Requesting servers - does it really work

[MN Mom]

Does requesting main dining room servers usually work? If so, what is the best way to do so and is there a cut off for when it needs to be done by?

Also, any favorite servers on the Disney Fantasy? Ideally someone that would be great with older kids (9 and 13). They love the magic tricks, puzzles, etc.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I've never requested someone, but I know people do and they sometimes do get their requests fulfilled. The best way to do it is to call and place the request on your reservation at least a few weeks in advance. It helps if the server request is the only request you make and if you just request one person and not a team. Teams get switched so it can make it less likely to get your requested server if you put both the server and assistant server's names down.

But I don't really see a point in requested a server unless it's a server you've personally had before and enjoyed. Different people have different likes and dislikes. A server may be one person's favorite and another person's least favorite. There are tons of really great servers on all the ships. Many do the magic tricks, puzzles, and so on.

 

[hubbard53]

I dont know any server names and have never made a request... but if I did, I would request the server who will leave us alone the most. No need for jokes, tricks, and riddles during dinner. I like to talk to my family

 

[com_op_2000]

Went on a family cruise one year with DD, DSiL, DGS (Teen), DW and me had Typhoon from Turkey as our server. 16 months later DW and I made a last minute reservation, went to PC for embarkation lunch, Typhoon saw us walking up to PC, and he came out of line from where the servers were escorting the cruisers to their tables. He served us lunch. We went to the table assignment change meeting, requested Typhoon as our server and it was granted. Typhoon had gone home twice and gotten married during those 16 months, yet he still recognized us.

 

[mischief32]

We did not request it but we had at least the same main server both times cruise. I have to admit that I did not realize he was the same until the second night. My husband noticed.

 

[dizneykids5]

We have several times requested a specific server, once by contacting DCL by phone and another once we got on board and saw our former server. I don't know how they can remember guests from prior cruises with all the people they see in between, but they do. Amazing!

 

[CamColt]

We have had success when requesting servers, except last summer when our favorite, Sheree was on vacation.

I would highly recommend Sheree from the Philippines on the Fantasy (if shes still there). Shes a tiny bundle of energy who keeps us laughing. We have had her on 4 cruises now and just adore her.

 

[Marc D]

We requested a specific server once and got him. It seems it made an impression with the rest of the dining room staff because when we showed up at lunch on embarkation, the server asked us our assigned table number for the evening and told us “ahh, you’re the family that requested Nicholas”.

We had him on a previous cruise and he was the best server for us. No magic tricks, bad jokes or requests for “Excellent” ratings, just perfect service at all times. We learned he never worked at other venues during the day but would instead train other servers. He was also the server assigned to DCL executives when they were onboard.

Our second cruise with him was his next-to-last cruise with DCL before going home to get married and have children. We met his wonderful future wife, who was working in another MDR on the same ship. A real gentleman.

Like a PP said, I would not request a server you’ve never had before. What’s good for one family will not be necessarily good for you. Also, if there are some bad servers, they are very rare and you should get excellent service most of the time.

 

[NZMUM]

We have requested our server the last 2 times we've cruised. We got our TA to put the request in for us 1-2 months before we cruise. However, we knew he was going to be onboard as he had given us his contact email addresses so we could ask him if he would be working.
When we did onboard booking this last cruise, the person doing it added a request for him. We will contact him before we cruise to ensure he will be onboard and get our TA to double check the request.

I wouldn't recommend a server to anyone else, as everyone is different. Our server would not suit everyone people - no tricks, magic, not over the top etc. But we like him and share a similar sense of humour.

 

[SteelersLover]

I've been successful with requesting a server having had the same server on three cruises. DCL doesn't promise but they try and the servers are told who requested them.

 

[arlopop]

Thanks for this thread. We’ve never requested a server again - not that we weren’t pleased; we just liked meeting new people. But last night our kids asked if we could get the team we had last time for our upcoming Alaska because they really wanted to see them again. I told the kids I didn’t know if we could but would look into it, and here we are.
I’ll contact our TA and keep fingers crossed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for this thread. We’ve never requested a server again - not that we weren’t pleased; we just liked meeting new people. But last night our kids asked if we could get the team we had last time for our upcoming Alaska because they really wanted to see them again. I told the kids I didn’t know if we could but would look into it, and here we are.
I’ll contact our TA and keep fingers crossed.

Be aware, it's best to ask for a specific person, not a team. It's quite possible the team is not longer a team (vacations/promotions/no longer with the company), and if, say, your past main server and assistant server are both main servers now, DCL typically won't know which is more important to you and won't assign you to either.

 

[arlopop]

Be aware, it's best to ask for a specific person, not a team. It's quite possible the team is not longer a team (vacations/promotions/no longer with the company), and if, say, your past main server and assistant server are both main servers now, DCL typically won't know which is more important to you and won't assign you to either.

I got that earlier in the thread and then asked kids who they would request (while hoping the team is still in place.)

 

[squirk]

I will add to the chorus: requesting servers works. We always make the requests via email, and it’s worked two times out of three for us.

The one time it did not work, I had asked for a server and a rotation. I’m not sure if that is what mucked it up (our requested server might have just been on vacation), but I can see how asking for both can be problematic.

 

[cyclenut]

I have yet to find any servers on any Disney ship that are worth asking for again. It might be just us though. Our tablemates from our last cruise actually liked our servers. We couldn't figure out why. Our Assistant server couldn't do a proper beer pour to save his life, spilling down the glass almost every time because he couldn't control the head. He kept getting my wife's drink wrong, almost every night. We're talking iced tea here. They didn't pay any attention to the plating, bringing dishes out that were incomplete. Two people at our table had ordered the same thing. One plate looked very different than the other, but they had no clue. No attention to detail.

We weren't hard on them or anything, but could not believe that our tablemates were actually very happy with them.

 

[Cheerio]

We've always been successful but then we ask for a specific server and not a rotation. If you ask for more than one thing, you don't seem to get it (ie two servers, as a PP mentioned many aren't teams anymore)

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

We have requested our favorite server on the Fantasy 4 times and got her 3 of those as she moved up to Palo for the 4th, but she did make sure she was our server in Palo. We also had a big welcome on embarkation day from a couple other servers that surprised us. We mentioned it to our requested server and she said that they pulled up our pictures in their team meeting before we boarded so she would be sure to know us when she saw us. DCL is great with stuff like this that makes us feel special and it's great!

 

[CM Dad]

One one cruise we had requested a server we had had in the past, and it turned out they were on vacation. My wife saw another server from England that she had enjoyed chatting with. When we went to select some beverage seminars on embarkation day, she asked about the server, and the ended up re-assigning her to our table.

 

[phinz]

Favorite server: Rocque from India. We also are very fond of Luan from South Africa. Favorite head servers are Rui from Portugal and Krasimir from Bulgaria.

 

[Dug720]

Sadly, my favorite assistant server is no longer with the company.