DCL Disney Magic At Sea UK Residents Only Sailing Summer 2021 General Information

[diablodancer]

In addition to the above email they also sent out a press release today saying they’re releasing more rooms. Not at all impressed with how they’re loosening the restrictions that they sold the cruises on (and interesting when far cheaper competitors are remaining very strict on theirs).

 

[Joshua Kelso]

In addition to the above email they also sent out a press release today saying they’re releasing more rooms. Not at all impressed with how they’re loosening the restrictions that they sold the cruises on (and interesting when far cheaper competitors are remaining very strict on theirs).

Hmmmmmmmm. Not sure at all how this can't negatively effect the experience on the top decks - it was getting very crowded on the last two days when they started loosening restrictions.

 

[Jules334]

In addition to the above email they also sent out a press release today saying they’re releasing more rooms. Not at all impressed with how they’re loosening the restrictions that they sold the cruises on (and interesting when far cheaper competitors are remaining very strict on theirs).

I agree with you Joshua, its a real shame,. As yet I’ve not seen that press release, but it does not surprise me. it’s kind of implied in the email I put up earlier after re reading it

Am also aware In some cases the rooms are now cheaper. Some have 10% off……

 

[NicolaUK]

I’m in the press release loop and as someone that booked it as being covid safe there is nothing there to worry me.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

The food was the most disappointing because I expected all three MDR meals to be exceptional and they were hit and miss. Perhaps my expectations were too high.

Duck-in-Diner Shwarmas were downright bad, and I'm not being a food snob here - you can get delicious kebabs all over Liverpool on a budget and it's hardly difficult to get right. The wraps are too tiny, the chicken is too bland and there is no nice flame-crisp on the outer edges. The chicken dippers were perfectly acceptable for fast food.

Their menus seem to be focused on pleasing the average American guest. As a European living in America, I find that European food (whether simple items such as cookies and bread or complete meals) is of higher quality and more flavorful. However, I think that DCL would be successful with improving their menus because quite a few DCL's cruisers are foodies (or just have a more sophisticated pallet than average) and will agree that DCL's MDR menus are hit or miss and uninspiring (from what I've read over the years here on board).

 

[gismo1554]

In addition to the above email they also sent out a press release today saying they’re releasing more rooms. Not at all impressed with how they’re loosening the restrictions that they sold the cruises on (and interesting when far cheaper competitors are remaining very strict on theirs).

Very interesting and annoying. I also feel quite mislead by Disney on this and really don't feel they've done the right thing. We sail in 2 weeks so no real option now but to go with it but as we have someone who has been shieling for almost a year and this is their first holiday I am really annoyed they've released more rooms. I've seen some photos from the last few cruises and some areas did look busier than I expected. With increase capacity now as well I feel like this will be a very difficult 3 nights.

Their menus seem to be focused on pleasing the average American guest. As a European living in America, I find that European food (whether simple items such as cookies and bread or complete meals) is of higher quality and more flavorful. However, I think that DCL would be successful with improving their menus because quite a few DCL's cruisers are foodies (or just have a more sophisticated pallet than average) and will agree that DCL's MDR menus are hit or miss and uninspiring (from what I've read over the years here on board).

I agree on the menu front. They definitely aim at American style of everything rather than authentic. Personally I don't know why people rave over their Swarma but then I don't know why people eat kebabs in the UK either. I definitely don't sail on them for the food quality although I am sad to hear the variety has now gone too.

 

[Joshua Kelso]

Can't remember if this has been said yet, but there is no more virtual queue for family pool - it's a physical queue. They blow a whistle every 15 minutes and you get out of the pool and the next lot of people fill it to capacity.

@gismo1554, imo a well done chicken kabab is as excellent as a well done chicken fajita. If you mean donner kababs yes, I also don't know why people eat those either. . They did have brown sauce for my breakfast bacon bagel, so I was happy, I did wonder if that was a UK concession, do they have brown sauce on US cruises?

 

[steveyjc81]

I think the Americans call it 'Steak sauce' or A1 sauce.

 

[Joshua Kelso]

I think the Americans call it 'Steak sauce' or A1 sauce.

Oh. Well I learned something. I've heard of A1, didn't realise it was the same thing.

 

[TheCube]

I’m in the press release loop and as someone that booked it as being covid safe there is nothing there to worry me.

Hi Nicola, are you able to give an idea on what sort of numbers they are increasing the capacity by ? We booked too on the basis of it being restricted numbers so would be reassuring to get an idea on what the increase is. Many thanks for any info

 

[gismo1554]

Can't remember if this has been said yet, but there is no more virtual queue for family pool - it's a physical queue. They blow a whistle every 15 minutes and you get out of the pool and the next lot of people fill it to capacity.

@gismo1554, imo a well done chicken kabab is as excellent as a well done chicken fajita. If you mean donner kababs yes, I also don't know why people eat those either. . They did have brown sauce for my breakfast bacon bagel, so I was happy, I did wonder if that was a UK concession, do they have brown sauce on US cruises?

Fair enough yeah Fajitas I get just never had a kebab as feel it just looks awful (even the swarma meat does on Disney so only ever do the veggies in a wrap).

They do have Brown Sauce on the UK departing cruises normally but its normally hidden in Cabanas and when you ask for it anywhere else you end up with A1

I think the Americans call it 'Steak sauce' or A1 sauce.

A1 is not brown sauce! Its like a cross between Worchester sauce and brown sauce and has a very watery texture. I LOVE A1 but it is so not what we consider brown sauce. Definitely not the same on a bacon roll

 

[tripodjw]

We asked in Lumieres for brown sauce At breakfast. they were a bit confused, but eventually came back with a fresh bottle (I guess liberated from cabanas). when they brought it they said HP sauce. So maybe ask for HP sauce as they seem to know what that is as opposed to brown sauce.

 

[Jordanfamily]

In addition to the above email they also sent out a press release today saying they’re releasing more rooms. Not at all impressed with how they’re loosening the restrictions that they sold the cruises on (and interesting when far cheaper competitors are remaining very strict on theirs).

Was a bit disappointed to read this, but then found out we have been upgraded from Oceanview stateroom to Verandah, for our cruise from Southampton.

 

[Jules334]

I think the Americans call it 'Steak sauce' or A1 sauce.

A1 sauce is no replacement for HP. In my opinion

 

[Jules334]

Was a bit disappointed to read this, but then found out we have been upgraded from Oceanview stateroom to Verandah, for our cruise from Southampton.

wow that’s good. How did you find out?

 

[Joshua Kelso]

Was a bit disappointed to read this, but then found out we have been upgraded from Oceanview stateroom to Verandah, for our cruise from Southampton.

That's very good news...we found our veranda to be a welcome haven when things got busy on the upper decks. Enjoy!

 

[Jordanfamily]

wow that’s good. How did you find out?

I just logged on to check the booking and they have now changed our room category, and assigned us room 6088 which is a Verandah room on Deck 6. Our friends who are coming on the same cruise have also been upgraded to Verandah too.

 

[jujubiee4]

Very interesting and annoying. I also feel quite mislead by Disney on this and really don't feel they've done the right thing. We sail in 2 weeks so no real option now but to go with it but as we have someone who has been shieling for almost a year and this is their first holiday I am really annoyed they've released more rooms. I've seen some photos from the last few cruises and some areas did look busier than I expected. With increase capacity now as well I feel like this will be a very difficult 3 nights.



I agree on the menu front. They definitely aim at American style of everything rather than authentic. Personally I don't know why people rave over their Swarma but then I don't know why people eat kebabs in the UK either. I definitely don't sail on them for the food quality although I am sad to hear the variety has now gone too.

Please come back after your cruise and tell us how it went

 

[sethschroeder]

A1 sauce is no replacement for HP. In my opinion

Looking up HP with it having Molasses it would seem to be closer to some types of BBQ sauce. They actually have Paleo BBQ sauce which is sweetened with Dates like the HP.

 

[Jules334]

How long have others waited for their Prenetics results for a test? We sail Wed, and as suggested the test needs to be done between 5 days & 24hrs before.

We did our sons test Fri, and dropped it at the drop in Centre in Reading and told it should be at the lab by 1900 that night, so should get results 24hrs later. As they work weekends to do tests.

just keen to know how long others have waited. Thanks

Edit - Result has just arrived, 44 hour turn round. , so if you are leaving Southampton on Wed, May want to consider getting you test to Prenetics - just in case