Bad DCL experience... Do I need a new hobby?

[drdelsol]

Dave, it was definitely a compliment. The hours put in are way past the "hobby" stage.


Worldtraveler777-Somepeople don't value knowledge and experience unless it's their own. Keep up the good work, there are those of us that do.

"The customer is always right" isn't reality. You always want to do right by the customer but the unreasonable demands of some make it impossible for that to be a blanket statement.

As far as making a satement about a certain type of customer,not as a flame, but I would bet certain other posters talk about people they deal with. I haven't met a person yet, and I do mean that as a blanket statement, that won't relate stories about certain types of people that they encounter over and over again in their jobs, profession or just life. If you want to get a stranger talking ask what they they do and go" I bet you get some difficult people with that" My rambling point is: Don't throw stones.


Thank you to everyone for the information I've learned on these boards. We are taking our first cruise on the September 25Th Wonder. We'll be the ones with the life jackets at the lunch buffett.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Originally posted by drdelsol
We'll be the ones with the life jackets at the lunch buffett.

LOL!!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Hey - just wanted to let Dave know that I too, really appreciate all of the work he puts into his website. It was a wonderful resource for me when I was planning my cruise!

If all of those things really happened to the author of that letter, I feel bad for her. But I too, wonder if her perception of the events make it seem worse?

We were on the March 29th cruise that ended up getting re-routed (more than once). The weather was iffy and we never made it to Grand Cayman. We had a FABULOUS time! Hey, we were on vacation, on a great ship, and the crew went out of their way to keep us entertained. We're working on our schedule for booking Cruise #2 and I CAN'T WAIT!

 

["Ginger"]

All I want to know is when does the staff have time for orgies??? LOL Those poor people 18 hours a day 7 days a week, but it is their choice to do that. We were told by a few staff members that if they ever wanted to break their contract and go home that DCL pays their way home.


Dave we are lucky you have such a wonderful hobby it sure has helped me out alot. Thank You,

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

when does the staff have time for orgies???

"Ginger" - an orgy is a lot like jello - there's always room...

 

[allshookup]

Originally posted by Buckaroo's Dad
"Ginger" - an orgy is a lot like jello - there's always room...

LOL!!! I have gotten a good chuckle out of this topic!

I am glad to see Dave did not take that letter any more seriously than most of us!

 

[tchrmom]

Dave,

Last year, we took our first Disney cruise. We could never have enjoyed it as much as we did without your website! It helped us plan and prepare. Our cruise experience was so "magical" that we boarded on Sat. and had booked cruise #2 by Wednesday!

Keep up the great hobby!
What do you think of Palo's on Wednesday night for the 7 day easter? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[catspjmas]

Thanks for posting the crazy lady's letter, Dave! I have been reading the Disboards cruise board for about 8 months now and that was the funniest thing I've seen on here yet! Disney Cruise provides only the highest quality experience so I raise my eyebrows at this woman's tales of numerous injuries and moldy strawberries. As for the "crew orgies"...I think NOT! They barely even have time to use the crew pool and crew beach at Castaway Cay and are the kindest, hardest working group you could find. This woman deserved the stupid fat slob American comment (even though I don't believe they said it). Think about the crew---what Americans would be willing to work that hard??? No wonder most of them come from other countries. Thanks again for posting that...Good thing that woman was not on our 8/2 sailing-- we only had fun, magical folks on our cruise!

 

[moinab]

Thanks for posting this, Dave. Other than the unfortunate side-track, I've really enjoyed the fun banter. I also have to thank you for your wonderful site.

Now, to put in my 2 cents. DH and I have tons of customer service experience, and I can tell you with no uncertainty that people with extremely poor attitudes bring misfortune upon themselves. If you complain repeatedly in a nasty manner and are very rude to people who are serving you, there is a good chance there will be some sort of retaliation. Is it right that they do so? Absolutely not. Does it happen all the time? You bet. (FYI, I have never engaged in this sort of behavior, but I know it happens.) Certainly, if you have problems, talk to someone about it, but there's no need to be nasty. And if the person you're dealing with is a problem, go to the next person up in the chain of command.

Obviously, I have no idea what really happened to this unfortunate woman, but her letter does appear to have some "professional complainer" qualities to it. The one thing I question is the part about no food being served until 10 PM (I don't remember the exact comment.) I suppose it could have happened, but I find it highly unlikely. We had late seating and were stuffed to the gills by 10 PM every night.

One final thought, regarding the luggage. At the end of Toy Story II, Al snaps at the gate attendant in the airport to be careful with his luggage ("You got that, sport?") DH worked for an airline many years ago, and he always jokes that that piece of luggage would definitely get rerouted. Is it right to do so? Nope. Does it happen? Yup.

 

[4cruisin]

Dave,

We have a category 6 stateroom booked but now I'm thinking we may want to move down a few decks closer to the crew's quarters so we can research those orgies. Have you found where-a-bouts they are holding them. Please respond asap so I can change my room #. Remember...I am only acting as a research assistant for your website...this is not for me.

Thanks.

Nancy

 

[gometros]

Okay, I'd like to put this to rest once and for all. I believe the woman was mistaken. They weren't talking about orgies at all. They were talking about sneaking their pets onboard and this particular waiter obviously had a corgy in his room. The corgy is a smallish dog, easy to hide in a stateroom.

Which reminds me of a joke:

2 of the queens corgies were having a chat in the garden.
one said to the other "it's a shame the queen mum is dead"

the other replied " i'm glad shes gone"

"why is that then"

"coz we wont get the blame for pissing on the couch anymore".

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Very funny, Sandy! And, no, I hadn't heard that joke yet. LOL!

 

[moinab]

ROTFL! Thanks for the laugh! I needed it--started potty training DS today. I'm sure he wishes he had a corgy around!

 

[jrabbit]

Great Idea 4Cruzin,
You wouldn't have to downgrade your room, I'm already on Deck 2 and would be glad to undertake the "research" project. I wonder, are there and cat 9 rooms on deck 1?

I know that Fidelio and Dan Riley never mentioned anything about orgies in their songs about the crew quarters and areas, I must have just slipped their minds!

Like someone very early on said - the orgies might take place in the kitchen. Someone else can do the research there. I've been on the galley tour and way too much stainless steel for my taste.

 

[gdulaney]

Originally posted by gometros
Okay, I'd like to put this to rest once and for all. I believe the woman was mistaken. They weren't talking about orgies at all. They were talking about sneaking their pets onboard and this particular waiter obviously had a corgy in his room. The corgy is a smallish dog, easy to hide in a stateroom.[/i]

LOL!!! That is so funny! Last year our neighbors got a dog...a corgy, who they named corgie (pronounced cor-gee). Imagine my surprise the first time I heard her calling the dog..."Orgy! Orgy! Come here! My husband and I looked at each other and both started laughing. It turns out that she wasn't looking for an orgy (DCL or otherwise)...just the dog.

Ginny

 

[4myguys]

 

[PizzieDuster]

Originally posted by Dave_from_Marietta

This letter wasn't as bad. Her anger wasn't directed at me. And she wasn't questioning my integrity. Just remember to shake it off, Sweetie! I agree with 4cruisin's comments, quoted above.


I love your site. I give your site out to friends who think about going! Keep it up Dave!

 

[ashleydoc]

Originally posted by disney6
You're right!! I said something about taking my fanny pack instead of my purse! (you're also right about the "location"!) The look on her face was priceless!!!! I'm chuckling now thinking about it!!!

We are from England and there are a few differences in language between us and the USA which can get you in trouble:-

In the UK we call erasers Rubbers which doesnt have the same meaning for you guys

You call a grassed area sod in the UK this is a mild swear word

And Yes I was quite surprised when I first heard the word Fanny Pack

On a less controversial note

Diapers are napkins
Dempster is dustbin
Pants are Trousers

 

[PlaneJoy]

Dave,

Please don't give up your hobby.... you have my menu's after all. I would hate to think that I got them for nothing!

Regrettably, we had a horrible experience on the magic back in June. Not every crew member has the same attitude when it comes to customer service, notably in the dining room. We saw some fabulous servers, ours just was not one of them. (It wasn't just our opinion, the family at the table next to us actually spoke to us about it). Anyway, this doesn't mean we are giving up on Disney. Perhaps we will try the Wonder the our baby gets old enough to go into the kids program.

I did write a letter to Disney and was disappointed by their response.

Anyway, all this to say that while the vast majority of experiences aboard DCL are very positive. Their are some that are not quite the experience that others seem to have.

Just my two cents....

-joy

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Dave,

I couldn't believe how many complaints this woman had!!! I find it very difficult to believe that DCL would not credit her account for the moldy strawberries, that the servers spoke so negatively about Americans, that DCL did nothing about her lost luggage, that the food was terrible (yeah right!) and so on and so on .... My gosh! We've cruised w/DCL four times and all of our cruises have been <b>EXCELLENT</b> vacations. Therefore, I feel so sorry for any DCL crew member this woman came in contact with because she was obviously looking for problems instead of a good time. Unfortunately, it sounds like her daughter has picked up on her negativity too since her parents were constantly being paged to come pick her up from the kids club.

I add my name to the list of people who appreciate your website very much and would love for you to continue your wonderful hobby.