Just Back- Mixed Thoughts

[DMMarla07860]

You could be on to something. The attitudes of some crew members were dejected, distracted and downright negative. The morale among them could be pretty low. I've heard this is true in the parks w/disgruntled, over-worked, under-paid workers providing poor service.

Disney should treat their workers better so we don't have to suffer!

I was on this same cruise and have to say I didn't see any crew members with attitudes. All the ones I saw were great. Servers were awesome, not the best I've had, but were still great and head server was better then one I had on the Magic

 

[barney4liz]

Food- geesh- hopefully DCL reads this. I hope the PPs who had bad food experiences have LET DCL KNOW. Help out the folks coming after you! Send a letter! Or two!

I definitely let them know. DH filled out the comment card on the ship and I don't think he was explicit enough, so when I got the online survey via email after our return I provided lots of detail about how disappointed we were in the food on this trip.

 

[conandrob240]

I did not fill out the card but I did write an e-mail as soon as I got back and heard back with a very nice apology within hours. That at least made me feel better and I hope helps bring about some needed changes. Tipping less because of the economy would be awful. If you can't afford to tip appropriately, you should stay home. I really hope that is not the reason for the poor service.

 

[barney4liz]

We are booked on a 3-night in February b/c of the "Kids Sail Free" promotion, but I am still questioning whether we should go. If we do -- my plan is to skip the rotation restaurants altogether, except maybe for Animator's b/c we missed it last time on the night that it goes from B&W to color, and DD really likes that. We would just enjoy the food around the pool area or do room service. The fast-food type offerings meet or exceed expectations (although I have not tried the pizza; I don't think it looks that good).

I would definitely still tip our serving team at least the recommended amount -- I recognize that the tips compensate them for their other serving duties outside of the rotation restaurants.

 

[conandrob240]

Plan is a good one. I would not rush to eat in the dining room. I was told (on the night we had bad meals in Animator's) that we could order anything we like even off te menus at the other restaurants (which was nice but we were already done with sitting there and so underwhelmed by the food, we didn't try). So, you could order off the Triton's menu (by far the very best food) and enjoy the atmosphere of Animators and then do pool side or room service the other two nights. 2nd night also has a buffet dinner I think.

 

[breakingd_awn]

I have to say alot of these posts are making me a little worried. Although I'm a calorie natzi I loooove to eat good food , who doesn't. I actually looked at the menu for the Wonder before I booked, I thought it sounded DELISH!! . I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO SETTLE FOR "FAST FOOD" ON MY FIRST DISNEY CRUISE!!!!! OR ANY FOR THAT MATTER!!! That would be horrible , especially for how much the cruise costs and how much planning it takes, all the things you have to buy before the cruise, all that for crap food? I really hope they change things before we go in Feb, I was already thinking about booking a 7 day before we went on our 4 day now I think I'll wait and see. By the way OP thanks for your honost opinion Thanks for letting me vent

 

[Disney-Brat]

We aklk have different standars and expectations AND DCL is expensive so when we go in Oct I want ot have all the current thoughts I can----

 

[jasminewannabe]

oh no! im going on my first disney cruise in december. the 3 night on the wonder. this worries me because the most important to me is always the food!

 

[DollyXXXX]

I called my TA because I was worried, too. She said that a few months ago, they changed to a new menu, but now they have gone back to the old one. Not sure what is up with that unless the new one is going to be on the new ships???? She said she hasn't heard anything negative about the food. She went on the cruise back in May and is going on the Wonder in Oct. just after it drydocks. She is going to get me know.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Don't worry about the food, everyone has to remember everyone has different tastes. I was kind of worried about food because I heard it wasn't good, but then once I got there food was great to me, so everyone is different

 

[VeroBeach]

My family and I were on the 8/27 Wonder, it was our very first cruise ever. We can't stop talking about it - it was AWESOME. From the time we entered the Port terminal to the time we returned again, just everything was top notch.

Awesome food. My 18yo son had the mac and cheese, TWICE. He even told our main server how good it was. My wife and I ate at Palo's, and had a little bit of everything - wonderful meal. My youngest son even tried different dishes (besides his usual chicken fingers) and he loved everything that he had.

I saw no signs of wear and tear - and usually have a good eye for those things. Our stateroom was immaculate - our room attendant was there whenever we needed him, and I did need him for a few special requests.

While my wife and older son visited and toured Nassau (with no problems being bothered by locals), I swam with my younger son (age 6) in the Mickey pool and then the Goofy pool. I got to know a few of the waiters who kept my thirst quenched - and then remembered my name and preferences once we were at Castaway Cay!

The first night was a little rough - high seas - but we were unaffected - although others weren't so lucky - saw a few "protein spills" during the Golden Mickeys.

Guest Services helped me with a last minute wheelchair request on Saturday just before we docked at Castaway Cay. I'd take a Disney cruise just to visit this marvelous island - and to think its being expanded!

Attendants in hallways, dining rooms - everywhere - were very attentive to my obvious special needs - but not overly so - I felt the service was extremely top notch.

The night we went to Palo, my 2 boys went to dinner together, and we heard how attentive our wait staff was - as well as the head waiter who gave them extra attention.

We're already deposited on our next Disney cruise.

 

[cdnliving]

Thank you to the OP for expressing their genuine experience. Not always easy...... It's always interesting to read trip reviews because everyones experience is always different, and that's a good thing,... and is often based on what one is accustomed to, and what is important to each individual in a vacation, and we're all different!!!! In any event, I appreciated hearing your dining experiences. We have read on many boards recently, peoples poor dining experiences with DCL. This is our first Disney cruise, after having cruised both Royal Caribbean and Princess. We absolutely loved Royal Caribbean, and the food, entertainment and service were truly wonderful. We are foodies, and enjoy fine dining, so this is important to us in a vacation, and it was fabulous with RCL. This is our first cruise that we have paid any where near $981.00/ night, and at that price, I certainly expect the food to be very good. All in all, I am sure we will have a fabulous vacation, cause there's no such thing as a bad vacation!! but the quality of food and service will certainly be a predictor of whether we will pay this price to sail Disney in the future. I must say, it would be nice if teens could join their parent at Palos. We are only on a three day cruise and enjoy family dining, especially on vacation. Our children are used to fine dining , and certainly this would have been a nice experience together. We would love to try it, but on such a short itinerary, don't want to eat dinner apart from our children. Thanks for sharing your review. We are looking forward to our Disney cruise experience, and hope it's as good as our land ones.

 

[stephmarty]

Thanks for your trip report conandrob. Sorry you didn't have a better time. As someone whose experiences on DCL have been better, I don't doubt that your experience failed to meet expectations and I do appreciate the report. My guess is that some who disagreed with your report (how do you disagree with someone's personal report unless you were there?) fell silent for a reason. I'd describe that type of attitude as "el blan dan erino (bland) at best." LOL.

 

[DCLunatic]

What an intriguing thread!! I had to chime in. I'm so glad to hear the differing opinions. We cruised back in March and I LOVED it. I vowed to never go on another cruise line. We just booked our $99 deal for the end of this month and I'm worried now. hehehe.... I'm REALLY hoping that they dry docked that boat!

As for the restaurant food, it was "just okay" IMO. I have to agree with water gal. DCL offers unique entertainment, so I think they admit that the food won't be fabulous and offer Palo as a consolation. BUT there is other good food on the ship. The Barefoot Buffet place was surprisingly delicious, and the burgers and fries are yummy. If you're a foodie, this just isn't the cruise for you. If you're a Disney lover AND foodie, you still might have a great time.

RedSox, I LOVED your story about Glynnis and your daughter. How touching! I remember feeling like her back when I was 13 on the Big Red Boat (the old Disney cruise.) I haven't had a server or steward/ess that didn't bend over backwards for us. They've always been such a great part of the experience. I know it's impossible for everyone to be bright and cheerful on a cruise staff-- that sucks for the ones who get the sour grapes.

Thanks for sharing your experience cob and saffie! I'm sorry things weren't better.

 

[First Timer 2009]

This was our first cruise and although we had an overall great time...I too was extremely disappointed with the food...especially dinner. There wasn't a night that our kids enjoyed their dinner...and you may think big deal but you stop your day, shower up, dress up and then have poor selections and poor food. My kids are teenagers and the menu was primarily fish or seafood, lamb, duck or cajun, vegetables like okra salads that no one has ever heard of (plus really the same menu ever night just different room) even desert wasn't good...one night we all just got room service...lasagna...the kids menu is disgusting and the menu is not suitable for teens....really the cruise isn't suitable for teens....I would recommend the DCL for 10 and under.

What really surprised me is the food we had at the Disney theme parks blew this away...Planet Hollywood, Wolfgang Puck, Yak and Yeti, even the pasta bar in our own hotel was fabulous....no frozen pizza...home made pizza...

The teen program is non existant.......think twice about taking teens on this cruise.

 

[First Timer 2009]

We took some time to talk to the staff (things were slow in the sports bar) The staff pretty much work right through for their entire time on the ship..I asked why and he said that if they take the 2 days off there is really nothing to do...(it is not like they can enjoy the pool etc) so they work right through and take all their holidays at the end and go home (to their country) early...which makes sense but you can see how that might make people a little crabby or burnt out!!! Not that that is a good excuse because we pay a lot to go on these cruises but just the truth.

 

[JohnO]

Just to calm the fears of some, we just got back from a four night Disney Wonder cruise. This was our second trip on the Wonder. Our first was a three night in October of 2008.

I noticed some wear but nothing compaired to what I've seen and heard of the other cruise lines working similar itineraries, namely three and four night cruises.

Our cruise was 9/27/09 through 10/1/09. When we arrived back at Port Canaveral the Wonder was already being prepped for dry dock overhaul that same day. The ship left PC for Freeport, Bahamas for a three week drydock period which is a pretty extensive overhaul.

Also, we've never experienced bad service either time aboard ther Wonder. Some of the food we didn't care for, some we loved. Our room attendant, Maurice, was great. Our room attendant from last year, Freddy, recognized us and said hello to us, asked how we'd been etc.

Our food servers were great. Ralph, from Jamaica, went out of his way EVERY night to try and please DW's vegetarian needs. The assistant server, Willie from South Africa, was very funny, friendly and a pleasure to be around.

We ended up on the Wonder last year after reading reviews about RC ships on the shorter itineraries, namely the Sovereign class. We're glad we decided to spend the extra dollars for Disney.

 

[sns4063]

Thanks OP for your candid thoughts of the cruise!

 

[hazlnut]

I don't understand the comments about the food. I just got off a 3-night Aonder (April 8-11) and the food was fine.

I usually went with the recommended appetizer and main dish.

We are from L.A. and we frequent some of the highest rated (Zagats) restaurants in town. I've also eaten at many of the nicer places in NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco + the top places at WDW, California Grill, Brown Derby, and Victoria & Alberts.

The food on the Disney Wonder is just fine. It's high-quality family cruise food. My 16-year-old ate with us 2 nights and he loved it.

It is what it is, folks. Disney Cruises are very reasonably priced for the quality of the service and food. You want five-star, white glove? Go book a Cunard or Regent. But the Wonder is a family ship--that means they must accommodate kids and adults. I noticed that the service was tailored to the table. If you wanted your food fast, you got it. My girls were served right away and the cheeseburgers and mac&cheese were well above theme park food. It's kids food, folks. There's not that many levels.

The adult food was great. Not Aquavit or Spago--but the quality of the food and the presentation were both fine. Maybe they redid the menus since this thread started, because it seems like some of the posters ate on a different boat than I did.

For those who think the food was terrible or unacceptable -- please name some restaurants you've eaten in that you consider to be 4/5-star. If you only eat at Applebees or the Cracker Barrel, I imagine the DCL food might taste funny.

If you showed up to Tritons in jeans or shorts, it really wasn't your type of restaurant anyway. If you've never had tuna tar-tar... Well, don't complain that it was undercooked.

We ate at Emerils at Citywalk the night before we set sail and the DCL food was in the same ball park. Everyone I cruised with agreed the food was great. And our servers were tops.

 

[barney4liz]

For those who think the food was terrible or unacceptable -- please name some restaurants you've eaten in that you consider to be 4/5-star. If you only eat at Applebees or the Cracker Barrel, I imagine the DCL food might taste funny.

Well I am one of the previous posters who expressed disappointment in the rotation restaurant meals, but it was not because my palate is trained to enjoy Cracker Barrel and Applebees.

My comments stemmed from my experience of living for extended periods and eating in fine restaurants in D.C. and New Orleans (frequent diner at Commander's Palace and Galatoire's, since you asked for examples), and generally enjoying fine dining in other cities I have visited.

It's never good to make assumptions about others' tastes!

Anyway, my previous comments were based on our observation of a decline in the quality of food from a previous cruise. It is great to hear that you had a good experience and enjoyed the food, and I am looking forward to trying it again. I love the Wonder and can't wait to go back. We don't cruise for the food.