Disappointed with the direction DCL is heading.

[Savikins]

Yes, they still have the coffee cards.

This is definitely good to know. I have a full card that I saved from my last cruise! I feel like the coffees in the Cove are actually a really good deal if you're a hardcore coffee drinker, especially with the coffee card. They're cheaper than Starbucks, and better IMO. Though I suppose that opinion should be taken with a grain of salt, seeing as I HATE Starbucks and their nasty burnt coffee with a fiery passion. I really, really hope they never turn the Cove Cafes into Starbucks... That might just be the breaking point for me and I'll have to choose another cruise line (just kidding, but it'd be really lame if they did)!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I have sailed on all 4 ships and I feel like the Magic and Wonder are a better experience than the Dream class ships. The service just seems more personalized, it really does feel more like a family.

I think it's really luck of the draw. I've read things like this all the time on the boards and was really looking to my cruise on the Wonder last month. I was sadly disappointed in the service, the service we've received on the Dream and Fantasy was far superior to the Wonder, except for Norene, (room hostess), she was amazing and an absolute delight!

 

[dcassetta]

There typically isn't any enforcement beyond "no swimwear or tank tops". And, even then, I've seen tank tops in the MDRs.

One family I noticed in particular was father and 2 teen/tween boys all in basketball style sleeveless tops and baggy sports shorts and mother in leggings and a racer back lycra top.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

One family I noticed in particular was father and 2 teen/tween boys all in basketball style sleeveless tops and baggy sports shorts and mother in leggings and a racer back lycra top.

Well, after all, "it's their vacation".

As I say, I just don't get that people don't want to participate in something that was part of the cruising culture since its inception. If I didn't want to participate in whatever is included in a specific activity, I'd skip it, not try to change it to suit me. (we really need a flame-resistant suit smilie here).

 

[Savikins]

I think it's really luck of the draw. I've read things like this all the time on the boards and was really looking to my cruise on the Wonder last month. I was sadly disappointed in the service, the service we've received on the Dream and Fantasy was far superior to the Wonder, except for Norene, (room hostess), she was amazing and an absolute delight!

I can get this. Our severs and room hosts were amazing on every ship, the ones on the Fantasy probably being our favorite, I guess I just mean spontaneous interactions.

 

[dcassetta]

Well, after all, "it's their vacation".

As I say, I just don't get that people don't want to participate in something that was part of the cruising culture since its inception. If I didn't want to participate in whatever is included in a specific activity, I'd skip it, not try to change it to suit me. (we really need a flame-resistant suit smilie here).

Lots of people in what I would have called cruise casual - shorts and a polo. I guess that's why the "sports" family stood out.

 

[cgolf]

I want to add to my earlier comment that while I feel overall the staff is much friendlier and easy going on the classics, I don't equate that to 'excellent' servers and room hosts. Our best servers were on the Fantasy, and our worst were on the Wonder and the Dream. Room hosts, sadly I don't really remember any of them.

To us it is just the vibe of the crew and even the guests on the classics is better. You do seem to run into the same people more on the classics which usually is a good thing

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Other cruise lines do the same thing. You want the "premium" offerings, you pay for them. In that way, DCL is bringing itself more in line with the other major cruise lines and out of line with the all-inclusives (which are REALLY expensive). They just charge more for the initial fare, and if Disney itself isn't worth that to you, then it isn't.

So hopping to another cruise line may or may not be satisfactory.

 

[turtle27]

I think, for us at least, we are looking at the price vs what we receive. We love the DCL product, well, we loved it more a few years ago. This past cruise, DM felt that the food quality was down, way down. Recycling appetizers from one night to the next, this made me chuckle. The desserts are just not the same any longer. Palo now has up-charge items. We are not saying never again after the changes made these past months. But, for our next cruises, after the ones booked, we will be trying a different line. We will compare and see. DCL service is not what it used to be, in our eyes. Still a blast and tons of fun, and I will NEVER turn down a cruise, but no harm in looking for a product that fits my needs at my costs. IF I had kids, DCL would probably be a no-brainer. I don't, so I could care less about kids clubs, etc. Oh and please don't get me started on the shows. Disney, if you are reading this, change them up already. Repeat cruisers have seen them, more than once.
Oh and new itineraries, I am also looking elsewhere because there are only so many times I want to go to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, etc. Look at the difference in itineraries from Celebrity Panama Canal and DCL's. I am drooling over the port stops that Celebrity makes vs. DCL. But that's me, and my 2 cents. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Find what works for you, that's what I am going to do.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are just off the Magic, a Merrytime cruise, and it was Magic. We are 2 retired folks, no children with us this time, and we feel we definitely got the experience we paid for and more. We enjoy little things. Our cabin steward was excellent, and her towel animals were better than we've seen in a long time. They all incorporated chocolates, we missed the chocolates on our most recent RCCL cruise in September. I enjoy Disney Trivia, the movie theaters, I think Tangled is a Broadway calebre show, ( I think Alladin on the Fantasy is as well) and the Frozen changes they made to Dreams are spectacular!

We are Platinum on DCCL, and pretty high in rank on Princess and RCCL, and we have 1 cruise booked on each of those in 2016, and 3 DCL cruises booked next year. We think our next long (up to 14 nights) DCL cruise will be the WBTA in 2017, we cannot wait until that itinerary comes out. Due to "life" we had to cancel TA s in 2015, 2016, so we really hope the next one happens for us.

I have enjoyed the one on one chats we have with officers on during the Gold and Platinum meets. On this cruise we especially enjoyed the time spent with Diane, the HR Manager. She must have enjoyed chatting with us, we received a very nice in cabin gift from her. That has not happened before and we were happy to share with our tablemates.

We did book on board, a short cruise that we will be on with relatives. We enjoy other cruise lines, but we are often sadder to leave a DCL cruise than the other ones.

Bobbi

 

[insureman]

Palo now has up-charge items.

Are they actually charging more for certain menu items?

 

[MandyGirl]

. . . I am drooling over the port stops that Celebrity makes vs. DCL. But that's me, and my 2 cents. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Find what works for you, that's what I am going to do.

We actually had cabins booked on EBPC 2016 and canceled for the 15-nt Celebrity itinerary. It was the port stops that sold us (and it helped to be less expensive). We only have 21 nights on Celebrity but 66 on DCL (only Gold CC because some were long cruises) but don't think that Celebrity will be subpar (some feel that anything other than Disney will just be mediocre I have seen on various boards). Our kiddos are slightly bummed we chose that (ages 10 and 6 for that cruise) but they will survive. Luckily we dined with a family before where the child had over 30 Celebrity cruises and the all spoke highly of the kids club. We are also Platinum on NCL and while we love DCL, the limited variety of ports year after year has us on other cruise lines. Only one DCL booked for 2016.

 

[ppiew]

New ships with more concierge? Of course, when the limited # of concierge rooms/suites sell out immediately upon release and there are a whole bunch of 'regular' rooms left available, they would be remiss in NOT providing more concierge rooms! No brainer in my book. They just have to figure out the space need for additional concierge lounges. Personally, I would pay more in a heartbeat if I were able to find one to book at a later date. (can't always make these decisions a year or more in advance)

 

[wcw57]

Well, after all, "it's their vacation".

As I say, I just don't get that people don't want to participate in something that was part of the cruising culture since its inception. If I didn't want to participate in whatever is included in a specific activity, I'd skip it, not try to change it to suit me. (we really need a flame-resistant suit smilie here).

i was soundly handed my head when i pointed out the slippery slope of "easing" mdr dress code. Here, now, is evidence. Whatever. Makes no difference to me. Just amused over how people deny the obvious.

 

[kiford]

Are they actually charging more for certain menu items?

Yes, but not for "ordinary" items. DH ordered a combo Wagyu/Iwate beef dish with wine pairing for an additional charge. Something they would never put on the menu if there was no additional upcharge. He said that it was totally worth it.

 

[insureman]

Yes, but not for "ordinary" items. DH ordered a combo Wagyu/Iwate beef dish with wine pairing for an additional charge. Something they would never put on the menu if there was no additional upcharge. He said that it was totally worth it.

As the OP this is my point. Palo is an upcharge because they were suppose to have a better dining experience and more upscale menu offerings. Now there's an upcharge on the upcharge!

 

[kiford]

As the OP this is my point. Palo is an upcharge because they were suppose to have a better dining experience and more upscale menu offerings. Now there's an upcharge on the upcharge!

But the upcharge of $30 is definitely not enough to warrant them putting something like this on the menu without an additional charge. Even V&A has this as an substantial upcharge to the regularly price prix-fixe menu which isn't exactly cheap to begin with. If it was just an ordinary steak that they had an upcharge for, I'd be upset, but this is an upcharge of $55 at V&A over the regular $235 per person. So while I expect more than the ordinary for the $30 upcharge for Palo's, I wouldn't expect something like this without an additional cost but I like that they offer it; I didn't take advantage of it although DH did.

 

[cgattis]

As the OP this is my point. Palo is an upcharge because they were suppose to have a better dining experience and more upscale menu offerings. Now there's an upcharge on the upcharge!

They are having hard-ticket parties within hard-ticket parties at the park, so why are you surprised? Sad, yes. Surprised, no.

 

[insureman]

Not really surprised just disappointed as my thread title states.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

As the OP this is my point. Palo is an upcharge because they were suppose to have a better dining experience and more upscale menu offerings. Now there's an upcharge on the upcharge!

I don't know of any fixed price restaurant that doesn't upcharge on Wagyu beef. Maybe it would be better if they just didn't offer it, since either guests don't want to see an upcharge even if they are not obligated to pay it, or they feel that the existence of an upcharge means that the included items are somehow substandard.