Is Disney starting to slack compared to other cruises?

[bbel]

We were very disappointed when we were last on the dcl fantasy that the kids club was not open for secured programming until 5pm on two back to back castaway cay days.

It's unfortunate, but for the island to run it has to happen. The counselors work very hard on the island, not just with the kids: snorkel area, bikes, floats and snorkel rental, pulling down all the umbrellas at the end of the day as well as jobs backstage too...
But on the brightside your guaranteed at least 15 hours of 'free' childcare in the club/lab on the other (full) days. No other cruise line offers that...

 

[bbel]

*Side note: It's not a critic but a question...*

How about spending some times with their parents? Isn't it what family vacations are about? I feel like all I'm reading are complaints about kids clubs hours...

I'm asking because when I was young, when we went on a family vacation it was meant to spend some time together...

I agree to some extent, I've seen many families through out the years drop their kids off as soon as and leave for as long as possible and that kinda makes me sad. I've met kids whose parents have got off in port and they don't even know the ship has stopped...

But also, some families might only use it once or twice but need a certain time because it's the only time they could get a spa appointment or palo reservation or tasting class etc...

Like I said, I see it both ways.

 

[cruiser21]

Carnival does market themselves as one big frat party. I agree their actual passenger base is more diverse but they did create the image.

Where do they market themselves that way? Not on their website I visit their website regularly. Commercials? I never pay attention to them so I wouldn't know. They do say the transport more kids then any other cruiseline. I would assume this is true due to the number of ships they have. I know my friend that has been on 50 cruises, no longer set foot on a Carnival cruise do the number of kids. Disney will never be on his radar. I've spent a lot of time on the Carnival boards on cruise critic. Lots of posters with kids and lots retired people over there.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

*Side note: It's not a critic but a question...*

How about spending some times with their parents? Isn't it what family vacations are about? I feel like all I'm reading are complaints about kids clubs hours...

I'm asking because when I was young, when we went on a family vacation it was meant to spend some time together...

Our kids go in and out of the kids clubs. Half hour here, hour there. Whimsy! It is frustrating when the kids haven't been there all day and it isn't open at 3pm. I would feel differently if they were not charging so much for the cruise.

 

[mcd2745]

The problem I've experience on Carnival and NCL was the clubs not being open during the day on port days. If you get back on the ship at 2pm the kids have no where to go until 7pm. My kids still enjoyed Carnival and NCL, but they like DCL better because the teen clubs are always open. It won't stop us from cruising on the other lines, but it is worth mentioning.

I've experienced the opposite on NCL & RCCL. The issue for us was sea days. The clubs were actually open continuously all day on the port days (for parents who were going on excursions and leaving the kids on the ship - something we would never do). On sea days, the clubs would only be open from 9am-12pm, then 2pm-5pm, and then 7pm-1am (with fees starting at 10pm). On sea days, we like to sleep later. So if we don't go to the buffet for breakfast until around 10am, by the time we're done and then our daughter (who loves the clubs - on all lines - and would gladly stay in there all day if we were to allow it) would want to go to the club, it doesn't pay because they will be closing soon. If you have a second dinner seating, they're closed from 5-7pm when it would be useful for your child to be in the club while you get cleaned up and prepared for dinner. Those sea day hours with the short sessions and closures assume everyone adheres to the same, very specific schedule.

 

[bbel]

Where do they market themselves that way? Not on their website I visit their website regularly. Commercials? I never pay attention to them so I wouldn't know. They do say the transport more kids then any other cruiseline. I would assume this is true due to the number of ships they have. I know my friend that has been on 50 cruises, no longer set foot on a Carnival cruise do the number of kids. Disney will never be on his radar. I've spent a lot of time on the Carnival boards on cruise critic. Lots of posters with kids and lots retired people over there.

Tbf.
I had a couple of interviews with carnival earlier this year via Skype and over the phone.
Multiple times during these interviews and phone calls they kept reminding me that Carnival were the 'fun ships' and would say things like 'a cruise with us is a week long party'
So while they might not obviously advertise it, it's what's expected from the crew.


(I didn't take the job at the time because they could only offer seasonal but I'm still in contact with them, so I'm not bashing them in any way before anyone has a go - this is just my experience with the company)

 

[cadien]

Where do they market themselves that way? Not on their website I visit their website regularly. Commercials? I never pay attention to them so I wouldn't know. They do say the transport more kids then any other cruiseline. I would assume this is true due to the number of ships they have. I know my friend that has been on 50 cruises, no longer set foot on a Carnival cruise do the number of kids. Disney will never be on his radar. I've spent a lot of time on the Carnival boards on cruise critic. Lots of posters with kids and lots retired people over there.

Television, yes. Magazine advertising as well.

I have nothing against Carnival. I'm perfectly willing to cruise them for the right itinerary. Their prices are low. I have many friends who love them. Not denying they attract many children and older people. That doesn't somehow negate their (deliberately cultivated) public image. It's not an insult. It's definitely not something they need to rise above. They're wildly successful.

 

[cruiser21]

Tbf.
I had a couple of interviews with carnival earlier this year via Skype and over the phone.
Multiple times during these interviews and phone calls they kept reminding me that Carnival were the 'fun ships' and would say things like 'a cruise with us is a week long party'
So while they might not obviously advertise it, it's what's expected from the crew.


(I didn't take the job at the time because they could only offer seasonal but I'm still in contact with them, so I'm not bashing them in any way before anyone has a go - this is just my experience with the company)

Is that a bad thing? God forbid we promote having fun.

 

[bbel]

Is that a bad thing? God forbid we promote having fun.

Did I say it was?

 

[Dug720]

Did I say it was?

No, you didn't!

There is a huge leap between "fun is bad" and "we promote this as a week-long party".

I have no issue with fun, but I do not want to be in a week-long party.

 

[cruiser21]

Did I say it was?

I don't know?
What do the expect from the crew?

 

[bbel]

I don't know?
What do the expect from the crew?

Dont reallllly understand your comment, but sure....

you asked:

Where do they market themselves that way?

I answered with my experience....

Surely, if anything it was a good thing - there's a strong possibility Im going to be working for them in the near future, so I think I was far from implying:

Is that a bad thing? God forbid we promote having fun.

 

[cruiser21]

Dont reallllly understand your comment, but sure....

you asked:


I answered with my experience....

Surely, if anything it was a good thing - there's a strong possibility Im going to be working for them in the near future, so I think I was far from implying:

You said they expected that of the crew.What do they expect of crew? What's managements definition of a "fun ship" . What do they mean by week long party. There are certain people on here that don't like the term "fun ship" I guess in their mind that means people drinking too much and acting obnoxious. I was assuming since you interviewed with them you would know exactly what they are implying. Honestly I couldn't tell the difference in the crew between Carnival and DCL. There's more music and dancing on Carnival. It's a little livelier. The cruise directors we had on Carnival were fantastic. They are much more involved then on DCL.

 

[bbel]

You said they expected that of the crew.What do they expect of crew? What's managements definition of a "fun ship" . What do they mean by week long party. There are certain people on here that don't like the term "fun ship" I guess in their mind that means people drinking too much and acting obnoxious. I was assuming since you interviewed with them you would know exactly what they are implying. Honestly I couldn't tell the difference in the crew between Carnival and DCL. There's more music and dancing on Carnival. It's a little livelier. The cruise directors we had on Carnival were fantastic. They are much more involved then on DCL.

Well, bear in mind I haven't made it onboard yet or had specific training for them, with DCL all that kind of training came the days before boarding and the first few weeks onboard. But, Im applying for the same role so its comparable. (So far) Carnival are much more about being there, seen and heard. On the go, high levels of energy, all singing and dancing - they call their cruise staff the 'fun patrol' (which personally, if I was a guest that would put me off right away). Don't get me wrong, Disney were all about that too, but things like safety came way before. Some of the policies are different and will be hard to adjust (if I get there). Questions from carnival were much more what big group games do you know, what songs and dances, whereas questions from disney were what qualifications/experience do you have what would you do in this difficult guest situation (but I applied for Disney almost 4 years ago now and so much has changed).
Ive done that, I enjoyed being challenged by guests on a daily basis but it got old. I want to be involved with kids again, not standing guard. However, within the kids clubs, DCL truly offer things that no other cruise line can and that might cause people to unofficially call DCL their 'fun ships': no where else in the world will I ever see kids faces when Mickey surprises them in mouseketeer training, I won't ever get to go to a pj party with Pluto again, I won't go surfing with Stitch, I won't become a detective with Goofy, I won't make flubber or cookies with 200+ kids while stuck out at sea, there will be no more dancing lessons with Cinderella or birthday parties for Donald (every cruise lol)...

One more thing, at Disney I never had to sell anything (yes we told people they could keep the Oceaneer band, but at the same time I told them they could return them and get their money back). Ive already been told that on carnival I'll be expected to promote and sell the youth programing's merchandise.

For me, as a kid (and probably now), my idea of a fun ship and a week long party would be the Disney one, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy another cruise line. At the end of the day both cruise lines want the same thing they just word things differently because they believe that that's what appeals to more people. That being said, I honestly never plan on going on a cruise for a vacation anyway haha!

As for CD's I know that on Carnival they aren't as high ranking officer, and they aren't responsible for as many people/departments as they are on DCL. For example on DCL the 'manager of youth activities' reports to the cruise director, on carnival the 'youth director' reports to the Hotel Director.
Carnival have an Entertainment Director who is above the CD and reading the role of the ED (on Carnival) is equivalent to the CD on DCL

 

[cruiser21]

Well, bear in mind I haven't made it onboard yet or had specific training for them, with DCL all that kind of training came the days before boarding and the first few weeks onboard. But, Im applying for the same role so its comparable. (So far) Carnival are much more about being there, seen and heard. On the go, high levels of energy, all singing and dancing - they call their cruise staff the 'fun patrol' (which personally, if I was a guest that would put me off right away). Don't get me wrong, Disney were all about that too, but things like safety came way before. Some of the policies are different and will be hard to adjust (if I get there). Questions from carnival were much more what big group games do you know, what songs and dances, whereas questions from disney were what qualifications/experience do you have what would you do in this difficult guest situation (but I applied for Disney almost 4 years ago now and so much has changed).
Ive done that, I enjoyed being challenged by guests on a daily basis but it got old. I want to be involved with kids again, not standing guard. However, within the kids clubs, DCL truly offer things that no other cruise line can and that might cause people to unofficially call DCL their 'fun ships': no where else in the world will I ever see kids faces when Mickey surprises them in mouseketeer training, I won't ever get to go to a pj party with Pluto again, I won't go surfing with Stitch, I won't become a detective with Goofy, I won't make flubber or cookies with 200+ kids while stuck out at sea, there will be no more dancing lessons with Cinderella or birthday parties for Donald (every cruise lol)...

One more thing, at Disney I never had to sell anything (yes we told people they could keep the Oceaneer band, but at the same time I told them they could return them and get their money back). Ive already been told that on carnival I'll be expected to promote and sell the youth programing's merchandise.

For me, as a kid (and probably now), my idea of a fun ship and a week long party would be the Disney one, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy another cruise line. At the end of the day both cruise lines want the same thing they just word things differently because they believe that that's what appeals to more people. That being said, I honestly never plan on going on a cruise for a vacation anyway haha!

As for CD's I know that on Carnival they aren't as high ranking officer, and they aren't responsible for as many people/departments as they are on DCL. For example on DCL the 'manager of youth activities' reports to the cruise director, on carnival the 'youth director' reports to the Hotel Director.
Carnival have an Entertainment Director who is above the CD and reading the role of the ED (on Carnival) is equivalent to the CD on DCL

I guess you could call Disney a "Fun Ship" for kids that is for sure.
The entertainment staff on Carnival is very high energy. As far as they rest of the crew they go about their business cleaning and serving in the same manner as they do on DCL. They aren't singing and dancing when they clean or serve you food. That would be annoying. I've never really interacted with the kids club counselors (other than to say hello) on either line. I'm definitely not one of those parents that challenged you. I have a customer service job so I can totally appreciate what you must go through.
Good luck if you decide to work at Carnival. I hope you can get on one of your their new ships. They don't have Mickey, but they have Dr Seuss.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Well, bear in mind I haven't made it onboard yet or had specific training for them, with DCL all that kind of training came the days before boarding and the first few weeks onboard. But, Im applying for the same role so its comparable. (So far) Carnival are much more about being there, seen and heard. On the go, high levels of energy, all singing and dancing - they call their cruise staff the 'fun patrol' (which personally, if I was a guest that would put me off right away). Don't get me wrong, Disney were all about that too, but things like safety came way before. Some of the policies are different and will be hard to adjust (if I get there). Questions from carnival were much more what big group games do you know, what songs and dances, whereas questions from disney were what qualifications/experience do you have what would you do in this difficult guest situation (but I applied for Disney almost 4 years ago now and so much has changed).
Ive done that, I enjoyed being challenged by guests on a daily basis but it got old. I want to be involved with kids again, not standing guard. However, within the kids clubs, DCL truly offer things that no other cruise line can and that might cause people to unofficially call DCL their 'fun ships': no where else in the world will I ever see kids faces when Mickey surprises them in mouseketeer training, I won't ever get to go to a pj party with Pluto again, I won't go surfing with Stitch, I won't become a detective with Goofy, I won't make flubber or cookies with 200+ kids while stuck out at sea, there will be no more dancing lessons with Cinderella or birthday parties for Donald (every cruise lol)...

One more thing, at Disney I never had to sell anything (yes we told people they could keep the Oceaneer band, but at the same time I told them they could return them and get their money back). Ive already been told that on carnival I'll be expected to promote and sell the youth programing's merchandise.

For me, as a kid (and probably now), my idea of a fun ship and a week long party would be the Disney one, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy another cruise line. At the end of the day both cruise lines want the same thing they just word things differently because they believe that that's what appeals to more people. That being said, I honestly never plan on going on a cruise for a vacation anyway haha!

As for CD's I know that on Carnival they aren't as high ranking officer, and they aren't responsible for as many people/departments as they are on DCL. For example on DCL the 'manager of youth activities' reports to the cruise director, on carnival the 'youth director' reports to the Hotel Director.
Carnival have an Entertainment Director who is above the CD and reading the role of the ED (on Carnival) is equivalent to the CD on DCL

I have actually heard from a dcl bartender that the pay, benefits and working environment on some other cruiselines (Carnival being one) is superior to dcl. This doesn't surprise me at all. Just as disney is sqeezing every last dime out of their customers, I am sure they are doing the same to their employees. And from what I have seen so far on other lines, employees are definitely happier on other lines. We have noticed in particular on our last 3 disney cruises that many employees seem quite down and overworked. I have looked at their benefits and I suspect it actually is quite a bit more fun to work on on the fun ship. So I wouldn't be too worried about missing another Pluto Pajama party. lol

 

[cruiser21]

I have actually heard from a dcl bartender that the pay, benefits and working environment on some other cruiselines (Carnival being one) is superior to dcl. This doesn't surprise me at all. Just as disney is sqeezing every last dime out of their customers, I am sure they are doing the same to their employees. And from what I have seen so far on other lines, employees are definitely happier on other lines. We have noticed in particular on our last 3 disney cruises that many employees seem quite down and overworked. I have looked at their benefits and I suspect it actually is quite a bit more fun to work on on the fun ship. So I wouldn't be too worried about missing another Pluto Pajama party. lol

I know the tips are lower on DCL. Carnival is a dollar or two higher per person. I keep expecting DCL to raise them, but the haven't.

 

[Kaytie]

I would say that DCL while a different experience I feel it isn't the same line we first cruised back in 2008. I think the service was much better back then and it seemed like the crew was more engaged. I noticed a difference when they first expanded with the Dream and started shuffling crew around, and it only got worse as they added the Fantasy. Back when we did the Magic post re imagining in 2013, the crew was a blast and very interactive with us and others. The same crew followed us to the Fantasy 2 months later and they didn't interact with the guests as much to not at all and were always worried about getting to their next activity. Even Fitz wasn't the same as he was on the Magic, looked really worn out. Not to mention that while the price has gone up, we are actually getting less for that price.

: This is what slacking means to me. Not offering certain experiences that can be found on a variety of other lines or ships isn't slacking. It's m marketing. DCL didn't drop or remove or fail to maintain any features. They simply never provided these features.

 

[darnheather]

*Side note: It's not a critic but a question...*

How about spending some times with their parents? Isn't it what family vacations are about? I feel like all I'm reading are complaints about kids clubs hours...

I'm asking because when I was young, when we went on a family vacation it was meant to spend some time together...

I'm a homeschool mom and my husband works out of town several days a week and sometimes for weeks or months of the year. I need a vacation from them as much as they need a vacation from me. Why question what works for other families?

 

[mevelandry]

I'm a homeschool mom and my husband works out of town several days a week and sometimes for weeks or months of the year. I need a vacation from them as much as they need a vacation from me. Why question what works for other families?

I'll refer you to my introduction: "Side note: it's not a critic but a question".

When I was young, I went to the kids club every day --our village had one--during the summer (while my parents were working) and then, when we went on vacation, we spent 100% of our time together.

I was surprised to see other families do it differently and I was curious, that's all.