Unfortunately, worst vacation we ever had

[Charles Pierson]

We just returned on Saturday from a 7 night on the Dream.
It had been about 8 years since we were on our last Disney Cruise so I don't think multiple sailings were our issue.

So much has been cut on the ship.
Except for embarkation day, Cabanas mostly only had one side open.
Cabanas was closed for dinner.
No dessert buffet at Cabanas after Pirate Night fireworks.

The menu at our rotational dinners was not good at all save for a few items.
Our dinner service team was terrible, we were usually the first one's in the restaurant and close to the last ones out. The service was SOOOOO SLOOOOW AND AWFUL. So bad that half our party gave up on dinner service and had to eat Flo's or room service because they got tired of missing on board events that they wanted to attend. We kept missing things because sinner took so long.
Tortola is a terrible port, not too much to do if you don't book an excursion. Though St. Thomas was a great day as we booked a cheap cab and went to Magen's Bay for a great beach day.
Just like the theme Parks, Disney has continually jacked up prices as they continue to cut what they give you for your money.
The only reason we went is because of the Disney+ Deal, but for the price, I doubt we'll ever cruise Disney again and we'll probably stick to other cruise lines that don't cost as much and have similar or better food and activities.

 

[BrokeMack]

Did you bring up the meal timing with your head server?

 

[tvguy]

How long did dinner take? I ask because people have widely different expectations. Some expect dinner in 45 minutes or less. We expect a MDR experience to last about 2 hours, which is why we select late seating for the relaxed dining experience.
Of course my first cruise, on another line, there was just one seating for dinner, and dinner was a 12 course 3 1/2 hour production.

 

[justafigment27]

Ugh, I’m sorry OP.

We had TERRIBLE dining room service on a 3 night Wonder several years ago. The kind where orders were messed up and all the other tables were already turned over for second seating while we were waiting for our dessert orders to be taken. It was our first cruise with kids and we thought it would be the last because it was THAT BAD … but then they had a kids sails free promotion a couple years later and we gave it another shot. Our service team was excellent and it made a huge difference.

I kind of feel like, until you’ve experienced horrible service, it’s kind of hard to understand how disheartening and disappointing it feels to have a dream vacation go south. It’s not about being picky or expecting too much … it’s about paying a premium price for premium service and then the service is nowhere near what it SHOULD have been,

 

[bcwife76]

This is not the first complaint I have read about your particular cruise last week. UGH, I'm so sorry
We will be on the Dream in August (first time, have done all the other ships except Wish) and now I'm getting nervous.

 

[holula]

We had TERRIBLE dining room service on a 3 night Wonder several years ago. The kind where orders were messed up and all the other tables were already turned over for second seating while we were waiting for our dessert orders to be taken. It was our first cruise with kids and we thought it would be the last because it was THAT BAD … but then they had a kids sails free promotion a couple years later and we gave it another shot. Our service team was excellent and it made a huge difference.

I kind of feel like, until you’ve experienced horrible service, it’s kind of hard to understand how disheartening and disappointing it feels to have a dream vacation go south. It’s not about being picky or expecting too much … it’s about paying a premium price for premium service and then the service is nowhere near what it SHOULD have been,

+1

I had an awful dining experience on my second cruise on the Dream. Like, server totally ignoring you for the other table of 8 they had, not taking any kind of order for 45 minutes.

Brough up to head server on night one. Night two didn’t improve and we ended night two with a different server for the rest of that meal.

The assistant was actually decent and pretty apologetic over the whole situation and I felt bad for him as it wasn’t his fault.

Ate at Palo and Remy for the other two nights, but that memory still sticks out more than any other dinners other than the really outstanding servers.

Sorry you had this experience, OP.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Sorry you had a bad experience. We were on the dream last November. It was great. Service was excellent. Food was fine but we like to try lots of things especially the appetizers. And if we do not like something we tell the server and get something else. We eat at late sitting and are usually done in about hour and half/45 min. If you want to get done quicker we’ve found the servers are very responsive and will get you in and out as quickly as possible.

We have been on 20 plus Disney cruises and have had only one bad dining server experience. We took the head server aside, told him and the next night we had a different serving team who were excellent.

Cabanas hadn’t served dinner since Covid although we never went anyway. Same with the dessert buffet after pirates.

 

[vakamalua]

We were on the Magic in March. Dinner service was way off--incredibly slow & a few mistakes. But we learned that ours was the first cruise after a promotion for our table's Server from Assistant Server. We relaxed, cut him some slack & just enjoyed conversation. Yes, DCL food is mediocre (at best) but we just try to enjoy the experience.

With the Wish coming on line last year, many of the best servers (& other staff) were poached from the older ships so there are lots of new promoters & new hires that are still learning.

 

[Flcruising]

Sorry it was so unexpected. I encourage people to research the various boards so they are aware of the current environment and the changes. That way they may have different expectations because some of the items you mentioned are known.
A bad server can be difficult. We had it happen on a recent cruise. Ultimately it's still a cruise with family who I love and capture for a week. They can't escape and are stuck being with me, talking , playing and interacting. That alone is worth the price of admission. A server can't diminish that.

 

[MomOTwins]

Was this the first time the Dream had done a 7-night? I looked at DCL blog and there are no 7-night navigators for the Dream. Wonder if that threw off the kitchen both in timing and quality as they maybe weren't used to preparing some of the menus.

Another possibility is that anecdotally, seems like a lot of people are reporting getting Covid on cruises again. If the crew is short staffed because of sick crew members getting quarantined, that can slow down dinner service (both back of house kitchen and front of house waitstaff if they are picking up extra tables for ill crewmates).

Either way, I'd hesitate to call it a trend of Disney offering less/making cuts. Our cruise a month ago on the Fantasy had perfect and timely service in the MDRs, with good food. Sounds more like bad luck/timing.

 

[dreamer17555]

I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. I will say our first night on the Disney dream in March was rough with our dining team and I was not expecting it because normally I absolutely adore Disney servers. The dining took forever. Our server kept bringing out the wrong beverages, no refills on water. It was just kind of not up to disney standards.

We got there early again the second night, and I kindly pulled them to the side and explain that we care for a much brisker pace and that I know it can be difficult with the timing with the kitchen and everything but for some days especially pirate night we would like to be finished by a certain time. After that, they hustled.

They figured out our drink order by the third day. It was sitting for us as soon as we sat down. And they had us out the door for pirate night in 40 minutes flat (including eating apps and entrees) with dessert to go so that we could enjoy it up on deck.

I highly recommend when you’re having an issue to bring it up as soon as possible so it can get corrected quickly.

As for the pirate night buffet that was going to go away, and has been gone pretty much since Covid, though it did come back for a brief period of time. It was causing an obscene amount of food waste.

Cabanas will have one side closed when it’s not as busy but at peak times they will definitely have both sides open. It just depends on when you go what you experience.

I don’t know what to say about the port. That’s sort of a pre-cruise research thing to see if there are excursions either through Disney you like or that you can do on your own or through another company outside of disney. If there’s nothing that appeals to you at that particular port, you can always remain on the ship and enjoy lower crowds, or pick a different itinerary.

Also, were you on the Fantasy or the Dream because I wasn’t aware that the Dream doing 7 nights currently?

 

[auntlynne]

The length of dinner (which I assume was second seating; otherwise, they are trying to get you to leave at some point) would be the final straw.

I have not seen much difference in menus on the Dream since I first sailed in her in 2010.

The restart was an excellent time to make financially-based changes, like no Cabanas dinners and Pirate Night buffet. (I am too full from dinner for another round of food after dinner). And I haven’t seen the dessert buffet in Lumiere (Magic) for over a decade. But I think the money spent did not achieve the reward in customer satisfaction (as evidenced by participation). And much of the items leftover could not easily be converted to next day Cabanas offerings. Like most things, those Events were probably great memories / highlights of a cruise to many people.

Dinner at Cabanas was useful for servers to practice their English and waitstaff skills. Now, it seems there is an industry-wide shortage of cruise ship workers. Difficulty with English? Not proficient in timing of Dinner flow/ food delivery? Well, we need you in the MDR, now.

(I suspect the changes to Palo is a result of providing so many comped meals for Platinum CC guests.)

Royal and NCL are modifying their menus, removing long-cherished standards and going to a single menu for the cruise (NCL). If they recover from their debt, I don’t expect them to return things they are taking away. Sad to say. Sad to expect.

Cumulatively, my sister and I have sailed DCL 3 times since 2021. And we have two scheduled for this year. We have also had 3 sailings on other cruise lines. Which are probably been-there done-that experiences.

But we haven’t hit our final straw with Disney - yet. The price - not merely for what I perceive to be the pay-off, but actual $ amount - will probably be the determinant. I’ve got my eye on Holland America for Alaska in the future.

I do wonder how long cruisers will accept the excuse, rationale, of Covid, for a service level below what the cruise ships had shown us for decades. I always felt service on a cruise ship was some of the most consistently excellent in most areas of life.

If my feelings about my vacation were anywhere similar to yours - at Disney prices - I would jump ship, too.

I hope you experience many wonderful vacations in your future, wherever, however you choose. And can pull out the good aspects of this cruise to keep in your memories.

 

[jujubiee4]

I don’t know what to say about the port. That’s sort of a pre-cruise research thing to see if there are excursions either through Disney you like or that you can do on your own or through another company outside of disney. If there’s nothing that appeals to you at that particular port, you can always remain on the ship and enjoy lower crowds, or pick a different itinerary.

Also, were you on the Fantasy or the Dream because I wasn’t aware that the Dream doing 7 nights currently?

The Dream had two 7 night itineraries recently.

 

[lorimay]

The April 22, 2023 cruise on the Disney Dream departs from Miami, Florida. On this 7 Night Eastern Caribbean sailing, the ship will visit a total of 4 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Disney Dream sets sail on a Saturday (April 22, 2023) and returns on a Saturday (April 29, 2023).

I had no idea The Dream did 7 nights, guess it was a special sailing. This is the final week for The Dream out of Miami, May 7th the are embarking on the 13 night Eastbound Transatlantic for the summer sailings in Europe.

 

[dreamer17555]

The Dream had two 7 night itineraries recently.

Sorry I missed that. I didn’t know the Dream did 7 nights. I really enjoy the Dream. Hopefully they will have them again in the future.

 

[edith76]

How long did dinner take? I ask because people have widely different expectations. Some expect dinner in 45 minutes or less. We expect a MDR experience to last about 2 hours, which is why we select late seating for the relaxed dining experience.
Of course my first cruise, on another line, there was just one seating for dinner, and dinner was a 12 course 3 1/2 hour production.

We were on that cruise also and have to agree. We got to the restaurant at opening but were not out of there until well after 10. More than 45 minutes to get an appetizer. Our server was working so not thinking it was her fault.

 

[tvguy]

We were on that cruise also and have to agree. We got to the restaurant at opening but were not out of there until well after 10. More than 45 minutes to get an appetizer. Our server was working so not thinking it was her fault.

45 minutes for an appetizer is too long. But if that is late seating, I would counter a 90 minute meal overall is normal in any restaurant......well except maybe Dennys.

 

[edith76]

The length of dinner (which I assume was second seating; otherwise, they are trying to get you to leave at some point) would be the final straw.

I have not seen much difference in menus on the Dream since I first sailed in her in 2010.

The restart was an excellent time to make financially-based changes, like no Cabanas dinners and Pirate Night buffet. (I am too full from dinner for another round of food after dinner). And I haven’t seen the dessert buffet in Lumiere (Magic) for over a decade. But I think the money spent did not achieve the reward in customer satisfaction (as evidenced by participation). And much of the items leftover could not easily be converted to next day Cabanas offerings. Like most things, those Events were probably great memories / highlights of a cruise to many people.

Dinner at Cabanas was useful for servers to practice their English and waitstaff skills. Now, it seems there is an industry-wide shortage of cruise ship workers. Difficulty with English? Not proficient in timing of Dinner flow/ food delivery? Well, we need you in the MDR, now.

(I suspect the changes to Palo is a result of providing so many comped meals for Platinum CC guests.)

Royal and NCL are modifying their menus, removing long-cherished standards and going to a single menu for the cruise (NCL). If they recover from their debt, I don’t expect them to return things they are taking away. Sad to say. Sad to expect.

Cumulatively, my sister and I have sailed DCL 3 times since 2021. And we have two scheduled for this year. We have also had 3 sailings on other cruise lines. Which are probably been-there done-that experiences.

But we haven’t hit our final straw with Disney - yet. The price - not merely for what I perceive to be the pay-off, but actual $ amount - will probably be the determinant. I’ve got my eye on Holland America for Alaska in the future.

I do wonder how long cruisers will accept the excuse, rationale, of Covid, for a service level below what the cruise ships had shown us for decades. I always felt service on a cruise ship was some of the most consistently excellent in most areas of life.

If my feelings about my vacation were anywhere similar to yours - at Disney prices - I would jump ship, too.

I hope you experience many wonderful vacations in your future, wherever, however you choose. And can pull out the good aspects of this cruise to keep in your memories.

The single menu on NCL is only on the Prima and it is more extensive. We found we liked it better since that ship has so many other dining options it was easier to plan dinners.

 

[edith76]

45 minutes for an appetizer is too long. But if that is late seating, I would counter a 90 minute meal overall is normal in any restaurant......well except maybe Dennys.

This was our 46th Disney cruise so I have a decent idea of what to expect. Dinners were overly long for us. Two hours or more. The ship was very crowded .... and way more kids than we usually see. So not sure what the issue was but something was off in the dining rooms. We tried going to the restaurant for breakfast one morning and that was a mistake. And as someone commented there would be only one side of the buffet open and then maybe open the other side later but the plan didn't work. Seemed they were short staffed for the amount of people onboard. Despite this we had a nice cruise and met a lot of nice people.

 

[tvguy]

This was our 46th Disney cruise so I have a decent idea of what to expect. Dinners were overly long for us. Two hours or more. The ship was very crowded .... and way more kids than we usually see. So not sure what the issue was but something was off in the dining rooms. We tried going to the restaurant for breakfast one morning and that was a mistake. And as someone commented there would be only one side of the buffet open and then maybe open the other side later but the plan didn't work. Seemed they were short staffed for the amount of people onboard. Despite this we had a nice cruise and met a lot of nice people.

We rarely were out of the dining room before 10:30 pm, but like I said before 45 minute wait for the appetizer is too long. I expect a 2 hour dinner on a cruise. Especially on Disney with the late seating show being before dinner. Not many organized activities for families after late seating dining, except one night when they had an encore third presentation of the show at 10:30 pm.