Dream Feb 14-17 Disappointment

[DCL Repeaters]

Just off the Dream Feb 14-17. We are 20 year veterans of DCL sailing on a variety of itineraries with years of special moments on the beautiful ships. But this last cruise along with the 2 previous in the past year have had some disappointments. One being cigar smoke at Serenity Bay. I have addressed this with DCL and will again. Their response had been that smoking is allowed anywhere on Castaway Cay. The wind gods were not in my favor and I had to leave the beach because of my asthma . I find their response unacceptable. There is no smoking allowed in the parks. Why can’t there be at least smoking areas?
The other disappointment was Palo and pirate night. Let me describe the scene. A new beautiful bride along with her husband were enjoying an intimate dinner on the evening of their wedding day. A violinist was serenading each table with a stunning music and most at dinner were dressed according to the Palo dress code. In comes couple #1 in pirate gear. He with a large bird on his shoulder and she with a gigantic hat. We walked out of the restaurant with his couple and they complained that she was told to remove her hat. Next comes in group #2 of about 6 or so people dressed in pirate gear except for one young lady in short shorts, tee shirt and flip flops and yes she allowed to stay. Although not a fan pirate night, don’t think I will go to Palo again on pirate night if this kind of dress code is allowed. Some things about DCL are truly going down the tubes.
Did I have a good time -yup! I was with my family!

 

[xiphoid76]

Was on the same cruise as you. I am not a fan of pirate night either, but whatever makes people happy. Most of them seem to meet the dress code for Palo except the woman i shorts. I have been told to change my shoes before there.
I hate dress codes though and don’t think there really should be any, but if they do have them they should be enforced.
16 cruises in and I have never encountered any smoking at Castaway Cay. We don’t go to serenity bay or the bars there, so maybe we just avoid it luckily. I really had no idea smoking was even allowed.
Sorry you had some bad experiences but glad you had fun with your family!

 

[lorimay]

Just off the Dream Feb 14-17. We are 20 year veterans of DCL sailing on a variety of itineraries with years of special moments on the beautiful ships. But this last cruise along with the 2 previous in the past year have had some disappointments. One being cigar smoke at Serenity Bay. I have addressed this with DCL and will again. Their response had been that smoking is allowed anywhere on Castaway Cay. The wind gods were not in my favor and I had to leave the beach because of my asthma . I find their response unacceptable. There is no smoking allowed in the parks. Why can’t there be at least smoking areas?
The other disappointment was Palo and pirate night. Let me describe the scene. A new beautiful bride along with her husband were enjoying an intimate dinner on the evening of their wedding day. A violinist was serenading each table with a stunning music and most at dinner were dressed according to the Palo dress code. In comes couple #1 in pirate gear. He with a large bird on his shoulder and she with a gigantic hat. We walked out of the restaurant with his couple and they complained that she was told to remove her hat. Next comes in group #2 of about 6 or so people dressed in pirate gear except for one young lady in short shorts, tee shirt and flip flops and yes she allowed to stay. Although not a fan pirate night, don’t think I will go to Palo again on pirate night if this kind of dress code is allowed. Some things about DCL are truly going down the tubes.
Did I have a good time -yup! I was with my family!

We have gone to Palo on Pirate night many times, only once have we seen a couple dressed, but their costumes were very elaborate and fancy.
I have seen the short shorts for brunch, she paired them with heels and wasn't asked to leave.
I'm glad you still had a good time, I don't let these things get to me.
I love my DCL cruises and will continue to do so.

 

[gatordoc]

I’m with you as far as the smoking on CC - has really been annoying our last couple of visits there. I’ve mentioned it on the comment card, but I don’t know whether that will have any effect.

 

[lilsonicfan]

glad you had a good time, but i don't particularly understand how the way someone else dresses, that might have affected a third someone else (the wedding couple) could be a disappointment to you. perhaps it is just me, but i am of the mindset that people are gonna do what they feel, and if the cruise line has a rule and doesn't enforce it, or doesn't have a rule, then it isn't up to me to feel any particular way about it.

 

[AgentMama]

I agree with the disappointment in the smoking policy at CC. But I cannot understand how your dining experience is impacted by how others look.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

glad you had a good time, but i don't particularly understand how the way someone else dresses, that might have affected a third someone else (the wedding couple) could be a disappointment to you. perhaps it is just me, but i am of the mindset that people are gonna do what they feel, and if the cruise line has a rule and doesn't enforce it, or doesn't have a rule, then it isn't up to me to feel any particular way about it.

It bothers me at Palo only because a few years ago a male member of my family was sent back to his room to change because he had a polo shirt on with Dockers for dinner. That was a no go back then. Palo has a dress code and it should be enforced.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

I agree with the disappointment in the smoking policy at CC. But I cannot understand how your dining experience is impacted by how others look.

Didn’t say my dining experience was impacted just disappointed that the dress code isn’t enforced.

 

[Pens Fan]

I'm sorry your experience wasn't what you hoped for. I get that you were disappointed and I appreciate that. I'm totally in agreement with the smoking thing on Castaway Cay. While we've never personally experienced that, I would not be pleased if we had. My son has asthma and my husband is allergic to it. So yeah, that's a hard "not cool DCL - figure that out".

As for the Palo incident, maybe it's just my weird mind - but it's a Disney cruise. Honestly, allowing pirate dressed folks to show up at Palo is kind of what makes Disney special to me. I'd never equate a Disney cruise (or really a Disney anything) with a fine dining, elegant experience. There are plenty of other places to find that. Disney is about whimsy, fun, dreams, and the magic of just being a kid again. Honestly, I'd find pirates at Palo a hoot! I would never have the cojones to dress as a pirate anywhere, more less Palo, but I'd be such a fan of someone that did. But again, maybe that's just me??

 

[lklgoodman]

I didn't know smoking was allowed everywhere on CC. Guess we've been lucky so far, we've been there 6 times and haven't had anyone around us smoking. My dd also has asthma, I agree with you that it shouldn't be allowed everywhere on CC.

 

[squirk]

The other disappointment was Palo and pirate night. Let me describe the scene. A new beautiful bride along with her husband were enjoying an intimate dinner on the evening of their wedding day. A violinist was serenading each table with a stunning music and most at dinner were dressed according to the Palo dress code. In comes couple #1 in pirate gear. He with a large bird on his shoulder and she with a gigantic hat. We walked out of the restaurant with his couple and they complained that she was told to remove her hat. Next comes in group #2 of about 6 or so people dressed in pirate gear except for one young lady in short shorts, tee shirt and flip flops and yes she allowed to stay. Although not a fan pirate night, don’t think I will go to Palo again on pirate night if this kind of dress code is allowed. Some things about DCL are truly going down the tubes.

Did this newly-married couple appear to be upset by the arrival of the guests in pirate garb?

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I totally agree with the poster

There are dress rules in palo as this is a speciality restaurant.

If you dont want to dress up (their own choice) then there is the main dining room and cabanas.

Quite a few people go to palo on pirate night for that reason.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

It bothers me at Palo only because a few years ago a male member of my family was sent back to his room to change because he had a polo shirt on with Dockers for dinner. That was a no go back then. Palo has a dress code and it should be enforced.

This intrigues me, because this is what I wear literally every single time we have gone to Palo with the exception of one time on my birthday when I had a button down. I've never had any issues. Glad they didn't ask me to change because thats usually the only fancy shirt I have.

The Cigar smoke... I'm mixed on that. I think a simpler solution would be to have a designated area. I don't agree with "just smoke where ever you want" as a policy in any way shape or form. That is definitely unacceptable. My husband used to smoke but now uses a Vape and even though it smells like fruit/cinnamon/etc he still is extremely courteous around others because of the sensitivities. Even more than the DCL policy, I feel like that falls under a "rude guest behavior" in my mind.

 

[MomOTwins]

It kinda sounds like the dress code was enforced, since they asked the lady to remove her hat, and that is against dress code. I mean, was the woman wearing a pirate dress, or pirate-y pants/skirt and blouse? Because that would fit the requirements. And same with the man: any kind of slacks are okay, doesn't have to be dress pants--and did the shirt have a collar (my husband's pirate shirt does)? Here's the dress code: It's a pretty low bar.

So that we may provide an enjoyable and refined dining experience for all Guests, please be advised that tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, shorts, hats, cut-offs, torn clothing, t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics, flip-flops or tennis shoes are not permitted at Palo or Remy. We thank you for your understanding and your cooperation with the following dress requirements​

Dinner and Brunch

• Men: dress pants or slacks and collared shirt; jacket is optional
• Women: dress, skirt or pants with a blouse
• Jeans may be worn if in good condition (no holes)

 

[CamColt]

Wow I am surprised to find out smoking is allowed everywhere on CC. 22 visits there and I never knew that!

 

[MomOTwins]

Wow I am surprised to find out smoking is allowed everywhere on CC. 22 visits there and I never knew that!

Chuckling because is there no end to the things Disney Mom Panel gets wrong? This post says that smoking is only allowed in designated areas in CC.

https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney...cruise-disney-private-island-able-buy-386981/

 

[AquaDame]

Chuckling because is there no end to the things Disney Mom Panel gets wrong? This post says that smoking is only allowed in designated areas in CC.

https://disneyparksmomspanel.disney...cruise-disney-private-island-able-buy-386981/

I guess that makes Serenity Bay a designated area... we havent been since Dec 2018 but there was certainly smokers on the loungers there. (I'm allergic, so we left and went back to the family beach).

 

[T & R]

Let me start off with saying that if being outdoors where people may smoke created a "disappointment" for you, then you are in for a lifetime of being disappointed.

There is no smoking allowed in the parks. Why can’t there be at least smoking areas?

Because DCL doesn't own the beach or the island. It's leased from the Government of The Bahamas, so I would assume The Bahamas version of federal laws apply regarding beach access to smokers and drinkers. Not every country is ate up with anti-smoking like the U.S. and E.U. are.

I had to leave the beach because of my asthma

Really, the cigar smoke enveloped the entire outdoor beach of CC?

You did the right thing, if you're outside and smoke bothers you, you're free to move away from the smoke. Just like someone who's allergic to plastic, moves way from the plastic or someone that can't swim, moves away from the water or someone who has peanut allergies, moves away from the PBJ sandwich, etc, etc. If we ban everything that someone is bothered by or has a physical reaction to, then we would have to ban everything.

Just curious but I've always noticed that people who claim to have asthma always proclaim their asthma when they encounter smokers, yet I've watched many of my kid's friends that have asthma blow out birthday candles year after year with the birthday candle smoke thick in the air upon their completion. Why does birthday candle smoke that's 12 inches away not effect the asthma sufferer but the cigarette smoker who's 12 yards away does? I've always wondered this.

 

[G.Tyler]

After reading most of the posts regarding the disappointment of the original poster; Please don't think that I'm taking sides here; but I'm wondering if the reactions to smoking on C.C. has anything to do with Bahamian laws; i.e. the island is of Bahamian jurisdiction isn't it. That may explain Disney's attitudes regarding this matter. (?) In regards to Palo; I believe one poster stated something to the effect that after-all, this is Disney; no one would consider this to be equated to fine dining. Palo and Remy ARE considered fine dining venues, to anyone who is remotely familiar with the high standards of the quality of food and the service that goes along with it. Usually in an environment such as Palo or Remy there is a dress code. At one time; it was strictly followed and if needed; enforced. On one occasion during Brunch I was advised that sneakers for men were not allowed and I needed to change . I didn't take offense, I actually forgot about the shoe requirement. No big deal; I just went back to our stateroom and changed shoes. Disney just isn't about fun and pirates, though that's a part of it ; it's a lifestyle. It promotes friendliness, new attitudes, taste for things and horizons yet to be experienced, and such. Most other cruise lines have similar venues where there is a dress code in place. Cruising has a long tradition; some of which carries forward to present time. One of these requires a certain dress standard for ladies and gents. I'm just saying...

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Let me start off with saying that if being outdoors where people may smoke created a "disappointment" for you, then you are in for a lifetime of being disappointed.



Because DCL doesn't own the beach or the island. It's leased from the Government of The Bahamas, so I would assume The Bahamas version of federal laws apply regarding beach access to smokers and drinkers. Not every country is ate up with anti-smoking like the U.S. and E.U. are.



Really, the cigar smoke enveloped the entire outdoor beach of CC?

You did the right thing, if you're outside and smoke bothers you, you're free to move away from the smoke. Just like someone who's allergic to plastic, moves way from the plastic or someone that can't swim, moves away from the water or someone who has peanut allergies, moves away from the PBJ sandwich, etc, etc. If we ban everything that someone is bothered by or has a physical reaction to, then we would have to ban everything.

Just curious but I've always noticed that people who claim to have asthma always proclaim their asthma when they encounter smokers, yet I've watched many of my kid's friends that have asthma blow out birthday candles year after year with the birthday candle smoke thick in the air upon their completion. Why does birthday candle smoke that's 12 inches away not effect the asthma sufferer but the cigarette smoker who's 12 yards away does? I've always wondered this.

Educate yourself before making replies like this. You obviously have no clue.