Social distancing on a cruise: what changes would you actually enjoy?

[Cruising Engineer]

To the OP, I've never ordered room service for a dinner meal only light breakfast items/coffee. Would all 3 courses be delivered at the same time? I can't see them delivering each course as one is finished as in the MDR. Where would you put all those dishes for 2 people let alone 3 or 4 in the stateroom? The verandah table is just big enough for 2 wine glasses and a cheese plate.
Don't get me wrong, it's a novel idea for the circumstances we are presently stuck with (when we ever set sail), but the logistics just aren't there.

 

[jane01jp]

We've enjoyed meeting other families at shared tables and still keep in touch via social media, but the idea of having a meal on the verandah sounds wonderful! I think we will be seeing more to-go and delivery options for food, especially to replace the buffet. Pete mentioned on a recent pod that he doesn't think buffets will come back in any form, and I am personally ok with that. The issue arises how to feed all those people!

I am OK with the buffets going away. I was always amazed at the Pirate Night buffet, when people would get food and not eat it.

 

[ghtx]

It goes without saying that I would enjoy everything about cruising staying the same except only half as many guests aboard the ship!

 

[Love2Cruise2015]

My family and I would miss the buffet meals at breakfast and lunch if they went away as that seems to be the only time I can get my boys to try something new. I, however, wouldnt mind if they had some of the CMs serving the food from behind the counter but you are still able to pick what you want.

 

[dvcdisney]

To each his own. Just like you used to be able to request a private table, perhaps in the future you'll be able to request a shared table, and be placed with another family who requested a shared table.

We've sailed on 6 Disney cruises, including every ship, always with a private table, and we never had a table 6 inches (or anything close to that) from another party. It always genuinely was a private table. Waiters always could easily walk between.

We've always requested a private table for my family. In almost all cruises, we've been very close to other diners (perhaps not 6 inches, but very close)...to the point that if we wanted to, we could have a conversation with them as if they are sitting with us. We've done it a few times, but the difference is, we don't feel the need to make small talk with them.

It's much easier not to engage with people if they're not at the same table. We have also done that a few times when we realize that the family next to us would likely have been our table mate but was very happy they weren't...they seemed a good match with children close to the ages of ours, but they were very chaotic and we would have been miserable if we sat with them. So, even when we were close enough to other guest's table, we are able to choose whether to converse or not...and if we don't, it was never awkward.

I agree with you, that it would be great for those who wanted to have share their table to be able to request it. I think it's just as important as it is for those of us who requests private tables.

 

[Cheburashka]

I agree with you, that it would be great for those who wanted to have share their table to be able to request it. I think it's just as important as it is for those of us who requests private tables.

I think being able to put in a request for shared tables should be allowed, although DCL probably won't allow it until Covid quits hovering over our lives. It does seem that more guests prefer a private table to a shared table, though, so it would be great if a private table were the default placement.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I think being able to put in a request for shared tables should be allowed, although DCL probably won't allow it until Covid quits hovering over our lives. It does seem that more guests prefer a private table to a shared table, though, so it would be great if a private table were the default placement.

I'm not sure more people don't want to share. I think the small sampling of DCL cruisers here can't support that sort of "fact".

As part of the booking process, DCL could give everyone the option. On HAL, you request a table size (4, 6, or 8 top) at the time you make your reservation. But the smallest is a 4 top. You'd still have to make a special request for a table for 2 (or more).

 

[Cheburashka]

I'm not sure more people don't want to share. I think the small sampling of DCL cruisers here can't support that sort of "fact".

As part of the booking process, DCL could give everyone the option. On HAL, you request a table size (4, 6, or 8 top) at the time you make your reservation. But the smallest is a 4 top. You'd still have to make a special request for a table for 2 (or more).

Well, I've heard people comment on the ships about how they wished they were at a private table, and I've also been seated next to a family who pointedly ignored us when we politely said hello upon being seated next to them in the MDR (and there's nothing wrong with us). That, along with the positive response here to my suggestion that private tables become the norm, suggests to me that 50% or more cruisers probably agree. That's probably one of the reasons why freestyle is so popular on other ships: a lot of people want to be able to dine privately.

It isn't much of an "option" if you still have to make a special request for parties of 1 or 2. A lot of people cruise DCL as parties of 1 or 2, and they (we) are often the ones with the worst situations in terms of being placed with strangers: placed in a "singles dump", or tacked on to a family of 6 who has no interest in socializing, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if tables for two begin appearing in the MDRs, because shared tables are probably going to be at least temporarily suspended due to Covid.

 

[jlwhitney]

there are rules about not wearing swim diapers but ppl ignore them and as princesshmoo said below, CMs are too scared to enforce them. I've seen the family pool closed so many times due to babies/toddlers peeing/number2 on them its infuriating. they literally steal time and enjoyment from older kids and families. It's so outrageous.
And entitled mommies get upset when you tell them something..
I only once told a mom her baby had brown stuff leaking from the diaper & she started yelling and telling me she would sue me...lol.. for what? talking? I wish the term Karen was known then. I'd have said OK Karen..She was a Karen gone wild.

Anyway, ppl are so entitled and crazed about their babies it's dangerous to approach them. I've since only tell CMs but as mentioned, they're scared to upset entitled mommies.

Hopefully the pandemic will bring stronger enforcement about absolutely no swim diapers, babies or toddlers at the family pools. It is well known number2 carries Covid molecular material so it could become a major problem..
Sanitation in general needs to be improved dramatically. I'm sure DCL will do that.

The problem is swim diapers are easy to hide if they want them hidden and then others just have them go with out a swim diaper all together. But its not just babies/toddlers that cause the pools to shut down...older kids(4-8 ish) have accidents sometimes too.

 

[DisneYE]

The problem is swim diapers are easy to hide if they want them hidden and then others just have them go with out a swim diaper all together. But its not just babies/toddlers that cause the pools to shut down...older kids(4-8 ish) have accidents sometimes too.

Agreed. Although our DD15 never had an accident since she was 3
And we didn't take her to the goofy/family pool until she was older... our first 2 cruises she was limited to the Mickey pool and aqua lab..
I think its tough to enforce no toddlers (2 and up - though it should be) but babies in the family pool? It's insane that CM's can't be stricter about this.. 8/10 babies pee/number2 in a pool after a few minutes in the water.

 

[cmph]

To the OP, I've never ordered room service for a dinner meal only light breakfast items/coffee. Would all 3 courses be delivered at the same time? I can't see them delivering each course as one is finished as in the MDR. Where would you put all those dishes for 2 people let alone 3 or 4 in the stateroom? The verandah table is just big enough for 2 wine glasses and a cheese plate.
Don't get me wrong, it's a novel idea for the circumstances we are presently stuck with (when we ever set sail), but the logistics just aren't there.

Funny story - on the Wonder, we came back from dinner to find a 3-course meal for 2 in our room (one of the 4-person deck 2 outsides, no verandah). It was all plated with the metal covers, stacked on top of each other. Apps, entrees, desserts. So yes, they totally can deliver a multi-course meal LOL!

We called in confusion, like "didn't they think we ate enough?" ha! Of course, turned out they had delivered the meals to the wrong room accidentally, and I have no idea what circumstances led to getting the meal delivered. I guess part of the group got sick or a childcare scenario arose? In any case, it was very funny to us that they delivered it all to an empty room while we were in the dining room eating!

 

[jane01jp]

Funny story - on the Wonder, we came back from dinner to find a 3-course meal for 2 in our room (one of the 4-person deck 2 outsides, no verandah). It was all plated with the metal covers, stacked on top of each other. Apps, entrees, desserts. So yes, they totally can deliver a multi-course meal LOL!

We called in confusion, like "didn't they think we ate enough?" ha! Of course, turned out they had delivered the meals to the wrong room accidentally, and I have no idea what circumstances led to getting the meal delivered. I guess part of the group got sick or a childcare scenario arose? In any case, it was very funny to us that they delivered it all to an empty room while we were in the dining room eating!

That's a great story. It reminds me of a time we were at a hotel in St. Augustine and I received a note and a fruit platter in our room from someone reminiscing about a tryst we had allegedly had. My spouse accepted my explanation that they had me confused with someone else.

 

[mevelandry]

One thing I've thought about is the elevator situation especially after the muster drill. I don't want to see 80 year olds trying to climb 10 floors of stairs to get to the deck party.

It looks like the future of the muster drill is watching a video in your cabins (on your tv) where you'll have to do it at some point before sailaway... And then you'll go and meet the person in charge of your station and have them scan your card. This should reduce "rush hour" in the stairs and the elevators a lot.

 

[squirk]

The only social distancing measure I can see myself enjoying is a half-full ship. Anything that would enhance my cruise would flow naturally from that reduced capacity.

Chair-hogging on the pool deck, seat-saving in the theaters, “kid soup” in the family pool, lines for the AquaDuck, getting a Cabana on CC - those are all of my normal issues, and all would be alleviated.

But if a ship is sailing half-full, I suppose that would mean other things are in place, like masks, no buffets and maybe curtailing of youth activities. If those measures were in effect, we’d rather not sail.

Odd as it may seem, for all that DCL has to offer, Cabanas is a primary draw for my kids. Like, when you ask them what they are most looking forward to on our next cruise, “Cabanas” is always in the Top 3, if not #1. It’d be a huge buzz-kill for them to sail without that buffet.

Our next cruise is not until May ‘22, so

 

[mevelandry]

We've enjoyed meeting other families at shared tables and still keep in touch via social media, but the idea of having a meal on the verandah sounds wonderful! I think we will be seeing more to-go and delivery options for food, especially to replace the buffet. Pete mentioned on a recent pod that he doesn't think buffets will come back in any form, and I am personally ok with that. The issue arises how to feed all those people!

I think the "buffet" will still exist but we will be served, like a cafeteria.

I remember going nuts over all the people going to the buffet without washing hands when sailing on DCL. The CM were trying but they always seemed afraid to offend guests so they wouldn't insist. This is why I love the "washy washy" police on RCCL so much. I would always bring Purrell to the buffet because the idea of touching the same utensils as others grossed me out (I was already a bit of a germophobe back then).

 

[jlwhitney]

I think the "buffet" will still exist but we will be served, like a cafeteria.

I remember going nuts over all the people going to the buffet without washing hands when sailing on DCL. The CM were trying but they always seemed afraid to offend guests so they wouldn't insist. This is why I love the "washy washy" police on RCCL so much. I would always bring Purrell to the buffet because the idea of touching the same utensils as others grossed me out (I was already a bit of a germophobe back then).

Our last cruise Feb 2020 they were very on top of not letting people through till they washed hands or wipe ( when it got more busy).

 

[squirk]

I think the "buffet" will still exist but we will be served, like a cafeteria.

I think that will meet with a good bit of resistance. Loading up your own plate is part of the appeal.

And I have to wonder how cafeteria-style will impact the breakfast and lunch crowds. Unless they double or triple the Cabanas staffing, I’m thinking it’s a lot quicker to serve yourself than wait for a CM to serve you.

 

[mevelandry]

To the OP, I've never ordered room service for a dinner meal only light breakfast items/coffee. Would all 3 courses be delivered at the same time? I can't see them delivering each course as one is finished as in the MDR. Where would you put all those dishes for 2 people let alone 3 or 4 in the stateroom? The verandah table is just big enough for 2 wine glasses and a cheese plate.
Don't get me wrong, it's a novel idea for the circumstances we are presently stuck with (when we ever set sail), but the logistics just aren't there.

I was thinking "all at the same time".

Once, I was staying at the Disney's Polynesian Village ... For some reason, that time I had not been able to make a reservation at 'Ohana so the concierge suggested I do in-room dining. They brought me all courses at the same time. I dined inside the room but we had lagoon view. The ambiance was different but it was great nonetheless.

They usually bring you a little "support" for your tray so it's like having an extra table for your food. Containers (with your plate inside) are stackable so it doesn't take that much space.

As for the size of the verandah table, this is why I suggested some sort of add-on to make them a little bit bigger and higher ... or even better: a replacement... In order to encourage in-room dining).

While it would imply a certain investment (they will sail at reduced capacity first) from the cruise line, I do believe it's doable.

Granted, it would be easier to accommodate a couple than a family of 4 in a regular cabin or a regular verandah... But if the family have a suite and/or an extended balcony, problem solved.

 

[tvguy]

It looks like the future of the muster drill is watching a video in your cabins (on your tv) where you'll have to do it at some point before sailaway... And then you'll go and meet the person in charge of your station and have them scan your card. This should reduce "rush hour" in the stairs and the elevators a lot.

On our Celebrity Cruise in October 2019 the muster drill was all in the dining rooms and theaters and a video presenation. No more outdoor drill and no brining the life jackets from your cabin. That would be easy tos social distance. They would just have to make sure there are big screen TVs in the dining rooms and theaters to play the video

 

[tvguy]

I am OK with the buffets going away. I was always amazed at the Pirate Night buffet, when people would get food and not eat it.

My kids were VERY disappointed with Disney not having a nightly Midnight Buffet. They loved that on their first cruise on HAL. It just may switch to being served by a staff member. Buffets are as much a part of cruising as being on a ship is.