What is going on with the Dream?

[Chipmunkmaniac]

the song was played at least 3 times, fireworks were abruptly ended due to some selfish teenagers deciding to go in to the area that’s roped off at the time for safety reasons/being where the fireworks are set off from I think there was nearly 100 fireworks that then couldn’t be done which was such a shame but in no way the fault of Disney

yeah selfish was the word mostly used by my friends to describe issues with other cruisers. People being jealous about other people getting things, people not following through rules/things they were asked by cast, people being selfish with the groupphotos etc

 

[DCLMP]

Now this I agree with. I remember when I got flamed once for saying that while I love DCL, I was not really impressed with the food overall in the MDR or the service in them. I shared an honest opinion based on my experience. And while most of my review was very positive, you would have thought I said something derogatory about someone's spouse or kids. They were also shocked when I also mentioned that I book concierge just so that I can dine in Palo or Remy each night of my cruise and said I was selfish and inconsiderate for booking these restaurants each night.

You are also not supposed to say anything positive about another cruise line because for the price Disney they are supposed to be better. I don't think they are better they are just different. You are paying for the Disney experience.

When it comes to the basics of food and service they are all on par in my opinion. Disney, Celebrity, and Royal may be more consistent than some of the others in that regard.

The last few Disney cruises I've been on they have promoted the crew as being the number one reason people keep coming back to Disney. I don't think this is exclusive to Disney. On every cruise line I've been on the crew has been made up of hardworking and exceptionally friendly people.

Most of the workers are from the Philippines or other third-world countries and I don't think it's in their nature to slack off. Staffing issues are more likely the decline in any service issues. That seems to be an issue everywhere post covid.

 

[DCLMP]

I think it would take some pressure off the dining room if they had some other options for Dinner such as a buffet.

 

[Dug720]

I think it would take some pressure off the dining room if they had some other options for Dinner such as a buffet.

Not likely as the buffet at breakfast and lunch is staffed by MDR servers. So to open the buffet at night you’d have to pull some of them from the MDRs just exacerbating the problem.

When they had it as a sit-down at night there were fewer tables available and it was staffed by in training servers.

 

[DCLMP]

Not likely as the buffet at breakfast and lunch is staffed by MDR servers. So to open the buffet at night you’d have to pull some of them from the MDRs just exacerbating the problem.

When they had it as a sit-down at night there were fewer tables available and it was staffed by in training servers.

Other cruise lines manage to do it. Of course, it would take changes to how they staff.

 

[Dug720]

Other cruise lines manage to do it. Of course, it would take changes to how they staff.

Other lines have been set up that way for a while and have the crew accordingly.

DCL would have to get even more servers to be able to do that. They are having enough problems as it is now.

 

[cwis]

Other lines have been set up that way for a while and have the crew accordingly.
DCL would have to get even more servers to be able to do that. They are having enough problems as it is now.

Also other lines do not have rotating table service for all their guests, on a fully-packed cruise ship with families, at no extra cost.

This is a huge selling point for Disney and différenciation factor. I do not see how it could change.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

In some of the other online forums I'm in, I have seen over a dozen posts from people saying what a terrible experience they have recently had on the Dream. The majority of the experiences seem to be related to the April 22nd sailing. Every one of them talked about terrible dining experiences. But also generally seems like there were multiple points of failure from a customer service standpoint with many of the guests.

I'm really worried about the experience this summer on the European cruises now. Anyone have good experiences after the April 22nd cruise?

I was on this cruise. I think they were largely overwhelmed by a ship both understaffed and filled to capacity.

The major issues I experienced:

-Disembarking to Castaway Cay was nuts and overcrowded in the halls as we waited to get off. No real effort to keep things clear or letting us know about the delay

-Dinner service was slow. But we were in the main seating and you could feel the crowds. That being said, we had a very reasonable (but perhaps a little too fast) service on BatB night, and that's because we asked for it to be a little faster to mak

-Food was middle of the road. I really regret not asking to replace my overcooked lobster on one night. At the beginning, I thought the food was decent but it lowered in quality as the cruise went on.

-No upselling from our MDR servers regarding Pirate Nigt merch (my gf had to ask for the light up mug)

I still had a fun time with activities, shows, rain forest room, and tastings. Those I think really helped mitigate the poor experiences elsewhere.

Overall, I think the staff was just overwhelmed and that unfortunately translated to inconsistency in service. Hoping things settle down by the time you get to your cruise.

[Edit]In retrospect, It was pretty clear I was celebrating my bday that cruise, yet no birthday pin waiting in my cabin. So there's another issue I have. Still, I'm giving DCL another chance with Fantasy later this year. Might be awhile before I go to the Dream again.

 

[DCLMP]

Also other lines do not have rotating table service for all their guests, on a fully-packed cruise ship with families, at no extra cost.

This is a huge selling point for Disney and différenciation factor. I do not see how it could change.

All cruise lines are no cost in the MDR, but correct they don’t rotate.

 

[DCLMP]

I just got off my second Royal cruise. 12 nights out of Rome. Embarkation was 45 minutes from luggage drop off to eating lunch. You picked a time slot when you checked in and were asked to arrive at that time, but it wasn’t enforced. There was no number calling or waiting around. Very efficient. Debarkation was the same. You put on the app what time you wanted to leave and they assigned you a number accordingly. Walked right off.

MDR service was the best I’ve ever had and I’ve cruise Disney 29 times. I couldn’t believe how relaxed the dining room was. I did miss the shows that Disney does, but the buffet and the speciality restaurants really thinned out the MDR crowding.

I loved the once a day housekeeping, but we did not have bunk beds to put up and down.

Next year we’re trying Princess In the Baltics. I’m branching out due to itineraries, but feeling more confident doing so. It is hard to break the DCL bond, but liberating at the same time. I’m finding more for my money. If service is comparable then it‘s a win. I’m sticking to new ships though I’m not that brave.

 

[cwis]

I loved the once a day housekeeping, but we did not have bunk beds to put up and down.

Isn't once a day housekeeping no longer standard on DCL?

 

[Kabby]

From what I've cobbled together, I think the ship experienced some growing pains transitioning from 3/4 night cruises to 7 night ones.

But also that April 22 cruise was included in the disney+ promotions. One of the moms I know was on it, and as far as I know she had a good time (and believe me should would let everyone know if she didn't).

I think the itinerary after that one had weather issues. But also, complainers complain. Nobody goes online to say "a cruise happened and it was good".

I'll say it. My family was on the April 22-29 sailing of the Dream and it was good.

 

[Mommb]

Isn't once a day housekeeping no longer standard on DCL?

As far as I know, Disney Cruise Line still provides housekeeping twice a day -- they did on our Fantasy cruise in January. At the Walt Disney World parks, there have been cut-backs on housekeeping, but the cruise hosts still tidy the room in the morning and again in the evening.

 

[tlovesdis]

Isn't once a day housekeeping no longer standard on DCL?

Just off the Dream a few weeks ago and we had housekeeping twice a day!

 

[hmsTigger]

I think it would take some pressure off the dining room if they had some other options for Dinner such as a buffet.

On the Dream later this summer If we get back late from excursions and miss MDR time.....is Cabanas not open? What are the options?

 

[tlovesdis]

On the Dream later this summer If we get back late from excursions and miss MDR time.....is Cabanas not open? What are the options?

I think the pool deck offerings were opened until 6pm. The only other option would be room service.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Isn't once a day housekeeping no longer standard on DCL?

We've always had twice a day on DCL, since we started cruising in 2008. That's what we had on our Feb cruise.

 

[Geomom]

On the Dream later this summer If we get back late from excursions and miss MDR time.....is Cabanas not open? What are the options?

They may have other options for late port days. When we were on the Baltic Sea cruise on the Magic in 2018, the 1 late port day (11pm all aboard) they didn't have regular seatings. You could visit either of the 2 open MDRs (they had staggered opening times). (We went to our scheduled restaurant but had a different table and serving team.) They also did a buffet in Cabanas late that night...but that was back when Cabanas was open for sit down evening meals. And the Duck in Diner pool deck food was available all night.

 

[DCLMP]

On the Dream later this summer If we get back late from excursions and miss MDR time.....is Cabanas not open? What are the options?

It wasn't open last year. I don't believe it is open for dinner anymore. Maybe someone that has cruised recently can clarify.

 

[DCLMP]

They may have other options for late port days. When we were on the Baltic Sea cruise on the Magic in 2018, the 1 late port day (11pm all aboard) they didn't have regular seatings. You could visit either of the 2 open MDRs (they had staggered opening times). (We went to our scheduled restaurant but had a different table and serving team.) They also did a buffet in Cabanas late that night...but that was back when Cabanas was open for sit down evening meals. And the Duck in Diner pool deck food was available all night.

I think she was referring to getting back after the first seating dining time. We have never done first seating. I would never do first seating in Europe.