Disappointed!

[MickeyD]

Just curious -- what happened to mess up the first day's sailing and give them a black mark?

We were on the first full sailing after dry dock. On the 3 day prior to our sailing is when the engine went tango uniform. We were not allowed to board until well after 2pm, had no sail away, no lunch on board, didn't sail away until nearly midnight, and had our itinerary changed. Word was there was a 70% chance they were going to cancel our cruise because they weren't confident the problem had been fixed. There were many many cruisers on board extremely upset by the loss of the first day, and to some extent, the change of itinerary. I think the CM worked extra hard to make sure everyone was happy and because of this I think a lot of "rules' went out the window. For the record, none of this bothered myself or my family, we had a fantastic cruise.

 

[Shanti]

I remember one cruise on the Fantasy I was relaxing in the adult only area and there was a 12 year old who came and sit in the lounge chair next to me...It was the weirdest thing a CM came over and informed them of the policy, when grandma said it would just be 15 minutes or so the CM backed off and said, "Well I am sure its ok and no one minds." At which point, I said, "Well I kind of do."...I got such a stinkeye from grandma, and the CM looked really embarrassed. Grandma acting very entitled said, "But she is just sitting here quietly."...At which point I may have said, "Is this the Adult only area or the Adult and Quiet Children Only area?...I don't like being 'that guy', but I have a child, and part of the reason I like DCL is the adult only areas and activities. When CMs don't enforce it, it kind of upsets me.

Rock on! Yup, it must have been a young CM. I can sympathize with him only to the extent that I know it is hard to stand up to an entitled parent. As a teacher, I've had to do that at times and it ain't fun. Part of my job, though. It is also part of that CM's job. He should have said, "I'm very sorry, ma'am, but the rule is adults only at all times." Too bad you had to do his job for him, but thank you.

Fyi, I would recommend reporting that kind of CM behavior to guest services. not naming any names to get anyone in trouble (I do feel sorry for CMs who get bullied by those guests who insist on breaking the rules), but just to state that the rules aren't being enforced and that is not appreciated.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I'm still confused how it's more out of the way to walk down the hall to the midship elevators than it is to go to the forward elevators and walk through the adult area outside to get to the pools. The ship dimensions don't change!

It's simple, we prefer walking outdoors on deck over walking in a narrow hall dodging carts. We did the same thing at our recent stay at the Yacht Club. We asked to be near an outside entrance. Much more bearable walking a country mile in the sunshine rather than in a winding maze of halls. The other reason is that we use the stairs, and it wouldn't occur to us to use midship stairs or elevators when our cabin is so far forward. We just head forward. Simple as that.

 

[Dug720]

It's simple, we prefer walking outdoors on deck over walking in a narrow hall dodging carts. We did the same thing at our recent stay at the Yacht Club. We asked to be near an outside entrance. Much more bearable walking a country mile in the sunshine rather than in a winding maze of halls. The other reason is that we use the stairs, and it wouldn't occur to us to use midship stairs or elevators when our cabin is so far forward. We just head forward. Simple as that.

But that is not "out of the way". That is preference. There were other posters who said it was "out of the way" which makes no sense.

 

[Shanti]

But that is not "out of the way". That is preference. There were other posters who said it was "out of the way" which makes no sense.

If you're coming from a forward stateroom to eat on the pool deck, or vice versa, the midship elevators are less direct. The midship elevators also tend to be a lot slower, due to heavier traffic, than the forward elevators.

 

[Dug720]

If you're coming from a forward stateroom to eat on the pool deck, or vice versa, the midship elevators are less direct. The midship elevators also tend to be a lot slower, due to heavier traffic, than the forward elevators.

I guess that's the advantage of not using elevators. But it's still up and across rather than across and up.

As long as the kids are quietly just passing through I really don't mind. It's the ones who stay awhile, are loud and rowdy going through, or who are purposely brought into the Cove Cafe or Adult Area by parents or grandparents that annoy me.

 

[Shanti]

As long as the kids are quietly just passing through I really don't mind. It's the ones who stay awhile, are loud and rowdy going through, or who are purposely brought into the Cove Cafe or Adult Area by parents or grandparents that annoy me.

Agreed. I hope they design the new ships with completely separated adults-only areas, for everyone's benefit.

 

[wilkeliza]

The end of the day if this is really affecting your cruise the important part is to speak up. Tell Guest relations that the adults area isn't being enforced and it is a major reason you chose Disney over other cruises lines, write it on your comment cards, heck give less then exceptional to the pool area etc and if enough people speak up Disney will do something about it.

I do hope they learn from their mistake and the 2 new ships have better designed adults areas. If you make it where there is 100% no reason a kid should cross through then you have more power. That is one reason I like satellite falls to lounge. There is 0 reason for a kid to be up there and thus every time I've gone to lounge it has been 100% kid free. Even had the drink runners up there tell kids they had to wait for their adults beyond the divider wall and stop them at the elevators and say they are not allowed up there.

 

[Stitch7911]

My family and I just returned from a cruise on the Disney Fantasy, March 25-April 1, 2017. We splurged on this Disney cruise because all it had to offer for our girls, ages 11 and 16. Prior to booking, I read up on the adult only areas and dining so that my husband and I could have some time to relax. In my reading, I was excited to lean of the adult only areas and how well they were marked and monitored. However, this was not the case. There were children all over the adult only areas- walking through, staying and participating in the adult only games, etc., and parents allowing this. Without my knowledge, my husband booked a placeholder for a future Disney cruise. I am seriously considering cancelling it and placing it towards a cruise with another line.

Sorry had to Edit it. are you talking about the Pool area that is for adults or the lower deck where it becomes adults only after a certin time? because, i went on the Diseny Fantsy in July 2014. my wife and i wanted to go to the adult section to get way for the kids (pool areaP.. when we got there there was a few kids. but someone told a CM and the CM went to the parents and told them the the kids need to be moved to the family section or the kids only. also told them this was for adults only. for that point we did not see any kids in the adult section for the rest of the trip. as for the lower deck, we meet up with a few new DCL Friends and had drink late night. we did not see any kids in the area. but i believe its open to all in the morning afternoon and some time in the evening. late evening and late night its adults only. i would call and ask about that.

 

[wilkeliza]

i went on the Diseny Fantsy in July 2014. my wife and i wanted to go to the adult section to get way for the kids.. when we got there there was a few kids. but someone told a CM and the CM went to the parents and told them the the kids need to be moved to the family section or the kids only. also told them this was for adults only. for that point we did not see any kids in the adult section for the rest of the trip. i would say people need to speak up about the adult section and having no kids there. if they dont get a complant they most likely will not do anything.

This is exactly it. No need to speak with the parents or the kid just speak directly to a CM and tell them hey this is suppose to be adults only can you do something about this. CMs take their queue from guests if we like it or not so yeah they should be moving them along on their own but in an effort to make sure everyone is having "exceptional" service they often don't correct rule breaking unless someone else points it out.

 

[kamik86]

This is exactly it. No need to speak with the parents or the kid just speak directly to a CM and tell them hey this is suppose to be adults only can you do something about this. CMs take their queue from guests if we like it or not so yeah they should be moving them along on their own but in an effort to make sure everyone is having "exceptional" service they often don't correct rule breaking unless someone else points it out.

See to me what that means is that you should not give them exceptional and state the reason is that I had to ask a CM to enforce their own rules.

 

[RedSox68]

This is exactly it. No need to speak with the parents or the kid just speak directly to a CM and tell them hey this is suppose to be adults only can you do something about this. CMs take their queue from guests if we like it or not so yeah they should be moving them along on their own but in an effort to make sure everyone is having "exceptional" service they often don't correct rule breaking unless someone else points it out.

Yeah, but then not everyone is having "exceptional" service -- those adults who expect an adults-only experience sure aren't having an "exceptional" time! And personallyl if there is a CM present, I don't think it should be up to me to go and tell them to do their job! Not at the prices Disney charges!

 

[Rabb it]

I only remember one instance when this happened, we were lounging in the adult pool and the kid wanders into the area, maybe 8 or 9 years old and starts making his way to the pool. I was thinking "Ooops, is someone going to stop this kid.." and sure enough a CM jogged up to him and explained this was adults only pool section. The kid goes "But, there's no one in THIS pool!!"

I had to start laughing, I turned to my girlfriend and said "yeeeep, that's the point little buddy". Poor guy, he was pretty bummed. The CM handled it well I thought and were on it pretty quick.

 

[wilkeliza]

See to me what that means is that you should not give them exceptional and state the reason is that I had to ask a CM to enforce their own rules.

Yeah, but then not everyone is having "exceptional" service -- those adults who expect an adults-only experience sure aren't having an "exceptional" time! And personallyl if there is a CM present, I don't think it should be up to me to go and tell them to do their job! Not at the prices Disney charges!

Oh i agree but coming to the boards and complaining about it (not saying you two are) while not bringing up to a CM and letting them fix the issue isn't going to help either. They have a double edge sword with the exceptional they are forced to push so I think it just leads to not acting until asked to act in some cases. It also really depends on the CM. I have seen some that have been with the line forever who are 100% firm about the no kids (or no running on pool deck, no acting crazy in the dinning room, no disturbing other cruisers etc) and others who wait to be told what to do in hopes that if no one is complaining then everyone is having a great time even if that isn't reality.

 

[BCV23]

If you're coming from a forward stateroom to eat on the pool deck, or vice versa, the midship elevators are less direct. The midship elevators also tend to be a lot slower, due to heavier traffic, than the forward elevators.

Not that I can figure out?? All the fast food spots are aft of the midship elevators, right? As is Cabanas, the drink dispensers, the family pools,etc.. Maybe the ice cream is just forward of the elevators? Not sure but that would be a matter of a few steps. I can see folks who are not familiar with the layout and have forward cabins accidentally taking their children through the adult areas, but once one is familiar with the ship, the midship elevators are the obvious way to get to the family areas while teaching your children that rules apply to them. If there even is a rule about not walking through the area?

Personally it doesn't bother me to see children just pass through the area. Really maybe that is what the ship's designers intended?

 

[RedSox68]

Oh i agree but coming to the boards and complaining about it (not saying you two are) while not bringing up to a CM and letting them fix the issue isn't going to help either. They have a double edge sword with the exceptional they are forced to push so I think it just leads to not acting until asked to act in some cases. It also really depends on the CM. I have seen some that have been with the line forever who are 100% firm about the no kids (or no running on pool deck, no acting crazy in the dinning room, no disturbing other cruisers etc) and others who wait to be told what to do in hopes that if no one is complaining then everyone is having a great time even if that isn't reality.

Fortunately (for us), we are not pool people -- so we've never had an issue with the kids in adult areas, etc. I have run into problems, however, at the clubs at night after 9 p.m. when it was supposed to be adults only - but the CMs in that area were quick to chase kids out of the area. I witnessed a family trying to get into an adult comedy show with 3 little ones -- certainly inappropriate for the kids to hear and was glad to see a CM escort them out. Maybe they figure if they keep the adults happy in that area, they'll buy more drinks LOL

 

[wilkeliza]

Fortunately (for us), we are not pool people -- so we've never had an issue with the kids in adult areas, etc. I have run into problems, however, at the clubs at night after 9 p.m. when it was supposed to be adults only - but the CMs in that area were quick to chase kids out of the area. I witnessed a family trying to get into an adult comedy show with 3 little ones -- certainly inappropriate for the kids to hear and was glad to see a CM escort them out. Maybe they figure if they keep the adults happy in that area, they'll buy more drinks LOL

I think that plus there is some material in those that is never going to be appropriate for children to hear. My favorite was in one of those couples competitions and an older couple (easily in their 50s) who were the newest married were participating. One of the questions was most interesting place you have got it on (wink wink nudge nudge by the cruise staff). Well the answered and pretty vividly about their adventure naked on top of a yacht the day prior. I couldn't imagine what someone would have done if their kids were there haha.

 

[bbel]

Rock on! Yup, it must have been a young CM. I can sympathize with him only to the extent that I know it is hard to stand up to an entitled parent. As a teacher, I've had to do that at times and it ain't fun. Part of my job, though. It is also part of that CM's job. He should have said, "I'm very sorry, ma'am, but the rule is adults only at all times." Too bad you had to do his job for him, but thank you.

Fyi, I would recommend reporting that kind of CM behavior to guest services. not naming any names to get anyone in trouble (I do feel sorry for CMs who get bullied by those guests who insist on breaking the rules), but just to state that the rules aren't being enforced and that is not appreciated.

First off - Im not saying anything is either right or wrong, Im not condoning any CM behaviour or not.

Honestly I wouldn't even give the excuse of a 'young CM' or any CM, I fully believe its Disney's own doing. Im not even joking that when I was onboard we had official training on "how to say no without saying no". I think that scares some CM, especially when English is not their first language. Many CM would assume that everyone is happy if they're not complaining. If you tell someone they can't do something, thats basically telling them no and Disney have taught them that that is bad. And a negative guest comment can do a lot more damage than the good of 2 or 3 good ones.

 

[Dug720]

First off - Im not saying anything is either right or wrong, Im not condoning any CM behaviour or not.

Honestly I wouldn't even give the excuse of a 'young CM' or any CM, I fully believe its Disney's own doing. Im not even joking that when I was onboard we had official training on "how to say no without saying no". I think that scares some CM, especially when English is not their first language. Many CM would assume that everyone is happy if they're not complaining. If you tell someone they can't do something, thats basically telling them no and Disney have taught them that that is bad. And a negative guest comment can do a lot more damage than the good of 2 or 3 good ones.

Which is why I think it's extra important if you see some kind of altercation where a CM is trying to do their job/enforce the rules and a guest is berating them for it that we who support them enforcing the rules ALSO go to give a positive comment at Guest Services so that those in charge get the full story when the "offended" party goes to complain.

I know on the Magic in Feb, there were two girls who might have been 18 but possibly not in the Quiet Cove. One of the servers very quietly approached them (I do not know if he was prompted by anyone as I did not see that) and asked to see their key cards. One of the girls did not have hers (I don't know if the other was of age or not) so he quietly told them they would have to leave (and if they really both were 18 that they could come back with both of their cards). They left without any trouble (proof that I think most of the time the kids would rather just go where they're supposed to be and it's the parents who are the ones making a big deal about it), but I still made sure to note his name and go by Guest Services to let them know how well he had handled it and how much I appreciated the adults only policy being enforced. Never hurts to give a compliment - and it would hopefully counteract anything if either of the girls' parents decided to complain that their princesses were told to move.

 

[Shanti]

Not that I can figure out?? All the fast food spots are aft of the midship elevators, right?...Maybe the ice cream is just forward of the elevators.

No, both the ice cream and the fast food are forward of the elevators, not aft.