I think that was my last DCL Cruise

[Mom2MoonKnight]

I understand we are in a pandemic, but I’m not so sure if DCL should be cruising if they are offering Carnival service at Disney prices.

Just got off the Magic and it was not magical. They arrived at 3 ports at a later time without notification. We booked a lot of private tours because we were not fans of the ones DCL offered. We couldn’t contact the tour operators Bc the wifi rarely worked.

There were 4 shows in 9 nights. Almost every soda machine was either out of soda or out of ice. There were no cups in Cabanas. There were dirty dishes on all the tables. There were no fireworks and no explanation given. Food in Cabanas for breakfast wasn’t good - except for the churro Mickey waffles they had once. Cabanas was closed during dinner.

This could turn into a very long post if I listed all the issues. I didn’t even book a placeholder cruise onboard. I’m done.

 

[Mom2MoonKnight]

One of the CMs told us that the tour operator left her on a mountain in the middle of Greece by herself. She was fortunate another tour came and she was able to ride on the bus with them. The CM said the tour operator didn’t believe in doing head counts…

 

[Budzooka]

Goodness. Getting ready to board Magic in 9 days. Not what I am wanting to hear.

 

[Buzzster]

We are in the terminal now. Waiting for clear to sail. Now my anxiety just kicked up a bit.

 

[88golf88]

We are in the terminal now. Waiting for clear to sail. Now my anxiety just kicked up a bit.

I’ve read other trip reports from the same cruise and none of the issues above were mentioned. Not saying that they didn’t happen, but others had a much more enjoyable experience. Have a great trip!!

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Hmmmm…. was on the 8 night Greek Isles cruise before yours, I can’t think of one single issue.

 

[mousefan73]

Isn’t cabanas usually closed during dinner? Because if they are supposed to be open that be good to know because we would like to do that as a break from the MDR

 

[Mom2MoonKnight]

On our Lufthansa flight, we were surrounded by other passengers from the cruise. We did not participate in their convo, but they all had the same sentiments.

Please make sure to buy water bottles or bring refillable. Cooling towels and umbrellas. Heat index every day was 100+

 

[happycamper47]

Isn’t cabanas usually closed during dinner? Because if they are supposed to be open that be good to know because we would like to do that as a break from the MDR

Cabanas has been closed for dinner since they started post COVID sailings.

 

[mousefan73]

Cabanas has been closed for dinner since they started post COVID sailings.

oh wait that is true.. but for seated dining correct? I had assumed the OP was referring to Cabanas having a buffett for dinner.

 

[holula]

oh wait that is true.. but for seated dining correct? I had assumed the OP was referring to Cabanas having a buffett for dinner.

Cabanas has not been open for dinner at all since COVID. Not as a buffet and not as seated dinner.

Pre COVID they did have seated dinner in Cabanas but it was a limited menu.

 

[lollidrop]

That's too bad! I do think it's a disadvantage of doing a unique itinerary, they aren't quite the well oiled machine that the others are.

What was on the main theater the other 5 nights? I do understand that they couldn't put together more shows just for the small amount of 8+ night cruises.

 

[bwmjam]

Just got back from 14 night Med Cruise on Princess and had similar experience. Only 2 shows over 14 nights - buffet was same, tired food - frozen pastries, Shore Excursions were all late, etc. I guess the cruise lines are doing the best they can do to Covid but travelers should lower their expectations big time!

 

[Doingitagain]

I wonder if they took a bunch of the staff to help get the Wish going.

 

[BK2014]

I wonder if they took a bunch of the staff to help get the Wish going.

If they did, it didn't work out well for either ship . . .

 

[CamColt]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. I hope you noted this on the comment card so they can get their act together.

 

[Mango7100]

Yikes! I understand the feeling, especially because Disney is charging a premium price. We are doing a week long Caribbean cruise in 2 weeks in the Haven on NCL—private pool and sundeck, private restaurant, private bar, butler service, alcohol included, WiFi included, 450 sq foot room with balcony—and it still was $2500 less for our family of 3 than the Fantasy would have been.

 

[jeffporfirio]

Yikes!
We're on the same ship on Aug 10th

 

[brentm77]

Goodness. Getting ready to board Magic in 9 days. Not what I am wanting to hear.

We sailed the Magic the week before this one in the Med and literally had the best vacations of our lives. Services was great, soda machines worked, ice worked, we arrived in every port on time. The shows were normal, well performed, and plenty for the itinerary. Wi-fi even worked like expected - not blazingly fast, but consistent enough for normal use. Adult evening entertainment was fun too. And the crew told us they raced to be the first in port to tender in Santorini. So they were for sure looking out for the guests. Our dinner service was exceptional too - probably the best we have had. Food was even better than I remembered on our last two cruises - maybe because I trusted many of the server's suggestions.

There were some reports of DCL excursions that weren't up to normal standards in our Facebook group. We did a mix of private and DCL, with lot's of research. The two DCL we took were mixed - one great, one ok, but about what we expected. All private were great - do your research and know what you want and what to expect.

The cruise was so fabulous that we are considering DCL for Alaska now, even though we promised ourselves we would try another line for Alaska due to Disney's lack of a permit for Glacier Bay. We just loved coming back to the ship every night, and every time I was happy I had stuck with DCL instead of other lines we had considered that were in port too.

Expectations are very high going into these very expensive (particular this person's 9-day cruise), so I can fully understand being disappointed if they weren't met. I'm not discounting this person's experience, but saying mine was 100% the opposite, despite extremely high expectations, so your experience may be great too.

 

[Budzooka]

We sailed the Magic the week before this one in the Med and literally had the best vacations of our lives. Services was great, soda machines worked, ice worked, we arrived in every port on time. The shows were normal, well performed, and plenty for the itinerary. Wi-fi even worked like expected - not blazingly fast, but consistent enough for normal use. Adult evening entertainment was fun too. And the crew told us they raced to be the first in port to tender in Santorini. So they were for sure looking out for the guests. Our dinner service was exceptional too - probably the best we have had. Food was even better than I remembered on our last two cruises - maybe because I trusted many of the server's suggestions.

There were some reports of DCL excursions that weren't up to normal standards in our Facebook group. We did a mix of private and DCL, with lot's of research. The two DCL we took were mixed - one great, one ok, but about what we expected. All private were great - do your research and know what you want and what to expect.

The cruise was so fabulous that we are considering DCL for Alaska now, even though we promised ourselves we would try another line for Alaska due to Disney's lack of a permit for Glacier Bay. We just loved coming back to the ship every night, and every time I was happy I had stuck with DCL instead of other lines were had considered who were in some ports the same days as us.

Expectations are very high going into these very expensive (particular this person's 9-day cruise), so I can fully understand being disappointed if they weren't met. I'm not discounting this person's experience, but saying mine was 100% the opposite, despite extremely high expectations, so your experience may be great too.

Thanks for posting. It is what it is. We decided on DCL for all the reasons you listed above and we have high expectations, but we’re going to roll with the punches. If it comes up short and we need to reconsider future cruises, so be it, but we’re going to enjoy the moment for 12 nights as we visit parts of the world we have never seen before.

Here’s hoping ours is just as magical as your experience. Glad you had a great time.