Service Differences between Stateroom Categories

[danamay]

Hi,

I have been reading this forum for ages. We have finally made the plunge (me, DH and DD 5) and booked a DCL cruise on the 11/1/03 Eastern.

I was so excited about this cruise since this is our first cruise ever and I thought I got all the information I needed for this cruise from reading this forum. However, during my conversation my next door neighbor (who has never been on a cruise also) she told me we are in the "bilge" of the ship and nobody on the DCL will provide me with any service since I can only book a CAT 11 stateroom. She also states, with authority, that only rooms with a verandah can get good services from DCL and she will not sail on any DCL unless it is a verandah room.

I am kinda upset right now, not with the CAT11 stateroom since that is all I can afford, because I thought that was very mean of my neighbor.

But I do have a dumb question, is there differences in services provided by the DCL staff if you have a lower CAT stateroom? I know certain categories includes the concierge service. But what about the other Catergories?

Thanks for letting me vent ............

 

[winnyis]

I have cruised DCL twice - once in a category 11 and once in a SPR. Both times the service was wonderful. We were never made to feel like second class citizens because we didnt have a veranda or suite. In fact the service is so good we already have our 3rd cruise booked and it is again in an SPR (category 10).

Dont worry at all - they want you to be happy no matter what category of stateroom you are in.

Ginny

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[Rikersmom]

Have you considering moving? What a lousy neighbor!

I have been on the cruise quite a few times, but I have never had the luxury of going the concierge route. Aside from that------there is absolutely no difference in the excellent service that ALL passengers receive. We have been seated at dinner with folks in various category cabins. Yes, they actually mix us together! And we were all treated royally. (In all honesty, I've only met folks who were up to category 4 rooms--but that was when I was in a category 11.)

I think I'm upset that this crummy neighbor tried to cause you concern about your vacation. I suspect that she is jealous that you are going.

Tell her that you checked into it, and yes, DCL makes each passenger wear a big number stating which category they are in. The crew will only respond to those who are wearing the number "6" or lower--I think that's the cut-off for verandas.

Or better yet--don't talk to her at all. You can always chat with DIS-ers on line.

 

[lbgraves]

ITA with the others. Not only is your neighbor terribly rude & quite snobby, she doesn't know what she is talking about!!! Relax! You will be treated wonderfully in your stateroom.

 

[tecdavidt]

I have to agree, she is jealous so she is messing with your mind. She needs to know this is not the Titanic era, the year is 2003. I always find it humorous when somebody thinks they are all knowing when it comes to cruises yet they have never cruised once. Ignore her and chat with us on the DIS. Kathy

 

[danamay]

Rikersmom,

I like the idea about 'wearing the big number ...." It is kinda funny.

A great big thank you to all. I feel better already.

 

[twhipple]

You're on our cruise. We have booked a verandah (Cat. 7), but mainly because it's a vacation for two and we wanted to be able to sit outside and enjoy just eachothers company. Last year we were at a table with insiders (I don't know which catagory they were in but it was an inside room). Our waitstaff treated us all the same. Ignore your neighbor (did you say she has green eyes?) and have a great time. We have a thread going for our cruise. Be sure to join in over there. You're going to have a great time!

 

[markey]

This one is even better - when we showed pictures of where our room was - CAT9- my FIL (who has never cruised) said that we would not be able to go everyplace on the ship because we were below deck and that certain areas would be off limits. Guess he watched too much Titanic and thought they locked the stairs and elevators on us poor souls. But our table mates had a CAT4 on one of our cruises and we actually got to eat at the same table, of course we had to do the dishes and they didn't!

 

[AnnMorin]

Personally I always cruise with a veranda but that is because I spend a great deal of time on it. Logically speaking the woman makes no sence. For example, when we cruised last year we were in cabin 5130 which is a cat.6 with veranda. Right accross the hall from us was a cat.11 inside stateroom. Both of us had the same stateroom host. We got the EXACT same service. At dinner we had tablemates from deck two that were given the same fantastic service from the waitstaff. (we all had the same menus too )
The only service difference is in regards to the suites (cat. 1-3) who get concierge service which is understandable as the suites are so expensive! Relax you will be pampered and treated like a princess whether you have cat.11 or cat.1!

 

[Mjasp]

Wow what a neighbor, especially since she never cruised and has never cruised on DCL. Enjoy your vacation, and tell her how even YOU were able to have the lobster on formal night.

Enjoy
Joanna

 

[Hannosmom]

Wow! Your neighbor is very, very funny. I've been laughing the whole way through this thread. Tell your neighbor the "Edwardian" era ended around 1918 and things are just getting better and better for us "po" folks.

DCL wants EVERYBODY to have a great time!!! No worries, you'll have the time of your life and you will be treated like royalty, just like everybody else on your cruise.

 

[MrsPete]

Being a scrapbooker, I'd have to "stage" some pictures of a #11 chasing after a waiter . . . and pictures of a #4 with several people waiting in line to help them.

 

[professorandmom]

Remember cat. 5 and 6 rooms are right across the hall from cat. 11 - not quite the bilge....

 

[Dreamer04]

That neighbor is a jerk!
Be sure to get your picture taken with the captain's arm around you! Ask the Matr'e d (sic) for copies of the menus and bring home the navigators.

Show her how good DCL treats everyone!! Or maybe, they'll be a new movie showing, DCL puts down a red carpet and the CM stand along it like paparazzi and clap as you walk into the theatre! Take pictures!!!

She will be so green with envy, the kids wil think she's broccoli!!


Enjoy your cruise!!

Ursula

 

[howardk613]

We were on a cruise last Nov. with 120 of our family and friends.
We were in a category 1, our children were in category 4's and our friends were in every category from 5 through 11 and we ALL
got OUTSTANDING service and the same treatment by the DCL team. Your neighbor is either very jealous or on drugs. Don't worry, you will have a great time no matter what category room you have.

 

[BethA]

I can't get over the number idea!! I would definitely bring home staged pictures and enjoy the great service on your cruise. Your neighbor is an idiot! We had friends in a cat 11 who had the same service, better stateroom host and had the time of their lives. some people will say anything to spoil someone else's good time.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

This is cracking me up...when you board you are issued a color coded hat... so everyone else knows that you are to be shunned!

 

[mnmomof1]

We just returned from the Eastern and we were in a category 7 on deck 7. Our cabin steward was not very good and we only got towel animals by writing a note and asking for him to please give us some. He did not give us any animals for the first 3 nights. We had other complaints about him as well. Our firiends were down on deck 2, lower cabin category and by far got superior service to us. It just depends on who you are assigned to. Have fun, Kim

 

[Traveleer]

What I want to know.. is why would any serious cruise company dare to put the bildge on deck 5!