What can be done in Australia if you have a bad cruise?

[GUT2407]

Sandwich decks are best (between two other cabin filled decks) but even that doesn't ensure peace and quiet. Always bring ear plugs.

 

Very first cruise we got a sandwich deck, as luck would have it, heard some some complaints and never not had one.

[GUT2407]

A couple of years ago we cruised on P&O Jewel. Our cabin was below the disco and all we heard until the wee hours every night/morning was stomp, stomp,stomp. Full cruise so we couldn't move. We were advised by Management to check the deck plans more carefully before our next cruise. The end!

 

Not good.

 

But I guess live and learn.

[MicCanberra]

Sometimes the noisy neighbours (coming and going often at late night and early mornings with doors slamming every time. are the reason for the ear plugs.:(

[MicCanberra]

Not good.

 

But I guess live and learn.

Or go and have a dance.;)

[GUT2407]

Sometimes the noisy neighbours (coming and going often at late night and early mornings with doors slamming every time. are the reason for the ear plugs.:(

 

I always take an mo3 player and earphones, I find for me it works better than earplugs.

[MicCanberra]

I always take an mo3 player and earphones, I find for me it works better than earplugs.

 

Just don't start dancing in your cabin.;)

[NSWP]

A couple of years ago we cruised on P&O Jewel. Our cabin was below the disco and all we heard until the wee hours every night/morning was stomp, stomp,stomp. Full cruise so we couldn't move. We were advised by Management to check the deck plans more carefully before our next cruise. The end!

Next time sail on Holland America, the disco closes at 8pm, when the Glenn Miller Orchestra gets turned off.

 

Who said HAL is a floating Aged Care Centre?

Edited August 2, 2016 by NSWP

[ekka49]

Sandwich decks are best (between two other cabin filled decks) but even that doesn't ensure peace and quiet. Always bring ear plugs.

 

We always take the ear plugs

[reedy8]

I'm sorry for all the noise from above your cabin when you were trying to sleep. I understand your frustration with HAL in their dealings with your complaint and your disappointment with the cabin after paying so much for a suite.

While I can not answer your question about what else can be done we have found it helpful to do a search of cabins reviews if we are going to a new part of the ship or are trying out a new class of ship. Hopefully this might help you with next time you cruise.:)

There is a website called deck plan genius (the words are all together but I don't know if I'm allowed to name the site) that tells you the pros and cons of each cabin on each ship, along with reviews of that cabin from others. I've found it helpful

[daisyscooter]

I wouldn't even take a specific cruise agent as knowing their shizz, one specific agency I know of told a friend all drinks were included with P&O, she even confirmed they meant alcohol. Needless to say she was wrong and lucky the girl knew ahead.of her cruise.

Edited August 5, 2016 by daisyscooter

[OzKiwiJJ]

I wouldn't even take a specific cruise agent as knowing their shizz, one specific agency I know of told a friend all drinks were included with P&O, she even confirmed they meant alcohol. Needless to say she was wrong and lucky the girl knew ahead.of her cruise.

 

Agreed. When we were looking at doing our first cruise I asked some friends on another forum for advice, one of whom pointed me here. I did a bit of research then went off to local cruise specialist travel agent to have a chat with them. Firstly they couldn't even remember what brochures they had put out three days earlier, then they weren't sure what cruises were available over the Christmas period and eventually I had to point out what had been in their brochures. Finally without even trying to determine what sort of cruise experience we wanted or where we wanted to cruise to, apart from me saying we wanted a balcony, they started heavily pushing one of the most expensive options - a Concierge cabin on Solstice. Needless to say I didn't book with them.

 

We enjoyed our South Pacific Christmas cruise on the Sun Princess, it was everything we wanted in a cruise, at the right price. Since then we have cruised on Solstice, and we did enjoy it, especially for an NZ itinerary, but I'm glad we did Princess as our first cruise.

Edited August 5, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[MicCanberra]

Research is always the best way even if the TA actually does know their schizz.

[OzKiwiJJ]

I reckon all TAs should be required to study the Cruise Critic forums and pass an exam that indicates they understand what cruisers really want, not what the cruise line marketing departments think they want. :rolleyes: :D

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I reckon all TAs should be required to study the Cruise Critic forums and pass an exam that indicates they understand what cruisers really want, not what the cruise line marketing departments think they want. :rolleyes: :D

 

A lot of Travel Agents have probably never set foot on a ship.

Researching your TA can be very beneficial.......and if they turn out to be a turkey.....keep walking or visit another site.

[GUT2407]

Talking to someone recently who had landed a job as a TA, three weeks training they said they got.:eek:

[rkmw]

A lot of Travel Agents have probably never set foot on a ship.

Researching your TA can be very beneficial.......and if they turn out to be a turkey.....keep walking or visit another site.

 

my neighbour owns a big b&m travel agent and never set foot on a cruise because she got sea sick so she couldnt answer any questions about cruising

[daisyscooter]

This TA was specifically named being a specially of cruises, as in that was the name of this agency. If they don't know cruises then I'm generally concerned for people booking with them and hope they have some personal accountability to their own holiday to not take everything that's being told as gospel.

[MicCanberra]

I reckon all TAs should be required to study the Cruise Critic forums and pass an exam that indicates they understand what cruisers really want, not what the cruise line marketing departments think they want. :rolleyes: :D

 

Great idea, we do have some members who would set a very tough pass mark as well.

[MicCanberra]

A lot of Travel Agents have probably never set foot on a ship.

Researching your TA can be very beneficial.......and if they turn out to be a turkey.....keep walking or visit another site.

 

Also researching separately from the TA so you have an idea of what to ask your TA. if they don't provide a credible answer or don't know, get another one.

[MicCanberra]

This TA was specifically named being a specially of cruises, as in that was the name of this agency. If they don't know cruises then I'm generally concerned for people booking with them and hope they have some personal accountability to their own holiday to not take everything that's being told as gospel.

 

Goodness, I would be looking elsewhere or going direct.

[ekka49]

Is there such a thing as a bad cruise ?

:eek:

If on any ship it is up to me to get the most out of the cruise

:confused:

[MicCanberra]

Is there such a thing as a bad cruise ?

:eek:

If on any ship it is up to me to get the most out of the cruise

:confused:

 

I have had some cruises that were far better than others but that doesn't make the ones that were not as good, bad cruises. Perhaps the day that I have a bad cruise may be the day I am tired of cruising, I cannot see that happening for some time yet.

[wishfulone]

Some cruise lines are better than others. Some ships are better than others and so are some cabins. As experienced Princess cruisers, we will never set foot on the Diamond Princess again.

Edited August 6, 2016 by wishfulone

[MicCanberra]

Some cruise lines are better than others. Some ships are better than others. We will never set foot on the Diamond Princess again.

 

What happened, care to elaborate?

[wishfulone]

Let's just say Princess refunded us, but offered no compensation for a ruined holiday. We made sure we enjoyed the 'journey' as best we could, but there was no way anyone could enjoy the cabin.