Newest Marina Reviews?

[dwelsh]

The recent reviews posted on the Marina's "Route of the Vikings," cruise last month are IMHO those of 2 very dissillusioned pax.

Without critcizing the writers I would state that their reviews do not express the feelings of a majotity of the pax we had the pleasure of sailing with.

We have sailed on several of the small "luxury" lines and found that, as on the "R" ships, the staff were fantastic, the food was, in most instances, excellent, the ship very easy to get around with no problems with elevators, great ports and a spotless vessel.

IMHO the posters of the reviews obviously had some problems but apparantly not a good attitude and went looking for issues.

We would again sail Marina at any time!!

[gillianrose]

The recent reviews posted on the Marina's "Route of the Vikings," cruise last month are IMHO those of 2 very dissillusioned pax.

Without critcizing the writers I would state that their reviews do not express the feelings of a majotity of the pax we had the pleasure of sailing with.

We have sailed on several of the small "luxury" lines and found that, as on the "R" ships, the staff were fantastic, the food was, in most instances, excellent, the ship very easy to get around with no problems with elevators, great ports and a spotless vessel.

IMHO the posters of the reviews obviously had some problems but apparantly not a good attitude and went looking for issues.

We would again sail Marina at any time!!

 

You just criticized the writers, now, didn't you?

[Benita]

David - were you and I on the same cruise as the reviewers? Oh well, different strokes for different folks. Michael and I, as well as our friends the Baines, liked it so much that we booked the Riviera for next year.

[eddmel]

IMHO when I read reviews on CC or other places such as Tripadvisor, etc., I keep in mind that people with strong opinions (negative and positive) are more likely to make these posts. This in no way diminishes for me the value of some of there points. However, I also realize their comments do not reflect a valid random sampling of the experience that all had on board.

 

I will continue to read all these reviews as there is always something that resonates and hopefully will make our future travels more enjoyable.

[yorkiemomjn]

David - were you and I on the same cruise as the reviewers? Oh well, different strokes for different folks. Michael and I, as well as our friends the Baines, liked it so much that we booked the Riviera for next year.

 

Benita, I don't think they were on the same ship I was on either! I was on the Baltic cruise in June with Cintipam and her very well written review summed up my feelings about the Marina. Like you, we liked it so much we booked the Maiden voyage of the Riviera. :confused:

[Benita]

Benita, I don't think they were on the same ship I was on either! I was on the Baltic cruise in June with Cintipam and her very well written review summed up my feelings about the Marina. Like you, we liked it so much we booked the Maiden voyage of the Riviera. :confused:

 

I think I would enjoy sailing with the two of you. I go with the attitude that everything is great- it sure is better than working- and it is tough to get too upset when things are not perfect. The pluses so far outweigh the minuses. (Although I will never understand the thumbs up Pam gave to Cherry and Des - LOL)

[sondi 14]

I think that we were also on a different ship. We sailed on the Marina in May on the Epicurean Connoisseur and loved it. We enjoyed it so much that we have booked the Riviera for next June. We have also sailed on the R ships and didn't find the Marina crowded.

[dwelsh]

You just criticized the writers, now, didn't you?

 

I just don't agree with their comments.

[ORV]

WTH is non-cognizanti ? Not really a word us simple country folk use. Not one I can get a definition from Google on either. I think he's trying to refer to people that don't get it. Reviewer obviously didn't have people properly kow-towing to him. Looks like someone from NYC that would refer to their self as a foodie, or something similarly pretentious.

 

Actually I find reviews like this offset the cheerleaders that can find no wrong and everything is perfect. I generally discount the top and bottom ones although they will all have a kernel of truth in them. Then there are the plants, happens all the time with hotels, no doubt happens in the cruise business also.

[LHT28]

I disagree with some of the comments but maybe someone disagrees with my reviews also.

No Cruise line is perfect

 

You cannot choose your cruise mates so whatever their ages or mobility issues are you just have to deal with it

Each cruise will have different age demographics & I am sure the cruise line would love to have more passengers under 50.

 

You cannot force people to sail on a certain cruise line.;)

 

Food is subjective, not everyone (me) likes rich food all the time

I like basic food that tastes good, no fancy sauces, not a lot of added spices, not something that is a "version" of a popular dish

 

As for the comment on the ports of call being losers ..well that is also subjective.

You just have to pick the cruise that suits you

 

We did enjoy our Marina cruise despite being ill for part of it, would we sail on Marina again ...maybe;)

 

JMO

 

Lyn

[JPR]

Where are these negative reviews?

[LHT28]

Where are these negative reviews?

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=526

[JPR]

Yes, my impression of their reviews is that they are both curmudgeons who were looking for problems and exaggerated the valid ones.

 

That being said, there are definitely issues, as with any new ship. But my wife and I loved the Marina overall, emphasizing the many important positives over the relatively few (and mostly fixable with experience) negatives.

 

Specifically, we enjoyed the wonderful and massive spa (best sauna, relaxation areas, and spa showers on a cruise ship, largely making up for the poor in-room showers) and well-equipped exercise rooms, the large library (everyone loves it, so that criticism seemed truly bizarre), the ample outside seating and excellent chaises that made the ship seem uncrowded even on nice days at sea, the large cooking class room and the capable instructors, the art room, the coffee bar, the great view at sunset from the lounge, the relatively large swimming pool, the golf putting course, the specialty restaurants (especially Le Reserve, which was worth more than the $75 pp supplement), and the wonderful artwork throughout the ship.

 

Negatives fairly noted? Cramped showers, lack of walk-in closets (see Regent Seven Seas ships) in the verandah suites, poorly designed room plugs, very poor internet service (but this is a problem with all cruise ships), uneven quality of the excursions (many overpriced) and inefficient tender service, overpriced wine (e.g., the Peter Lehmann Shiraz was over three and a half times the retail price) and spirits, confused service and uneven food in GDR, lifeboats views that diminish the Martini Lounge, lack of a cigar lounge similar to Regent's Connoisseur Lounge, and the mediocre Marina Lounge with its low-quality entertainment (we eat late, after my relaxing sauna, and skip the show).

 

I think that's a fair and balanced summary review.

[kreastman]

Sorry, but everyone doesn't love the library on Marina. We found the design very poor. When most of the chairs are occupied with reading (or sleeping) passengers, such as on a sea day, it's extremely difficult to access the bookshelves, which are behind glass doors. We much preferred the library layout on Regatta.

[Paulchili]

Sorry, but everyone doesn't love the library on Marina. We found the design very poor. When most of the chairs are occupied with reading (or sleeping) passengers, such as on a sea day, it's extremely difficult to access the bookshelves, which are behind glass doors. We much preferred the library layout on Regatta.

 

Add me into that group. Like many things on the Marina, I found the library beautiful, but not "user friendly". When the library is empty and one just passes through, it's a very nice space (like when one is touring an empty ship or in the middle of the night). However, when in use, it is crowded, noisy (from people passing through), cramped and poorly accessible (not only due to lack of space but also due to lack of proper lighting for the shelves). One can hardly blame the people passing through on their way to or from Baristas for carrying on conversations (sometimes quite animated); after all, it is a public passageway. However, the people who came here to find a quiet corner to read don't view it the same way - it's a non-stop interruption and annoyance to them.

R ship libraries are much nicer spaces for this purpose; they are not on the way to anywhere - they are the destination. People do not pass through here accidentally - they come here to be in the library and behave accordingly. The seating is less cramped and the shelves are easily accessible. These libraries are like a library in an elegant country manor house. To read in the Marina library is more like trying to read at Starbucks.

The food on the Marina, OTOH, is in a class by itself, IMO. It's quite possibly the best food we have ever had at sea on any cruise line or cruise ship (including some "luxury" lines).

Of course, this is JMO - YMMV.

[Benita]

I like the library on the R class ships better, too. There were only about 2 chairs by the bookcases, both of which were always used by people sprawled out and snoring - very difficult to get by them to get a book. That said, the book collection was great - lots of books in good condition to borrow.

[JimandStan]

Sorry, but everyone doesn't love the library on Marina. We found the design very poor. When most of the chairs are occupied with reading (or sleeping) passengers, such as on a sea day, it's extremely difficult to access the bookshelves, which are behind glass doors. We much preferred the library layout on Regatta.

 

You may prefer the Library in the Regatta to that on the Marina, however BOTH rooms have glass doors on their book shelves, so that cannot be the deciding factor.

 

 

I will agree that the Marina Library is more about cozy nooks and country house charm than it is a browse-friendly library; but it seems to be even more heavily patronized.

 

In short, the majority of people seem to like it.....or at least use it.

[Mura]

As someone who hasn't been on Marina yet, this isn't the first comment I have heard -- by far -- where the Marina library is not as welcoming as the libraries on the "R" ships.

 

I love the space on the "R" ships, and have been saddened to hear that it has been diminished on the new bigger ships.

 

I hope TPTB take notice in terms of Riviera ...

 

I just LOVE the libraries on the old "R" ships. It's such a lovely space.

 

The one exception to that was on a cruise perhaps 2 years ago when a woman came in to the library, picked a comfy chair and immediately went to sleep. Man, could that lady snore!

 

It was like she sat down, picked up her book and immediately zoned out.

 

If it had only been once ... but it was NOT. The library seemed to be her favorite place to take a nap ...

 

Mura

[chefboz]

The food on the Marina, OTOH, is in a class by itself, IMO. It's quite possibly the best food we have ever had at sea on any cruise line or cruise ship (including some "luxury" lines).

Of course, this is JMO - YMMV.

 

I have only cruised but once, and loved the Regatta library- I am on Marina in November, and with it being rather port intensive don't expect much reading time, but anxious to see what it looks like.

 

Paulchil.......YMMV- have to admit I am not a big texter, but YMMV has me stumped, "Your mileage may vary"? "You make me vomit"? ? I give up? :confused:

[pacheco18]

A cruise review isn't much different from a movie review.

 

Some people love the movie; others hate it.

 

Go see it for yourself and judge for yourself.

 

I do not put much stock in any cruise review -- why would I? -- I don't know these reviewers, their tastes, their experiences, their judgment.

 

I will be on Marina in November and judge for myself. But even if I love it (or hate it) I would not expect anyone else to be guided by my personal opinion. Everyone's tastes are different.

[pacheco18]

As someone who hasn't been on Marina yet, this isn't the first comment I have heard -- by far -- where the Marina library is not as welcoming as the libraries on the "R" ships.

 

I love the space on the "R" ships, and have been saddened to hear that it has been diminished on the new bigger ships.

 

I hope TPTB take notice in terms of Riviera ...

 

I just LOVE the libraries on the old "R" ships. It's such a lovely space.

 

The one exception to that was on a cruise perhaps 2 years ago when a woman came in to the library, picked a comfy chair and immediately went to sleep. Man, could that lady snore!

 

It was like she sat down, picked up her book and immediately zoned out.

 

If it had only been once ... but it was NOT. The library seemed to be her favorite place to take a nap ...

 

Mura

 

I've got a good one too! On our Nautica cruise in January, a man actually undressed in the library -- down to his shorts - changed his clothes. We think he was not "all there."

[Mura]

Laraine,

 

On this one we agree. I am interested in reading the reviews posted by others ... but I am not governed by them.

 

I've been on trips that I loved and others hated, and vice versa. It's so hard to know the other person's perspective.

 

(It's the same with opera or theater or whatever you like to attend. Some people love it, some people hate it. And we're talking about the same performance!)

 

And then there are hotel reviews, such as you see at Trip Advisor.

 

My favorite in that connection is when I was researching for a trip to Israel that we took in November 2006. My husband has an Israeli cousin who is a licensed tour guide and she took us around the country for two weeks. But I was booking our hotels.

 

In figuring out where to stay in Beersheba I found one rave review for a hotel (it was a 4* just for the record). The other report said the friendliest staff member was the security guard with the uzi at the front door ... clearly, it wasn't a positive report! But we happened to stay there and it was more than fine ...

 

So in reading reviews, we do have to try to read between the lines. And just because someone loves a place, or hates it, doesn't mean we should accept their opinion without question.

 

It's harder, I guess, to make that decision before you take a trip! But sometimes you can tell from the way people write that maybe, just maybe, you won't agree with them. And then you take your chances.

 

Mura

[Paulchili]

 

Paulchil.......YMMV- have to admit I am not a big texter, but YMMV has me stumped, "Your mileage may vary"? "You make me vomit"? ? I give up? :confused:

 

I am not a texter either but it's used a lot on blogs.

I kind of like your latter guess but it is the former. It's used more to mean - your experiences may vary :)

[yorkiemomjn]

I think I would enjoy sailing with the two of you. I go with the attitude that everything is great- it sure is better than working- and it is tough to get too upset when things are not perfect. The pluses so far outweigh the minuses. (Although I will never understand the thumbs up Pam gave to Cherry and Des - LOL)

 

I'll have to admit I did not even go see Cherry & Des. My husband did, while I, as he says, fed one of the machines in the casino. I don't usually go to the magician shows.

[yorkiemomjn]

Add me into that group. Like many things on the Marina, I found the library beautiful, but not "user friendly". When the library is empty and one just passes through, it's a very nice space (like when one is touring an empty ship or in the middle of the night). However, when in use, it is crowded, noisy (from people passing through), cramped and poorly accessible (not only due to lack of space but also due to lack of proper lighting for the shelves). One can hardly blame the people passing through on their way to or from Baristas for carrying on conversations (sometimes quite animated); after all, it is a public passageway. However, the people who came here to find a quiet corner to read don't view it the same way - it's a non-stop interruption and annoyance to them.

R ship libraries are much nicer spaces for this purpose; they are not on the way to anywhere - they are the destination. People do not pass through here accidentally - they come here to be in the library and behave accordingly. The seating is less cramped and the shelves are easily accessible. These libraries are like a library in an elegant country manor house. To read in the Marina library is more like trying to read at Starbucks.

The food on the Marina, OTOH, is in a class by itself, IMO. It's quite possibly the best food we have ever had at sea on any cruise line or cruise ship (including some "luxury" lines).

Of course, this is JMO - YMMV.

 

Paulchili,

I'm in that group, also. Sometimes I feel like all I ever do is agree with some of you, but some of you put my thoughts down so well! :p