Did the COVID discussion policy change?

[figmentfinesse]

Just so you know, while Pete owns both Disboards and Dreams Unlimited, the admin and mods on Disboards are not employees of Dreams Unlimited and are mostly autonomous, as in Pete and the Dreams Unlimited Travel Agents are not the ones who make moderating decisions on Disboards.

I absolutely hear that, but these boards are still part of the larger “Dis” company and these boards probably get them a ton of customers.

 

[bcwife76]

Just looked at the Canada board and a bunch of threads are locked there, too I'm sorry but coming from Canada we have unique experiences and circumstances that US travelers don't face and we need to discuss them.

 

[Mango7100]

Here is Webmaster Kathy's comments, so I agree they were locked in error:

From this point on, we will welcome information on COVID policies RELATED TO TRAVEL. Things like the vaccination policies issued by venues or destinations, the cleaning or distancing procedures in use, practical tips for travelers or things they might need to know that are different from location to location are all valid topics. Any official policies issued by Disney, other travel destinations, cruise lines, airlines, etc. regarding requirements for visiting parks or cruising can be shared. This information needs to be on-topic for the specific forum and thread where posted.

So are they going to unlock them? I have been following to gather information to help decide about when/if to cruise again, and I think all the posted experiences are so helpful. If you can’t mention COVID in relation to travel and it’s the dominant story right now, there not much point to a travel forum…

 

[emilymad]

Unfortunately, the DCL board on cruisecritic isn't as active as here. I highly recommend the Celebrity board though. Tons of good information about life in quarantine, etc. Obviously not the same as it would be on DCL but I did find it helpful in getting a general idea, tips, etc.

 

[meremac]

I think it's important to remember that this is just a discussion board, and it's free to everyone who uses it. If you don't like moderating decisions, you can voice your opinion. If you're still not happy, nobody is forcing you to participate and you can find the information you're looking for elsewhere. But to threaten to take business away from individual TAs is misguided. Of course, if you don't like the job a TA does for you, that's a different story. But denying hard-working people business because of perceived censorship on a free discussion board affiliated with their agency is mean, especially after the incredibly difficult couple of years the travel industry has suffered. And no, I don't work for DU.

 

[RedHead0186]

Anyone else have “We don’t talk about Covid, no, no, no” in their head to the tune of “We don’t talk about Bruno” from Encanto?

Well I do now, lol

 

[RedHead0186]

I will admit, being active on lots of different discussion boards, forums, etc., I've found the policies here regarding what can and can't be posted and what gets a thread shut down/locked the most conservative/restrictive I've seen. I certainly understand a need to keep it civil, and endless debating about things that none of us know/have control over is not helpful. But I also have at times been surprised/frustrated at some of the topics/threads that were considered verboten. I get it's a big job for the mods, and I appreciate all the work they put in for sure. I think sometimes I would just prefer a little bit more of a happy medium.

 

[figmentfinesse]

I think it's important to remember that this is just a discussion board, and it's free to everyone who uses it. If you don't like moderating decisions, you can voice your opinion. If you're still not happy, nobody is forcing you to participate and you can find the information you're looking for elsewhere. But to threaten to take business away from individual TAs is misguided. Of course, if you don't like the job a TA does for you, that's a different story. But denying hard-working people business because of perceived censorship on a free discussion board affiliated with their agency is mean, especially after the incredibly difficult couple of years the travel industry has suffered. And no, I don't work for DU.

I guess the way I am looking at it is if McDonald’s had a free discussion board that got them business by bringing attention the brand, but didn’t let people talk about the calories in their food whether it be good or bad and this was the only main hub of information for that, I wouldn’t go to McDonald’s anymore.

Even if the mods aren’t paid employees, they and the rules they enforce affect the brand. They have a huge effect on this website and we have lost some incredible members due to that. The fact rteetz was forced out is crazy.

You’re right, I don’t have to use this forum. I have explored others, the subreddit, and Facebook group. There is no denying that this is the best when it comes to up to date info.

Nothing but respect for Pete and the team and the amazing Dis empire they built. I suppose I see it as the same way that I don’t blame Bob Chapek for a cookie getting a two dollar price hike, but if he wanted to stop it he could. I’m sure the incredible Dis team aren’t even aware of this happening, and have way bigger fish to fry. I’m just upset this is a cyclical thing on my favorite website, taking away info I really need right now. I sail Monday, god willing.

 

[soniam]

Anyone look at DCL blog (https://disneycruiselineblog.com/) to see if they are posting info related to Voldemort policies/procedures/practices? I can't really think of anywhere else. I don't see much posted on the social media cruise specific groups, at least not for my sailing.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Hi everyone. I am the one that locked them. The challenge we have is locking some and keeping others open. You have valid points and I will unlock them. Thank you for being patient and working with us.

 

[figmentfinesse]

Hi everyone. I am the one that locked them. The challenge we have is locking some and keeping others open. You have valid points and I will unlock them. Thank you for being patient and working with us.

MaryJo, thank you so much for your measured and honest response. That is everything I could ask for in a mod! I also realize that this topic could come with a lot of challenges for a mod because I HAVE seen how nasty it has gotten previously. I personally would be open to 1-2 threads, maybe something similar to the Theme Parks board with “Here and Just Back” thread where people can post their questions and experiences re: Covid and boarding? So just one or two threads where it is allowed. Would that lighten your load?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

MaryJo, thank you so much for your measured and honest response. That is everything I could ask for in a mod! I also realize that this topic could come with a lot of challenges for a mod because I HAVE seen how nasty it has gotten previously. I personally would be open to 1-2 threads, maybe something similar to the Theme Parks board with “Here and Just Back” thread where people can post their questions and experiences re: Covid and boarding? So just one or two threads where it is allowed. Would that lighten your load?

I don't want to speak for the Cruise board mods because they do an excellent job, but in my opinion there are a LOT of Covid-related threads that are taking up the first page so that other planning threads aren't as visible, so a couple of threads with basic information/planning discussion would be better... again, that is my opinion.

 

[figmentfinesse]

I don't want to speak for the Cruise board mods because they do an excellent job, but in my opinion there are a LOT of Covid-related threads that are taking up the first page so that other planning threads aren't as visible, so a couple of threads with basic information/planning discussion would be better... again, that is my opinion.

I am all for that.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I don't want to speak for the Cruise board mods because they do an excellent job, but in my opinion there are a LOT of Covid-related threads that are taking up the first page so that other planning threads aren't as visible, so a couple of threads with basic information/planning discussion would be better... again, that is my opinion.

That's true, but also as someone 2.5 weeks out from (maybe? probably?) cruising, the most current covid related info is all I need and am looking for. This isn't my first DCL cruise, but it is my first post covid cruise. Things are changing so very rapidly right now with regards to policies, what's open on ship, how positives are handled, what ports are closed, etc. We could consolidate the threads to a few specific subtopic threads, sure, but I doubt I'm alone in covid discussions being the only info I need.

 

[knewton64]

imo the way DCL currently portrays themselves vs what you see on the cruise line forum section of Disboards is such a huge disconnect yet very refreshing as the realities of our world wide health probiem needs to be discussed openly so people can make informed travel and leisure cruise decisions
rather than having things being shut down or closed due to technical difficulties…..

In short , rock on Disboards -
We will all get through this . May take another year or two but we will all get through this .

T..T..F..N..

 

[TestingH2O]

Hi everyone. I am the one that locked them. The challenge we have is locking some and keeping others open. You have valid points and I will unlock them. Thank you for being patient and working with us.

Thank you so much for the clarification. It is a hard balance to talk about the fun parts of planning for a trip while also being aware of the ever-changing COVID landscape in cruising and, therefore, international travel.

 

[AquaDame]

Hmm... things are changing again tomorrow and have been in flux... but I'm willing to try making a master thread at this point. I think everyone has been piecing together enough stable info for long enough it may be useful.

 

[TestingH2O]

things are changing again tomorrow

Me: Ooooooh, she’s psychic and/or has the inside track.

Also me: Oh yeah. Vaccine requirements change on 1/13.

I’m still totally willing to believe you have extra abilities though.

 

[DLgal]

Me: Ooooooh, she’s psychic and/or has the inside track.

Also me: Oh yeah. Vaccine requirements change on 1/13.

I’m still totally willing to believe you have extra abilities though.

It's not that, I don't think. I think it's the new CDC cruising program that was just announced to replace the conditional sail order starting 1/15.

 

[Cheburashka]

I guess the way I am looking at it is if McDonald’s had a free discussion board that got them business by bringing attention to the brand, but didn’t let people talk about the calories in their food...