What Changes Would You Like DCL to Make?

[Mags2002]

I was referring to three teenage girls who are obviously matured standing in line at the top of the aqua duck and one of them is told you can’t slide with because you are not under 18. And this would have rode with their friends anyways. And not take another’s space.

To begin with no one was aware that this would be restricted. And you can imagine how put off embarrassed this just turned 18-year-old who felt when she had to do the walk of shame and walk down the stairs past everyone.

The CM could’ve simply not made a big deal with it and just pushed her through. No one would’ve gotten wind of it.

If it was a Vibe specific activity they never in a million years make an exception for an 18 year old. The youth space for Vibe and accompanying programming around the ship is clearly advertised as being 14-17 years of age. Exceptions are never made for an adult of any age over 18 to participate in any of these programs.
If they all wanted to ride together, they can go at a time when Vibe did not take over

 

[mcd2745]

DCL seems to have decided that they are going after the “family” customer base first and foremost… But even on family trips mom, dad, the crazy aunt, and especially grandpa love to have a good time too! That’s a HUGE part of the appeal of DCL (and RCCL as well for that matter).

I think something DCL underestimates is how at this stage of their existence, there's a lot of families that started cruising with them, say 15-20 years ago, when their kids were very young and are now loyal DCL cruisers even though the kids are now older. So they now have a good number of families cruising with "young adult" children or even empty nest couples. So there are typically plenty of guests onboard who don't need to retire to their rooms early (and maybe it's the NYC night owl in me, but I still consider 11pm "early") to be back with the kids.

 

[Cfabar1]

I think something DCL underestimates is how at this stage of their existence, there's a lot of families that started cruising with them, say 15-20 years ago, when their kids were very young and are now loyal DCL cruisers even though the kids are now older. So they now have a good number of families cruising with "young adult" children or even empty nest couples. So there are typically plenty of guests onboard who don't need to retire to their rooms early (and maybe it's the NYC night owl in me, but I still consider 11pm "early") to be back with the kids.

I don’t disagree with you - but the “Wish” model, as well as most of the promotion and branding experience tells me Disney doesn’t care about people like us…

At home I am a in bed by 9:30 type of person, but on the cruise, I want every night to last until 12 or 1 AM!

I think a DCL cruise can be challenging for a lot of the tweenagers especially compared to Royal. They won’t care about the better food, are too cool to get a picture with Mickey Mouse, and while they might be interested in Hairspray or Mama Mia, probably don’t want to go see Frozen (especially if they saw it as a little kid). WDW solved that problem with MGM Studios, but there really isn’t an equivalent offering for that age group on DCL in my opinion.

 

[Mrlogboy]

I doubt that DCL will ever adopt that. That said, there's at least one cruise line that awards loyalty based on EITHER number of cruises OR number of cruise nights, whichever one gets you the higher level.

we know it will never change as so many have been asking for it for such a long tine
i have only sailed 4 cruises but if days divided by 3 then i have sailed 17 3 day cruises
usually only do 7+ days as again i live as far as you can from Florida in the 48 states lol, next to Alaska being the farthest on this contentment lolol

 

[Disturbia]

Would love to be able to see what gifts I’ve already added to my stateroom and have the ability to make changes to them.

 

[brentm77]

I don’t disagree with you - but the “Wish” model, as well as most of the promotion and branding experience tells me Disney doesn’t care about people like us…

At home I am a in bed by 9:30 type of person, but on the cruise, I want every night to last until 12 or 1 AM!

I think a DCL cruise can be challenging for a lot of the tweenagers especially compared to Royal. They won’t care about the better food, are too cool to get a picture with Mickey Mouse, and while they might be interested in Hairspray or Mama Mia, probably don’t want to go see Frozen (especially if they saw it as a little kid). WDW solved that problem with MGM Studios, but there really isn’t an equivalent offering for that age group on DCL in my opinion.

I think this is exactly right. Disney has decided it doesn't need to cater to adults. I keep looking at the Treasure because I love the theming. I want to pull the trigger but can't seem to do it. The adult pool area and the way the clubs are spread out are a big deterrent to me. I prefer the original DCL idea of creating adult spaces at night that are completely free from kids, where you can hop from club to club to catch the vibe and see what's going on. I think I would miss that a lot on the Treasure. Adults seem to be an afterthought on the new ships. Disney must feel it has the data to support this new type of ship, but I do wonder how it will play out in the long run as the people who are actually spending the money are given less and less to enjoy. So far, it seems to be having no detriment though.

An improvement I would like to see is better elevators. DCL elevators on all ships are a weak point and a major frustration if you have someone in your party who can't take stairs. They are much more efficient on other ships, such as Celebrity's Edge class ships.

I also think every ship should have a unique headliner show. I was shocked when the Wish came out and announced that Aladdin was its headliner.

In a perfect world, I would get an adult-only solarium with a pool. It's great to have a spot that is peaceful, quiet, and protected from bad weather or weather that is too hot.

Finally, and probably the most realistically possible, would be to have a casual dinner option (besides the terrible poolside food on the classic ships) like every other cruise line. I get why DCL is different, but it doesn't change the fact that it's something that negatively impacts every DCL cruise for me and something that was offered pre-COVID.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Give me a reason not to go to bed at 11pm and make some more adult fun things to do. Then again, its basically for kids, so I can't really complain too much.

It would be nice if they had some adults only sailings a few times a year with some special events.

 

[LandonM170]

As most of you have stated, adults have become an afterthought to Disney, which is absurd since the one's paying for the experience are adults!

I think something DCL underestimates is how at this stage of their existence, there's a lot of families that started cruising with them, say 15-20 years ago, when their kids were very young and are now loyal DCL cruisers even though the kids are now older.

This really struck me, so I'm gonna comment about it. I took my first Disney cruise in 2012 at age six. Throughout my childhood, we cruised with Disney two more times. I am now an adult and will be taking my first Disney cruise as an adult in May. Around the past few years, I have been surprised by how DCL is operating their ships. The Wish/Triton class ships are perfect examples with the stark contrast of them and the first four. I always loved the layout and classic look of the Magic and Dream classes, but the Wish is when Disney started heading in the wrong direction. DCL is known for their classic ship design and distinct age spaces, yet it's lacking for the Wish class. With the laughable adults only spaces and the glaring Disney decor, DCL has lost itself. I understand the need to innovate and move forward to not become dated, but this change was not slow and smooth but unexpected and jarring. The move from the classic atrium design with subtle Disney references to the fully themed Grand Hall that is themed on the Wish as if you were to walk into the Cinderella's world is shocking.

It's not just the main areas of the ship that are bad, it's the entire layout. I am not going to go on a full rant here because most of y'all understand, but why do we have only two elevator stations for 2,500 to 4,000 people? Why are we making 2/3 of the restaurants have shows? I am completely onboard for having a single restaurant have a show, but I do not want a majority of my meals to have contain a noisy show that is the duration of the entire meal with it.

Now to get to the original point of this comment, why on Earth is DCL always shrinking the adult spaces! It all started with the Dream class where the pool shrunk, but they did give us deck 13 with Satellite Falls, so I understand. But they really have no excuse with the Wish class. Having to go on deck with no roof to get a latte from Cove should have never happened! I get they wanted to do an infinite pool with ocean views, but that pool is so laughable small. I remember when the Wish came out seeing videos of a whole bunch of people in the adults area wanting to get in pool that can only fit maybe 10. The Wish having no adults only spaces outside of Cove actually blows my mind. DCL needs to really reconsider how to design their ships with the upcoming 4 ships from 2027-2031. Maybe hire some ship designers for the layout?

 

[detroitdad]

As most of you have stated, adults have become an afterthought to Disney, which is absurd since the one's paying for the experience are adults!

This really struck me, so I'm gonna comment about it. I took my first Disney cruise in 2012 at age six. Throughout my childhood, we cruised with Disney two more times. I am now an adult and will be taking my first Disney cruise as an adult in May. Around the past few years, I have been surprised by how DCL is operating their ships. The Wish/Triton class ships are perfect examples with the stark contrast of them and the first four. I always loved the layout and classic look of the Magic and Dream classes, but the Wish is when Disney started heading in the wrong direction. DCL is known for their classic ship design and distinct age spaces, yet it's lacking for the Wish class. With the laughable adults only spaces and the glaring Disney decor, DCL has lost itself. I understand the need to innovate and move forward to not become dated, but this change was not slow and smooth but unexpected and jarring. The move from the classic atrium design with subtle Disney references to the fully themed Grand Hall that is themed on the Wish as if you were to walk into the Cinderella's world is shocking.

It's not just the main areas of the ship that are bad, it's the entire layout. I am not going to go on a full rant here because most of y'all understand, but why do we have only two elevator stations for 2,500 to 4,000 people? Why are we making 2/3 of the restaurants have shows? I am completely onboard for having a single restaurant have a show, but I do not want a majority of my meals to have contain a noisy show that is the duration of the entire meal with it.

Now to get to the original point of this comment, why on Earth is DCL always shrinking the adult spaces! It all started with the Dream class where the pool shrunk, but they did give us deck 13 with Satellite Falls, so I understand. But they really have no excuse with the Wish class. Having to go on deck with no roof to get a latte from Cove should have never happened! I get they wanted to do an infinite pool with ocean views, but that pool is so laughable small. I remember when the Wish came out seeing videos of a whole bunch of people in the adults area wanting to get in pool that can only fit maybe 10. The Wish having no adults only spaces outside of Cove actually blows my mind. DCL needs to really reconsider how to design their ships with the upcoming 4 ships from 2027-2031. Maybe hire some ship designers for the layout?

For background, we are Platinum and have sailed with our 4 children only on DCL. They have grown up on DCL. First one was in 2006 when they were 12, 9, 7 and 5 and most recently to celebrate my 60th bday this past July when they were 30, 27, 25 and 23. Great memories over the years and so fun to sail with all adult drinking age children!

I share your opinion on most of this. I don't mind the theming of the new ships but I HATE that the adults only pool space was completely overlooked. We are going on the Treasure 2/1/25 because it was a new itinerary for us but I'm dreading having no shade in the adult "pool area". The two seated areas on either side of the pool with the water splattering on your shoulders is nothing short of annoying. And wait, oh we forgot a hot tub. Hey let's put it around the corner right where kids get off the slide. That sounds's relaxing lol! And don't get me started on no ability to walk/run the entire perimeter of the ship. I am REALLY hoping they listen to feedback when designing the ships after the Destiny and show the adults who are paying for the trip some love again!

 

[Cfabar1]

The issues with the adult area on the Triton class ships are so highly structural.... I think it will be years, if ever, before they are amended... I think with the Wish itineraries the adult area limitations aren't too bad - because it is such a short trip.

The Treasure may very well struggle as many of the issues that the Triton class has are more tolerable over a shorter itinerary than a long one... But in the end, like so much of Disney, many customers won't know how nice things "could have been", and will still be impressed by Disney's offerings, and the Treasure and Destiny will probably end up doing just fine.

As for us, we plan on sailing the classic ships as long as we can... We are very excited for our 5 night Magic sailing out of PC!