Bedbugs on the Magic

[Cfabar1]

Who is the captain on the Magic? I suspect he/she may be lacking. The captain really sets the tone.

I have long assumed on DCL the Captain's job is to navigate the ship.

I imagine the customer experience is driven more by Disney corporate policies and staff. But I could be mistaken.

 

[MB Andrews]

Im on Deck 6 in Sept and I feel you.

Me too, I am on deck 6 in Sept. as well. Not making me feel too good right now

 

[Moonspinner]

I have long assumed on DCL the Captain's job is to navigate the ship.

I imagine the customer experience is driven more by Disney corporate policies and staff. But I could be mistaken.

I see the captain as the CEO of the cruise ship. I agree that his/her first responsibility is navigation and safety but he/she is also responsible for everything on board. I know that the captain of the fantasy is fabulous. We have sailed the fantasy several times and on more than one occasion we have had a head waiter communicate to us that the captain said ____. Once he gave everyone on our cruise OBC for an issue on the ship. I think his name is Fabian. I am sure captains vary and I suspect the captain of the Magic is either (to be generous I’ll say) laisser faire or almost at retirement and checking out.

 

[babyruth]

Agreed Captain needs to set the tone - but also by way of the Cruise Director. They are supposed to be partners in tandem one leading technically and one leading service. Ideally, we'd want the ship vacated and treated but I'm sure that would make it's own waves. punny.

 

[brentm77]

I see the captain as the CEO of the cruise ship. I agree that his/her first responsibility is navigation and safety but he/she is also responsible for everything on board. I know that the captain of the fantasy is fabulous. We have sailed the fantasy several times and on more than one occasion we have had a head waiter communicate to us that the captain said ____. Once he gave everyone on our cruise OBC for an issue on the ship. I think his name is Fabian. I am sure captains vary and I suspect the captain of the Magic is either (to be generous I’ll say) laisser faire or almost at retirement and checking out.

I'm not saying the captain would have any significant impact on how bedbugs are handled, but the officers, including those in charge of housekeeping and maintenance, all report to him or her. On a Disney cruise, the Executive Housekeeper and Hotel Director would be key officers in the Hotel Department responsible for dealing with an issue like bed bugs (not sure if DCL uses these exact titles), so yes, ultimately the buck stops with the captain, who is essentially responsible for anything and everything that happens on the ship while in command. But I also agree with others that corporate policies would play a big role and there is likely a standard procedure that is expected to be followed.

 

[Cfabar1]

But I also agree with others that corporate policies would play a big role and there is likely a standard procedure that is expected to be followed.

That’s my hunch that there isn’t too much leeway here…

When was the last time you rode a commercial airplane and the captain did something extra for the passengers? That used to happen somewhat frequently. Disney has definitely gone away from the “pixie dusting” sort of attitude lately, though it does still happen in a few places.

To me, compensation was absolutely deserved here, and I agree that those impacted by the flooding on the Magic earlier this year should have received generous compensation. I’m just a little quicker to point the blame of the poor response on Bob Iger, Josh Damaro, and Joe Schott than the captain of the vessel, or even the Cruise Director.

 

[babyruth]

awww...I miss the days when kids could see the cockpit and you'd get a little pair of wings from the pilot. remember when the people used to clap for a smooth landing and safe flight? rarely will a captain even be audible over the speakers nowadays. everyone in their own silo now.

 

[Moonspinner]

That’s my hunch that there isn’t too much leeway here…

When was the last time you rode a commercial airplane and the captain did something extra for the passengers? That used to happen somewhat frequently. Disney has definitely gone away from the “pixie dusting” sort of attitude lately, though it does still happen in a few places.

To me, compensation was absolutely deserved here, and I agree that those impacted by the flooding on the Magic earlier this year should have received generous compensation. I’m just a little quicker to point the blame of the poor response on Bob Iger, Josh Damaro, and Joe Schott than the captain of the vessel, or even the Cruise Director.

I guess it is personal philosophy to some extent. I, for example, do not think Bob Iger should have a job. I know a lot of people disagree with me on that. I hold the CEO responsible for a company’s failure or lack of performance, whereas others seem to point to things like mitigating circumstances or decisions by lower management. From my perspective, the person at the top is paid to not only address problems head on but also to anticipate problems and direct others to deal with those problems. For the Magic to have as many problems as it does verses other ships which have not had as many, if any, major problems besides more nitpicking issues, communicates to me that the captain is not involved enough. For me the captain is running a subsidiary and is in charge. I don’t think my views are in the majority, as CEOs rarely get fired for anything nowadays. But I do notice when a company has great upper management. The entire company runs well. The Fantasy runs well. The entire vibe on the Fantasy is awesome, and I do think it comes from the captain.

 

[RedHead0186]

I see the captain as the CEO of the cruise ship. I agree that his/her first responsibility is navigation and safety but he/she is also responsible for everything on board. I know that the captain of the fantasy is fabulous. We have sailed the fantasy several times and on more than one occasion we have had a head waiter communicate to us that the captain said ____. Once he gave everyone on our cruise OBC for an issue on the ship. I think his name is Fabian. I am sure captains vary and I suspect the captain of the Magic is either (to be generous I’ll say) laisser faire or almost at retirement and checking out.

FYI, ship captains rotate fairly often-I can't remember now what the cycle is, but Captain Damir visited the concierge lounge on the EBTA on the Fantasy in May and was talking about it-I was surprised how frequent it is.

While I do think the Captain has oversight of the ship, I don't think they are going to be the primary ones problem solving these types of things. There are other officers that are heads of entertainment, housekeeping, etc. that likely are the ones doing most of the work. They may go to the captain for final approval when solutions need to happen, especially when trying to make things right/compensating guests, etc. Just like a CEO is not involved in the day to day of any company, they have executives to do that for them as well. I do agree with you that they (CEOs and captains) set a tone. I think it's a pretty big leap to assume the captain of the Magic has a laissez-faire approach or is close to retirement.