In Liu Ning-sheng-Son of the Sea, biographer Liu Yung-yi describes Liu Ning-sheng as being "as unassuming as a plant or a glass of water. He may not be flamboyant or exciting, but he makes a good companion. He finds joy in the tedious, lackluster life on the sea." It goes without saying, however, that a person with a personality like this tends to be indecisive.
為劉寧生撰寫傳記《海洋之子劉寧生》的作家劉永毅描述，「船長很溫馴，就像一棵植物，或是一杯白開水，雖然不夠味，不刺激，但是很能解渴，也很能享受海上枯燥無奇的生活，」當然，這樣的個性，在下決定時，總是十分遲疑。