Disappointed. A Tale of 2 DCL Eras….

[theaslip]

Writing this live from the DCL Fantasy (Skyline lounge to be exact), and I must say that DCL is just not the same post-covid pandemic. Our last cruise was 2018, we are Platinum and this is our 19th DCL cruise. I can’t believe how much Disney has taken away. Los of little things, and I know I’m gonna get flamed for picking the mouse **** out of the rice, but whatever, IMO, the Disney brand was built on, “the little things.” My experience with the online booking process was a nightmare. Server was jammed for 2-hours. It was easier getting U2 and Taylor Swift tickets last year than checking in for the DCL. Port experience and check in area is. Big downgrade from before. Food, wow. Rotational dining has been mediocre at best on this cruise. Every night is like being at a bad wedding reception. Food quality is so mid. Tonight we went to Palo, our longtime favorite and it was such a disappointment. Platinum guests used to get a complimentary dinner, off the menu, whatever you wanted (sans alcohol), and it was always fantastic. A highlight for us. Tonight (choice tenserloin, not prime. It was tough and dry and looked like it was boiled). Awesome server and service, but wow, no more complimentary antipasto, they have shrunk the incredible chocolate soufflé to the size of a Costco sample. I didn’t know Palo was even capable of being mediocre until tonight. Cabanas, lots of little things. They used
To stock each table with rolled napkins and silverware. You used to be able to get a container of container of cream cheese instead of waiting in a 5 minute line for a 1/4 teaspoon of cream cheese, or jelly or whatever. Oh yeah, and no more Heinz ketchup. They are using some generic awful tasting crap. No more Mexican buffet and crepes on pirate night. Adult pool in the quiet cove closes at 10P, used to be 11P. On the plus side, the CMs are as great as ever and working so hard. Not their fault that Disney just cuts and cuts and charges more and more. Yeah, I know, first world problems, but I’m paying A first world price for my trip at $3K/day. I love the quality time with my kids and cherish that, but this vacation no longer passes the value test for me and will be mu
Last ( I hear you saying by Felicia, got it). Thanks to the incredible hardworking CMs on the Fantasy who are at the top of their game.

 

[asgur5]

While those things sound annoying they really dont sound that bad and something that would be a game changer and stop most people from cruising.

On a 5000 dollar trip you now dont get a free meal? Its like the cost of the trip is now 40 dollars more. I cant image at 5000 you thought great lets do it but at 5040 dollars never again? Note you wont get the free meal elsewhere if you dont have a platinum equivalent on another line.

Pool from 10pm to 11pm? Yeah more is always better but this is a small change.

Quality of food i would agree can be a big difference depending on how much worse it is. Is it much worse? My two cruises in the past year were solid without being great.

Online booking systems are annoying but they are better then the alternative. And this shouldnt be ruining your trip right now as its in the past.

Try to enjoy your trip while you can. You will regret it omce you wre back at work if you waste your precious holiday time being grumpy about mostly minor things.

 

[TheRichFam]

It was easier getting U2 and Taylor Swift tickets last year than checking in for the DCL

Ok, this is the most subtle flex I have ever seen on this forum, and that's saying a lot! You got BOTH Taylor Swift AND U2??? How in the actual (non-Mickey-approved word) did you manage that?!?!?!?

Seriously, though- I tend to agree with your sentiments for the most part. We don't have as many cruises as you do under our belts (yet) but we've noticed some of the same declines in offerings and services that you mention. I agree with PP that these probably aren't deal breakers for us (it's not ... we have two cruises booked in the next 14 months) but I see your point and definitely think it's worth talking about. DCL hasn't fallen as deeply into the complacency trap as Parks and Resorts has (in my opinion) by resting warmly in the arms of denial and believing that the "Disney Maniacs" will keep overpaying to show up no matter what, but I will say I've noticed a couple times lately that decisions feel lazy, out of touch and disconnected from the consumer base. I think Epic Universe is going to be a massive wake-up call for P&R, and hopefully some of that will rub off on the cruise line, too. Because it's not just that you don't get a "free meal" at Palo anymore. That's not the point. The point is that if DCL wanted to make cuts (while still raising costs, btw ...) why make cuts that impact your most loyal cruisers? THAT'S the point, at least to me. It's tone deaf for senior management to sign off on a change like that when there are plenty of other ways to recoup the cost of the free dinner for Platinum and above. It takes a certain amount of loyalty to get to 20 cruises on any cruise line, especially one that's unapologetically more expensive than most others. Instead of rewarding that loyalty, it seems that the loyalty perks are being reduced.

Like I said ... ultimately it's not a deal breaker for us (yet) but I have definitely seen the things you're mentioning. It's disappointing to say the very least. Thanks for sharing

 

[steamboat will]

Just got back from a 7 night Fantasy and have to agree... After taking a break from DCL I now see how the product has declined... Yes it's still great. But it used to be perfect. Entertainment cuts annoyed me and and food quality was not where it once was. Its clear that COVID meant they could downgrade things and then not restore them. Guess you don't know a good thing till it's gone.