Problems with 1/15/05 Magic cruise

[allears]

Maybe YOU should write a letter to DCL. I'm sure they would LOVE to hear from someone who isn't complaining.

I know we are, and we did in September as well. It seems to be far easier for people to send letters of complaint and while we don't take the time to applaud what we think was done well. I hope to have ours out by the end of the week, and we always make sure to include the names of all of the cast members who contributed to making our voyage as Magical as we had hoped.

 

[cjsmith]

Hi cjsmith,

Remember me from Jan 2004. Guess what I was on the Jan 15, 2005 cruise.

I Know a lot of people were disappointed with this cruise, we were too. I can't however blame Disney. The real problem here was the chilli weather. It was too cold and chilli to go in the pool most days. The only good weather day we had was in cozumel. We had a great day at the Tulum Ruins and beach.

In Grand Cayman there was no way we could tender. And if you could the weather was so nasty where would you go?

CC I was there for both attempts at docking. There was no way the ship could dock. You could actually see the currents pushing the ship away from the channel.

I really think IMHO that had the weather been warm we would not be seeing so many complaints. There is nothing that can be done about the weather. I really can't see what compensation there is to demand.

We were disappointed, but we still had a great time and our kids they had a great time. In fact we booked on board for August 2006 (hurricane season, OY!) as did our next door neighbors who were on the cruise with us.

Of course I remember you!! Lucky you got to go on the cruise again. We thought about going again but on the cruise prior to yours but we decided to take the kids on a cruise to Europe instead in July! Boy I do miss DCL though and only hope that my kids enjoy Princess as much as they do DCL.

Sorry to hear that you had such chilly weather, I guess it as better than the weather on Long Island at least! Glad to hear that you made the most of it and enjoyed your cruise anyway. I'm really not trying to diminish your guys being disappointed about the weather or missing two ports, it's really a complete shame. I just get tired of the people who demand that Disney do something about it and compensate them. As I've said all along, if DCL has to start giving out vouchers and compensation left and right for poor weather and missed ports, we'll ultimately end up paying the price for those things by the cruise rates go higher than they already are!!

Hopefullly August 2006 will be clear sailing and calm weather for both you and everyone else booked on DCL and for those of us who live in Florida and the Caribbean!!

 

[dwkwootton]

I thought the Magic weighed in at 85,000 tons?

 

[allears]

My bad... according to the web site, 83,0000 tons

Ship Facts


Disney Magic & Disney Wonder Overall length:964feet
Gross tonnage:83,000 875Staterooms each
Ships' Registry:The Bahamas Home portort Canaveral, Florida

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Gross tonnage:83,000

This is also a reference to displacement (i.e. the weight of the water it displaces), rather than the weight of the ship, if I recall my nautical terms correctly.

 

[ncmvp]

Carolyn,

Thanks for the good wishes. The weather was definetely better on the cruise than here in very, very cold Long Island. Wishing you and your family smooth sailing and a great time on your European cruise (lucky kids!)

Mary

 

[dwkwootton]

Lloyd, any idea how that is accomplished? I do understand water displacement, but can't imagine how an amount of water that vast could be measured.

 

[hpsauce]

Whatever happened to "The Love Boat"???? Can't adults enjoy a week on board a beautiful cruise ship without needing extra cruise staff-planned and supervised activities to keep them entertained?

I hear ya, MM!



hpsauce

 

[Houzer]

The people who were on the January 15th know I was also one who sailed along with them. Yes I am very disappointed but not just with the docking or not so hot weather. I traveled along with another family who can vouch for me when I say I am disappointed with DCL in other ways and so is the other family. DCL goofed us around in a few different areas and we also had something not so nice happen in the Oceanears Club with one of our children. I could not get him to step foot into the clubs after that or our friends son. I tried to report the problem and find out how it can be fixed but everytime I went to approach someone they passed the buck!! This problem was not something I feel I need to reveal because it isn't a child safety issue however it is an issue which I know DCL would NOT be happy with. I tried three different routes of trying to report the matter and all three times I was told to talk to so and so and so on no one wanted to deal with the issue however they were very sorry it happened but couldn't promise that the counselor wouldn't do it again!! I plan on writting the problem down which I also did on our end of cruise questionaire. There were problems and many of them before we even boarded the ship that Disney needs to explain to us. Lets just say we are lucky we even made it onto the ship because there were quite a few areas goofed. Anyway, yes I am very disappointed and I do intend to tell them that not everyone enjoys Bahama mamma's or the wine they served. I don't plan on being mean or a pain I just know that when you pay the money you do plus the exchange you should at least get an explination why things were the way they were. Sorry if you don't agree but I don't want to go into great details on the mistakes Disney made because even though there were many problems I plan on cruising again. I can say that I won't use their airline program or trust them to get us there.
Houzer

 

[cherie68]

We went on the same cruise last year at this sametime. Had a great time, very windy and breezy too. We had trouble with Grande Caymon too. We missed a half a day about on the island so glad we did have a excursion to go to. Those ting happen I recommend this cruise to anyone who has kids!!!!!!

 

[allears]

Houzer, sorry to hear you had other issues, which sound much more signifcant than breezy weather. You absolutely should expect and I hope get an explanation for those things. I'm little surprised to hear you had problems with the air/transportation program, we've used it a couple of times and it went great. We actually had my DW's Aunt booked on the DCL air program during the Hurricane Jeanne cruise. They ended up having to change the flights at least twice, but did a great job. However, as big a fan as I am, I do know that any organziation can mess up and should be accountable for that. I hope that DCL explains itself to your saftisfaction.

 

[dobelover]

DCL does need feedback, good and bad. After I returned from my 12/04 cruise I sent DCL an email listing all the great, magical moments of my cruise. I also asked why the fruit plate delivered by room service came with whole fruit and a table knife How do you pare and cut a kiwi?

 

[suesings]

I wish you would elaborate on the problems with the Oceaneers Club. We are going on our first Disney Cruise in late May and I am trying to get comfortable with having our daughter (who will be 5) go to the club but now this makes me nervous. If you aren't comfortable posting on the board, would you send me a private message please!? I really would appreciate it. If there is something bad going on in there I think it is only fair that other parents be warned.

Thanks, Sue

 

[dwkwootton]

Suesings, friends we made on the ship were disappointed (but not devastated) in the kid's clubs. It could be the clubs being crowded that week impacted that. But I think you're right to try to get as much info as you can before going. But I also think it would do more harm than good for me to attempt to give details on third party info.

 

[cjsmith]

The people who were on the January 15th know I was also one who sailed along with them. Yes I am very disappointed but not just with the docking or not so hot weather. I traveled along with another family who can vouch for me when I say I am disappointed with DCL in other ways and so is the other family. DCL goofed us around in a few different areas and we also had something not so nice happen in the Oceanears Club with one of our children. I could not get him to step foot into the clubs after that or our friends son. I tried to report the problem and find out how it can be fixed but everytime I went to approach someone they passed the buck!! This problem was not something I feel I need to reveal because it isn't a child safety issue however it is an issue which I know DCL would NOT be happy with. I tried three different routes of trying to report the matter and all three times I was told to talk to so and so and so on no one wanted to deal with the issue however they were very sorry it happened but couldn't promise that the counselor wouldn't do it again!! I plan on writting the problem down which I also did on our end of cruise questionaire. There were problems and many of them before we even boarded the ship that Disney needs to explain to us. Lets just say we are lucky we even made it onto the ship because there were quite a few areas goofed. Anyway, yes I am very disappointed and I do intend to tell them that not everyone enjoys Bahama mamma's or the wine they served. I don't plan on being mean or a pain I just know that when you pay the money you do plus the exchange you should at least get an explination why things were the way they were. Sorry if you don't agree but I don't want to go into great details on the mistakes Disney made because even though there were many problems I plan on cruising again. I can say that I won't use their airline program or trust them to get us there.
Houzer

Sorry to hear you had such problems with the kids clubs. And this is way different so don't feel that anyone will lump it in as demanding something because of poor weather or missed ports. If something went that wrong with the kids club, don't give up. Take your complaint to the top and don't stop until you get the situation resolved.
Good luck!

 

[allears]

"Sorry to hear you had such problems with the kids clubs. And this is way different so don't feel that anyone will lump it in as demanding something because of poor weather or missed ports. If something went that wrong with the kids club, don't give up. Take your complaint to the top and don't stop until you get the situation resolved.
Good luck!"

Absolutely!

On our first four cruises, we've had our children with us, and our youngest was 4 or 5 the first time we went. Each and every time he has and his older brother have enjoyed the clubs and we've not had any problems. But that sure doesn't mean things don't go wrong. And you should pursue the situation for your satisfaction and if this situation could impact future passengers, you'll be doing them a service.

 

[bratray]

houzer....your post troubles me when you say there was a problem with a counselor in the kids club...i know you said you didn't want to get into details but now i am worried about leaving my DS5 in the club...it would really be a great service to all of us concerned parents on these boards if you would share with us what the issue was- if not a PM would be helpful...thanks for your consideration

 

[dwkwootton]

Houzer, its a shame that you were made to feel nervous stating your point of view. All in all, most people won't lump anyone to anyone category. I hope the handful that make people feel this defensive will learn that disagreement need not be battle and find that they can disagree without being personally accusatory. And maybe if they could reflect over their most recent posts here for a moment ~ that the very act of giving their ok or whatever to you, as good intentioned as they were by that ~ maybe they have gone too far at times.

 

[SailorMinnie]

dwkwootton:
Maybe you should look over your own previous threads before casting aspersions on others. I have sent you a PM to elaborate.