Just returned from Magic- disappointed

[morrismhs]

My family and I just returned from a cruise on the Magic out of Miami. While the CMs were great and the boat was beautiful, the decision to start the refurb while the boat was in use was ridiculous . Closing Cariocas and replacing it with Cabanas was unacceptable. Was not a sit down dinner- still a buffet with nothing special. Our wait staff had no idea where we were sat. Had to go get our own drinks from soda station. Really? Also the quick service at the pool was closed the first half of the trip. The last evening of the cruise we tried to go to front of boat to take pictures of the sunset- not happening because workmen had blocked it off. They were also installing plywood on the deck so those areas were blocked as well. None of these issues were relayed to us prior to our final payment. I realize that things can sometimes need fixing at the last minute but this was really unacceptable to actually start the refurb in this way. Just not the best experience for our first cruise.

 

[Sunshine2U]

Oh, I have to agree with you! No good feels there.

 

[gotomu212]

There were very similar complaints before the Wonders last dry dock. We’ve always avoided being the first cruise after dry dock in case there are schedule delays, but it sounds like we should avoid the last cruise BEFORE dry dock too.

That’s really disconcerting and I’m sorry your cruise had so many disruptions!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That is both ridiculous, and entirely on DCL. Bad decisions.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Send an email to DCL shoreside and express your disappointment. We had trouble on the first cruise after Fantasy drydock. I actually got a call from a customer service manager when they read my email.

 

[su_A_ve]

Definitely get in touch with DCL (via email)...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Not to put too much of a damper on this situation (I, too, think it's bad PR to start a dry dock during the last cruise), most cruise lines do this.

It's a good idea, unless you have to take the cruise prior or the cruise after a dry dock, that you pick another date.

 

[dtrain]

Not cool.

 

[meagarunt22]

Not to put too much of a damper on this situation (I, too, think it's bad PR to start a dry dock during the last cruise), most cruise lines do this.

Maybe so, but they aren't charging what Disney is charging. And they also don't have the level of expectations that Disney does. I'd be SO upset. As someone that goes through a lot to save the money for Disney vacations, not receiving everything that was supposed to be included would make me mad.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Well, if you read the terms & conditions (contract) you agree to when you make a reservation (on ANY cruise line, not just DCL), you'll see that they don't guarantee anything. Even that you'll actually leave port. Or make any port stops.

Not really trying to justify it, just pointing out cruise lines can pretty much take your money and not take you anywhere.

 

[YawningDodo]

That does sound really disappointing, and I'm sad that happened to you on your first cruise. I'd send a polite but firm email to guest services explaining how the cruise did not meet your expectations for a Disney vacation. Even though all one can really do in this kind of situation is learn for the next time, it still stinks. Especially as a new time cruiser you wouldn't have had any reason to expect this. I know that as I was booking my first cruise about a month ahead of yours, I had absolutely no idea that the Magic would be going into drydock, nor that it could affect my experience if it had happened closer to my cruise dates. How would you know to expect that if you've never done this before?

You have my sympathy.

 

[MUN]

My family and I just returned from a cruise on the Magic out of Miami. While the CMs were great and the boat was beautiful, the decision to start the refurb while the boat was in use was ridiculous . Closing Cariocas and replacing it with Cabanas was unacceptable. Was not a sit down dinner- still a buffet with nothing special. Our wait staff had no idea where we were sat. Had to go get our own drinks from soda station. Really? Also the quick service at the pool was closed the first half of the trip. The last evening of the cruise we tried to go to front of boat to take pictures of the sunset- not happening because workmen had blocked it off. They were also installing plywood on the deck so those areas were blocked as well. None of these issues were relayed to us prior to our final payment. I realize that things can sometimes need fixing at the last minute but this was really unacceptable to actually start the refurb in this way. Just not the best experience for our first cruise.

I feel your pain. Did you complain?

MUN

PS, do you like my rhyme?

 

[lorimay]

I'm gonna guess they are receiving plenty of emails about this.
What a shame, sorry for all aboard who had to deal with this situation. Unfair!

 

[TestingH2O]

All the reports I've read have been similar. Definitely not a shining moment for DCL.

Contact customer service and try. I definitely don't think your complaints sound trivial.

 

[undertheradar]

So what would you offer if you were DCL, 10% off a future booking?

 

[Snowwhyt]

Think I’m getting a discount on my Disney hotel because of construction that was stated up front. Should be a option with cruise also.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Not to put too much of a damper on this situation (I, too, think it's bad PR to start a dry dock during the last cruise), most cruise lines do this.

It's a good idea, unless you have to take the cruise prior or the cruise after a dry dock, that you pick another date.

Sounds like good advice. Do they warn people when they are booking the cruise this will occur? And are the prices cheaper because of that?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sounds like good advice. Do they warn people when they are booking the cruise this will occur? And are the prices cheaper because of that?

No, you need to check it out yourself how soon dry dock may be in relation to what cruise you are looking to book.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

No, you need to check it out yourself how soon dry dock may be in relation to what cruise you are looking to book.

And there's no price adjustment to account for those inconveniences?

 

[YawningDodo]

Think I’m getting a discount on my Disney hotel because of construction that was stated up front. Should be a option with cruise also.

Yeah, this is what really strikes me about it -- I get from the comments here that this is apparently just how it's done in the cruise industry, but it seems like bad customer service and bad PR. I stayed at Coronado Springs last month and it seemed like half the resort was torn up -- very ugly views coming in -- but they'd made it very clear when I booked and I got a great deal on the room because of it, so I didn't come in expecting something I was never going to get.