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