Carnival should take Customer Service LESSONS from Disney......

[keishashadow]

Here's a big difference between Carnvial and Disney.. Disney has their theme park and resorts division.. and can offer free tickets to Epcot (where there isn't that much to do..) and rooms throughout the resort.. plus they have a fleet of buses at their disposal.

 

It doesn't cost them much to put passengers in rooms that they own that would have been empty right now anyway, and comp tickets into a theme park that they own.

 

:)

 

mickey never offered me a free ticket to Epcot:confused:; although entire family did pick up one for disney's 'give a day, get a day' volunteer program:)this year.

 

easy to discern than a combo land sea trip booked individually by guest is far cheaper, still many like to have a nice tidy package. Probably the same guests who complain how expensive WDW & DCL is:rolleyes:. Not hard in this economy to grab a resort room @ 40-45% off thru end of summer. The package with free (when paying rack rate) dining plan will probably resurface (we thoroughly enjoyed that one last year).

 

Exactly!!!!!!

I'm actually quite surprised that there seems to be so many people that enjoy Disney. The decor alone would get on my nerves!

 

im guessing you've never stayed in one of their deluxe resorts? if u can find a mickey head, they're typically hidden:D. Do a search for Grand Floridian, Contemporary Resort (standard rooms in 450 sq ft range), Yacht or Beach Club; then segue to Polynesian & Boardwalk for 'camp factor' & Wilderness or Animal Kingdom Lodges for jaw dropping theming.

 

it's same for their cruise ships, elegant & understated (except for those goofy charactars running about;)); they were designed in vibe of old-skool ocean liners.

[gtalum]

Disney hotels are nice (and like some above, I don't get the "decor" comment), but they're also very expensive. At the same time of year when you can get Disney resorts for 50% off, you can get 1-bedroom suites offsite for ~$80 or even less. Even with "free" food thrown in, it's still much less expensive to stay off-site. We never stay on site, but we do love to go to the parks and we have annual passes. Disney does things right, but it's not always, IMHO, worth the upcharge.

[gkbiiii]

Disney Cruise Line is outstanding in every way; so why pay good money for total crap? Also Carnival is not equil to RCL or Celebrity, lines that I have tried and have mixed thoughts about. I just got off the Victory in San Juan 2/02 and have to say it was a horrid ugly ship. While it was a nice jesture from the Carnival Players Club, I would never spend my own money on this "Howard Johnson's of the Seas. It does make me wonder if their new Dream, is the new "Howard Johnson Plaza, of the fleet"?:confused::rolleyes:

[tamirpr]

Disney Cruise Line is outstanding in every way; so why pay good money for total crap?

 

Being a Disney junkie, passholder, and having cruised DCL, I do not agree with this AT ALL. The OP posted how DCL handled a delayed ship situation. If you look at the Legend is broken thread, you will see that CCL offered very similar offerings that DCL did. Of course DCL did not offer a free day at Epcot, but I don't think that is realistic for another cruiseline to offer. They offered free use of the phones and internet (as DCL did). They offered free hotel rooms for the night (as DCL did). They gave them a food stipend for lunch and breakfast (as DCL did). How, in this situation, is DCL so far superior than CCL's customer service handling of the situation?

 

Now, don't get me wrong, I was on one of the Destiny ill-fated trips, and the way it was handled was poor. But it's ONE situation. If that was my only dealing with CCL, I would probably be angry and not come back. Fortunately for them it wasn't and I'm going back on the Destiny Saturday for the two-day post-drydock jaunt.

 

The point is, as a whole customer service is down across the nation. I do not find CCL substandard. Having sailed DCL, RCL and CCL, they're all equal in my book. Some are better in some areas; some are better in others. For the prices DCL is charging, like I said before, it better be better than the best. I honestly didn't think it was THAT spectacular. Great, yes. But not four times as much money great.

[imagine8]

Apparently I am mistaken....I have never been on a Disney cruise so I assumed it would be Disney themed.........Oops...

 

 

 

Disney Cruise Line is outstanding in every way; so why pay good money for total crap? Also Carnival is not equil to RCL or Celebrity, lines that I have tried and have mixed thoughts about. I just got off the Victory in San Juan 2/02 and have to say it was a horrid ugly ship. While it was a nice jesture from the Carnival Players Club, I would never spend my own money on this "Howard Johnson's of the Seas. It does make me wonder if their new Dream, is the new "Howard Johnson Plaza, of the fleet"?:confused::rolleyes:

 

??? I was on the Victory last August and thought it was beautiful. Perhaps a little gaudy but "Horrid Ugly"?? If you think Carinval is total crap why do you cruise with them???

 

(equil/equal ...... jesture/gesture)

[bean-si]

While docked in Nassau on a crise, the huge Disney ship next to us sounded its horn. I still have nightmares about hearing "When You Wish upon a Star" being blatted out from the ship while I was on my balcony ::::shudder:::::

[bean-si]

I also agree that on board ship customer service on Carnival is excellent. But while slowly moving off the Sensation in Jan. I saw verbal abuse of foreign born Oriental customers by a female staff member. Granted, I don't know what her day had been like, but these customers barely spoke or understood English. One was yelled at for not going to meet with customs earlier despite all the announcements. Told, :Now you will be the last person off the ship. You have to wait until everyone else is off." Another one had not kept the tear- off with group numbers. He was also beated loudly, that "You will never find your luggage now. Never." She may have been frustrated, but still was very harsh, and these customers looked so confused.

[LemurCat]

Is there another option that I have not considered?

 

Yes. The trade-off. I've experienced less-than-stellar customer service on Carnival (I still have it in for one Pursers Desk employee ... she knows who she is ...), but I'm willing to deal with it for the cheaper price because ... well ... I'm cheap.

 

That, and Disney has no casino and a lot of kids so there's no bloody way you'd ever catch me on one of the Mouse Ships.

[Mikel1733]

Yes. The trade-off. I've experienced less-than-stellar customer service on Carnival (I still have it in for one Pursers Desk employee ... she knows who she is ...), but I'm willing to deal with it for the cheaper price because ... well ... I'm cheap.

 

That, and Disney has no casino and a lot of kids so there's no bloody way you'd ever catch me on one of the Mouse Ships.

 

So does that mean you only play the penny slots. :D

[LemurCat]

So does that mean you only play the penny slots. :D

 

I occassionally venture into the nickels. :p

[keishashadow]

Yes. The trade-off. I've experienced less-than-stellar customer service on Carnival (I still have it in for one Pursers Desk employee ... she knows who she is ...), but I'm willing to deal with it for the cheaper price because ... well ... I'm cheap.

 

That, and Disney has no casino and a lot of kids so there's no bloody way you'd ever catch me on one of the Mouse Ships.

 

true no casino, yet no shortage of bingo games running:rolleyes:with plenty of kiddos playing (long as parental unit buys in for them). Bizarre when the DCL faithful swear they'd never step foot on a ship w/gambling...duh, guess bingo doesn't count as game of chance?

 

that said...

 

hey! no picking on the ship's horn:pu either get "it" or you don't

 

 

As to Q re disney theming on the ships, it's there; just subtle (like the horn:)). FYI, the ships carry the disney'd theme colors throughout the ship: black (mickey), red (his shorts) & yellow (his shoes). They had to get approval from maritime board to paint the lifeboats yellow in lieu of orange. A small detail perhaps, but it does go to show the level to which they strive.

[CMJFamily]

I am a Disney Fan and they set the standard in many ways but our family of 3 is sailing on the Carnival Dream on March break for $1900 (we booked last March to get cheaper rates) and to go on disney would have been $3500. IMO there is no amount of customer service that could make up for a $1600 price difference (although others will disagee, I'm sure!)

[MrPete]

While docked in Nassau on a crise, the huge Disney ship next to us sounded its horn. I still have nightmares about hearing "When You Wish upon a Star" being blatted out from the ship while I was on my balcony ::::shudder:::::

 

Different strokes for different folks.

 

I have my Outlook to play that sound with each and every Cruise Critic email alert I receive.

[jimbo5544]

Different strokes for different folks.

 

I have my Outlook to play that sound with each and every Cruise Critic email alert I receive.

Well, love it or hate it, it is unique!

[newmexicoNita]

The OP is a Travel Agent. What do you suppose she has to gain by her Original Post pushing Disney and dissing Carnival?

 

hmmmmm????????

 

I can tell you, but I won't. She also hasn't been back to explain a couple of questions asked to her..

 

NIta

[RICKnVICK]

Alas, most big companies today care zip about customer service. Ever try and buy a computer form that great American company Dell? You know, the one that is 99% located in India? That one. They couldn't care less about customer service. If they did they wouldn't have sold their souls to India. Its all about the "bottom line baby" and it always will be until people start buying elsewhere. If Carnival's customer service is bad enough, people will buy elsewhere and Carnival will be forced to change or go out of business. Its why when I was treated like a common waif by Dell-India, I decided to buy from a local guy and tell everyone I know to do the same. Sooner or later Dell will get the message. Same thing here. If its bad enough, they'll tick enough people off to make them move to Disney or RCI.

I agree-customer service should be a priority regardless of who you sail with. In fact, customer service should be a priority wherever you go!

 

In regards to the above quote - I purchased a Dell for my graduating daughter and the customer service of that company is deplorable! If you are lucky enough to get someone fairly quickly, you can bet your last dollar you won't be able to understand a thing they are saying! Will never buy a Dell again!!!

[bean-si]

Different strokes for different folks.

 

I have my Outlook to play that sound with each and every Cruise Critic email alert I receive.

 

It isn't the song I hate, it's the sound of it coming from the ship :rolleyes:

[LemurCat]

As someone else said up-thread ... great customer service is expensive. Unfortunately, where a lot of us would like just a little more attention or a smile or a kind word, others have demanded extras or freebies or cash. Those people should be summarily executed if their requests are totally out of line with their problems. Or at least have tomato juice thrown on them.

[nrdsb4]

It isn't the song I hate, it's the sound of it coming from the ship :rolleyes:

 

 

Hmm, different strokes. I actually thought it was cool.:o

[suzepoo]

at some of the comments....:eek:

 

#1....I am a Legal Assistant during the day (full time) and a Travel Agent at night and on weekends...I book whatever any of my friends and family ask me to book for them...not sure what that matters and to whom...but there ya go...

 

#2....I cruise on Carnival (as well as RCI and Disney) because I enjoy it, regardless of the outcome or price, and will continue to cruise on all of them...I just stated a fact about their corporate customer service from my personal experience because I know they "surf" the boards just like we all do...

 

#3...REGARDLESS of price...customer service, mine and anyone elses, should ALWAYS be your #1 priority if you want to continue to succeed (McDonalds and Howard Johnson included)...

 

#4...I always recommend travel insurance to my clients and do not try to scare them, just state facts about personal experience and those of my past clients...it's called "being informative"...thus why we have boards like these and why people hire travel agents...

 

#5...I am just as quick to post positive experiences on Cruise Critic, as well as in letters to corporate of all cruise lines, as well as excursion companies when I feel it appropriate...

 

#6...if you can READ (and FYI...all caps means "emphasis" in the land of the internet)...you will see by my signature that I have a future Carnival cruise booked, as well as RCI and Disney, so by stating facts about Carnival's corporate customer service as compared to Disney (or RCI, or any other cruise line, which I have no experience with as of yet), my clients, and anyone who cares to read about my experience, will be informed and can make their own decision about what they can afford and which ship they would like to cruise on, as everyone has their own preferences and budgets...

 

#7...I have never dissed the customer service on board any ship which, so far, has always been excellent REGARDLESS of which cruise line...

 

#8...The difference in some of the posts here and my experience is that when the ship cannot sail due to mechanical failure (Carnival's fault), and Carnival (or whichever cruise line) can notify you in advance, they are GREAT to offer concessions as they WANT you to cruise so the ship isn't half empty...seemingly, the difference now is since the hurricanes that ravaged the U.S. a few years ago cost all of the cruise lines so much money, as well as the bad economy, Carnival's attitude (and not just with me as I'm reading) seemingly is that anything "weather related" basically is "too bad...you want to cruise, here it is"...so I just wanted everyone to be prepared in the future, and to know that not ALL of the cruise lines take this attitude, thus the example I used of the recent "weather related" delay of Disney's Magic.:D:D:D

 

KUDOS to Disney....cruise whichever line you want and can afford...just posting the facts as they pertained to me. I truly hope that no one else has to endure the experience that we did in Mobile in December, but if you do....BE PREPARED and buy the travel insurance (oops..guess I'm advertising now for the insurance companies??? HAHA)

[nrdsb4]

 

#3...REGARDLESS of price...customer service, mine and anyone elses, should ALWAYS be your #1 priority if you want to continue to succeed (McDonalds and Howard Johnson included)...

 

 

I agree. And there are ways to give good customer service that don't necessarily involve giving financial compensation. I think a lot of people are happy with good communication, an apology when appropriate, and pretty small gestures of good will. I know a free drink coupon would bring a smile to my face!:)

[Mrs. Squirrel]

Anyone who thinks that The Walt Disney Corp. does not have its share of customer service issues has never spent much time on the DIS boards. (disboards dot com) the Disney equivalent of cruisecritic. Here's three search topics to start with-bedbugs, decline in theme park restaurant food quality/choices, Disney Dining Plan inconsistencies.

 

Dis boards is similar to cruisecritic in that there are cheerleaders on one end, constant complainers on the other, and thankfully, the majority of folks who fall somewhere at various points in between.

 

I think all could agree that customer service, across the board, in many, many industries has fallen little by little, year after year. That's the true shame-when the customer service bar drops so low that poor service becomes the new 'normal'.

[jolyroger]

The decor? It rivals the newer RCCL ships. Sleekest out there. Have you been on one?

 

 

They are beautiful are'nt they?? Very Elegant looking! But to many they Hear Disney and think "theme park on a ship, Tacky and Loud" .Which is so far from the truth!...You know its Disney , but its very sutle....That goes for many of their resorts in the park as well....The Value resorts definatly "scream " disney...while the moderate and deluxe, To me are sutle....with hints of disney....Not so there in your face..

 

I agree with another poster, This board reminds me of another board I frequent as well(WDWMAGIC and yes I go on DisBOARDS As well) Yes I know surprise surprise!!:) Like anything else you'll find some lovers and haters it is amazingwhat people nitpick about....I guess thats why its a discussion board, LOL ....I do find though , the members on this board, tend to be a bit nicer!

[tamirpr]

I do find though , the members on this board, tend to be a bit nicer!

 

You obviously haven't been around here much.:D

[gecko2gecko]

I do find though , the members on this board, tend to be a bit nicer!

 

I'm DEFINITELY staying away from there then. :eek: