Back from the June 12-Report and Pictures

[musicgirl]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that my report is done and there are pictures as well.

http://groups.msn.com/WhatIdidonMySummerVacation/magic2004.msnw?albumlist=2

Just a few comments.

Hints: Take pictures early in the am. There are no people to dodge!

Do family/formal pictures later in the week. The lines were so long on formal night. They have a variety of backgrounds throughout the week.

Get e-mails before the last dinner. We didn't end up seeing some people and have no way to get a hold of them.

Don't sweat the small stuff. DCL is not perfect. Especially, when a pool has to close. You don't really want your kids swimming in a pool with vomit! It's not DCL's fault!

Leaps

This was an awesome trip, weather,tablermates (Mom2Belle&PeterPan) and servers.
St. Martin and St. Thomas are great!
These boards are incredible!

Stumbles

When DCL plans major activities such as a deck party, they need to make sure that the time is not too early for the later seating. There were a number of times that things were scheduled to start at 9:30-10:00. We rarely got out of dinner before 10:15 even if we told our servers.

The excellence speech. It didn't bother me, but I don't feel like the survey reflects our experience correctly. I don't like the fact that the food quality reflects on the servers. Yes, they are suppose to fix it or get you something better. But how is DCL to know if the food is excellent or not if we feel pushed into the excellent rating for our server's sake?

I wish that I could have booked June 2006 to receive all the benefits of booking on board. I could have booked for Dec. 2005 and switched, but what it they decide to do something different like they are for next summer? I know I can cancel, but meanwhile I will have been paying interest on a credit card. I think this should be a benefit for repeat cruisers whenever they book!

People who do not take the time to read. One lady told me she wished that she knew what shows were going to be on for the week. I mentioned that they are all in the Welcome Navigator. Or the number of families who set up at the adult pools, There are signs and don't they notice there are no other children in the area?
Granted, there might be some language barriers, but I was amazed when people would ask basic questions like, what is there to do on Sat. morning on the ship before we leave for our flight at 2?

Obviously, these are minor things, no flames please!!!

We love DCL and can not wait to sail with them again!

Here is a link to the pictures

http://groups.msn.com/WhatIdidonMySummerVacation/magic2004.msnw?albumlist=2

Lorie

 

[maryisme]

Hi Lorie,

Welcome back and thanks for taking the time to post. I enjoyed reading your comments - liked hearing all sides of the story.

Mary

 

[TinaRN]

Originally posted by musicgirl


When DCL plans major activities such as a deck party, they need to make sure that the time is not too early for the later seating. There were a number of times that things were scheduled to start at 9:30-10:00. We rarely got out of dinner before 10:15 even if we told our servers.

Good point!

The excellence speech. It didn't bother me, but I don't feel like the survey reflects our experience correctly. I don't like the fact that the food quality reflects on the servers. Yes, they are suppose to fix it or get you something better. But how is DCL to know if the food is excellent or not if we feel pushed into the excellent rating for our server's sake?

Another good point!


I wish that I could have booked June 2006 to receive all the benefits of booking on board. I could have booked for Dec. 2005 and switched, but what it they decide to do something different like they are for next summer? I know I can cancel, but meanwhile I will have been paying interest on a credit card. I think this should be a benefit for repeat cruisers whenever they book!

You're on a roll!

People who do not take the time to read. One lady told me she wished that she knew what shows were going to be on for the week. I mentioned that they are all in the Welcome Navigator. Or the number of families who set up at the adult pools, There are signs and don't they notice there are no other children in the area?

Did the people with children stay there? And did the CM's say anything to them? I sure hope so. And I have children, but that's not right! The adults need a place to themselves!

Granted, there might be some language barriers, but I was amazed when people would ask basic questions like, what is there to do on Sat. morning on the ship before we leave for our flight at 2?

Once again another good point!

 

[JonJehrio]

I have heard the "Excellant" shpeal, and know where you are coming from. On our last Cruise in November 03 we had Philip as our server and he asked us to be honest when filling out our survey's, that Disney would like to hear the good, as well as the bad. I thought that was great. We were honest and made sure they knew how good a server he was.

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Originally posted by musicgirl
Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that my report is done and there are pictures as well.
Lorie

Where is the link to the pictures?

 

[musicgirl]

Tina,

Most of the time, adults at the pool would tell them. There were a number of times that the CM's would do this as well. There was one gentleman who brought his little girl in the hot tub and was very angry when the CM asked him to leave. He was upset because one of the pools was closed for "cleaning".

There were also CMs who came around and asked the young looking adults if they were old enough to be at the pool. The one CM was very good at spotting the under 18 yr. olds.

Susan,

To get the link for the pictures, you have to go to the cruise report board and Find the post marked

June 12 Eastern Disembarkment and Pictures too


I hope that helps!

Lorie

 

[musicgirl]

Susan,

My DH made it a little easier. On this original post, there is a link to the pictures.

Lorie

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Your photos are awesome Lorie, I love the underwater photos! Tell Bill he got some great pictures, the underwater camera case and digital for it were an excellent investment!

You guys really know how to cruise!

Barbara

 

[gratefulone]

Lorie,

Great report. You are correct the about the "excellent" speach. If anything DCL should use the comments from guest to improve the food quality.

On our 5/15 cruise, our servers were excellent for the whole week. I can't honestly say the food always was. I think there is a lot of pressure on servers and some of them show the nervousness. I was in a group of 24 so that was hard on them but they were just fine.

 

[PrincessCindi]

What is the "excellence" speech?

 

[musicgirl]

PrincessCindi,

The speech refers to an almost depserate plea every night form your server. At the end of the cruise, you will get a survey in which even thought you don't have your name on it they will know who your servers are by the questions.

There are questions that refer to the food quality. Unfortunately, this does not only cover the food, but the server as well. If the food is not excellent, the server wants to know so that he/she can fix the problem so you have food that is excellent. So if you mark good for food quality, it also reflects on the servers.

The servers go on some kind of point system based on the surveys that will determine if they get to keep their jobs. The speech is not for your tips, but rather for an excellent survey.

Lorie

 

[PrincessCindi]

Wow ... that sounds like it could be aggrivating by the end of the cruise ..maybe someone should put "no more excellence speeches" in the survey!

 

[Verandah Man]

Lorie,

I enjoyed looking at your photos, I can't wait to sail again, we leave 8 weeks from today!!!

 

[musicgirl]

PrincessCindi,

An end to the speeches would be nice. The speech really didn't bother me. I just felt bad that it was so much pressure on them.

Verandah Man

I hope you all have as great time. Try not to walk into any of the "wrong" bathrooms!!! LOL

Lorie

 

[Verandah Man]

I hope you all have as great time. Try not to walk into any of the "wrong" bathrooms!!! LOL

 

[CM_Mom]

The only "speech" we had on our cruise was the explanation that ratings on the food reflected on the server. One of the rewards for consistent "Excellent" ratings is additional time off. Time off is prized since all crew members work at least 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. That said, you should be honest in your evaluation, just remember that excellent DOESN'T mean perfect. You can receive excellent service and have excellent food even if there are some minor glitches..as long as they're corrected.

 

[swingdude]

Great photos!!!