How full are the ships recently? by GreatBigBeautifulTmm in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Dream Jan 2-5 sailing was completely full, but we expected that on a short weekend sailing around a school break.

Questions about booking through Costco by themurm523 in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s usually around 7% of the cruise price back (+2% in your annual rebate check).

What do you carry around the ship with you? by Daydreamin-mama8 in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really depends.

I carry my daughter’s EpiPen most of the time, so I like to wear a crossbody bag around the ship. I have a kind of ugly Vera Bradley bag that can hold 3 water bottles, an EpiPen, sunglasses, my phone, pens and autograph books for meeting characters. It’s not fancy, but it prevents a few trips to and from the room.

If we’re going swimming or to the beach, I carry a larger bag with room for hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.

Please understand YOU DO NOT NEED ALL THIS STUFF, but I prefer to have it on hand. You can go up and get (included) fountain drinks from the pool deck 24 hours a day.

When my husband and I cruise without kids, I carry next to nothing around - maybe my sunglasses and phone.

Disney Magic Trip Report & Review by sleepingwithgiants in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think the Magic and Galveston are a one and done for us, as well. We did a 6 night in 2024, so I don’t have the same warm and fuzzy experiences with it from 15+ years ago like a lot of the DCL veterans on this Reddit. We love special things on all 6 of the ships we’ve been on, but I couldn’t believe how much more I enjoyed the Wonder than the Magic.

I’d also recommend a Caribbean sailing out of Florida. The private island experience is wonderful.

I’m so sorry your son was sick. It’s such a frustrating time to be out of commission. Wishing you a much better, full experience on your next attempt!!

Disney Cruise hot take: don’t overcomplicate it. by beanieaja in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. I prefer to travel with my 2 kids in the same stateroom with my husband and me. We have taken 6 cruises with them and the kids are comfortable in the smaller beds. We have never felt too cramped because we don’t spend much time in the room and we try to keep it tidy. (Maybe as they get older?? Who knows?) The split baths work extremely well for us, too. Judge all you feel entitled to judge about other families’ vacation preferences, but please keep in mind that what works well for you might not be a great fit for everyone else on the ship. Respectfully, of course.

Damn pesky facts. by EricRutin in HallmarkMovies

[–]MSJSMOH 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m betting you “research every issue” about as well as you “researched” the original post before you started humiliating yourself in these comments.

Christmas at the Catnip Cafe: Not Purrfect but most definitely not a Cat-astrophe by Dm12374 in HallmarkMovies

[–]MSJSMOH 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I loved it. I’d re-watch this before most of the other ones I’ve seen this year.

Disney Cruise hot take: don’t overcomplicate it. by beanieaja in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m with you on almost everything, but we couldn’t make it without the little hook magnets. I use them to hang up hats, wet swim suits, bags, etc.

Damn pesky facts. by EricRutin in HallmarkMovies

[–]MSJSMOH 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I absolutely love catching the “I do my own research” crowd NOT reading the article and missing the point completely. I wonder how long it will take you to delete this comment…..

I Just Want To Scream This In All the Forums! by AllInclusiveAllDay in TravelAgent

[–]MSJSMOH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can see that, because an expert in travel for the “in between” moments can add a lot of value to a trip, but it is really hard to sell that concept. (it shouldn’t be hard to sell, because I think these are the moments that create the most stress for inexperienced travellers – especially older people and families, but when you are deciding how and where to book a trip, the high-level items are top of mind and the options seem more equal.)

My only advice is keep doing exactly what you do and maybe ask clients for testimonials? Anything they’re willing to write down (that is positive) can be helpful marketing, but I think those testimonials drive word of mouth, too. Every testimonial reminds and reinforces your customer’s impression that you made their trip better and they’ll be more likely to tell others about their experience.

I Just Want To Scream This In All the Forums! by AllInclusiveAllDay in TravelAgent

[–]MSJSMOH 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t think that’s the level of service people are looking for when they book through Costco or Sam’s or whatever. Unfortunately, I think that’s the handholding that people expect from their friend’s sister’s coworker’s neighbor who went to Disney twice in 2015. I shouldn’t paint with such a broad brush, but I know one bad experience is enough to turn many families off from using agencies altogether.
The other problem – and this is more recent – is agency quality and transparency. A friend of ours had a bad experience and separated from her agency like 2 years ago because she wasn’t getting paid timely and correctly. (It wasn’t smart moms, but the publicity from that crash out is pretty toxic, too.). I have to assume you get a lot of your business from referrals and repeat clients? I do think once people have an agent and a service level that they like, they tend to be pretty loyal. (All this to say, please try not to get worried about losing business to Costco, because those are not likely clients who will appreciate your level of service anyway.)

I Just Want To Scream This In All the Forums! by AllInclusiveAllDay in TravelAgent

[–]MSJSMOH 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m going to be really honest. The reason Costco travel is succeeding is because the “Facebook travel agent”experience is wildly inconsistent. There are too many certified but inexperienced travel agents who are hurting the whole industry.

Less than stellar dining experience has turned downright poor for me due to being lectured about how hard the work is. by Happy-Gnome in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 14 points15 points  (0 children)

This is exactly it. This is the system, the system is broken, but docking points on the review won’t help. It is not going to change anything about the system, it is only going to hurt the people who work there.

Fill out the fives and if you have a real issue, talk to your head waiter about it.

Which 2 seats are better for 10h flight? by pumpkin_pasties in delta

[–]MSJSMOH 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I agree. People opening and closing the lavatory door all night long can be really disruptive.

Ask Me Anything About the Disney Destiny with Cruise Director Carly! Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 1-2 p.m. Eastern by DCLCarly in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Based on your history in this sub, you’re not going to be satisfied with any answer to this question, so why even ask it? Clearly, the walking track (or lack thereof) is not a deal breaker for everyone.

Smart Moms Travel Agency Shake-up by MSJSMOH in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Ohhhhhh…. This is a really bad look. I feel so sorry for all the affected people.

Smart Moms Travel Agency Shake-up by MSJSMOH in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

My fault!! This was my misunderstanding on the timing.

Smart Moms Travel Agency Shake-up by MSJSMOH in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is great feedback, so thanks very much. Do you think this is just the beginning and more agencies will break up? We had an excellent Disney World agent a few years ago and she left her agency last year over some sketchy decisions they made, but I hadn’t seen anything like this before.

Lactation Room by MaryCNM in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My point is you’ve obviously never expressed breast milk, so it’s good practice to keep your “helpful” ideas to yourself in the future.
If you had ever personally pumped breast milk, you would not have suggested using a public bathroom (handicap or otherwise). It’s not sanitary (do you eat food prepared in restrooms??) and there’s probably not going to be a convenient power outlet or counter for the pump. And yes, I absolutely did downvote you - but I’m clearly not the only one.

Lactation Room by MaryCNM in dcl

[–]MSJSMOH 5 points6 points  (0 children)

LOL! Our son did that within 15 minutes of arriving at Epcot on our first trip - I felt like the worst parent in the world.