Since the economic effects of the pandemic, cruise lines have been forced to cut costs wherever possible so they can repay debts. Cabin service is an area where the cutbacks have been felt most.

Once every cruise line competed with luxury hotels, cleaning rooms and making beds in the morning, then turning down beds and leaving chocolates and notes each evening.

While experienced cruisers will be well accustomed to twice-a-day room cleaning, on some lines that is now a thing of the past.

Nearly all lines now charge room service fees, with Princess making big headlines when they announced their first room service fees around a year ago.

Many cruisers are missing what they felt used to be a more personalised service from room attendants and other staff. They speak of feeling like staff aren’t as attentive as they used to be may be justified in their thinking.

A report by broadcaster Deutsche Welle said cruise ships are struggling to find skilled workers and leaving themselves understaffed.

Cruise ship expert Alexis Papathanassis says there has been a shortage of skilled workers across many industries since Covid, particularly in hospitality, with this extending to cruise.

“Companies are having a hard time finding enough qualified on-board personnel. he industry is therefore forced to offer more attractive working conditions and upgrade its image as an employer.”

A cruiser Jason McIntosh said he spoke to his room attendant and ended up sympathising greatly, hearing how he dealt with understaffing.

“I quizzed a roomy on workload for him as your probably aware staff decreased and his work load had increased with once per day cabin service. He was at breaking point mostly around embarkation days which was killing him. Just trying to hang out for his 15-year service bonus to feed his family.”

What are cruisers saying?

Regular Royal Caribbean cruiser Kobie Edwards felt let down on his latest cruise.

“On a recent cruise we saw our attendant twice, once on arrival and once on the last day when they were waiting in the hallway.

“I had tipped them on arrival and I had put money aside for additional tips on departure, but since I never actually saw them during the cruise, and when you called the room service number the phone rang until it rang out and you gave up, I wasn’t feeling particularly generous giving additional money.

“I know they are busy, but long gone are the days where you had a quick chat in the hallway or a hello in passing, or when they see you they asked if everything was ok and if you needed anything.”

On a Cruise Critic forum Lissete wrote about NCL service, saying she was unhappy with the room cleaning.

“We did not like it at all this past week on the Bliss. I don’t mind once daily, but I’d like it too be done while we’re at dinner. We always choose evening service on Carnival. I like coming back to a fresh bed & bath when turning in at night. Our steward was done around 6pm, when we were still getting ready for dinner.”

Jacob Christian wrote: “I’ve seen a drop in cleanliness and upkeep of the ship, as well the amount of times the room is serviced. Housekeeping and service staff cuts are the worst as you can see it affecting the staff.”

Has understaffing and a different cabin service affected your cruise? Tell us your stories.

Another cruiser, Paul Knight wrote: “Yes, the cutbacks are severe, yet the fares go up dramatically. Cruising used to be only for the well-heel, we are fast heading back to this. Sad really.”

Helen Barlin a Princess cruiser was unhappy with a lack of toiletries from her cruise loyalty program.

“My biggest peeve is the amount of elite benefits they removed, and to my knowledge they didn’t even tell me till I was on the ship and even then I had to ask.

“Removal of the toiletries seemed totally petty. I looked forward to those and hadn’t planned on bringing my own as I thought they would be there. Rather than this cr*p that my hair and skin reacts to. And I think they should give you something in exchange of the free wifi since it now comes bundled in everything else.”

User Kelkel2 on Cruise Critic’s forum wrote: “I think the room stewards have to be some of the hardest working individuals on the ship. It’s disappointing what the room cleaning has become. I miss turndown service or a choice in the timing of my cleaning (night vs day).

“Of all the talks about cutbacks etc, this is where we noticed it the most. Having not cruised since 2015, we really noticed a huge difference in the service. And I honestly don’t think it’s just a steward being ‘not good’ it’s them being overworked. 35 rooms is too many. That’s just absurd.

“We had a suite for the first time on this cruise and we really noticed the difference in the service. We really thought our service would be excellent but it just wasn’t. It was ok at best. We never were even given an option of day vs night service.”

Susan Ferguson Klein was disappointed to see Princess had cut some of their Veteran benefits.

“Princess didn’t give my husband the veteran onboard credit.

“They removed my credit after I brought it to their attention about not giving my husband his credit. Apparently they no longer give veterans onboard credit for the Interline Rate. They did in the past. More cutbacks!”

John Walzak had experienced some cutbacks but wasn’t too phased, however, isn’t happy to see cutbacks while prices rise.

“We have been on six cruises and have found slight changes to Portion Size of Meals in MDR, and only a Daily Cabin Service, but neither of these have affected our cruise experience.

“The BIG issue we see now is Fare Increases to Australian Cruises when compared to Overseas Cruises.”