DCL VS OTHER CRUISE LINES

[mevelandry]

Solo balcony. But they are not cheap. Like I said, I can do the Dream or Wonder for about half of the Edge reservation for the same week. Fantasy is about equal - but that is Star Wars so...gross.

Taking notes.

It does sound expensive. I've seen good deals here and there on Celebrity but not that much.

Sorry about Star Wars. I have to admit I have never really watched the movies.

 

[mevelandry]

Because they can be (and are) invited back to the crew cabins too.

Well. Same as "on land".

 

[Dug720]

Because they can be (and are) invited back to the crew cabins too.

Which is cause for immediate separation on Disney unless the numerous hoops have been cleared to allow someone back. And the relationship has to be well documented and pretty much just a blood relation.

Ditto for crew members or officers going to guest cabins when not assigned to them. They have to be cleared to visit and have to carry paperwork with them when they visit. If caught without it, again pretty much immediate separation from the company.

 

[mevelandry]

Which is cause for immediate separation on Disney unless the numerous hoops have been cleared to allow someone back. And the relationship has to be well documented and pretty much just a blood relation.

Ditto for crew members or officers going to guest cabins when not assigned to them. They have to be cleared to visit and have to carry paperwork with them when they visit. If caught without it, again pretty much immediate separation from the company.

I did not know that. I've never wondered either since I'm married. LOL

That being said, is it really efficient? I mean, once it's done, it's done.

 

[starvenger]

Which is cause for immediate separation on Disney unless the numerous hoops have been cleared to allow someone back. And the relationship has to be well documented and pretty much just a blood relation.

Ditto for crew members or officers going to guest cabins when not assigned to them. They have to be cleared to visit and have to carry paperwork with them when they visit. If caught without it, again pretty much immediate separation from the company.

"Separation". That's a polite way of putting it.

 

[Dug720]

I did not know that. I've never wondered either since I'm married. LOL

That being said, is it really efficient? I mean, once it's done, it's done.

Yep. Generally off at the next port if possible. If not, relieved of duty and held behind the scenes until they return to their home port.

 

[Dug720]

"Separation". That's a polite way of putting it.

Yep. That is what it is called throughout the company.

 

[cruiser21]

"Separation". That's a polite way of putting it.

It must be Disneys new politically correct way of saying you're fired.

 

[Dug720]

It must be Disneys new politically correct way of saying you're fired.

Not new. It has been that way for at least 18 years.

 

[RysMomma]

For me, it's the security of the kids clubs. I'm not saying I'm going to let my guard down, but when I went two years ago and saw all that was involved to get my kids, I felt safer leaving them. I'm not the type of person to leave them on the ship while we get off, but, just having that security for a few hours made it worthwhile to me. Granted, I haven't cruised in a long time on any other lines (when we were younger, my parents cruised frequently), but I don't remember security being close to Disney's. But again, that was a long time ago!

 

[lizzyb]

We have only ever sailed with NCL and Disney.

NCL has a good product but for me having been on DCL it does not compare.

The service on NCL wasn't very good (customer service desk), I never once saw our room stewart, and while the rest was ok it wasn't excellent. I much prefer the rotational dining and having the set time as on NCL it was often hard to get into a restaurant. My kids did not like the kids club on NCL and for us we found there was a lot more to do on DCL.

I won't say I won't go on another cruise line or even go back on NCL but DCL is far superior IMHO.

 

[Sunshine2U]

I agree with PP who said when I pay less, I expect less. As adult cruisers we had tons of fun on NCL Escape. We had 3 couples and anytime dining was great; loved the piano bar and comedians; the shows were ok. We sailed as a couple in MSC Yacht Club and it was fabulous. When sailing with grandchildren, we sail DCL. When I am on DCL ships my heart is happier.

 

[mevelandry]

We have only ever sailed with NCL and Disney.

NCL has a good product but for me having been on DCL it does not compare.

The service on NCL wasn't very good (customer service desk), I never once saw our room stewart, and while the rest was ok it wasn't excellent. I much prefer the rotational dining and having the set time as on NCL it was often hard to get into a restaurant. My kids did not like the kids club on NCL and for us we found there was a lot more to do on DCL.

I won't say I won't go on another cruise line or even go back on NCL but DCL is far superior IMHO.

On our last Disney cruise on the Wonder, I haven't met my steward... I don't even know his name.

That being said, while I appreciate it, just like waiters in the dining room, it doesn't make or break it for me. It's fun to have great encounters with them but even if it did not happen, I would still have a great time and wouldn't feel like I'm missing out.

Our waiter on our first Disney cruise was kinda rude... Our cruise was still amazing.

 

[cgolf]

On our last Disney cruise on the Wonder, I haven't met my steward... I don't even know his name.

That being said, while I appreciate it, just like waiters in the dining room, it doesn't make or break it for me. It's fun to have great encounters with them but even if it did not happen, I would still have a great time and wouldn't feel like I'm missing out.

Our waiter on our first Disney cruise was kinda rude... Our cruise was still amazing.

I agree, we have had bad service on DCL and expect to see it at some point on other lines as well. So far though on RCCL the staff from the servers to the room stewards have been wonderful, very similar to DCL. As far as the customer service, they have been fine so far on all our trips, but have to admit seeing the abuse they take from passengers, I am not sure how they do it. Sometimes I wonder if we posters have oversold our experiences on DCL over the years, sailing another line was eye opening to me. I used to be a DCL fandude

 

[starvenger]

Well, this is a DCL forum on the DIS. I fully expect people to prefer DCL over other cruise lines here.

But having said that, I read through the thread and I don’t see a whole lot of rose coloured glasses here. I think people have been open and honest about their preferences and what they’ve liked and disliked.

Moreover, I think the thread has provided a wealth of information and I hope this has helped the OP.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I do think it is disingenuous to imply (or outright say) that other cruise lines are dirty or unsafe for children. Just because something has the Disney name does not make it inherently better. Again, I have only cruised Carnival and I would NEVER put my children's lives at risk in any way. Implying that by not cruising on DCL I am doing so is quite disheartening. The cost for a DCL cruise is prohibitive to many families and we choose other cruises or vacations. Milions of kids sail other cruise lines every week and have fun and are not molested in the clubs or propositioned at the bars. I guess I am glad I can't afford DCL because it seems like the people who sail are snobs and elitist.

 

[cgolf]

Well, this is a DCL forum on the DIS. I fully expect people to prefer DCL over other cruise lines here.

But having said that, I read through the thread and I don’t see a whole lot of rose coloured glasses here. I think people have been open and honest about their preferences and what they’ve liked and disliked.

Moreover, I think the thread has provided a wealth of information and I hope this has helped the OP.

This thread has been great, I am just talking for me in the past I have said DCL is great and had questioned people that had issues with DCL and defended DCL instead of supporting the poster that had the issues. I know I am not the only one though, but will only speak for me. In hindsight I feel bad I defended DCL so much vs supporting the posters on the board.

 

[cruiser21]

On our last Disney cruise on the Wonder, I haven't met my steward... I don't even know his name.

That being said, while I appreciate it, just like waiters in the dining room, it doesn't make or break it for me. It's fun to have great encounters with them but even if it did not happen, I would still have a great time and wouldn't feel like I'm missing out.

Our waiter on our first Disney cruise was kinda rude... Our cruise was still amazing.

I'd rather not see my room host, and I actually like having a different waiter every night. Most of my waiters on DCL I liked, but I've had some strange ones, and some that were just too intrusive. I get tired of making idle chit chat with them every night, and I feel like I have to because I'm going to see them for 7 days.

 

[cruiser21]

I just want to limit her exposure to men with bad intentions as much as possible. If the cruise line is not going to take a strong position on fraternization with guests on board, then what else are they not doing to protect passengers.

I dont need her rufied by a crew member while she is trying to take a cruise vacation.

Seriously your're really worried about a crew member slipping your daughter a roofy. A bartender or waiter is not going to flirt with someone that doesn't flirt back or show interest. Maybe you need to teach your daughter how to terminate unwanted attention.

 

[cadien]

Seriously your're really worried about a crew member slipping your daughter a roofy. A bartender or waiter is not going to flirt with someone that doesn't flirt back or show interest. Maybe you need to teach your daughter how to terminate unwanted attention.

There is nothing wrong with trying to protect your children. And flirting vs drugging are two pretty different things.

Roofies are rarely the risk on a ship though.