Just Back- Mixed Thoughts

[Donna3271]

How rude you are, MommyMinnie! I posted a review of my personal experiences on DCL some of which were less than stellar. It was an honest review. Why would you attack me? Geesh, lighten up people, I ddn't attack your mother- I pointed out some things that weren't up to par, IMO, on a cruise that costs a lot of $!!!

On other cruiselines, I have ALWAYS had the experience of the steward coming in and bringing in ice or stopping in after we showered to pick up the towels or the plates after he saw we had a room service snack, etc. I have also ALWAYS been referred to/greeted by name and even those who whose English was weak, have asked me if I had a nice day or similar. He was fine- he just wasn't as engaged or friendly as others we have had. As I said, he was professional and he did his job adequately,nothing more. Service around the ship elsewhere was similar, adequate but never quite top notch except from a few. So maybe the training does explain that.

Please don't be upset with MommieMinnie. I took her post to be tongue-in-cheek. I appreciate your copious review. I sailed on the Wonder with my children several months ago, and feel it could use a breath of fresh air. We are sailing on the Magic Oct 30, 2010 (western Caribbean), and are paying a lot for 7 pp, 2 Cat 3 staterooms, so I would be equally as upset not to get decent food or service.

Thanks again for the great insight.

 

[barney4liz]

barney4liz, I'm sorry your son didn't like the mac n cheese. We find the kids menu el blan dan erino (bland) at best. Probably aimed at little bitty ones who want the same thing every day. Most of it's not much more than finger food at best.

Oh, it wasn't only the teenager (girl) who did not like the mac n' cheese -- it was ME! I tasted it to see what it was like. I consider myself a connoisseur of mac n' cheese. Seriously, I do adore mac n' cheese, and I even love the stuff in the blue box. The stuff they served that night on the cruise was NAS-TAY.

 

[MommyMinnie]

Oh, it wasn't only the teenager (girl) who did not like the mac n' cheese -- it was ME! I tasted it to see what it was like. I consider myself a connoisseur of mac n' cheese. Seriously, I do adore mac n' cheese, and I even love the stuff in the blue box. The stuff they served that night on the cruise was NAS-TAY.

I understood that you tried it too. FYI for the really good stuff, go to House of Blues. No MnC will ever be good enough again.

 

[barney4liz]

I understood that you tried it too. FYI for the really good stuff, go to House of Blues. No MnC will ever be good enough again.

For the really good stuff, I stay home and make Ina Garten's "Grown-Up Mac N' Cheese." I don't think I can post the link, but the recipe is on the Food Network website. Three kinds of cheese and BACON.

Maybe I'll bring some on my next DCL cruise.

 

[waltfan1957]

I understood that you tried it too. FYI for the really good stuff, go to House of Blues. No MnC will ever be good enough again.

At the price of a DisneyCruise the really good stuff should be on there.

 

[tink_lover]

I don't mean to change this thread into another direction, but leann1977 - what was it about Nassau that you didn't like? Did you get stuck in the straw market? I'm struggling with what to do that day with my mom, dh and kids.

 

[MommyMinnie]

In all my cruises with DCL the room stewards do spend most of their time trying to blend into the background. I wonder if anyone else has an opinon on the comparison between NCL "outgoing" stewards and DCL "blend in" stewards.

I also wonder if it has to do with the number of underage passengers.

Seriously this thread has been hijacked by cardboard mac and cheese. It's awful in the parks and awful on the ships but people just keep buying tickets.

I really would like to hear if anyone has an opinon on possible room steward attitude policy on the two different lines.

 

[es45]

Just back from the Aug. 27, 3-nt Wonder cruise.

OP, Thanks for your posting your review

 

[Leanne1977]

I don't mean to change this thread into another direction, but leann1977 - what was it about Nassau that you didn't like? Did you get stuck in the straw market? I'm struggling with what to do that day with my mom, dh and kids.

We just felt really uneasy there. From the minute we got off we were getting hassled to take the tours or the taxis. I am not easily intimidated but after telling one particular man "NO" 4 or 5 times and to still have him following us down the street, I wasn't comfortable with that.

Just didn't feel like a particularly safe, family place to me. We couldn't wait to get back on the ship.

Hope that doesn't offend anyone just my opinion.

 

[Donna3271]

Seriously this thread has been hijacked by cardboard mac and cheese. It's awful in the parks and awful on the ships but people just keep buying tickets.

I really would like to hear if anyone has an opinon on possible room steward attitude policy on the two different lines.

Well, I've cruised on NCL. At the time I did not think about it, but in hindsight, they were present a bit more, and very accommodating. On DCL, the Steward knew our name, and was very courteous. He was demure, and quiet. It could be because English was his second language. We are booked on the Western Caribbean next year. I will make a mental note to pay more attention to the Steward.

 

[Ivory]

We have been on 5 DCL cruises our 6th will be in March, to tell you the truth it has been a crap shoot for us with everything. Sometimes outstanding room steward and waiters, other times not good or mediocre. Sometimes some really good food, sometimes not to my liking. Its really hard to say all or nothing even going on the same or different cruiselines. We have also been on RCL, Cunard and Carnival. And I have to say the only consistancies with DCL is FUN!

For our family DCL works because our daughter is an only child and she LOVES the kid clubs. DH and I LOVE quiet cove. We get together with our daughter to do things through out the day, but when we want to chill we can all have a fantastic time. Other cruise lines don't offer the wonderful kids clubs and that is what decides it for us. It is a personal choice and you have to go with whatever it is that really counts for you and your family.

I hope you all have many more wonderful vacations and hopefully DCL will read these threads and try to correct the problems especially with the food and up keep as well as the servers, as one poster did say these are not cheap vacations.

 

[RedSox68]

In all my cruises with DCL the room stewards do spend most of their time trying to blend into the background. I wonder if anyone else has an opinon on the comparison between NCL "outgoing" stewards and DCL "blend in" stewards.

I also wonder if it has to do with the number of underage passengers.

In our six Disney Magic cruises, we have never once had a room steward who didn't go out of his way to mention our names, be there to greet us, ask us about our day or say good morning have a great day.

However, during our one Wonder cruise, that was a different story. Our room steward was virtually invisible. When we arrived in our stateroom, there were no towels or soap -- and he spent most of the cruise (when we did see him) talking about how his contract was done and he couldn't wait to go home. Believe me, it showed! And yes, on that cruise (in 2006) we noticed a tremendous difference between the Wonder and Magic as far as upkeep and wear and tear. We were stunned at how "abused" the Wonder looked. And their staff, including wait staff, we honestly subpar compared to the Magic.

Now as far as comparing them to NCL staff -- YUCK. We were on NCL last year and UGH, what a ROTTEN rotten crew. From the greasy haired, unkempt waitstaff, to the LOUSY housekeeping to the guest service lousy attitude, we could not WAIT to get off that ship. I would never sail NCL again even with a free cruise -- but I would be terribly crushed if Disney is really letting their quality control go down hill THAT badly!

One thing I know for sure -- I have read truly abysmal reviews of their new menus and food quality on both ships, and that worries me. After our NCL experience last year, I could not wait to get back onto the Magic. But I sure hope we don't have the same subpar menu experiences we had on NCL -- not for those prices! NCL was several rungs below Disney, but because of their pricing it was easier to "accept" your fate. At Disney's prices, and because of the name alone and what you've come to expect, there should be NO room for subpar products, service or food!

 

[TifffanyD]

Oh, it wasn't only the teenager (girl) who did not like the mac n' cheese -- it was ME! I tasted it to see what it was like. I consider myself a connoisseur of mac n' cheese. Seriously, I do adore mac n' cheese, and I even love the stuff in the blue box. The stuff they served that night on the cruise was NAS-TAY.

Hi barney - just wanted to say that we are sailing with you next year. My husband and I, with his parents next door.

 

[MommyMinnie]

In our six Disney Magic cruises, we have never once had a room steward who didn't go out of his way to mention our names, be there to greet us, ask us about our day or say good morning have a great day.

However, during our one Wonder cruise, that was a different story. Our room steward was virtually invisible. When we arrived in our stateroom, there were no towels or soap

Now this is an interesting comparison. Since Magic cruises are 7 days and the steward has the time and opportunity to get to know you.

Wonder cruises (and the OP) are 3-4 days and the steward does not have as much time.

It's ugly of me to mention this but it also affects their tips. Magic stewards have one shot per week to please each family and make a good tip for the week.

Wonder stewards have two attempts.

Did you decorate your door with your names? We never do and we have never been called by name on either ship even though the whole family has perfectly boring American names.

 

[KSandbergFL]

We have sailed the Wonder three (3) times before.

Each time, the best service was from our room attendant. We have had an awesome room attendant every time! Our rooms have always been spotless and "ship shape". We love our room attendants, never had a bad one.

The food service is a different story... the first cruise, our food servers were EXCELLENT; the second, the servers were "nice"; the third cruise, our food server was "barely ok".

Regarding the food, yes it can leave a lot to be desired -- we have a theory... with thousands of guests from all over the country, with varying tastes and expectations, we think Disney shoots for the "lowest common denominator", ala a national chain like TGIF or Olive Garden. It's that way at their resort restaurants too. We generally aren't crazy for the items straight off the menu. On the positive side, it is our experience that Disney will try their best to accomodate any reasonable request -- so feel free to ask for a little more garlic on this, a little more "zip" on that. Disney chefs certainly get bored cooking 1000 of the same meals every night, and I think they enjoy special requests. There are several posts in this forum about people getting non-menu items like Indian food.... Myself, I was able to get chicken tikka masala for lunch one day, and it was one of the best I ever had. In other words -- talk with your servers, and even the chefs, about what might make your meals extra-special, and they will come thru if they can.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Good to know what you like and don't like in a cruise. I'll be happy to miss you on my next Disney Cruise while I'm having fun and you are picking at your meal.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Wonder cruises (and the OP) are 3-4 days and the steward does not have as much time.

It's ugly of me to mention this but it also affects their tips. Magic stewards have one shot per week to please each family and make a good tip for the week.

Wonder stewards have two attempts.

Did you decorate your door with your names? We never do and we have never been called by name on either ship even though the whole family has perfectly boring American names.

Really? Kidding right? First, they do not need your names to ask, "How was your day?" "Is there anything you need?" "Hello!" Also, they have your names.....ALL of your names, it's on the list they get from the ship. Along with Anniversaries, birthdays, etc.....who do you think decorates the rooms for these occasions?

Second, I've walked down the hall, and the cabin attendents working in other cabins and in the hallways almost always say hello. It's not about being called by name, but the sentiment and conversation. Nobody expects to have a full blown, write to me when you get home conversation (although some do). However, you would expect (and I've always had) great service.

 

[MommyMinnie]

Really? Kidding right? First, they do not need your names to ask, "How was your day?" "Is there anything you need?" "Hello!" Also, they have your names.....ALL of your names, it's on the list they get from the ship. Along with Anniversaries, birthdays, etc.....who do you think decorates the rooms for these occasions?

Second, I've walked down the hall, and the cabin attendents working in other cabins and in the hallways almost always say hello. It's not about being called by name, but the sentiment and conversation. Nobody expects to have a full blown, write to me when you get home conversation (although some do). However, you would expect (and I've always had) great service.

No, The OP is disappointed that none of his family was called by name on his 3 day cruise. I'm just gathering comparisons and stories.

I've got no problem with the stewards. I'm actually trying to defend them. They work very hard for very little pay and mostly tips. They are not US based employees and not protected by the same laws that even our lowest paid employees get.

Read the OP again to see who has the real problem with the room stewards.

 

[conandrob240]

The bigger problem here MommyMinnie is how extremely rude you are being to me. I posted opinions on a recent cruise. Period. I wish you'd stop the personal attacks.

I do not have a "problem" with room stewards. I was pointing out that the one we had on this particular cruise was not as friendly nor did he do the kinds of things all of the other cabin stewards I have had on previous cruises have done such as address us by name, ask us how our day was, do some additional straightening up in the room. He was fine, he just didn't provide the great service I expected especially on a higher-priced cruise line. He received the recommended daily tip from me. If he were better, he would have gotten quite a bit more.

 

[SweetSpot]

I really would like to hear if anyone has an opinon on possible room steward attitude policy on the two different lines. [/QUOTE]

We've been on the Magic 8 times and have had very different experiences each time with room stewards and servers. Although each has been very different they all were efficient. Some were not as sociable but even they went out of their way to know us and my children by name and be very cordial. Even other room stewards in the hall will ask how you day was. I would definately have noticed a difference if a room steward was as the OP mentioned. The great people onboard, and how nice they are has been a big reason we stay loyal to DCL.

I haven't been on NCL yet but we have been on 2 RCL cruises and the difference in the staff was really noticable. The service was no where near as good as DCL and most would avert thier eyes rather than say hello in passing. That never happened to me on DCL.

The original OP's opinion should not be slammed because you don't happen to agree. Again, every one of my cruises on DCL have been different. Some are filled with the best service, food and entertainment others really are lacking in one or all the areas. I agree the food quality has changed if you don't agree maybe your tastebuds and expectations are different. Really there was no need to attack.