Some random observations!

[Tiiiigergirl]

We had a fabulous time on our cruise 5/22/04. It was the perfect length. Just long enough that we were happy to be home.

It appeared to me that DCL is trying to seat more families alone. That will make many happy, although we are in the minority. We enjoy dining with others and feel it is a good opportunity to make friends. We did make friends with a couple from England living in Scotland (The husband was lighthearted but very firm that they were English) from an ajoining table in Palo. We continued to bump into them throughout the week and truly enjoyed their company.

The weather was outstanding. We had sunshine and calm seas all week long. King Trident must have been in a very good mood last week. We have never sailed in such gorgeous weather.

We had our stateroom attendant and our waiters both mention that we were repeat cruisers. This was something new. However, we personally would like acknowledgement similar to what other cruise lines give. A free photo and drink just would not hurt them.

We had no trouble at all using our soda cards. We had never purchased them before and I was a bit leary that the bar tenders would have trouble honoring them. Although there were a few fallen faces, they seemed fine with it.

Chair hoggies seemed to be out in force! We are more activity people than lounge lizard people so it did not affect us, but from what I did see, there were plenty of chairs just saved with no but in the chair.

That's all I can think of right now. I'm hoping to get up a trip report and if I do I'll post it. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[BethA]

Are the soda refills done with a card now instead of a mug? We never seemed to have the mug with us so the card would be a great idea for us. Thanks for the post. How were the entertainers onboard? One year the band they had was painful to listen to, but I never hear them mentioned so must be gone.

 

[invaderzim]

Repeat cruisers do get gifts -- you should have gotten a gift in your stateroom (a towel or frame or tote bag).

Also, we do get drinks. You should have been given a special invitation for a cocktail reception with the captain for repeat cruisers.

 

[4myguys]

DH did soda mug last cruise and will probably again on the next. I think he'll like the card better than having to carry around a mug all the time. Not looking forward the chair hogs either.
Glad you had a great time and good weather.
How was the food? Did it meet your expectations?

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

When we went on our 2nd cruise, we were given a Castaway Club beach towel, pins and an invitation to a reception with free drinks and great appetizers, hosted by the captain. Are they no longer offering this to repeat cruisers?

 

[invaderzim]

The DCL Rep I just spoke with the other day said you still get all that. In fact, she said she made sure it was noted on my reservation that we were repeat cruisers so we would get the invitation and stateroom gift.

 

[Mjasp]

How does the soda card work vs. the mugs? Can you get refills as often as possible? It will be a pleasure with a card and no mugs.

 

[4myguys]

From what I've heard, they put a soda sticker on your KTTW card.

 

[brack]

Originally posted by 4myguys
From what I've heard, they put a soda sticker on your KTTW card.

They do and it is very convenient that way. We never bought the mugs because I hate to carry them all the time

 

[krzkat]

how do you buy a soda card?

 

[monkeygirl]

Originally posted by krzkat
how do you buy a soda card?

We just went on the 5/1/04 cruise and did the soda mug/card deal. When you buy the soda mug, they give you a sticker to put on you KTTW Card. You can then leave the soda mug in the room and just show your KTTW Card and you will recieve a cup of soda. We found this very convenient, that mug is just a pain to tote around.

 

[Mjasp]

Oh so you get the mug AND sticker?

 

[krzkat]

how much does it cost? And do you do it when you get onboard?

 

[cjsmom97]

We get our soda package free from booking through AAA (we aren't members - it is just something you get free for booking through them (not to mention it will save us $140 - one for each of us) but for those that don't, can you have that set up when you get to port and get your KTTW card? Or do you have to do that later on the ship?

 

[invaderzim]

The last time we sailed, November 2002, they were selling the soda mugs when we entered the ship (right after our pictures were taken upon boarding). They had vending tables selling them. They were $35 per mug. That was before the sticker though. I think the sticker will be more convenient.

However, we, too, are transferring our ressie to AAA so we can get the benefits. The free soda sticker is a real plus.

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Yes, they still have the repeat cruiser gifts of a towel and the captain's reception, however, they ran out of the towel and are mailing it. Other cruise lines have booklets with picture, drink and percentage off of merchandise for returning guests. This is in addition to the cocktail party for returning guests. They also will often give discounts or upgrades. That said, DCL does not need to. Almost everyone I ran into was on their 3rd, 4th, etc cruise. It was rare to find someone on their first cruise. So yes, there were more benefits than I mentioned in my brief statement but they appear to be less than other mainstream lines. Do I wish they would add it? Yes! Did it keep us from rebooking? Nope! What I was pointing out was that the server and cabin attendant were aware and mentioned that they were aware that we were returning cruisers. This was new to us. The fact that they commented and welcomed us back.

As far as the mugs, you purchased the soda package for $35 (I think). They put a sticker on your card. Then for $3 more you could add the mug. I added the mug because I thought they were cute, however, I didn't even open it up until I got home because it was just easier to flash the card and get a soda.

You can buy a mug as soon as you board. They have stands all over the place. You simply cannot miss them. If you purchase it while still in port then you will pay the sale's tax. If you wait until you are at sea, then there is no tax.

The band was still the Charles Marshall band which I think is pretty good. Not great but not the worst I've ever heard. The ventriloquist was pretty funny, too.

The food was good. The lobster was better than it was last time but sadly the main meal I ordered from Palo wasn't as good as some of the other things I had on board. The souffle was as yummy as ever!

If I've missed anyone's questions I'm sorry. I'm still pretty tired. I need a vacation from my vacation!

 

[tkd lisa]

For AAA members, when you get your documents, in the back of the package is a coupon for each person in your sailing. When we sailed, you had to take it to the Promenade Lounge to get your AAA specific mugs.

For everyone else, the first day, they set up mug/sticker stations at most of the bars. It's my understanding that if you want the mug, it's slight more (I think $3 more total for the mug). The soda is still $5 per day the last I heard.

 

[invaderzim]

So I guess on the 14-day cruises we'll be paying $70 for the soda sticker!

 

[Grumbo]

On the 14 day Eastern Panama cruise Jazzman is providing Zinfandel for the Disers. No need for stickers. Just a mug to put it in. He is a very generous guy that Jazzman.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[invaderzim]

Wow, thanks Grumbo. Good to know. He is a VERY generous guy.