Many cruisers love disney dinner service...is there anyone who thinks otherwise?

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Just reading through these responses the problem is easy to see: everyone has a different definition of "good service." I think the key is for the wait staff to recognize this and tailor the dining experience to the particular guests. That is the mark of a great waiter IMO. The problem is that I think that's pretty rare. For the most part I'm in the OP camp in that I prefer for the waiters to be attentive but not intrusive. Our last cruise, the waiters were overly friendly, and it was really uncomfortable at times.

I just completed my sixth Disney cruise--the last four of those in the past year--and I have noticed an increase in the "excellence" speech, so I wonder if the pressure is amping up. I find the whole mention of it in bad taste, but I don't blame the servers for it. As a PP noted, they are obviously caught up in a system, which forces them to raise the subject or they will be dinged for anything less than "excellent." The timing is interesting though. I would much prefer a simple speech at the beginning of the cruise: "my goal is to provide excellent service and food--if you find anything not to your liking please alert me to it immediately." Done, and IMO in much better taste. I suspect that they worry that could lead to a ton of extra work, and they go for the pity angle at the end.

The more I think about it, and the more cruises I take, the more it smacks of self-servingness on Disney's part. The way the comment cards are set up are to prevent you from evaluating specific parts of the meal separately. It seems to me that Disney is trying to pad it's customer service ratings--i.e, 90% of our guests give our food a rating of "excellent." Like the PP, I've stopped filling them out. When they ask me as I'm leaving, I tell them why.

 

[Bear3412]

^^^^ What she said.

 

[Rogillio]

Too bad I can't recall our servers names. You could ask for them. They didn't chat, of course they also didn't serve. I spoke to the head waiter, he shrugged. Then he shows up the last night with his hand out. LOL

I tipped Clueless and his sidekick because I felt bad for them. They were just stupid and slow. Head waiter who did nothing to help them got what he deserved.

Clueless and stupid are very insulting and derisive terms and speaks volumes....but maybe not like you think. Sound like to shorted the servers and completely stiffed the head waiter and are trying to assuage your guilt?

 

[grantclaire]

We just completed our fifth cruise with DCL this last March, we have never been asked for an excellant rating, all our servers have been great so maybe they do not have to ask. We enjoy talking too all the staff. On our last cruise the asst server made a few mistakes, no big deal. She was so nice that on the last night of the cruise all 4 kids(from 2 families) age9to 13 gave her a goodbye hug. I thought she might cry. You cannot fake nice.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We LOVE talking with the staff and servers, we have the rest of the cruise to talk shop. They have been fantastic with our son and his friend, doing puzzle games and brain teasers, telling them jokes. They loved it. We got to learn a little about them and where they are from. We always strike up a conversation with them whenever time permits.

When it came to the end of the cruise survey; they made comment on them and the importance of a high mark but did not press the matter. I do have to agree with you; it would be annoying if they made mention on everything they did to make it an extra special cruise. The comments on the survey should tell them everything they need to know on how you liked them. IF you did make comments on the card.

We have NEVER had to make a negative comment on anything when it comes to the Cast Members. And we ALWAYS MADE SURE to add a shout out for service above and beyond what you expect from them. And there have been many.

This was our experience too..we enjoyed the games and puzzles and that's why he posed a few new ones each night. Other lines made me feel like they were just their to facilitate our luxury vacation and wouldnt talk to us which makes me feel awkward or even a little guilty. I would always try to smile and make eye contact with them to let them know that they weren't just part of the table setting or something..

We met the most interesting people from all over, one CM who was vacuuming at 1:30am and talked to him for about a half hr and gave him hugs later. I love people everywhere, not just only my family. But beside that, our every dining request was met and then some. When Dad told the head waiter that he didn't care for the AP pineapple desert, the next day they brought a huge platter of choc covered strawberries "from the pastry chef who sends his apologies." My husband asked on night three about apple pie, in leas than 5 min, the head waiter brouhht him one. So not only did we enjoy them as people, we genuinely appreciated the service.

On the last night, he did take two min to say if we had any probs anywhere upstairs for instance, not to let that reflect on their dinner service and that they needed an excellent. We did comment that the question about being pressured to say it was excellent was kind of interesting because they did ask for it. I guess they had genuinely worked hard and hoped that we would not blow it off I guess. I took like the interviewee who asks for the job sometimes gets it because they came out and asked for the job kinda thing. To me, my superior dining experience while not perfect (didn't have to be) was so much tremendously better than the other cruise 5 weeks before, it was a very great part of our cruise!

 

[clten]

I totally agree with you. This thread has me totally scratching my head. Is this not why you go out to dinner or on a cruise to get some service(and on Disney some fantastic service). Has the OP ever gone out to anywhere but McDonalds?

That may be why you go out to dinner or on a cruise. But it's very narrow-minded to think that everyone does things for the same reason. And to assume that because the OP doesn't like things the same way you do that they have never gone anywhere is downright insulting.

It is not just you, others have also made comments that the OP should adjust their family's way to vacation. If part of what they want to experience is dinner in the MDR, which they paid for, they also have the right to have the level service they want. They are not complaining that they didn't get special treatment or special things weren't done to accommodate them. The OP was asking a legitimate question and does not deserve to be insulted because they have different needs than you might have.

The OP went on a 3 day cruise. With everything going on during the day, I can understand wanting dinner to be family time and a time to chat and everyone catch up with one another. It is totally different than what I want for my dining experience and it may be totally different than what the OP might want on a 7 day or longer cruise. But that doesn't make my way right and the OP's way wrong.

I understand this is a discussion board and when you post here you open yourself up to any type of comment. But this is a moderated board with rules and one would hope that you could ask valid questions and get feedback without being insulted. If the thread didn't have any value to you and you had nothing of value to add to it, move on.

 

[Rogillio]

That may be why you go out to dinner or on a cruise. But it's very narrow-minded to think that everyone does things for the same reason. And to assume that because the OP doesn't like things the same way you do that they have never gone anywhere is downright insulting.

It is not just you, others have also made comments that the OP should adjust their family's way to vacation. If part of what they want to experience is dinner in the MDR, which they paid for, they also have the right to have the level service they want. They are not complaining that they didn't get special treatment or special things weren't done to accommodate them. The OP was asking a legitimate question and does not deserve to be insulted because they have different needs than you might have.

The OP went on a 3 day cruise. With everything going on during the day, I can understand wanting dinner to be family time and a time to chat and everyone catch up with one another. It is totally different than what I want for my dining experience and it may be totally different than what the OP might want on a 7 day or longer cruise. But that doesn't make my way right and the OP's way wrong.

I understand this is a discussion board and when you post here you open yourself up to any type of comment. But this is a moderated board with rules and one would hope that you could ask valid questions and get feedback without being insulted. If the thread didn't have any value to you and you had nothing of value to add to it, move on.

The OPer said his servers were stupid and clueless. I don't know the servers but I have a real issue with the characterization of "stupid" to describe anyone. OP lost all credibility when he used stupid and clueless to describe his servers. Over zealous, trying too hard, talking too much....I understand and accept. But stupid and clueless are just mean insults, nothing else.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

On each of the Disney Cruises I have been on (the latest being last week) there have always been other families seated with us. If I were take the position of the original poster and say "I would rather not not have you provide the service level that Disney strives for", then where does that leave the other guests that may be sharing my table? How does the wait staff service these guests while not honoring the request "to be left alone"?

 

[omalley1118]

We have never had a "relationship" with our servers... I am very outgoing and chatty by nature, so this is confusing to me... Anyway, what the original poster described is annoying. We have been on two DCL cruises, and we were never pressured to give certain scores. I do feel however, that this is a growing trend... I get this from our car dealership when I get our cars serviced, etc...

I would suggest being up front in a friendly way. Several posters offered great suggestions.

 

[ilovetexas]

The OPer said his servers were stupid and clueless. I don't know the servers but I have a real issue with the characterization of "stupid" to describe anyone. OP lost all credibility when he used stupid and clueless to describe his servers. Over zealous, trying too hard, talking too much....I understand and accept. But stupid and clueless are just mean insults, nothing else.

I agree with you but it wasn't the OP that said that, I believe it was another poster. Is it just me, or did this thread turn into a fight really quickly?

OP, I've found that service on all cruises tends to be that way, to varying degrees. I prefer not to be hovered over while I eat. That said, they are providing excellent service and I'm sure that a polite word that you don't need quite so much attention will be met with much happiness. They have many tables to serve and will probably be happy for the extra time to spend with them.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

Sure. I also could save several $$% and stay home.

Lighten up. You posted a question on a message board looking for responses and I posted a suggestion. That's all it was. Please don't infer anything else. Have a great trip.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

Only if you are Concierge. We love the interaction with our Server and Assistant Server - love to hear about where they come from and their experiences.

I beg to differ with you. I was on a Disney Cruise last week and on the very first night we were told by the head waiter that they could arrange to send any dinner to our stateroom.

As for concierge, maybe that is the best solution to the original posters issue. You may have provided the answer they were looking for!

 

[clten]

The OPer said his servers were stupid and clueless. I don't know the servers but I have a real issue with the characterization of "stupid" to describe anyone. OP lost all credibility when he used stupid and clueless to describe his servers. Over zealous, trying too hard, talking too much....I understand and accept. But stupid and clueless are just mean insults, nothing else.

My family went for our first cruise year and a half ago. We did 3 day Dream and planning our next cruise on Fantasy. We loved the cruise and the new experience. We enjoyed the food but I found the service to be little bit annoying. Food person coming by to talk to us, drink person coming by to talk to us, the girl who oversees the tables coming by to talk to us...really...can I eat my food and talk to my family? Also at the last day dinner...they were all coming by to tell us to give them excellent grades on evaluations and took a long time talking ... all I was thinking was OK...go away...I will give you a tip just let us eat our food...thank you for giving Mickey sprinkles for my kids' ice creams but you do not have to spend 5 minutes at our table telling us how you did it all by yourself....Does anyone feels the same way? What do you suggest that we tell to our service staff on our next cruise so we do not come across as mean but also put our point across so we too can enjoy the dinner time?

Too bad I can't recall our servers names. You could ask for them. They didn't chat, of course they also didn't serve. I spoke to the head waiter, he shrugged. Then he shows up the last night with his hand out. LOL

I tipped Clueless and his sidekick because I felt bad for them. They were just stupid and slow. Head waiter who did nothing to help them got what he deserved.

Rogillio, I think you are confusing posters on this thread. The quote from PPink was the original question. The quote above from OrangeCountyCommuter was the one that you took offense to calling the servers clueless and stupid. I too would take offense to that. That was why I was calling out a couple of posters who were not offering meaningful responses to the original poster.

And Magic Fanatic, perhaps the Head Server was trying to help you out, and there are occasions where they have sent meals from your dining room to your stateroom when people were not in concierge -- illness, having to be with a child and not being able to come to the dining room. But this is certainly the exception. They cannot hand deliver meals from the dining room to every cabin and it would de-value the concierge benefits. I'm also assuming that the OP was not seated with other families and asked/arranged to be seated alone to have family time. Even if they weren't, they can certainly request a level of service for themselves without the servers giving a lesser quality of service to others at the same table.

 

[anna08]

What do you suggest that we tell to our service staff on our next cruise so we do not come across as mean but also put our point across so we too can enjoy the dinner time?

I understand you OP - DH and I work 80+ hour workweeks each and when we take a three day cruise together, we want to talk to each other at every chance. Normally we're so exhausted getting kids fed and to bed, and dealing with lingering work obligations when we do get a chance to be home, so our time on the ship is very valuable - whether it is just us or our family. So, we eat at Palo and Remy if it's just the two of us - every night we can. We ask to be on the waitlist, and have always been able to get in.

When you are in the MDR, I would approach it like this - on the first night, tell your asst. server what you want to drink with each meal. They'll bring it out automatically. This gets trickier if you are ordering special alcoholic drinks every night so you might try to simplify it by just ordering your non-alcoholic drink to be set out for you. You can bring your own glass of wine to the table.

As a family, I always have mine and my kids orders ready to fire off so the server just has to talk to me and DH to get our orders. I let my kids order for themselves at home when at restaurants, but again the length of the MDR experience has led me to do it for them on the ships. I order everything I can when they take our orders, including dessert for the kids. I think the staff seem to appreciate this too. It's painful on a seven night to sit with a 7yo who can't decide and whose mom can't make them decide. I've been there.

When the head server comes by, I just say we're doing great and we'll find him if we need him.

And we don't eat every night in the MDR. A favorite of the kids is the nights where we just hit the pizza place and watch movies from the pool.

Hope that helps some. I do think it's a bit easier and less pressure to "bond" on the 7 night cruises.

 

[PPink]

I agree with you but it wasn't the OP that said that, I believe it was another poster. Is it just me, or did this thread turn into a fight really quickly?

OP, I've found that service on all cruises tends to be that way, to varying degrees. I prefer not to be hovered over while I eat. That said, they are providing excellent service and I'm sure that a polite word that you don't need quite so much attention will be met with much happiness. They have many tables to serve and will probably be happy for the extra time to spend with them.

I am OP and I did not call anyone stupid...

 

[PPink]

 

[PPink]

The OPer said his servers were stupid and clueless. I don't know the servers but I have a real issue with the characterization of "stupid" to describe anyone. OP lost all credibility when he used stupid and clueless to describe his servers. Over zealous, trying too hard, talking too much....I understand and accept. But stupid and clueless are just mean insults, nothing else.

I did not call anyone stupid.

 

[bumbershoot]

Everyone who has ever been on a Disney cruise very well KNOWS how important those surveys are because we've all gotten the speech.

No, not everyone. I do not recall our server or assistant server saying anything of the sort to us. But we had our own set of circumstances which involved a lot of chit-chatting after the first night, but also lots of smiles and NO hard-sell on "excellent".

I am so sorry DCL has an essentially dysfunctional employee performance system (guest ratings) that demand an excellent rating and treat anything else as failure. It manifests itself in the waitstaff needing to make you aware of that failing. Forgive them if you're offended, pity them for being at the mercy of such a stupid system, and relish the evening dining experience you'll find nowhere else.

Sounds like the same system car dealerships are forced to use. ANYTHING other than the top score, even an explanation of why you are giving the top score, counts as a "fail" for a dealership/mechanic in that system. It's awful and no fair.

I totally agree with you. This thread has me totally scratching my head. Is this not why you go out to dinner or on a cruise to get some service(and on Disney some fantastic service). Has the OP ever gone out to anywhere but McDonalds?

No, having people talk to me all night, or pressure me is NOT why I go do dinner on a cruise. What has been described isn't "service" to me. What IS service is our server figuring out who we are, and that we aren't insulting them by not ordering all the courses. That we don't need tons of food to enjoy a meal. That a lovely Indian curry would absolutely MAKE my cruise rather than deal with tasty, but overly salty typical food. That's service.

Clueless and stupid are very insulting and derisive terms and speaks volumes....but maybe not like you think. Sound like to shorted the servers and completely stiffed the head waiter and are trying to assuage your guilt?

Go back and read some of OCC's posts in the last few weeks about his/her experience. It really sounds like they were not very bright, and not full of clues or knowledge. OCC was trying to simply have a normal meal experience, and his/her servers couldn't meet even that. If you read OCC's posts, you might have a better understanding of why the servers are being called that.

Other lines made me feel like they were just their to facilitate our luxury vacation and wouldnt talk to us which makes me feel awkward or even a little guilty. I would always try to smile and make eye contact with them to let them know that they weren't just part of the table setting or something..

Whereas for me, getting overly chummy with people making peanuts while I'm paying a lot for a cruise that's on a vacation feels elitist and wrong. I feel like they think I'm trying to assuage feelings of guilt by talking too much. I would RATHER be relatively ignored (as long as my dining needs and wants are met) than be forced into uncomfortable conversation with someone.

I felt the same way from the other side when I was a server; I was making relatively low amounts of money (though not as low as "server minimum" b/c that doesn't exist in WA) while bringing customers tons of food and drink. Them being chatty didn't really mean much to me; I wanted to be treated nicely, have them recognize when I made their evenings a bit brighter, and maybe get a tip. And not the quarter change from a 5 dollar bill for the $4.75 pitcher (especially not when the guy was a buddy of the owner and I knew perfectly well he made lots of money).

But others feel like you do. I'm not sure that either of us is wrong; and we'll never know unless someone asks the people we are interacting with.

It is not just you, others have also made comments that the OP should adjust their family's way to vacation. If part of what they want to experience is dinner in the MDR, which they paid for, they also have the right to have the level service they want. They are not complaining that they didn't get special treatment or special things weren't done to accommodate them. The OP was asking a legitimate question and does not deserve to be insulted because they have different needs than you might have.

I think the "eat in the room" comments are simply a bonafide solution to if you absolutely do not want a chance of having such a conversation with the servers.

I beg to differ with you. I was on a Disney Cruise last week and on the very first night we were told by the head waiter that they could arrange to send any dinner to our stateroom.

My aunt was with her grandchildren at Royal Palace when the kids became ill, grumpy, and extremely tired just after ordering and she had to take them back to their room (her daughter and son in law were at Palo that evening, and unavailable). She practically needed a Congressional order to have their already-ordered food boxed up for her. They REFUSED to deliver it to their room even though it was food for 3 people (2 of whom were children who had become ill) and she uses a cane to walk. This was in Feb on the Dream.

 

[quirty30]

If you really want to get your servers up in arms, plan a Palo dinner for the last night of the cruise, and have your kids dine up on the pool deck. I did this, quite innocently, and boy oh boy did we get the cold shoulder at breakfast on departure day. We pretty much had to beg for food, while everyone else around us was doted on.

I have to say, with the exception of that Palo dinner, and a few nice breakfasts & lunches at Royal Palace, We were pretty underwhelmed by our dining experience on the Fantasy. It got off to a bad start because of inconsiderate table mates who couldn't make it to the dining room in time for dinner, and relatively inexperienced servers who couldn't properly service the table because of it. We had to beg to be moved to a "private" table after the first few nights. Even then our new servers, while better than our first servers, didn't seem to give us the same kind of attention that the tables around us were getting. We were always the last ones in the dining room... on the 2nd night at Animators Palette, we never even got our placemats back. That last breakfast was just icing on the cake. And if I didn't have two kids and a bunch of luggage to maneuver off the ship, I might have actually gone up to guest services to adjust my tips. OP, suffice it to say that we were not wowed with DCL dinner service like most people.

 

[goosedwn]

We love our assist. server. He entertained our kids. My kids love him because he did tricks for them. My kids laugh so much during dinner thanks to him. He cut my steak one night because I was holding my sleeping son on one hand. He went to a different restaurant to get my favorite dressing for me (even after I found out that it was from a different restaurant, I told him not to). I think it's the servers job to make your meal time enjoyable. They probably don't know that you don't want to be bother during meals. There are all walks of lives, people have different needs and likes, and so on. It's hard to them to know what you like and dislike especially for such a short time. The head server came to us and offered to bring us some comfort food if we want. I think they are trying hard to provide a good service. When we dine in a high end restaurant, either the manager or the owner always make their route to talk to their customers too. May be in restaurant business, talking with customers is a way to tell customers that they appreciate your business.