Cruise duck question

[dreamer17555]

But CM's are told ducks are not allowed. Just too many of them either do not want to have a confrontation or they personally like the idea and know that DCL management is never going to know that they personally gave the "okay" to a guest.

I think Disney needs to be clearer in the messaging. The rule need to be easily findable on the website stating clearly that they are not allowed to be placed in public spaces. And Disney needs to be instructing their cast members that they need to tell every guest that asks that they are not allowed.

My daughter is a former WDW cast member. She’s was not going to tell anyone that they can get away with breaking the rules just to make a guest feel better. The fact that guest services is regularly telling guests that it is OK is a problem and Disney needs to be dealing with employees on those ships directly.

 

[Goofy1932]

I think Disney needs to be clearer in the messaging. The rule need to be easily findable on the website stating clearly that they are not allowed to be placed in public spaces. And Disney needs to be instructing their cast members that they need to tell every guest that asks that they are not allowed.

My daughter is a former WDW cast member. She’s was not going to tell anyone that they can get away with breaking the rules just to make a guest feel better. The fact that guest services is regularly telling guests that it is OK is a problem and Disney needs to be dealing with employees on those ships directly.

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree. This needs to be a very clear message on their website in the very least.

 

[Mags2002]

But CM's are told ducks are not allowed. Just too many of them either do not want to have a confrontation or they personally like the idea and know that DCL management is never going to know that they personally gave the "okay" to a guest.

Exactly this. Your day is easier without conflict. If I found any, I scooped them up and gave them to the nearest child (obviously when not working as a character). This way, the guest believed they hid them, anothe guest got the ducks and I still did my job

 

[Mags2002]

While I agree with you, I will say this in defense of guests- DCL has done very poorly with rolling this out. I can't find it on prohibited item list nor anywhere clearly stated on DCL.com that placing ducks in public spaces is prohibited (If someone can link me to it I am happy to have a copy). Many people do not consider Plan Disney an official source (to be fair they do sometimes provide incorrect information)

Also guests have asked at guest services and been told over and over that it is fine. Crew members are saying it is fine, saying they too like finding the ducks. This is sending mixed messages to guests. If DCL is going to keep this policy- state it loudly, and clearly. Make sure the crew is saying the same thing to guests- not allowed. Clear communication would solve SO many issues.

I don't care about the ducks one way or the other but I DO have issues with those super tiny ducks (pinky nail sized) as they often look like candy and can be a choking hazard for little ones and even more dangerous if they have magnets on them... but that is a soap box to stand on another day.

Agreed. Although to be honest, do they ever really roll out new things that well??

 

[Mags2002]

Yeah, there needs to be a clear message.....

but if one thinks about it "show" terms, anything that is not supposed to be playing a part in the "show" is technically not needing to be there, hence them being removed.....you could claim they are "lost and found items" or removed for "show" reasons.....

obv, that's not the general reason of their existence, but them being removed makes sense....

And this is what’s most important, isn’t it? Although environmental aspects come into play with ducks, “safety” and “show” are some of the basic keys of Disney and cannot be compromised in any way. If they are, the cast members will take steps to rectify this

 

[Mags2002]

I think Disney needs to be clearer in the messaging. The rule need to be easily findable on the website stating clearly that they are not allowed to be placed in public spaces. And Disney needs to be instructing their cast members that they need to tell every guest that asks that they are not allowed.

My daughter is a former WDW cast member. She’s was not going to tell anyone that they can get away with breaking the rules just to make a guest feel better. The fact that guest services is regularly telling guests that it is OK is a problem and Disney needs to be dealing with employees on those ships directly.

Crew were telling guests when it first changed, but it never went well for the crew. Like I said, a lot of guests are strangely attached to their ducks.
Often if a rule is “bent” and not broken, a CM will just leave it rather than risk making the guest angry

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Often if a rule is “bent” and not broken, a CM will just leave it rather than risk making the guest angry

Which is, typically, the way most CMs operate.

 

[dreamer17555]

Crew were telling guests when it first changed, but it never went well for the crew. Like I said, a lot of guests are strangely attached to their ducks.
Often if a rule is “bent” and not broken, a CM will just leave it rather than risk making the guest angry

But you do understand how Disney not having it clearly defined that this is not allowed on their website (where it’s easy for guest to find) and then cast members not wanting to perhaps have an altercation so they say it is fine is making it where guests really do believe it is allowed?

Either it’s an actual rule in which case all the cast members need to be enforcing it and being direct with guests and telling them it’s not allowed or it’s not a rule… rules without any sort of enforcement are just suggestions

 

[Mags2002]

But you do understand how Disney not having it clearly defined that this is not allowed on their website (where it’s easy for guest to find) and then cast members not wanting to perhaps have an altercation so they say it is fine is making it where guests really do believe it is allowed?

Either it’s an actual rule in which case all the cast members need to be enforcing it and being direct with guests and telling them it’s not allowed or it’s not a rule… rules without any sort of enforcement are just suggestions

Of course I understand. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about it. While the crew are doing what was instructed by removing ducks, how they choose to do it and get through their day without being screamed at is up to them until DCL gets their act together and makes it official

 

[lanejudy]

I guess my thought — which may not be popular — why does DCL (or any business) need to tell their guests (customers) not to leave their personal belongings laying around the ship? If you bring it onboard it is your personal item and expected to be on your person or in your stateroom. Do you leave other items just laying around for an unofficial scavenger hunt? Do you take ducks to the local mall? Restaurant? Hotels? Your neighbor’s house? Leaving personal belongings laying around is not appropriate guest behavior.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I guess my thought — which may not be popular — why does DCL (or any business) need to tell their guests (customers) not to leave their personal belongings laying around the ship? If you bring it onboard it is your personal item and expected to be on your person or in your stateroom. Do you leave other items just laying around for an unofficial scavenger hunt? Do you take ducks to the local mall? Restaurant? Hotels? Your neighbor’s house? Leaving personal belongings laying around is not appropriate guest behavior.

Sadly, yes, people leave such things as the ubiquitous ducks (painted rocks, etc) anywhere they want (I find it annoying).

That said, Disney, in the past, has always been firm about things that are not part of the themeing for their parks, I would expect it to be the same for the ships.

 

[Mags2002]

I guess my thought — which may not be popular — why does DCL (or any business) need to tell their guests (customers) not to leave their personal belongings laying around the ship? If you bring it onboard it is your personal item and expected to be on your person or in your stateroom. Do you leave other items just laying around for an unofficial scavenger hunt? Do you take ducks to the local mall? Restaurant? Hotels? Your neighbor’s house? Leaving personal belongings laying around is not appropriate guest behavior.

Especially for a company like Disney that is all about immersion in story and “show”. It’s the same with pixie dusting at the parks or leaving stuff outside your room at the hotels; it has become insane. There’s random stuff left everywhere. (Just to add, it is the same at the parks where cast members will remove things lying around that shouldn’t be there)

 

[Dug720]

The fact that guest services is regularly telling guests that it is OK is a problem and Disney needs to be dealing with employees on those ships directly

Which ship did you PERSONALLY hear Guest Services tell guests that on - not you heard that someone say they told them? Just curious.

 

[Goofy1932]

Which ship did you PERSONALLY hear Guest Services tell guests that on - not you heard that someone say they told them? Just curious.

Well I've been specifically told by Disney Cruise line representatives three times on the phone and at least five times in a chat session that they are not allowed to be hidden. I have even posted screenshots before of the chat sessions and people still don't believe me. But if you wanna hide ducks then go ahead and hide ducks. Like I've said before it's not like they're gonna throw you in the brig for hiding a deck. It all just comes down to what type of person you are.

 

[dreamer17555]

Which ship did you PERSONALLY hear Guest Services tell guests that on - not you heard that someone say they told them? Just curious.

Actually I have seen it happen twice (on the Fantasy in Sept and on the Dream in Jan) and they said it is fine but one did say something about not placing them out of reach or in hard to get to locations. I have not heard it on the other ships but I also think the layout for guest services is much more in one tiny space on those ships and when they are trying to figure out why no charges are showing on your account- you end up standing there a bunch while they take your phone back and forth to behind the door to show them what you are seeing, in January on the Dream it took 3 visits to sort it all out.

I have been told by others on the Wish (Sept) who were okay with either hiding or pixie dusting guests that they were told by guest services it was okay as well but I have not personally overheard it.

This mirrors the experience that others have shared- including certain vloggers some of whom are on DCL's media lists but they have not filmed that interaction so I guess they could be making it up?

I dont Duck at all (and I hate those itty bitty choking hazard ones) but I do like to people watch so I do listen

 

[dreamer17555]

Well I've been specifically told by Disney Cruise line representatives three times on the phone and at least five times in a chat session that they are not allowed to be hidden. I have even posted screenshots before of the chat sessions and people still don't believe me. But if you wanna hide ducks then go ahead and hide ducks. Like I've said before it's not like they're gonna throw you in the brig for hiding a deck. It all just comes down to what type of person you are.

I do not duck- hide or buy or collect- so no skin in the game but a reason people do not believe the reps on the phones and chat is they often have bad information. When the kids club age dropped they were telling parents of kids that had needs that could only be served by secure programming that were now too old for oceaneers that it would be handled on a case by case basis on the ship about aging down (which DCL does not ever allow) which caused several families to keep sailings they would have cancelled. All they needed to do was explain it onboard and it should not be an issue- it was an issue and not allowed.

Recently for a Dream sailing both concierge and shoreside had the wrong dining rotations they were sharing with guests. Or someone chatted and was told they could take the life vest off the ship for a DCL excursion in Cozumel. DCL could clear up so much by posting very clearly that they are not allowed on Disneycruiseline.com (not Plan Disney) but for whatever reason they wont.

 

[Goofy1932]

I do not duck- hide or buy or collect- so no skin in the game but a reason people do not believe the reps on the phones and chat is they often have bad information. When the kids club age dropped they were telling parents of kids that had needs that could only be served by secure programming that were now too old for oceaneers that it would be handled on a case by case basis on the ship about aging down (which DCL does not ever allow) which caused several families to keep sailings they would have cancelled. All they needed to do was explain it onboard and it should not be an issue- it was an issue and not allowed.

Recently for a Dream sailing both concierge and shoreside had the wrong dining rotations they were sharing with guests. Or someone chatted and was told they could take the life vest off the ship for a DCL excursion in Cozumel. DCL could clear up so much by posting very clearly that they are not allowed on Disneycruiseline.com (not Plan Disney) but for whatever reason they wont.

When every single representative I speak to tells me the SAME thing word for word and the chat sessions are the SAME, word for word then it's not bad information. They're all told the same thing. Again, hide them if you want to because they're not gonna throw you in the brig. Those that fight so vehemently for hiding ducks are just simply not going to stop and none of us are the DCL police. If DCL doesn't want to make this policy more well known and have their cast members step up and do something about it when they see it happening then they really should stop telling people they're not allowed when they call and ask.

 

[Mle8308]

I'm just sitting here shaking my head at the idea that kids would be bored on a DISNEY cruise.

Celebrity? Possibly - depends on the kid.
HAL? Absolutely! I was bored on there at 44.

But Disney??

Exactly! Why even go on a Disney cruise if they think their kids would be bored???

 

[dreamer17555]

When every single representative I speak to tells me the SAME thing word for word and the chat sessions are the SAME, word for word then it's not bad information. They're all told the same thing. Again, hide them if you want to because they're not gonna throw you in the brig.

Again they were sharing the same scripted language over the kids club being allowed to age down when changes first came out. Chat after chat sharing the same wrong info. I am not saying ducks are allowed. I am saying DCL has a history of sharing bad information via phone and chat and that is why not everyone will trust it.

I also keep saying I Do Not Do A Thing with Ducks. I do not hide, collect, pixie dust, bring on, have any ducks (my neighbors have two real ducks next door that scare my giant dog but that is the most I have to do with ducks)

But DCL can EASILY clear this up and make it easier for their crew by posting the information clearly and publicly that it is not allowed on their main website but apparently for whatever reason are choosing not to.

 

[Weedy]

Or Disney could just embrace the Duck Hunting like some other cruise line.