Disappointing Adult Cruise On The Dream

[dcassetta]

Ah. Thank you for this additional info. It does strike me as weird that regular buffet dinner service is not a standard feature with DCL, as it is on every other cruise line we’ve ever booked.

I get that, but I think DCL’s goal from the beginning was to create dining experiences. I have not been on another cruise line with anything like either the rotational dining that Disney offers, or that decor/show/characters that you find on DCL. I do understand though that not everyone wants a long, sit down, multicourse dinner experience every night.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I get that, but I think DCL’s goal from the beginning was to create dining experiences. I have not been on another cruise line with anything like either the rotational dining that Disney offers, or that decor/show/characters that you find on DCL. I do understand though that not everyone wants a long, sit down, multicourse dinner experience every night.

That’s the issue! The rotational dining is fun, even if it is a bit gimmicky, but we also like to have more informal nights where we can maintain our own schedule and possibly see an early or later show, and eat a more subdued meal, of exactly what we want, at the buffet. That’s how it works on every single cruise line other than DCL. This is especially true for Disney adults, like ourselves, who might want to avoid for a night or two all the commotion in one of the dining rooms.

Personally, I think a lot of DCL cruisers would appreciate it, and it’s almost inconceivable to me that it’s not offered.

 

[auntlynne]

I wonder if there was the expectation of so many repeat cruisers for DCL.

If the concept was let’s offer a cruise + theme park vacation and make it so every guest can have a similar experience in the cruise aspect, the rotational dinner and shows (and 3- or 4- night cruises) made sense.

Twenty-five years later, and there is not much variation of experience offered. They did not take the big step and offer more variety in dining venues, as other cruise lines have.

It would be interesting to know when specialty dining was introduced, industry wide, or more than just one steakhouse or Italian offering.

Other than size, decor/theming, an additional water feature and adult dining, new itineraries introduced slowly, has DCL changed that much? For that matter, has WDW? Or is it slow evolution to provide generations a similar experience, with add-ons at a snail pace? In the meantime, other cruise ships have more options and theme parks have more roller coasters and rides.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I wonder if there was the expectation of so many repeat cruisers for DCL.

If the concept was let’s offer a cruise + theme park vacation and make it so every guest can have a similar experience in the cruise aspect, the rotational dinner and shows (and 3- or 4- night cruises) made sense.

Twenty-five years later, and there is not much variation of experience offered. They did not take the big step and offer more variety in dining venues, as other cruise lines have.

It would be interesting to know when specialty dining was introduced, industry wide, or more than just one steakhouse or Italian offering.

Other than size, decor/theming, an additional water feature and adult dining, new itineraries introduced slowly, has DCL changed that much? For that matter, has WDW? Or is it slow evolution to provide generations a similar experience, with add-ons at a snail pace? In the meantime, other cruise ships have more options and theme parks have more roller coasters and rides.

Personally, the rotational dining wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be, but at least it makes DCL different I suppose. I love the way the ships look from afar, with the traditional design calling back to a golden age of cruising. But some of the newer ships on other lines are really pushing nautical design forward, and have a greater wow factor.
At least on the Dream, the Disney overlay wasn’t enough to make me feel I was getting my money’s worth.
That said, it might be my fault. I went in expecting a Grand Floridian at sea kind of experience (within reason), which just didn’t turn out to be the case.

 

[John VN]

Personally, the rotational dining wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be, but at least it makes DCL different I suppose. I love the way the ships look from afar, with the traditional design calling back to a golden age of cruising. But some of the newer ships on other lines are really pushing nautical design forward, and have a greater wow factor.
At least on the Dream, the Disney overlay wasn’t enough to make me feel I was getting my money’s worth.
That said, it might be my fault. I went in expecting a Grand Floridian at sea kind of experience (within reason), which just didn’t turn out to be the case.

r.e. bold -- I'm thinking that DW and I experienced a similar feeling having certain EXPECTAIONS going on an Oceania Cruise. As I've often posted, the cruise experience simply did not deliver that BANG FOR THE BUCK$ PAID. The cruise was just a cruise and le$$ paid on another line would have allowed almost another complete cruise. Lesson learned and for us we found another line that suites our demands at a reasonable price for received experience.

 

[auntlynne]

Personally, the rotational dining wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be, but at least it makes DCL different I suppose. I love the way the ships look from afar, with the traditional design calling back to a golden age of cruising. But some of the newer ships on other lines are really pushing nautical design forward, and have a greater wow factor.
At least on the Dream, the Disney overlay wasn’t enough to make me feel I was getting my money’s worth.
That said, it might be my fault. I went in expecting a Grand Floridian at sea kind of experience (within reason), which just didn’t turn out to be the case.

The classic oceanliner look of Disney does draw the eye. I’ve heard when onboard other ships when docked.

But, yes, new ships and their hull art (more than their giant size) are making the cruise world more colorful. The days of just boring, solid white hulls are giving way to Wayland’s whales on NCL Bliss or the flowing-hair Princess.

Dream is my least favorite interior. (Haven’t done Wish). While her twin, the Fantasy offers a beautiful peacock carpet in the atrium. The adult District in both is rather hodgepodge. But the tile bathroom murals there and in Cabanas are what I would expect from Disney.

Some ships I have been on are too 1980s Las Vegas casino for my tastes. MSC in particular. And I am not a fan of the shopping mall feeling of the “atrium” in Royal’s Oasis Class, but do appreciate Central Park and the Aqua Theater. You can drop me on any Princess ship and I feel it could be any of their other ships, just differentiated by capacity. But I still enjoy their more classic atrium.

I liked your original post and encourage you to enjoy the happiness of trying DCL, while realizing it wasn’t what you expected from Disney, nor is it what you want from cruising. Just think if this had been your first cruise; you might never have taken another cruise.

Keep having fun and wonderful vacations!

 

[auntlynne]

r.e. bold -- I'm thinking that DW and I experienced a similar feeling having certain EXPECTAIONS going on an Oceania Cruise. As I've often posted, the cruise experience simply did not deliver that BANG FOR THE BUCK$ PAID. The cruise was just a cruise and le$$ paid on another line would have allowed almost another complete cruise. Lesson learned and for us we found another line that suites our demands at a reasonable price for received experience.

So if not Oceania, do you have lines or ships that deliver the experience you expect (and want) for the price?

 

[Paul Stupin]

The classic oceanliner look of Disney does draw the eye. I’ve heard when onboard other ships when docked.

But, yes, new ships and their hull art (more than there giant size) are making the cruise world more colorful. The days of just boring, solid white hulls are giving way to Wayland’s whales on NCL Bliss or the flowing-hair Princess.

Dream is my least favorite interior. (Haven’t done Wish). While her twin, the Fantasy offers a beautiful peacock carpet in the atrium. The adult District in both is rather hodgepodge. But the tile bathroom murals there and in Cabanas are what I would expect from Disney.

Some ships I have been on are too 1980s Las Vegas casino for my tastes. MSC in particular. And I am not a fan of the shopping mall feeling of the “atrium in Royal’s Oasis Class, but do appreciate Central Park and the Aqua Theater. You can drop me on any Princess ship and I feel it could be any of their other ships, just differentiated by capacity. But I still enjoy their more classic atrium.

I liked your original post and encourage you to enjoy the happiness of trying DCL, while realizing it wasn’t what you expected from Disney, nor is it what you want from cruising. Just think if this had been your first cruise; you might never have taken another cruise.

Keep having fun and wonderful vacations!

Thank you!

 

[anjuan]

Speaking of the buffet, on our most recent cruise we did Cabanas the morning we got off the cruise and noticed that Palo servers were the ones that were staffing it, which makes sense since the regular servers were in the dining rooms. I do think the lack of an evening buffet is a result of staffing.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Speaking of the buffet, on our most recent cruise we did Cabanas the morning we got off the cruise and noticed that Palo servers were the ones that were staffing it, which makes sense since the regular servers were in the dining rooms. I do think the lack of an evening buffet is a result of staffing.

Well, if it’s a result of staffing, shouldn’t they fix this staffing issue? It doesn’t seem like an unsolvable problem, considering that virtually every other cruise line seems to have figured out how to make it work.

And while they’re at it, I do think that the quality of the buffet food being served at Cabanas, along with the number of options, could use a serious upgrade. Breakfast wise, most cruise lines have a custom omelette station, other also have a crepe station, others overflowing selections of fresh berries and fruit. I’m not talking Regent here, I’m talking RCC, Holland America, Celebrity.

I think all of us, justifiably, hold Disney to a high standard. In Orlando, I think the quality of WDW hotels and dining selections is pretty much unsurpassed. For me, they’ve lowered this bar for DCL, particularly dining wise. We all love the Disney pixie dust, but it really doesn’t seem like they’ve sprinkled any of it at Cabanas.

 

[tidefan]

Well, if it’s a result of staffing, shouldn’t they fix this staffing issue? It doesn’t seem like an unsolvable problem, considering that virtually every other cruise line seems to have figured out how to make it work.

And while they’re at it, I do think that the quality of the buffet food being served at Cabanas, along with the number of options, could use a serious upgrade. Breakfast wise, most cruise lines have a custom omelette station, other also have a crepe station, others overflowing selections of fresh berries and fruit. I’m not talking Regent here, I’m talking RCC, Holland America, Celebrity.

I think all of us, justifiably, hold Disney to a high standard. In Orlando, I think the quality of WDW hotels and dining selections is pretty much unsurpassed. For me, they’ve lowered this bar for DCL, particularly dining wise. We all love the Disney pixie dust, but it really doesn’t seem like they’ve sprinkled any of it at Cabanas.

I 100% agree that it is ludicrous that they can't staff Cabanas in the evening. For what DCL charges, this should not be a major issue, and yes, you are correct, every other line seems to be able to do it.

Not sure I understand your Omelette station comment though. Granted, I have not been on the Dream in quite a few years, but Cabanas on the Magic last year had an omelette station. It was all the way in the back (where they have the ice cream at lunch).

 

[auntlynne]

I 100% agree that it is ludicrous that they can't staff Cabanas in the evening. For what DCL charges, this should not be a major issue, and yes, you are correct, every other line seems to be able to do it.

Not sure I understand your Omelette station comment though. Granted, I have not been on the Dream in quite a few years, but Cabanas on the Magic last year had an omelette station. It was all the way in the back (where they have the ice cream at lunch).

The omelette station could easily be missed, but I think all my cruises in DCL have had one. It is sort of the turn around spot for many, having reached the end of the main offerings. And no big signage. Just a man making omelettes (or fried eggs).

 

[dcassetta]

I 100% agree that it is ludicrous that they can't staff Cabanas in the evening. For what DCL charges, this should not be a major issue, and yes, you are correct, every other line seems to be able to do it.

I am not sure why it has not reopened as a sit-down, staffing may still be an issue.

But, staffing it as a full buffet in the evening would be a much different thing. They would have to staff all 3 MDRs and the buffet with cooks, servers, bussers, etc. Since everyone on DCL is assigned MDR dining, there is not the anytime dining that you find on some other lines. As no one has to make reservations for the MDRs, there would be no way of knowing how many guests would not be coming. On the lines that do offer an evening buffet, I am sure they have a sense of how many people are not using the MDRs.

 

[tidefan]

I am not sure why it has not reopened as a sit-down, staffing may still be an issue.

But, staffing it as a full buffet in the evening would be a much different thing. They would have to staff all 3 MDRs and the buffet with cooks, servers, bussers, etc. Since everyone on DCL is assigned MDR dining, there is not the anytime dining that you find on some other lines. As no one has to make reservations for the MDRs, there would be no way of knowing how many guests would not be coming. On the lines that do offer an evening buffet, I am sure they have a sense of how many people are not using the MDRs.

The problem with this is the assumption that everyone will be in the dining rooms. Disney knew quite well, even prior to the pandemic to expect larger than normal crowds in Cabanas on Pirate Night as the menu was/is let's just say "less than popular". It's also a huge issue on cruises like the 9-night Med cruise we did a couple of summers ago. Most people wouldn't be back on the ship until later in some ports, so early dining was often a ghost town.

If I recall correctly, the dinner service in Cabanas was a similar menu to what was in the Dining rooms, so it wasn't like they had to come up with just completely different offerings. Also, if they made it work prior to 2020, not sure why it couldn't be done now.

At least on the Magic (not sure about the Wonder as it's been awhile since I sailed her), there is a complimentary spread of bar snacks in O'Gill's, so at least there's that. Otherwise it's Room Service or wait for the Pizza place to open at 9pm.

 

[DCLMP]

I 100% agree that it is ludicrous that they can't staff Cabanas in the evening. For what DCL charges, this should not be a major issue, and yes, you are correct, every other line seems to be able to do it.

Not sure I understand your Omelette station comment though. Granted, I have not been on the Dream in quite a few years, but Cabanas on the Magic last year had an omelette station. It was all the way in the back (where they have the ice cream at lunch).

Al the ships have omelet station or cooked to order egg station. You can just order real eggs over easy if you want.

 

[DCLMP]

I am not sure why it has not reopened as a sit-down, staffing may still be an issue.

But, staffing it as a full buffet in the evening would be a much different thing. They would have to staff all 3 MDRs and the buffet with cooks, servers, bussers, etc. Since everyone on DCL is assigned MDR dining, there is not the anytime dining that you find on some other lines. As no one has to make reservations for the MDRs, there would be no way of knowing how many guests would not be coming. On the lines that do offer an evening buffet, I am sure they have a sense of how many people are not using the MDRs.

Other cruise lines have done it for years even before My time dining. The buffet would not be a madhouse like at lunch and breakfast. It would not require a lot of staff and they would only need one side open.

 

[MonaMN]

Other cruise lines have done it for years even before My time dining. The buffet would not be a madhouse like at lunch and breakfast. It would not require a lot of staff and they would only need one side open.

I imagine they monitored the traffic to Cabanas/pool dining and decided it didn't make sense. Rotational dining is one of the uniquely DCL things... that experience is part of what many people are signing up for. It's a trade off for sure - one that appeals to me because I could can go to about any kind of restaurant I want at home... no need to do that on a cruise. I'd rather have the Disney experience.

This is why there are different options for everyone.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I 100% agree that it is ludicrous that they can't staff Cabanas in the evening. For what DCL charges, this should not be a major issue, and yes, you are correct, every other line seems to be able to do it.

Not sure I understand your Omelette station comment though. Granted, I have not been on the Dream in quite a few years, but Cabanas on the Magic last year had an omelette station. It was all the way in the back (where they have the ice cream at lunch).

The omelette station could easily be missed, but I think all my cruises in DCL have had one. It is sort of the turn around spot for many, having reached the end of the main offerings. And no big signage. Just a man making omelettes (or fried eggs).

My bad! I think we just missed it then. Honestly, it was so monumentally crowded that all we wanted to do was get in and out as fast as we could and I guess in our hurry it escaped our attention. Still, we felt the breakfast offerings were average at best.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I imagine they monitored the traffic to Cabanas/pool dining and decided it didn't make sense. Rotational dining is one of the uniquely DCL things... that experience is part of what many people are signing up for. It's a trade off for sure - one that appeals to me because I could can go to about any kind of restaurant I want at home... no need to do that on a cruise. I'd rather have the Disney experience.

This is why there are different options for everyone.

For us the rotational dining was initially kinda fun but ultimately failed to impress because we didn’t respond to the food quality, and in spite of the different theming all the dining rooms felt pretty much the same.
Especially if they just opened one side of the buffet, and even had limited offerings, there’s really no excuse for a cruise line not to provide some kind of buffet option for cruisers who want a break from the MDR(s), and their rigidly scheduled meal times. We felt shortchanged not having it.

 

[DCLMP]

I imagine they monitored the traffic to Cabanas/pool dining and decided it didn't make sense. Rotational dining is one of the uniquely DCL things... that experience is part of what many people are signing up for. It's a trade off for sure - one that appeals to me because I could can go to about any kind of restaurant I want at home... no need to do that on a cruise. I'd rather have the Disney experience.

This is why there are different options for everyone.

I do not believe they have had a buffet at night to monitor traffic to cabanas. It’s not about foot traffic it’s about convenience and options.