What's wrong with some of these reviewers?

[clwalkermn]

I have sailed on Holland America and the Disney Wonder. I had a great time on both. We leave with a group of 6 on Disney Magic this Saturday and I cannot wait, despite the naysayers who sound like they had a miserable time.

 

I just don't understand the people that write reviews or posts on here that do nothing but bash the trip, or say that everything was horrible. I am guess these must be people who complain about everything in their lives probably.

 

My last trip on the Wonder, the food was great (B+), the shows stellar, service imcomparable, the staterooms and public areas were excellent. Despite what some writers say, I expect to find the Disney Magic the same way this weekend.

[clwalkermn]

I have sailed on Holland America's Amerstdam and Disney's Wonder and had a great time on both. I don't understand the very negative reviews of Disney cruises by some writers.

 

When I sailed on the Wonder last year, the food was great (B+), the service second to none, the shows stellar, and the public spaces and staterooms were outstanding. It wasn't dark everywhere, I didn't notice scuffed up woodwork, stained carpeting, food all over the floor. What is wrong with some people? I am guessing that these are the same people that complain about everything in their life. Just cannot be happy.

 

I am sailing this weekend on the Magic with a group of friends (all adults) and I expect we will have a fantastic time and that Disney will live up to it's Magic.

[DisneyKidsDad]

And that is your opinion. Other people have their own opinion. What's wrong with that?

[nzdisneymom]

Have a great time on your cruise. I think when people write reports, they tend to focus on the negative in addition to the positive so as to let readers know that there are things that might not be all pixie dust and magic so they won't be disappointed. I see it on reviews of other cruise lines, too.

 

If you see my sig, you'll see we've sailed with DCL multiple times and have another one coming up next year. We are very happy with DCL as a cruise line and as you can see, we've sailed with them almost annually since 2005 which was our very first cruise ever. We sailed with Royal Caribbean once and enjoyed it and will sail with them again when the time and itinerary is right. I sailed Carnival with friends in 2006 and liked them as a cruise line but was less-than-impressed with the specific ship I was on - but I liked the cruise line to the point that my family will be sailing on a newer Carnival vessel next month.

 

Anyway, whenever I write a review, I point out the things that we liked and didn't like so that others can plan accordingly. Sometimes reading about others' negative experiences can help others avoid finding themselves in the same pickle. Like knowing that you don't have to go to the top deck for lunch the first day and be crowded with people and their carry-ons - you have the option of the lower dining room where they actually escort you to a table and you don't have to jockey for a position with your luggage in tow :) Or knowing that if you absolutely want that picture with Mickey, you'd better pay attention to the time-slots and not be late or you'll miss it. Or that you can still have great view of the stage if you sit lower right in the theater rather than having to be front and center. Or that if you happen to have the cabin across from the laundrette, there WILL be noise at all times of the day or night, and smoke from cigarettes on Deck 4 starboard will rise to your Deck 6 starboard verandah so be prepared.

 

Anyway, just random thoughts :)

[shipmate13]

I NEVER take anyone's personal "dissatisfied about everything" comments serious. I only read comments on these boards that have excellent information to pass on that will help me on my next cruise. Comments that are intented to educate others and provide useful information and suggestions that might make your cruise more pleasant. Reading all negativity on these boards really turns my stomach and I don't waste my time with them and just skip their comments and go onto something better. The bed was too hard, the food was terrible, the music was too loud, no place to sit, entertainment was crappy, too many kids, service was bad bla bla bla!!! Life is way too short. I am just so happy to be on a cruise when I go, I refuse to be bitter.

Happy Cruising to you!!!!

[truck1]

This is just me, but I look for patterns to things. If for example 1 person says, this bad issue appeared during a given cruise, I generally disregard it, as an isolated incident or 1 persons opinion. BUT, if multiple people are saying that the same issue happens on multiple cruises, then there probably is something to it. Then again there are some no brainers like, the over crowing at the terminal. That shouldnt have come as a surprise that the new ships carry up to 1500 more passengers per trip, and someone from DCL should have caught on to that, and expanded the passenger areas as well as the baggage area. That would be a legitimate complaint. Granted there isnt much anyone can do at the moment, but its still legit. Other things like food, everyones opinon is different on the taste of food. Some will take the food as the best they have ever eaten and others will say its not fit for a dog. Thats opinion. Ive sen stellar severes on the classics, and Ive seen servers that needed help,and in time will make a good or even great server, and Ive seen others that need a new career.

 

DCL is far from perfect, as they have issues that pop up from time to time. Its how you handle it that makes the difference.

[narsibvl]

I have sailed on Holland America's Amerstdam and Disney's Wonder and had a great time on both. I don't understand the very negative reviews of Disney cruises by some writers.

 

When I sailed on the Wonder last year, the food was great (B+), the service second to none, the shows stellar, and the public spaces and staterooms were outstanding. It wasn't dark everywhere, I didn't notice scuffed up woodwork, stained carpeting, food all over the floor. What is wrong with some people? I am guessing that these are the same people that complain about everything in their life. Just cannot be happy.

 

I am sailing this weekend on the Magic with a group of friends (all adults) and I expect we will have a fantastic time and that Disney will live up to it's Magic.

 

 

Well, everybody has their right to there opinion. I love the disney service and no matter what anyone says,I will be doing DCL over and over again. Opinions on either side is good in a way, it helps to keep a balance.

[nenasmum]

I am one of those people who recently wrote a negative review of the Disney Magic. I stand by what I said as it was my experience of the ship. We are frequent cruisers who cruise annually right around the world. Sure we have had lots of things we have loved and some things we have not liked on most of our cruises but we have never complained or written a negative review like we did for the Magic.

There are some lines- notably Costa- which we would NEVER cruise on again- but the cruise was on the cheaper end and we wrote it down to experience and did not bother writing a review. The problem we had with the Magic is that we payed a premium for the cruise and so our expectations of the experience were higher. We believed that you pay for what you get. This proved to be entirely wrong as far as the Magic was concerned- the service was great- but it did not compensate for the other inadequacies of the ship and the suitability activities in the tween age group.

We DID cruise on the Disney Dream later that week and enjoyed that a lot more- though my daughter still avoided the kid's club as the number of preschoolers meant that activites were constantly pitched at too low a level. As a teacher I think lumping 3 to 11 yeaqr olds together is utter madness on Disney's part ! Jennie

[Host Mick]

Some people will make complaints about their cruise because they honestly want to help others avoid problems on their cruises or to point things out so that DCL will make changes.

There are others that like to complain because they think that it makes them look more sophisticated or worldly or something.

Then there are the trolls. They just want to stir stuff up and watch the mess they created.

 

They're all here and welcome, some more than others. It's important to read a lot of reviews before making a decision based on reviews. Most things like food will balance out, other things that get frequent positive reviews (debarcation) or negative reviews (Dream pool deck) will establish a pattern and you can probably count on feeling the same way. I've seen reviews written about the very same voyage and they went in totally different directions. No two people have the same experience and you should expect yours to be different than any one review.

[cyclenut]

I am one of those people who recently wrote a negative review of the Disney Magic. I stand by what I said as it was my experience of the ship. We are frequent cruisers who cruise annually right around the world. Sure we have had lots of things we have loved and some things we have not liked on most of our cruises but we have never complained or written a negative review like we did for the Magic.

There are some lines- notably Costa- which we would NEVER cruise on again- but the cruise was on the cheaper end and we wrote it down to experience and did not bother writing a review. The problem we had with the Magic is that we payed a premium for the cruise and so our expectations of the experience were higher. We believed that you pay for what you get. This proved to be entirely wrong as far as the Magic was concerned- the service was great- but it did not compensate for the other inadequacies of the ship and the suitability activities in the tween age group.

We DID cruise on the Disney Dream later that week and enjoyed that a lot more- though my daughter still avoided the kid's club as the number of preschoolers meant that activites were constantly pitched at too low a level. As a teacher I think lumping 3 to 11 yeaqr olds together is utter madness on Disney's part ! Jennie

 

I did not write a completely negative review of our experience on the Wonder to Alaska, but I also was very much disappointed with the "value" proposition of the Disney brand on our cruise. We paid a premium and did not receive a premium experience. The worst experience was the character breakfast but we had problems (most small) with nearly every aspect of the cruise. Stupid little things that really surprised us coming from Disney.

 

I would say that there really isn't anything wrong with the reviewers but perhaps your expectations are different than theirs. It could be too that your experience was different than theirs. To say that there is something "wrong" with them isn't being very helpful. I invite you to read my review and let me know if there is something in particular you find "wrong" with me.

[Traveling Mike]

I have sailed on Holland America and the Disney Wonder. I had a great time on both. We leave with a group of 6 on Disney Magic this Saturday and I cannot wait, despite the naysayers who sound like they had a miserable time.

 

I just don't understand the people that write reviews or posts on here that do nothing but bash the trip, or say that everything was horrible. I am guess these must be people who complain about everything in their lives probably.

 

My last trip on the Wonder, the food was great (B+), the shows stellar, service imcomparable, the staterooms and public areas were excellent. Despite what some writers say, I expect to find the Disney Magic the same way this weekend.

 

Many people do not realize when they have a bad cruise it is often their fault. If you look at my ratings of the cruises not all of them have been good. We went on a 3 day Carnival cruise and did not have a good time. That was because I picked a party cruise and did not do enough research to know that. Someone at work went on an Alaska cruise off season and complained about all of the old people and no party. They picked the wrong cruise and wrong time of year. We went on a NCL cruise and felt it was motel 6 on the water. I got what I paid for, I picked the lowest priced cruise I could.

 

People need to understand what they are choosing and have expectaions to match their choices.

[Host Mick]

Many people do not realize when they have a bad cruise it is often their fault. If you look at my ratings of the cruises not all of them have been good. We went on a 3 day Carnival cruise and did not have a good time. That was because I picked a party cruise and did not do enough research to know that. Someone at work went on an Alaska cruise off season and complained about all of the old people and no party. They picked the wrong cruise and wrong time of year. We went on a NCL cruise and felt it was motel 6 on the water. I got what I paid for, I picked the lowest priced cruise I could.

 

People need to understand what they are choosing and have expectaions to match their choices.

 

I went on a Carnival cruise a long time ago when I was in college. It was a weekend cruise to Baja out of San Pedro i.e. a booze cruise. Even being in college left me unprepared for that cruise. I remember heavy drinking 24/7 and thinking to myself that these people are professional partiers while my college freinds were amateurs. The vomit outside my door for two days didn't help.

It was a poor choice for my first cruise. Until I got married five years later and honeymooned on the Seaward, I was sure that all cruises were like that.

[clean1owner]

I have sailed on Holland America and the Disney Wonder. I had a great time on both. We leave with a group of 6 on Disney Magic this Saturday and I cannot wait, despite the naysayers who sound like they had a miserable time.

 

I just don't understand the people that write reviews or posts on here that do nothing but bash the trip, or say that everything was horrible. I am guess these must be people who complain about everything in their lives probably.

 

My last trip on the Wonder, the food was great (B+), the shows stellar, service imcomparable, the staterooms and public areas were excellent. Despite what some writers say, I expect to find the Disney Magic the same way this weekend.

 

Hey, we're practically next door neighbors! I'm about 5 miles west of you.

 

Since I'm writing this after you left for your trip, I can no longer say "Have a good trip", but I will say that I hope you write an objective review when you get back.

 

When I cruised Disney in 2005, I found everything to be excellent, and worth every penny of the premium we paid for the Disney label.

[karajeboo]

Anxious to hear about your experience when you get back! We LOVE the Magic and will be back on her in a couple months (of course, she's all we know so far....). But we are true Disney Diehards so that helps......

[bajathree]

I read a review(negative) recently that started out with...."this is the first review I have written since all my others sailings were great and I had no complaints". I think that more people who had a bad expedience tend to write reviews than the ones that had a great experience.

[therealplaya]

I read a review(negative) recently that started out with...."this is the first review I have written since all my others sailings were great and I had no complaints". I think that more people who had a bad expedience tend to write reviews than the ones that had a great experience.

 

agree

[topcop]

My mother used to say..."that's why Howard Johnson's has 28 flavors." Meaning, not everyone likes the same thing.

 

So, you look at the various reviews and if most are positive, you will probably have a good time. Some people are picky about everything, some people are free spirits and nothing much bothers them, and of course there are those who think by paying $1,500 per, or whatever, they should be treated as they are the only people on the ship.

 

I have yet to have a "bad" cruise experience. Some are better than others, but we usually have a good time. I guess that is why our bar bill is so high.

[sm3ds]

I disregard all reviews that are all postive or all negative. I can't believe that everything can be all bad or all great. I like detailed objective reviews that cover everything. These are the only ones that are really helpful.

[Mmketeer]

9 Disney cruises and counting for me and we don't even have kids! DCL is my first cruiseline of choice it's top of the line and you can sail on what is normally a 7 night cruise ship and do a short itinerary instead year round. You don't get that with other cruiselines, they use their smaller-older ships for short itins (unless it's a special sailing like Allure for Spring 2013).

[LittleMissMagic]

I don't like reading purely negative reviews, but I also don't think there is a lot of value to purely positive reviews. I like reading a good critical review that points out the good things about the ship, the cruiseline, the staff, but also writes about what went wrong and what steps could possibly taken to avoid it. That's really helpful when you're going on the same ship or have the same itinerary.

[Leeroy-Jenkins]

I guess these must be people who complain about everything in their lives probably.

 

Agreed! :)

[toodycat]

I think you have to be a critical reader to get anything out of cruise reviews. Some people write with a tone that suggests they had a real sense of entitlement. Often, they start out by telling you what they're "used to" and go on to revel in how they've been disappointed on a particular ship. Still others write as though they expect the cruise staff to be psychic and anticipate all their food and stateroom preferences without communication. Also, I really think too much importance is placed on towel animals, no matter how old or young the travelers are.

 

On the other hand, some people love everything and are not specific which is not helpful to readers. Others love stuff that would not make me happy. I once read a review that said, "The food was just like Applebee's!" To me, that's not a compliment, but to the writer, it clearly was.

 

My two favorite cruise lines are DCL and HAL. They couldn't be more different in terms of atmosphere and clientele, but they are both really good at what they do and when they weren't, if we let them know right then, they did their best to fix it. on HAL, the guy in the piano bar made fun of my 73 year old dad for asking for old songs. He played a few bars of my dad's request, said "that's boring" and went on adapting Green Day to the piano lounge. Not cool. The HAL entertainment person spoke to the singer who toned down his shtick and became polite the next night. They also sent us a cheese platter and bottle of wine as an apology. A few cruises ago, we got stuck without a way to feed our son on the Disney Magic on the night we were going to Palo. Do you know that the food and beverage officer called me and spent about a half hour on the phone with me, asking how to make the room service menu more kid-friendly? Then, they sent us a fruit platter. That kind of commitment to customer satisfaction is all you can ask for, in my opinion.

[Cruisingmanforlife1]

My two favorite cruise lines are DCL and HAL. They couldn't be more different in terms of atmosphere and clientele, but they are both really good at what they do and when they weren't, if we let them know right then, they did their best to fix it. on HAL, the guy in the piano bar made fun of my 73 year old dad for asking for old songs. He played a few bars of my dad's request, said "that's boring" and went on adapting Green Day to the piano lounge. Not cool. The HAL entertainment person spoke to the singer who toned down his shtick and became polite the next night. They also sent us a cheese platter and bottle of wine as an apology. A few cruises ago, we got stuck without a way to feed our son on the Disney Magic on the night we were going to Palo. Do you know that the food and beverage officer called me and spent about a half hour on the phone with me, asking how to make the room service menu more kid-friendly? Then, they sent us a fruit platter. That kind of commitment to customer satisfaction is all you can ask for, in my opinion.

 

Look then you are a person after my hear and blood! After so many cruises I have stopped counting number 69 comes up this weekend .. I am with you HAL and Disney have got it together ... Well so to speak, I also like Sea Dream Yachts, Regent and a few Niche cruise lines. Well that is it for me but I dont bash the others and I always find something good about ANY cruise ... it has to do with your state of mind! :D

[clean1owner]

 

My two favorite cruise lines are DCL and HAL. They couldn't be more different in terms of atmosphere and clientele, but they are both really good at what they do and when they weren't, if we let them know right then, they did their best to fix it. on HAL, the guy in the piano bar made fun of my 73 year old dad for asking for old songs. He played a few bars of my dad's request, said "that's boring" and went on adapting Green Day to the piano lounge. Not cool. The HAL entertainment person spoke to the singer who toned down his shtick and became polite the next night. They also sent us a cheese platter and bottle of wine as an apology. A few cruises ago, we got stuck without a way to feed our son on the Disney Magic on the night we were going to Palo. Do you know that the food and beverage officer called me and spent about a half hour on the phone with me, asking how to make the room service menu more kid-friendly? Then, they sent us a fruit platter. That kind of commitment to customer satisfaction is all you can ask for, in my opinion.

 

 

I have to echo Disney being one of the best out there. Having never Sailed HAL, I can't compare them.

 

Our first night aboard the Magic, while giving her dinner order to the waiter, our daughter mentioned that she was really hungry for some fresh strawberries. The waiter told us that they were not on the menu that night, but he would see if there were any available. Sure enough, when he came to take our desert order, he had a bowl of fresh strawberries for our daughter. When he brought our desert I asked him where he got the strawberries, and he said "I just found them." So I asked where he found them and he told me he got them in the pantry. So I asked where the pantry was, and he just said "Downstairs" Then I ask "Where downstairs?" and he finally tells me it was three levels down from the dining room.

 

Now during dinner, the waiters are busier than a one armed paper hanger, and ours still found time to go down three levels just to get a bowl of fresh strawberries for my daughter. On top of that, every night for the rest of the cruise he brought her a bowl of fresh strawberries.

 

This is just one example of the great service we received during every part of our Disney Cruise.

[kath00]

Sorry but I find the OP's post totally offensive. I don't understand how you can BLAME reviewers who take the time to write down their opinions about a ship or experience. I am seeing that the Disney ships are getting consistently low marks on this board but there are some who simply don't believe it, think it's "Disney so it must be perfect," etc.

 

I think people write reviews to help others and sometimes to point out frustrations/points of improvement that MAYBE Disney will actually read. For example on our recent Disney cruise, I discovered that the ship's buffet closes at 3pm every day, NEVER to reopen for the evening! This is my first cruise EVER on any ship on any line that I didn't see a dinner buffet. I think this is horrible for a kid-friendly ship since kids love buffet and generally do NOT want sit down dinners. I also found the food totally subpar to our 10+ other cruises (Princess, RCCL mostly). Mind you, I am no foodie, but I expect better food on a cruise than a little stand at Disneyland that serves up friend chicken and greasy hamburgers.

 

I hope you don't blame me for my review. There is nothing wrong with me... I just happen to have a basis of comparison for our other cruises and can tell you for sure that Disney aint perfect.