tnshsms
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2010
We just got back from our 5th DCL cruise but our first Merrytime cruise. I wasn't sure what to expect as all the trip reports were from different ships and longer cruises but I was hopeful that ours would be similar. I have to say that this was the first time since cruising DCL that I was disappointed. There are a ton of different reports on what you can do on the ship so I won't get into much of that but I wanted to put this out here for those who have 3 night cruises booked so you aren't as disappointed as I was.
Since this is our 5th cruise, we intentionally booked this cruise for the Merrytime aspect. We have been on all 4 ships, we have seen all the characters in their many outfits and done all the different activities that the Dream has to offer. We specifically chose this cruise to use our placeholder on so that we could see the ship decorated and see the characters in their Christmas outfits.
The ship was decorated and it was beautiful. The CM's wore Santa hats and Christmas music was playing about 90% of the time in the halls. (We did hear the Monster Mash a couple of times but we were the first Merrytime cruise so I'm guessing that was a mistake). Santa was onboard and was available for pictures. Hot chocolate was waiting for us in the lobby (although it was 80 outside and not super appealing). We decorated a gingerbread house.
BUT the big thing we wanted and the reason we cruise Disney was for the characters. The first night after the tree lighting there were 2 opportunities to get pictures with Christmas characters...one time for Mickey, one time for Minnie. We got the Mickey picture but we missed Minnie as we were in the show. We assumed there would be more times later so we weren't worried about it. We were wrong. Those two 15 min photo spots were it. Not a single other time. We purchased the entire digital package since I figured I would want pictures with all the characters and their pictures always turn out better. Well we didn't get Minnie so Mickey was it. That was the only professional picture with a character in a Christmas outfit we got. The next morning they were in princess outfits, then pirate that evening then the next day, it was beach and formal.
The only other chance was when we went to Story time with Mrs. Claus, right afterwards, the Christmas wearing characters came out but it was in a "See ya real soon" type of atmosphere with no real order, a mad dash to get them all and taken with our camera. I was just happy that I had my camera with me! We could get pictures with Mrs. Claus too but none of it with a good professional camera. The lone other time was at the See ya real soon party. But again, just a mad dash to see them all and that's at 10:15 at night after a day at the beach....so everyone is tired.
I was just really disappointed in this cruise. I assumed (you know what they say about assuming) that the last day, would, at the very least, be Christmas. Its semi formal optional...why are they in their formal outfits? It should be Christmas.
Maybe its because I have done this song and dance 4 other times and had plenty of pictures of them in those outfits but I was mad enough to not book onboard again and for the first time in 5 cruises, I actually complained (nicely) to guest services. Not that they care, as I know people are banging down the doors to get on these ships, but they have lost a loyal fan.
I am curious if any other 3 night Merrytime repeat cruisers felt the same way.
Since this is our 5th cruise, we intentionally booked this cruise for the Merrytime aspect. We have been on all 4 ships, we have seen all the characters in their many outfits and done all the different activities that the Dream has to offer. We specifically chose this cruise to use our placeholder on so that we could see the ship decorated and see the characters in their Christmas outfits.
The ship was decorated and it was beautiful. The CM's wore Santa hats and Christmas music was playing about 90% of the time in the halls. (We did hear the Monster Mash a couple of times but we were the first Merrytime cruise so I'm guessing that was a mistake). Santa was onboard and was available for pictures. Hot chocolate was waiting for us in the lobby (although it was 80 outside and not super appealing). We decorated a gingerbread house.
BUT the big thing we wanted and the reason we cruise Disney was for the characters. The first night after the tree lighting there were 2 opportunities to get pictures with Christmas characters...one time for Mickey, one time for Minnie. We got the Mickey picture but we missed Minnie as we were in the show. We assumed there would be more times later so we weren't worried about it. We were wrong. Those two 15 min photo spots were it. Not a single other time. We purchased the entire digital package since I figured I would want pictures with all the characters and their pictures always turn out better. Well we didn't get Minnie so Mickey was it. That was the only professional picture with a character in a Christmas outfit we got. The next morning they were in princess outfits, then pirate that evening then the next day, it was beach and formal.
The only other chance was when we went to Story time with Mrs. Claus, right afterwards, the Christmas wearing characters came out but it was in a "See ya real soon" type of atmosphere with no real order, a mad dash to get them all and taken with our camera. I was just happy that I had my camera with me! We could get pictures with Mrs. Claus too but none of it with a good professional camera. The lone other time was at the See ya real soon party. But again, just a mad dash to see them all and that's at 10:15 at night after a day at the beach....so everyone is tired.
I was just really disappointed in this cruise. I assumed (you know what they say about assuming) that the last day, would, at the very least, be Christmas. Its semi formal optional...why are they in their formal outfits? It should be Christmas.
Maybe its because I have done this song and dance 4 other times and had plenty of pictures of them in those outfits but I was mad enough to not book onboard again and for the first time in 5 cruises, I actually complained (nicely) to guest services. Not that they care, as I know people are banging down the doors to get on these ships, but they have lost a loyal fan.
I am curious if any other 3 night Merrytime repeat cruisers felt the same way.