DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[JimmyV]

I don't believe the arcades are being removed because of Florida laws.

This is correct. The ship is not registered in the U.S., and as a result, is only bound by U.S. (and Florida) law while in local waters. Same as casinos. Once a ship is outside of U.S. territory, it can open up its casinos, run bingo games, operate arcade games, and allow all sorts of conduct that would make you blush. Yes, there are "specialty cruises" that do all sorts of things that one could not get away with on land. Obviously, DCL doesn't charter these groups. But they are out there.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was also thinking about this last night. I know all Disney costumed characters are on a contract that specifies their duties and most of them are part of a union. This includes the cruise line entertainers. The signing of autographs is part of the usual "on stage" duties of the land-based characters. I wonder who did it on the ships? Maybe a steward specifically hired for the job? Do you think there was like a little crafts room where they cranked out the signatures? Could that have been in conflict with the usual performance duties of the actors? I have seen union contracts blow up over who put a few bricks somewhere. I'm wondering if this situation was more than about excess pillowcases. I do not know for sure, nor do I have any advance knowledge of the entertainer's contracts. I am also intelligent enough to know that all complex situations are multifactorial. It was something that came to me while watching the extra discs that came with The Hobbit.

I like how much you think about this. Given that we (me, my son, and my sis in law) were having an in depth discussion about the Malfoys, while walking around my brother's neighborhood an hour ago, I think we overthink things to the same degree.

They have stated they are increasing the characters and the character visit times, so hopefully this will be sufficient.

So now they make poor Cinderella tell them "I can't sign 50 Christmas balls"....poor Cindy.

 

[kid-at-heart]

We really like Celebrity. Try an itinerary that DCL doesn't do, and that will really help shift your loyalties to Celebrity.

In comparison to DCL, how is the food on the Celebrity. Also, in comparison to DCL, how are the servers?

Thanks!
Kate

 

[littleblackegg]

I like how much you think about this. Given that we (me, my son, and my sis in law) were having an in depth discussion about the Malfoys, while walking around my brother's neighborhood an hour ago, I think we overthink things to the same degree.



So now they make poor Cinderella tell them "I can't sign 50 Christmas balls"....poor Cindy.

"I think you are overthinking this, Erica." I hear this about 20 times a week. What else am I supposed to do? I live to ruminate.

 

[bumbershoot]

What else am I supposed to do? I live to ruminate.

Seriously. What ELSE is my mind supposed to do? What do other peoples' minds do? (and it's hard to ask that question without sounding like a total jerk..."so DO you think about things all day every day? or is it just an echo chamber in your head?"... OK there are better ways of asking but absolutely none of them come out right LOL)

 

[littleblackegg]

Seriously. What ELSE is my mind supposed to do? What do other peoples' minds do? (and it's hard to ask that question without sounding like a total jerk..."so DO you think about things all day every day? or is it just an echo chamber in your head?"... OK there are better ways of asking but absolutely none of them come out right LOL)

I have the worst social skills. I try to ask as few questions as possible. Considering I am a mental health professional you'd think I'd have some clue what normal, functional folks do with their brains all day. Not a clue.

 

[jdb in AZ]

In comparison to DCL, how is the food on the Celebrity. Also, in comparison to DCL, how are the servers?

Thanks!
Kate

We think Celebrity's food is better. They have an amazing brunch on a sea day where everyone is invited, no upcharge, and the food is better than Palo. The crew is every bit as professional as DCL.

 

[tidefan]

We think Celebrity's food is better. They have an amazing brunch on a sea day where everyone is invited, no upcharge, and the food is better than Palo. The crew is every bit as professional as DCL.

Also, we really like Princess and find their food to be really good. It's more teak and brass, but our DD has always liked Princess. My parents like both Princess and Celebrity and that is pretty much all they sail.

Plus, their new boats play "The Love Boat" theme on the horn...

 

[closetmickey]

I am another who received a call back response from my email and was told I would not incur any penalties if I chose to cancel my PIF cruise. Explain that to my three kiddos, though.

 

[JimmyV]

In comparison to DCL, how is the food on the Celebrity. Also, in comparison to DCL, how are the servers?

Thanks!
Kate

In terms of the food on the mass market lines, (and leaving "extra fee" specialty restaurants aside), in my opinion Disney is no better than middle of the pack, and i actually find it to be in the bottom third. Maybe they think they can skate by because of all the kids on board, or maybe they think that families don't want gourmet food. But I would rank Princess and Celebrity both ahead of Disney (in that order). And I don't think Disney finishes any better than tied with Carnival or RCCL. Disney wins in many categories such as non-suite cabin size and kid's programs. (Though the battlefront on cabin size is deceptive. Yes, you have to level up to a Mini-Suite on a line like Princess to match a basic Veranda cabin on Disney. But you also pay less for that Mini-Suite.) But where Disney wins in several areas over these other lines, the food in the main dining rooms and buffets is not one of those areas.

 

[EvieBug]

Raise your hand if you like non-answers that totally do not answer the question! Ah well, not that it matters.

Question, since I am a rule follower (no pirate blood apparently) since we can no longer bring on liquor, is there a way to purchase a bottle for the room once on the ship? I really do enjoy having a drink on my veranda and really don't want to traipse to a bar and bring it back to do so. The inconvenience just kills me (first world problems, I know!)

I still signed the petition, but it seems that DCL has dug their heels into the ground with the new policy. Still think DCL needs to do something for anyone who is past the cancel date and PIF. Just my opinion.

I missed this - is there a petition? Link please?

 

[gumbypee]

a

 

[gumbypee]

In comparison to DCL, how is the food on the Celebrity. Also, in comparison to DCL, how are the servers?

Thanks!
Kate

I am a very picky eater and I LOST weight on my celebrity food because I personally found the food to be so horrible. it is totally subjective subject. Servers were awful too. Celebrity was my worst cruise of all time and I will never ever sail them again.... not even if it was FREE

 

[EvieBug]

I don't believe I can share the link, but it is on the ipetition site, so if you google that with the hashtag everyone is using, you'll be able to find it

#DCLprohibitiongate2015

That will do! Thanks!!

 

[littleblackegg]

I am a very picky eater and I LOST weight on my celebrity food because I personally found the food to be so horrible. it is totally subjective subject. Servers were awful too. Celebrity was my worst cruise of all time and I will never ever sail them again.... not even if it was FREE

Wow. That's awful. You probably interacted with, what, 20-25 different servers? They were all awful? Do you think it was some aspect of their training? Were they, like, misinformed? Rude? Hostile? Indifferent? I'm trying to figure out how so many people serving food on one cruise could be so terrible.

 

[godde8ss]

I am another who received a call back response from my email and was told I would not incur any penalties if I chose to cancel my PIF cruise. Explain that to my three kiddos, though.

No surprise that the only option is to cancel, rather than offer some onboard credit or grandfather the old policy. For those of use who are PIF, we booked early and paid considerably less for the same cabin they will turn around and resell if we cancel. I have thought about it and changed my opinion on this. I will not cancel, if offered, on that principle. They are not giving us the courtesy of good customer service, and are trying to disguise an appropriate recourse as really another revenue stream. I know that the cabin we booked at $675 pp is now about $1075 pp.

 

[littleblackegg]

No surprise that the only option is to cancel, rather than offer some onboard credit or grandfather the old policy. For those of use who are PIF, we booked early and paid considerably less for the same cabin they will turn around and resell if we cancel. I have thought about it and changed my opinion on this. I will not cancel, if offered, on that principle. They are not giving us the courtesy of good customer service, and are trying to disguise an appropriate recourse as really another revenue stream. I know that the cabin we booked at $675 pp is now about $1075 pp.

I thought you asked them to refund you so you could book on another cruise on another line that would be better for your families interests? You are going to stay with DCL so they can't resell your cabins out of spite? How are you supposed to enjoy this vacation?

 

[gumbypee]

Wow. That's awful. You probably interacted with, what, 20-25 different servers? They were all awful? Do you think it was some aspect of their training? Were they, like, misinformed? Rude? Hostile? Indifferent? I'm trying to figure out how so many people serving food on one cruise could be so terrible.

actually I had same servers each night. we were a large dance group and had our own section at set time every night. I guess "awful" was too strong a word, sorry! I shouldn't have compared them to the amazing service I had on my one DCL cruise, but they were just slow, not caring, indifferent, i felt like i was a nuisance to them if that makes sense.

there were other problems with the cruise in addition to food but that is a subject for another topic

 

[godde8ss]

I thought you asked them to refund you so you could book on another cruise on another line that would be better for your families interests? You are going to stay with DCL so they can't resell your cabins out of spite? How are you supposed to enjoy this vacation?

This statement comes after alot of discussion and consideration of our thoughts. People do change their views after considering other arguments....My in-laws do not want to cancel because they have made travel arrangements to Miami. So, I cannot say, kids, we aren't going with MeeMaw and Poppa anymore, but going on a different vacation. The other 2 cabins are in limbo on this. So, my decision is not purely spite, but it does make sense to me to look at it this way. I have not even received the offer to cancel. I'm merely thinking about what I would do if it were offered. So, I did put it to the rest of our traveling party. I simply want someone to speak to me like a long standing customer, with respect for my PIF date, not as a dollar sign.

 

[steves100]

We think Celebrity's food is better. They have an amazing brunch on a sea day where everyone is invited, no upcharge, and the food is better than Palo. The crew is every bit as professional as DCL.

Blasphemy, better than Palo , no way : )