How to get the server you really want?

[Boardwalk Family123]

7 day cruise coming up. Our 3rd. We really loved our last server. I haven't found having the TA put in a request very effective. I will call DCL this time, a couple of times. Any other suggestions - guest services when we get on board?

 

[squirk]

7 day cruise coming up. Our 3rd. We really loved our last server. I haven't found having the TA put in a request very effective. I will call DCL this time, a couple of times. Any other suggestions - guest services when we get on board?

As you probably know, servers have six-month contracts with DCL. Often, they will take time off to go home for an extended visit with family in-between contracts. Sometimes they get transferred to other ships. Sometimes they get promoted. In those cases, there is not much you can do.

My success rate in requesting servers is 2 out of 3. The only time I didn't was when I made a server request and a rotation request at the same time. I will never know for sure what happened, but I think the server and rotation requests were incompatible, and DCL gave priority to the rotation over the server. I would have preferred it the other way around.

I think making your request via e-mail, and then checking with GS as soon as you get on board to make sure the request is in the system is the way to go. Don't make any other type of dining request that might conflict with your server request. And be prepared for the possibility that your server simply might not be on the ship.

 

[Aby]

Certainly put the request in with DCL - when you board, head to wherever they are handling dining changes, and you can ask if your request was granted. If it wasn't, at that time they can see if they can accommodate the request. Also, try not to request more than one thing - if you request a certain rotation, and a certain server, they are less likely to be able to accommodate than if you just requested one over the other.

Aby

 

[squirk]

Certainly put the request in with DCL - when you board, head to wherever they are handling dining changes, and you can ask if your request was granted. If it wasn't, at that time they can see if they can accommodate the request. Also, try not to request more than one thing - if you request a certain rotation, and a certain server, they are less likely to be able to accommodate than if you just requested one over the other.

Aby

Jinx.

 

[MPS516]

We e-mail guest services with our server request and have always had it honored. We do however know which server is on which ship at the time of our request and request the one we know is on board. We get the customary response telling us there is no guarantee and that they may be on vacation or assigned to another ship and just go with it until we go to dinner the first night and generally are greeted by the server we requested at the door. Good Luck

 

[DisneyWonder'09]

7 day cruise coming up. Our 3rd. We really loved our last server. I haven't found having the TA put in a request very effective. I will call DCL this time, a couple of times. Any other suggestions - guest services when we get on board?

dcl not not offer a request your servers option. it is at their discretion who they assign. you do not get to chose. and as posted above they may be on a break or not even on the ship! just move on and accept who they assign if you do still feel the need to request a specific crew member

 

[mmouse37]

You absolutely can request a server. It is a request, not a guarantee but you can definitely request a server.

MJ

 

[DisneyWonder'09]

You absolutely can request a server. It is a request, not a guarantee but you can definitely request a server.

MJ

Yes it is a request only. you may not be the only family requesting a server so dcl decide.
there is no way to "get the server you really want" apart from requesting them and accepting the fact that if you do not get them it is dcl's decision.

 

[mmouse37]

I think people realize that there is a possibility they won't get the server they want. I know our last server insisted we request them next time we cruise (if they are onboard of course) and I will absolutely request them.

MJ

 

[ludari]

In the past when I have requested a specific server I waited until I boarded the ship and my request has always been granted. I've only done this three or four times when I knew the server I wanted was on board the ship.

 

[dreadpiraterose]

7 day cruise coming up. Our 3rd. We really loved our last server. I haven't found having the TA put in a request very effective. I will call DCL this time, a couple of times. Any other suggestions - guest services when we get on board?

We put in a rotation and server request last time, and we didn't get the server we wanted, even though we knew he was onboard. I suppose they prioritized our rotation preference. It was easy to change once we got onboard, and they we able to assign us to our requested server (at the expense of changing rotations, which was fine). Going forward, our server gave us his contract schedule and contact info, and told us to send him a message a few weeks before boarding next time and he'd make sure we got assigned to him.

 

[squirk]

We put in a rotation and server request last time, and we didn't get the server we wanted, even though we knew he was onboard. I suppose they prioritized our rotation preference. It was easy to change once we got onboard, and they we able to assign us to our requested server (at the expense of changing rotations, which was fine). Going forward, our server gave us his contract schedule and contact info, and told us to send him a message a few weeks before boarding next time and he'd make sure we got assigned to him.

Damn, I should have gotten my guy's contact info and schedule the last time we saw him. I did not even think of that. Great idea!

When we got our AERAERA rotation but did not get our guy, I thought about going to GS after dinner that first night to see about making changes, but I felt bad that our assigned server might miss out on a table and thus a tip. She was really nice, and she did a great job. That having been said, she was no Ashang.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Also - by requesting a specific CM (such as a server) this is noted in their records and it bodes well for them. It helps to earn them time off, different shifts, etc., so there is something "nice" involved for the CM as well. The servers usually find out just a few days, if not the day before or day of, from the sailing that someone requested them and usually they know who might be coming. From the ones I personally know, they do really appreciate it

Heather

 

[Sytrace]

The first time I requested a server, I actually requested the TEAM... of course this did not happen as they were no longer a team (different contracts)

That is why the second time I requested a server, I was sure to give only his name and not the assistant servers name. And we did end up getting him...which was fantastic. I also asked him in September, when he was taking his time off and when he might be back. This will help with requesting him again if the schedules work.

Honestly, there has only been ONE instance of our cruises that I did not care for a server and even then, we just stuck it out. I would certainly not base a cruise around when a server would be on board, but it sure is nice to know that if they are, you can request them.
I also would not go so far as to switch serving teams if I found out that they were on board during the cruise after all.
Over the past couple of years we have been lucky to meet many CM's on the ship who remember us (and we them) and actually enjoy wondering if we will see our former CM's.

 

[limabeanies]

I don't know if this is too off topic but can you also request anyone but XXX. On my first cruise I did not like our server. He told me what I wanted each night and when I would say no thanks I would prefer xxx he would continue to tell me why what I wanted was a bad choice.

 

[Dug720]

I don't know if this is too off topic but can you also request anyone but XXX. On my first cruise I did not like our server. He told me what I wanted each night and when I would say no thank I would prefer xxx he would continue to tell me why what I wanted was a bad choice.

Negative requests are not a good idea. Odds are high the person doing your dining would see the name and not the "anyone but".

That is a case where I would go to where changes are being handled and find out Your service team.

 

[limabeanies]

Thanks Dug720

 

[SteelersLover]

Call DCL directly, give them your ressie # and the name of your preferred server. DCL cannot confirm the CMs schedule but if they're available it's likely you'll get them. I just got off the Dream yesterday and had requested my favorite server for the 3rd time since 2012 and got him each time I'd requested. Awesome customer service.

 

[Mama Lisa 911]

We've requested our favorite server for our two cruises and fortunately we've gotten him. Our family loves Travis on the Dream!

 

[MUN]

I think people realize that there is a possibility they won't get the server they want. I know our last server insisted we request them next time we cruise (if they are onboard of course) and I will absolutely request them.

MJ

I bet he says that to everybody.