If a bad review would you still cruise

Suzila · January 23, 2008

We had this happen to us just recently, last August. when we went on our Hawaii cruise on NCL.

I put the trip together for 8 of us, and because of the reviews I warned everyone in advance that we were to treat the cruise ship like a hotel room, know that the service was probably going to be lousy, not up to par of an international crew, etc.

We were intent on going to Hawaii with the family, and so we were all prepared, because NCL is the only cruise line going around the islands...if you want to do Hawaii (by flying in), you have to do NCL.

Allright, we were all prepared for a different type of vacation, wary of the crew members, the service....and none of it came to fruition. The crew members couldn't have been nicer, the service was great, and we actually loved being able to communicate with the crew, knowing that they understood us and we understood them. (in 2006 when we did an Alaskan cruise on RCCL, we had a cabin steward sit us down on our bed and listen to him...he actually lectured us! We couldn't understand a word he said, and when he left the room, hubby and I laughed about the fact that he lectured us like children...the service was good, but he had a funny way of introducing himself to us)

So, I will read all the reviews, but make up my own mind about the cruise. We've been on cruises where we are having a blast, and there are others complaining about everything. Everyone wants something different out of a cruise, and you really have to decide for yourself whether or not to go on that specific cruise. I wouldn't allow someone's review of a cruise to stop me from planning the same one.

Suzila · January 23, 2008

I was just thinking about something else. Our neighbor takes at least 5 cruises each year, if not more. Picture this...a very outspoken, loud man.

He and his wife, and their friends were on an Oceania Mediterranean cruise last year. Oh, they raved about it...it was wonderful, the cabin, the service, everything, EXCEPT: when he cruises, he tells the waiter to bring one of everything on the menu so he can try it all. He insists every other cruise line did it, but Oceania told him they would bring him another entree after he finished the first, the second, and so on. He was adamant, made a big fuss about it, had the maitre 'd try to settle things, etc. In the end, Oceania did it their way...one entree at a time.

Our neighbor swears he'll never take another Oceania cruise as long as he lives...it was terrible. Doesn't take into account all the good things about the trip.

We asked his friends what they thought about the cruise and they said everything was top notch, and the next time they cruise, they'll leave our neighbor home! LOL!

I can't tell you how many times our neighbor has asked us to cruise with them and we've turned them down. Can you imagine why?

But, you see...two different parties on the same ship, and they have different reviews. Just read what people have to say, and make up your own mind.

TheSkipper · January 23, 2008

I agree with Carmen. It all depends on who is posting the review and their cruise experience and what line they have sailed in the past. In other words, their basis for comparison.

Like Joey a bad review would likely get me into more in depth research, but not cause me to change my plans until I thought I had a pretty good picture on what to expect.

And, all reviews are subjective and need to read that way. How many times have you read reviews of the same sailing by two different folks and thought they had to on different ships?? :wink2:

mercedes · January 23, 2008

Despite several â€œbadâ€ reviews about Carnival, I have sailed with them 7 times, have one booked for June and waiting to book my Baltic cruise in 2009 (my TA is on a cruise, do you believe that :smile: ) and will continue to book with Carnival, regardless of what I read. I mainly read reviews to find out about the different excursions people book.

RNSANE · January 23, 2008

There's no question that I prefer Royal Caribbean...granted, I haven't done many other cruise lines - about eight cruises on Princss, six or so with the no long existent Royal, one NCL, two on the Stella Solaris, one Celebrity. Being Diamond Plus with 60 RCI cruises, I like the perks I get from being an upper level cruiser with Royal Caribbean and, over the past 12 - almost thirteen - years, I've made so many close crew friends that I never tire of sailing on their ships. I cruise to see them - the ships don't really matter nor do the itineraries so much. I've been most places in the world. I like the Radiance class and would prefer that all my crew buddies were on those ships but, with my limited vacation, I'll go where I have to go to see my dearest friends....true, I may not get to see all the lines but that's not why I'm cruising. At 63, I have limited time and finances ( and vacation time ) left - I choose what will give me the most dividends in terms of the most joy and personal satisfaction.

JoeyandDavid · January 23, 2008

I mainly read reviews to find out about the different excursions people book.

What a great tip....

sailingrose · January 23, 2008

I agree with pretty much what everyone has said. Read reviews with a grain of salt and usually make up my own mind. I like Carmen sail RCI frequently and many times on the same ships. Some cruises are better then others but they are all wonderful if I don't have to work, cook, or clean.

Only thing that would stop me from trying a ship would be poor sanitation scores.