Cruises are the most luxurious type of travel. Or are they? It seems as if results may vary depending on the cruise line you choose, and in some cases, depending on the boat you wind up on.

Sure, there might be free-flowing beverages, seemingly bottomless pools, waitstaff attentive to your every need, and food to die for. But seriously, the keyword there is might. Cruise experiences vary widely, even from passenger to passenger on the same ship or even those from the same cabin type.

Sure, most people rave about the epic cruises they'll remember the rest of their lives. But not every cruise line receives high marks from its passengers, and Norwegian Cruise Line is one of them.

There's a long list of things that are shady about Norwegian, and we're breaking them down here.

20 Free Beverages Aren't What They Seem

When you buy a cruise package that claims "free beverages" are included, that means drinks at all hours, yeah? Well, not according to one reviewer on Cruise Critic. The complainant said that free beverages were only during limited hours, and with limited bartenders available to serve them.

19 And Unlimited Beverages Aren't Really Unlimited

One Yelp reviewer was aghast to discover that their unlimited beverage package didn't include bottled water. So you can get all the adult beverages you want, but Norwegian doesn't care about keeping passengers hydrated?

18 Things Seem To Go Missing

One reviewer wrote that the staff had a master key to their safe, as claimed to Trip Advisor, and they also reported multiple articles missing while on their cruise. Even if nothing went missing, Norwegian lets their staff pass master keys around??

17 Staff Doesn't Eat On Board

Per one Trip Advisor reviewer, the staff on their cruise got off the ship at port locations to get food at local stores... And this is overwhelmingly common; Business Insider reported that Norwegian crew members said the food on the ship was slop.

16 The Buffet And Restaurants Are One And The Same

Multiple complaints on Consumer Affairs noted that the passengers saw the same food in the buffets and restaurants onboard, which is weird. Why serve up the same dishes at a higher price point in "fancy" restaurants?

15 You Have To Pay Extra For 'Fine Dining'

Norwegian apparently has this thing where they offer "Specialty Dining Rooms," but as many reviewers on Yelp noted, it was the same food with a price tag attached for a 'better' dining room. It's just like the buffet food in the pricier restaurants scenario. Hard pass!

14 Their Cleaning Processes Are Questionable

Another Consumer Affairs comment explained that while on the ship, they and their partner got sick multiple times in the room. Norwegian didn't have a good process for cleanup or quarantine, though. They barely shampooed the carpet (with vomit on it) and didn't disinfect anything. Ew.

13 Refunds Are Shady Business

One Consumer Affairs comment noted that the way Norwegian's upgrades work, you can get a credit for any price reductions that happen right before your sail date. But if everything below your price point is sold out, you don't get a credit, which honestly doesn't make any sense.

12 They Don't Do Price Matching

Additional unhappy Consumer Affairs comments centered on passengers' booking costs. Customers report making reservations for the same room type as friends, but their cost was much higher. And apparently, Norwegian doesn't offer price matching, and they are reluctant to give refunds for things like port changes.

11 Rough Seas Mean Lowered Water Levels?

One passenger wrote on Consumer Affairs that when the seas are rough, Norwegian lowers the water levels in their pools and spas. That doesn't sound like a good time for anyone on board, especially when half the attraction is the pool.

10 The Pools Are Too Small For 4K+ Guests

On Yelp, one reviewer highlighted that the pool onboard was smaller than the pool at her apartment complex. And there were over 4,000 passengers vying for space in the pool. Really Norwegian? And this is a common complaint across all review sites.

9 Bed Bugs On Board?

A Consumer Affairs commenter said they came home from a Norwegian cruise with bug bites. But when they voiced concerns to the cruise line, the staff there said they 'checked the room and it was fine.' Riiight, the bugs probably disembarked along with that cruise's passengers...

8 Wait Times Take Forever... Sometimes Til The End Of Your Cruise

Multiple Consumer Affairs comments explained that customer service is always super busy with Norwegian. One guest didn't get a call back about a booking issue until the final day of their cruise. Others commented that even getting medical help was next to impossible; no one would pick up the infirmary phone!

7 Changing Flights Is A Challenge

Did you know that Norwegian books entire travel packages, with flights and everything? Well, Consumer Affairs commenters don't recommend it. They note that changing a flight can be a hassle, and can even cost you extra with no guarantees you'll get what you want. Some commenters said they were offered the possibility of changing a flight, for a $100 fee per person.

6 They Change Rooms Without Explanation

Multiple Consumer Affairs commenters explained that their rooms were changed without their permission, and they even got completely different room types than what they originally reserved. Seriously, there's a difference between a sea view and an obstructed view, Norwegian should know that this matters!

5 Disembarking Takes Literally Forever

Multiple commenters, including many on Reddit, complained that getting off the ship takes forever, no matter where or when you're traveling. Whether it's stopping at a port or going on an excursion, waits lasted hours, and even then, none of the passengers knew where to go.

4 Mechanical Failures Cost Guests Their Trips

Right before it was time to set sail on the Norwegian Pearl, departing from Italy, the ship had mechanical problems, Cruise Hive reported. Tons of angry would-be passengers, many international, were upset about their plans getting canceled. So Norwegian has no backup ships??

3 The Rooms Are Super Outdated On Some Ships

One thing that most disgruntled passengers complain about (on Yelp and elsewhere) is the outdated cabins on many of Norwegian's ships. From dirty-looking carpet to old-fashioned cabin styling, most people are not happy with the retro vibes they got on their cruise. Of course, complaints about toilet clogs were common, too.

2 Tours Are Upcharged Out The Wazoo

Yelp reviewers complained that the on-ship excursions cost more than booking adventures on your own. While this is probably true of many cruise lines, the fact that Norwegian has so many logistics issues, to begin with, adds to the frustration. If it takes four hours to get off the darn ship, you're missing that overpriced excursion anyway!

1 Policies Are Unclear And Confusing

Some reviewers on Yelp complained about something permeating every area of the ship. Others complained that the designated areas changed on different excursions. So what's the real policy, Norwegian? And why do staff yell at some people while letting others slide?