First Timer's DCL Review

[Princesca]

Just got back from our first cruise ever, DCL or otherwise, and thought I'd share our recap pros and cons. We were on the Fantasy Western Caribbean, Castaway, Costa Maya, Cozumel. We booked the placeholder so we obviously loved it on the whole. YMMV... I know plenty of people always chime in with 'oh, that's not my experience we loved XYZ...' And that's fine. This is just our family's experience.

Pros

- Nursery was amazing. Our toddler loved it.

- Room design and cleanliness was fantastic. Plenty of storage and charging ports. So much attention to detail. Our steward even bound up our cords every night. I think I miss him the most! Everything was always spotless. Loved the toiletries and the rainfall showerhead.

- Ship was beautiful and layout was easy to understand.

- Most of the ship staff were so friendly and attentive

- Food was generally great. Palo and Remy were fantastic, but Palo brunch won our hearts. Don't sleep on the pizza!

- The shows were great. Especially loved Believe. What a way to end the cruise!

- I worried about seasickness but none in our party had issues at all.

What we would improve...

- High pressure upselling at spa. It was such a great massage, and it was a shame to end it by being cornered with sales pitches which really diminished the relaxation. If you go, I recommend stating upfront that you won't be buying anything and would prefer no offers at the end. Also roomier robes would be nice. Most people don't mind a too big robe, but a small one is kinda mortifying.

- The pressure to rate servers is awful. This has been discussed ad nauseam before, but the importance of the rating was brought up by our server almost every single dinner. There was one night all the kids were melting down and she insisted we stay seated to hear her talk about the importance of the ratings again. Service was great and I understand the importance of the ratings, but when it starts to actually cause guest discomfort it's a problem.

- Lack of chat function on app for guest services and room service. It would be really nice if you could chat via the app with guest services or order room service that way. There also didn't seem to be any way to call Port Adventures. In this day and age you shouldn't have to go anywhere in person to ask a question.

- Room service for hot food was never hot by the time we got it. Menu was limited and wait was always 40 minutes or so. Breakfast to room was also weird. If you order bagels and indicate 3 people in the room, we were expecting three bagels. But it seemed we got 2 of some things, 3 of others, 1 of others. Just random. All Hands on Deck was always a hit. But we stopped ordering anything toasted or hot because it was never was that.

- Poor communication about events and excursions. We were usually clueless about the logistics of our excursions until the zero hour. Made it a little hard to plan/prepare.

- Too many lines. The lines to meet characters were crazy long, and the line to get food at Castaway was insane for a self serve buffet, esp given how big the restaurants are. Even the reserved experiences like Royal Gathering had long lines. I get it, it's Disney, you expect lines, but if they could do something to improve this it would greatly reduce stress for parents of small kids. Getting everyone to queue up for an excursion and having a 2.5 year old sit still for 30 min or more is a tough sell. Or at least let people know to expect that so we could bring amusements. Many of us aren't veteran cruisers.

- Speaking of toddlers, there was not enough for toddlers to do. I knew they couldn't go in the pools under 3, but I thought there would be more activities for them beyond open houses. They also can't go in the second splash pad, FYI.

- Playa Mia excursion quality was pretty iffy. The bus was awful. It was sold as luxury motorcoach transport and it was not at all that. It was filthy, in disrepair, and you huffed exhaust fumes all the way to the beach. I know this isn't Disney, but for anyone considering it, we kinda wished we stayed on the ship. In the end we did feel that we got our value out of it but barely, and the stress of getting there and back, with the short duration of the excursion made it not really worth the effort. Better food on the ship.

- The rooms need a high deadbolt like the hotels have.

- Also, just so you know, if you book Disney transportation back to MCO, you will be expected to hold your kid under 3 for the entire ride because they were free. That was exactly what we were told. Our kid is under 3 but very tall and heavy, and we weren't expecting to have to hold our carryons and his 38 lb wriggly self for over an hour. It is what it is, but we weren't told being free meant no seat, so I wanted to share for anyone in the same boat. Pardon the pun. We would have paid for a seat for him had we known.

HOT TIP: We love time with our toddler, but if you have a toddler who likes to wander, nursery them for Castaway Cay. We spent the entire time chasing ours around, and the nursery is so great, they will love it, they won't know what they are missing, and you will love the break. If I have one major regret, it's that we didn't get to immerse at Castaway. It's so beautiful there.

If you read this far, these negatives are just minor in comparison to the overall amazing experience we had. We can't wait to go back, and I was in my feels all debarkation day. Book the longest cruise you can afford, wherever it's going!!! Happy to answer any questions anyone has.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The pressure to rate servers is awful. This has been discussed ad nauseam before, but the importance of the rating was brought up by our server almost every single dinner. There was one night all the kids were melting down and she insisted we stay seated to hear her talk about the importance of the ratings again. Service was great and I understand the importance of the ratings, but when it starts to actually cause guest discomfort it's a problem.

I found it's best to inform your server the first time you hear the "excellent" speech, that you do NOT want to hear it again. If it's repeated, I then inform the server that hearing that speech again WILL affect my ratings.

And any server insisting I remain seated and listen would certainly not be getting an excellent rating from me.

 

[Princesca]

I found it's best to inform your server the first time you hear the "excellent" speech, that you do NOT want to hear it again. If it's repeated, I then inform the server that hearing that speech again WILL affect my ratings.

And any server insisting I remain seated and listen would certainly not be getting an excellent rating from me.

Yeah, I'm just very nonconfrontational and, like at the spa, it causes me anxiety either way. I just wish there was a way to make it not a thing without having to force the guest to establish the boundaries.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yeah, I'm just very nonconfrontational and, like at the spa, it causes me anxiety either way. I just wish there was a way to make it not a thing without having to force the guest to establish the boundaries.

Well, just remember, the crew rely on us to let them know what we want. If we don't tell them, it can be uncomfortable.

Hopefully, you did answer the "Did you feel pressured to give excellent ratings" honestly on the cruise review.

 

[Princesca]

Well, just remember, the crew rely on us to let them know what we want. If we don't tell them, it can be uncomfortable.

Hopefully, you did answer the "Did you feel pressured to give excellent ratings" honestly on the cruise review.

Hmm... I don't remember that question. I filled it out pretty hurriedly so it's possible I missed it :/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hmm... I don't remember that question. I filled it out pretty hurriedly so it's possible I missed it :/

It was there on our last cruise.

 

[lilsonicfan]

Great review! I hate the whole server rating thing too esp when the questions are ostensibly about the food. Anyway. The Fantasy was our first DCL too, and we loved it! Admittedly we went when our kids were old enough for Oceaneers. I still want to cruise DCL but only on the long itineraries, sadly those don’t line up with school!

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise!

I'm always surprised that they are are allowed to give the excellent speech as they do. DCL obviously knows its an issue since they ask about it on the survey so why not train the servers to mention it once, toward the end, and that is all that is allowed. By then most of us love our servers anyway, and will gladly give them excellent.

 

[texascutie]

I am assuming this is after the meal and close to leaving. Politely interrupt as the server starts, say thank you it was a lovely meal and get up and walk away. You are being polite but maintaining control of your personal situation. Keep a smile on your face and keep on with your vacation and family time. A good way to handle high pressure situations regardless.

 

[Princesca]

Thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise!

I'm always surprised that they are are allowed to give the excellent speech as they do. DCL obviously knows its an issue since they ask about it on the survey so why not train the servers to mention it once, toward the end, and that is all that is allowed. By then most of us love our servers anyway, and will gladly give them excellent.

Yes, I so agree. That would have been sufficient. I appreciate the education once because I am a very literal person and without an understanding of how the surveys are interpreted, I would have probably given them a 'very good' because I felt they were that level. But with the whole 'anything less than excellent is failure' thing, I understand and am fine with giving them an excellent.

Another thing she said that made no sense to me was she told us that any questions about food quality were meant to be a reflection of her recommendation, not actual food quality. And that felt a little fishy. Disney would surely want to know what we thought of the actual food, not her ability to recommend...?

 

[Calantha]

Another thing she said that made no sense to me was she told us that any questions about food quality were meant to be a reflection of her recommendation, not actual food quality. And that felt a little fishy. Disney would surely want to know what we thought of the actual food, not her ability to recommend...?

Yes, but it is apparently that way. So I've noticed, if I don't accept the recommendation and pick something else (and it's bad), they try to fix it. I wish it were an actual commentary on the food, so they would fix the things that taste bad (e.g., the lobster bisque, elsa's scallop thing).

 

[Dug720]

High pressure upselling at spa. It was such a great massage, and it was a shame to end it by being cornered with sales pitches which really diminished the relaxation

Sadly that's on every cruiseline's spa (well, at least DCL, Celebrity, and RCCL). Some people have luck with putting "NO SALES" on their intake form, but it's never worked for me.

 

[Mango7100]

I agree with the server push for excellent, it was really bad on our cruise in March. Every night we got the whole “Was it excellent? Was I excellent? If you don’t rate me excellent it affects my job” And I don’t like confrontation either, but if it happens again on our next cruise I’m going to say something because it was getting uncomfortable at the end of every meal to be lectured to for 5 minutes about ratings. And I’m the same, I usually would not rate excellent unless I am totally blown away by the service. I would have rated very good because that’s what it was, but I gave an excellent because I didn’t want the server to get in trouble or be demoted. It was only an issue with our head server, the assistant and room steward never said a word about it.

 

[NephieRN]

Playa Mia excursion quality was pretty iffy. The bus was awful. It was sold as luxury motorcoach transport and it was not at all that. It was filthy, in disrepair, and you huffed exhaust fumes all the way to the beach.

I had read this elsewhere so was a little leery when we did it in March. Much to my surprise, we actually did have a very nice big motorcoach that was clean and had no issues at all. Looks like we lucked out. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

 

[Princesca]

I agree with the server push for excellent, it was really bad on our cruise in March. Every night we got the whole “Was it excellent? Was I excellent? If you don’t rate me excellent it affects my job” And I don’t like confrontation either, but if it happens again on our next cruise I’m going to say something because it was getting uncomfortable at the end of every meal to be lectured to for 5 minutes about ratings. And I’m the same, I usually would not rate excellent unless I am totally blown away by the service. I would have rated very good because that’s what it was, but I gave an excellent because I didn’t want the server to get in trouble or be demoted. It was only an issue with our head server, the assistant and room steward never said a word about it.

Same! Room steward never said a word.

 

[Princesca]

I had read this elsewhere so was a little leery when we did it in March. Much to my surprise, we actually did have a very nice big motorcoach that was clean and had no issues at all. Looks like we lucked out. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

Yeah maybe we were just unlucky but my toddler was playing with the jagged broken armrest and his fingertips were black. It was just gross, and didn't feel safe to me.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Another thing she said that made no sense to me was she told us that any questions about food quality were meant to be a reflection of her recommendation, not actual food quality. And that felt a little fishy. Disney would surely want to know what we thought of the actual food, not her ability to recommend...?

Sadly, yes that's exactly what the rating is about. I agree, if the food prep isn't good, then that should reflect on the chef, but it doesn't.

The theory is that the servers know what's been prepared well each day and give their recommendations (or steer us away from something they think just isn't up to par). And if it doesn't work, it reflects on them that we chose to ignore their recommendation.

 

[Princesca]

Sadly, yes that's exactly what the rating is about. I agree, if the food prep isn't good, then that should reflect on the chef, but it doesn't.

The theory is that the servers know what's been prepared well each day and give their recommendations (or steer us away from something they think just isn't up to par). And if it doesn't work, it reflects on them that we chose to ignore their recommendation.

This just feels so backwards. Like my server can try to steer me away from ahi tuna until she's blue in the face but I will always pick it bc I love ahi. Or reverse, she could encourage me toward French onion soup but I will never choose it bc I hate onions. 90% of the time my choices are based on food avoidance or cravings, that shouldn't have anything to do with her. I believe you, it's just weird.

Or why not just word it as 'did your server make good recommendations'?

 

[chuff88]

Yeah, I'm just very nonconfrontational and, like at the spa, it causes me anxiety either way. I just wish there was a way to make it not a thing without having to force the guest to establish the boundaries.

I’m like you, I never want to have a fight, and I’ve worked in a position that included a low-pressure sales element so I’m sympathetic. But I really didn’t enjoy the sales pitching at my pedicure (especially because she was pitching me facial products and I was getting a non-facial service), and I also didn’t think the pedicure was on par with what I get at my salon at home.

I will say that the pedicure at the Tenaya Stone spa in Disneyland did not have any pitching and was better than what I get at home. So the DCL spa experience is not the same as the Disney Resort spa experience.

 

[Dug720]

And if it doesn't work, it reflects on them that we chose to ignore their recommendation.

Which is ridiculous when people have allergies and preferences. Example, I do not like fish - I'm not allergic, but when I was 6 I choked on a fish bone to the point of gagging. It was so traumatic that if I get the taste or texture of fish in my mouth I gag. I'm also gluten-free due to a wheat allergy. So if the only things the server thinks are recommendable are fish or something not gluten-free, I'm obviously going to have to go against their recommendations.