
Constipation
On the flip side, you could become constipated on your cruise. Again, when you go from eating balanced meals to heavier, richer foods, your digestive system can slow down, leaving you feeling constipated.
Fiber-rich foods, including whole grains, beans, and fruits, can help keep things moving and support healthy digestion. You should also drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
It's okay to bring along a stool softener, too. Medications like MiraLAX, Colace, and Dulcolax can help you stay comfortable and enjoy your trip.
Bloating
With food being a central aspect of the cruise vacation, from indulgent chocolatey desserts to juicy cheeseburgers and rich soups, it's easy to find yourself feeling sluggish and bloated while on board.
Bloating occurs when your digestive system fills with gas or air, which causes the stomach or intestines to feel tight and swollen. Not only is bloating super comfortable, but it can cause your formal dress to feel a little tighter than you remember.
To reduce bloating, eat slowly, avoid carbonated drinks, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and monitor foods that trigger discomfort, such as those that are high in sodium, dairy products, and bread.
Weight gain
Between the all-you-can-eat buffet, unlimited soft-serve, and three-course Main Dining Room dinners, it's easy to lose track of your fitness goals on a cruise.
Although there's nothing wrong with treating yourself and indulging on vacation, it's important to be aware of the consequences of overeating high-calorie foods.
Overindulgence can not only leave you feeling bloated and constipated, but you could also find that you weigh a few pounds more by the end of your trip.
To enjoy the ship's culinary delights without feeling too guilty, take the stairs instead of the elevator to burn extra calories. It's also smart to make healthier choices for at least one meal each day. For example, skip the greasy cheeseburger and make yourself a nutrient-rich salad in the Windjammer buffet.
Painful sunburns
If you're like me, it seems that no matter what you do, you attract the sun like a magnet — and that can quickly lead to walking around the Royal Promenade looking like you're a distant cousin to lobsters.
Depending on your cruise destination, the sun could be a lot stronger than what you’re used to at home, especially when traveling somewhere like the Caribbean or Mediterranean. As such, it's important to remember to apply and reapply sunscreen during your vacation. You may also want to consider a swim shirt to keep your arms, chest, and back covered.
Additionally, packing aloe vera for your cruise is smart. Sunscreen or not, sunburns can still happen, and aloe vera is more affordable at your local drugstore compared to on the ship.
Sweating
There’s nothing pleasant about sweating — or perspirating, as my grandmother often corrects me! Unfortunately, it’s pretty common on warm-weather cruises. Although you won't sweat much while cruising to Northern Europe or Alaska, you’ll likely be very sweaty in The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South Pacific.
For example, in July, the average high in popular cruise ports like St. Maarten and Cozumel is typically around the high 80s to low 90s. If you’re not used to these warm temperatures, your body will overcompensate, leading to intense sweating.
As such, you'll see many passengers walking around with sweat stains on their armpits and back, which is an unfortunate reality of being on a cruise! However, there are some methods to combat the intense heat, including buying a small portable fan and cooling patches. You may also want to check out the ship's daily schedule and choose an indoor activity during the worst of the afternoon heat.
Read more: I take my family every year on summer cruises. Here are 10 tips for surviving on a ship in the summer heat
Blisters
Generally speaking, you will walk more on a cruise than at home. Ships are big, and navigating the vessel results in passengers easily meeting (and exceeding) their daily step goals.
Not only that, but many cruise ports and shore excursions are designed for exploration and require more walking than you may be used to. For example, if you are cruising to Europe, it's easy to walk several miles each day, whether sightseeing in Barcelona or strolling through Mykonos' cobblestone streets.
Walking is beneficial for your health — and a good way to ensure you don't gain a ton of weight during your vacation. However, if you don't pack the right shoes, you may develop painful blisters. As such, you will want to wear comfortable shoes that have been broken in!
Chafing
Along with blisters, you may also experience chafing during your cruise. Chafing is a type of skin irritation that occurs when skin rubs against skin or clothing and commonly happens when walking in shorts, skirts, or dresses.
One way I typically minimize chafing is by applying stick deodorant to areas prone to rubbing, like the inner thighs. This thin layer of product helps to reduce friction and keeps the skin from becoming painfully raw.
Another tip is to wear anti-chafing shorts, which are breathable, lightweight slip shorts, under your clothing.
Seasickness
Even the most seasoned cruisers can fall ill with the sudden onset of motion sickness, especially in rough seas.
Some bodies of water are more prone to choppy conditions and unexpected swells, such as the North Sea and the Gulf of Alaska. However, you can encounter rough conditions virtually anywhere in the open sea.
Thankfully, it's easy to treat common seasickness symptoms, including nausea, dizziness, and headaches. Along with over-the-counter medications like Dramamine and Bonine, natural remedies, such as ginger and green apples, can also help.
Additionally, you may want to purchase motion sickness patches and book a cabin in the middle of the vessel, rather than one all the way toward the front or back of the ship.
Norovirus
Speaking of feeling under the weather, norovirus is a common illness that spreads on cruise ships, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Norovirus is found in the stool or vomit of infected persons and can spread through contaminated food, liquids, and objects.
Although it isn't as common at sea as some may believe, it's always a possibility and can run rampant when infected people don't adequately wash their hands after coming in contact with the virus.
As such, it's important to maintain good hygiene while on vacation. Regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding touching your face can reduce your risk of infection and keep you healthy!
Other germs
Outside of norovirus, cruise ships can harbor a plethora of other germs. With thousands of passengers on a confined ship at the same time, illnesses like the flu and common cold can easily spread.
Just like with norovirus, taking precautions, like washing your hands frequently and coughing and sneezing into your elbow, can help prevent the spread of common illnesses.
That said, you should never board a cruise if you are sick. It's always a good idea to purchase travel insurance so you’re protected in the case of unexpected illness.
Expensive medical services
Travel insurance is also recommended in case you need medical attention while on the ship. Cruise ships have medical facilities and can provide basic care. However, it isn't cheap, and standard medical insurance typically doesn't cover international treatment.
For example, one passenger, Vincent Wasney, had to pay over $2,500 for treatments received on Independence of the Seas before being medically evacuated to a hospital for more intensive care.
According to articles posted by KFF Health News and NPR, fees included the general ward admission and observation ($2,285.78), level two observation ($320.00), i-STAT blood tests ($97.99), out-of-facility services ($104.55), and medication ($11.90).
Few power outlets
Older ships, such as Vision of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, were built during a time when people weren't glued to smartphones. As such, cabins on older vessels often have few electrical outlets, mostly concentrated near the vanity area.
I like to bring a portable charger, so I can charge my phone beside the bed at night. However, you may also want to pack an approved multi-plug outlet (regular extension cords that you probably have shoved in a drawer at home are banned from the ship) and European power adapters.
However, newer ships, such as Utopia and Icon of the Seas, were designed with more charging options, making a multi-plug outlet more of a convenience than a necessity.
Expensive Wi-Fi
Royal Caribbean's cruise fares are not all-inclusive. As such, you will have to leave a little bit of room in your budget for add-ons like excursions, spa treatments, and alcoholic beverages. In addition to these extras, another cost many cruisers underestimate is Wi-Fi. Internet access on Royal Caribbean ships is not free. In fact, it can get pretty pricey for a large family, costing around $20 per day (if not more).
One way to save money on VOOM Surf + Stream packages is to bundle devices under a single plan and share the connection. Rather than purchasing an internet package under everyone's name in your travel party, you can add multiple devices to a single plan and share the connection with other cruisers.
Alternatively, you can limit Wi-Fi usage and encourage your kids to embrace being disconnected for a week. Instead of buying a connection for every device, you can simply purchase one plan and rotate the connection usage among travelers.
Read more: Yes, you can share a Royal Caribbean internet package (and it can save you money)
Limited sightseeing time in port
As wonderful as cruising is, one of the downsides is that you don't have long in port. This means that you have to adjust your visit around the ship's schedule, whereas on a land-based vacation, you are in control of your schedule.
Most cruise ships typically are in port for around eight to ten hours, which gives you time to experience the destination's highlights. However, you don't have enough time to fully immerse yourself in the local culture or explore hidden gems.
Nonetheless, a major advantage of a cruise is being able to experience multiple places in one vacation without having to constantly repack and drag your luggage through bustling airports and train stations. For many cruisers, this is a good enough trade-off for the limited time in each port of call.
Busy cruise ports
Unless visiting a private destination, such as Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, you likely will encounter large crowds in port.
Some cruise ports, such as Nassau and Cozumel, can easily have over four or five ships docked at once! For example, on April 8, 2025, Nassau welcomed over 31,000 cruise passengers from different ships and lines.
This means that popular attractions can be crowded with other guests. Not only that, but restaurants will likely be busy, along with the shopping areas and beaches closest to the pier.
The good news is that a little bit of research can go a long way! You can find less crowded areas in your ports of call, potentially visiting unspoiled beaches and authentic restaurants that won’t have you competing with other people for an available lounge chair or table.
Crowded pools
In addition to busy ports, your cruise ship is likely to be extremely crowded, too — especially if you're on a mega-ship like Oasis or Icon of the Seas.
On beautiful, sunny days, the pool deck will be packed with other passengers. As such, if your idea of a relaxing day by the pool involves a quiet, serene experience, you’ll be disappointed.
To combat the crowds, head to the pool deck earlier in the morning or late each day when there are very few other passengers enjoying these amenities.
Chair hogs
Another reason to avoid the pool deck during the late-morning and afternoon rush is that you won't have to battle for a prime lounge chair.
Chair hogs are annoying cruise guests who reserve a pool chair early in the morning by placing a towel, shoe, beach bag, or other item on the chair. However, instead of staying by the pool, they do other things, like grab breakfast.
This move effectively "claims" their chair for later on and results in it being unavailable to other passengers who want to lounge on the pool deck.
Packed elevators
On sea days, crowded elevators might not be an issue. However, if you try to board an elevator car on embarkation or disembarkation day, be prepared to be packed like a sardine.
This shouldn't come as a major surprise, considering the thousands of passengers on board, but being trapped in a hot, cramped elevator with barely enough space to keep your arms at your sides is far from enjoyable.
Thankfully, there's another alternative: taking the stairs. People who routinely take the stairs have about a 39% lower likelihood of dying from heart disease compared to those who don't, according to a meta-analysis presented at a European Society of Cardiology conference in 2024.
This means that taking the stairs is not only beneficial for your overall well-being, but it also helps you avoid the crowds!
Read more: Elevator or stairs on a cruise ship? Your choice could make you live longer, study finds
Lines
Regardless of whether you're on a cruise ship, in airport security, or at a theme park, waiting in line is an unpleasant experience. Unfortunately, it is something you will encounter a lot while at sea.
Lines are common at popular dining venues, such as El Loco Fresh, and for activities like the FlowRider surf simulator and water slides. Although the lines move relatively quickly, it's always annoying to wait on vacation.
Our best advice to minimize time waiting in lines is to visit venues when they are less busy. Moreover, if you don't want to wait for a table in the dining room, be sure to make My Time reservations in advance — or go with one of the traditional seating options.
Hangovers
It's natural to want to indulge more than normal on vacation. This is even more true if you splurged on Royal Caribbean's pricey drink package. However, although another round of shots at midnight may sound like a smart idea, you'll likely regret the decision when your alarm goes off the following morning.
With so many unique bars and cocktails to choose from, it is easy to find yourself consuming more alcohol on a cruise compared to at home. Unfortunately, the increase in alcohol consumption also leads to a higher chance of hangovers, which can ruin any plans for the day.
You don't have to avoid drinking on the cruise, but it's best to pace yourself and drink plenty of water to avoid waking up with a pounding headache and nausea later on.
Cheap toilet paper
If you’re used to soft three-ply toilet paper at home, you’re in for a rude awakening on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
The toilet paper on a cruise ship is far from luxurious. In fact, the toilet paper is so thin that you can pretty much see through it! This is purposeful, though, as the thin, easily flushable toilet paper prevents the ship's plumbing system from clogging up.
You shouldn't flush anything other than this thin toilet paper. Wipes, for example, can cause serious plumbing issues. Instead, this is just a part of cruising that everyone must accept!
Read more: The one thing we all hate about cruises that no one talks about
Expensive everyday essentials
Before walking out your front door, make sure you double (and triple) check your packing list. Although everyday essentials are sold on cruise ships, ranging from over-the-counter medication to phone chargers, sunscreen, and even perfume and makeup, it's more expensive to replace them than at your local drugstore.
Royal Caribbean cruise ships sell toiletries, medications, and even electronic items in the onboard stores, but the prices are much higher than what you’ll find on land. Plus, there are fewer options available, meaning if you have a preferred toothpaste brand or hair care product, it may not be available.
In addition to the higher prices are the limited operating hours for stores. Due to regulations, cruise ship stores can only open when the ship is in international waters. As such, stores selling necessities are closed on embarkation day and port days.
Sudden itinerary changes
Finally, traveling is unpredictable. Even if you purposely chose a cruise outside of the Atlantic hurricane season, you may wake up to a sudden announcement that your ship has to skip its next port of call due to high winds or local unrest.
Royal Caribbean has the power to change your cruise itinerary (and even ship!) at any moment. For example, Royal Caribbean recently announced that Freedom of the Seas will replace Mariner of the Seas' scheduled Southampton sailings for summer 2027.
Weather conditions can also affect whether or not your cruise ship can dock in a particular port. If winds are too strong, the weather could prevent your ship from docking in port, resulting in an extra day at sea.
