Type of Review?

[gibby_daebak]

Been around for some time and i've seen different versions of cruise reviews so I was wondering what are the kinds of reviews that you all prefer?

 

Of course with pictures but are there any areas you wish reviews needed to have? (Other than cabins, balcony)

[Ocean Boy]

What I don't have much appreciation for are reviews that start with something like... Cruise day arrived and I got up at 6 AM but I let the kids sleep until 7 AM while I cooked the pancakes and bacon and my husband went and dropped the dog off at the kennel.....

 

That is about as far as I get before I close the thread.

[skittl1321]

I really like reviews that are more travelogue like. If I am just looking for a ship review, I'll look at the 'reviews' section of the website. On the forums I love to see a blow-by-blow of how each day went, what people did, what they liked, and didn't like.

 

I also like to hear about pre-cruise stays, because for me, that is a pretty big part of the vacation- we have to fly in, so we like to hear what people do before embarking.

[time4u2go]

What I don't have much appreciation for are reviews that start with something like... Cruise day arrived and I got up at 6 AM but I let the kids sleep until 7 AM while I cooked the pancakes and bacon and my husband went and dropped the dog off at the kennel.....

 

That is about as far as I get before I close the thread.

 

Yes! Totally agree! :D I want a review of the CRUISE, starting from the moment the reviewer arrives at the port (possibly before that, if cruise-provided transportation is used). In other words, I want a review of the things that are provided by the cruise line.

[Cotswold Eagle]

Yes! Totally agree! :D I want a review of the CRUISE, starting from the moment the reviewer arrives at the port (possibly before that, if cruise-provided transportation is used). In other words, I want a review of the things that are provided by the cruise line.

 

I hear what you are both saying, and agree about the breakfast thing, but I also know that a lot of questions get asked about pre-cruise practicalities too. What I decided last time was to review the cruise on the cruise line board, but put a detailed version of how I got to the ship (this was in Bayonne, where I did something a little different to most) over on the ports of departure board. Seemed to work.

[time4u2go]

I hear what you are both saying, and agree about the breakfast thing, but I also know that a lot of questions get asked about pre-cruise practicalities too. What I decided last time was to review the cruise on the cruise line board, but put a detailed version of how I got to the ship (this was in Bayonne, where I did something a little different to most) over on the ports of departure board. Seemed to work.

 

Excellent idea!

[luvscruising2007]

I like when the reviewer includes the pre-cruise arrangements and experiences as well as post cruise. Hotels, restaurants and transportation. It all helps when planning my own cruise.

Pictures are a must and I prefer pics with people in them. It provides more interest.

Also, I believe the reviewer should include positives and negatives. It does help to get the perspective of the reviewer.

[NorbertsNiece]

I've been working on blogging live for a while.... not so much of a review I guess. I ask before I go what people want to know and do my best to answer them at the time. I like writing things up at the end of the day when everything is fresh in my memory. I also feed in answers to other general questions I see asked here on the board and that people continue to ask. So far so good.

[Dayenu]

I write reviews for myself. Sometimes go back to refresh my memories - I have a file on my home PC where all reviews are copied.

[dreamer976]

What I don't have much appreciation for are reviews that start with something like... Cruise day arrived and I got up at 6 AM but I let the kids sleep until 7 AM while I cooked the pancakes and bacon and my husband went and dropped the dog off at the kennel.....

 

That is about as far as I get before I close the thread.

 

I'm about 180 degrees on this - no such thing as TMI when it comes to trip/cruise reviews + the photos.:D

[hazeleyez3]

What I don't have much appreciation for are reviews that start with something like... Cruise day arrived and I got up at 6 AM but I let the kids sleep until 7 AM while I cooked the pancakes and bacon and my husband went and dropped the dog off at the kennel.....

 

That is about as far as I get before I close the thread.

 

I agree. I'm not interested in reading things like "while I was getting ready, my dh went upstairs and brought me back a croissant"

 

Since this is the Royal Caribbean board I like to see pictures around the ship area (not a formal night shot, or someone having a drink), current thoughts about it, info about the entertainment. Going to the reviews won't give you the pictures, aren't always current, and you can't ask the poster questions.

 

If I want info about the cities, I'll go to the Ports of Call section.

[Chicky2181]

What I don't have much appreciation for are reviews that start with something like... Cruise day arrived and I got up at 6 AM but I let the kids sleep until 7 AM while I cooked the pancakes and bacon and my husband went and dropped the dog off at the kennel.....

 

That is about as far as I get before I close the thread.

 

I agree. I want to hear about the cruise. I've read some reviews where you have to read through several pages before you get to day 1. I don't really care so much about how you went food shopping a few days before sailing. (okay....I've never actually read that in a review, but I'm tring to make a point.);)

 

I like details about the food, entertainment, the staterooms, and staff. Port information is always welcome as well. I really love pictures. The more, the merrier. I actually prefer pictures over words. I'm a visual learner...I guess. Lol.

[RicardoC]

I like pictures too...and details about the ships. I think info on pre/post-cruise and ports of call may or may not interest people (for me it depends on the itinerary) so I guess it's always worth including it since one can always "skip" such parts.

 

I personally think "live" reviews are great; they give an extra sense of "reality" (at least for me) so I have been wanting to do one...possibly for the next one (I hope it's welcomed hahah)...we'll see :)

[gibby_daebak]

I like pictures too...and details about the ships. I think info on pre/post-cruise and ports of call may or may not interest people (for me it depends on the itinerary) so I guess it's always worth including it since one can always "skip" such parts.

 

I personally think "live" reviews are great; they give an extra sense of "reality" (at least for me) so I have been wanting to do one...possibly for the next one (I hope it's welcomed hahah)...we'll see :)

 

"live" reviews as in real-time updates while on-board?? haha well i guess sometimes, pictures speak louder than words. i'm a visual kind of person.

 

and btw, 22 cruises and 44 countries and you're only 19? That's so good!!

[Arzeena]

I like to read all kinds of reviews. Even the ones Ocean Boy "loves":rolleyes:to read! Just for a laugh if nothing else!:D

[RicardoC]

"live" reviews as in real-time updates while on-board?? haha well i guess sometimes, pictures speak louder than words. i'm a visual kind of person.

 

and btw, 22 cruises and 44 countries and you're only 19? That's so good!!

 

Yes those daily updates while onboard are cool...I don't know but they make me feel like I'm onboard too :p I agree pictures are awesome...in fact I will only write the "live" one if I'm able to post pictures. If it happens should be cool given its such a unique itinerary (generally speaking, of course).

 

Heheh I guess 44 countries is a lot for my age :o:rolleyes: should add a couple more next month :eek:;)

[gibby_daebak]

RicardoC: I agree. If i'm able to, i would love doing those because other than the novelty of having "live" updates, there will be a high chance that i still remember what i did that day! and also clear the camera of pictures for the day for more memory space. haha but the internet rate is too much for me to handle :( gonna rack up lots of dollars if I use the on-board WiFi!

 

I'm so envious! I wish I had the financial ability to go for more trips!

[RicardoC]

Hahaha that's true...details will still be fresh for me to write them...well we'll see how it goes; I heard they are introducing "unlimited" internet plans on some ships so I will ask those onboard for the first leg (Galveston-Barcelona) if the Mariner offers them. They also might be adding those during the TA cruise; I know there will be some work done during the 3 rep legs (the first one with the most being done) so maybe :rolleyes: The point is I know we will need to get an internet package sometime due to the 9 sea days...and I can type it before logging in too ;)

 

I see you're boarding the Mariner in Asia; which itinerary are you going on?

[DM_KidAtHeart]

I think this question and the answers have pointed out that you can't please everyone: only cruise info, pre-cruise and post-cruise info, people in the pics or not. So I think just write it however you'd like it and some people will like it.

 

For my upcoming cruise, I plan to write an entry each night, so it'll be written live mostly. But there is no way I'm uploading until after I return (that's just not in my budget). Plus I'd be adding pictures after returning. Who knows if I'll live up to my plan, but that's the plan anyway.

[lakelorain]

I like to know what you liked and what you didn't like and why. This applies to everything you report on such as cabins, hotels, food, shows etc. What I'm looking for is your opinion. Pictures are helpful but not necessary. For example, I don't need a picture of your steak. I'd like to know if it was cooked to order, was tender and flavorful. Would you order it again?

Thanks for asking.

[RicardoC]

I like to know what you liked and what you didn't like and why. This applies to everything you report on such as cabins, hotels, food, shows etc. What I'm looking for is your opinion. Pictures are helpful but not necessary. For example, I don't need a picture of your steak. I'd like to know if it was cooked to order, was tender and flavorful. Would you order it again?

Thanks for asking.

 

I totally agree. I know some people love their food porn but that's one thing no one will find on my reviews...in fact, I hate when the photographers come to the table and move everyone around :mad:

[gibby_daebak]

Hahaha that's true...details will still be fresh for me to write them...well we'll see how it goes; I heard they are introducing "unlimited" internet plans on some ships so I will ask those onboard for the first leg (Galveston-Barcelona) if the Mariner offers them. They also might be adding those during the TA cruise; I know there will be some work done during the 3 rep legs (the first one with the most being done) so maybe :rolleyes: The point is I know we will need to get an internet package sometime due to the 9 sea days...and I can type it before logging in too ;)

 

I see you're boarding the Mariner in Asia; which itinerary are you going on?

 

Oh they're having some work done on the Mariner? You know if it'll be those minor stuffs or?

 

yeah! it'll be Singapore - Port Kelang(KL) - Penang - Phuket - Singapore. I don't travel much. I've only been to neighbouring Malaysia and Bali in Indonesia that's all :( never left South-East Asia. So i'm really looking forward to the Phuket port-of-call next year!! :D and also my first cruise with being tendered instead of docking. also my first time! :D

[time4u2go]

I would like if there were headings or titles over various sections. For example, if the review is going to be day-by-day, then within each day, it would be nice to have subtitles like "food", "shore excursions", "entertainment", etc. I know it's a bit of extra effort, but I like to be able to easily find opinions about specific aspects of the cruise (like how was the food), rather than having to read through a bunch of stuff I'm not interested in. Just my opinion. :)

[Tony O]

My type of reviews are the one Radio does when he is cruising

 

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[labeachcomber]

I appreciate any kind of reviews that are written and enjoy reading them all since I know it takes time to write them. Yes, I could do without some of the details regarding what kind of snack somebody ate while getting ready for the first formal night, etc., but I generally will skip over those things that I don't want to read.

 

What I'm most interested in is hints/tips/things you would have done differently so when I myself am onboard, I get the most out of my cruise. These boards are great since everybody shares information so those of us here feel we have some "inside info".