A different survey

Just completed the second part of a two part survey sent me by Cunard. Much of it was straight forward "...How do you enjoy/compare/rate..." type questions. Usually, an easy way to qualify for whatever compensation is offered. However, there were numerous questions on the survey that did not pertain to DW and I, but that response was not offered, hence Cunard now has made up data to confuse their survey. Their answer options left us with no option but to make up stuff. Not well thought out.

I thought the same thing when I completed part 1. Some of the questions were not applicable to me and there was no way to indicate that. You had to put something otherwise it bounced back prompting you.

I thought the same thing when I completed part 1. Some of the questions were not applicable to me and there was no way to indicate that. You had to put something otherwise it bounced back prompting you.

Same for me Linda and Ednria. So many questions totally did not apply to me. I got Part 2 today, but have not started it yet.

Jeanne

I spent thirty years in the survey business writing questionnaires, and agree wholeheartedly with the previous posters. Normal protocol in the three companies for which I worked was to pretest the survey on 6 to 10 varying types of respondents and then debrief each one in person about problems they had and, equally important, how they interpreted various questions. Latter is especially important when doing multi-country surveys (as I assume this one is). Not sure enough of that was done here.

I was asked to rate Cunard and the most recent non-Cunard line on which I travelled, on for example, their spas, which I have never so much as entered on either line. I was also asked to provide round-trip airfare for my most recent cruise, which was a TA! And whoever wrote the survey seems to have confused "destination" and "itinerary;" they're not the same.

Those glitches aside, I thought that it was a well-presented survey that kept my interest through what might be a series of tedious question batteries. Having written more than my share of such batteries, I was appreciative of the helpful formatting, and the decision to split the survey into two parts.

I had the exact same reaction...there should have been some middle category such as NA or 'no opinion'. Several of their comments [such as those relating to kids, the casino, and the spa] triggered a *no reaction* from me, yet I was forced to choose one. I alternated opting for the *somewhat agree* or *somewhat disagree* when I actually couldn't care less! I don't have kids so don't care about their facilities, I never go to the casino, and I seldom use the spa. A middle NA category was definitely needed for this type of survey. I also received the email from Princess to take the identical survey...go figure...

It did say to use your impression or your perceived impression of the cruise line. (what you have heard)

I also received the email from Princess to take the identical survey...go figure...

Makes complete sense to me, given the kinds of questions they asked. I would assume that Carnival is doing this survey across its entire portfolio of cruise lines. They are very likely looking at the positioning of their various lines, and how those positions link up to the kinds of people who cruise on them, and what they are looking for in a vacation experience (the marketing term is "benefit segments").

For example, both Cunard and Seabourn could be described as luxury cruise lines (although for Cunard it is probably only true for Grills). One of their challenges is how to best describe Cunard without cutting into Seabourn's business by attracting the type of passenger to Cunard who might have gone on Seabourn.

It seems that there are several different surveys being sent to passengers. And many have commented that the questions asked leave poor choices for response. Cunard is paying someone for conducting these surveys, and passengers are donating their time in response. But how good can the results be if the questions beg the answers? Personally, I feel it just a waste of my time to respond to surveys where the results can be skewered. If I have something to suggest to Cunard, I will write a letter - not that it will receive a response, but at least it won't go through a filter.

How much is Cunard paying for these bogus surveys anyway? My guess is that more than a few moldy orange couches in Britannia cabins on QM2 could replaced at less cost.

If I have something to suggest to Cunard, I will write a letter - not that it will receive a response, but at least it won't go through a filter.

 

Having just written to Cunard I will be disapointed if I don't get a reply.

Living in hope.

David.