Change in restocking soap/shampoo?

[Oswald the Canuck]

Last year when we were on a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy, housekeeping replaced the soap/shampoo/conditioner every day. We brought the extras home and use them when we need a reminder of the good times we had.
We just got back from a 4 day cruise on the Dream and housekeeping never left replacements.
Were we just unlucky with our stateroom hostess or have others noted the same thing?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Last year when we were on a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy, housekeeping replaced the soap/shampoo/conditioner every day. We brought the extras home and use them when we need a reminder of the good times we had.
We just got back from a 4 day cruise on the Dream and housekeeping never left replacements.
Were we just unlucky with our stateroom hostess or have others noted the same thing?

I believe now they only replace when they see empty bottles (either sitting on the shelf, or in the trash). Probably more cost-saving.

 

[Saamh]

I've seen some posts on social media showing off their "stash" of products in the past. This change was probably to prevent taking more than guests can use onboard.

 

[jiminy14]

On our last cruise, our amenities were only replaced when we asked our stateroom host for replacements or he saw the empties in the trash.

 

[Oswald the Canuck]

I wondered if it was a cost-savings change. I also noticed that the housekeeping carts in the hallways were covered in such a way that no supplies were visible.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I don't think one needs to have their toiletries replaced every day...that was undoubtedly a stateroom host trying to buy a better tip. I expect only to be provided with what I need while I'm sailing. Not that I don't appreciate being given an extra set to take home - but I don't think we should *expect* it. All those wonderful products are for sale in the shops onboard.

 

[MUN]

Last year when we were on a 7 day cruise on the Fantasy, housekeeping replaced the soap/shampoo/conditioner every day. We brought the extras home and use them when we need a reminder of the good times we had.
We just got back from a 4 day cruise on the Dream and housekeeping never left replacements.
Were we just unlucky with our stateroom hostess or have others noted the same thing?

On our recent Wonder cruise, our stateroom host gave us a ton of shampoos, conditioners, and lotions. They even gave extra soap a couple of times. I think it depends on the host/hostess.

MUN

 

[ktate82]

We have been on 5 cruises and have never gotten "extra". We never asked for it either, but we didn't need it.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Understandable, but unfortunate. We always give everything we collect to a local shelter for homeless vets.

 

[chirurgeon]

I was on the Dream over Veteran's Day this year. I took the toiletries out of my shower room as soon as I got into the cabin and they were replaced at last once a day. My photo of my haul is too big to post from my phone, but I had at least four each of both soaps and the shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. I guess it depends on the stateroom host.

 

[Hundredacre]

I don't think one needs to have their toiletries replaced every day...that was undoubtedly a stateroom host trying to buy a better tip. I expect only to be provided with what I need while I'm sailing. Not that I don't appreciate being given an extra set to take home - but I don't think we should *expect* it. All those wonderful products are for sale in the shops onboard.

As I just posted on another thread... Daily replaced shampoo, etc., is in the cost of your cabin. For dcl not to replace these things daily, regardless of use, is effectively stealing from their customers. People should not feel guilty about getting one shampoo, one conditioner, one bar of soap, etc, daily. You are paying for it whether you get it or not. If you decide to leave it for dcl to take back that is your choice. But dcl should not be making that choice for you.

 

[DCLSailing]

We use the H2O+ products at home and love having extra when we return. We go through a lot of the shampoo and conditioner on board, especially on Castaway/excursion days. I sailed a couple weeks ago and noticed that I had to ask for replenishment. That said, once I asked, it happened daily but I did have to ask nonetheless and more than once.

I think it depends upon your Stateroom host. We never let any go to waste and if we have extra always bring it home to use. Great stuff and the scent brings you back to your cruise even - if just for a moment!

 

[MunFam]

Not only did our SR hostess not replace our soaps and lotions, there were a few days she did not replace towels either...and we were not on DND or anything like that. We left our room at 7am for an excursion and did not get back to the room until 5pm. She made the beds, took the old towels and did not replace them. This happened 3 or 4 times on our 14 night cruise. Needless to say, it was the first time we have ever reduced a gratuity on board.

She also did not deliver our pirate night bandanas until the morning after pirate night, after we had been to guest services to inquire about them. She told us that if we wanted our ice refreshed daily, we needed to call room service. On the last day, she was super sweet to us and told us we needed to make sure she got a good review on the card so she could maintain her job with DCL. My mind was blown!

 

[kaysmommie]

I don't think one needs to have their toiletries replaced every day...that was undoubtedly a stateroom host trying to buy a better tip. I expect only to be provided with what I need while I'm sailing. Not that I don't appreciate being given an extra set to take home - but I don't think we should *expect* it. All those wonderful products are for sale in the shops onboard.

If you have people in your family and two have them have long thick hair. The toiletries barely last a day. I usually bring extra soap/bodywash because we are not going to share one tiny bar of soap. But when we are spending $9000 for 7 nights on the Fantasy, I would expect them to replace toiletries.

 

[MUN]

Not only did our SR hostess not replace our soaps and lotions, there were a few days she did not replace towels either...and we were not on DND or anything like that. We left our room at 7am for an excursion and did not get back to the room until 5pm. She made the beds, took the old towels and did not replace them. This happened 3 or 4 times on our 14 night cruise. Needless to say, it was the first time we have ever reduced a gratuity on board.

She also did not deliver our pirate night bandanas until the morning after pirate night, after we had been to guest services to inquire about them. She told us that if we wanted our ice refreshed daily, we needed to call room service. On the last day, she was super sweet to us and told us we needed to make sure she got a good review on the card so she could maintain her job with DCL. My mind was blown!

I hope you mentioned this to Guest Services and noted it on the comment card. I'm glad to read that you reduced her tip for not doing her job.

Folks, there is a big difference in having a crummy stateroom host vs. the insistence by some of you that DCL is being niggardly with soaps, shampoos, and lotions. My advice if you are not getting enough of these items is to ask your stateroom host/hostess for more. If that doesn't work, call Guest Services. I have found Guest Services to be extremently responsive.

MUN

 

[cruisehopeful]

On the last day, she was super sweet to us and told us we needed to make sure she got a good review on the card so she could maintain her job with DCL.

I hope you mentioned this to Guest Services and noted it on the comment card. I'm glad to read that you reduced her tip for not doing her job.

I hope you left a detailed description on the comment card and gave her a very low score. This is the exact type of person that they shouldn't have working on the ship.

 

[Meriweather]

I love the H2O Spa products and must admit I save them to bring home and use when I travel other places that don't have good products.
I had quite the load when we did the 14 might cruises.
Ours have always been replaced every day............I hope that doesn't change.

 

[over50visits]

As I just posted on another thread... Daily replaced shampoo, etc., is in the cost of your cabin. For dcl not to replace these things daily, regardless of use, is effectively stealing from their customers. People should not feel guilty about getting one shampoo, one conditioner, one bar of soap, etc, daily. You are paying for it whether you get it or not. If you decide to leave it for dcl to take back that is your choice. But dcl should not be making that choice for you.

Perhaps a small deal, but I strongly disagree. Our cruise fare pays for soaps we need during the cruise, and Disney should keep us well stock with what we need. But hiding unused ones so you'll get more is very easy to rationalize but wrong. Not much in the big scheme of things, but unfortunately Disney has to do many things because of guests who abuse the system. How many people openly bragged here about taking wine they brought on board into the lounges or putting drinks in cups to walk around despite Disney's stated restrictions (in the cabin only). Thus the new alcohol policy.

It's a two-way street. Disney needs to treat us fairly and keep their side of the bargain, we owe them the same courtesy. Arranging to get more shampoo than we need on the trip so we can take a stash home is wrong. That's why you have to hide it so they'll leave more each day.

But, I guess it is a common practice, and everyone who does it wants to think it's okay, so it's okay. Bigger fish to fry on this board in discussions.

 

[Hundredacre]

Perhaps a small deal, but I strongly disagree. Our cruise fare pays for soaps we need during the cruise, and Disney should keep us well stock with what we need. But hiding unused ones so you'll get more is very easy to rationalize but wrong. Not much in the big scheme of things, but unfortunately Disney has to do many things because of guests who abuse the system. How many people openly bragged here about taking wine they brought on board into the lounges or putting drinks in cups to walk around despite Disney's stated restrictions (in the cabin only). Thus the new alcohol policy.

It's a two-way street. Disney needs to treat us fairly and keep their side of the bargain, we owe them the same courtesy. Arranging to get more shampoo than we need on the trip so we can take a stash home is wrong. That's why you have to hide it so they'll leave more each day.

But, I guess it is a common practice, and everyone who does it wants to think it's okay, so it's okay. Bigger fish to fry on this board in discussions.

I do not think you read my post. I never said I was "hiding" soap. I do not appreciate you pulling that out of thin air and accusing me of things. I said that I should get a minimum of one of all toiletries every day. Yes, Disney should err on the side of me having extra to take home. If I want a fresh bar of soap every day, I should have that option. I also should not have to "prove" to a room hostess every day that I need shampoo by lining up empty bottles. We had near empty bottles left in the bath and still did not get shampoo. That is what I am paying for!! I should never be in a situation where I am wondering if I will have enough shampoo for the next morning. Because that was my situation every day. Imagine me in the shower trying to squeeze the nickel of green stuff left in the shampoo container onto my hair (without success, btw, that last nickel, I can tell you, does not come out).

 

[MunFam]

I hope you left a detailed description on the comment card and gave her a very low score. This is the exact type of person that they shouldn't have working on the ship.

Oh, I did. DCL actually called me and had about an hour long chat...because we also had food issues on board. They ended up offering us a 25% off a future sailing coupon. I doubt we will have time to use it, but it was a nice gesture.