One cruise ship passenger was left disappointed by how her cruise ship room compared to the website description, describing it as a “nightmare”.
Reddit user bambledsoe complain In a post online, their room at Royal Caribbean freedom of the seas is a “scam” because they don’t think it qualifies as a panorama or suite.
They booked a panoramic ocean view suite but felt the room did not live up to the advertised requirements.
“If you booked the great-sounding panoramic ocean view suite on this ship, check to see what your stateroom is. If it’s 1892-1910, you’d better cancel it because those rooms don’t qualify for the last two words,” they wrote.
“They are slightly larger than standard balcony-less exterior rooms but don’t actually have anything advertised.”
They also complained that because the room was below the sports court, they could hear the basketball game going on until midnight.
According to bambledsoe, they initially received 10% of their cruise fare back as points, but ended up with a $1,000 onboard credit. Still, they were upset and considered filing a class-action lawsuit.
Their experience is a great reminder of how important research is when booking a cruise.
Cruise ship rooms are not like airplane seats
One major difference when booking a cruise is the level of personalization.
All cruise ships have four main categories Room: Interior, sea view, balcony, suite. But there are many subcategories of cabins and variants depending on the class of ship and the year it was built.
You should never rely solely on the marketing descriptions provided on a cruise line’s website as the primary basis for selecting one or another stateroom. Of course, the stock images used on all ships cannot be trusted as they only provide a general idea of what to expect.
In addition, the complaint relates to cabin noise is an easily avoidable problem as I always recommend Check deck plan Book a room with other rooms above or below it.
Booking a room below a public space is one of the most common cruise mistakes we hear.
Find photos and videos of your room online
Say what you will about social media, but it can be extremely helpful when it comes to sharing cruise cabin photos.
Many people posted videos and photos of their rooms on Facebook, Youtube There’s a good chance you’ll find a room that’s right for you. Or at least the same category of rooms on the same ship.
Additionally, you can easily seek other people’s recommendations for a room online.
Many people will post message boardFacebook or Reddit to ask others about their experiences at a specific cabin. Again you might be surprised how often this method works.
A travel agent can help you choose the right room
I think if this person has been with good travel agencythey could have avoided this.
The travel agency that sells a lot of Royal Caribbean cruises knows this well How to choose a cruise cabinthey know not to choose rooms under common areas, which room type Probably the best.
“Working with a knowledgeable, experienced travel advisor is critical to avoiding the classic example of expecting one experience and actually getting another,” says travel advisor Zach Glenn. American Traveltold me about this situation.
Jenn Greene, one of MEI Travel’s top-performing agents, uses her experience to help clients pick rooms, “I have access to deck plans, actual photos of the cruise, and more. Often, stock photos or AI-generated photos don’t show actual cabins.”
When I asked her how to guide a new cruiser to a specific cabin, she started by asking questions to understand their needs, “Do you want a quiet place so you can relax? Do you want to be close to all the action? When it comes to ocean views vs. balconies, I ask how important it is to have your own outside space when on vacation. You can’t guide your clients without knowing how they like to travel.”
This is not a “nightmare” but an avoidable problem
IMHO, I think anyone worried about running into a similar situation should focus on looking for cabin reviews and other shared experiences before booking.
Booking a hotel or plane seat is much simpler because there are fewer variables involved. This explains why booking cruises online hasn’t caught on like other forms of travel.
Working with a good travel agent, checking deck plans, and finding photos or videos online are easy ways to get an idea of what your room will look like before booking.
Ironically, their post on Reddit may now help others avoid entering such a room in the future.