What is going on with the Dream?

[AgentMama]

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?

 

[sponica]

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".

 

[BrokeMack]

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".

It'd be a lot cooler around here if more people did.

 

[cvjw]

There have been lots of complaints over how long the dinners were taking. We had the same issues on a January cruise on the fantasy. The reason is the same - the kitchen was not use to making dinners for almost 4000 people every night. So meals took longer. Our dinners in January took 2 hours every night. Last month they were back to around an hour. The dream will work out their kitchen issues just like the fantasy did.

 

[OpieDoodle]

Honestly people are more apt to post about a terrible time they had than a good one. If you really asked everyone on the ship there will be a small percentage of guests on each sailing with a negative response. Some people are never happy no matter what.

For example, if they're complaining about dinner times then you find out they took forever to order, asked for everything special, ordered extra after the initial order was put in, etc. Essentially the guest causing a delayed dinner.

Some people also expect to be able to sit down and their food be in their face within minutes. So you kind of get between this awkward unrealistic expectations.

Yes, sometimes things go wrong on a cruise. Not denying that but at the same time there also often is occasions where is comes down how bad was it really and did it really ruin their whole experience or are they just hyperfocusing on it to seek credits.

Idk I've been on many cruises and things happen for sure but the things people complain about sometimes you have to almost laugh a little about.

 

[Geomom]

I'm wondering if they also recently had some new crew come on before the season in Europe? Contracts ending/starting? Could take a bit to shake things out , especially with longer and fuller cruises. (And learning how to do the animation stuff in Animators Palate.)

We'll be on the Dream in August. I hope everything will be good by then!

 

[holula]

There have been lots of complaints over how long the dinners were taking. We had the same issues on a January cruise on the fantasy. The reason is the same - the kitchen was not use to making dinners for almost 4000 people every night. So meals took longer. Our dinners in January took 2 hours every night. Last month they were back to around an hour. The dream will work out their kitchen issues just like the fantasy did.

Interestingly I was on the Fantasy in June and had my quickest meals every! Was done in less than 75 mins each night. Perfect

I do think the issues on that sailing were exaserbated by the Disney+ promotion and maybe things like different food prep in the kitchen.

 

[tlovesdis]

I was on the Dream April 29 - May 4, the one right after the April 22 where lots are complaining (I've read a lot). We had a fabulous time! Dinner's were a tad slow, but food was good and service was even better! Our team was the best! I have a nut allergy and they really took good care of me! Yes the ship was packed due to the Disney+ promo, lines were long for characters, but we had the best time! I believe your vacation is what you make of it! We enjoyed relaxing, swimming, drinking, playing trivia and bingo! We missed Grand Cayman due to the dock being flooded and almost missed CC, but the Captain got us in late and we enjoyed a fab time on the island! We've already booked our next Disney cruise on the Fantasy!

 

[tvguy]

Interestingly I was on the Fantasy in June and had my quickest meals every! Was done in less than 75 mins each night. Perfect

75 minutes? That's almost Fast Food territory! LOL. We are late seating people for the more leisurely pace of dinner. And it's not all about dinner. My son was 16 at the time and into magic tricks and our table after dinner became a hub of activity of Servers and other guests showing off their magic tricks. A couple of nights were were in the dining room until 11 pm.......yup 2 1/2 hours. Of course, my first cruise, on another cruise line dinner every night was a 3 1/2 hour production. Just one sitting, at 6 pm, no room service or alternate dining, if you wanted to eat, it was the only option.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We were on the April 15th 7-night Western Caribbean sailing on the Dream. This was the first of the 7-night sailings. We also experienced slow dining, particularly on the nights with the ”new” menus. It seemed that the kitchens were used to the standard rotational dining menus from the 3- and 4-night sailings (where the 4th night was usually Pirate night), but might have been slower in delivery the other nights. Also, the other three nights, our servers were rather unsure about the menu offerings. We were familiar with the, from the many longer sailings we have done on the other ships, so didn’t really need server recommendations, but I think everything slowed down as the servers explained the new-to-them choices for other diners.

 

[Snowwhyt]

I suspect the difference is because they are serving menus. They have not served in the past. They had their standard four meal package and their standard three meal package. Now they’re adding three additional menus for anything seven day because nobody’s gonna eat the first three days of menu over again. Disney always offer something different. I imagine the entertainment will be new. Figure they’re going to give the same program for the last day of the cruise. The same meal is the last day of the cruise. But there’s five and six will certainly be different as they’ve never had those. Did they take menus from the other ships or do they have their own that are different than the fantasy and classic ships?

 

[holula]

I suspect the difference is because they are serving menus. They have not served in the past. They had their standard four meal package and their standard three meal package. Now they’re adding three additional menus for anything seven day because nobody’s gonna eat the first three days of menu over again. Disney always offer something different. I imagine the entertainment will be new. Figure they’re going to give the same program for the last day of the cruise. The same meal is the last day of the cruise. But there’s five and six will certainly be different as they’ve never had those. Did they take menus from the other ships or do they have their own that are different than the fantasy and classic ships?

They will use the same menus as the Fantasy. The menus on all four original ships are very similar.

 

[shananigans]

We sailed on the Dream in Oct 2021 and Oct 2022.

First time terrified me that Disney had lost its touch. There were half the amount of cruisers on board, with Covid protocols in place and the service was subpar at best.

The second time we sailed on the Dream was far better.

My issues were around the lack of normal Disney “Magic” and usual outstanding customer service I had expected.

 

[Dug720]

They will use the same menus as the Fantasy. The menus on all four original ships are very similar.

The poster you quoted's point was the DREAM has not traditionally had the extra menus. The Dream has had the 3 + Pirate night with a very occasional 5th menu.

If the servers and chefs have never been on the Fantasy or any other of the ships that does a 7-night (or more) cruise (and yes, there are some who have only always been on the Dream), those extra menus are going to be new to them. And while the chefs should be able to do them, it's going to take the servers a while to get to know the menus as they are NOT eating what guests eat.

 

[cvjw]

And while the chefs should be able to do them, it's going to take the servers a while to get to know the menus as they are NOT eating what guests eat.

Our assistant server told us last month that if there is extra food left over after 2nd seating, they take it to the crew dining area. One night was his favorite meal and he was just giddy at the prospect of having some extras later!

 

[Dug720]

Our assistant server told us last month that if there is extra food left over after 2nd seating, they take it to the crew dining area. One night was his favorite meal and he was just giddy at the prospect of having some extras later!

I didn't say they never get it. BUT it is by far not normal.

 

[cvjw]

I didn't say they never get it. BUT it is by far not normal.

The leftovers are taken every night. Pretty sure that makes it pretty normal.

 

[WiscMomof2]

I was on the Dream April 29 - May 4, the one right after the April 22 where lots are complaining (I've read a lot). We had a fabulous time! Dinner's were a tad slow, but food was good and service was even better! Our team was the best! I have a nut allergy and they really took good care of me! Yes the ship was packed due to the Disney+ promo, lines were long for characters, but we had the best time! I believe your vacation is what you make of it! We enjoyed relaxing, swimming, drinking, playing trivia and bingo! We missed Grand Cayman due to the dock being flooded and almost missed CC, but the Captain got us in late and we enjoyed a fab time on the island! We've already booked our next Disney cruise on the Fantasy!

We were on this cruise too! It was our 5th on the Dream and even though it wasn’t our favorite trip due to some of the things you mentioned, we still had a great time. I think it helped that we sailed without kids and spent our time in the adult areas. I felt bad for families when walking through the pool deck to Cabanas. It was the most crowded I’ve ever seen it. All that aside, we had some of the best service ever from Stateroom hosts, MDR servers, and Palo. I’m currently plotting our next cruise. Thinking of the Magic out of Ft Lauderdale!

 

[ahain]

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?

We just got off the transatlantic cruise on the dream, and the ship in the crew were absolutely awesome! Not a single complaint from us!

 

[erider]

We just got off the transatlantic cruise on the dream, and the ship in the crew were absolutely awesome! Not a single complaint from us!

Good to hear, we are boarding the Dream today.