May 10, 2008 New Ship Of Thieves...May 2008 Repo Thread...Part 4

[HollyTyler]

Are you feeling any better?

I don't feel sick, just overwhelmingly tired. I'm actually going back to bed shortly. The phone woke me up, but I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open. Just staying up for a bit because Tyler's dad always brings him by on Valentine's Day to bring me a flower and a card and I want to be somewhat awake. That should be any time now, then I'm headed back to sleep. I've never been so sleepy in my life, so I'm wondering if his bug is trying to get a hold of me. Only time will tell.

 

[scottishwee35]

oh my, I don't feel like working today. Feels like Friday.....wish it were!

Yes, I have a night off tom It is Friday!

there's a category 4 open!

Cat 4 there for ages!!

I'm in southern CA and we actually had the freeway shut down because of a mountain lion a couple of weeks ago!! And my sister, who is also here had three coyotes in her back yard - that is a little scary. Now they refuse to let their dog go outside!!

How scary

I'm saddened and shocked to lose two key members of our family at the same time. Karen and Noel will surely be missed this trip. At least we will keep in touch with Karen, but Noel just can't be found and we don't know what happened. It's sad to lose them both on our trip. It's worse not knowing about Noel. Pixie Dust and prayers to both of them.

Yes, I hope nothing serious with Noel as I remember she was away on Crusie for New Year then nothing happened after that? Hope she is okay.

You are just too funny with this.....you really had me fooled. I got so excited and thought that I would go look at mine immediately because now they're booking the GTYs. You had me so fooled. I laughed so hard when I saw that you were just goofing. Oh Well, I got a good laugh out of it at least, didn't I.

Yes, I pip my eye and thought it is ready but

Ok, so I AM really pleased to just be on the ship, but it is annoying waiting for a cabin.

Yes same with me too.

Well, headed out to lunch.

I am treating myself to a massage! Need to relieve some of the stress from the last week! Later!

Hope you enjoyed it!!

Scottishwee35

 

[seaulater]

GTY ROOMS--MY SOLUTION

If you want an idea of when rooms are going to be assigned, someone go over to the thread for May 3, 2008 and ask someone if they will post on our thread when their GTY status gets changed and rooms get assigned.

Once they assign out the Magic for 5/3/08, then our cruise is next and then you can be checking every hour to see if your stateroom number is there.

Might save you some time from going to that "super fast" DCL site to check every hour of every day.

 

[pahrumpgirl]

Speaking of Noel. Does anyone know somebody she sailed with on New Years? Maybe someone could contact them and they might know something since they were the last to see her.

Carol

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I would check that often if I didn't see fish!!! I can't seem to get past that page lately!!! I even called DCL and they told me I was "lucky" to have been able to maintain the fish for 15 minutes without being thrown out!! I'm not sure how "lucky" that is!! Hopefully tomorrow or later tonight I can see again!!!!

Hye I had fish for 40 minutes one early Sunday morning...yeah!

 

[Making_Memories]

OK guys, I wrote a letter . . .

Instead of Tom McAlpin, I sent it to Robert.Iger@disney.com

I copied roy.disney@disney.com, Tom.mcalpin@disney.com, and steve.jobs@apple.com . . . just a guess at email addresses, we'll see what happens.

Here is the letter:

Dear Bob,

(I hope it is OK to call you Bob)

I wanted to take a moment to fill you in on some difficulties my friends and I have had with the Disney Cruise Line reservation system.

You may have heard of the "DIS" boards, where everything Disney is discussed. Several friends of mine and I are members there, and we are all booked on the Panama Canal Repositioning cruise, West Bound. This last Saturday was the 90 day mark, wherein Castaway Club members have the opportunity for a "pain free" experience (as quoted in information sent to us) in booking reservations for excursions and Palo dining. We all anxiously awaited that date to firm up our plans. We were looking forward to getting online at midnight, booking our reservations, and going to bed shortly thereafter for Disney Dreams.

To say the least, this was NOT the experience. Many spent hours and hours trying to make reservations, deprived of sleep, and still unable to get this image out of their minds, as it is now seared in their brains:

If Mr. McAlpin or other DCL executive happens to make an appearance on our cruise, we may just surprise him with a shirt with the above on it.

Should you wish to read a blow by blow account, I would direct you to this page of our meet thread where the madness began:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1709944&page=212

Since this is a family site, to say the least, the comments were restrained. Fortunately, I had gone to bed because one of our cruising companions was kind enough to do the honors to try and obtain reservations for us.

There was a similar experience with this cruise last year, where Disney Cruise Line was going to charge an additional $100 per guest for passage through the Panama Canal. After many emails, and finally contact from the media, Disney finally rescinded that announcement.

Needless to say, these experiences have left a very bad taste in the mouth of many of us, all of whom are great and loyal Disney fans.

However, I am thinking that what is worse is being treated like just another dollar sign by the staff at Disney. One of the things we all felt that Disney was known for in the entertainment industry is personalized service. When we attempted to contact Disney, and Disney Cruise Line, we get responses like this:

Dear XXXXX,

Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line Vacation!

I sincerely regret the challenges you've encountered while trying to
manage your reservation online.

Recently our website has been experiencing higher volume of traffic than
usual, as our Guests are preparing for their up coming Panama Canal
cruise.

I understand your concern, and I regret that the site was not been
permitting you to manage your reservation. Thank you for bringing the
matter to our attention.

I see that you pre-reserved:
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!!!

JD
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Vacations

*If applicable, please include your full name, reservation number, and
phone number on all correspondence.


Now Bob, we are all adults, many of us professionals, and we know a form letter when we see one. Is this the kind of response that would make you happy with a company when you had voiced a concern to them? Would you have a "Magical Day" after reading that response?

The overall conclusion we have reached is that your system is greatly flawed, and in need of revamping. With two new ships coming on soon, I am sure this is not the experience you want your guests to remember. One suggestion sent to Mr. McAlpin (which was not addressed at all) was that you allow booking for these things immediately upon payment in full, thus getting the money in your hands sooner, and allowing those who do so the opportunity to book these things in a more timely and ordered fashion. It has also been noted that Disney has outsourced their IT systems such as the Disney Cruise Line web site. If this is so, the outsourcing company should be FIRED. If they cannot handle the traffic of several hundred guests trying to book reservation requests, they are not worth whatever Disney is paying them. Perhaps some consultation with your friend (and large shareholder) over at Apple, Steve Jobs would be a good idea. None of us can believe that the founder of Walt Disney, Walt himself, would have ever stood for this level of customer service.

Every one of my friends and I continue to be amazed and delighted by the level of service while onboard the Disney Magic. You all should be very proud of the job that you do, and the return business of your guests reflects this. This will be our eighth Disney cruise since 2000, and we have no interest in any other cruise line. The level of service while not on the ship is another matter, and we are extremely disappointed and wonder if this can even be the same company.

I look forward to a non form letter response. I don't care if it is just a few sentences. However, should I get the same form and canned response as others, I will not be a happy camper, and I suggest that you give a more intelligent response to those who have already written as well. If I am told to have a "Magical Day" by someone, I will then decide whether to forward the correspondence on to the individual at the Orlando Sentinel who helped us out with the $100 fiasco last year. Perhaps the only way to get Disney to respond is by going to the Media.

Until then, I will not wish you a "Magical Day", and just say that I hope to hear from you or someone in Disney Management.

Sincerely,

John W. Halkias

DCL Reservation Number xxxxxxxx
Phone number xxx-xxx-xxxx

PS - DVC Member, Disney Shareholder (yeah I know, one share framed that my wife bought me for Christmas years ago), and message being sent from my Macbook, while my 7 year old daughter watches the Disney Channel on a school snow day.

I know I am like 2 days and forty pages back but wanted to say great letter!

 

[fourmcds]

Hi everyone...I am in a panic state...my computer is DEAD I won't be able to keep up here
I will try and skim pages while at work as I have an old laptop here that I can use.
I am hoping to get my computer fixed or get a new one soon. Until then, don't talk too much or at least PM me if something major happens.

HUMMERZINE: I am still waiting to hear back from a few people and then I will send out new lists and ask for new people.

And...
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

 

[fourmcds]

EEWWW! We have so many coyotes on our property. Their howling at night just gives me chills. We think they came up close to the house a few nights ago because the dog was raising a ruckus at the door around 4 am. The kitty sleeps just outside the door, so DrHug brought him in. We can shine a flashlight across the pasture and there are just lots of eyes out there in the dark. (shiver!)

Angie...we have a huge pack near our house too. Some nights they are so loud you can't really hear yourself talk if we are outside Is it sunny there? 2 days in a row for us

 

[Making_Memories]

Goodmorning all, another busy day here.



hey Deb, I didn't join a fish team, I'm made something for everyone. Are other people doing individual gifts as well?

I am on a "team" for a certain day but I do have a gift for everyone from me that I got for the cruise

 

[lillygator]

well I finally made it home....I am so glad tomorrow is Friday. I got the dresses my mom bought for me already and let's just say....I have some serious work to do to get in them!

 

[Making_Memories]

We were at the grocery in Monterey doing a booth sale. We heard a voice over a pa system. "Hey Girls Scouts, Can I buy a box?" It was an armored car driver. He handed the money out the round gun port. The girls had to open the box of cookies and slide the tubes of mints throught the same hole.

Everyone loves the cookies I suppose.

 

[Tigger1221]

No Angie.....I was just reading your thread on the excursion booking disaster again!!! Just looked strange to see the similar signature of mine!!

Do you think DCL will ever learn from their mistakes. I have a feeling we will be going through the same mess on our EBPC excursion booking.

Hi Cheryl!

Alright so I caught up finally and I'm seriously afraid to go to bed!

Please PM me if you want to play poker. There were a couple of people that just posted replies and I'm worried I won't get them if I can't read for a day or two. So far we have six people including DH and I which is enough to play but more are welcome. Only one person has stated what they prefer as far as games. It sounds like a Texas Holdem tourney with a $10.00 to $20.00 buy-in. Does that sound alright to everyone else? I'll PM everyone interested in a day or two. I would love to get a few more people.

I hate to say this but you may want to call DCL and ask about this. Someone tried this before and were told you couldn't gamble on the boats.

 

[fourmcds]

well I finally made it home....I am so glad tomorrow is Friday. I got the dresses my mom bought for me already and let's just say....I have some serious work to do to get in them!

V...saw the great pics of the girls from Haley's bday, but i noticed we get to see any of you in your great new haircut?! Got any of those you want to share??????

 

[fourmcds]

Holly....did Tyler's step mom really say "talk some sense into you"?????? OMG I would have hit her right there I think! I totally agree with your stand. That is crazy of them.

Michelle...so sorry to hear about everything.

 

[katypop]

We love Frontier and that is who we are taking to MCO for the cruise.

Thanks Lisa,this is good to know. I'm still looking. I thought the Frontier flight was a direct flight, but it has one stop so I'm still trying to decide.

Looks like a pirate.....

 

[fourmcds]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this....
Wal-Mart was carrying Rosa Regale today!!!!!!! They had these cute smaller size bottles for 9.49. Of course I had to buy one. I plan on sipping it this weekend on the deck of our condo in the 6+ feet of snow in the Cascades and dream of being on the Magic.

 

[katypop]

Kathe,

What size is she? I have severeal really great items that DD wore that really worked great when she was 11!

Karen

Karen, it is Lori (mom of 2 princesses) that has the 11 yr old
Kathe

 

[katypop]

GOOD MORNING

HAPPY VALENTINE DAY

Scottishwee35

Debra Happy Valentine's Day

 

[Jhalkias]

Hi everyone...I am in a panic state...my computer is DEAD I won't be able to keep up here
I will try and skim pages while at work as I have an old laptop here that I can use.
I am hoping to get my computer fixed or get a new one soon. Until then, don't talk too much or at least PM me if something major happens.

HUMMERZINE: I am still waiting to hear back from a few people and then I will send out new lists and ask for new people.

And...
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Kaylee . . . you need to get a Mac!

 

[katypop]

I have good news

From Australia, My cousin daughter gave a birth baby girl, then

Bad news

My friend lost her full term pregnany baby this morning, her baby should be born this week.

I feel shiver in my spine when I heard it.

Very sad.

Scottishwee35

Oh , congrats to your cousin and her daughter, what wonderful news, a new little baby girl

But how sad for your friend I can't even begin to imagine the pain she must feel. I am so sorry, and hugs for you too.

Kathe