No more All Hands on Deck :(

[summerskye]

It has just been posted over on cruise critic here

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=48664404&postcount=1

Thanks for the link.

Again, things keep changing. I was so looking forward to trying the AHOD cheese plate as well as the steak sandwich.

Hey Disney, if you are listening.... These changes are NOT making people happy.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I agree. I've read multiple threads on a few different DCL forums and was surprised by how many people order the AHOD every day and sometimes more than once per day. If people would stop abusing these services they might not be taken away.

I'm a huge fan of the peel and eat shrimp on the buffet, will you please inform me of the unposted limit on those? I wouldn't want to spoil it for everyone else.

 

[emilymad]

The problem for us is we like an afternoon snack that is not junk food. Cabanas is closed. Cove Cafe is all sweets that time of day. What other options are there?

DCL is very much behind the times with these types of food options. I wouldn't order room service if I could get the food elsewhere. RCL is much better in this regard.

I will definitely pack a few ziplocs to make a snack for us later in the day.

 

[Hundredacre]

It seems it has become "the thing to do" kind of like the character signatures at Guest Services (I know, that wasn't a published offering) that became very trendy and talked about all over everywhere on the internet. So people who wouldn't normally order room service are now having to order room service to try this All Hands on Deck plate so they too can have this perfect special moment that everyone talks about. At this time they're not cutting room service and I don't think it's a cost thing (really, how much could a cheese plate cost anyway) but rather the huge amounts of time spent plating and delivering hundreds of cheese plates.

I agree. I've read multiple threads on a few different DCL forums and was surprised by how many people order the AHOD every day and sometimes more than once per day. If people would stop abusing these services they might not be taken away.

These "blame the victim" type arguments fail to hold dcl accountable for decisions. Putting cheese on a plate is hardly a time consuming and costly extravagance. Cheese is one of the primary foods available on wic (federal food program for women and children) because it is affordable and filling. Dcl should be happy to have people going "overboard" with relatively cheap cheese and crackers. And dcl should love room service as a way to further subsidize their employees through additional tips. For me, this comes on the heels of a changed alcohol policy and an attempt to get people out of their rooms drinking and into bars. Which by the way are empty every time I walk into them. Usually completely empty. I have never been on a cruise where I have seen more than a couple of people in one of the bars unless there was an activity of some sort, and then almost no one is drinking. Dcl guests are either generally non drinkers (us) or drink in their rooms. Profit on alcohol for dcl is probably 90%. I cannot imagine any other reason they would get rid of an easy, simple cheese plate. All the ingredients are readily available on the ship for people to take back to their rooms, but they dont want to encourage that party or relaxing cocktail feeling of having something served to you presented pleasantly on a plate. The cheese just doesnt taste as good after you have shoved it in your pocket at lunch and stored it in the minifridge! They want you to grab a cocktail or glass of wine at a bar before dinner, not in your room. Hopefully they will hear complaints and bring it back. It is a healthy snack. But dcl seems to be cutting back a lot of things-- all at a time when fuel is cheaper than it has ever been and they are making record profits. Not a good sign.

 

[Hundredacre]

I should add, not only are they cutting back on things, but they are adding things that charge. Salon/spa for kids, sweet shop/ smoothie in spa/ smoothies on castaway cay/ more concierge level space.

 

[jahber]

The DCL defenders have reached a whole new level when ordering cheese off of the printed room service menu has become taking advantage of DCL. This is getting pretty ridiculous. My kids and I LOVED the AHOD. It was a simple snack that made my kids feel "fancy" (cheese and crackers, but whatever) and that I enjoyed on the verandah with a glass of wine. I just don't even know what to say at this point when making a cheap cheese tray for someone who paid thousands of dollars (and more every year) to be on your ship is suddenly too much of a burden.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

The DCL defenders have reached a whole new level when ordering cheese off of the printed room service menu has become taking advantage of DCL.

I couldn't have said it better.

 

[summerskye]

 

[niccikatie]

The DCL defenders have reached a whole new level when ordering cheese off of the printed room service menu has become taking advantage of DCL. This is getting pretty ridiculous. My kids and I LOVED the AHOD. It was a simple snack that made my kids feel "fancy" (cheese and crackers, but whatever) and that I enjoyed on the verandah with a glass of wine. I just don't even know what to say at this point when making a cheap cheese tray for someone who paid thousands of dollars (and more every year) to be on your ship is suddenly too much of a burden.

Seriously. Not to mention, the fact that we tip the staff every time they bring these to us, so it's a reduction in pay for the staff. It was the best thing on the room service menu.

 

[tinkerone]

The DCL defenders have reached a whole new level when ordering cheese off of the printed room service menu has become taking advantage of DCL. This is getting pretty ridiculous. My kids and I LOVED the AHOD. It was a simple snack that made my kids feel "fancy" (cheese and crackers, but whatever) and that I enjoyed on the verandah with a glass of wine. I just don't even know what to say at this point when making a cheap cheese tray for someone who paid thousands of dollars (and more every year) to be on your ship is suddenly too much of a burden.

i know just exactly what you mean. my very fondest DCL memory is of a cruise we took with a friend and her two young girls. the girls ordered two AHOD by themselves, answered the door and paid the tip, called and invited us to 'their' room for a tea party. it was a very cute fun afternoon.
not that this has much to do with the thread but you brought that memory back to me so thank you!

 

[summerskye]

I think I found the thief

 

[cruisehopeful]

The problem for us is we like an afternoon snack that is not junk food. Cabanas is closed. Cove Cafe is all sweets that time of day. What other options are there?

DCL is very much behind the times with these types of food options. I wouldn't order room service if I could get the food elsewhere. RCL is much better in this regard.

I will definitely pack a few ziplocs to make a snack for us later in the day.

It's very difficult to find a healthy afternoon snack. The cheese and fruit platter was perfect for us with our second dinner seating. We could snack a little around 6pm without ruining our dinners.

I, too, will carry ziplocks to the buffets now. I don't feel comfortable carrying a plate back to my room, as that creates extra work for someone having to return the plate. I have no problem with stuffing throw away baggies full of food if this is how they want to set it up. I can't tell you how many times I've gone in search for a healthy snack and everything was closed and I ended up with some junk like pizza or a hamburger. I know many people say you can't go hungry on a Disney ship, but I think if you want to eat healthy the whole time, you can and will go hungry if you don't bring stuff back from the buffet to keep in your room for later.

 

[wcw57]

having never ordered anything from room service other than mickey bars, is there no yogurt, granola,etc offered on menu? I think i remember seeing yogurt "parfait" fruit cups available at one of the "fast food" counters. Again, I haven't been on dcl in YEARS!!!

 

[bethy]

Honestly my one disappointment on our first DCL was that the food was just OK to me. It was FINE. But only because I didn't have to prepare it. Cheese and crackers is one thing they can't really mess up - along with Mickey bars. Sheesh!

 

[jahber]

i know just exactly what you mean. my very fondest DCL memory is of a cruise we took with a friend and her two young girls. the girls ordered two AHOD by themselves, answered the door and paid the tip, called and invited us to 'their' room for a tea party. it was a very cute fun afternoon.
not that this has much to do with the thread but you brought that memory back to me so thank you!

I think you make a really good point, actually. Part of the appeal of DCL IS those sweet little memories. My kids could not care less about characters, but they love the special little touches, like room service and the movies/shows on demand on the TV. Every small thing that's removed is something that was once really enjoyed by my (or someone else's) family. And it all adds up, unfortunately.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Just talking out loud here...I haven't read all the comments but my first thought (if I'm being honest) is I do think this got "out of hand" just as I see other posters linked to the autographs dropped off at Guest Services. I'm not blaming anyone or even defending DCL here - promise I'm not - but just thinking through it. There are some Disney pages/websites, groups etc. that post these hidden secrets or "favorite things" and once you have thousands of people aware of this information it definitely can become an overload on the system. I feel it's more about the CM's and being able to maintain this just like it was for the signing of the character autographs at Guest Services - they were clearly inundated and had to change their policy. They still allow the character autograph and personalizations but imposed a few limits and guidelines.

I ordered the AHOD platter one time in 12 sailings but that doesn't mean I didn't think about it and appreciate it. I know many loved it and I clearly understand it but if the CM's couldn't keep up with the demand or it just got out of control I'm sure adding a fee might help diminish it. Not sure "penalizing" those loyal customers is the way to go but time will tell and I'm hoping enough feedback will bring it back for those who really enjoyed it.

I think until you read other blogs, FB pages, etc. one might not know HOW much these things are talked about DAILY. It's true, in the past not everyone knew these hidden gems even if they were sort of out in the open but once a large group of people start talking about it or suggesting it, it does become nutty. I realize there are tons of people who aren't on FB, aren't on the DIS, etc. to even know about some of these great things DCL offers (or used to) but it does spread like wildfire sometimes. People don't realize it and they certainly don't have any ill intentions but the sheer numbers of people out there do share and it overloads the system.

I'm trying to think logically at both sides and not sure what the answer is. I definitely don't feel charging $38 is the answer and don't want to see the AHOD gone or some of the other items as those are held dear to many of us and also clearly it's the "nail in the coffin" for others and I understand that.

Heather

 

[niccikatie]

Just talking out loud here...I haven't read all the comments but my first thought (if I'm being honest) is I do think this got "out of hand" just as I see other posters linked to the autographs dropped off at Guest Services. I'm not blaming anyone or even defending DCL here - promise I'm not - but just thinking through it. There are some Disney pages/websites, groups etc. that post these hidden secrets or "favorite things" and once you have thousands of people aware of this information it definitely can become an overload on the system. I feel it's more about the CM's and being able to maintain this just like it was for the signing of the character autographs at Guest Services - they were clearly inundated and had to change their policy. They still allow the character autograph and personalizations but imposed a few limits and guidelines.

I ordered the AHOD platter one time in 12 sailings but that doesn't mean I didn't think about it and appreciate it. I know many loved it and I clearly understand it but if the CM's couldn't keep up with the demand or it just got out of control I'm sure adding a fee might help diminish it. Not sure "penalizing" those loyal customers is the way to go but time will tell and I'm hoping enough feedback will bring it back for those who really enjoyed it.

I think until you read other blogs, FB pages, etc. one might not know HOW much these things are talked about DAILY. It's true, in the past not everyone knew these hidden gems even if they were sort of out in the open but once a large group of people start talking about it or suggesting it, it does become nutty. I realize there are tons of people who aren't on FB, aren't on the DIS, etc. to even know about some of these great things DCL offers (or used to) but it does spread like wildfire sometimes. People don't realize it and they certainly don't have any ill intentions but the sheer numbers of people out there do share and it overloads the system.

I'm trying to think logically at both sides and not sure what the answer is. I definitely don't feel charging $38 is the answer and don't want to see the AHOD gone or some of the other items as those are held dear to many of us and also clearly it's the "nail in the coffin" for others and I understand that.

Heather

This might make sense if they got rid of room service entirely. It wasn't a hidden gem. It was printed in the room service menu. They changed the menu and started charging for a popular item. My sense is they saw the popularity and figured they could make more money on it.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

This might make sense if they got rid of room service entirely. It wasn't a hidden gem. It was printed in the room service menu. They changed the menu and started charging for a popular item. My sense is they saw the popularity and figured they could make more money on it.

Yes agreed totally! I'm sure there are items that are ordered a lot more heavily than others and I'd say based on what I read, hear, see it's definitely the AHOD, Mickey bars, and cookies with milk. I think that's a logical explanation when they saw the popularity as you mentioned and decided to charge for it. I don't like it and I know many others clearly don't either but just sharing my thoughts. It's like fight club - some things you shouldn't share a gazillion times

Heather

 

[bumbershoot]

I agree. I've read multiple threads on a few different DCL forums and was surprised by how many people order the AHOD every day and sometimes more than once per day. If people would stop abusing these services they might not be taken away.

Using a service is not abusing it. It's something Disney (and some people) just don't get.

If you want cheese and crackers more than once a day, what is wrong with that? If cheese and crackers helps make up for the awful mdr food (for a vegetarian at least) then it's nice. It's not abusing it.


Some people don't get how low a percentage disers are to the cruisers in general. And if you really pay attention, it's the same people on cruise critic as on here lol. I have a different name but I'm there. (Though usually not on dcl board) bunches of us following each other around saying the same things.


I've never even gotten this, by the way. Only once on 4 dcl sailings did I even crack open the full room service menu. This is the only appetizing thing in there but we weren't in the mood. Or maybe it was on a concierge sailing so I wasn't going to order it. But I've never ordered more than coffee for early mornings and maybe some fruit. So this isn't something that was a part of my cruises but it's just peeving me along with every other change dcl had made this last year.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's like fight club - some things you shouldn't share a gazillion times

But as the person you quoted said, it wasn't hidden. It's not a secret. It was there for anyone who looked at the menu. There's no reason to not talk about it.