If you were in charge of DCL, what would you change?

[phinz]

I am thinking that no way DCL would build a ship in the US to expensive shame though. Only hope is to buy a US ship and give it a DCL make over ...

There's only one cruise ship that has been built in the United States, and that was only partially, in more than 50 years: Pride of America.

The other issue is that being a U.S.-flagged ship, it would have to be a primarily U.S.-staffed ship, and that's extremely difficult, as the States have no built-in culture of cruise ship staffing like so many other countries do. We won't even mention the fact that U.S. wage and labor laws would be in effect (including overtime), which raises costs a lot.

http://www.insidecounsel.com/2012/02/16/norwegian-cruise-line-to-pay-500k-for-violating-wa

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

There's only one cruise ship that has been built in the United States, and that was only partially, in more than 50 years, and that's Pride of America.

The other issue is that being a U.S.-flagged ship, it would have to be a primarily U.S.-staffed ship, and that's extremely difficult, as the States have no built-in culture of cruise ship staffing like so many other countries do. We won't even mention the fact that U.S. wage and labor laws would be in effect (including overtime), which raises costs a lot.

http://www.insidecounsel.com/2012/02/16/norwegian-cruise-line-to-pay-500k-for-violating-wa

I better place my hope and dreams on evening buffet at cabanas or a 24 hour diner like some cruiselines do. POA had this neat 1950's style diner open 24 hours a day. Burgers, shakes etc. Right out of Happy Days.

 

[Justacruiser]

On the last night when the CD says we should turn the boat around and start over, we actually would!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Magic Bands to open the doors and charge your account.

 

[Mirthful]

Maybe Holland is a better fit for you. When they move the show into the atrium it's going to be packed. Adults pay big money to cruise dcl , and they want to see the show too. If your going to do anything Disney you better learn to deal with crowds or don't do do Disney.

It would be nice if the adults would allow children to stand in front of them to see the show, especially if they are a third or half of their size. I always do this at the deck parties, as I try to be kind and considerate to others. It makes everyone have a warm feeling, including myself to make someone else's day. The world needs a whole lot more good.

However, we did use those experiences as a learning point for my son. I told him when he becomes a big tall man to consider others around him and not ruin their vacation.

 

[tcufrog]

Concierge lounge on the Classic ships. I have mild claustrophobia and my older son and I find loud crowded environments overwhelming after awhile. We're both pretty sociable people though and like having another place to get away from the noise and craziness of the ship's public areas other than our room. When we sailed on the Dream we spent a lot more time in the concierge lounge than we expected we would. We haven't sailed on the Classic ships though because we won't have the lounge as a haven.

 

[Dug720]

It would be nice if the adults would allow children to stand in front of them to see the show, especially if they are a third or half of their size. I always do this at the deck parties, as I try to be kind and considerate to others. It makes everyone have a warm feeling, including myself to make someone else's day. The world needs a whole lot more good.

I try to be aware and adjust, BUT... One time (granted this was at the parks...I pretty much hit the deck above the main action on the ships) I moved a bit so a child had a better view and the girl's father then proceeded to step in front of me and pick her up and put her on his shoulders which then completely blocked my view. When I politely pointed this out, the father just glared and then shrugged. Other than about a foot or so closer, I'm not sure what the purpose of asking if the girl could stand in front-ish of me was to begin with if he was just going to pick her up. Unless the people they were directly in front of to start with had complained about her on his shoulders and I looked like an easy mark. But yeah...that really soured me on moving over when asked. And definitely did not "give me a warm feeling" about having moved for her.

 

[phinz]

We haven't sailed on the Classic ships though because we won't have the lounge as a haven.

You do on the Magic, and you will on the Wonder in a couple of months.

 

[Mirthful]

I try to be aware and adjust, BUT... One time (granted this was at the parks...I pretty much hit the deck above the main action on the ships) I moved a bit so a child had a better view and the girl's father then proceeded to step in front of me and pick her up and put her on his shoulders which then completely blocked my view. When I politely pointed this out, the father just glared and then shrugged. Other than about a foot or so closer, I'm not sure what the purpose of asking if the girl could stand in front-ish of me was to begin with if he was just going to pick her up. Unless the people they were directly in front of to start with had complained about her on his shoulders and I looked like an easy mark. But yeah...that really soured me on moving over when asked. And definitely did not "give me a warm feeling" about having moved for her.

I'm sorry to hear this. On our recent Star Wars cruise, they had everyone sit down to watch the fireworks show, which was great. I enjoy watching the Electric Light Parade at Magic Kingdom because people sit down & people can see. I also like when they having a kids viewing area on the deck so adults aren't blocking the view.

I still try to be considerate and have manners and believe that when you project negative energy, you get it back in return.

 

[cgolf]

It would be nice if the adults would allow children to stand in front of them to see the show, especially if they are a third or half of their size. I always do this at the deck parties, as I try to be kind and considerate to others. It makes everyone have a warm feeling, including myself to make someone else's day. The world needs a whole lot more good.

However, we did use those experiences as a learning point for my son. I told him when he becomes a big tall man to consider others around him and not ruin their vacation.

I would say no to this, and for this reason. If we go to stand in a certain location and get their early enough to get that spot I am not going to give it to someone even if kids are involved that comes up much later than us wanting a better spot. Flame me if you want but for some reason this reminds me of the people in a construction zone that drive up in the lane that is closing right to the point where it closes expecting everyone to let them in.

Just because a child is small, they are not entitled to a front row spot, I would never have thought or taught my daughter when she was younger to use being a kid to get a better spot to see a show.

 

[phinz]

for some reason this reminds me of the people in a construction zone that drive up in the lane that is closing right to the point where it closes expecting everyone to let them in.

Off topic, but the two are mutually exclusive. Look up "zipper merge" to understand why people *should* use all lanes until lanes go away.

On topic, I will allow a child to move in front of me at a rail, but only if they're not rowdy and they're polite. If they ask if they can get in front of me then I will let them, but I also won't move far enough back to lose my view.

 

[SuperDry]

One time (granted this was at the parks...) I moved a bit so a child had a better view and the girl's father then proceeded to step in front of me and pick her up and put her on his shoulders which then completely blocked my view.

This is exactly why I'm reluctant to move. Not necessarily the kid-on-the-shoulder thing specifically, but also what happens is that the whole family feels they must move in front of you because their kid can't stand alone (or event 3 feet from the parents, apparently).

If we go to stand in a certain location and get their early enough to get that spot I am not going to give it to someone even if kids are involved that comes up much later than us wanting a better spot. Flame me if you want ... Just because a child is small, they are not entitled to a front row spot

No flames from me on this one. Every kid and their family that wants a front-row spot can get one: simply show up before they are all taken.

It would be nice if the adults would allow children to stand in front of them to see the show, especially if they are a third or half of their size. ... I told him when he becomes a big tall man to consider others around him and not ruin their vacation.

It would be nice if parents that know their kid's vacation will be "ruined" if they don't get to see the show from the front row would show up early enough to get such a viewing position. Teaching a kid the notion of "first come, first served" and to not cut in line is very much part of being considerate to others.

 

[Mirthful]

What happened to us at Magic Kingdom was we were there very early and got a spot where my son could stand on a gate higher. A 6+ foot teenager came & stood in front of him after the show was over half way over & blocked his view completely & didn't care when I told him he was blocking a child's view who had been in place very early well before the show started. This is what I meant in teaching my son not to ruin someone else's vacation and come in & stand in front of a child who had already been standing there for an hour. This was our 7th & last day of our vacation & it tainted the whole trip for me.

People do this on the cruise ship & push their way in front of people at deck parties. I agree, get there early. We are never late arrivers, but always very, very early. We never push our way to the front or demand or even ask people to move. If someone nicely offered for my son to go ahead, we would allow him, but not us to move forward. Otherwise, like we did on the Wonder, we just left and missed the Welcome Aboard Show & let the adults who were the majority of people there enjoy their show that they paid their big bucks for (although we did too).

 

[cgolf]

Off topic, but the two are mutually exclusive. Look up "zipper merge" to understand why people *should* use all lanes until lanes go away.

On topic, I will allow a child to move in front of me at a rail, but only if they're not rowdy and they're polite. If they ask if they can get in front of me then I will let them, but I also won't move far enough back to lose my view.

I don't agree on the zipper merge thing, we gets lots of practice here, and it always slows to a crawl, unless that is their goal to slow traffic in the work zone. Merging early tends to keep the speed up.

Back on topic, I am sure we have allowed a kid or two in front of us at times, but I agree with Dug, 1 or 2 little kids fine, that doesn't imply we are letting the whole family in. In general though if you want a good spot get there early so you don't have to hope someone will share space with you.

 

[cgolf]

What happened to us at Magic Kingdom was we were there very early and got a spot where my son could stand on a gate higher. A 6+ foot teenager came & stood in front of him after the show was over half way over & blocked his view completely & didn't care when I told him he was blocking a child's view who had been in place very early well before the show started. This was our 7th & last day of our vacation & it tainted the whole trip for me.

People do this on the cruise ship & push their way in front of people at deck parties. I agree, get there early. We are never late arrivers, but always very, very early.

After reading the replies here, I think that perhaps we should reconsider going on DCL again or WDW. I would rather go somewhere where people are considerate & guess it's not here.

Actually the post I replied too implied the shorter child was there later, not someone coming in later. Someone coming in later and ruining your view is horrible and you would be in your place to ask them to move, that is really rude. In my opinion that is what I hate about society in general, we seem to care less about inconveniencing others. I feel bad for you that happened to your family, not sure what can be done other than as you said using it as a teaching moment for your child of what not to do.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

In general though if you want a good spot get there early so you don't have to hope someone will share space with you.

That's why my preferred spot is up one deck along the inside rail. Sure, it's not "front row", but you don't get people in front of you that way. And there's a lot more availability as there's two long sides as well as the rail in the back of the audience.

 

[Dug720]

That's why my preferred spot is up one deck along the inside rail. Sure, it's not "front row", but you don't get people in front of you that way. And there's a lot more availability as there's two long sides as well as the rail in the back of the audience.

I agree. If the main action is Deck 11, I am on Deck 12 on Dream Class. Haven't been on Classic yet...is it the same set-up with the pool deck and one above with the open space over the pool area?

 

[cgolf]

I agree. If the main action is Deck 11, I am on Deck 12 on Dream Class. Haven't been on Classic yet...is it the same set-up with the pool deck and one above with the open space over the pool area?

Yes and it seems less crowded due to the number of people. Since we have seen the parties before we either skip them or hang in the quite cove pool area to watch the fireworks on Pirate night. But for sure I don't remember it being as wild on the classics as it was the dream class.

 

[phinz]

Magic Bands to open the doors and charge your account.

You'd still need a card for the lights, so this would require you to carry two things. Not to mention the fact that I have no desire to wander around a port with a bright wristband that pegs me as a Disney cruiser.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

You'd still need a card for the lights, so this would require you to carry two things. Not to mention the fact that I have no desire to wander around a port with a bright wristband that pegs me as a Disney cruiser.

I am disabled so this is a good wish for me! I have a light card that works a treat! Let me dream..