If you spend enough time around cruise passengers, you’ll notice something funny: people love cruising—but they also have a very specific list of things that quietly drive them crazy. So when cruisers were asked to be honest about their biggest “icks,” the answers came fast—and a few clear patterns took over almost immediately.
This isn’t about nitpicking for the sake of it. On a cruise, you’re sharing space with thousands of other people, which means small habits, design choices, and social behavior get magnified. And whether you’re a first-time cruiser or someone who sails multiple times a year, knowing what tends to bother people most can actually help you avoid the same frustrations—and pick the kind of cruise that fits you better.
The Buffet Problem: Where Most Cruise “Icks” Start
If there’s one place that consistently comes up when cruisers talk about their biggest “icks,” it’s the buffet—and it’s not even close. This is where a lot of small annoyances combine into one bigger concern: shared space meets shared habits, and not everyone plays by the same rules.
The core issue isn’t the food itself. It’s how people behave around it. Cruisers repeatedly point to the same patterns—people skipping handwashing stations, touching serving utensils after eating with their hands, sampling food while still in line, or handling items and putting them back. Even when the buffet is clean and well-run, those moments stick with people and shape how they feel about the entire experience.
That’s why this “ick” tends to hit certain cruisers harder than others. First-timers often notice it more because it’s unfamiliar, while experienced cruisers either adapt (choosing off-peak times, avoiding peak buffet hours) or skip the buffet altogether. It also depends heavily on the cruise line. Ships that have crew serving food or more structured buffet systems tend to reduce these concerns, while traditional self-serve setups amplify them.
At the same time, not everyone sees it as a problem. Some cruisers say they’ve never had an issue or simply don’t pay attention to what others are doing. For them, the buffet is quick, convenient, and part of the cruise experience.
But the takeaway is pretty clear: the buffet isn’t just about food—it’s where cleanliness, crowd behavior, and personal comfort all collide. And for a lot of cruisers, that’s where the “icks” really begin.
Hygiene Anxiety Goes Beyond the Buffet
While the buffet gets most of the attention, it’s really just the starting point for a much bigger concern: other people’s hygiene. For many cruisers, the “ick” isn’t tied to one location—it’s the constant awareness that you’re sharing surfaces, spaces, and close quarters with thousands of strangers.
Elevator buttons, handrails, public bathrooms—these come up again and again. But nothing triggers a stronger reaction than watching someone walk out of a restroom without washing their hands. It’s a small moment, but on a cruise, it sticks. The same goes for coughing into hands, sneezing without covering, or immediately heading to grab food afterward. These aren’t rare complaints—they’re some of the most repeated reactions across the board.
Part of why this feels amplified at sea is the environment itself. Cruises are enclosed, social, and heavily shared, so people become more aware of hygiene in a way they might not on land. Add in the lingering memory of things like norovirus outbreaks, and it’s easy to see why this becomes a major mental hurdle for some passengers.
That said, not everyone views this as a dealbreaker. Some cruisers take a more practical approach—they wash their own hands, carry sanitizer, and move on without worrying too much about what others are doing. For them, it’s just part of traveling in any crowded setting, whether that’s a resort, airport, or theme park.
Still, this theme shows up so often for a reason. For a large group of cruisers, hygiene isn’t just a preference—it’s the lens through which they experience the entire trip.
“People Are the Problem”: Behavior and Etiquette
At a certain point, a lot of cruise “icks” stop being about the ship entirely and come down to one thing: other passengers. When cruisers talk about what bothers them most, a huge chunk of it falls into the category of behavior—how people act when they’re on vacation and sharing space with everyone else.
The pattern is pretty consistent. Loud, attention-seeking behavior shows up a lot—whether it’s people on speakerphone, blasting music, or trying a little too hard to be the center of attention. Add in overly drunk passengers, line-cutting, or ignoring basic etiquette (like letting people off elevators first), and it starts to feel less like a relaxing getaway and more like navigating a crowded public space with no rules.
What really stands out, though, is how strongly people react to rudeness—especially toward crew members. Multiple cruisers point out that nothing ruins the atmosphere faster than seeing staff treated poorly. It’s one of the few “icks” that feels less like a personal annoyance and more like a shared line that shouldn’t be crossed.
Of course, this is also where expectations start to split. Some cruisers go in expecting a lively, social environment and aren’t bothered by a bit of chaos—it’s part of the fun. Others are looking for something quieter and more respectful, and those same behaviors feel out of place. That’s why this particular “ick” tends to depend heavily on the type of cruise you choose.
In the end, this theme highlights something simple but important: cruising isn’t just about where you go—it’s about who you’re sharing the experience with.
Space Wars: Chairs, Elevators, and Crowding
If there’s one thing that consistently tests people’s patience on a cruise, it’s competition for space. Unlike on land, you can’t just walk somewhere quieter when things get crowded—so when shared areas get busy, every small frustration feels bigger.
Pool decks are ground zero for this. Chair hogging comes up constantly, with cruisers describing loungers “reserved” for hours with towels, books, or nothing at all. It’s not just about the lack of seating—it’s the feeling that some passengers are bending the rules while others play fair. The same dynamic shows up in hot tubs and pools, where people settle in for long stretches, making it harder for anyone else to use them.
Elevators are another flashpoint. The complaints are less about waiting and more about behavior—people squeezing in before others exit, overcrowding already full spaces, or ignoring those who have been waiting longer. It turns into a kind of unspoken competition, especially during peak times like embarkation, disembarkation, or right after excursions.
What ties all of this together is timing. These frustrations tend to spike on sea days, in warm-weather itineraries, or on larger ships where demand for certain spaces is highest. Experienced cruisers often learn to work around it—going early, going late, or simply avoiding the busiest areas altogether.
Still, for many passengers, these moments stick. Not because the ship is poorly designed, but because shared spaces rely on shared courtesy—and when that breaks down, it’s immediately noticeable.
Kids, Adults, and Clashing Expectations
Few topics split cruisers more than this one. For some, kids are part of the fun and energy of a cruise. For others, they’re one of the biggest sources of frustration—especially when it feels like no one’s keeping an eye on them.
The complaints themselves are pretty specific. Kids in hot tubs (especially ones meant for adults), running through hallways late at night, or treating public spaces like playgrounds come up again and again. But if you look a little closer, the frustration isn’t really about kids—it’s about supervision. Many cruisers don’t mind families at all; what bothers them is when parents seem to check out and let the ship become the babysitter.
This is where expectations start to diverge. Family-focused cruisers often see this as completely normal—it’s a vacation, kids are excited, and ships are designed with them in mind. On the other hand, cruisers looking for a quieter, more relaxed experience expect clearer boundaries between family spaces and adult areas, and get annoyed when those lines blur.
Cruise line choice plays a huge role here. Mainstream lines during school holidays tend to lean heavily toward families, which naturally brings more of this dynamic. Smaller ships, luxury lines, or adults-only sailings reduce it significantly—not because kids are “the problem,” but because the environment is designed differently.
In the end, this “ick” is less about right or wrong and more about fit. The same ship can feel lively and fun to one person—and chaotic to someone else.
The “Ship Itself” Icks: Small Details That Add Up
Not every complaint is about other people. A surprising number of cruise “icks” come down to the ship itself—specifically, the small design choices and cost-cutting decisions that start to feel bigger the longer you’re onboard.
One of the most talked-about examples is bathroom setup. Shower curtains instead of glass doors show up constantly, and not just because of aesthetics—people genuinely dislike how they cling, feel less clean, or make small bathrooms even more cramped. The same goes for all-in-one shampoo and body wash dispensers, which many cruisers see as a downgrade in quality and comfort, especially on longer sailings.
Then there are the little things you don’t think about until you’re there: tiny showers, weak ventilation, lack of bar soap, or even where certain spaces are placed (like cabins under noisy areas). On paper, none of these are dealbreakers—but together, they shape how comfortable the overall experience feels.
Smoking policies also fall into this category. It’s not just about whether smoking is allowed, but where. When smoke drifts into non-smoking areas or near high-traffic walkways, it quickly becomes a recurring annoyance for those who are sensitive to it.
At the same time, many cruisers take a practical approach. They bring their own toiletries, learn which cabins to avoid, or choose newer ships where these issues are less noticeable. For them, these “icks” are manageable—they just require a bit of planning.
Still, this category highlights something important: even small design decisions can have a big impact when you’re living in the same space for days at a time.
The Things You Can’t Avoid: Disembarkation, Noise, and “End of Cruise” Blues
Not all cruise “icks” are fixable—and some aren’t even really complaints so much as shared frustrations that come with the experience. These are the moments almost everyone notices, even if they accept them as part of cruising.
Disembarkation is the clearest example. After days of relaxing, eating, and settling into the rhythm of ship life, the final morning feels rushed, crowded, and oddly stressful. Elevators are packed with luggage, public areas fill up quickly, and the whole process can feel more like an airport than a vacation. It’s not that people don’t understand why it works this way—it’s just a sharp contrast to the rest of the trip.
Noise is another recurring theme. Slamming cabin doors, loud hallways late at night, or cabins located under busy areas like gyms can catch people off guard. These aren’t constant issues, but when they happen, they tend to stick in memory—especially for light sleepers.
Then there’s the simplest “ick” of all: the cruise ending. It comes up more often than you’d expect, half-joking but still genuine. After settling into the ease of cruise life, being forced back into reality—packing, waiting, leaving—feels like the least enjoyable part of the entire experience.
Unlike other complaints, these don’t really have perfect solutions. You can plan around them a bit—choosing quieter cabins, taking your time on departure day—but they’re built into the structure of cruising.
And in a strange way, that’s what makes them different. These “icks” aren’t about something going wrong—they’re just reminders that even a great cruise still has an end
So What Do These Cruise “Icks” Actually Tell Us?
When you step back and look at all of these complaints together, a clear pattern emerges: most cruise “icks” aren’t about cruising itself—they’re about sharing space. Whether it’s the buffet, the pool deck, the elevator, or even a quiet hallway, the common thread is simple: you’re on vacation with a few thousand other people, and not everyone behaves the way you would.
That’s why the same issues keep coming up. Hygiene concerns, crowding, noise, and etiquette aren’t unique to cruises—they just feel more noticeable when you can’t easily step away from them. On land, you leave the restaurant, find a quieter spot, or go back to your room. On a ship, everything is closer, more condensed, and harder to avoid.
But it also explains why opinions vary so much. The cruisers who love the experience tend to accept (or ignore) these trade-offs. They adjust their routines, pick their moments, and focus on what cruising does well—convenience, variety, and the overall atmosphere. Others, especially those who value control, space, or strict cleanliness, tend to notice these same details more—and enjoy the experience less because of it.
In other words, cruise “icks” aren’t random complaints—they’re signals. They tell you what kind of traveler you are, what environments you enjoy, and what kind of cruise will actually suit you.
And if you pay attention to them before you book, they can help you have a much better trip once you’re onboard.