Now I feel like a total hypocrite

[TChrist05]

My DW and I have sailed 38 times now with Disney--most recently a 3 night on the Dream with our adult daughter which was a split stay at WDW and the cruise. Over the past several months I have contributed to some threads regarding the displeasure of DCL not appreciating past cruisers, new alcohol policy etc. My plan was to do the cruise and that would be it for a long while. Recently, at the urging of family we booked a cruise for 2016 on RC. We had not planned to go to the future cruise line desk while on our cruise. Funny thing happened. When we went to the main ding room we ran into a head server we had over 3 years ago. Amazingly, not only did he remember us but also our names as well as our daughters name. Before you knew it, we had a plate of cold shrimp in front of us. He actually remembered that my DW and I requested shrimp each night as an appetizer. My wife and I were blown away, but he continued to see us and thank us for sailing again. He did what I feel DCL does not do--and that was recognize the fact that we have sailed so many times. DW and I talked over and over about this. So yes, I did visit the future cruise desk and book the Transatlantic for Sept 2016 from Barcelona to NY. I had just decided we were not booking anything else but it gets worse. We had a placeholder cruise for 10/16 and instead of just cancelling it, after we got home we booked the Fantasy for the 11/28/15 cruise. I just caved--or should I say we caved. So I guess I can say it was a moment of insanity but I truly feel a bit guilty. I guess the MOUSE really did win this time--again--and yes I am still drinking the Kool Aid.
Tom

 

[runskyhy]

No need to be so hard on yourself. We are allowed to change our minds. Glad to hear you were able to find the magic again. Happy cruising!

 

[emilyann415]

Ha breaking up with Disney is kind of like break up with a boyfriend you've been with for a long time! Just when I start to question if the price increases and perks changing I am on "my very last Disney cruise" and I always fall right back in love on that cruise and book another.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

My DW and I have sailed 38 times now with Disney--most recently a 3 night on the Dream with our adult daughter which was a split stay at WDW and the cruise. Over the past several months I have contributed to some threads regarding the displeasure of DCL not appreciating past cruisers, new alcohol policy etc. My plan was to do the cruise and that would be it for a long while. Recently, at the urging of family we booked a cruise for 2016 on RC. We had not planned to go to the future cruise line desk while on our cruise. Funny thing happened. When we went to the main ding room we ran into a head server we had over 3 years ago. Amazingly, not only did he remember us but also our names as well as our daughters name. Before you knew it, we had a plate of cold shrimp in front of us. He actually remembered that my DW and I requested shrimp each night as an appetizer. My wife and I were blown away, but he continued to see us and thank us for sailing again. He did what I feel DCL does not do--and that was recognize the fact that we have sailed so many times. DW and I talked over and over about this. So yes, I did visit the future cruise desk and book the Transatlantic for Sept 2016 from Barcelona to NY. I had just decided we were not booking anything else but it gets worse. We had a placeholder cruise for 10/16 and instead of just cancelling it, after we got home we booked the Fantasy for the 11/28/15 cruise. I just caved--or should I say we caved. So I guess I can say it was a moment of insanity but I truly feel a bit guilty. I guess the MOUSE really did win this time--again--and yes I am still drinking the Kool Aid.
Tom

Good for you and congrats! We got off the Wonder 3 weeks ago today on what we thought: 1) was going to be our last DCL cruise and 2) was our worst of our 4 DCL cruises in the area of service. We ended up booking a placeholder on board since it was only $200, but figured we probably wouldn't use it. Well the kool aid was really strong because we are already making plans for a June 2017 cruise on the Fantasy again, even though those dates won't be released until March. We've always cruised in 2 connecting insides but realized we can do 1 cabin for the 4 of us so we're planning on doing that to save money.

We've already got June 2016 tied up for a Mediterranean on the new Carnival Vista so I'm looking forward to trying something new but at the same time I'm really looking forward to the Fantasy again.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

It's okay. Look, I'm no DCL cheerleader. I'm mostly bored with the food & entertainment. And the thought of seeing anything else Frozen in any form whatsoever is nauseating. Still, there's a soft spot for Disney. It's nostalgia. It's the little girl in me. DCL was our first cruise. I'll always have that special spot in my heart. I don't feel like there aren't other options. And, yes, I'm sure we'll still get our tastes every now & then. What Disney cruises we have booked have to do more with the company than the cruise. I'm sure that alone will keep us coming back from time to time in addition to our other adventures. And ya know what? That's okay!

 

[Ariel484]

I don't think you should feel guilty for booking vacations that you and your family want to take.

 

[bumbershoot]

You are allowed to feel two emotions at the same time, and it doesn't make you a hypocrite. Hypocrite would be ONLY saying horrible things about something, acting like you'd never cruise DCL again, but then in secret cruising DCL. You feel one way about certain things, and then feel another way about other things. The CM made you feel good, even if the line itself doesn't.

I hope you're still going on RCCL, though. They are a good cruise line with really good employees there as well.

 

[TamaraH]

Good for you and congrats! We got off the Wonder 3 weeks ago today on what we thought: 1) was going to be our last DCL cruise and 2) was our worst of our 4 DCL cruises in the area of service. We ended up booking a placeholder on board since it was only $200, but figured we probably wouldn't use it. Well the kool aid was really strong because we are already making plans for a June 2017 cruise on the Fantasy again, even though those dates won't be released until March. We've always cruised in 2 connecting insides but realized we can do 1 cabin for the 4 of us so we're planning on doing that to save money.

We've already got June 2016 tied up for a Mediterranean on the new Carnival Vista so I'm looking forward to trying something new but at the same time I'm really looking forward to the Fantasy again.

Club Disney Chandler - your screen name caught my eye...are you in Chandler, AZ? If so - hello neighbor.

 

[TheLanes]

I wonder how much staff really remember people or have notes on returning passengers that they review before the cruise starts

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Club Disney Chandler - your screen name caught my eye...are you in Chandler, AZ? If so - hello neighbor.

Or named Chandler?!?! Because that's my oldest son's name!

 

[Sparkie]

Sing along:
Dont take your love away from me
Just leave your heart in Dis -(a) -ney
If you go then I'll be blue
Cause breaking up is hard to do

They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know
I know that its true
Dont say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up, it looks like we're making up again

I beg of you, dont say goodbye
Cant we give the boat another try
Come on Disney, let's start anew
Cause breaking up is hard to do....

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[AquaDame]

I wonder how much staff really remember people or have notes on returning passengers that they review before the cruise starts

Every medical/dental office i have entered always greets me by name - they have my picture form years ago when I started coming in, and the receptionist checks the file before the next appointment. Doesn't feel quite as magical mind you...

Do what is right for your family! If you haven't really hit your wall yet then who's to judge?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Club Disney Chandler - your screen name caught my eye...are you in Chandler, AZ? If so - hello neighbor.

Hi neighbor! I can't believe how many Disers I've connected with in this area!

Or named Chandler?!?! Because that's my oldest son's name!

I live in Chandler and once upon a time was the Food and Beverage and Operations Managers for the Club Disney that was on Priest and Ray in Chandler back in 1998 and 1999. That's the origination of my screen name.

 

[Quellman]

Transatlantic is really a good deal in terms of cost per night! Have fun cruising.

 

[bulldog42]

The staff on the Disney Wonder always surprise and impress me! Numerous staff, in various positions have remembered from cruise to cruise. Most notably, one lady in the entertainment dept, remembered my husband by name, a year later. She came up to him in the hallway and said "is your name Scott? You were the one who made us all laugh during the family game show on your last cruise!". We were shocked! Our waiter also remembered us over a year later. He noticed us eating one evening and came very to give us hugs! It is for reasons like this that we will continue to travel with Disney Cruise

 

[Orukal]

I, personally, am not breaking up with DCL, I'm just taking a break to try other options. If money was no object, it would be DCL every time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were recognized by a dining room scheduler on RCCL a few years ago from previous trips. It was a nice, welcoming feeling.

We are Platinum on DCL, Emerald on RCCL and about the same status on Princess. We book according to itinerary. However, of the 3 lines, DCL is my personal favorite. My favorite memory of our DVC Member cruise in August was the Meet and Greet with Anna and Elsa. The pictures of that time are the best, the one we bought and the one the CMs took with our camera.

Right now we have 2 cruises booked, 1 on Princess, (we have not sailed them since 2011), and 1 DCL, we do plan to book onboard the DCL, not sure about Princess.

 

[jahber]

I won't judge you if you won't judge me...I'd book another DCL cruise in a hot minute if the FL resident rates ever went back to being as good as they used to be. Until then, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. But I'm watching. And waiting. One day...