Interesting new survey just popped up on DCL...

[Dug720]

I'm used to the more "techy" one, but this one, while it started that way went onto asking about activities I planned to book for my upcoming cruise and then which I'd like the possibility to pay for ahead of time!!

This is one of the things I've liked about RCCL - the fact that you pay for the excursions and stuff in advance so that you can spread things out and know that things are paid for when you board (I did this for my Med/Venice cruise - made a list of the priority I wanted the excursions in and booked them in that order with alternates for ones I booked later if I chose). AND they now have it set so that if you have OBC say from RCCL it shows up so you can use it in advance when booking stuff that can be booked ahead of time.

It would be awesome if DCL started offering the pay-ahead option - especially if they allow known OBC such as from DCL can be used for it.

Incidentally, "Drink Packages" was one of the selection under "What would you like to book in advance" list. So that possibility may be being considered. And also interestingly enough it listed "Classes like Mixology" (I said that one I'd want to wait until onboard so I know what is offered when).

So perhaps these things are coming down the pike...

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I'd love to be able to book tastings and drink packages ahead of time. I like not paying for excursions right away though, more time to hoard gift cards

 

[Dug720]

Drink packages would be something all together new for DCL. The closest they've had is the Passport in Skyline - but that's only for drinks in there.

I will say that paying for excursions in advance does seem to keep people from hoarding them - they really have to think about if they want them before booking. (You can cancel and get the money back, but still.)

Regarding "hoarding" gift cards, again, you just prioritize - if you know for 100% you want to do an excursion, book that in advance. Hold off on those you're ok with not doing until on board.

 

[dvcdisney]

We went on the NCL Escape last summer as part of a multi-generation family reunion and we were able to book comedy shows that have limited seating ahead of time. That's what I would like DCL to add to their booking list. Every time we tried going to a Comedy show, it was too busy and we end up just going somewhere else. The only ones we've seen are the ones they offer during the nightly shows. I would hope this would end the long waits for people who may not be able to get in and keep the hallways clear.

However, I would not like to pay for anything in advance. I prefer to have the excursions charged when we actually do them. If we don't reach port for some reason, then our excursion is cancelled and we don't have to deal with any refunds. I find it much simpler this way. I don't believe in making payments until it's required. I may pay a week or 2 ahead of time, but not months ahead.

Also for vacations, if I use my regular credit card and not my US card, a refund would not be favourable for me with respect to exchange rates.

To keep track of budgeting the excursions etc for vacations, I usually just have a spreadsheet to keep track and when I go on vacation, I know what has and hasn't been paid so I have no issues.

I'm sure there are a lot of people who would pay in advance if they would get a better price as offered by a lot of hotels, but I wouldn't. Actually, no matter how attractive the offer is for some hotels, I have yet paid the advance rate. But I'm sure some prefer these rates. Everyone is different.

 

[laceltris3]

I have only cruised RCCL once, last fall when I won a trip on the Harmony's inaugural sailing, and it was so nice to book the shows, etc. in advance online.

The main problem I have with DCL attempting the same thing is that it is 2017 and they can barely put together a functioning website.

How about they fix that problem that causes people to not be able to check in on time before they start a big "improvement" rollout?

 

[Dug720]

I have only cruised RCCL once, last fall when I won a trip on the Harmony's inaugural sailing, and it was so nice to book the shows, etc. in advance online.

The main problem I have with DCL attempting the same thing is that it is 2017 and they can barely put together a functioning website.

How about they fix that problem that causes people to not be able to check in on time before they start a big "improvement" rollout?

RCCL's website isn't that much better TBH...

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Personally, I wouldn't like having to book comedy shows, etc. in advance. There is already a lot of things on DCL you have to commit to a day and time for ahead of time. I wouldn't like more of that. I don't want to decide 3 months in advance which shows I want to see at what times on what nights. I realize that the alternative is sometimes needing to get there early, but to me that is still better than having to commit in advance. If there are some shows that are that much in demand they need to increase the availability, more show times, larger venues, or make more choices so some people opt for other things. What good are reserved times if a sizable percentage of people can't get the reservations? It just changes WHO is disappointed.

 

[Dug720]

Personally, I wouldn't like having to book comedy shows, etc. in advance. There is already a lot of things on DCL you have to commit to a day and time for ahead of time. I wouldn't like more of that. I don't want to decide 3 months in advance which shows I want to see at what times on what nights. I realize that the alternative is sometimes needing to get there early, but to me that is still better than having to commit in advance. If there are some shows that are that much in demand they need to increase the availability, more show times, larger venues, or make more choices so some people opt for other things. What good are reserved times if a sizable percentage of people can't get the reservations? It just changes WHO is disappointed.

I agree. I don't see the need to book shows in advance on DCL because the theatre is large enough for all assigned at the two times the shows are offered. Where problems could come into play would be if people decide they simply have to double-dip for say Frozen or Tangled (the only two where I've heard of any issues with seating - heard of as I did not see issues on the Magic for Tangled on the Pres Week 4-night) and not do their MDR that night. The needing to reserve is on the mega-ships where the venues simply are not large enough to hold everyone and the times aren't as easily assigned as they are on DCL.

And there was no question on the DCL survey about reserving seating in advance - again, probably because the way DCL has designed it, it should be a non-issue.

 

[dvcdisney]

I agree. I don't see the need to book shows in advance on DCL because the theatre is large enough for all assigned at the two times the shows are offered. Where problems could come into play would be if people decide they simply have to double-dip for say Frozen or Tangled (the only two where I've heard of any issues with seating - heard of as I did not see issues on the Magic for Tangled on the Pres Week 4-night) and not do their MDR that night. The needing to reserve is on the mega-ships where the venues simply are not large enough to hold everyone and the times aren't as easily assigned as they are on DCL.

And there was no question on the DCL survey about reserving seating in advance - again, probably because the way DCL has designed it, it should be a non-issue.

I agree with not booking for the theatre shows...it's the Comedy shows that they offer in the smallest possible venue ie. D Lounge or worse La Piazza...having a large ship full of people lining up for these small venues are horrible. They should have a few shows where everyone can book one of the times. The method that DCL uses in spreading out the number of passengers for the nightly shows at the main theatre is brilliant and fixes the issue of overcrowding and disappointed guests. At least I think so.

But they need to figure out a way to allow more people to see the Comedy shows that they put in the small venues like the D Lounge. The D Lounge works very well for cooking demonstrations and other activities like that. But definitely not the Comedy shows.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

[QUOTE="Dug720, post: 57495878, member: 417641

And there was no question on the DCL survey about reserving seating in advance - again, probably because the way DCL has designed it, it should be a non-issue.[/QUOTE]

Great to know that don't seem to be considering that! I wasn't even thinking of the main shows, as you say, the theaters seem big enough for everyone to see them. But even the smaller shows at the Tube or something. Can you imagine having to reserve a spot for that ahead of time? How do I know if I'm gonna feel like seeing one of those shows. We did see several, but it was all spur of the moment, and since there were five adults in our group, it was very "mix and match" as to which adults felt like doing which events at which times. That was a great vibe for us. Of course, it also mattered at which times our teens wanted to be with us, and to expect them to know that ahead of time would have ruined the mood for sure.

Again, reserving seats doesn't increase the number of people who gets to see the show, it just changes WHO gets to see the show. The better solution is more shows or more show times.

 

[Dug720]

I agree with not booking for the theatre shows...it's the Comedy shows that they offer in the smallest possible venue ie. D Lounge or worse La Piazza...having a large ship full of people lining up for these small venues are horrible. They should have a few shows where everyone can book one of the times. The method that DCL uses in spreading out the number of passengers for the nightly shows at the main theatre is brilliant and fixes the issue of overcrowding and disappointed guests. At least I think so.

But they need to figure out a way to allow more people to see the Comedy shows that they put in the small venues like the D Lounge. The D Lounge works very well for cooking demonstrations and other activities like that. But definitely not the Comedy shows.

They even have those?? Never paid any attention as so-called "comedy" shows don't appeal to me at all.

 

[dvcdisney]

They even have those?? Never paid any attention as so-called "comedy" shows don't appeal to me at all.

Yes they do. On our last cruise, I believe we tried twice to see two different Comedy shows in the small venues, but the line was enormous. So, we did see them at the main theatre when they had a few comedians do the show together. But obviously, each comedian didn't do a full show. Some of them even mentioned that they would be having a show later that week and to come and see it. When we got there, there was no way we were getting in. We were disappointed. We love Comedy shows.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Does the survey go out to all CC members, or is it just random?

 

[Dug720]

Yes they do. On our last cruise, I believe we tried twice to see two different Comedy shows in the small venues, but the line was enormous. So, we did see them at the main theatre when they had a few comedians do the show together. But obviously, each comedian didn't do a full show. Some of them even mentioned that they would be having a show later that week and to come and see it. When we got there, there was no way we were getting in. We were disappointed. We love Comedy shows.

Ah. Gotcha. I've got a cousin and a friend who are all into comedy, but they understand why I don't get/like it and don't push me, which I appreciate. I don't find most so-called "comedians" funny so much as insulting of others...which I don't find funny.

 

[LSUfan4444]

We love Comedy shows

Im with you on this one. We don't usually get there early enough to stake out seats but if we can squeeze in we usually end up enjoying ourselves.

 

[cruiser21]

I don't like paying for excursions ahead of time. Just put onboard credit to your account if you don't want a bill when you get home.
I love comedy shows. They may be insulting, but usually true. I have no problem laughing at myself or others.
The matinees are hard to get into. Also some popular movies we havent been able to get seats.

 

[dvcdisney]

Im with you on this one. We don't usually get there early enough to stake out seats but if we can squeeze in we usually end up enjoying ourselves.

That's one of the things we like to do in Disney cruises. Other than the cooking demonstrations and DVC meetings, we don't really participate in other things. We don't drink or go to the clubs because we tend to stay with our kids.

My husband likes it when we go, he's astonished that I find a lot of it funny since he claims I have no sense of humour.lol

 

[jrabbit]

...

My husband likes it when we go, he's astonished that I find a lot of it funny since he claims I have no sense of humour.lol

Yes dear, that is SO True - you don't have a sense of humor, but when something tickles your funny bone, it's Magical!!!

(disclaimer - I have NO Idea how DvcDisney is - but that's my family she's describing)

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We had done an Alaska cruise with Celebrity last year and, I did not like the fact that you paid for all the excursions as you reserved them. That is a lot of money when booking multiple excursions; just sitting there with Celebrity for a number of weeks. I would rather the money sits in my bank account until the bill is due.

I do like the idea of reserving a tasting in advance.

 

[Dug720]

Based on my experience with RCCL, because of the pay in advance thing (and again, if you have OBC from the cruise line you can use that), it is easier to book the excursions on board or at least in the same billing cycle of sailing because people aren't grabbing them up and then deciding later they don't want them.

If there is one that is a must-do and your vacation will be ruined if you don't get to do it, you can book ahead. Or choose to wait and see and hope it doesn't fill. But it eliminates a lot of this constant checking to see if someone cancelled since most people will not put the money down to hold one they are iffy on.

Besides, aren't most people on here anti-ship-based excursions anyway? So it's kind of a moot point for y'all.