UPDATED: 10 Night Southern Caribbean - Parts 1, 2 & 3

[Vanvmom]

I just can't believe the negativity in this thread! I've been on a previous cruise with David in the past (he was one of the people I met pre-cruise on our cruise meets thread). He is NOT someone who brags and flaunts his experiences or connections. In fact, his humility speaks loudly (and I've heard MANY people boast about their income and how lofty their profession is). I can't understand why so many of you feel the need to try to beat someone down. So what if he and his traveling group did not do much with the DISgroup on this particular cruise. I've cruise with him when he did (and no, our cruise group was not a group of high class socialites, but rather a large mix everyday people from all economic walks of life).

In defense of David's report (which I know he doesn't need), and to slightly tangent here (since others have), I am quite comfortable with the lifestyle I lead (yes, I cruise in Cat. 9 cabins, and have to work to afford to cruise). I am not at all envious of those who get to experience things I don't. I LOVE to hear about the experiences of others with more discretionary income and free time. I love hearing about Walt's apartment, and about Disney Studios and Imagineering. I enjoyed hearing that someone with a higher economic status than I felt that the Maitre d' in Palo was too snooty (I thought they only treated those of us who travel coach in that manner). I like hearing other people's opinions of the shows, they are after all individual opinions. For me, it is a lot like reading a good book (and even better... it is a book about Disney).

David, I enjoyed your report. I enjoyed your pictures. I wish you were still sailing on the Nov. Double Scoop cruise as I was looking forward to meeting Monica. Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed report.

 

[isikorsky]

Great trip report! Was on the same cruise & thought the Muppet show was very unpolished (had flashes of Letterman doing the Uma/Oprah thing when the guy during the performance kept on saying 'I like you').

Though - will put in one good word for the Palo maitre d' - I screwed up my Palo reservation & missed my night -- called the next day after I realized what I had done - he was gracious enought to squeeze us in that night w/o reservations. We were there another night having a drink celebrating my brother-in-law's birthday & the maitre d' invited us to eat there (w/o reservations) ..

 

[Wojo]

Excellent trip report. You obviously had a wonderful vacation, and have a great affinity for the Disney Cruise Line. We are taking our first cruise in November, and it is good to see somebody with such high expectations have so few negative comments. Thanks for taking the time!

 

[Timon]

Thanks for taking the time to write a report and post some pics. I certainly was eyeing this cruise when I heard about it...*sigh* 10 nights on DCL

As I currently have a bun in the oven, we couldn't book a cruise this year but have one booked for next October. Personally I love reading ALL kinds of reports, it got me through 5 months of straight nausea!

And let me tell ya, when I win the lottery ( ) I will be booking the suites too!!! Until then, I can read about those of you who can afford to stay concierge

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us! I had fun

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

Steve and Amlee, LET IT GO... you are perpetuating an unneccesary argument... most of the people come on here and enjoy Disneynuts's report... read their comments... NO ONE had an issue with what he said but you TWO...

I would disagree- I know I am offended.

This was a great group of people who cruised together from the Dis. I was not involved as much as others, I did go to the wine tasting for a bit, did go on an excursion organized by another Diser (which was AMAZING I might add- Disney didn't offer anything like what we did), and met up with a few on our other excursions we had booked with them unknowingly. We exchanged fish extender gifts as well- and my daughters will tell you that those gifts were one of the best parts the cruise! Everyone was wonderful-incredibly nice- and if that iswhat a cult member is, then so be it and I am all for it. However, the way the OP described it- I can only assume that is not what he meant. Then he goes onto attack Celia for the Palo ressies he made, and didn't follow through with them- saying he needn't hold her hand (now, I didn't meet Celia or the OP)~ didn't he post that they were cancelling on our meet thread? How could she know that the Palo ressies were even still accurate then unless the OP contacted her? To admonish her, pubically, here seems silly. It was up to you to let her know the offer still stood because you did in fact take the cruise- that is if you wanted her (and her DH's) company.

I agree this post as well as most of the thread is totally off topic- but I think those of us who are offended are just looking for an apology. Calling us something so negitive, pubically- especially since you admitted not even taking an interest in meeting any of us- was inappropriate and wrong.

Otherwise I appreciate the report- your opinions are appreciated- I would agree the Muppet show wasn't what I had expected (but not terrible), Palo maitre d' seemed a bit overwhelmed when my DH & I saw him when we had dinner there... and we did run into several rude people by the loungers in the pool areas as well...just my opinions and I am not trying to change anyone else's.

 

[Wojo]

I agree, my comment and opinion on the group was out of line. I apologize.

Exerpt from post number 33, page 3 of this thread...for those seeking an apology for comments made about the group.

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

Thank you Dave.

 

[Disneynut1955]

This was a great group of people who cruised together from the Dis.

For me to characterize all people associated with that group with one label was wrong. I will be the first to admit it. My post was directed at those who clearly did not even read my trip report but somehow felt the need to support an opposing viewpoint. I admit, I did not make that designation clear.

I can appreciate the fact that some people may not agree with my trip report. That being said, I continue to be befuddled by blind loyalty to something such as a group (this is clearly not the case with yourself). The people who feel the need to defend what someone else wrote and those who need to "explain" to me what someone meant are the ones I take issue with.

Everyone was wonderful-incredibly nice-

I am glad this was a positive experience for you. This is certainly what vacations and Disney Cruise vacations are all about! I have no desire to change your opinion of the cruise and continue to question why others (again, not you) would try and change my opinion of what I experienced.

Then he goes onto attack Celia for the Palo ressies he made, and didn't follow through with them- saying he needn't hold her hand...the offer still stood because you did in fact take the cruise- that is if you wanted her (and her DH's) company.

I would ask that you kindly refer to the previous posts where I apologized on two occassions for this. After conveying an apology twice, Celia refused to drop the issue. I respect your opinion, but do not believe I did anything wrong. I conveyed an invitation, she accepted. The time and place did not change. I did not contact her and that may have been wrong of me, however, if this was so truly important to her, she had every opportunity to call my room, ring my doorbell or show up at the appointed time. Please note, I did post to the group and said I was unsure if we were going. I did not post and say we cancelled (I truly did not have time once we made the decision to go to post anything) nor did I tell Celia the plans were cancelled. We would have had no problem sharing the private dining room with her or anyone else on this particular evening. Yes, I admonished her in public, but only after making two apologies that she simply would not accept.

Otherwise I appreciate the report- your opinions are appreciated- I would agree the Muppet show wasn't what I had expected (but not terrible), Palo maitre d' seemed a bit overwhelmed when my DH & I saw him when we had dinner there... and we did run into several rude people by the loungers in the pool areas as well...just my opinions and I am not trying to change anyone else's.

Thank you, and I certainly respect your (higher) opinion of the Muppet's!

 

[MickMinandMe]

This is just a test..Thank You.....

 

[alytwo]

it worked!

 

[MrsScooby]

Hi Disneynut,
Thanks for your trip report and your opinions. I did find it a very interesting read.
To be honest though, I did find your comment about people who find Palo's food "excellent" and the "best they ever had" as being very insulting. I'm assuming when someone says this that they mean in their most recent memory and not that they never dine in fine restaurants. If someone says they found the food "excellent" and someone else says "very good" I don't think this reflects on their level of class, just their personal tastes
Some of your complaints seem very much like valid ones and you did emphasize the wonderful parts as well which is what makes for a balanced trip report.
While there does seem to be a touch of arrogance in your trip report that could rub people the wrong way, it is also mixed with sincere and heartfelt comments that are very much appreciated.
Just IMHO.

 

[MrsScooby]

Oh and for the record, I don't consider arrogance to be a fatal flaw. Some of my favorite people are often arrogant.
I did like your trip report, just that one comment bothered me.

 

[lbgraves]

I am happy to see that some of the initial issues that arose on this thread have been resolved. I hope that everyone reads thru to the end of it before posting so that misunderstandings to not result.

Thank you for posting your report and sharing your views of the cruise.

 

[Disneynut1955]

Hi Disneynut,
Thanks for your trip report and your opinions. I did find it a very interesting read.
To be honest though, I did find your comment about people who find Palo's food "excellent" and the "best they ever had" as being very insulting. I'm assuming when someone says this that they mean in their most recent memory and not that they never dine in fine restaurants. If someone says they found the food "excellent" and someone else says "very good" I don't think this reflects on their level of class, just their personal tastes
Some of your complaints seem very much like valid ones and you did emphasize the wonderful parts as well which is what makes for a balanced trip report.
While there does seem to be a touch of arrogance in your trip report that could rub people the wrong way, it is also mixed with sincere and heartfelt comments that are very much appreciated.
Just IMHO.

Thanks for your comments. In re-reading that portion of the trip report, I can see how the way it was phrased may be insulting. Certainly, I did not mean for it come across that way. I am still hard pressed to find a way to describe what is in my head.

I did not mean it to be a class issue, I think it is more that many first timers in Palo have already pre-judged the restaurant and go in wearing blinders. It seems as though a number of people may read a chat board, the Disney website or hear from a friend that this restaurant is exceptional and already have that conclusion formed prior to dining there. Much like a recent episode of Hells Kitchen where the Chef served the team garbage (Palo food is not even close to garbage and I am not making this comparison) and they exclaimed how they loved it simply because of who served it to them. Just an opinion though. The fact that so many people love this restaurant (or feel they do) is good reason for Disney to keep it unchanged.

As for arrogance... I thank you! Yes, I would be foolish to not admit there is a touch of arrogance floating around in my world. We do think we are fortunate people to have the experiences we do and behind the arrogance is a truly thankful person. It is for this reason that we always take new cruisers with us each time we go on DCL as we love to share the Magic. Thanks for your opinions and comments, they are appreciated.

 

[Wojo]

Thank you Dave.

You're most welcome.

 

[WeCantWait]

Thanks so much for the report. After reading it we made the decision to upgrade from a Cat 4 to a Cat 3 for our first cruise 1/27 on the Magic (Western). We had been going back and forth with the decision for a few weeks now and after reading your report, we decided to do it. I am so glad there was still a Cat 3 available.

 

[jennaissill]

I'm happy to hear a trip report that actually enjoyed the Muppets Ahoy show. To be honest, the Muppets was my favorite show this cruise. It was so new and refreshing from the usual shows. Don't get me wrong, I love the usual shows, but this one was hilarious, edgy, and unique. The only thing I would have liked to have seen was more Muppet time.

 

[Hygiene99]

We felt the best performance of the night was Claire, the second person in the concierge team. She has an amazing voice and should follow her dream to become a singer.

We also enjoyed this performance on the 11 night Wonder Trip!

Defying Gravity, from the Wicked Musical!
If I have it correct! I think, I Do?

The Susan Egan Show, was also EXCELLENT!

Thanks for the report. " Dreams do come true! "

Peter

 

[grumpydude]

Reading this thread was like going to a Gopher-Badger hockey game...more action in the stands than on the ice. This is by far the most unique thread I have followed to the end.

I think you all should contribute to the GrumpyDude trip fund ...I will cruise in a Cat1 or Cat2 and share my opinions with you all.

Seriously, Disneynut
I am glad I got to see a cruise from your perspective. I went on my first cruise this past August. Some Disney things I thought were great other Disney things not so great...but I loved every minute of it. A bad day of vacation is better than any good day at work.

GD

 

[joemuseum]

For my part, I was just sad that someone on board the ship had such a bad attitude towards DIS board members and returning cruisers. However, she too was a returning cruiser

Members of a group are representatives of the group, and other members of the group can be stereotyped because of the behavior of representatives.

And, an open harsh critic is kind of like a parent who is jaded and doesn't see the magic his kid sees. He can either have fun in the child's "illusion" of the world, or disillusion the child. As long as the illusion is positive and doesn't lead us to war or hatred or suffering, it's probably good to suspend one's disbelief and enjoy things.

Anyway, thanks to the person who defended me. It was a great honeymoon.