How accurate is this review?

We have never cruised before although by husband has wanted to for many years and I have resisted. We have finally taken the plunge (I hope not literally!) and booked the Spanish Med cruise on Independence next June. I have been researching on the forums and getting quite excited about it until I read this review. Can anyone please put this into context as to accuracy or is it a case of someone who just likes to moan. Being an avid Trip Advisor user I know this is the case with some people.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=219591

In my opinion the author of this review was looking for problems.

I have sailed Indy twice and loved her, i am booked for a transatlantic on her next year.

Go on your cruise have a great time and form your own opinions :D:D

You can tell a lot about the mind set of the reviewer when they state that the food looked inedible and was of poor quality - without even trying it.

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I had to chuckle when I read about their displeasure when they arrived at the JS cabin.:D Had they done some research, they would have learned prior to boarding that a Junior Suite is not considered a full suite and therefore does not get "suite" benefits. All they earned was double points.

We have never cruised before although by husband has wanted to for many years and I have resisted. We have finally taken the plunge (I hope not literally!) and booked the Spanish Med cruise on Independence next June. I have been researching on the forums and getting quite excited about it until I read this review. Can anyone please put this into context as to accuracy or is it a case of someone who just likes to moan. Being an avid Trip Advisor user I know this is the case with some people.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=219591

Here is my view on all sorts of review, opinions, etc.

I go with the 80/20 rule. That is if 80% of the people say something positive or negative then I accept that as fact until I experience it myself.

I apply that to TripAdvisor, to Cruise Critic and to just about everything.

Keith

Here is my view on all sorts of review, opinions, etc.

 

I go with the 80/20 rule. That is if 80% of the people say something positive or negative then I accept that as fact until I experience it myself.

 

I apply that to TripAdvisor, to Cruise Critic and to just about everything.

 

Keith

Good rule. I do the same.

Hmmm, so they rate a never again cruise with 4 stars:rolleyes:

They say they booked a Suite, but in fact they had a JS, which is not considered a full Suite.:rolleyes:

They expect Dubai / Far East Quality Service on an RCI ship:rolleyes:

They moan about Food presentation/Quality and their first refuge is McD´s:rolleyes:

Nuff said I think.:eek:

Ignore it!

Merely by reading it, the "attitude" comes rushing through.....You did note they gave the crusie 4 stars, but there wording drips of arrogance and snobbery.

Ignore it, enjoy the planning, read multiple other reviews, and remember, the anticipation is almost as good as the participation.

Bon Voyage

I find it hard to believe that the food in the Windjammer was entirely inedible, as we've always found a nice variety of very good food in the WJ on all ships. (Not 5-star quality, but excellent for a buffet). I've also never been on a cruise where most of the crew was "miserable". Yes, there have been one or two people who provided mediocre service, but IMO, it was more like they were new and still in training than "miserable" and incompetent. It seems to me that some of the reviewers expectations were unrealistic, such as amenities in a junior suite, which cannot be compared to a full suite on other cruiselines. I was wondering what other cruiselines he'd been on, because RCI's quality of food, attitude of the crew, and level of service is pretty much on par with the other mainstream cruiselines. Yes, there are some things that RCI does better, and other things that I like better on other lines, but it all balances out.

I can't imagine anyone cruising on Independence and not being able to find any food in the very good to excellent range, and not being able to find any helpful or happy crew members.

I think you summed it up in your statement "just someone who likes to moan". The review implies that there was not anything edible on the entire ship, including in "Chops". Although I've never sailed this ship, I find that hard to believe. I had to chuckle to myself... nothing was left "uncriticized", all the way down to the proper way in which to conduct the safety briefing. LOL

Don't worry. You'll have a wonderful time! ..Happy cruising :D

You know what they say about opinions like #% everyone has one. Go enjoy your cruise you'll love it guaranteed. If you have reasonable expectations I'm positive RCCL will exceed them.

Thanks everyone, you have confirmed what I suspected. The only reason I read this particular review was because they were in the same JS 9338 that we have booked and I know quite well that you do not get all the IMO trivial things he mentions.

Take it for what it is, one persons opinion. But they did give it 4 stars overall. I did sail RCCL last year and found the food average. I didn't starve and still had a great cruise.

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I sailed on Indy last month and had the most wonderful time and enjoyed the ship, the crew and the food. In fact I was so impressed and made friends on the ship that on coming home I have booked a cruise back on Indy next May with one of the friends I made. It was a fantastic experience and the crew just can't do enough to make your holiday special.

You will have a brilliant holiday and I seriously think there is no pleasing some people!

I agree with the previous posts and whilel I will admit it is not my favorite royal ship we were on it in February and booked again for next January. The ship is beautiful it is a destination in itself and while food is a personal matter it certainly was fine. I was also very hesitant before my first cruise but I wouldn't worry at all based on this review I can almost guarantee you that you will have a wonderful time so long as you go in with a positive attitude.

A friend of ours who introduced us to cruising, had one word for us, go onboard with an open mind and no expectations and we will have a wonderful cruise. Each ship has its own crew and where one ship might be less enjoying, which hasn't happened yet, it is not a reason to blame the intire cruise line. Have a great cruise and get ready to be wowed.:)

I really dislike these member reviews on CC. You can't comment on them, nor can you rate the review as helpful, or in this case, not helpful. I much prefer the reviews on the forums. You sometimes get comments from others who were also on the same cruise who had a different experience. :)

Thanks everyone, you have confirmed what I suspected. The only reason I read this particular review was because they were in the same JS 9338 that we have booked and I know quite well that you do not get all the IMO trivial things he mentions.

You will love the location of your cabin. We were in JS 9344 on Freedom last December and loved the location and the close proximity to the elevators. 2 floors up is the entrance to the WJ and the pool area.......4 floors down is MTD, Guest Relations and the Royal Promanade.....5 floors down and it's a short walk to the Casino.

You will love the location of your cabin. We were in JS 9344 on Freedom last December and loved the location and the close proximity to the elevators. 2 floors up is the entrance to the WJ and the pool area.......4 floors down is MTD, Guest Relations and the Royal Promanade.....5 floors down and it's a short walk to the Casino.

And getting our priorities right, where's the nearest bar :)

I never react to reviews unless I read at least 10(usually 30+) and then I form my own opinion. First, you never know if the review is serious. Then, like you say, some people are never satisfied. They spend $200-300 per nite for a cabin and expect 5-Star meals and Broadway quality entertainment.

We have taken Med cruises and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Go for it and have fun

I guess I would not make a financial decision based on one person's opinion that I didn't know...

I hope you got the reassurance you were seeking from this forum. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

As many other says: This is ONE review by ONE person. It reflects HIS cruise experience, and that is what it can be judged upon.

So, shall we analyse how accurate the following reviews is as well?:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/independence-of-the-seas-baltics-cruises/rs/

It's on the interweb. Of course, it's true.

I've found reviews have to be read with a grain of salt. If one thing really bugs someone then the reviewer might give the ship a single star even though everything else was superb. So, what I do is look at the number of stars over a hundred reviews. That will give you a honest average for any particular ship. The Independence averages four stars over a hundred reviews so I would think this ship would be a good one. I never decide on a ship based on just one review...there are just too many people out there without a clue.

The only one that can actually say it's valid is the writer. I've been on twenty eight cruises and I've had one cruise from hell. It was on HAL's Ryndam a couple of years ago. Other reviewers said it was wonderful. They didn't stay in my cabin, they didn't eat off the same plate I did, in other words, they weren't there. Does that make me wrong? I don't think so, and I don't care.