How to Write a Useful Cruise Review
Pay it forward: a simple structure for a review the next traveller will thank you for.
Get Free Cruise QuotesHow to Write a Cruise Review Other Travellers Can Use
The best cruise ship reviews read like a friend’s honest report. They say who you are, what you booked, what was good, what was not, and who would enjoy the same cruise. Here is a simple structure that works on any review site.
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| About you | Who travelled (couple, family with ages, solo, group) and how many cruises you have taken |
| The sailing | Ship, month and year, itinerary and length |
| Your cabin | Category and deck, noise, motion, storage, bathroom, what you would choose next time |
| Dining | Main dining room, buffet, any paid restaurants, dietary needs |
| On board | Shows, activities, pools, kids’ clubs, crowds on sea days |
| Ashore | Ports, tenders, excursions and whether you booked through the ship or independently |
| Verdict | Who would love this cruise, and who should choose something else |
Write It Fair, Keep It Specific
- Name crew members who stood out, with the venue they worked in.
- Give cabin numbers when noise or views were notable; future guests search for them.
- Separate what the ship controls from what it does not, such as weather or a missed port.
- Mention changes you noticed from earlier sailings if you are a repeat guest.
- If you sailed free, at a discount or as a guest of the line, say so at the top. It is what the FTC expects of endorsers, and it is what readers deserve.
Where to Post Your Review
Post where future guests of your ship are reading. Cruise Critic and Cruiseline.com organise reviews by ship and sailing date; Tripadvisor’s cruise pages connect reviews of cruises with reviews of ports and attractions ashore. If you made a video on board, YouTube is where many travellers look for cabin and ship tours.
The cruise line’s own post-cruise survey is separate from a public review. It goes to the line, not to other travellers, so filling in one does not replace the other. If you booked with our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise, tell us too: what you learned helps the next client choose well.
One last tip: come back and update your review if something changes. If the line fixes a problem you reported, or you sail the same ship again after a refit, a short note at the end keeps your review honest and useful long after your cruise. Readers searching that ship a year from now will thank you for it.
Writing a Cruise Review: FAQ
How soon after a cruise should I write a review?
Within a week or two, while names, cabin numbers and details are fresh. Notes taken on your phone during the cruise make it much easier.
Should I mention a bad experience?
Yes, fairly. Say what happened, when, and how the crew responded. A specific, calm account is far more useful to others than a list of complaints.
Planning the Next One Already?
Tell our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise what you loved and what you would change, and we will find a cruise that keeps the best parts.
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