Cruise passengers are officially out of patience.

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As cruising continues to boom in 2026, travelers are becoming increasingly vocal about the onboard habits that can turn a dream vacation into a frustrating experience. Nearly 1,000 cruise fans recently weighed in on the behaviors they wish would disappear for good thanks to Cruise Hive, and a few complaints rose far above the rest. Interestingly, the biggest frustrations had very little to do with ship design, food, or entertainment. Instead, the most common complaints centered on guest behavior and basic cruise etiquette. If cruise lines and passengers could tackle these issues, many travelers believe the onboard experience would improve dramatically. Here are the three cruise habits that cruisers are begging people to leave behind in 2026.

Unsupervised Children Running Wild

Family vacations are a huge part of the cruise industry, and most passengers understand that kids will be excited when they’re on board. The problem isn’t children having fun. The issue is when kids are left completely unsupervised and end up disrupting the experience for everyone else.

Disney Adventure

Pool decks were mentioned repeatedly as a source of frustration. Many cruisers reported seeing children dominate hot tubs for extended periods of time, splashing, jumping, diving, and treating the space like a personal water park. While hot tubs are generally open to everyone unless otherwise designated, many adults feel they become nearly unusable when large groups of kids take them over. The complaints don’t stop at the pool.

Adult-only area on the Disney Wonder

Travelers also pointed to children running through hallways, slamming cabin doors, yelling late at night, and treating public spaces as giant playgrounds. Those behaviors may seem harmless in the moment, but they can quickly become aggravating when passengers are trying to relax, sleep, or simply enjoy some peace and quiet. Adult-only spaces were another sticking point. Many cruisers expressed frustration when children wandered into areas specifically designed for adults seeking a calmer atmosphere.

Lots of opportunity for play on the Captain’s Deck

Perhaps the most common theme wasn’t criticism of kids themselves. Instead, travelers directed their frustration toward parents who seemed to assume vacation meant taking a break from supervision. Most major cruise lines offer youth clubs, teen programs, and supervised activities throughout the day. Many passengers feel those resources should be used more often when parents need downtime.

Chair Hogging Continues to Infuriate Guests

If you’ve ever arrived at the pool deck only to find every prime lounger covered with towels despite nobody actually sitting there, you’re familiar with one of cruising’s most controversial traditions. The practice typically involves guests claiming deck chairs early in the morning and then disappearing for hours. Meanwhile, other passengers struggle to find a place to sit despite dozens of seemingly occupied loungers remaining empty.

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What makes the situation especially frustrating is that many cruise lines already have policies intended to discourage it. Some ships even remove unattended belongings after a certain amount of time if a chair remains unused. The challenge, according to many travelers, is enforcement. Passengers frequently report seeing rows of reserved chairs sit empty for long stretches while crew members are either unable or unwilling to intervene. As a result, tensions can rise quickly around the pool deck.

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The reality is pretty simple. If you’re not actively using the chair, many cruisers feel it shouldn’t be reserved indefinitely. A towel shouldn’t be considered a full-time occupant.

Hygiene Is Still a Major Problem

Nobody wants to think about germs while sipping a frozen drink on vacation, but hygiene concerns remain a major issue for cruise passengers. Cruise ships bring thousands of people together in a shared environment, making basic health precautions especially important. That’s why travelers continue to get frustrated when they see guests skipping handwashing stations, ignoring sanitizer dispensers, or coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths.

Disney Adventure Cruise Ship

Buffets were mentioned frequently as an area where passengers notice poor hygiene habits. Many travelers expressed frustration when guests handle serving utensils carelessly or touch multiple items unnecessarily. Some cruisers also pointed to children frequently touching high-contact surfaces throughout the ship, adding to concerns about germs spreading in crowded spaces.

Cabanas Buffet on the Disney Magic

While no environment can eliminate illness entirely, many passengers believe a little more consideration and a little better hygiene could go a long way toward making cruises more enjoyable for everyone on board.

The Bottom Line

Cruise vacations are supposed to be relaxing, fun, and memorable for the right reasons. According to hundreds of frustrated travelers, the biggest obstacles to that experience aren’t necessarily the ships themselves. They’re the behaviors passengers bring with them. Whether it’s supervising children, respecting shared seating areas, or practicing good hygiene, these are simple changes that could make a huge difference in 2026.

Stay tuned to DFB for more cruise news, vacation tips, and travel updates that can help you make the most of your next adventure.

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Which of these cruise habits frustrates you the most, or is there another onboard behavior you think should disappear in 2026? Let us know in the comments.