What Is It About a Given Thread on This Forum?

[sail7seas]

There is a thread currently running here giving a great review that caught my attention more than many others and it's hard to say just why.

 

I read most of the reviews people are kind enough to share on this forum and usually get something from all but every now and then, a thread inspires me to reconsider visiting a region or sailing a ship, taking a trip I had been dismissing out of hand as not 'on my list'.

 

It isn't always the best writing style, it isn't always my favorite ship, it is usually that certain something that catches my attention and fancy........

 

How about you?

Are there some threads about ships /itineraries that grab you but you would not have thought they would in advance of reading?

What is an attention grabbing review for you?

 

Maybe something to think about as those who are kind enough to take the time and spend the effort to write for us?

[Saphire]

What is an attention grabbing review for you?

 

 

I love reviews that are written with an attitude of gratefulness, one where you can feel the joy of being on a cruise come through in their review.

 

A few that come to mind are ASIWISH and COLLEBERRY, two posters who make cruising sound so delightful, and who make me long to be on one.

[bobalink]

Great question!

 

I look for "balance" in the details and descriptions in a review. I think that is important for credibility.

 

I have read reviews that are hilarious and entertaining that really don't provide details. I enjoy reading them, but those leave me wondering about specific things.

 

Other reviews can go a bit overboard on details that are not that helpful. You know the ones that describe what a person ate for breakfast at the Holiday Inn the morning before boarding their cruise.

 

Some reviews describe everything as "perfect", while others had one "gripe" about a stain on the carpet, and the person can't get past it and it ruined their cruise. I think that every cruise has some "shining moments" and may have a few "dull moments" and it is important to write about both experiences, in a way that is helpful to the reader.

 

I prefer information (and photos) that explain how to "do it yourself", and I especially like posts that provide a stellar tour guides name and contact information, suggestions for a favorite hotel, restaurant or activity, for the ports, etc.

 

I have learned a great deal from these boards, and I always look forward to reading reviews of all kinds.

[mamaofami]

I like reviews that are written in paragraph form and with some spaces between the paragraphs. It's easier reading than just a solid long review.

[PathfinderEss]

I like reviews of CCer's cruises, good or bad. It is always interesting getting different opinions about certain cruise ships. Don't care much about the ports because we've been to many of them, just like knowing about their ship experiences.

[kazu]

I enjoy reading all the reviews - interestingly enough - it was a 'live from' that inspired me to finally try the Elegant Explorer and pay more attention to her itineraries:)

[NoobCruise]

I love reviews with lots of pics :) Well, pics of the ship, the ports, the person having fun with friends/family. Not so much of the "food porn" lol though I realize many love that.

 

I like the reviews that are balanced. I find balanced reviews far more credible. I tend to dismiss the ones that are too extreme. I think the ones that are all perfect or all horrible say more about that person than the cruise line, the ship or the crew.

 

Some people live their lives looking through rose colored glasses, only seeing good and never seeing bad. The people they encounter respond to that attitude with a smile, an openess and willingness to please, so they do have better interactions on a regular basis.

 

Others go through life with a chip on their shoulder, only seeing negative, and frequently complaining about minor things. I think the people they encounter respond to that as well, so they do have bad experiences more frequently. And when something is less than perfect, they focus and dwell on that and let it ruin their whole experience.

 

 

The people who write the balanced reviews are more like me. Our interactions are more observational and less emotional. We can see the negative and react, but can shrug it off and roll with it., and still have a great time. A negative experience can be compartmentalize as one small event in a whole series of experiences.

[sail7seas]

Some really good posts here. IMO

Interesting reading various views.

 

[ASIWISH]

 

A few that come to mind are ASIWISH and COLLEBERRY, two posters who make cruising sound so delightful, and who make me long to be on one.

 

WOW!!!!

 

You made my night…thank you for the mention!!!!!!

[ASIWISH]

Personally, I read almost all of the reviews. I , too, feel so privileged that people take the time to write them.

 

I remember before my first cruise on the Noordam from NYC, I found a review from someone on the same ship/itinerary. It helped me so much.

 

I felt a little like an expert from the moment I stepped on board. It lessened my learning curve, and turned me on to things I might never have known about.

 

There is so much to miss because it's only seven days, or only a few hours in port… it helps to get experienced cruisers insight. Heck, sometimes it helps to get an inexperienced cruisers insight!

[magandab]

For me a review written with sense of humor ropes me in every time. When its obvious that the writer went in with the attitude that he/she was going to have a great time lets me have a great time sharing the experience. Telling stories of what went wrong as part of the adventure, and the ability to laugh at one's self makes me want to cruise again, SOON!

[luxurysailer]

A word of caution to those who like reviews with a lot of pics. Can we please exclude the nude cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam from that? I doubt, although I may be wrong, that there will be any nude passengers on that cruise worth seeing on this forum.:eek: :D

[eandj]

I really like when people begin a review with some background info..age, who cruised, previous cruise/line traveled etc. It gives a good view into the writer. Writing a review as a first time cruiser compared to a frequent cruiser, I think, gives a very different viewpoint.

[sail7seas]

Really good point. IMO

 

I also agree about the comment referring to sense of humor. :)

[lcand1923]

I tend to read all the reviews that are posted because I'm always learning something new. I much prefer a review in paragraph form because it is easier for these aging eyes to read.

[wandb]

I agree about spacing and paragraphs--so much easier to read!! I love all the reviews---except those that are really negative, especially about some minor problem. How could that possibly ruin a whole cruise?? After all, we are CRUISING!!!

 

Some of the reviews are so good, that I have a hard time deciding which cruise to take or which ship to sail!!!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

i like reviews that are written in paragraph form and with some spaces between the paragraphs. It's easier reading than just a solid long review.

yes please ....

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

i like reviews that are written in paragraph form and with some spaces between the paragraphs. It's easier reading than just a solid long review.

Any changes you see in Holland America style is helpful ..

[esther e]

Another vote for paragraphs and not large fonts. I find they are hard to read after a few lines.

[Minoushka]

i particularly enjoy sailor jacks accounts of his adventures . i always crack up ..he has great style and great humour . iMO his telling of his south american cruise on ncl is oh so funny

Anyone with pix and details about private excursions is always helpful .

I too prefer paragraphs

but i write reviews and ...yes they do take time to compose ...so I appreciate all who do it

 

Keep on sharing

 

Michele

[IRL_Joanie]

What makes me read a thread is the title of it.

 

What makes me post to a thread is the topic and if I can be of any help.

 

What makes me interested in both reading and posting is the known nature of the poster....i.e. if it is a post by RuthC, RevNeal or so many others I want to read what they have to say.

 

What makes me NOT read a Thread is if it is a post by someone who has caused me grief in the past I do not even read the thread as I know I will get upset (usually)

 

Joanie

[matondo]

I love reading reviews of cruises, especially ones with lots of photos. I have to confess that I do visit other cruise line websites to get my fix of cruise reviews. Looking at some of the pictures of food from other lines makes me glad for the mostly excellent food we have experienced aboard HAL.

[COLLEYBERRY]

I love reviews that are written with an attitude of gratefulness, one where you can feel the joy of being on a cruise come through in their review.

 

A few that come to mind are ASIWISH and COLLEBERRY, two posters who make cruising sound so delightful, and who make me long to be on one.

 

How kind Saphire :).....first review I did ,a polite request was made to alter the font.... I have been a 'big mouth' ever since :D

 

I love a great review...I often wonder what my cruising experiences would have been like had I not found CC....so much info,insight,to be found here. It adds so much to the adventure

.Thanks to you all,sometimes i even confound DH with the stuff I know.;)

[sail7seas]

Do you want short to the point reviews or do you like the rambling ones that give impressions and share stories of special treats they enjoyed or something unusual they saw etc?

 

[ASIWISH]

Ramble on…. the more detail the better for me.

 

This post, http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=801149, from RevNeal had almost 170,000 views…. I recommend EVERY review replicate this - as our members appeared to have LOVED IT!!!!