Disney Wonder-ful, but a few constructive comments

[Andrea Rath]

First...I love Disney Cruises! We just got home from our 3rd cruise, the Wonder to Bahamas. Our 8 year old daughter had the time of her life AGAIN! Love the service, the excursions, the activities and the food is decent. The crew is beyond friendly and attentive to the children and parents alike. They are very health aware with hand sanitizer stations at ever restaurant and on and off boarding. Unfortunately, because I'm not a first timer- I noticed changes that were disappointing, as you expect certain things to be ther on your next cruise, and it's not. The biggest disappointment was the photo package at the end of the cruise. On our previous cruises, if you bought the full CD, the printed photos came with it. This cruise it changed to buy the digital CD, and prints cost as well. Ok, they have already printed the pics in various sizes. So, you basically pay double now. We bought the CD, and they keep and I assume destroy the prints. What purpose does that seve? It's a waste to destroy all those prints! What more would it cost Disney to just give the prints versus trash them? They also did away with the picture frame character signing at Guest Services...I can live with that one, but charging so much for photos seems greedy when they used to throw in the prints rather than throw away the prints. Again, I love Disney, but was sad to see this change. We booked our next Disney Cruise and are looking forward to it! I hope they add versus take away value next time.

 

[MSPeeler]

Is the digital CD "worth it" in your opinion? I love taking pictures, but I'm never IN them! Do we have to track down a Shutters employee anytime we wants pics taken or are they available at character meetings, dinner, ports?

That's sad if they just destroy pre-printed photos! I agree, what a waste!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

CD and CD+Prints have been separate packages for a while now. The signing of things at Guest Services went away last year I believe.

Yes, they recycle the unpurchased pictures. What else are they supposed to do with them? They can't just give them away.

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

They did away with signing items on ALL the ships? First timer here, taking Disney Dream in 2017.
Ozarkglittergirl

 

[wilma-bride]

They did away with signing items on ALL the ships? First timer here, taking Disney Dream in 2017.
Ozarkglittergirl

They will sign items but you cannot leave them with Guest Services any longer, you must take them to character meet and greets yourself.

 

[TestingH2O]

To clarify: you can no longer drop off an item at guest services to have signed. You'll see older blog posts and tip lists that describe this as an inexpensive souvenir. Now, if you want a photo matte or pillowcase signed, you'll need to bring it with you to meet and greets. Make sure you bring a marker too. It's generally considered good form to limit the items out of courtesy to those waiting in line.

 

[wilma-bride]

to the DIS. Sorry you found a couple of things disappointing on the ship but as indicated above, both of the changes you refer to have been the case for some time now. The leaving items to be signed at Guest Services was never a formal service and was discontinued last August. The CD plus photos has been that way for as long as I remember - and I have been cruising with DCL for a few years now.

I am glad you didn't allow a couple of minor things to deter you from booking again. Enjoy your next cruise

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

This is so helpful, can't thank you all enough. One question, approximately how much do the photo CD's cost?
Ozarkglittergirl

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

This is so helpful, can't thank you all enough. One question, approximately how much do the photo CD's cost?
Ozarkglittergirl

It varies by length of the cruise and whether or not you want the prints as well. If I recall correctly, a 3-night CD is $249 and it goes up from there.

 

[Andrea Rath]

Thanks for all of the comments! I wouldn't let the couple of issues stop me from the taking another Disney cruise. As for the price of the CD for all photos was $250. For that price, yes - I would expect what they had already printed to be thrown in rather than thrown out! They were included on my last Disney cruise 2 years ago. Wouldn't cost them anymore to include them than it would destroy them. As for the fact that it changed some time ago...I wouldn't know that until I took the next cruise. Yes, I took the frame to the meet and greets and got it signed by some of the characters. I was just saying it WAS a nice perk. Again, I love Disney, love the cruises, and am planning the next one already. Definitely worth the money to see the joy on my child's face. (And grown ups have fun too!). Nothing is ever perfect, but a Disney cruise comes close!