DCL Changes You'd Make

[Disneymommie]

I have only been on one 4 day so here are my suggestions for the Wonder....

1) offer a dinner buffet. We loved the dinners but an additional choice besides the deck 9 fast foods would be a nice option.

2) Get rid of the oriental buffet. UGH! We heard many complain about this buffet on our cruise. We love Chinese food but this was just awful. Have the American style buffet , that was great food. Or even something else but not the oriental.

3) I do not know how possible this is, since it would be a lot of work, but I would love to see a Hourse riding excursion on CC. They could have a trail ride that ends on the adult beach(the far end of the adult beach was completly empty while we were there)

Those are just my suggestions. Maybe more options at the drink station. Like a tripical fruit punch or something.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Great Ideas -

1) I must say my favorite is going to Castaway Cay twice!!!! That is my favorite spot on the cruise - and I still haven't made it over to the adult beach!

2) Oriental buffet was bad -

3) More to do on 1st day at sea - (agreeing with earlier post)

4) There are books and magazines available at the Cove - but bigger selection

5) Internet available in room

6) I'd like to be able to pre-book Palo and spa - but I believe there should be a charge for that - If not, you would still have the problem of people not showing up and Palo still being empty when there are plenty of people who want to go!


Karen

 

[LAMPSKIES]

How 'bout a few more "portable coffee and juice stations" in the mornings. I enjoy sitting on the verandah in the mornings while DD's and DW are still sleeping. This cruise we are "aft" so it's just one elevator up to the buffett, but on our Dec 1 Wonder replacement cruise (we were cancelled 11/30 Magic cruisers) we were foreward and there were NO stations due to "the virus". But the time I walked back to the room it was time for another coffee.

O.K. Rae here I go................We LOVE DCL but, they are I'll prepaired for "problems". I've been reading some horror stories about people being "down graded" on the Magic due to the 5000 section not being complete. There is nobody on "the ship" that can make a "decision" when a serios problem arises. Like us on the cancelled 11/30 Magic. Yes, the cast members have the things they do better than anyone else, but, when a big problem arrises it seems to NEVER be "handled" until after the sailing. DCL took GREAT CARE of us after we got home (it took about 6 weeks)after our deboccled replacement trip, they REALLY need a "customer service agent" who can make decisions on the ship. In my buisness we call it a "Fireman" put the fire out fast before it grows!!!!!!! You can't make everyone happy all the time but there is nothing worse than spending the kind of $$$ and time you do on a vacation and get the feeling that no one cares when things go wrong. I really think DCL is so use to everything being "perfect" they don't have the manpower when it's not. JMHO

 

[jrabbit]

Glad to see that there hasn't been a lot of suggestions about multiple days at CC. It's limited therefor special. It's limited therefor still a very beautiful place.

I am all for arriving at CC earlier in the day, but I believe that tides and Bahamian Immigration have something to do with when we can arrive on the island.

I like the idea of offering the adult activities more than once on the cruise. There are too many difficult choices to make

 

[budwmn]

Disneymommie:

Great idea about horseback riding on CC. We would love that!

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

If the sky's the limit....

1. It would be great if DCL offered "express" clean/press service for those who are scheduled for a formal dining room the first night. We were on the 11/6 Wonder and were hoping, hoping, hoping that we wouldn't get Tritons the first night. Of course, we got Tritons the first night! With six people in our family it is a little tough to get all our dress clothes out of the suitcase and looking presentable for dinner that first night.

2. Speedier check in/out at the Kids Clubs. Our four kids were in four different clubs on our cruise and it took quite awhile to get everyone checked in and out. Of course I wouldn't make any changes if it compromised the kids' security, but a guy can dream, right?

 

[WIcruizer]

1) Casino. Even if it's small and the max bets are kept low. Cruising and casinos go together, even DCL.

2) I agree with a comment made earlier about the quality of food served during lunch. Mexican, Oriental, See food...all excellent ideas for a buffet, but don't serve a dish just for more selection. I'm sure everyone would agree fewer dishes that are well prepared is superior to a larger selection of mediocre or bad entrees.

3) Maybe I just missed it, but there didn't seem to be much going on after 9:30 or 10:00pm for families. Our kids are night owls, especially on vacation, and we couldn't find anything to do at 10:00pm! I understand more adult entertainment is being added now, but how about for families?

 

[Cruisin]

How about a larger selection of songs that their "house"band plays.
It seems to me that we were always hearing the same songs over and over, up on deck and then again down in the clubs.
There must be more songs than YMCA ..........

 

[WIcruizer]

There must be more songs than YMCA ..........

Amen. Forgot about that one, but I couldn't agree more. For that matter, the whole sound track played on deck throughout the day gets real stale also.

 

[westjones]

OK, here are mine:

--Preregister kids for the club/lab before boarding so all you have to do is go pick up beeper and get wristband on your child.

--FREE SODA

--Make the floats at CC free and available to everyone. That way we don't have to 'look after them' when we want to go eat.

--FREE SODA

--Make the ship non-smoking. Sorry, but I just hate smoking and I have a child with asthma.

--Oh, and did I say: FREE SODA!!!!

--I would also like to see a 'buffet' option at dinner at Topsiders for those nights you want to alternative. I know they serve dinner up there on the 7 night cruise, but we wanted to get something quickly and it was not quick service for us, and there was very little for vegetarians to eat.

 

[MrsPete]

1. I'd like to be able to make Palo reservations at the 60-day mark (which would standardize it with the shore excursions -- a sensible thing in my opinion).

2. I'd like to learn my restaurant rotation when I receive my documents.

3. I'd like to see some changes in Shutters -- it seems terribly wasteful to print out all those pictures when the majority of them aren't purchased! I understand they were working on some sort of system that allowed you to preview the pictures on the TV in your room, then order the prints you want. This would also cut down on the crowds in Shutters.

4. I'd like to see them include sodas in the price of the cruise. Fountain sodas cost literally pennies, so it couldn't possibly raise the price by more than $5 per person. This would simplify life for cruisers.

5. I'd like to see a part of the teen beach used for families. Last week the family beach was PACKED, while the teen beach was empty (fewer than a dozen people). I didn't walk around to the adults-only area, so I can't comment on that.

6. I was surprised that the shops didn't carry much of a selection of DCL merchandise. I would have bought more if they'd had more tee shirts, scrapbook items, magnets . . . wait, am I complaining that I COULD NOT spend money?

7. I'd like to see a system to do away with the chair hogs who leave their towels by the Mickey pool while they go do who knows what -- though I can't imagine how it could be done politely.

I did manage to bug the beejeebers out of one chair-hog last week: she INSISTED that she needed two chairs (one for her rear, one for her bag of stuff -- she couldn't let it get splashed -- never mind that many other people were standing). So I stood between her and the pool, blocking her view of the pool and her children. I could see her shadow, so every time she'd move, I'd move too. Ordinarily, I am very polite, but . . . well, she deserved it.

 

[strawberryblonde]

1. Go back to hard ice-cream (at Scoops) or at least switch to a high quality soft serve and extend the hours.

2. Non-smoking side of ship for balcony staterooms

3. 4 LE pins per person is too many and breeds ebay greed, limit it 1 or 2 per person

4. Mandatory $10 charge if you don't cancel/show for Palo Tea

5. I don't mind paying for soda but would like more choices, rootbeer, cream soda and orange soda are kid friendly and caffeine free. I can't stand 7-up/sprite because it reminds me of being sick as a child

 

[Sebastian_the_crab]

Well...here's my 2 cents:

1). Revise the Menu at Palo. Maybe include steak or ANYTHING besides the current menu. The menu reminds me of poor ripoff of The Olive Garden without any good bread.

2.) More drink choices. I don't mind paying but not with the limited choices. How about a diet anything?

3.) Better ventilation on Deck 9. With all the plexiglass it gets hot FAST, even in October. I'd hate to be there in July! Ever heard of a ceiling fan?

4.) Keep Pluto's and Scoop's open later. Trust me, after our dinner at Palo, I was dying for a cheeseburger!

That's just a few. And I know I'm in the minority about Palo, but I'm a simple county bumpkin who feels out of place at a stuffy place like that. But again it's only my .02.

 

[bengals01]

the water in the pool should be warmer, went 10/18 and barely could get in the water it was so cold, people would walk and put feet in and walk away

 

[WIcruizer]

I'd like to see a system to do away with the chair hogs who leave their towels by the Mickey pool while they go do who knows what -- though I can't imagine how it could be done politely.

Ahhh yes, another one I forgot. Related to this one would be the "hammock hogs" at Castaway. In each case you see dozens of chairs/hammocks reserved but not used. Although as the poster said, I'm not sure what can be done about that.

 

[Tesabat]

Also just back...had a GREAT TIME and really having a hard time adjusting to normal life. I looked at the empty toilet paper roll this morning and was confused...what, "I" have to replace this? Where's my room steward??

1. I ditto the excellent suggestion about Shutters. That was a little crazy.

2. A TWEENER AGE GROUP - activities for 12 - 14 that are a little more structured. My DS was just kind of in-between everywhere -(though he still managed to talk me into staying out until 1:00 a couple times...how weird is that?? Letting your 12 almost 13 yo come to bed AFTER you?? Only on a cruise ship!!). A 12 - 14 group would be perfect. We actually did not book DCL on board as we are now in love with cruising and planning on going again next year, but it will probably be with RCCL specifically because they have activities geared towards this age group.

3. Better lunch options - Ditto that one!! I'd also like to add better food at Character breakfast and Disembarkation....both of those were lacking IMHO....or maybe I was just spoiled by the omelet guys previously...YUM!

 

[ppiew]

1. Dining rotation provided at 60 day mark. Any changes you must make when on board.
2. Mandatory 'no show' charge for Palo - both High Tea AND Brunch. Make that dinner also!!!! On our cruise, more than a third of the dining room was empty because of no shows - the waiter told us this is an all the time occurence!!
3. Palo Reservations to be made after 60 da mark. I realize that the suite/concierge troops do get priority.
4. Oh how I miss hard serve ice cream!!!!!!!!!

 

[mac_tlc]

Just back from the 11/8 Magic Western .. my 0.02

1) Scoops open longer -- or add another self-serve ice cream station somewhere. The Voyager-class vessels probably have 5-7 ice cream stations.

2) Don't drink soda, so don't increase the price for that !

3) Adult activities too clustered on certain days

4) How about an art auction ? Other lines have them and they are a great way to spend an afternoon

5) Teen activities very lacking (from my DD-16 1/2 ). The Stack was populated with "younger" teens and very hip-hop. But if your not "18" you can't do any adult things either. She enjoyed herself but was bored at times.

6) Palo ressies and dining rotation at 60 days -- excellent

7) Formal night pictures was disasterous. Too crowded, long waits, not enough time unless you wanted to not eat or miss the shows.

8) Family cabaret shows at 7:45 -- Good idea, terrible timing. We had early dinner and rarely could have made it in time to get a seat, and if we had, we would have either missed the 8:30 show or had trouble getting a seat there too.

Okay, maybe its more than 0.02 !!!! Still had a fabulous time and in the grand scheme of things the above items are not all major issues..

mac_tlc

 

[3MinnieMom]

We second the idea for a more structured 12-14 yr old "Tweener" group. Our 2 oldest dd's LOVED the 10-12 yr old group (they are 91/2 and 101/2 - we were fortunate to get our middle daughter bumped-up to the 10-12 yr old group). We hope to go on another Disney cruise in 2-3 yrs, but the thought of them being thrown into a general "Teen" group (13-18 yr olds) is a little scary at this point. If there was an organized 12-14 yr old group, then the older teens (15-18 yr olds) might enjoy their activities more without all the younger teens hangin' with them.

How about those hammocks at Castaway Cay! We actually saw one that someone "reserved" by tying their tennis snoes to the hammock (we rarely ever saw anyone in a hammock on the Family Beach - just towels and tennis shoes!!). My 5-yr old and I finally enjoyed a hammock together for about 20-30 minutes right near the Heads-Up Bar, but we allowed someone else to enjoy it when we were finished with our drinks.

Final score for our cruise...things we would want to change...< 1%
...things we LOVED about DCL...> 99% !!!

 

[jlawall]

Good thread RAe! BTW, how did you manage with a different room this time?!

1. Adding a casino would keep my DH very happy!

2. Adding more activities for the college crowd would make my DD19 very happy!

3. Continuing to add more activities for the 15-17 crowd would be good for my DD16.

4. Keeping Rockin' Bar D smoke free would make me happy! I don't have asthma but I always get a stomach ache in a smoke filled environment.

5. Shortening the late dinner would make me happy as well. I don't need to dine for over an hour, that's alittle bit much for my family.