Complaint Review: Disney Cruises

I am a veteran of 10 cruises on Disney Cruise Line, beginning with the maiden voyage in July, 1998. That trip had many problems. However, the cruise line responded appropriately to my complaint letter, and even offered a discount on a future cruise.

Since that time, the only problems we have encountered have been weather related. The ship has sometimes had to alter course or been unable to dock at a port due to high seas/weather. In those cases, letters of apology appeared in our cabins, along with announcements of deck parties, free wine at dinner, etc. in order to make our stay more "Magical."

It is impossible to comment on a stateroom host supposedly "coming onto" a guest. However, I've never seen a "large" stateroom host or hostess. The room stewards have special devices to keep the doors open while they work. They do not want to be in a compromising position. I cannot imagine a complaint to the Purser being ignored. On the rare occasion when I've made a concern known to guest services (such as the clock in the room not working), not only was it repaired, but I received 2 phone calls asking if it had been repaired.

Disney operates 3,4, and 7 day cruises, with a special 10 day cruise scheduled for December, 2004. They have never offered a 5 day cruise. Dinner hours are 6 pm and 8:30 pm (again, not 8). You request a seating time when you book your cruise. There is an attempt made to give everyone their preferred seating, but this may not be possible. However, there is a nightly buffet on deck 9 (serving 5 pm - 9 pm) as well as a pizza place and Pluto's Dog House (serving hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, etc. all day). Further, there is room service available at no additional charge. The fruit station and ice cream station have more limited hours, but are basically open all afternoon. Buffet breakfasts and lunches are also available on all days, as are sit down meals.

I've certainly never had a complaint about the amount or quality of the food. Gruel? On my cruises we literally ate steak, lobster, salmon, and just about anything else you wanted.

On the last day of the cruise, you have the option of the buffet on deck 9 or the sit down breakfast with a full menu.

The best ad I can give for DCL is that we've sailed with them 10 times and have booked number 11. My daughter loved the kid programs, the food, and the servers. It's our favorite vacation.

Have been on 2 of DCL cruises. Never saw the Host in our cabin except to greet us the first day. As on person mentioned, if the kids can't eat late, sign up for the early dinner.

GRUEL?? The meals from the first day were great until the last day, when the didn't "kick" us off. I've never seen a "packaged" donut on board. It's either a sit down breakfast the last day, or the buffet breakfast.

I have cruised twice with Disney Cruise and both trips were Magical.

The food was great, the service was great and the Cast Members were great. On our first cruise my son became ill during dinner with a migraine before my entree came. I took him back to the cabin. A little while later there was a knock at the door and it was our server with my dinner. He also told me he would send a real nice dessert back with my husband.

Knowing the 2 dinner seatings we specifically requested the early seating. If you don't make a specific request or book too late you have to take what they have left.

The disembarkation breakfast in Lumieres was a full breakfast (not packaged donuts).

We can't wait to cruise again.

I have cruised twice with Disney Cruise and both trips were Magical.

The food was great, the service was great and the Cast Members were great. On our first cruise my son became ill during dinner with a migraine before my entree came. I took him back to the cabin. A little while later there was a knock at the door and it was our server with my dinner. He also told me he would send a real nice dessert back with my husband.

Knowing the 2 dinner seatings we specifically requested the early seating. If you don't make a specific request or book too late you have to take what they have left.

The disembarkation breakfast in Lumieres was a full breakfast (not packaged donuts).

We can't wait to cruise again.

I have cruised twice with Disney Cruise and both trips were Magical.

The food was great, the service was great and the Cast Members were great. On our first cruise my son became ill during dinner with a migraine before my entree came. I took him back to the cabin. A little while later there was a knock at the door and it was our server with my dinner. He also told me he would send a real nice dessert back with my husband.

Knowing the 2 dinner seatings we specifically requested the early seating. If you don't make a specific request or book too late you have to take what they have left.

The disembarkation breakfast in Lumieres was a full breakfast (not packaged donuts).

We can't wait to cruise again.

I have cruised twice with Disney Cruise and both trips were Magical.

The food was great, the service was great and the Cast Members were great. On our first cruise my son became ill during dinner with a migraine before my entree came. I took him back to the cabin. A little while later there was a knock at the door and it was our server with my dinner. He also told me he would send a real nice dessert back with my husband.

Knowing the 2 dinner seatings we specifically requested the early seating. If you don't make a specific request or book too late you have to take what they have left.

The disembarkation breakfast in Lumieres was a full breakfast (not packaged donuts).

We can't wait to cruise again.

My husband and I have our fifth Disney cruise scheduled for later this year. We have been very pleased with the service, entertainment and overall experience on each of our four DCL cruises.

But, that stated, we did our homework prior to booking. For example, we thought we'd like early dinner (6pm), but after our first cruise, we learned that the later seating was better for us. Many folks, especially those with young children, seem to prefer the early seating.

We knew that disembarkation would be a rushed process, but we have usually elected to eat a "sit down" breakfast, so we could say goodbye to our servers and table-mates. That said, we have done the buffet breakfast, and while it is a bit limited, we didn't see any "prepacked donuts".

It's hard to comment on her claim that an employee attempted to act inappropriately, but I can state that I've never seen any of the cruise staff behave in an inappropriate manner.

Perhaps this was Cheryl's first cruise? A bit of research on cruising in general may have provided her with some insight into what to expect. We'd highly recommend the Disney Cruise Line. It's good, clean fun for the entire family.

I am not sure that the original writer was on the Disney Cruise Line. Disney has 3, 4 and 7 night cruises. The writer is talking about being off ship on Day 5??? Not with Disney!!!!!

Maybe she is confused about the cruise line she sailed on as well her complaints.

I have sailed on Disney Cruise Lines 8 times in the past 3 years with my child, my husband and my Mother. We have always had excellent service from our host/hostess. They have a policy of leaving the doors open with a door jam just because THEY do not want to be in a "compromised situation" with passengers and risk losing their jobs! THEIR employment is THEIR priority.

We have had late dining and been able to order anything that was on the menu each time. "Gruel" - not hardly! World class cuisine served by intelligent, caring and friendly staff!
With so many places to eat at all times, no one will ever go hungry on this ship! Amazing how children who are enjoying themselves will be too "tired to eat" in the evening - the children's clubs do take their charges to lunch and dinner and there are snacks available!

The ship to shore calls posted clearly at $6.95/minute. That's more than enough time to have called and left a message. I have used the ship to shore telephone once and was grateful to have it!

Breakfast is served in the dining room on your last day and is a full menus as it was previously - there is a "early morning" set up with fresh pastries and refreshments if you choose not to attend your breakfast.

Many people will skip the last night or debarkation breakfast because then they don't have to face the staff that they plan to "stiff" on their tips.

Disney Cruise Line is a vacation that seniors (Mom is 75) and children (son is 8) and we (48 and 52) can all have fun, together or individually. It's a safe and comfortable ship with wonderful staff and great amenities.

The TV ads are accurate as are their brochures.

First off... I have been on 4 cruises in my lifetime, I am 26. We (my husband, 3 year old daughter and myself) are booked for a sailing later this year. Disney's reputation is outstanding.

The staff and crew members on board ANY major cruiseline are very respectable towards the passengers, for they are their bread & butter. If you are going to dinner in any restaurant (McDonald's not included) it usually takes a good 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. That is a luxury aboard the ships, knowing you have a child, you should have requested the 6pm seating.

The cruise line will accomodate that request. As far as that remark about the cleaning man hitting on you, it sounds like a way for you to cause some trouble.

You could probably expect to find that aboard Carnival or something equivalent to them, but not on Disney Cruises. They are rated very highly for their outstanding service to their passengers. let me guess, do you also think that the Disney Store employees are hitting on you as well??

I have been on a good number of cruises; usually my wife and I travel on Crystal Criuses, which is the absolute top of the line. We have a son, however, and of course for a 5 year old, Mickey Mouse and Company is a great experience. While Disney is by no way Crystal, the fact that our son was treated well, and had a great time was reason enough for me to book us on the ship for next year. If you ate dinner starting at 8:00pm, it was because YOU asked for late seating! And besides, the ship has activities (including meals) for the kids where they can be on their own until 1:00am. Sounds like you did not research your options wel prior to booking. Regarding the cabin steward, if he was doing anything improper, why did you go to the purser? I would have gone all the way up the chain if necessary to the Captain himself!!! Disney has a fun experience for the children. I recommend them for good family FUN!