7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 5

[Sailingpartyof10]

Every 10 years, the city of Oberammergau, Germany puts on the "Passion Play". !

I went to it in 1984, the 350th anniversary. I was 15, and it was my first trip to Europe. It was a great experience. I hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[Caropooh]

Maybe we shouldn't all go shopping together...it could get very expensive for all of us.

I'm NOT a shopper, so I'm safe!

 

[MrsScooby]

I will say that on the Panama Canal cruise, our favorite port was Cartagena! The history there was just amazing! We did the Historical Tour of Cartagena (or whatever it was called!) and really enjoyed it. The only part Kathryn(who was 9) at the time didn't like was seeing the relics (AKA bones!)!
I do agree though that for younger kids, 2 days of tours could be not very exciting.

The part of the Cartagena tour my kids liked best was the torture museum

My DD kept trying to "save" me from the pressure sales- I like to look I had one guy following me around because I looked too long

After 6 Disney cruises ( 24 on other lines ) I still can't seem to find someone on the DCL phone that can answer my questions ! I have alot of patience....BUT...
Supposedly, DCL is a high end cruise line, rated above HAL,Princess,RCI and Celebrity according to surveys in Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure. So it annoys me that I can't get times of Port Adventures so that I can plan my vacation.
The person I spoke with thought I was taliking about Formal Night when I asked a question about the Catherines Palace Royal Ball !!
Am I dialing the right #1-800-951-3532 ?
Why isn't there a shore excursion specialist to talk with ? They have them onboard !
Not to sound snooty, but I swear I know more than they do. Thank heavens for you guys !!!!!

I've heard this from other DIS people as well. DCL changes things all the time that often the people on this board know more than the DCL phone people

 

[Celestine]

I also noticed some-one had posted tentative times on the Baltic planning thread - many of which were logical, e.g half day tours on our arrival day. THe only down side of that I could see was that was also the only day they were offering the ballet masterclass which my girls were interested in doing, which wouldn't be a problem except that they are early afternoon, i.e. same time as the tours. I also noticed the full day tours go out early on day 2 - 0715, so for people like me not taking the girls on day 2, will the clubs be open that early??

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

After 6 Disney cruises (24 on other lines) I still can't seem to find someone on the DCL phone that can answer my questions! I have allot of patience....BUT...
Supposedly, DCL is a high end cruise line, rated above HAL,Princess,RCI and Celebrity according to surveys in Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure. So it annoys me that I can't get times of Port Adventures so that I can plan my vacation.
The person I spoke with thought I was talking about Formal Night when I asked a question about the Catherine’s Palace Royal Ball!!Am I dialling the right #1-800-951-3532 ? Why isn't there a shore excursion specialist to talk with? They have them onboard!Not to sound snooty, but I swear I know more than they do. Thank heavens for you guys!cheer2:

I must say, I do agree, Disney and DCL, place themselves, at the top end of the Market, the premium end but customer service, is very very poor.
Firstly and example of good service, been making some enquiries to look for options for 2011, pinged an email enquiry to RCCL, had a person call me back within 30 minutes going through options and their brochure isn't out for 2011 until March, 'A PERSON' told me I am on a waitlist for a suite, and they will personally look after my options, and reservation if I want it. I have never cruised them before.
DCL on the other hand, will not put prices up before any release day, changes cruises and cancels them without any communication and actually misinform you, saying the cruise bookings are suspended, not cancelled, and I can only describe it as an arrogant attitude, they give the least information possible, shore trips etc, you have to be persistent and ask the correct question to get the right reply.
Had this on ship before, they will only give an answer that they think will please you, not the actual truth. (You go around CM; s and they give different answers, and then you ask for a supervisor, and its then you get full details)
Two weeks ago I contacted DCL re the private tour of Berlin, they put it up on the Website saying contact them, now as concierge you would expect a response, but I am being told come back next week come back next week, (x3 now).But there was the delay on prices for shore trips, can understand that, but they all came out in the ball park of Princess cruises? So what was the issue?

A poster with concierge appears to have shore trip times on the main forum, but I asked and didn’t get them, they said not available.
Anyway, end of the moan, they do know how to ensure people consider other cruise lines, when I cancelled -2011, I expected a call from retentions or customer care, but nothing.

I also noticed some-one had posted tentative times on the Baltic planning thread - many of which were logical, e.g. half day tours on our arrival day. The only down side of that I could see was that was also the only day they were offering the ballet master class which my girls were interested in doing, which wouldn't be a problem except that they are early afternoon, i.e. same time as the tours. I also noticed the full day tours go out early on day 2 - 0715, so for people like me not taking the girls on day 2, will the clubs be open that early??

Normally kids clubs open to cover any port times and shore trips, but St Petes is two days, so can’t confirm but guess they would be open.

 

[MrsScooby]

Good morning everyone

I'm sure this was talked about before...but are there any plans for a DIS meet in London prior to the cruise

It would be nice to meet people face to face before we board

Someplace in London that is centrally located that would be easy for most to reach and would be able to handle a large group if needed

Anyone interested??

 

[MrsScooby]

I will say that on the Panama Canal cruise, our favorite port was Cartagena! The history there was just amazing! We did the Historical Tour of Cartagena (or whatever it was called!) and really enjoyed it. The only part Kathryn(who was 9) at the time didn't like was seeing the relics (AKA bones!)!
I do agree though that for younger kids, 2 days of tours could be not very exciting.

You know I was joking before but my kids are big history fans as well

Their history classes in school are their favorite classes. Gonna try to find movies and information ahead of time to make sure they are not overwhelmed with all the info on the tours.

Another Diser had posted that she took her then 10 year old DD on a Princess Baltic cruise and the preparation for the ports ensured that her DD was totally involved. She had suggested the Disney movie where the family escapes Berlin by balloon and a documentary about Russia as good ways to get the kids ready too.

If anyone finds a good movie, documentary or book for kids about the Baltic ports it would be great if you posted it

 

[jilljill]

I must say, I do agree, Disney and DCL, place themselves, at the top end of the Market, the premium end but customer service, is very very poor.
Firstly and example of good service, been making some enquiries to look for options for 2011, pinged an email enquiry to RCCL, had a person call me back within 30 minutes going through options and their brochure isn't out for 2011 until March, 'A PERSON' told me I am on a waitlist for a suite, and they will personally look after my options, and reservation if I want it. I have never cruised them before.
DCL on the other hand, will not put prices up before any release day, changes cruises and cancels them without any communication and actually misinform you, saying the cruise bookings are suspended, not cancelled, and I can only describe it as an arrogant attitude, they give the least information possible, shore trips etc, you have to be persistent and ask the correct question to get the right reply.
Had this on ship before, they will only give an answer that they think will please you, not the actual truth. (You go around CM; s and they give different answers, and then you ask for a supervisor, and its then you get full details)
Two weeks ago I contacted DCL re the private tour of Berlin, they put it up on the Website saying contact them, now as concierge you would expect a response, but I am being told come back next week come back next week, (x3 now).But there was the delay on prices for shore trips, can understand that, but they all came out in the ball park of Princess cruises? So what was the issue?

A poster with concierge appears to have shore trip times on the main forum, but I asked and didn’t get them, they said not available.
Anyway, end of the moan, they do know how to ensure people consider other cruise lines, when I cancelled -2011, I expected a call from retentions or customer care, but nothing.

Normally kids clubs open to cover any port times and shore trips, but St Petes is two days, so can’t confirm but guess they would be open.

You know Andrew, it doesn't matter if you book concierge or not, DCL should be able to answer the simple questions that people are asking. Asking for excursion times should be available to everyone not just to concierge guests ahead of time.
I know that concierge guests are able to book ahead of others, but then so are platinum CC cruisers so they should get the same consideration if going by your concierge therory.
But in the end, your CC status or your category of cabin booked shouldn't come into play when asking the questions people are wanting answers to.

 

[MrsScooby]

You know Andrew, it doesn't matter if you book concierge or not, DCL should be able to answer the simple questions that people are asking. Asking for excursion times should be available to everyone not just to concierge guests ahead of time.
I know that concierge guests are able to book ahead of others, but then so are platinum CC cruisers so they should get the same consideration if going by your concierge therory.
But in the end, your CC status or your category of cabin booked shouldn't come into play when asking the questions people are wanting answers to.

For our PC repo cruise Tracy was calling DCL for us to arrange a group wine tasting and she had a hard time getting them to schedule us as they really make their schedules as last minute as possible. Definitely room for improvement with their customer relations by phone or email

 

[RJAYL]

You know Andrew, it doesn't matter if you book concierge or not, DCL should be able to answer the simple questions that people are asking. Asking for excursion times should be available to everyone not just to concierge guests ahead of time.
I know that concierge guests are able to book ahead of others, but then so are platinum CC cruisers so they should get the same consideration if going by your concierge therory.
But in the end, your CC status or your category of cabin booked shouldn't come into play when asking the questions people are wanting answers to.

Hear Hear! You Go Girl!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Good morning everyone

I'm sure this was talked about before...but are there any plans for a DIS meet in London prior to the cruise

It would be nice to meet people face to face before we board

Someplace in London that is centrally located that would be easy for most to reach and would be able to handle a large group if needed

Anyone interested??

Hyde Park is fairly big????

You know Andrew, it doesn't matter if you book concierge or not, DCL should be able to answer the simple questions that people are asking. Asking for excursion times should be available to everyone not just to concierge guests ahead of time.
I know that concierge guests are able to book ahead of others, but then so are platinum CC cruisers so they should get the same consideration if going by your concierge therory.
But in the end, your CC status or your category of cabin booked shouldn't come into play when asking the questions people are wanting answers to.

Oh, I do agree, -think you have misread my post; the point was 'even' being concierge you are not getting information out, or even the same, information; I asked about shore trip times and told they are not out, then another concierge guest gets them.

A few of us have been emailing each other with the information we get, ie I got the show and dinner lsiting, others asked and didnt get.

My previous post, point was everyone should get information, RCCL, to a new cruiser, told me a lot, but Disney is a bit parnoid about controlling information that in itself generates more questions.

 

[RJAYL]

Hyde Park is fairly big????



Oh, I do agree, the point was 'even' being concierge you are not getting information out, or even the same, I asked about shore trip times and told they are not out, then another concierge guest gets them.

A few of us have been emailing each other with the information we get, ie I got the show and dinner lsiting, others asked and didnt get.

My previous post, point was everyone should get information, RCCL, to a new cruiser, told me a lot, but Disney is a bit parnoid about controlling information that in itself generates more questions.

Have to agree with Andrew here as I have always found DCL customer service sub par! This applies to the resort hotels as well! You pay a premium for the Disney Magic but some of the tricks are getting old!

 

[jilljill]

For our PC repo cruise Tracy was calling DCL for us to arrange a group wine tasting and she had a hard time getting them to schedule us as they really make their schedules as last minute as possible. Definitely room for improvement with their customer relations by phone or email

But this is something that you wanted onboard. I was talking about shore excursion times, which have to be scheduled way ahead of time, and other general questions people have been calling about for these sailings. And basically their overall customer service department has always been lacking for anything DCL. They like to give an answer they think you want to hear and not the correct answer. But then, that's always been the way with Disney - they never want to make anyone mad but in the end that's what happens.

I know when I worked at the Disney Store we were told how to answer questions or how to get around answering them so as not to give the wrong answer or an answer a guest didn't want to hear.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

For our PC repo cruise Tracy was calling DCL for us to arrange a group wine tasting and she had a hard time getting them to schedule us as they really make their schedules as last minute as possible. Definitely room for improvement with their customer relations by phone or email

I do agree, if you look at WDW, and booking ADR's they will release park hours and plans for shows and parades about the same time to help you plan.
Here we are blind and that just makes people book private trips where they are in control.

Hear Hear! You Go Girl!

I think Barb got the wrong end of the stick on my post, it wasn't a concierge Vs everyone else, more over even concierge do not get the information. -or the same information.

 

[jilljill]

Sorry Andrew but I'm disagreeing with you here, I've seen you reference that you are concierge in many of your posts on this thread and other threads, that shouldn't matter to anyone but you and your family. I still stand by what I said, all the info should be available to everyone at the same time not to anyone booking group ahead of time.

The cruiser that got excursion times already is on an earlier sailing, maybe they are doing some tweaking of times for the later cruises as opposed to earlier cruises. Since we are the last cruise it stands to reason we will know later. But it's still very frustrating that DCL is holding out on all this info for ALL of us.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

.
I know when I worked at the Disney Store we were told how to answer questions or how to get around answering them so as not to give the wrong answer or an answer a guest didn't want to hear.

This is the nail directly on the head, and again my point on the earlier longer post.

Disney, will only answer to specific question, and in a way they 'expect' you to like, they are economical with the truth, and will not give an expanded full answer but as little as possible, and is very annoying.

So many other organisations will expand the answer and say, whilst you are asking about this, I think this extra bit is worthwhile. RCCL did this for me last weekend, I had so much information I would ever need to visit a RCCL board or website.

This is also why on the main forum people post 'different' answers, ie,

When DCL printed out my tips to wrong names the answer from three people was, dont worry, whoever you hand them to can bank them.

Another poster, forgot to hand their tips over, and phoned DCL, and their answer was, Dont worry, if you do not hand them over, they automatically go to the correct person.

Now both are positve answers that would stop you worrying, but both cannot be true.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Not sure if everyone is following the Baltic planning thread on the main forum but will repeat a post here, made today...

DCL SHORE TRIPS

I have noticed this a bit, but would like to bring it to everyone's notice, keeping looking at the DCL online shore trips as they do change.

I took screen prints of my favorites when they went up, a few have been added but there are slight tweaks at times.

An Example Oslo Hadeland Glass works was a 90 min return coach trip through Norwegian landscape , now its:-


After approximately 1-hour drive through the Norwegian landscape, reach the Holmenkollen Viewpoint. Admire the view over Oslo, the fjord and the breathtaking surroundings. You will also have a sneak peak of the brand new ski jump which is built for the 2011 World Cup.
Return to the ship, after your visit to Holmenkollen.

Hope they settle down before 20th March.....

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

In view of above, slight amendments to my plans.

Each port have a first choice and a back up, if anything changes or runs out.

Shore Excursions

Copenhagen

1. Charming Copenhagen - Walk and Cruise
2. City and Harbor Tour

Oslo

1. Hadeland Glass Works and Viking Ships
2. Oslo Highlights

Stockholm

1. Historical Stockholm and Sigtuna
2. City Hall, Royal Palace and Old Town

St Petersburg

• Private tours two days.

Tallinn

1. Tallinn by Tram
2. Best of Tallinn with Concert and Lunch

Warnemunde

1. Berlin Private tour.
2. Berlin Discovery

 

[scrapycruiser]

Thanks for the support ! I've been so frustrated. Without boring anyone with the details, my husband and I went round and round with a DCL "supervisor" last night. We decided that the DCL castmembers go to a different "school" than the WDW castmembers do ! They are more interested in "rules" than customer Service.
Why do so many continue to cruise Europe with DCL when prices are twice as much and service is so poor ? We're on this cruise with our son & young family .But 2 years ago we sailed the Baltic on RCCL's Jewel in a wonderful aft cabin.

Andy, you will be very pleased with RCCL. I prefer the Radiance class with all the glass and mid-size.

No cruise is perfect and I admit, once onboard the service improves with DCL. The shows are wonderful and the food/dining rooms better than most. And of course, the cabins are nicer and larger than other ships. ! You know, I think I just answered my own question....why people sail w/ DCL !!! I guess you just have to get over this precruise lack of info and "warm Fuzzies"

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Thanks for the support ! I've been so frustrated. Without boring anyone with the details, my husband and I went round and round with a DCL "supervisor" last night. We decided that the DCL castmembers go to a different "school" than the WDW castmembers do ! They are more interested in "rules" than customer Service.
Why do so many continue to cruise Europe with DCL when prices are twice as much and service is so poor ? We're on this cruise with our son & young family .But 2 years ago we sailed the Baltic on RCCL's Jewel in a wonderful aft cabin.

Andy, you will be very pleased with RCCL. I prefer the Radiance class with all the glass and mid-size.

No cruise is perfect and I admit, once onboard the service improves with DCL. The shows are wonderful and the food/dining rooms better than most. And of course, the cabins are nicer and larger than other ships. ! You know, I think I just answered my own question....why people sail w/ DCL !!! I guess you just have to get over this precruise lack of info and "warm Fuzzies"

Thanks for comments re RCCL, When I spend a bit of cash, or have been loyal, pardon me but I expect, the business to 'bite my hand off', and show they really want my business. DCL are just not doing that for me, and by the looks of it, many others. On ship its different, then you are No1, and they do look after you, but off ship, they appear arrogant, and we have to accept their terms.

They will loose business, yes I could sail the Blatic 50% cheaper in a better room with other cruiselines who want my business.