Review Discussions

Pretty much open to your interpretation and definitions. What I mean to be addressing is the tendency to make personal attacks on the authors of bad reviews -- such as "You should have known better than to sail during hurricane season" or "You probably didn't get bar service because you weren't tipping the bartender more" (fictitious examples).

If worded in such a way that it is giving constructive advise, then there is not a problem, and everyone learns from others' mistakes.

However when worded as a personal attack, people lose interest and stop contributing.

Are we talking downright nasty ? or snarky ?

A possible problem may be with the review itself. Is the person reviewing the vacation or the cruise line?

On my last cruise, I believe that the cruise line itself was 4.5 stars, the stuff that couldn't be controlled by the Captain (other passengers, change of port time due to weather, etc) did negatively effect my cruise. Is it fair that I lower my score for the review?

In my belief, yes. I am reviewing my vacation. Many of the problems that I experienced (that the line has no control over) will repeat themselves on other cruises on the same ship (and generally the same line); therefore I believe that my lower rating will give an honest score whether or not the line can fix it.

Granted there are some reviews that are totally uncalled for, but to be honest, I simply ignore them. I'm sure most of the writers feel justified in their feelings, whether I place any credence in it or not.

I sometimes don't even bother commenting on a really bad review for the same reason mentioned above. I rather let it sink to the bottom. If I reply I try to be nice about it or point out ways that the reviewer could have made the cruise a more pleasant experience. I never call anyone a name. I try to respond as I hope others would respond to my review - with politeness and sound suggestions. Some reviewers get so focused one one problem that they encountered that they let it ruin their entire trip. Rather than turning off the person from submitting future reviews I think it is better to be nice and point out that fact to them. We are all adults here and we shouldn't be bullying others.

Actually, I'm not certain if I agree with this statement of your's here OldGreyWolf:

"Those posts that beg for criticism stand out clearly and anyone with any common sense can see them. I figure it is better to let them sink to the bottom of the pile uncommented than to keep digging them up to the top of the stack with negative feedback."

Rather, I believe some of this is rather confusing and complicated for first time want-to-be-cruisers, or even those with a little sailing experience under their belts and not always intuitively obvious for those with"common sense". Bringing out alternative argument allows for subjective review in the reader's mind. Letting this "Sinking to the bottom of the pile" may have a good ring to it for those who want to shrug off and avoid any sort of contentious dialogue, however, getting to the heart of an issue does require some discourse, negative or positive.

As I previously stated: "There are a number of reasons why I think a questionable reviews should be contradicted. Among others,---It might give someone sincerely interested in assessing a ship or cruise a misleading impression.----- Sometimes review points given a cruise or aspect thereof are tallied up to provide an average pier opinion assessment. Inaccurate negative ratings can skew a survey, likewise, so can overly positive ones."

Maybe I'm just from the old school and learned to provide some negative feedback even though it was not welcome: For instance:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

Well said Kennicott. I have noticed that some negative reviews seem to have merit. On the other hand some focus on a single negative point and without context or explanation get quite harsh with the criticism. I think the key is that any review whether good or bad is the opinion of the cruiser. If properly expressed it is a valuable assessment tool. If it is just vitriol spewed out in anger then take it for what it is worth and brush it aside. I have read a few reviews that were in my opinion not well written and some of the complaints were questionable. I have been tempted to respond to those but usually will let better judgement reign and say nothing. Those posts that beg for criticism stand out clearly and anyone with any common sense can see them. I figure it is better to let them sink to the bottom of the pile uncommented than to keep digging them up to the top of the stack with negative feedback. Unlike in math or science on a discussion board two negatives a positive do not make.

Cheers,

I've seen some responses that left scorched earth and some fairly unproductive/unhelpful retorts. A few people really seem to enjoy stirring the pot for no real reason other than they can remain anonymous behind the safety of their computer screen. I highly doubt these people would say some of the things they post if face-to-face with people.

Now that said, I've had my moments when someone else's post hit my last nerve and my posts aren't among the most eloquent. . . but I believe those are few and far between... least I hope that is the case.

I agree with with Kennicot and Jusme. I see no problem with disagreeing with something that said. But there is no reason to get nasty.

I think it depends on the bad review and the reasons it was bad. It is maddening to see bad reviews because itinerary changed due to a death or an illness and the reviewer wants more money back for missing the port and no mention of thoughts out to the family of the ill or dead.

One review gave a bad score to Carnival on everything and called the fellow passengers "socially unacceptable" and "Carnival should charge more to get a better class of people on its ships". They did not want to eat in the MDR as they were put at a table with other people that were not up to their standards. I did get catty in my reply and said maybe the dinner mates found them to be "Unacceptable snobs"! My bad.

There is no reason to get nasty in your review and call people names because they are not of your same social standing.

Also as a cruising community we should not give bad reviews if the trip is altered for an ill passenger or worse a death. In those situations we should be respectful to the crew, officers and family of the ill or dead. We are all getting older and some day it may be us that fall ill on a trip and need to be returned to a port for hospital.

I have noticed one person that gets nasty and calls people names that give a bad review to a cruise line that they have never taken. I just use the "mark inappropriate" function and the moderator takes care of it.

You are correct, negative reviews do occasionally invite hostile responses. That is unfortunate, irritates me as well.

On the other hand, "attacking" and "respectfully disagreeing" are two different things. Sometimes posters simply are in error with respect to shipboard facts or other germane considerations concerning a cruise or the ship in question. Those should at least be challenged, in my opinion. However, personal opinion is just that, it comes from the eye of the beholder and normally no amount of belligerent contradictory argument can change those impressions.

There are a number of reasons why I think a questionable review should be contradicted. Among others,---It might give someone sincerely interested in assessing a ship or cruise a misleading impression.----- Sometimes review points given a cruise or aspect thereof are tallied up to provide an average pier opinion assessment.

Inaccurate negative ratings can skew a survey, likewise, so can overly positive ones. Due to so many erroneous statements, in my opinion, I give more credence to evaluations conducted with total objectivity by a team of global cruise experts and editors using predetermined criteria than rankings based on an average of member review ratings, which I find often unreliable.