How NOT to write a review

I think they may have overflowed and flooded the area between Southampton and New York

Wow! So well said. thanks for the reminder!

Thats good to know!

Great post Bennett!

I agree that there is always something good for any cruise, for instance I saw the other day on the Internet, so I know it is real, that the swimming pools on the Titantic are still full to this day...

REVIEWS ARE MEANT TO HELP OTHERS. ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A RANT FEST FOR YOU !

Feel free to vent your frustrations, but that's not a review. If everything was as bad as you say it was, you should have flown home from a port and cut your losses. There was more to your cruise than the over cooked steak in the steakhoise. Tiny cabin ? Was this your first or fiftieth cruise ? If it was your first, your expectations may have been wrong. Fiftieth, then compare it to other ships you have sailed on.

WHEN READING OTHER REVIEWS, PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON THE POSITIVES. HOWEVER, IF A BUNCH OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME THING, THEN FACTOR THAT INTO THE EQUATION. ALSO, HOW RECENT WERE THE REVIEWS ? GO BY THE MOST RECENT.

Looking at a three year old review is useless. Stick with the past 6 months

Actually, I've only had two problems I felt needed the attention of Customer Service. The first one (subpar chocolate strawberries delivered on check-in on Carnival) was immediately resolved by delivering another order, as well as crediting the account for the order and a $25OBC.

The second (problem getting the right set of photos from the on-board photographer on Celebrity) was also quickly resolved by calling the photo manager in at midnight and having her agree to have the pictures at my door by 5:00 AM the next morning.

I did mention both in my reviews, but the good customer service made up for the bad original service so the star rating (in my opinion) reflected the cruise as a whole.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM , TRY TO GET IT RESOLVED WHILE ON BOARD ! AND BE POLITE TO THE PERSON TRYING TO HELP YOU. DONT SCREAM AT THEM OR TREAT THEM AS IF THEY ARE IDIOTS.

Most issues can be resolved at the Pursers Desk. If you had a bad meal in one of the restaurants, explain clearly, why you were dissatisfied. Don't demand a refund. They will offer it ( usually ). If it's a cabin issue, depending what it is, it may take awhile. There are only a few handymen on the ship. Clogged toilets are a priority. AC controls, aren't. You may also try asking your steward about an in cabin problem. He can get a service person faster ( don't forget to tip ).

COMPLAINING ONCE YOU GET HOME, OR HERE, WILL RESULT IN, WELL, NOTHING.

We can't do anything. Most of the time, customer service, who hears more complaints in a day than you would want to, can't do much either. Call it a lesson learned for your next cruise.

When you do post a bad review.........do not just say it was bad.... give examples of WHY it was bad. Rate the bad parts bad and give credit for the good. Even on the famous "Poop Cruise" people gave credit for crew trying so hard and doing such a good job in a bad situation. Examples give credibility to a review.

On a cruise I had issues I titled it "The good, the bad and the ugly" I gave examples of what the issues were.

The winter fog in Galveston is normal, unfortunately.

I don't mind the reviews that state the bad things, even if it is one time deal, as long as they also mention the good things, giving a "fair and balanced" review.

And I agree that I'd rather wine than whine. I wish others had the same attitude.

Mine is nearly complete, as I still have photos of 3 ports and the transit to post. I think almost every cruise has negative aspects and positive ones. i left out some of the negative as I think they were probably unique to this sailing (maybe not). I could whine all day (I'd rather wine all day) but that doesn't help the reader decide if they want to try this particular trip. It is helpful to put to add the negatives if they might be typical of that trip, like the rain...(does that indicated a poor time of year to sail that itinerary?) or the fog that is plaguing Galveston right now....( is that normal for December?). Still, I agree with all of you and it saddens me so many have been posting such negative reviews. That is of course assuming they are all authentic.