How accurate is this review?

[bigque]

All in all a fairly enjoyable cruise, but not for us, at least not from Southampton during the school holidays. I would cruise on the IOS again but not on level 6 above the Royal Promenade either.

 

I don't get it?? :confused: You said all in all a fairly enjoyble cruise but not for you all! That don't really make sense. You either enjoyed it or you didn't and from your post everthing seemed to be a negative experience that you didn't really enjoy at all!

[Paul65]

I don't get it?? :confused: You said all in all a fairly enjoyble cruise but not for you all! That don't really make sense. You either enjoyed it or you didn't and from your post everthing seemed to be a negative experience that you didn't really enjoy at all!

 

Actually, it made sense to me. They enjoyed the cruise, but with it being school holiday, there were some things that they didn't like about it, and so they would not schedule one at the same time again. (And they would choose a different cabin location next time.)

[dmackay46]

I don't get it?? :confused: You said all in all a fairly enjoyble cruise but not for you all! That don't really make sense. You either enjoyed it or you didn't and from your post everthing seemed to be a negative experience that you didn't really enjoy at all!

 

Yes, it was a fairly enjoyable cruise, but not for us if departing from Southampton during the school holiday period - that is what it means.

 

If you read my post again it says "Everything else being positive, I will deal with the negative points we experienced"

The only negative opinion I have made is that I was slightly disappointed in the cruise ( if you read the post again)

[nb125]

Yes, it was a fairly enjoyable cruise, but not for us if departing from Southampton during the school holiday period - that is what it means.

 

If you read my post again it says "Everything else being positive, I will deal with the negative points we experienced"

 

The only negative opinion I have made is that I was slightly disappointed in the cruise ( if you read the post again)

 

Looking at your signature you sailed from Southampton on 29 June, is that right? If so, you have really got me worried now because we are booked to go on 28 June next year from Southampton and we picked that date purely to avoid the school holidays which usually start around 20 July. I am puzzled as to why there were so many children on board in term time as the schools in the UK are very strict about this nowadays.

[dmackay46]

Looking at your signature you sailed from Southampton on 29 June, is that right? If so, you have really got me worried now because we are booked to go on 28 June next year from Southampton and we picked that date purely to avoid the school holidays which usually start around 20 July. I am puzzled as to why there were so many children on board in term time as the schools in the UK are very strict about this nowadays.

 

Scottish schools come off at the end of June, that includes, as far as I am aware, Northern and Southern Irish schools were also off. There were about 1000 kids estimated to be onboard.

 

It was an enjoyable cruise....just avoid the Windjammer at breakfast and lunchtime, use the dining rooms where available.

[nb125]

Never thought about Scotland and Northern Ireland being different. 1,000 sound an awful lot:(

[Verfai]

Hahaha, We just booked Indy for next year, without reading one review and have never been on her before :D...

 

We know what the Freedom class has to offer, we know what to expect from RCI, we picked the for us most interesting itinerary on our best timing date wise...I am sure we wont regret it.

 

Happy sailing

[storm1of4]

Yes, it was a fairly enjoyable cruise, but not for us if departing from Southampton during the school holiday period - that is what it means.

 

If you read my post again it says "Everything else being positive, I will deal with the negative points we experienced"

 

The only negative opinion I have made is that I was slightly disappointed in the cruise ( if you read the post again)

 

 

OMG!!! Dude you paint this HORRIBLE picture and now you say you were slightly disappointed?

Your post was certainly more than enough to scare the original poster away from that cruise....me too

[dmackay46]

OMG!!! Dude you paint this HORRIBLE picture and now you say you were slightly disappointed?

Your post was certainly more than enough to scare the original poster away from that cruise....me too

 

Yep, slightly disappointed.....I am very easy going, but tell it how it is !

 

So storm, what scares you...Scottish and Irish kids? busy Windjammer? smell of poop? night time works? reserved sunbeds? noisy staterooms? spilt gravy? or the Premium Alcohol Package?:D

[grandgeezer]

Show me one person who said that. I don't think you can, because that's just your misinterpretation. What is being said by many people is that this experience is so atypical that it's hard to believe it is anything more than one person's perception.

 

Sure, you might occasionally run into a crew member who is not smiling and pleasant, but I don't believe for a minute that the majority of the crew was rude and unhappy. I believe the writer of that review may have perceived it that way, but not that it was an accurate perception.

 

The OP asked how accurate the review was. My answer would be that it's probably not very accurate at all, in terms of a reflection of how the average cruiser would feel. Was it how the author felt? Probably so.

Nobody said it, but by the responses it was inferred. The person never said it was the gospel, they give their own response. What is average? Take all your preconceived notions and feelings out of it. One person gave their opinion of the cruise. They were speaking of the own interpration of the cruise, not the masses.

I went through the same thing when I wrote a scathing review on Holland America's Ryndam. Nobody else wrote about problems so I must be exagerating. I've done 28 cruises, with complaints about just one. I resent people saying that is was moaning or

was misrepresenting my cruise. If you do much cruising, some day it will happen to you. See how you like the negative comments then.

[Paul65]

Nobody said it, but by the responses it was inferred. The person never said it was the gospel, they give their own response. What is average? Take all your preconceived notions and feelings out of it. One person gave their opinion of the cruise. They were speaking of the own interpration of the cruise, not the masses.

I went through the same thing when I wrote a scathing review on Holland America's Ryndam. Nobody else wrote about problems so I must be exagerating. I've done 28 cruises, with complaints about just one. I resent people saying that is was moaning or

was misrepresenting my cruise. If you do much cruising, some day it will happen to you. See how you like the negative comments then.

 

If you wrote that everything was terrible and all the crew had a bad attitude, it probably was an exaggeration. I stand by what I said. Such a review is an accurate reflection of how that particular person felt, but probably not an accurate reflection of the cruise, in general.

 

There are plenty of examples of reviewers posting their stories of bad experiences and getting sympathy, suggestions of how work with RCI for corrective actions, etc. It's not that people automatically get shot down for posting something negative. But some people get a bad taste in their mouths about something, then start seeing the whole experience as one big negative. Those are usually pretty easy to spot and pretty easy to flag as not a good review upon which to base your expectations.

[chester32]

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

Haven't read all post on this thread but I think all that the reviewer is doing is giving P&O a plug

[temple1]

We were on Indy in Jan and loved the ship and the staff, with one exception, was wonderful. We did not care for our waiter in the MDR but the assistant made up for his lack of attention. We also had issues with the MDR food, but our cruise was supposed to introduce the new menu and there was a hold up so I can't compare the food.

 

The Windjammer has a wonderful staff that was better than any other cruise we've been on.

 

She is a beautiful ship , great crew and well maintained.

 

Please report back after your first cruise.

[nb125]

It was`nt a complete nightmare, just the negative things that I have highlighted.

 

In fact, I think it is something unique to cruising from the UK during the school holidays in particular.....British holiday camp at sea! (Butlins or Benidorm - take your pick (UK readers will understand this).

 

I have a question for you. Do you think your experience was bad enough to warrant paying an extra £318 (about $475 I think) to change to the Italian Med cruise on 14 June which I believe is outside of all school holidays in the UK? Is it worth the extra, in your opinion. Your comment above has really worried me because Butlins or Benidorm is something we would seek to avoid not spend the sort of money this cruise is costing.

[JPEvans]

Well it's just as someone else said when you have people that go on the cruise and absolutely everything sucked, then it becomes unbelievable! IMHO I find it hard to believe that "EVERYTHING" was bad the entire week! I'm not going to label them as moaners but I am going to label their review as "UNBELIEVABLE"!

 

I would label the reviewer as "elitist". Just the way the review was written.

The reviewer was above taking a RCCL cruise. Another thing I noticed the

Member name isn't on the member list. I've noticed that a lot. A bad review

Gets posted and the member isn't on the member list. This review could be

Fake.

[Kellie Poodle]

I have posted positive reviews about a cruise I'd taken and seen negative reviews posted about the very same sailing.

 

98% of the time someone posts a negative review, it's their first cruise or their first with the line.

 

100% of the time they have come aboard with expectations that they would not have had if they had read the documentation.

[dmackay46]

I have a question for you. Do you think your experience was bad enough to warrant paying an extra £318 (about $475 I think) to change to the Italian Med cruise on 14 June which I believe is outside of all school holidays in the UK? Is it worth the extra, in your opinion. Your comment above has really worried me because Butlins or Benidorm is something we would seek to avoid not spend the sort of money this cruise is costing.

 

No, not bad enough to warrant changing the cruise for that amount of money. It is possible we were just unlucky having a large amount of kids onboard at the start of the holiday. Our main gripes were just how busy the ship was and the effect that had on services in the Windjammer and the Royal Promenade.

Enjoy your cruise.:D

[Jetdriver787]

It is a floating resort. It is clean, glitzy, and offers a range of entertainment options. I honestly don't think you should worry too much about the demographic of 3500 other vacationers. Go to enjoy yourself.

 

It doesn't matter where you travel (including Butlin's and Benidorm) during school vacation periods, (which vary from Country to Country,) there are always going to be more children on board. However any time of year, there are still going to be a lot. These are ships with facilities that attract families.

 

If you are concerned at seeing Brit's squeezing into their favourite football team's Nylon shirt (in what was obviously the biggest size that shirt came in,) then yes you will see it on board, but you will in Orlando, Benidorm, Las vegas, Barbados, and Dubai as well! If you are concerned about high rise hotels, Casino's, belly flop contests, and the odd bit of tacky entertainment, you will find it on board, and in resorts around the world as well.

 

If Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Atlantis, and Las Vegas don't cause you break out in a cold sweat, then I don't think you need have any real concerns over IOTS.

 

Look forward to hearing what you think of it when you return.

[dmackay46]

It is a floating resort. It is clean, glitzy, and offers a range of entertainment options. I honestly don't think you should worry too much about the demographic of 3500 other vacationers. Go to enjoy yourself.

 

It doesn't matter where you travel (including Butlin's and Benidorm) during school vacation periods, (which vary from Country to Country,) there are always going to be more children on board. However any time of year, there are still going to be a lot. These are ships with facilities that attract families.

 

If you are concerned at seeing Brit's squeezing into their favourite football team's Nylon shirt (in what was obviously the biggest size that shirt came in,) then yes you will see it on board, but you will in Orlando, Benidorm, Las vegas, Barbados, and Dubai as well! If you are concerned about high rise hotels, Casino's, belly flop contests, and the odd bit of tacky entertainment, you will find it on board, and in resorts around the world as well.

 

If Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Atlantis, and Las Vegas don't cause you break out in a cold sweat, then I don't think you need have any real concerns over IOTS.

 

Look forward to hearing what you think of it when you return.

 

I understand you point jetdriver787, but have you ever been to Butlins, Benidorm, or cruised from the UK to the Med during the school holidays?

[Jetdriver787]

I understand you point jetdriver787, but have you ever been to Butlins, Benidorm, or cruised from the UK to the Med during the school holidays

Yes!

 

Growing up as kids we spent many a summer holiday in Butlins at Filey, Minehead, Barry island, Pwllheli, (try pronouncing that, my American friends!) Bognor Regis and Skegness. They were exciting places to visit, with free funfairs, swimming pools, roller skating, kids clubs, cinemas, theatres. Even chairlifts and monorails in the 70,'s.) They were every bit as exciting then as my kids now find going on vacation on modern cruise ships to be. We have one of the few remaining holiday camps (or worlds as I think they like to call them now,) about 10 miles from where we live. We do occasionally still take our youngest there for a day out with the free funfair and the indoor waterpark.

 

 

 

Benidorm, I spend a significant portion of my life flying holidaymakers and others to its regional airport at Alicante. As well as the high rise hotels, bars, etc. (Americans, think Acapulco!) the region also has lots of attractions that attracts a broad range of visitors. I am looking at spending a couple of days there during the school vacations to visit Terra Mitica (theme park) with the kids.

 

Our first journey on IOTS was a 14 day Italian Mediterranean cruise, with ourselves and five of our children (in three balcony cabins.) This was 2008 and we sailed from Southampton in July/August. Right at the peak of both the English and Scottish school holidays. We have sailed on the same ship (from Southampton and Fort lauderdale) on four other occasions at various times of the year and in a variety of suites.

 

I think there is a certain "snobbishness" that sets in when it comes to perceptions of other peoples vacations (and perhaps we are all guilty of it to a certain extent.) In truth, most cruise ship vacations are indeed variations of Butlin's & Benidorm to a greater or lesser degree. Similarly, they are also variations of Vegas, Disneyland, Universal, Sun city, Atlantis, and other resorts.

 

Do I think the OP will enjoy the experience? Yes I really do. :)

[nb125]

It is a floating resort. It is clean, glitzy, and offers a range of entertainment options. I honestly don't think you should worry too much about the demographic of 3500 other vacationers. Go to enjoy yourself.

 

It doesn't matter where you travel (including Butlin's and Benidorm) during school vacation periods, (which vary from Country to Country,) there are always going to be more children on board. However any time of year, there are still going to be a lot. These are ships with facilities that attract families.

 

If you are concerned at seeing Brit's squeezing into their favourite football team's Nylon shirt (in what was obviously the biggest size that shirt came in,) then yes you will see it on board, but you will in Orlando, Benidorm, Las vegas, Barbados, and Dubai as well! If you are concerned about high rise hotels, Casino's, belly flop contests, and the odd bit of tacky entertainment, you will find it on board, and in resorts around the world as well.

 

If Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Atlantis, and Las Vegas don't cause you break out in a cold sweat, then I don't think you need have any real concerns over IOTS.

 

Look forward to hearing what you think of it when you return.

 

Belly flop contests! - seriously?

[Jetdriver787]

Belly flop contests! - seriously?

 

Yes seriously! :D However you should console yourself with the fact that it only happens once, and only lasts an hour or so. You can avoid it with ease, but it was of those things that can be repulsively attractive. My kids have often suggested I might stand a better than average chance if I succumbed to their entreaties to enter me into such an event. However as I have yet to chew my own arm off, that hasn't happened. :)

[nb125]

Yes seriously! :D However you should console yourself with the fact that it only happens once, and only lasts an hour or so. You can avoid it with ease, but it was of those things that can be repulsively attractive. My kids have often suggested I might stand a better than average chance if I succumbed to their entreaties to enter me into such an event. However as I have yet to chew my own arm off, that hasn't happened. :)

 

I think I know what you mean by repulsively attractive:) Reference your earlier post we loved the parks in Orlando when we took our Grandson a few years back.

[voyager70]

We're looking into a Baltics/Russia cruise out of the UK (Harwich or Southampton) next year. When would be a safe time to book before any of the UK or Irish school holidays begin? Or would this cruise even attract many families with school age kids? We'd like to book sometime in June to experience the white nights in St. Petersburg.

[nb125]

Half term in the UK is the last week in May and the long six week summer break starts around 20 July. I don't know about the half term in Scotland and Ireland but the summer break starts at the end of June. I would say you would be safe around the middle of June.