what are the MAJOR differences-for those who've now cruised?

[mcd2745]

Based on the initial 8/9 sailing, the biggest changes were

• Drastically scaled back selection in Cabanas
• Significantly less activities and entertainment - no sailaway party, less movies shown in theater (and even on Funnelvision), no variety acts in lounge, no live music in the Atrium during the evening, etc. And what is offered is repeated several times.
• Almost no character greets
• No 1820 Society
• Only remnant of pirate night is the (lousy) MDR menu, and POTC movie on Funnelvision
• New embarkation/check-in procedures
• No buffet at Palo brunch
• No "organized" 5k on Castaway
• Some Castaway activities are not available
• No paper Navigators, but on the plus side, no other papers left in your stateroom either
• No handing your KTTW card to bartenders to pay for drinks. You give them your room number and then you accept the charge and add tip (if you so choose) when it shows up on your folio in the app.
• A queue to get in the family pool

I'm sure I left out a few things.

 

[jujubiee4]

Or my favorite disclaimer...
The company gave me XYZ but my opinions are all my own.

No they aren't. If you express negative opinions, you will stop getting XYZ!

Just like Amazon review that start with "I did get this product for free but that does not
influence my review" . Maybe not but I still like to hear from people who did not get comped
in some capacity.

Although I do like to watch youtube reviews for the visuals the best information I get is from forums
like this.

 

[jujubiee4]

With all the changes on disney, one thing that glaringly stood out on this cruise - the food quality and the fact that menus haven't changed FOR YEARS is getting old now. We know what we are going to eat every cruise - because they never change the menus! There is no element of surprise. No effort made for variations.

Maybe they should have done what a lot on businesses are doing with the Covid time off. REVAMP
some of the offerings. Hopefully for the better.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Understand that things aren’t the same but to us a huge Disney crusie factor was character meets and greets.

also scale the price back

 

[mevelandry]

I have not cruised with them but DCL currently have 25% off offers on cruises. They never do 25% off so I suspect it is a very different experience.

 

[Conniequeen]

So glad that I’m not the only one that thought the food on the Disney Cruise was awful.

 

[DisneyConvert]

A lot of the posts are very similar. I wonder if DCL gave the TAs a set of talking points to use in their social media posts.

The TA video's have been useless. I don't usually down-vote in YouTube, but they were a waste of time.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

As of 9/13 another change: Embarkation brain-tickle.

I'm sure the TAs would call it a "magical brain tickle! tee hee!"

 

[tvguy]

the fact that menus haven't changed FOR YEARS is getting old now. We know what we are going to eat every cruise - because they never change the menus! There is no element of surprise. No effort made for variations.

It would be a gamble to change menus judging from these boards. The items dropped to make room for new items would likely be an item someone was looking forward to. Lord, just look at the controversy currently over Mickey Waffles only being available in the MDR.

 

[insureman]

I have not cruised with them but DCL currently have 25% off offers on cruises. They never do 25% off so I suspect it is a very different experience.

Aren't the VGT rates usually around 25% off the prevailing rates? That's what I have found the couple of times we booked VGT.

 

[insureman]

It would be a gamble to change menus judging from these boards. The items dropped to make room for new items would likely be an item someone was looking forward to. Lord, just look at the controversy currently over Mickey Waffles only being available in the MDR.

Mickey Waffles forever!!!!

 

[tvguy]

Mickey Waffles forever!!!!

All you can eat waiting for you in the MDR.
And it is interesting, with land based restaurants, changing the menu can be a death sentence. One restaurants here has had the same menu for 85 years, and just ADDING an item in the menu raised eyebrows.

 

[meremac]

Ugh. I'm probably being super sensitive, but this bashing of TA's is just deflating right now. I am a TA and I am completely honest with my clients: I tell them what's changed honestly, I give them the pros and cons, I tell them what I personally liked and didn't like (if it's someplace I've been since the pandemic), I give them honest feedback from other clients, I tell them it's a personal decision, and then I let them know I'm here when/if they're ready. I really think most TA's operate that way. Of course I advertise and put pretty pictures up social media because it's my JOB, but I'm not going to lie to my clients and pretend that everything is 100% magical if it's not. I've spent years building up my client base by making sure the people who come to me have amazing experiences that are right for them, and I'm not going to stop doing that now. Please try to remember that, as is the case with many industries, it's been a dismal 1.5 years for us. We've lost tremendous income that supports our families, some owners of agencies have had to let people go, some have lost their own jobs. We've seen our previously successful businesses fall apart, and we've seen the fruits of (for some of us) decades of experience dashed. For those of us who are willing/able to keep working toward rebuilding our dreams, it's been physically and emotionally exhausting. We've been working tirelessly for very little money, yet most of us are still keeping the best interests of our clients in mind. It's really not a joke; it's our livelihood, and it's really really hard right now.

 

[pettums]

Has anyone got anyone solid about what has changed in the Edge/Vibe. I heard a rumor they didn't run icebreakers any more on the first night and had really reduced the number of activities?

 

[insureman]

Ugh. I'm probably being super sensitive, but this bashing of TA's is just deflating right now. I am a TA and I am completely honest with my clients: I tell them what's changed honestly, I give them the pros and cons, I tell them what I personally liked and didn't like (if it's someplace I've been since the pandemic), I give them honest feedback from other clients, I tell them it's a personal decision, and then I let them know I'm here when/if they're ready. I really think most TA's operate that way. Of course I advertise and put pretty pictures up social media because it's my JOB, but I'm not going to lie to my clients and pretend that everything is 100% magical if it's not. I've spent years building up my client base by making sure the people who come to me have amazing experiences that are right for them, and I'm not going to stop doing that now. Please try to remember that, as is the case with many industries, it's been a dismal 1.5 years for us. We've lost tremendous income that supports our families, some owners of agencies have had to let people go, some have lost their own jobs. We've seen our previously successful businesses fall apart, and we've seen the fruits of (for some of us) decades of experience dashed. For those of us who are willing/able to keep working toward rebuilding our dreams, it's been physically and emotionally exhausting. We've been working tirelessly for very little money, yet most of us are still keeping the best interests of our clients in mind. It's really not a joke; it's our livelihood, and it's really really hard right now.

And you know what , you are doing it the right and ethical way. I just have a problem with the influencers out there that never give an honest review because they will lose all that free stuff they get. Keep up the good work , it will turn around.

 

[ThinkTink1]

Deck 13 was never crowded on our 2 cruises last week and we were up there every day. I missed Mickey waffles in cabanas, premade cheese omelets in cabanas - their scrambled eggs were inedible for me - so soft and runny. I missed a larger food selection in cabanas - we eat there 2 meals each day.

I missed the duets (singing couples) that used to perform in the atrium and lounges. They had a violinist and a piano player onboard. They were good, but it wasn’t the same. I missed the variety acts - the juggler, magician, etc. There were none on board.

That was about it. None of these changes will stop us from cruising. We sail again in 6 weeks on the fantasy.

From the looks of our posts we were on the back to back together and I totally agree with you and would add the lack of movies on funnel vision… I would add as well and I did wish for more variety of food…. Also it is a good idea the thought of freshly made burgers and such but it was backed up and took too long… we too are booked on the Fantasy but for the 10/2 sailing which now turned into exactly what we did last week… I think we are going to book the 10/23 6 nights but only if they don’t change it into another 4 night double dip lol! Have a great time in your cruise!

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

So glad that I’m not the only one that thought the food on the Disney Cruise was awful.

The food is hit or miss for sure, but I have yet to find better on other cruise lines.
Celebrity was the worst, and there we ate at Blue, an 'upgraded' restaurant. They served me still frozen salmon! I didn't even get an apology! (the rest was eatable but not flavorable)
Carnaval was more misses than hits, but we didn't starve and for the price we paid we couldn't complain.
Holland America was the same quality of food as DCL in my opinion. So, yeah, I have yet to find consistent good food on a cruise line.

 

[XBelle24X]

Is Cabanas open for dinner in the evenings where you order from a menu?

 

[Annabell]

Interesting to read about the changes. I would love to try just because of the reduced capacity !

 

[Joe Brig]

Has anyone got anyone solid about what has changed in the Edge/Vibe. I heard a rumor they didn't run icebreakers any more on the first night and had really reduced the number of activities?

We have the same question. It seems there aren't many kids on board and fewer activities. With lower capacity, DCL has to cut costs. Maybe this will change with the holiday cruises.