Aussie cruise ship lover lists why cruise culture has changed after Covid

A woman who loves cruise vacations says the “culture” on board has changed so much in recent years that the attitudes of some rude guests have brought her to tears and left her wanting never to embark on a cruise again. ocean voyage.

Renee Langton, 22, of Melbourne, shared her review of a recent 13-night P&O Explorer cruise to New Zealand on a Facebook community page, saying that while the cruise itself was “four out of five stars,” her fellow trip almost ruined the trip. experience.

“I cannot overstate how much cruise culture and attitude among guests have changed since my multiple P&O cruises over 5 years ago,” he wrote.

He explained that while the facilities and staff were excellent, his fellow cruisers were not that easy to impress.

“The number of dirty looks I got around the ship, the number of times we got scolded for singing during shows or talking in bars (which brought me to tears one night), and the number of complaints and entitlements across the ship it was disconcerting,’ said Ms. Langton.

“We witnessed multiple arguments and fights between guests that I have never seen on my previous five cruises.

“I am seriously considering not surfing again simply because of how little fun people were willing to have and how rude some people were.”

Ms Langton told Daily Mail Australia she thinks the passengers’ apparent grumpiness was a combination of things, saying Covid definitely played a role.

“People think they deserve a ‘high class’ holiday after enduring lockdowns for so long and people get sour when things aren’t perfect for their holiday,” he said.

Ms Langton added that age was also a factor, revealing that ’90 per cent’ of people on board were over 70.

“I’m 22 so this was very jarring and we barely met anyone under 40,” she said.

“These older people were much less likely to have fun at events and were much more likely to complain.”

P&O Cruises is known for its fun and more affordable packages, but Ms. Langton said many guests were expecting a more “high class” experience.

“I also think that people have generally become a little more bitter outside of cruise ships,” he said.

“I’m not sure if that has to do with inflation screwing everyone up, but I’ve also had a harder time in my retail job and customers were a lot more brutal over the Christmas period that just ended.

“I was disappointed, but not necessarily surprised to be surrounded by so many whiners and complainers on my cruise.”

Ms Langton’s thoughts were echoed by other cruise-goers, with one saying those on board seemed uninterested in the evening performances.

‘Sour faces and whining were evident everywhere. We just ignore it. I didn’t go to the pantry (buffet alternative) because it was like a zoo and so many rude people,” one person said.

“I totally agree with the attitudes of the people on board, we just got off the Explorer (cruise) too!” said another.

‘So many pushing in front of people in the food line and disregarding others! I saw quite a few fights in the pantry over this, there is a lot of food and there is no need for this!

‘Also waiting for lifts and people closing the door when you are clearly trying to get into a nearly empty lift! We spend a lot of time on the pool deck so we don’t have to deal with other people’s crap!

“I saw a couple want a refund for their suite because too many people were passing through their room and they couldn’t hear their TV.”

Another woman revealed that she, too, burst into tears on board her cruise ship “because of rude and entitled passengers.”

“Another day I spoke for myself when a rude older couple walked past us in the marquee and then complained that we weren’t moving!” she said.

Others said that they had nothing but pleasant experiences while sailing the seas.