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Granana

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Posts posted by Granana

    A lot of negative reviews appearing!

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted · Edited by Granana

    I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread. My DH and I are long time Disney Cruise Line cruisers who are venturing to another cruise line - MSC - in April 2018 on the Seaside. As we are used to DCL's customer service - crew members make eye contact, crew members go out of their way to make sure guests are having a great experience, I still read reviews of how terrible guest services/crew members were. All this being said, we are looking forward to our YC experience on MSC. We are going with an open mind, expecting new experiences, getting away from our comfort zone, etc.

     

    I had to laugh about the towel animals discussion. We always tell our room steward not to make us towel animals. Rather, we suggest that he/she make an extra towel animal in a stateroom with children.

     

    As to food quality, etc., I don't cruise for the food! Gasp! I enjoy what I order, however, food is not the driving force for me being on a cruise. I am expecting some great selections on MSC as it's an Italian ship line and I am Italian. I have read that MSC's pizzas are great.

     

    I don't expect much from the crew members except courtesy and respect. I am friends with some DCL crew and I would not expect another cruise line to have crew who would promote negativity, rudeness, etc. toward guests. Being Italian, US born and bred though, I may meet some relatives working on board!

     

    There is a lot of excitement about the Seaside and I am grateful that I am able to get on board for what I foresee as a great cruise experience.

     

    Jan

     

    I

    disembarking at San Diego

    in Disney Cruise Line

    Posted · Edited by Granana

    We were on the Wonder for the westbound Panama Canal cruise which docked in San Diego on May 15. We had late dinner seating and our debarkation breakfast was scheduled for 8:45 a.m. We walked off the ship at approximstely 9:40 a.m., found a porter, easily found luggage, breezed through customs, and had no wait for an available taxi. The airport is next to port - about a 10 minute ride.

    Magic GTY Assigned, but...

    in Disney Cruise Line

    Posted

    We prefer a stateroom on deck 5 - forward or aft. The aft staterooms are far enough away from the theater entrance so you will not hear any noise. The nursery is forward of the theater entrance, so no noise from nursery. The nursery room itself is not at entrance. As you walk by the nursery entrance, you will not see the nursery room/children.

    Disney changes alcohol policy and raises corkage fee

    in Disney Cruise Line

    Posted

    DCL could easily fix the BYOG issue by providing a different style (or color or size) of wine glasses provided in the cabin by the stewards then what is used in the bars and restaurants. The stewards could be instructed to remove bar/restaurant stemware from the cabins when cleaning them to avoid "cheats." It's not a perfect system, but it would stop a lot of the BYOG. Anyone who showed up with the glassware provided for the cabin would be told they can't bring it into the restaurant, or they will be charged a corkage fee.

     

    Ducklite's comment about wine glasses reminded me of something our assistant server would say while aboard this year's Panama Canal cruise. Before late seating, we would meet up with friends in the Cadillac Lounge. Some evenings, I would take my drink from the Cadillac to dinner. Our assistant server would say that he knew I had been at the Cadillac, as its martini glasses are unique to the Cadillac.

    Did I Make a Big Mistake?

    in Disney Cruise Line

    Posted

    We, in our 60s, were on the Wonder twice last year and will board the Wonder again on May 1 for the Panama Canal cruise. The Wonder is in great shape. All staterooms are being upgraded and the upgrading should be complete by the end of April. The crew is fantastic as are the crew throughout the rest of the DCL fleet. If you prefer an "open" verandah, contact DCL or your TA to get the type of stateroom you prefer. Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

    Help us choose! 2 adults which cruise?

    in Disney Cruise Line

    Posted

    My husband and I will be going on our 25th DCL cruise in May on the Wonder - Panama Canal. As to your first question, after both of you cruise this year, it may help your decision on an itinerary. If I were to choose, I'd pick the Key West itinerary. I love touring that area. Lots of things to do besides bar hopping! No matter which itinerary you choose, you will have a fun cruise. We seldom get off the ship at Nassau. We enjoy the empty ship on port days if we choose to stay aboard.

     

    With your friend being a Florida resident, those rates are sometimes offered after most paid in full cruises -- usually 75 to 90 days out. I assume you are not a Florida resident so you will not be able to get that discount. I have read that once booked and a discount rate becomes available and you want that rate, DCL has adjusted the cruise fare and I've also read where you would have to cancel your existing cruise, incur the penalty for canceling, and re-book. This could result in a higher fare for you and/or lose the stateroom you originally booked. We booked a 5 day cruise on a November 2014 sailing about 5 weeks before sailing using DCL's *GT rates. These are restricted rates sometimes offered post paid in full date - you choose the type of cabin being offered on that cruise but you do not have a choice of stateroom. DCL chooses and once you find out the stateroom assignment, you will not be able to modify it. We chose a restricted inside cabin and we were on deck 7 midship.

     

    When you are on your DCL cruise this year, stop by the cruise reservation desk early in the cruise. There are incentives to booking on board and they vary depending on length of cruise. I believe the deposit required is 10% of the fare. If you decide to move your reservation to a TA, you have to do that within 30 days after booking. I have used a TA for some cruises, but I prefer keeping control of my reservation. It is a personal choice. Suggestion: check the daily Navigator for times that the reservation desk is open. I try to arrive a few minutes before the start time as there may be many others in line.

     

    Keeping within your budget of $650 pp is doable on the Magic and Wonder.

     

    As for stateroom recommendations, we haven't had a stateroom we didn't like! I'm just happy being on board. Keep in mind that the beds on all ships as of this April do not split into twin beds. I have slept on the futon which I have found to be comfortable.

     

    Around your paid in full date and after that, check the DCL website for their special offers found at the bottom of the main page. Florida rates will be listed among other offers, such as military and Canadian rate discounts.

     

    Whatever you decide you will have a great girls' getaway!

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Forums

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