April 2, 2011 - 7 Night Western Caribbean

[MaryLynne]

gomagic - wow, nice to know DCL is so on top of things


Paraflier - I can't wait! I can't wait! I can't wait!

Thanks for the 2 month reminder. I can't wait for my son to get home so I can tell him. We check the number of days left every so often, but have not really been doing a daily count down. This milestone almost passed me by. LOL

 

[MEAGON2222]

Hi do we have a current list whole is acting in it. Who is in what room and what age of the kids if there are any.


I would also like to join

 

[gomagic]

Just a heads up to everyone to go to the online checkin a choose your port arrival time. The checkin times do not apply to Platinum or Concierge guests though. Even if you did the checkin awhile ago, recheck yours again to make sure everything is in order. I had previously completed ours when we were first able to do so and when I went to double check it a over the weekend, it said some of mine was incomplete.

 

[e_s_jones]

Just a heads up to everyone to go to the online checkin a choose your port arrival time. The checkin times do not apply to Platinum or Concierge guests though. Even if you did the checkin awhile ago, recheck yours again to make sure everything is in order. I had previously completed ours when we were first able to do so and when I went to double check it a over the weekend, it said some of mine was incomplete.

According to other posts I've read (elsewhere on DISboards) this arrival time scheduling is mostly for the larger number of guests for Disney Dream. I've not read anywhere that the CMs at the port will not take you if you show up early or late... they just want to get a rough idea of when the peak and slack boarding periods might be so they can staff appropriately.

 

[gomagic]

According to other posts I've read (elsewhere on DISboards) this arrival time scheduling is mostly for the larger number of guests for Disney Dream. I've not read anywhere that the CMs at the port will not take you if you show up early or late... they just want to get a rough idea of when the peak and slack boarding periods might be so they can staff appropriately.

I realize that since I read the same thing on other posts too, but you never know, things can change between now and then. Anyways, it would still be a good idea to double check the online checkin again just in case it now shows incomplete like mine did.

 

[CelticPrncss]

AHHHHHH!!!!! 2 months!! 2 months, 2 months, 2 months!!! WOO HOO!! Just a little excited here. LOL

Oh I so agree, now it is less than 2 months and I am sure we could alll use some nice warm tropical weather Even here in South Mississippi it has been very cold....

gomagic, thanks for the heads up I will go and double check mine.

Mike and I are in Stateroom 6080, we tried for our previous cabin of 6076 but sadly it was already booked

Now I have to see what the status is of my FE, but I have already seen some lovely goodies for gifts!!

That sail away party will be here before we know it!!!

Have a great evening, be safe and stay warm!!!!

 

[MEAGON2222]

Oh I so agree, now it is less than 2 months and I am sure we could alll use some nice warm tropical weather Even here in South Mississippi it has been very cold....

gomagic, thanks for the heads up I will go and double check mine.

Mike and I are in Stateroom 6080, we tried for our previous cabin of 6076 but sadly it was already booked

Now I have to see what the status is of my FE, but I have already seen some lovely goodies for gifts!!

That sail away party will be here before we know it!!!

Have a great evening, be safe and stay warm!!!!

It is below zero today. Also we are in 6076 and it has been december dec 2009.

 

[kyirish25]

Hi do we have a current list whole is acting in it. Who is in what room and what age of the kids if there are any.


I would also like to join

Barb - I don't have a complete list with room numbers and everything just yet. I was going to PM everyone once the deadline arrives and get room numbers and email addresses of everyone.

Here is who has signed up thus far:
paraflier - Kris, Mary, Nate(6), Kris(4)
gomagic - Tricia & Karla(DM)
kyirish25 - Doug, Cher, Doug(9)
CelticPrncss (6080) - Missy & Mike
MartDM - Martha, Jim, Cian(4)
scully0318 - Jennie, Elora(17), James(10)
MaryLynne - MaryLynne & Blake(11)
MEAGON222 (6076) - Barb & DH

Anyone else want to be added? I see a few have mentioned it but wasn't sure if they were 100% on doing the FE.

 

[CelticPrncss]

It is below zero today. Also we are in 6076 and it has been december dec 2009.

Oh that is funny!!! That was a great stateroom!!! Very quiet... below zero, you really need a nice cruise to warm up!!!

My FE is in the mail!!! this cruise is getting closer by the day!!!!

 

[firstime discruiser]

Anybody else really excited but just a little nervous about the service issues reported in the posts on the board? We are far from demanding travelers, however, my DH might be a tad upset if the service is really bad, considering the premium we paid.

I'm so excited for the cruise and warm weather that I'll take 2+ hour dinners! LOL

 

[MartDM]

Anybody else really excited but just a little nervous about the service issues reported in the posts on the board? We are far from demanding travelers, however, my DH might be a tad upset if the service is really bad, considering the premium we paid.

I'm so excited for the cruise and warm weather that I'll take 2+ hour dinners! LOL

Honestly, while I'm not doubting these folks had problems, but I think they were a bit overblown because of how these people handled them. I'm hoping not to have problems but if I did, I'm not expecting the same result because I would handle it differently than they did

For example, if the first dinner was so disasterous that I had been there almost two hours before I got my entree, I would have had the Head Waiter called to my table or gone to find him long before the entree arrived. If the problems continued, I would have gone to Guest Services immediately after the meal and requested to speak with the dining manager to request resolution.

I'm not the type to sit around and pout, then complain about it later. I like to nip things in the bud...politely and respectfully mind you but QUICKLY. Keeps things from getting out of control, know what I mean?

Here's hoping we all have a problem free and highly enjoyable journey

 

[paraflier]

I'm not too worried about the service. This will our first cruise so we have nothing to compare it to. As long as they take care of the kids dinners quickly so they can do the dine and play I'll be happy. DH, DM and I won't mind a more leisurely dinner experience. Of course if its ridiculous we'll bring it up to our servers but I don't expect a problem. Positive attitude can do wonders. I think a lot of folks are going in with unreasonable expectations and are somehow surprised when reality doesn't live up to it! Can't wait to cruise!!

 

[CelticPrncss]

I'm not too worried about the service. This will our first cruise so we have nothing to compare it to. As long as they take care of the kids dinners quickly so they can do the dine and play I'll be happy. DH, DM and I won't mind a more leisurely dinner experience. Of course if its ridiculous we'll bring it up to our servers but I don't expect a problem. Positive attitude can do wonders. I think a lot of folks are going in with unreasonable expectations and are somehow surprised when reality doesn't live up to it! Can't wait to cruise!!

I agree with you Paraflier, people go in with unreasonable expectations....

IMO I think because the Dream is newer the kinks are still being worked out, give it a year and it will be running smooth....

The crew on the Magic is very professional and very friendly, you will be treated like a .... from the minute you board...

At Breakfast our servers had my hot tea ready for me along with a lovely chocolate crossiant and decaf coffee for Mike.

We had no children with us, but we noticed at dinner each evening those families that had children, the servers had put the kids drinks out, coloring pages and crayons were waiting when they sat down.

We never had to wait very long from the time we sat down for our drinks nor our meals. One night I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted for my entree and they brought me both.... I ate them both...

Every night at dinner they gave us some puzzle or riddle to figure out...and did very good James Bond imitations on formal night, they also did card tricks and games for the kids.....

There was one mother on our cruise in Feb '09 that said she was never coming on a Disney cruise again, that she never saw her kids, they never wanted to leave the kids clubs, "this was not a family vacation" .....

PS if you want a Mickey Bar for dessert just ask!!! Plus you can also get them from room service 24 hrs a day!!!

We also asked one night for dessert for a plate full of the huge chocolate chip cookies they make on the ship and we did get a plate full for us and our table mates!!

We are all going to have a blast, a much needed vacation and wonderful warm weather!!! WAHOOOOOO

 

[MartDM]

Positive attitude can do wonders. I think a lot of folks are going in with unreasonable expectations and are somehow surprised when reality doesn't live up to it! Can't wait to cruise!!

Very well put paraflier! I think these message boards build up the hype too much in the minds of some.

And as for a positive attitude, you're on a cruise...how bad can it be (ok, with the exception of the Carnival ship that caught fire that is)???? I've been on other cruiselines and I'm expecting a similar experience on DCL - lovely cruise and staff eager to please their customers. I'm sure they'll deliver! Anything beyond that is a bonus!

 

[firstime discruiser]

I agree, vacation is always what you make of it, and your own action/reaction to things is what can make it a great experience or a really bad one. We've been on two other cruises with two different cruiselines, but our last was in 2004. It's been a while! I'm going in with the mindset of having fun and relaxing, and spending quality time with my family.

 

[gomagic]

We were on the Magic this past December and while those who have sailed DCL may have been able to see the "growing pains" so to speak that DCL is going through right now, the first time cruiser most likely would not have noticed. Our cruise for exapmle had a huge # of new employees starting that week -everywhere we would look we would see "earning my ears". That said, everyone was trying to do their best in our opinion. The experienced crew members we recognized from our previous cruises were working just as hard as ever too. Our service in the dining room was excellent as always, but we were fortunate to have servers who have worked for DCL for several years. However, there were plenty of new servers around us and from the beginning until the end of the cruise we could see their confidence building. Some were needed to step into action from the observation stage the last morning because a few of the servers had ended their contracts, and they did great.

I agree that you attitude will go a long way in how well your vacation goes. This doesn't have to do with DCL but does involve our pre cruise stay at Polynesian. We had problems from the get go when we tried to check in. They were oversold and they downgraded our room from what we had paid for. They told us we would be refunded the difference of the room costs and we just took the change in stride, but once we got to our room, more major issues to deal with. All I will say is that maintenance and housekeeping both agreed no one should be staying in the room we were given. We could have been angry and thrown a huge fit, but instead we went back down to the checkin desk and calmly and discreetly explained the issues to them. The manager on duty went out of her way to make sure we were taken care of and that no one else was assigned that room anytime soon. In the end we ended up with all of our money refunded to us and then some. Never once did we ask anything other than a clean room. The manager even had the head of housekeeping double check our new room from top to bottom in insure we would not have the same issues again. I honestly feel that if we would have created a scene or caused problems, our pre stay would have had a different ending.

 

[suzcruz]

I am alittle worried about the service because on our 2008 cruise our waiter and roomperson were excellent but i know we will have a great time! Can't believe that our trip is almost here!

 

[scully0318]

There was one mother on our cruise in Feb '09 that said she was never coming on a Disney cruise again, that she never saw her kids, they never wanted to leave the kids clubs, "this was not a family vacation" .....

we have one rule when on a cruise: we will do excursions and dinners as a family.

any other time is their time to do as they please. believe it or not, my son actually paged me to come pick him up from the club once; he wanted to hang out with me for a while. he said on this cruise he'll take me to a movie...

50 more days!

 

[MEAGON2222]

IT WAS -12 DEGREES THIS MORNING. I wish the trip was tomorrow

 

[e_s_jones]

I got a letter from DCL in the mail yesterday, saying that some Spa reservations booked online may have been canceled by accident, and that I should visit the website and re-book if necessary.

I did, and my reservation was still there OK. Did everyone receive this letter?