Our Magical Cruise Roy Suite 11/5/05 Magic

[SweetSpot]

I’ve never done a trip report before but I thought after 4 cruises I could tell you what I found this time around.

THE ROY SUITE 8530

Our 1st two cruises we were in 8576 (great room location), last year in 8534 (loved that room also) and this year we were lucky enough to have the Roy Disney suite. What a room! When you enter the room there is a long hall way with a ½ bath on the right and a table with flowers on the left. Down a bit there’s a butler’s pantry with real refrigerator (all rooms are in the process of getting these based on the hallway as we were leaving the ship), a wet bar and many cabinets. On the left is a entry to the master bedroom with two very large closets. The room is a good size with a vanity and TV. The master bath is large with a great, high pressure shower and a deep Jacuzzi tub and TV. Continuing down the main entrance hall you enter the living room with a couch, coffee table, 2 leather chairs, another wet bar, TV, DVD player, Bose stereo system and many more cabinets with storage and one stocked with kids games. To the left of the living area is a library filled with books, 2 chairs, another TV and a Murphy bed that’s hidden in the wall. The library is right next to the master bedroom so if someone is sleeping in that room you will have glass pocket doors separating you. There’s also glass pocket doors separating the library from the living area. To the right of the living room is a dining room with a table for 6 and then another bedroom with 2 single beds, 2 pull down beds, another TV, walk in closet and another full bath with a Jacuzzi tub like those in cat. 3’s. If you’re counting that’s 2 ½ baths and 5 TV’s my kids were thrilled! The verandah was huge and the chairs for the suites come with comfy blue pads. (All the stateroom chairs should!)

Our perks were the same as all other suites but we could order from Palo which we did. We ordered dinner on Capt. Gala night. They did a great job of delivering it but the food wasn’t the same when transported. We also ordered the last night because my DH really didn’t like the food in the dining room (WOW it was bad) and he got a pizza a desserts for the kids. Oh yeah, I called room service after leaving dinner hungry on Friday, did I mention the dining room food was bad, begging room service to get me a HOT soup from Palo. It takes around 45 min to get your order and there is no charge other than tip. We also ordered breakfast from room service one day but most days ran upstairs to bring food from Topsiders.

We were also lucky enough to get to know Erika and Sonya our concierge. They were amazing. Sonya’s smile could lighten your day and Erika made Magic happen. I will never be able to say enough about Erika and her making our trip more special than I could imagine. We never asked, she made it happen on her own. I hope DCL appreciates her!

 

[SweetSpot]

FOOD

Wow was it bad. I already said that I know but yuck. First I’m a stay home mom who is thrilled with just the thought that someone was feeding me and my kids but most nights all of us barely ate our dinner. Yes I know they can replace the meal with something else. But if this wasn’t good chances are that won’t be either, why bother? I did try one night to mix it up and have just a plate of vegetable but the noise levels in the dining rooms and the language differences got me something very different. The tenderloin on the last night actually tasted bad. All of us had it and after one bite none of us was eating another bite. I felt so bad for our server who we loved but he didn’t cook it!! I really, really, really am not picky especially when I’m not cooking it but DCL really needs to work on this. It’s really, really sad that after a week on a cruise your favorite vacation meal is drive thru Wendy’s chili and baked potato on the drive home. At least it was hot! My first hot food in 7 days. Why is all of the DCL food luke warm!!

We went to Palo brunch and it was very good. Our service was really different this time around. It was a bit more rushed (I didn’t think that was possible at Palo). I got more than one thing at a time yet my DH didn’t. The soup was hot! (And very good) I wouldn’t miss Palo brunch it is very nice!

Room service was wonderful. My kids who are healthy eaters at home order hamburgers, fries, cookies and Mickey bars every night from room service at midnight. We got to know the people in room service very well and I think Ken helped make the trip for me. What a great guy. I don’t think I laughed so hard as I did with some of the calls down to him. Lee Anna, Grace, Gilbert and the other two great delivery guys (who’s name I never got) were so good to us! I will miss hitting my little room service button at midnight! Also, if you get Ken when you place the order you must ask him if they have fruit cake as the cake of the day. He will laugh so hard!

Goofy’s Galley is a great addition. I don’t normally eat sandwiches but I tried a panini and fell in love. The bread is sooo good! The wraps were good but they were wraps, can’t mess them up too much. They also have salad and great fruit. I love the new plates. They are washable or plastic basket type so less waste and no more blowing in the ocean breeze. I also tried the chicken fingers and they were great! Don’t normally eat chicken fingers but could have eaten these everyday. The pizza place is changed also and is open during late movies which is nice. I don’t really like the pizza on the ship and never tried it but the kids did like it. I also like the change to the ice cream station. There are no sprinkles but there’s a bottle of syrup. The kids ate plenty so it must have been good.

Topsiders also has gone down hill. I am one of the few I think that actually loved DCL buffet eggs. I know they are powder but they were good. This time they were discusting. They were very went one day very dry the next and now flavor. The oatmeal was cold, the Mickey waffles over cooked and very dark every day. Someone else was cooking it so we were okay with it but it was different the last 3 times.


The Excellent speech is gone. We told our server the first night that we understood why they needed and Excellent rating and even if he was horrible we were going to say he was Excellent so please don’t worry about the speech and he said it was no more. I did confirm this with an officer. Seems DCL caught on to what was going on. The servers were held accountable for food that was bad (they didn’t cook it). Now maybe people will honestly rate the food knowing the server won’t be blamed. Loved our server, didn’t like the food. (Or the head server but not going there, everyone has a bad day or two)

Have to mention Brett from South Africa (still think he’s from Australia LOL) who works the bar for a short time during the day at Outlook. He is great! You just don’t get to see him very often.

This is the first time we didn’t get sick. I think DCL is doing a great job keeping people’s hands clean. You don’t get into a restaurant without someone handing you a wipe. I love this change!

 

[SweetSpot]

KIDS CLUBS

I have 3 kids. My oldest DS15 is high functioning autistic, a DS13 and a DD10. Last year we had several horrible experiences with my DS14 at the time and the Stack. The CM’s there last year were horrible. We were kind of dreading this year, one of the reasons we went for a bigger room. This year Tim, Nombuso and Mary were amazing!! First Nombuso remembered my kids by name when she saw them in the hall (a year later!). The CM’s set the rules and held the kids to them. The kids were also nicer this year. Both teens ended up having a great time especially my DS15.

Ocean Quest is great. My kids weren’t there much but it did seem to lessen the amount of kids in the halls, laying on the stairs and playing in elevators. Great job DCL listening to past guests. This was a great change.

My DD10 was happy with the changes in the lab. There’s so many computers now, no huge waits anymore. The CM’s and the program was a good as the last couple years. Barely saw my DD.

ENTERTAINMENT


Another thing I wasn’t looking forward to. Been there done that….nope! We had new performers this time around. Gary Delana was the same but his routine was all new and hysterical! Jerry Civillico was a new juggler and he was also very good and very funny. Almost didn’t go see Taylor Mason, I’m so happy I did. I thought he was great!! Freddy Fusion was also a must see. I loved the way he was with the kids and found him amazing! Would love to see all of them again!
Pike is precious. He definitely is on the way to being the next Que. Darren (Dazzler) cracked us up as did all the entertainment staff. All of the entertainers seemed to be new this year but they were very good. The twins in Twice Charmed were so unbelievably talented. We loved Twice Charmed and Dreams and would never miss either. The Welcome Aboard and the Farewell shows were great also.

70’s and 80’s night were very food this time because they had very interesting victims, I mean volunteers playing the parts. The older Travolta still has me laughing. Junction 21 was the first band that I would sit and happily listen to. They are GREAT!! The best band I’ve heard on the ship. I do wish the Rocking Bar wasn’t so loud. If there’s hardly anyone in there and noone’s dancing just listening turn it down. You can’t talk and it really starts to hurt your ears after a while.

Pub night!! Loved it. They were so funny. What a funny group of CM’s you could tell they all got along. Manuel (I think that’s it) can move so cute. Bingo the last day (my first time) was good and funny. Pike is doing good job running the show.
EXCURSIONS

Walked around Key West with the kids but wouldn’t again. Not a kid place. You could tell they have been through a lot but they’ve worked hard to get up and running.

Didn’t get off in Grand Cayman and just walked the shopping area in Costa Maya (again wouldn’t do that again!)

On Castaway Cay we did the wave runners. WOW! Loved that the most of all. I can’t wait to do that again.

I noticed many more officers walking around this year than any other year. Haven’t figured out why yet. Also this year there was a drill that others mentioned but it was just an announcement around 10AM. The screen is a great addition as are the fireworks. Finally found the sweets in the Cove, a hidden treasure. Customer service was much nicer this year than prior years. The Concierge waiting area in the terminal is really lacking in seating area and I felt like a caged animal on show.

After 4 cruises I have to say this was the most Magical!! DCL did a great job listening to customers and making changes. We met great people and very special CM’s who made this a trip we will never forget. I can’t wait to go back again and again.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Ker-Bear]

thank you for posting. Glad you had a good time even though you had some disappointments.

 

[Tia]

more than just a few dissappointments....

 

[SweetSpot]

More than just a few??? The only thing that could be thought of as disappointing was the food and maybe the ports. Given that there was a major hurricane 2 weeks before I couldn't care less what port we went to as long as we were on the ship. Key West isn't for kids, have kids, knew it wouldn't be for us. Had planned on going to Cozumel and less than a week before found out we weren't, not enough time to plan what to do and found that a tiny shopping area not meant to accomodate 3 large ship way too crowded.

LOVED the CM's, the kids programs, the entertainment, the room, the ship, most Magical of 4 cruises.... more than just a few disappointments??? Don't think so it was amazing!

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[Muushka]

Thank you for your great and honest report! It was a pleasure reading it.

 

[Tia]

I'm just saying that if this one was the most "Magical" I would hate to hear the reports from the first ones and I certainly am shocked that you keep returning.

 

[michlynb]

GREAT report Sweetspot!!!

 

[cnj]

Thank you for your report. I appreciate your opinions and agree that most of the food on the ship during the standard dinner rotation isn't that great. That's not why we go. We go for the enjoyment of being with our children and seeing different places without feeling rushed. I am glad you had a good time!

Jen

 

[Suzanne]

Sweet Spot

Thanks for the great report. I loved the cruise too. I've been playing the horn all day and pouting that it will be a year before I hear it live again.

I have to agree with the filet on Friday. Mine wasn't cooked. NO I don't mean rare I mean NOT COOKED in the middle. I didn't eat it and after seeing it, my table mate couldn't eat hers either. No worries though I just drank more to take the place of eating.

Also agree about Pub Night. Funiest ever!! It was the perfect way to end the cruise I'm so glad I didn't skip it for a silly thing like sleep.

 

[SweetSpot]

Tia
Apparently the food you eat (which was the only thing we weren't happy with on this trip) on a cruise is what makes a trip "Magical" to you. Food is not the reason we cruise. Seeing my DH relax and let loose, my children's face light up and constantly smile, laughing so hard with family and new found friends and making memories that I will never, ever forget is what makes a vacation "Magical" to me. I hope that one day you will have the same experience and then maybe you won't be shocked as to why I would want to go back again and again.

Danielle did look really busy last week. Did you book for NJ week again Suzanne? It's going to be a long year. I can't wait to go again.

 

[WDWLVR]

Thank you for sharing your report. Sounds like you had a great trip even though you didn't like some things.

 

[Suzanne]

We booked for the week after - The Nov 11 double dip.

I want to give a big shout out (am I too old to say that? ) to all the NJers from my cruise. I wish I was going that week again. I have never been on a vacation yet, where I didn't experience at least one rude person/family. But NJ week this year EVERYONE was unbelieveably nice. Everyone was upbeat & friendly. I wish I was going that week again but there were no suites left & I'm a spoiled brat now after my cat 3.

 

[chop003]

I'll echo the sentiments already expressed. Having lived in NYC for 30 years, the food didn't knock my socks off. But I also didnt' cruise for the food. It was probably the most money I've ever spent on a vacation and I felt it was worth every penny. Now that I've experienced it, my new vacation rotation will be alternating WDW and DCL yearly.

 

[budwmn]

Thanks for the report!

I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of the food, either. I actually look forward to losing a few pounds when I cruise because I eat more salads -- it's the one thing DCL does consistently well.

However, we LOVE cruising DCL (I think those great suites help, too).

 

[lookingforward]

Thanks for the report! My family actually DOES cruise for the food however we also cruise for the chance to get away, reconnect and try new things. So even though the food might be a bit dissapointing we would still have a great time. The key is to notice the shortcomings of a cruise but to also embrace the great parts...which sweetspot did. I'm glad that your oldest son had a great time on the cruise, nothing warms a mother's heart more than when she sees her kids happy and being treated well. Thanks for the info on the Cat 1 suite!

 

[pppiglet]

Budwmn...that's funny! We eat salads at home all the time, but on our cruise none of us ate a single salad! We enjoyed the food though.

Thanks for your honest report!

 

[Dreamer04]

I loved your trip report and it sounded like you had a great time.