No more All Hands on Deck :(

[phinz]

Yes but what can you get mid afternoon that is not a sweet or other junk food? Cove Cafe has sweets, Cabanas in closed, and the pool side stuff is either junk or full meals.

You know you don't have to eat the "full meal", don't you? You can put down the fork after a few bites, or share a plate with everybody else in your party and make a snack out of it for the entire crew.

 

[wcw57]

Yes but what can you get mid afternoon that is not a sweet or other junk food? Cove Cafe has sweets, Cabanas in closed, and the pool side stuff is either junk or full meals.

i had posted this earlier...don't they still offer the yogurt/granola stuff and small salads "on deck" like they used to.....?

 

[michellekcm]

I'm sorry, when you printed new menus and told people ordering the AHOD that it was no longer available but there is a $38 option, it was not a MISTAKE. It was a calculated move that backfired on DCL. Please don't insult my intelligence with your lame excuse. Own up to it and just change it.

Just playing devil's advocate - but how much would the onboard staff get told. Ie, if they were just told 'here's the new menu' then I could see them saying the AHOD is no longer available because they just looked at the new menu. They wouldn't know if it was a printing mistake or not. So just because the room service staff said it wasn't available any more doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't a printing mistake.

Of course, I am more inclined to believe it was a genuine removal and now change of mind due to feedback, but thought I'd offer up another alternative anyway

 

[cruisehopeful]

They wouldn't know if it was a printing mistake or not. So just because the room service staff said it wasn't available any more doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't a printing mistake.

The reason why I don't believe that is because when I was on the Wonder in October, I asked room service for a couple items that were not on the menu and they said yes, they had the items and would bring them.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

The reason why I don't believe that is because when I was on the Wonder in October, I asked room service for a couple items that were not on the menu and they said yes, they had the items and would bring them.

I agree with you. Mickey bars have never been on the menu, but they always said yes to bringing those. For them to specifically say no to the AHOD plate and direct guests to the $38 option meant that was what they were instructed to do.

 

[summerskye]

Cheese is back. See disney blog.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Cheese is back. See disney blog.

Already reported. See post #270.

 

[summerskye]

Already reported. See post #270.

Opps... sometimes dont see all via phone app... sorry

 

[anna08]

I just asked myself if I really read 15 pages about a cheese plate that I have never once ordered and probably never will. We need some spicier topics on the Disboards to entertain us, and, no, not the absence of chicken wings. Glad it's back for everyone, but I'd still be wary and watch for a $38 charge to show up on your bill - how are they distinguishing between the free one and the costly one when you order?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

how are they distinguishing between the free one and the costly one when you order?

Well, the "free" one is called the All Hands on Deck plate. And the "paid" one is called Fruit and Cheese Platter. Maybe they will use the actual name of what you may have ordered to clarify whether there's a charge or not.

 

[Saamh]

I just asked myself if I really read 15 pages about a cheese plate that I have never once ordered and probably never will. We need some spicier topics on the Disboards to entertain us, and, no, not the absence of chicken wings. Glad it's back for everyone, but I'd still be wary and watch for a $38 charge to show up on your bill - how are they distinguishing between the free one and the costly one when you order?

The in room amenity cheese plate is large. Someone reported they ordered it and it lasted their stateroom 5 days. The AHOD is like 5 pieces of cheese and about 10 crackers with a small bunch of grapes.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I have to say I'm happy Cheesegate 2016 is over! I've been eating cheese and crackers all dang week because of this thread, I can't get the stuff off my mind!

 

[belac]

Ok I know "Cheesegate" is over but figured this was best posted here:

I am just summarizing my conversation with DCL and take it for just that. They do listen if you take the time to write, but don't expect anything other than a polite call back and them listening. My 3 biggest complains AHOD, Mickey Mail and Alcohol Policy change. I listed a bunch of other issues that were not that big for me, but nice to know he addressed all of them, sort of.

So the gentleman related that the AHOD removal was a mistake and the AHOD can be ordered and no one should have a problem getting it, and unfortunately the 5 day period after the new RS menu was set out they have received many many calls, emails, letter on this. Perhaps a communication breakdown between ship and shore, but it may be ordered and not for the up charge. He apologized for the confusion.

The Mickey mail will not be coming back, but they will have more scheduled opportunities to meet characters in person around decks and yes you may have (bring with you) something other than an autograph book i.e. a doll, a photo mat, an anchor (yeah that was weird) but you can, according to him.

They apparently implemented the alcohol policy as a protection to children (implied), due to having unlimited amounts of alcohol (especially hard liquor) with no supervision was problematic. "not to say you don't monitor your own children but it has come up as a protection measure" so it will be there to stay. They are looking at packages but certainly not an unlimited package due to the problematic thing, which was never explained fully. My advice: Tip your Bartenders well and get a good stiff drink otherwise that is it, and that ship sailed... so IMO believe what you want as to why but that is the answer I got.

I did express that there seemed to be large lack of communication. From Shore to Ships, they seem to give out different answers and that should be corrected.
Because if I was told that yes no Mickey Mail but we will be taking the time to add more or multiple character meets during your cruise to afford you more opportunity to get things signed then OK. If they said we could have brought things other than autograph book then great (I think I remember a rumor that it was only something flat), maybe I wouldn't take it so hard.

All the other changes from OBB policy to ages in the kids club are also staying (from the other list that was circulating on another thread here).

The take away

• Yes - AHOD back as previously reported.
• No Mickey mail, BUT there should be more character meets (still waiting to confirm that one)
• Take your shoes, mats, anchors, kitchen sink to be signed, if you want
• Alcohol policy remains as is
• All other policies remain from OBB to Kids Clubs ages
• And if a CM says the new policy is....XYZ... Take it up with GS if you think otherwise, it should be corrected or at least you will have the correct answer. If that fails shoot off an email and you will get a call/email back from shore.

Out of curiosity I was under the impression that the Arcades were off all the ships except the Wonder... can anyone confirm, he seemed to think they still had them on Fantasy and Dream. So if they are off then again Lack of communication....

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok I know "Cheesegate" is over but figured this was best posted here:

I am just summarizing my conversation with DCL and take it for just that. They do listen if you take the time to write, but don't expect anything other than a polite call back and them listening. My 3 biggest complains AHOD, Mickey Mail and Alcohol Policy change. I listed a bunch of other issues that were not that big for me, but nice to know he addressed all of them, sort of.

So the gentleman related that the AHOD removal was a mistake and the AHOD can be ordered and no one should have a problem getting it, and unfortunately the 5 day period after the new RS menu was set out they have received many many calls, emails, letter on this. Perhaps a communication breakdown between ship and shore, but it may be ordered and not for the up charge. He apologized for the confusion.

The Mickey mail will not be coming back, but they will have more scheduled opportunities to meet characters in person around decks and yes you may have (bring with you) something other than an autograph book i.e. a doll, a photo mat, an anchor (yeah that was weird) but you can, according to him.

They apparently implemented the alcohol policy as a protection to children (implied), due to having unlimited amounts of alcohol (especially hard liquor) with no supervision was problematic. "not to say you don't monitor your own children but it has come up as a protection measure" so it will be there to stay. They are looking at packages but certainly not an unlimited package due to the problematic thing, which was never explained fully. My advice: Tip your Bartenders well and get a good stiff drink otherwise that is it, and that ship sailed... so IMO believe what you want as to why but that is the answer I got.

I did express that there seemed to be large lack of communication. From Shore to Ships, they seem to give out different answers and that should be corrected.
Because if I was told that yes no Mickey Mail but we will be taking the time to add more or multiple character meets during your cruise to afford you more opportunity to get things signed then OK. If they said we could have brought things other than autograph book then great (I think I remember a rumor that it was only something flat), maybe I wouldn't take it so hard.

All the other changes from OBB policy to ages in the kids club are also staying (from the other list that was circulating on another thread here).

The take away

• Yes - AHOD back as previously reported.
• No Mickey mail, BUT there should be more character meets (still waiting to confirm that one)
• Take your shoes, mats, anchors, kitchen sink to be signed, if you want
• Alcohol policy remains as is
• All other policies remain from OBB to Kids Clubs ages
• And if a CM says the new policy is....XYZ... Take it up with GS if you think otherwise, it should be corrected or at least you will have the correct answer. If that fails shoot off an email and you will get a call/email back from shore.

Out of curiosity I was under the impression that the Arcades were off all the ships except the Wonder... can anyone confirm, he seemed to think they still had them on Fantasy and Dream. So if they are off then again Lack of communication....

The arcade is definitely off the Dream (Vanellope's is in that space). Don't know about the Fantasy, but, I'm thinking it's still there, until her dry dock.

 

[phinz]

They apparently implemented the alcohol policy as a protection to children (implied), due to having unlimited amounts of alcohol (especially hard liquor) with no supervision was problematic.

Bwahahahahahahahaha! This is the richest thing I've read yet around here. I ordered *two* bottles of champagne to be in my room when we got there recently, and could have ordered more. There was no limit. I confirmed this. In addition, I brought on 6 beers that were 10.5% alcohol *and* my wife brought on two bottles of wine. I could have sat, "unsupervised", and gotten destroyed before we ever left port. If I had kids in the room they could have done the same if I'd not been around. This is *not* about safety at all. It's *all* about the money. The AHOD "error" was also all about the money, but they made a larger minority angry with it so it bit them in the backside. Prices going up on adult dining is all about the money. The new menu in the bars along with the removal of the late night buffet in the bars is *also* all about the money. No Mickey Mail because that was free, but you can get in line to get a picture taken and, on average, many parents will buy the picture, thereby making more money.

Think anything less and you have so much pixie dust in your eyes that you've gone blind. It's only going to get worse. It costs less to run the boat than it did on our first cruise when gasoline was over $3 a gallon, thereby making fuel for ships more expensive. They've now gotten used to higher profit margins and more robust bottom lines as fuel prices have dropped. Stockholders will *not* stand for bottom line reductions when fuel goes back up in price. Prices *will* go up as fuel prices start to rise again. More amenities will be reduced to save pennies, which ultimately amount to dollars. It's going to be ugly, and I dread the day this forum explodes with more and more people either saying, "This is horrible" or "Get over it. The Mouse is worth the exorbitant prices, and if you don't like it you can go somewhere else."

 

[phinz]

The arcade is definitely off the Dream (Vanellope's is in that space). Don't know about the Fantasy, but, I'm thinking it's still there, until her dry dock.

The Arrrrcade is definitely still on the Fantasy.

 

[belac]

Bwahahahahahahahaha! This is the richest thing I've read yet around here. I ordered *two* bottles of champagne to be in my room when we got there recently, and could have ordered more. There was no limit. I confirmed this. In addition, I brought on 6 beers that were 10.5% alcohol *and* my wife brought on two bottles of wine. I could have sat, "unsupervised", and gotten destroyed before we ever left port. If I had kids in the room they could have done the same if I'd not been around. This is *not* about safety at all. It's *all* about the money. The AHOD "error" was also all about the money, but they made a larger minority angry with it so it bit them in the backside. Prices going up on adult dining is all about the money. The new menu in the bars along with the removal of the late night buffet in the bars is *also* all about the money. No Mickey Mail because that was free, but you can get in line to get a picture taken and, on average, many parents will buy the picture, thereby making more money.

Think anything less and you have so much pixie dust in your eyes that you've gone blind. It's only going to get worse. It costs less to run the boat than it did on our first cruise when gasoline was over $3 a gallon, thereby making fuel for ships more expensive. They've now gotten used to higher profit margins and more robust bottom lines as fuel prices have dropped. Stockholders will *not* stand for bottom line reductions when fuel goes back up in price. Prices *will* go up as fuel prices start to rise again. More amenities will be reduced to save pennies, which ultimately amount to dollars. It's going to be ugly, and I dread the day this forum explodes with more and more people either saying, "This is horrible" or "Get over it. The Mouse is worth the exorbitant prices, and if you don't like it you can go somewhere else."

That was their justification, at least that is the story (however much of a fairy tale it is) they are sticking to. Like I said you can complain

but don't expect anything other than a polite call back and them listening

 

[wcw57]

great....i see we're going to veer off into alcohol policy complaints....this thread will live FOREVER!!!!! I'd like to take this opportunity to mention chair hogs.................

 

[belac]

If you can't change it, laugh about it... It's a lot healthier

 

[phinz]

great....i see we're going to veer off into alcohol policy complaints....this thread will live FOREVER!!!!! I'd like to take this opportunity to mention chair hogs.................

Actually, it's veering off into greed, the duplicitous nature of Disney responses and the fact that so many people buy it hook line and sinker, but if you want to focus on the alcohol part of my greater response, then knock yourself out.