ragdoll
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2000
- Messages
- 2,222
I have never written a trip report so please bear with me and I will keep it short. This was DCL cruise #10 for me and DH. Cruise #9 was the absolute best so I did not expect this one to be as good and it wasn't. Don't get me wrong, we did enjoy it but some of the "Magic" was missing.
I will start with the bad.
1. No Steel Drum Band. This was the first cruise that did not have a steel drum band. DH and I always love to sit on deck and listen to them. It adds so much to the atmosphere of cruising. They were greatly missed.
2. No Mariachi (sp?) Band during Cozumel evening. On both past Western's there was a Mariachi Band in the lobby during dinner. Again, it added to the atmosphere of the evening.
3. Adult entertainment was not up to par. The band was not good. That spoils the evenings in Rock n Bar D. I couldn't even tell you who the DJ was. Evidently he didn't stand out. One of the comedians was not very funny.
4. Lunch Buffet. Not nearly as good as usual. I know a lot of people don't care for the buffet but I always found it enjoyable. First day was better than usual though. Desserts were always excellent.
5. Midnight Dessert Buffet. Let's just say that DH and I both ended up at the end of the line with empty plates. I did end up taking a couple of bite sized offerings at the very end because it just seemed like I should have something. Really, not a big deal. The last thing we needed was more dessert. Just wanted to mention it. We have been to a couple of really great dessert buffets and some not so good ones.
6. Room Hostess. She was constantly forgetting necessities...glasses, toilet tissue, washcloths, tissues. This was the first time that we tipped a bit less than the recommended amount. Funny thing is, I feel bad about it but I know I shouldn't. Tipping is for excellent service which we did not receive.
7. Very slow service at dinner. Again, not a really big deal because I don't get to sit and relax during dinner at home. It would have bothered me more if the entertainment was good and I was anxious to get to it. The last night they ran out of food. We had to wait while they prepared more. Had to rush back to pack to have our luggage out in time. Missed most of Pub Night which we love. Our servers were enjoyable though. Very accommodating and friendly. The assistant server was the most efficient one that we have had and the head server stopped at our table every night.
8. As careful as we are about handwashing we both caught something. I got a cold on day two. I didn't feel bad so it didn't ruin my trip. DH got quite sick on day six. Had to go to the doctor when we got home for antibiotics. Seems like at least one of us always catches something either from the airplane or the ship.
I realize that this is NOT DCL's fault. Just one of those things that happens than can dampen your fun.
Now for the good.
1. We are on DCL and headed to CC twice! What could be better than that? This was my dream come true. Two days in paradise and both were glorious! After ten cruises I finally discovered cookie dough ice cream. Best ice cream I ever had...heavenly. The barbeques were both delicious.
2. Weather. Absolutely gorgeous! I never saw such beautiful, calm seas. It is hard to describe the beauty. On the last sea day there were not waves. The sea just seemed to gently roll. That is the only way I can describe it. I never saw it look like that before. Beautiful!
3. Traveling with my cousin and her husband. Was so nice to spend time with people that you love but don't get to see often enough. We are going with them again next September.
4. DISer's. I was late for the DIS Meet but still got to meet some wonderful people. It is fun to run into DISer's on the cruise. Go to the DIS meet!
5. Magician Mike Super. His magic always amazes me. Plus, great eye candy for the ladies. He has got to be the hottest guy on earth! Sorry, couldn't help myself. That man is...WOW!
6. Costa Maya. Went to Majahual to Pez Quadro. Just lounged on the beach and had a wonderful, relaxing day.
7. Relaxing on deck four just watching the sea go by. So relaxing, almost hypnotic.
8. The cleanliness of the ship. I really appreciate how clean and sanitary DCL is. I am happy to see the antibacterial wipes everywhere. The public areas are always spotless.
Well, that's it for now. I may think of more later. Any questions, feel free to ask.
In closing let me say that we LOVE DCL. This was not our best cruise but I know it is not the norm. A lot of it is personal preference. This report is just my personal opinion and other people will have different views. We have two firm dates booked for 2007 and two "dummy dates" for 2008 so we will definitely be cruising DCL again.
Oh, one more thought. I wondered if possibly most of the best entertainers were on the Wonder because they were doing the longer cruises.
Just "Wondering". 
Donna
I will start with the bad.
1. No Steel Drum Band. This was the first cruise that did not have a steel drum band. DH and I always love to sit on deck and listen to them. It adds so much to the atmosphere of cruising. They were greatly missed.
2. No Mariachi (sp?) Band during Cozumel evening. On both past Western's there was a Mariachi Band in the lobby during dinner. Again, it added to the atmosphere of the evening.
3. Adult entertainment was not up to par. The band was not good. That spoils the evenings in Rock n Bar D. I couldn't even tell you who the DJ was. Evidently he didn't stand out. One of the comedians was not very funny.
4. Lunch Buffet. Not nearly as good as usual. I know a lot of people don't care for the buffet but I always found it enjoyable. First day was better than usual though. Desserts were always excellent.
5. Midnight Dessert Buffet. Let's just say that DH and I both ended up at the end of the line with empty plates. I did end up taking a couple of bite sized offerings at the very end because it just seemed like I should have something. Really, not a big deal. The last thing we needed was more dessert. Just wanted to mention it. We have been to a couple of really great dessert buffets and some not so good ones.
6. Room Hostess. She was constantly forgetting necessities...glasses, toilet tissue, washcloths, tissues. This was the first time that we tipped a bit less than the recommended amount. Funny thing is, I feel bad about it but I know I shouldn't. Tipping is for excellent service which we did not receive.
7. Very slow service at dinner. Again, not a really big deal because I don't get to sit and relax during dinner at home. It would have bothered me more if the entertainment was good and I was anxious to get to it. The last night they ran out of food. We had to wait while they prepared more. Had to rush back to pack to have our luggage out in time. Missed most of Pub Night which we love. Our servers were enjoyable though. Very accommodating and friendly. The assistant server was the most efficient one that we have had and the head server stopped at our table every night.
8. As careful as we are about handwashing we both caught something. I got a cold on day two. I didn't feel bad so it didn't ruin my trip. DH got quite sick on day six. Had to go to the doctor when we got home for antibiotics. Seems like at least one of us always catches something either from the airplane or the ship.
I realize that this is NOT DCL's fault. Just one of those things that happens than can dampen your fun.
Now for the good.
1. We are on DCL and headed to CC twice! What could be better than that? This was my dream come true. Two days in paradise and both were glorious! After ten cruises I finally discovered cookie dough ice cream. Best ice cream I ever had...heavenly. The barbeques were both delicious.
2. Weather. Absolutely gorgeous! I never saw such beautiful, calm seas. It is hard to describe the beauty. On the last sea day there were not waves. The sea just seemed to gently roll. That is the only way I can describe it. I never saw it look like that before. Beautiful!
3. Traveling with my cousin and her husband. Was so nice to spend time with people that you love but don't get to see often enough. We are going with them again next September.
4. DISer's. I was late for the DIS Meet but still got to meet some wonderful people. It is fun to run into DISer's on the cruise. Go to the DIS meet!
5. Magician Mike Super. His magic always amazes me. Plus, great eye candy for the ladies. He has got to be the hottest guy on earth! Sorry, couldn't help myself. That man is...WOW!
6. Costa Maya. Went to Majahual to Pez Quadro. Just lounged on the beach and had a wonderful, relaxing day.
7. Relaxing on deck four just watching the sea go by. So relaxing, almost hypnotic.
8. The cleanliness of the ship. I really appreciate how clean and sanitary DCL is. I am happy to see the antibacterial wipes everywhere. The public areas are always spotless.
Well, that's it for now. I may think of more later. Any questions, feel free to ask.
In closing let me say that we LOVE DCL. This was not our best cruise but I know it is not the norm. A lot of it is personal preference. This report is just my personal opinion and other people will have different views. We have two firm dates booked for 2007 and two "dummy dates" for 2008 so we will definitely be cruising DCL again.
Oh, one more thought. I wondered if possibly most of the best entertainers were on the Wonder because they were doing the longer cruises.
Just "Wondering". Donna
I will have to buy that one. It will be easy to travel with too because it is so compact. I travel light and don't like to pack anything that I don't really need. It was a pleasure meeting you! Hope you feel better soon.
