When does DCL technology work?

[Retiredcruiser]

We just returned from the Dream yesterday. The technology at the cruise port wasn't working so everyone was re-entering their profile information causing some folks with later PATs to be delayed several hours from boarding. I had to ask the person what does our return flight information have to do with us boarding the ship? In other words, sure it's part of our complete profile we entered back home and it is asking you again for the information but for now, press skip and let's get people through the line to board the ship!

Activation of our MagicBands did not work either which has also been par for the course.

What have others experienced in regards to simple things not working that should? Oh and why can't Disney use video technology like other cruise lines for muster instead or parading everyone outside to stand in line...I guess we know the answer to that question, because their technology is unreliable at best!

 

[tvguy]

Long time cruiser here. (45 years) The muster drill is part of the cruise experience, just like the ship rocking in rough seas. Although some people are hoping technology will eliminate that part of cruising, too. LOL

 

[DCL58]

As someone who cruised during Covid when the muster drill was online, I hope they revert back. It was so much better and it made embarkation day easier.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

As someone who cruised during Covid when the muster drill was online, I hope they revert back. It was so much better and it made embarkation day easier.

And almost no one did what they were supposed to do for the online version and when surveyed had zero idea what to do in an emergency so everyone got “punished” with the return to traditional muster.

I miss the online version

We are on the Dream now and was warned prior to embarking that technology wasn’t working but so far it has.. we had to paper form the kids club info

 

[RedHead0186]

And almost no one did what they were supposed to do for the online version and when surveyed had zero idea what to do in an emergency so everyone got “punished” with the return to traditional muster.

I miss the online version

I get this, but other cruise lines have stuck with the virtual muster drills even after COVID. So what is it about DCL's virtual muster that was so bad they had to revert back?

 

[Moonspinner]

We just returned from the Dream yesterday. The technology at the cruise port wasn't working so everyone was re-entering their profile information causing some folks with later PATs to be delayed several hours from boarding. I had to ask the person what does our return flight information have to do with us boarding the ship? In other words, sure it's part of our complete profile we entered back home and it is asking you again for the information but for now, press skip and let's get people through the line to board the ship!

Activation of our MagicBands did not work either which has also been par for the course.

What have others experienced in regards to simple things not working that should? Oh and why can't Disney use video technology like other cruise lines for muster instead or parading everyone outside to stand in line...I guess we know the answer to that question, because their technology is unreliable at best!

Disney’s IT was once impeccable. Then about ten years ago, they gutted their own IT. Whan it happened I really felt for the employees but I never expected that ten years later Disney’s IT would be garbage. I’m not sure if it’s ok to attach this article but if you just google the topic, you’ll see why you had the problem at the port.

https://money.cnn.com/2016/01/25/technology/disney-h1b-workers/index.html

 

[Dug720]

I get this, but other cruise lines have stuck with the virtual muster drills even after COVID. So what is it about DCL's virtual muster that was so bad they had to revert back?

My guess - and it's just that - is that the other lines haven't done the spot-checking that Disney did that revealed that people faked their way through what they had to do online (ie: leave the video running so it shows you watched it) and had no clue about what they were supposed to do.

 

[dreamer17555]

I get this, but other cruise lines have stuck with the virtual muster drills even after COVID. So what is it about DCL's virtual muster that was so bad they had to revert back?

Except for the fact that when those ships do an in person muster, they have real difficulty with it. Look what just happened with the one carnival ship.

I’m not a fan of in person muster either, but if it’s going to help everybody be prepared- both guests and crew- for an actual emergency. I’m OK with dealing with it.

 

[scroogie]

We just returned from the Dream yesterday. The technology at the cruise port wasn't working so everyone was re-entering their profile information causing some folks with later PATs to be delayed several hours from boarding. I had to ask the person what does our return flight information have to do with us boarding the ship? In other words, sure it's part of our complete profile we entered back home and it is asking you again for the information but for now, press skip and let's get people through the line to board the ship!

Just remember that the customer-facing employees have most likely been told by their superiors, and faceless higher-ups from corporate, that they MUST ask for everything. It will be just as frustrating for them as it is for you.

 

[RedHead0186]

Except for the fact that when those ships do an in person muster, they have real difficulty with it. Look what just happened with the one carnival ship.

I’m not a fan of in person muster either, but if it’s going to help everybody be prepared- both guests and crew- for an actual emergency. I’m OK with dealing with it.

I'm not familiar with what happened with the Carnival ship. And I'm really okay with in-person muster if it means everyone is prepared in an emergency.

My question was more about OP's logic about Disney being "punished" and having to go back to in-person muster. My question was 'why only DCL and no one else?'

 

[holula]

My guess - and it's just that - is that the other lines haven't done the spot-checking that Disney did that revealed that people faked their way through what they had to do online (ie: leave the video running so it shows you watched it) and had no clue about what they were supposed to do.

I don’t see why DCL can’t flag your account that you’ve done an in person muster in the last 12 months and then you can skip that one by scanning a QR code at the station. Or at least manage something like that if you’re doing a b2b.

Well I do know why as their IT is terrible. But in a non terrible IT world I would love to see this.

 

[Skippyboo]

Disney IT is horrible. I can see the value of actually going to the muster station. To see where it actually is on the ship.

 

[dreamer17555]

I don’t see why DCL can’t flag your account that you’ve done an in person muster in the last 12 months and then you can skip that one by scanning a QR code at the station. Or at least manage something like that if you’re doing a b2b.

Well I do know why as their IT is terrible. But in a non terrible IT world I would love to see this.

I don't think they meant DCL got punished- more that DCL guests got punished by needing to return to in person muster since Disney found out that most of the guests doing virtual muster were unable to answer basic safety questions like when you hear the alarm should you go straight to the muster station or go to your stateroom to collect essential medication.

As a guest I prefer virtual muster. I have cruised so much I could practically give the Muster Drill at this point... but I know that in person guests were more likely to answer safety questions correctly and it is also good practice for the crew to actually manage that many people trying to get to their station at one time.

 

[yowcruiser]

On the minor topic of entering flight information, I have seen this impact that character/color coded luggage tag handed out for disembarkation. When I have entered flight info that is cutting close to the DCL minimum requirement, I get the "early" tags and when I indicate a later flight or no flights, I get the "late" tags, as I am second dining with no need to rush out... so it does matter

 

[cougar87]

Any updates on if technology is working at Port Everglades and on The Disney Dream? Boarding tomorrow and was just wondering what to expect

 

[Flossbolna]

Just remember that the customer-facing employees have most likely been told by their superiors, and faceless higher-ups from corporate, that they MUST ask for everything. It will be just as frustrating for them as it is for you.

Yes, like the person checking me in for my EBTA cruise - leaving the USA to not return - who insisted that I needed to show a print out of my ESTA at the port. Which is irrelevant for leaving the US, but on a round trip cruise would be relevant for re-entry. And also the ESTA website specifically states that you don’t need a print out… Luckily I did have one and was able to just show it to her.

 

[sponica]

I get this, but other cruise lines have stuck with the virtual muster drills even after COVID. So what is it about DCL's virtual muster that was so bad they had to revert back?

After doing a virtual muster on NCL and the in person one on DCL, I prefer the in person one. I couldn't tell you WHERE my muster location was on the NCL ship, because they walked me to if from the gangplank and I was just following the leader. I actually had to get to the DCL muster from my room, and remember where it is better.

I also think DCL might have a higher number of kids on board not necessarily with their parents and but also not in the kids club, and in person one is probably better for kids to learn where to go.

 

[DCL58]

After doing a virtual muster on NCL and the in person one on DCL, I prefer the in person one. I couldn't tell you WHERE my muster location was on the NCL ship, because they walked me to if from the gangplank and I was just following the leader. I actually had to get to the DCL muster from my room, and remember where it is better.

When you did virtual muster on DCL during the pandemic, you had to physically report to your muster station. No one escorted you. Same as with in person muster. Only difference was you listened to the life vest spiel on your phone or cabin tv.

I prefer the virtual one. Everyone saying that in person muster makes you more prepared for an actual emergency must not have been in the muster drills I have been in. Babies screaming, people talking nonstop, no one paying attention, everyone hot and sweating, hard to hear what the muster person is saying.

I hope DCL reverts back to virtual.

 

[Dug720]

When you did virtual muster on DCL during the pandemic, you had to physically report to your muster station. No one escorted you. Same as with in person muster. Only difference was you listened to the life vest spiel on your phone or cabin tv.

I prefer the virtual one. Everyone saying that in person muster makes you more prepared for an actual emergency must not have been in the muster drills I have been in. Babies screaming, people talking nonstop, no one paying attention, everyone hot and sweating, hard to hear what the muster person is saying.

I hope DCL reverts back to virtual.

My biggest issue with virtual is ok, great...I can get to my muster station from the entry point of the ship. Doesn't help from my cabin.

On Celebrity they allow you to go and drop off your carry-ons in your cabin before the cabins are open, so I opt to go there and THEN to my Muster Station so I know where to go from my cabin. Royal I had no clue from my cabin since you have to drag your carry-ons all around. Not so much a fan of that.

Now...perhaps a compromise for DCL would be to have to go to your cabin to get a check-in card for your muster station or something so they know you went to your cabin and know how to get there.

My biggest issue with in-person is the ones where you sit down and people don't think about their wet butts from being in the pool and sit on cloth seats. I learned from seeing someone else sit in a wet chair in the theater to always check my seat before sitting after the muster drill.

 

[brentm77]

My biggest issue with virtual is ok, great...I can get to my muster station from the entry point of the ship. Doesn't help from my cabin.

On Celebrity they allow you to go and drop off your carry-ons in your cabin before the cabins are open, so I opt to go there and THEN to my Muster Station so I know where to go from my cabin. Royal I had no clue from my cabin since you have to drag your carry-ons all around. Not so much a fan of that.

Now...perhaps a compromise for DCL would be to have to go to your cabin to get a check-in card for your muster station or something so they know you went to your cabin and know how to get there.

My biggest issue with in-person is the ones where you sit down and people don't think about their wet butts from being in the pool and sit on cloth seats. I learned from seeing someone else sit in a wet chair in the theater to always check my seat before sitting after the muster drill.

I prefer virtual too and felt it was both safe and easy on Celebrity. I can almost guarantee that a high percentage of people wouldn't be able to find their muster station again, whether they did the physical or virtual drill. However, those who are either spatially aware or safety-prone will could find it again under both drill systems. I do like how that going to your room first is an option on Celebrity if that is your preference Either way, you have to physically go to the muster location for both the virtual and physical drills. But I simply don't see how standing in the hot sun, waiting for rude latecomers, and then often being unable to hear the DCL spiel on the speakers, helps anyone find it easier again.

It's even worse with someone who is mobility-impaired in your group on DCL. They try to have you leave early, but you still get mobbed before you can get to the elevators, and then it's a very long wait to get where you are going. Next time, we will politely decline to leave early and wait for the rush to be over.

As for DCL IT, it is terrible. I was using the Celebrity app last night pre-cruise, and it's not perfect, but it is noticeably easier to use, has better and more information, and is less buggy. I particularly dislike how DCL's app relies on webpages to do things; it's essentially just acting like a browser for some functions, which is really inefficient.

Edit: Also, I have heard it repeated here that surveys showed the virtual wasn't as effective on DCL. Where did that information originate? It doesn't seem like something DCL would release publicly. Is there a DCL source that it came from, beyond cast member rumors, which aren't that reliable? I would be surprised if other brands weren't looking carefully at it too and they have felt comfortable sticking to virtual.