Why do CC members let the little things ruin their cruise and write bad reviews?

[tammy531]

Even if the ship provided hair products in the cabin, it probably wouldn't be right for my hair. I always bring my own shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair.

 

Me too.. I have curly hair that will frizz without the right product...it does not take much to fill 3 3oz bottles with shampoo, conditioner, and gel...and doesn't take up much room!

 

sent from my Samsung galaxy s3

[dalgirl]

I have had problems with things onboard (usually because of other cruisers - you know who you are:rolleyes:), but that should not ruin your whole cruise experience. If you don't have some product on the ship, just pick it up in port - frankly I can't use conditioner and if it got confused with the shampoo I would have an issue;) They used to provide hand lotion, price cutbacks took this away - I bring my own - case closed. It is silly really.

 

Most reviews will fall in the middle. I like those because missing some product that you really need could bump you down a notch, but not the whole way to the bottom! It is cruise critic, but criticism should be CONSTRUCTIVE, not destructive. And don't disregard 5 star reviews, for those who took their first cruise and had a blast, it really was 5 stars. Their happiness and good humor are contagious - seek them out:)

[wildwanderer]

terrydtx

We are with you on the Jewel and I always take the "oh my god my cruise was ruined by rough toilet paper" reviews as a learning experience. I was once told everyone is a a teacher some teach by being what you should strive to be and some teach by striving what not to be. I want to be happy as mitsu*** is booking her first balcony and not someone loosing it if my room steward does not make up the room 17 times a day. So you just gotta be happy those people who are moaning took a different cruise I guess and hope they find the perfect vacation in the future. I just keep reading and glean what information I can from everywhere.

 

We got 18 days:D to go, so not much to be complaining about. Take care - Thea:)

[markf]

I feel part of the negative responses is due to the cruise companies building up our expectations to a level they can not meet.

If you go with high expectations , especially on NCL, you will likely be dissapointed

[fshagan]

I look at reviews as a collection of opinions which are always subjective. They have little value standing alone, but if 10 people write that they didn't think a pay dining venue was worth the money, I take notice.

 

I'm always glad to read the really negative reviews because I know that person is most likely NOT going to be on my next cruise.

 

We saw a couple go crazy because they waited ten or fifteen minutes to be seated at dinner. They kept going up and pointing to empty tables and saying "There's a four-top right there!" We saw them a couple of other times on the cruise, and they were grumpy and upset at everything. Sucks to be them, I guess.

[Sheils65]

Ok I didn't bother to read more than the first few responses so I apologize in advance if this has already been said BUT..........

 

Unless the ship is sinkin'....its a good cruise!!

[mitsugirly]

I read reviews to get others perspective on things, but take them with a grain of salt. There isn't anyone out there that can convince me not to sail a certain ship or with a certain cruise line based on their review alone.

 

I like hearing their thoughts, good or bad. For a review, like the one you mentioned, I just laugh and know that something like this would NEVER bother me, nor would it make for a bad cruise. I don't go to the reviews on cc and read them. I read what is posted on the boards by our members that have usually been around here for awhile.

 

Everyone's taste is subjective and thank goodness my taste is MINE and not like some that can post everything negative. I would never expect someone to read my review and not cruise because of it. I review to "tell a story"...my story. :)

 

Just read, laugh, smile, and move on. Don't let it get to you OP. Life goes on and so does the next cruise....make it a good one. :D

[OCruisers]

I suspect that many of the bad reviews that you talk about are written by people who find Cruise Critic after their cruise and only signed up as a member so they could post their review. I don't give a lot of weight to reviews that contain a lot of complaints about little things.

 

Unfortunately, that's very true.

 

It's also makes me wonder when someone goes on and on about how wonderful everything was. :rolleyes:

 

LuLu

~~~~

[OCruisers]

C'mon, just go ask the people who were on the Carnival Triumph if there is no such thing as a bad cruise.:rolleyes:

 

How absolutely true! :eek:

 

LuLu

~~~~

[mypleasure]

I agree with Mitsugirly everything she said is pretty much my sentiment too. In my experience of 10 cruises I can only remember one bad thing and that involved another cruiser and was nothing to do with the ship or it's crew. Those 10 cruises were not 100% perfect but if I had no hair conditioner I would just go and buy some and it would not cross my mind to complain about it.

I have a moan sometimes but it never ruins my time on the ship, some peoples lives are incomplete unless they are complaining. My Mom always said you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Not getting in a funk and respecting the people serving you will get you far more than a hissy fit ever will.

[terrydtx]

Just read, laugh, smile, and move on. Don't let it get to you OP. Life goes on and so does the next cruise....make it a good one. :D

 

The negative reviews never get to me but this one particular one was the last straw when that person let the fact she didn't have a cream rinse in her cabin supplied by NCL ruin her cruise. I think life is too short to worry about the little and trivial things. No matter how bad the food, the entertainment, service or the cigarette smoke on my balcony is, it still beats being at home. Now if the ship runs out of wine half way through the cruise we have a major problem and I will be 100% negative!!! :eek:

Edited November 12, 2013 by terrydtx

[DMH15]

Cruise critic is just like society at large. There will be all kinds. It is human nature for the complainers to post mire iften and cry the loudest.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[Keith1010]

I've learned over the years that each person has different expectations and also views things differently. I prefer to focus on what is good.

 

Keith

[Aquahound]

C'mon, just go ask the people who were on the Carnival Triumph if there is no such thing as a bad cruise.:rolleyes:

 

Exactly. I can't think of a Cruise Critic cliche' a disagree with more than "a cruise is what you make of it." That's B.S. A cruise isn't what we make of it....it's what they make of it.

 

But as far as reviews are concerned, it's what matters to the OP. What's a big deal to them may not be a big deal to the reader. That's why there are countless reviews and we are all free to write them.

[AllAmericanAmy]

Well this place is called Cruise Critic, not Cruise Booster, or Cruise Fanatic.

 

I for one can appreciate both positive and negative reviews. Good Lord, how boring would this place be if there was only raw-raw positive reviews. :rolleyes:

 

I teach college economics and I always tell my class that there are no bad or dumb questions because there is always someone else in class who is wondering the same thing. Reviews are like that too. You might feel that missing hair conditioner is no big deal (I certainly do as I am folicley challenged.:() but rest assured that for someone out there that little thing to you and I IS a big deal too.

 

Reviews are not gospel, they are only other people's opinions. I take all of them with a gain of salt. I usually just ignore the most positive and the most negative reviews. Somewhere in the middle is probably the most accurate description of what the cruise is really like.

 

Well said!! And ROFL at your folicley challenged line :D - thanks for the chuckle!

[Medtech2]

It's just human nature to be silent when things go as they should but speak up when they don't. If you buy a cake mix and it does not rise when you bake it, most people would contact the company to let them know. If the cake turned out great and was eaten most people are not going to contact the company...

 

Everything is in context. I now have long hair and need conditioner. Knowing that it was not in the cabin would cause me to bring it. Of course now I have learned that if you ask, most stewards will get you some, same as bar soap...I still bring some, just in case. ;)

[Karysa]

I think that cruises are priced low. With that low cost comes the basics. For me I need to spend more on specialty restaurants and great excursions to have the experience that I had 10 years ago. I usually spend the same money in total so it all works out.:)

[mypleasure]

It's just human nature to be silent when things go as they should but speak up when they don't. If you buy a cake mix and it does not rise when you bake it, most people would contact the company to let them know. If the cake turned out great and was eaten most people are not going to contact the company...

 

Being British we love a good old moan about things but we will do it to anyone who will listen but never those who could put things right. In the cake example most people I know would just not buy it again. Not worth it for a cake mix costing a couple of quid would be the attitude.

 

I booked a cruise today and spent a few minutes reading recent reviews for the ship I am sailing on. Loads of disgruntled folks but none of it is my experience on 4 previous cruises on that ship and none of it would put me off booking but it might put others off. I suppose I knew what I was getting after 10 NCL cruises and am the sort who does a little planning and doesn't expect it all to be done for me. I also tend to be an OK so what shall I do instead sort of person.

[bearette]

Studies say it takes ten positives to make up for one negative, the reviews just confirm the studies. People like to complain!

[rpb718]

I feel part of the negative responses is due to the cruise companies building up our expectations to a level they can not meet.

If you go with high expectations , especially on NCL, you will likely be dissapointed

 

Curious as to why "especially on NCL" was mentioned here?

[cabincop]

I started a thread a few weeks ago about people always complaining about cruises and look at this thread, so funny. Oh btw the shampoo on ncl is conditioner/shampoo so the did have it. Lol I still think people hope to come on here complain and try and get something free like a discount on cruises or obc. Right now cruise lines want to avoid bad publicity so they help people who complain but with everything, enough people will try this method and cruise lines won't involve themselves with these boards anymore. As always a few bad apples will ruin a good thing

[Medtech2]

I started a thread a few weeks ago about people always complaining about cruises and look at this thread, so funny. Oh btw the shampoo on ncl is conditioner/shampoo so the did have it. Lol I still think people hope to come on here complain and try and get something free like a discount on cruises or obc. Right now cruise lines want to avoid bad publicity so they help people who complain but with everything, enough people will try this method and cruise lines won't involve themselves with these boards anymore. As always a few bad apples will ruin a good thing

Then again, if enough people complain about the same thing, maybe the cruiseline will change it.

 

For example, I recently contacted NCL with a suggestion that they "wall in" the casino on the new builds so that the cigarette smoke does not ruin the entire interior public spaces. Lots of people are complaining about that on the Breakaway.

 

Lots of people complained recently about the coffee. Perhaps they tried a new vendor. if enough people don't like it, maybe they will switch. (just an example--on the Breakaway the coffee I drank at The Cirque dinner was just plain strange but it seemed bearable at the buffet)

[Tralfie]

There's a great song in the play Avenue Q called "The Internet Is For Porn." But as someone whose job require me to deal a fair amount with both internet message boards and Twitter, I've come to find that the internet is actually for haters.

 

This isn't to say that people don't often have legitimate complaints, but lord, do people LOVE to vent. They will go out of their way to find things to write/say that are negative. Personally? That would exhaust me!

 

I also think that much like with Disney (as a fan of the parks, I've spent a fair amount of time on boards devoted to them), folks on cruises have the mentality that they are paying a lot of money and they deserve something. Not just what they paid for, but something more.

 

What's ironic to me is that often, the very same people who will do everything and anything to save a buck or get "more value" out of their trip -- from ordering two entrees and then throwing half the food on their plate away to figuring out ways to gyp the system -- will then be the first to complain when services are cut. They never see, of course, that part of the reason is that people like them taking advantage of things wind up costing the company, which means either prices have to go up or something's gotta be cut.

 

It's a vicious cycle, and one's perception of it is largely based on your outlook on life. I'm getting ready to sail on the Breakaway in March. I've read a lot of bad reviews, but I figure, "Hey, I'm gonna be on vacation, on a cruise and I have a big ol' aft-facing balcony. I don't really need much more than that to be happy!"

 

Richard/Tralfie

[36kruzes]

What? No bar soap? Is the only soap in the container in the shower? Good to know -- will ASK for it if there is none at the sink. thanks for the tip

 

 

 

It's just human nature to be silent when things go as they should but speak up when they don't. If you buy a cake mix and it does not rise when you bake it, most people would contact the company to let them know. If the cake turned out great and was eaten most people are not going to contact the company...

 

Everything is in context. I now have long hair and need conditioner. Knowing that it was not in the cabin would cause me to bring it. Of course now I have learned that if you ask, most stewards will get you some, same as bar soap...I still bring some, just in case. ;)

[NLH Arizona]

This just amazed me. I just read a review of the Jewell and the reviewer (who cruised this October) complained about the gym. The reviewer said: The fitness area is a joke - treadmills, like 4 of them. Funny thing, I just got off the Jewell on November 3rd and used the gym and there are in fact 10 treadmills.

 

I certainly understand that people have different expectations and what bothers one person, doesn't bother another, but, in this case, there is a huge difference between 4 and 10 treadmills. I guess the reviewer maybe forgot to put their glasses on or didn't learn to count in school.