Are these still problems? (Issues from our 2000 Cruise)

[inkkognito]

My husband and I are not big drinkers, and we've noticed that the pushiness on DCL is almost non-existent. We've done 34 Disney cruises, and in the old days we noticed it somewhat, but lately they might ask once and if you say "No," they do not bother you again. This is in sharp contrast to RCCL. We've done 4 cruises on different RCCL ships, and we encountered a lot of pushiness with alcohol.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[DisneyGator01]

I have to agree that DCL is the least pushy when it comes to drinks. They are attentive and ask once... but don't hassle you about it. Might come back and check on you if you are sitting at a table, but never felt pressured. Just felt like there was an attentive staff making sure your needs are met.

Not a big drinker, but the serving team at Barrel of Laughs got to know me really well because on my last Wonder cruise (03/03) I absolutely fell in love with Dino and Danny the Dueling Piano players that were on the ship at the time. I saw every family and adult show they had. Anyway, the server new I wasn't going to have a real drink.. but she always brought me a glass of water and made sure it was kept full. She was the best. I wish I remember her name! There are so many good crew members, it is hard to keep up!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, the drink pushing seems to be no more... We had to go looking for drinks sometimes!

But, with the food... You have hit a real issue of mine. Now, I may be flamed here, but I just wrote DCL a letter about the food we experienced on the Wonder. The menus are really great, for the most part. But, almost EVERY entree we were served was 1. only barely lukewarm... 2. very very dry, from sitting under warmers for like forever... Never any sauce, au-jus, nothing... just completely dry... do you know what happens to bare-dry seafood that sits under a warmer... can anyone say 'rubber' LOL!!!!! 3. And, nothing had any real flavor!!! It was like, where is the salt, garlic, anything... everything we got was very very bland.... Most entrees were 4. All of the above!!!

Neither of us were ever served any beef that was hot, pink, juicy... Didn't matter if it was Filet, Steak, or Prime Rib... We would order medium, and it would always come lukewarm, grey-brown entirely thru... no better than cheep roast beef.... I actually sent one filet back! Only one word describes our dining experience on the Wonder... 'disappointing'.

Even Palo was disappointing! I had to smile at the comments about Palo and bread by the previous poster.... Where was the good hot italian bread... C'mon, some skinny crackly dry little sticks with crushed black olive dip?

Don't even get me started on Topsiders or the Childrens menu... At one point I would have given my eye teeth for a can of Campbell's soup for my DS.

C'mon DCL... You can do better!!!!!

 

[tecdavidt]

We have cruised DCL in '99, '00, '01, '02, & '03 so we have experienced the changes in DCL. On our 5 DCL cruises we never had drinks pushed on us. What we have always thought was hard was finding a server when you wanted a drink!

Now the food. We have always felt the food is not as good as other lines. The first cruise the food was terrible. Our last cruise in March '03 the food was a lot better. It still has a way to go but we don't cruise for the food. The availability of food during non-dining hours is better than our first DCL cruise. We have always been fine with eating during the 3 main meal times but if you have teens, esp. boys as we did, having some variety during non-meal times is something the cruiseline needs. One note, the noontime buffet does offer a lot more than the original cruises. Also don't be afraid to order what ever you want during dinner. If you want several items, order it. Our first cruise we were told only one item from each category which at the time was only two, the appetizers or soup/salad, the entree. So if you wanted an appetizers, salad and entree, well, we were out of luck. No more. Order what you want and they will bring it to you.

I guess DCL had some growing pains in the cruise world. We think they have grown into the cruise industry standards. Now if they can improve the food quality a bit more that would be great. I have cruised Carnival, DCL and Celebrity. I feel Carnival had the best food and my husband feels Celebrity did. If these lines can do it so can Disney and I know they will. Of course now that I know I am gluten intolerent I can't eat the foo-foo food so bland is wonderful and DCL did a fantastic job making sure I ate gluten free food. Thank you Disney Cruise Lines. Kathy

 

[mostyn17]

In august it was our third cruise.....on earlier cruises we found the food and the selection to be horrible.....it was are biggest complaint too. This last august we were really shocked.....we thought the food was much better...different selections and more on the menu to offer.....We had no complaints this time.

As far as the drink pushing after boarding...yeah we had a few people come up to us but, nothing that a no woulden't stop. They were not rude with us when we said no.

Travis

 

[natdencro]

We have had 3 cruises so far on the Magic, and can only say how wonderful the catering has been. We are always amazed at people who complain about the meals and availability of it. Just watch how people pile their plates at breakfast, and then LEAVE half of it! No wonder they need to snack every hour until lunch/dinner.
If you do not fancy anything on offer at ANY mealtime in the restuarants, then speak to your Server, and they will do their best to get what you require. (Even if it means trolling all over the ship to the other galleys!) Never did we have a problem with any of the menus, and we ALWAYS got a meal which we really wanted. We are not big drinkers, so just had the odd glass of wine/sangria when required. Never were we pushed into buying a package.

Just an aside.................. the various food outlets cannot be staffed 24hrs a day: the serving crew already work between 75 and 90 hrs a week, so naturally there has to be limitations somewhere. As a parent of one Server, I can assure you that each and every one of them do their utmost to make us all enjoy our vacation and take home happy memories. They work there because they love it, and want to help you all feel happy with life, and on the whole, they succeed. Any complaints should not be directed to them, but to a higher Disney authority. They make the rules!

Disney are still the best, but of course - there is always room for improvement.

We cant wait until our next Disney cruise................ the food is the least of our concerns!

 

[dclwdwlover]

I DID find the drinks were pushed - but only out on the decks near the pools. We don't drink & one afternoon we got asked five times in an approximate span of 15 min. if we wanted a drink - three of the times were by the same person! It did get annoying. I found the pushing of the drinks around the pool area disheartening since there's so many kids around & it is ' "Disney cruise".
We never had this problem in the clubs or restaurants, though. I did tell our wait staff the first night that we don't drink & we didn't need the wine glasses or bottles, but they were always there everynight anyway. Maybe they have to leave them on the table? They never asked our kids though, which is good.

The food: I think it is very good. The selection is fine for my husb & I, but our 12yo found it hard to order in PC & AP. One nt he just had a salad & appetizer. He was happy, tho.
I don't remember what the other two cruise line's food was like, but I had some great meals on our 3rd DCL trip this week. The meat was very juicy & tender. Sometimes we couldn't get what we wanted, but we just switched (i.e. - asked for a waffle & had to eat eggs, oh, well). I didn't like the food at Beach Blanket much, tho.

I very much miss the wonderful midnight buffets that the other two lines had. I agree that it is very hard to find snack food after 9:30 pm - & that's when I love to snack.

Either way, I'd say overall we're pleased with the food. We loved Palo's the last time we went (not this trip) & look forward to it next time.

 

[jlawall]

I honestly don't think the drinks are pushed. The waiters are respectful and attentive on ship and shore if you want them.

The food has steadily improved in our last three cruises.

None of the other cruises offer such a spacious room as DCL for the money!

 

[brack]

Maybe I am just really easy to please but I have not encountered any of the problems with drinks and I have found the food to be good.