Stop taking away things and begin adding things, for example...

[Bonnie1222]

On our last cruise DH asked our stateroom hose for 2 navigators each night. 1 we use and carry with us, mark it up etc. The other is for us to keep. We will scan them and send them to Scott when we get home so others have a reference if they want, then it goes in with all our other mementos from the cruise.

The navigator app does list things not on the printed copy, so we carry an old phone with no cell service under duress. But most the time it is the paper navigator we refer to.

 

[belle032]

No paper Navigators on the British Isles cruise unless you went to Guest Services and grabbed one. We also had the large pump bottles of toiletries with a tamper seal on the top.

Neither bothered me a bit. I'm fine using an app and if it saves some trees, even better. If you prefer the paper, just go to Guest Services. There were always plenty available. As far as tiny toiletries go...I have long thick hair. Those little bottles of shampoo were borderline useless to me.

So to each their own, they'll never make everyone happy!

 

[Corwin]

On the Magic last week they were displayed to the left of the Guest Services desk. On the first day when we met our room host I asked if it would be possible to get a Navigator each night. She said they are not supposed to do that and I said Ok, I'll just get it at GS. Low and behold every night she had the Navigator on the bed. She was wonderful!!!

MJ

I was on the same cruise last week and asked our stateroom host if we could get a paper Navigator each night. He readily agreed.

The next morning (on the first sea day), he saw me walking back to our room with another copy of the Navigator that I had picked up from Guest Services. I mentioned that my wife had asked for her own copy for the day. He said he would be sure to leave us two copies of the Navigator each night for the rest of the cruise.

We have had a lot of outstanding stateroom hosts over the years. Our host on this last cruise was one of the best (if not the best) hosts we have ever had. I mentioned him by name on the survey.

 

[BritneyBelle]

The worst DCL cruise we've done was the one Kids Sail Free cruise we were on.

Do you mind me asking what was so bad about the KSF cruise? Were there more/worse behaved children, different clientele/other?

 

[auntlynne]

Deleted by poster

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do you mind me asking what was so bad about the KSF cruise? Were there more/worse behaved children, different clientele/other?

Compared to all the other DCL cruises we've done there were more/worse behaved children. Of course, some of that I chalked up to the bad parenting in evidence onboard.

Kids running up and down the aisles during performances in WDT (when we're specifically asked not to do so). And no parents in attendance, at least not sitting where the kids were (when they were sitting).

At least 2 children in the MDR running around, cutting off servers (with fully loaded trays).

Ice cream station a mess (yes, I saw kids actually putting their mouths up to the spigot and letting the ice cream flow in).

Many under 18s having to be cleared out of the various adult-only venues, on numerous occasions. There was a group of obviously under 18s who were asked to leave Wavebands who managed to get back in and duck under a table in the corner (hoping to not be seen). Yeah, that didn't work, they were escorted out the next time by security.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Compared to all the other DCL cruises we've done there were more/worse behaved children. Of course, some of that I chalked up to the bad parenting in evidence onboard.

Kids running up and down the aisles during performances in WDT (when we're specifically asked not to do so). And no parents in attendance, at least not sitting where the kids were (when they were sitting).

At least 2 children in the MDR running around, cutting off servers (with fully loaded trays).

Ice cream station a mess (yes, I saw kids actually putting their mouths up to the spigot and letting the ice cream flow in).

Many under 18s having to be cleared out of the various adult-only venues, on numerous occasions. There was a group of obviously under 18s who were asked to leave Wavebands who managed to get back in and duck under a table in the corner (hoping to not be seen). Yeah, that didn't work, they were escorted out the next time by security.

Do you mind me asking what was so bad about the KSF cruise? Were there more/worse behaved children, different clientele/other?

We haven’t sailed on a kids sail free with dcl but our worst cruise with them was a three night on the dream in early August about 3 or 4 years ago. The amount of kids on board was truly insane. We have 3 kids and are very pro kid people, but it was— I do not even know how to describe it. Every time we tried to get to the kids club, there was a line extending down the hallway into the lobby area. It took at least 30 minutes every time you wanted to drop off or pick up your child. And our kids didn’t want to go in because it was insane— said kids were mean. You could not get to the ice cream, forget the entire pool area. 2 hour waits for aquaduck.
I would not want to be on a kids sail free cruise with dcl.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We haven’t sailed on a kids sail free with dcl but our worst cruise with them was a three night on the dream in early August about 3 or 4 years ago. The amount of kids on board was truly insane. We have 3 kids and are very pro kid people, but it was— I do not even know how to describe it. Every time we tried to get to the kids club, there was a line extending down the hallway into the lobby area. It took at least 30 minutes every time you wanted to drop off or pick up your child. And our kids didn’t want to go in because it was insane— said kids were mean. You could not get to the ice cream, forget the entire pool area. 2 hour waits for aquaduck.
I would not want to be on a kids sail free cruise with dcl.

I'm glad they stopped doing that. In reality, even though a majority of DCL cruisers do have children, it really wasn't fair to those who no longer have small children that would qualify them for the lower costs cruises.

That's when DCL started offering the last minute, restricted fares. And those are available to anyone (with or without children).

 

[mmouse37]

I was on the same cruise last week and asked our stateroom host if we could get a paper Navigator each night. He readily agreed.

The next morning (on the first sea day), he saw me walking back to our room with another copy of the Navigator that I had picked up from Guest Services. I mentioned that my wife had asked for her own copy for the day. He said he would be sure to leave us two copies of the Navigator each night for the rest of the cruise.

We have had a lot of outstanding stateroom hosts over the years. Our host on this last cruise was one of the best (if not the best) hosts we have ever had. I mentioned him by name on the survey.

Was a great cruise!!! We had a group of 17 spread out in 8 cabins and all had a good time! We have also had wonderful hosts over the years. Want to go back!! I used the app a few times but my son and DIL were having trouble with their app so it was pretty useless for communication for us. I used it a few times to check activities/movies/menu. I carried around the paper Navigator every day and referred to it way more than the app.

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

I'm glad they stopped doing that. In reality, even though a majority of DCL cruisers do have children, it really wasn't fair to those who no longer have small children that would qualify them for the lower costs cruises.

That's when DCL started offering the last minute, restricted fares. And those are available to anyone (with or without children).

I loved when DCL only charged port fees for kids under 3. Now with grandchildren that would come in very handy. Paying $800 plus for a 6 month old and then hourly nursery charges on top of that was rough.

MJ

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

The check-in Navigators must also be limited because on our October cruise on the Magic they didn't give us one at check-in, telling me that they had run out (at 1pm).

Oof. That is a nightmare. There is SO much information in the embarkation day Navigator, especially for first-time cruisers to get an overview of the week, learn about dining options, etc.

 

[BritneyBelle]

Compared to all the other DCL cruises we've done there were more/worse behaved children. Of course, some of that I chalked up to the bad parenting in evidence onboard.

Kids running up and down the aisles during performances in WDT (when we're specifically asked not to do so). And no parents in attendance, at least not sitting where the kids were (when they were sitting).

At least 2 children in the MDR running around, cutting off servers (with fully loaded trays).

Ice cream station a mess (yes, I saw kids actually putting their mouths up to the spigot and letting the ice cream flow in).

Many under 18s having to be cleared out of the various adult-only venues, on numerous occasions. There was a group of obviously under 18s who were asked to leave Wavebands who managed to get back in and duck under a table in the corner (hoping to not be seen). Yeah, that didn't work, they were escorted out the next time by security.

Oh my... That does not sound magical to say the least.

 

[BritneyBelle]

We haven’t sailed on a kids sail free with dcl but our worst cruise with them was a three night on the dream in early August about 3 or 4 years ago. The amount of kids on board was truly insane. We have 3 kids and are very pro kid people, but it was— I do not even know how to describe it. Every time we tried to get to the kids club, there was a line extending down the hallway into the lobby area. It took at least 30 minutes every time you wanted to drop off or pick up your child. And our kids didn’t want to go in because it was insane— said kids were mean. You could not get to the ice cream, forget the entire pool area. 2 hour waits for aquaduck.
I would not want to be on a kids sail free cruise with dcl.

I’ve never done one, but I’ve heard the three night cruises are nightmares sometimes for just that reason.

 

[Ronneeaght]

Oof. That is a nightmare. There is SO much information in the embarkation day Navigator, especially for first-time cruisers to get an overview of the week, learn about dining options, etc.

Yes!! It was a very un-magical way to start our cruise, especially since you have to go into airplane mode to get into the navigator stuff on the app. I wanted to keep my phone on as long as possible because we left DS1 at home with family and wanted to be available for any last minute questions. This was our first cruise and I was really looking forward to that first navigator. We might have signed up for a tasting or something. (Or tried to anyway, ha).

 

[DCLDVC1]

I’ve never done one, but I’ve heard the three night cruises are nightmares sometimes for just that reason.

I've done a few 3 night cruises and didn't notice any difference in behavior. The worst behavior I've seen, by both adults and kids, have been on 7 night cruises.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Oof. That is a nightmare. There is SO much information in the embarkation day Navigator, especially for first-time cruisers to get an overview of the week, learn about dining options, etc.

On our cruise last month, we we given the portion of the Navigator that included all of that information when we checked in but we didn't receive the insert.

 

[bakerworld]

Truthfully, I do not care much about shampoo and conditioner as we usually do 3 or 4 day cruises which means that sometimes I completely don't use S&C at all. What I would like is LOTION. LOL

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

On our cruise last month, we we given the portion of the Navigator that included all of that information when we checked in but we didn't receive the insert.

Still garbage.

I really like paper Navigators. Perhaps you can tell.

 

[CM Dad]

Yes!! It was a very un-magical way to start our cruise, especially since you have to go into airplane mode to get into the navigator stuff on the app. I wanted to keep my phone on as long as possible because we left DS1 at home with family and wanted to be available for any last minute questions. This was our first cruise and I was really looking forward to that first navigator. We might have signed up for a tasting or something. (Or tried to anyway, ha).

I don't think you need to go into airplane mode to use the navigator stuff on the app. It should work as long as you connect to the DCL Guest WiFi network. Whether or not you still have cell service for your phone wouldn't affect this.

 

[MrsInsG]

We were on the Fantasy last week and could not EVER get the app to work (in spite of many, MANY, attempts over many different days). We sent our daughter down to the desk each morning at about 7 to collect a Navigator. I can deal with the multi-use toiletries, but I cannot, for the life of me, get over the lack of printed Navigator in the stateroom. It's a cost-cutter, not an environmental issue. If it were environmental, we wouldn't be receiving multiple DVC and shopping ads throughout the cruise.