What would make you cruise...

[jocap]

Babs- friends happened to be on the same ship as us, so we met for drinks/a meal most days,and we all enjoyed ourselves. Afterwards, we mentioned how much we'd enjoyed the cruise, and met with- oh, this was wrong, and that was wrong... and we were like WHAT?

They told us so much about their favourite line, and eventually we tried it- an old ship with excellent itineraries. Whilst we enjoyed the cruise, we didn't like the ship, and when they mention the joys of this line, again we're silently saying WHAT?

[OCruisers]

You and your friends know each others cruising likes. If they recommend against sailing that line, I'd listen to them. JMHO.

 

Agree with the above! (y)

[iancal]

One thing for certain. Simply because a friend may recommend a certain ship on a cruise line do not make the mistake and assume that every ship in that cruise line will be the same design, have the same attributes, or will be to your taste. It just is not so.

 

The only consistency these days is inconsistency. One cruise on a ship may be wonderful. A month later the same ship, same itinerary could be a memorable experience but not in a positive way.

[babs135]

why not name the cruise line then others can say good or bad :confused:

 

It's Fred Olsen which is geared mostly for the British market. They have just the four ships, two of which our friends have sailed on and didn't care for.

 

Maybe we should try one of the other two :D:D

[MicCanberra]

If you trust your friends opinions, then don't do it, especially for only 10% discount.

[jocap]

It's Fred Olsen which is geared mostly for the British market. They have just the four ships, two of which our friends have sailed on and didn't care for.

 

Maybe we should try one of the other two :D:D

Looking at your list of ships- Fred's ships are very different. Splendid itineraries, though, and there's been makeovers on some of them. I differ with your friends over the food, though, because in the MDR we've had better food than any other budget line.

We use them because they port nearer to us than Southampton. We only book in a superior outside.

And they do go to places other ships can't reach...

[cb at sea]

89% of people NEVER read reviews...they just pick a time and cruise and go. Those who are satisfied are not the ones who post....they simply go, have fun, and get back to their lives. Honestly, only about 3-4% of people who cruise even KNOW about this site!

[Aquahound]

89% of people NEVER read reviews...they just pick a time and cruise and go. Those who are satisfied are not the ones who post....they simply go, have fun, and get back to their lives. Honestly, only about 3-4% of people who cruise even KNOW about this site!

 

This thread isn't about reviews. The Op said it's their friends who commented.

[crystalspin]

"What would make you cruise...

with a cruise line that has very mixed reviews on all of its ships? ...some come from friends of ours who have sailed on a couple of the ships and have vowed never to step onboard again."

 

Let's just say a WHOLE lot more than 10% off rack rate.

[Velvetwater]

Yup...and already done it.

 

Saw very mixed things for all of the P&O Oz fleet.

 

Booked anyway and had a great time (only complaints were the MDR food and the odd shore excursion booking system).

[SPacificbound]

We have cruised quite a bit the last few years, but starting with our first cruise, we book for itineraries.

 

(Except for Queen Mary 2 which we book to cross the Atlantic.)

[thinfool]

We listen respectfully to our friends and then we do what we want. Their opinions are theirs, not ours.

 

We have friends that swear by this or that cruise line. We have looked into it and have no desire or plans to join them.

 

So, it can work both ways.

[Heidi13]

with a cruise line that has very mixed reviews on all of its ships?

 

No name to colour your thinking but we've got an offer of a 10% discount with this line as we would be newbies. Itineraries are interesting but I'm torn about the reviews, especially as some come from friends of ours who have sailed on a couple of the ships and have vowed never to step onboard again. I would also add that these were free cruises as they were guest speakers, so the cost of the trip was not a factor.

 

We would normally heed the reviews from friends, since they are most likely reasonably compatible. In the case quoted by the OP, I would be questioning the friends why they had negative opinions, since they were actually working aboard the ship.

 

What caused the negative opinions, was it driven by the working conditions and/or interactions with cruise director, or was it based on the experience of an ordinary passenger. Life aboard a cruise ship as a crew member/guest lecturer, etc can be somewhat challenging.

 

If the negative reviews were based entirely on a passenger's experience a 10% discount is insufficient to make me consider that Line.

[MCC retired]

When your expectations are low , you may be impressed .

Go for it . You can’t have too many cruise line experiences under your belt .

 

 

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