Cruises, Cruise Deals & Cruise Holidays

When you are emotionally attached to something like you are to OV cruises it's very difficult to remain rational, when what you have strong feelings for is reviewed factually. One of he points about reviews I thought was to inform prospective users as to your opinions on the experience. I think it's great that you like OV cruises. However don't assume that everyone should like it the way you do. Also don't assume that I had one bad day, I didn't, and I went for 2 weeks not 1. Don't assume that I went to Butlins to compare I didn't, don't assume my review excluded the good points, it didn't. My review was factual, I didn't make banal comments like "countless times" What does a reader interpret from that, that you are OV institionalised? As I said in my review it's different strokes for different folks. In my case all I said was that the experience didn't match my expectations, and expanded on why.

My only struggle is how you only rated it as 1 star as your review states that there were some good bits and you only rated 2 parts as 1 star. Cruises are always subjective. As far as we were concerned, OV did what it said on the packaging. No frills cruising. Everything that they promised was there. OK it wasn't all perfect but in reality we found most things more or less spot on. When you booked your balcony, why did you thin that this was going to be a large sitting out space? Believe you me on most ships they are not. On RCI their nearly all balcony rooms were tiny rooms with tiny balconies too which is not what we were expecting but then again we got what we were promised with 2 chairs a table and a sitting out space so how could we complain. or moan OK our expectations had not been met but in effect they hadn't advertised or promised anything else. Your clear disappointment with OV is noted but I still think you are writing so negatively because you couldn't take your own duty free on which you would have known about in advance anyway (what the staff are allowed to do is irrelevent - don't forget they are on that ship for a lot longer than a fortnight and some perks are allowed), because a member of the entertainment staff laughed when making announcements, because the trips were expensive but really it is down to the fact that your own personal expectations were not met but this is not because Ocean Village did not do what they say on the packaging.

Why is Mr Jones that whenever somebody writes a review on Ocean Village you always come back critising them for doing so? Especially when their love for the ship doesn't match yours, or they give opinions contrary to yours. Perhaps you are paid by them to do this. Everyone is entitled to their opinion whether you like it or not.

Thanks for your comments , which I found very constructive in the light of my review. As I said I thought prospective clients should see both sides of the argument, unlike Sutcliffe. Incidentally I wasn't at all upset about the Duty free, it was merely the princilple. I wasn't alone on this I overheard at least 5 couples on board who raised the issue as well. (I wasn't listening its just that when you are packed like sardines on the deck sunbathing) it's difficult not too. Just thought people should know. I have subsequently looked at the advertising copy and nowhere does it mention "no frills cruising" if thats what it had said I would have considered it differently. So unlike Sutcliifes comments I am glad that you have confirmed for me that OV it is no frills cruising.

I think Jones has said it all, well done !