Fantasy having mechanical issues

[nearlyfallinstar]

Hassles are not made any better by having a bad attitude. Makes it worse. My DH and I differ in this outlook. I always see the silver lining and he focuses on the storm.

 

[dcassetta]

The next night we were in Animator's Palate and a water glass at the next table literally walked off the table. Also saw it happen in Royal Palace later in the cruise.

Not making light of vibration issues, but I think I would enjoy watching glasses walking off the tables!

 

[GOOFY D]

Stranded at MCO? No, that is not a hardship. They have a beautiful mall to shop in, a great food court to hang out in, I know, we did it for 8 hours after a DCL cruise a few years ago. It was actually fun with my kids. I also went to Africa three years ago, for a two week trip. Although it was a trip of a lifetime, and would love to return, I saw hardship. THAT is hardship. Not waiting at an airport, just getting off an awesome cruise.

Now I just think you are trolling those who went through the hardship and making fun of their situation. There is no time where missing flights and having to find alternate ways home is any fun.

 

[GOOFY D]

As with the other complaints, air conditioning, toilets, etc., this was the 1st cruise after dry dock. We all knew that. If you have the ability to be on the disboards and complain you should have had the ability to know that cruises immediately following dry dock can and do have issues. We went in knowing that so the issues we experience were expected and far fewer than we anticipated.

That is not true at all. If it indeed was expected, shouldn't Disney have discounted the cruise? I think it is silly to expect less for your money just because the vessel is just out of drydock. Did some appear to overreact? Sure. But I do not think we should make light of the hardships and say they were expected.

 

[klbrow11]

I can totally understand how rearranging flights would be blah but sounds like Disney was informing passengers and offering solutions. I would be the person enjoying extra time on the ship

Also everyone agrees flying in the day before is always good in case flights are delayed etc. One might find it prudent to schedule later flights off the cruise or waiting till the next day. Obviously you cant always but should probably try. Just like a plane there can be issues on the cruise, or traffic, or a number of issues. Just my opinion

 

[FigmentSpark]

The other thing to add is that, as humans, we do not deal with change well... we do much better with routine, expectations, etc. I agree, each person's experience is their own. We have no right to judge others for their experience and the emotions that follow.
There is certainly legal obligation vs. customer service. And a simple "I'm sorry" does go a long way (so does $$ off a future cruise... b/c then Disney wins by getting more $$ down the road for those who choose to use it).
But it reminds me of the time I flew, by myself, on Christmas Day from DC to Seattle via Twin Cities, as a 16yo senior in HS to visit my Dad, stepmom and little bro. There was mechanical plane failure and I was stuck in MN all day. I kept getting updated, sure, with more bad news... this was before cell phones ('95) and each time I got on the pay phone to call my mom with the bad news, and she would call my dad to remind him to keep checking the flight updates. I was 16, I had no idea I should have been asking for "compensation." I had nothing to eat that whole time (8 hours in the airport), b/c I didn't travel with cash, and I obviously didn't have credit cards. I even ran out of change for the pay phone and started calling collect. Was the airline obligated to give me money for lunch? I don't think so. Should they have told me I would be in the airport, all alone, on Christmas day until it was no longer Christmas day? How would they have known? It was an issue they tried several times to fix, replaced it with another plane that had an issue, and then needed a third plane. It was Murphys law that day.... yes it sucked, and yes, I cried to my poor mom via collect call all day, who already felt guilty for flying me out there ON xmas day b/c it was cheaper. I received nothing. If there was social media back then, yeah, I probably would have gone online to complain, b/c Hey, sometimes you just gotta VENT! So let's let people vent, they may realize that DCL doesn't have to do anything, and hey maybe they did enough...
But can we at least use this as a PSA to buy trip insurance? I have to kids (5 and 2)... and missing flights (which means missing naps) would have ADDED to my stress, I get that. So please just stop attacking people for their thoughts... and simply discuss. You share your view, I'll share mine, you share your suggestion, he'll share his...
I love these boards, but sometimes posters need to re-read before they hit post... are you being helpful, informative, adding to the convo, or are you just trying to shame and belittle someone? Give people the benefit of the doubt once in a while...

I know you were just 16, but yeah, they should have given you a lunch voucher and it sucks that no one realized you were young and alone and cared enough to make sure you got one. I bet most others on your flight got the voucher.

 

[oam]

It's as if you are in The Beasts castle.

Not making light of vibration issues, but I think I would enjoy watching glasses walking off the tables!

 

[keaster]

This is why we never book inaugural cruises or cruises immediately after a dry dock. Too many things can go sideways, I'd rather wait until the kinks get worked out!

 

[DisneyPups]

I know you were just 16, but yeah, they should have given you a lunch voucher and it sucks that no one realized you were young and alone and cared enough to make sure you got one. I bet most others on your flight got the voucher.

Thinking about it (it was 21 years ago!)... they may have given us a small amount to get something to eat , but we moved gates 3 times... I may have just been too worried to leave and miss an announcement. Seriously... how did we get by before smart phones and information at our finger tips...

 

[JWG]

Anyone have status on the Fantasy as of now? It seems to not be visible on ship tracker currently, could just be out of range. Guess we'll know if it checks in at St. Thomas tomorrow as planned.

 

[kevdad]

Seriously... how did we get by before smart phones and information at our finger tips...

Good question. But sometimes I do miss those days, that's for sure!

I am also curious as to how the Fantasy is performing. Vibration, a/c, toilets, and everything else as we'll be on it this Saturday!

 

[crazy4wdw]

Good question. But sometimes I do miss those days, that's for sure!

I am also curious as to how the Fantasy is performing. Vibration, a/c, toilets, and everything else as we'll be on it this Saturday!

I'd be interested in knowing this also, especially if the vibration issue has been repaired.

 

[tink1970]

Now I just think you are trolling those who went through the hardship and making fun of their situation. There is no time where missing flights and having to find alternate ways home is any fun.

Why is this trolling? It's someone's opinion which obviously isn't yours but doesn't mean it's wrong. Am I a troll for saying if I hadn't been able to book my flight I was sort of excited at the opportunity to book a resort room at WDW or the Hyatt? I just think there are different ways to see things. No one is per se right or wrong.

When my DD was young and things would go wrong with flights (as they do) I chose to frame our unexpected layovers/nights at ATL hotels as "adventures" and we would grab a cab to a local Target (or Wal Mart), buy essentials and then do our best to enjoy our night. I think by not catastrophizing she became a more flexible and seasoned traveler. Orlando has some nice hotels, I wouldn't have minded staying. That doesn't make me less sensitive to the challenges of tired parents and children.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

.... I'm sure that all cost them a fortune, but the mechanical issues were on them.

Same goes for an airline. If they have mechanical issues it is their responsibility, but if it is weather related then any delays/missed connections are on you.

 

[nancipants]

This is why we never book inaugural cruises or cruises immediately after a dry dock. Too many things can go sideways, I'd rather wait until the kinks get worked out!

I can only speak for myself, but I booked this cruise because it was two days at Castaway Cay and have absolutely no regrets. The weather was the best I've ever experienced there. Friday was perfect. I should just never go back because there's no way to top it.

 

[Dug720]

Anyone have status on the Fantasy as of now? It seems to not be visible on ship tracker currently, could just be out of range. Guess we'll know if it checks in at St. Thomas tomorrow as planned.

It says "out of range" but that seems weird to me... What is the range in the Caribbean and DO ships go far enough away to not be in range??? I mean, we would have heard if something was wrong I'm sure...but isn't it worrisome if aircraft go "out of range"?? Why are ships different?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It says "out of range" but that seems weird to me... What is the range in the Caribbean and DO ships go far enough away to not be in range??? I mean, we would have heard if something was wrong I'm sure...but isn't it worrisome if aircraft go "out of range"?? Why are ships different?

Out of range can just mean they haven't received the information necessary from the satellite to update the location. Sometimes the ship's signal isn't received by the satellite for any number of reasons.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I was also on the 3 night and I think it is hysterical that some people who were not are Monday morning quarterbacking that what DCL did or did not do was appropriate for those that were.

After we grabbed our carry ones at 11AM we took the forward elevator to 3 and it was chaotic. A crew member was standing there while people were milling about looking confused. There was no "line" Finally, I went up and asked is this the line to disembark and she said yes, you just have to grab your luggage from the hallway. I say " Ok, our luggage is in the hallway?" and go back to standing with my DD and our carryons by the stairs which is the only open spot. I don't see any lines and don't understand why our bags that we left out are last night are in the hallway. And then it hit me. So again, I went up to the crew member and asked "Is this the express line?" And she said yes.

At this point I needed to be away from the over crowding so I told my DD let's get some lunch. Deck 11 and Cabanas was packed to the gills so we found 2 seats near the adult pool and it was Quiet and calm. We grabbed a quick bite and read walked off the ship about 15 minutes after the announcement.

So I don't think they did a good job of getting the express line especially off the ship. It was a disorganized mess.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Regarding compensation, other than a free lunch we got nothing and know these things happen and felt bad for those that were more negatively impacted. The only thing we missed was a few hours in Epcot and lunch at Chef's de France. We rearranged our FP+ and lost our Frozen FP+.

So we go to Guest Services at Epcot to explain what happened and have the no-show fee from Chef's removed which was no problem. However, when I asked to have my Frozen FP+ reinstated he became cold and said I couldn't have had a Frozen because I had a Soarin'. I was a little startled and relied I moved my FP's this AM and the Frozen ones were gone. He kinda sniffed took away my Soarin' and gave me a Frozen. I missed hours of Park time and you take away a FP+? No I do not think that is great guest services. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[jenmsmith]

FWIW: we were on both the extended Fantasy sailing last October due to Hurricane Matthew and this 3-day double-dip. When the announcement was made at 10:45 p.m. Friday that we would be arriving late, the people around us in the Tube cheered. DH and I looked at each other and said, "Uh, oh."

We remembered when we arrived late in October. We knew there was an issue that day when we tried to get to second seating breakfast at Animator's Palate and the atrium and hallways were jammed with people. It was push and maneuver as best as possible to even get to breakfast. Then, when breakfast was done, we couldn't stay in the dining areas. Everyone had to be out of their rooms by the normal 8 a.m. So, literally, all cruisers had their day bags (and many of them all of their luggage) and we could not go into the staterooms or dining rooms. There was no information except for a couple of announcements to not crowd the atrium and once someone said over the PA that we could go to the Tube (not sure how that was supposed to hold thousands of people). We sat out on Deck 4 for awhile. Then they began to clean that and chase us off of there. It was incredibly odd. So procedure driven - they were all doing their normal procedures even though we docked hours late. There was no food, no characters, no children's centers open, no theaters. Just all of us sitting at waiting. Almost like they never thought about what to do with us. And very, very little communication. We didn't have a flight to catch, so we were among the last third off, debarking at 11:45 a.m.

What we found this Saturday was much different. As others have said, we had multiple announcements from both the cruise director and Commodore Tom. Activities were scheduled throughout the ship to disperse crowds. The fact that we were able to stay in our rooms until 11 a.m. was such a blessing. It sounds like the process of gathering the express walk off early was not handled well. We were express walk off, but we didn't have a flight to catch this time, either, so we hung out in Deck 11 until we saw others leave the ship and debarked with no lines at 12:20 p.m... less than an hour later than our October date but with a much, much different feel.

I'm sharing my experience, not diminishing others, but I will say that this experience was far better than October.