Poll for Yes or No DCL new Casino!

[PizzieDuster]

I voted no.

Although we loved the casino on the Explorer and look forward to it again 4/8.

But we are sailing on the Magic 6/29/08 and I love there is no casino. We go to Vegas a lot...... so

It just doesn't seem "DISNEY"!

 

[Karin H-L]

I voted no.

Although we loved the casino on the Explorer and look forward to it again 4/8.

But we are sailing on the Magic 6/29/08 and I love there is no casino. We go to Vegas a lot...... so

It just doesn't seem "DISNEY"!

My thoughts exactly! I voted NO.

 

[SNicksed]

I voted no. Why are we voting? Has Disney proposed this?

 

[blacksmithcrm]

My family and I were on the QM2 this summer. It has a casino.
It wasn't a smoke-filled-loser-lounge or a "bad influence" or even an "evil temptation". It was a casino. Simple, clean, uncomplicated.

Was it classy? (being on the QM2 and all). Not really.
Was it trashy? (being a Casino and such) . Not really.

It simply was there.

From what I could see, it wasn't very popular. I never saw more than a few people playing the slots or at the tables. I took a pass on any of it, but I wouldn't have stood in the way if any fool and his/her money wished to part ways.

I seriously doubt that a casino on a Disney ship would turn it into a "cruise to hell" especially with the amount of bars already onboard (I've never seen a gambler throw-up on the floor). For us, it would be just another section of the boat that we wouldn't use. No big deal.

I'm more worried about those type of people who know what is right for everyone else and their family. They do scare me!

 

[tvguy]

We wouldn't use the casino. Would rather Disney put their effort into something else. I'd like them to expand their shopping area! DCL's shops don't compare with the other cruise line we've been on.

My vote would be "don't care" as far as a casino. It would be as useless to us as the "kids only" and "adults only" areas, or spa currently are. But they all are options for those would want to use them, and get folks away from the stuff I want to use, so I have no problem with a casino.

I don't see a point in any more shops either on board or on Castaway Cay. I was able to get my exclusive Disney Cruise Merchandise in one story, and film and sundries in the other, what else could you possibly need in an onboard shop?

 

[awatt]

I seriously doubt that a casino on a Disney ship would turn it into a "cruise to hell" especially with the amount of bars already onboard (I've never seen a gambler throw-up on the floor). For us, it would be just another section of the boat that we wouldn't use. No big deal.

I'm more worried about those type of people who know what is right for everyone else and their family. They do scare me!

Well said. And very funny

 

[wheelerkidz3]

I voted no. Why are we voting? Has Disney proposed this?

ditto from me...i vote no...but WHY ARE WE VOTING? I haven't been on the boards much today, but did i miss an announcement?

 

[bevtoy]

Gambeling doesn't interest me.

 

[KimberlyC]

I voted no. Not that I have a problem with casinos, I don't. Personally, I just wouldn't use a casino. I have ventured into them briefly on other ships but frankly I'd rather spend my $$$ on shoes. I live fairly close to 3 casinos but I've only been to 1 of them 1 time. As a smoker, its a nice place to smoke while DH plays blackjack, but we are sailing DCL because we have a child now. A casino is no place for a child and neither is a smoky room so we wouldn't spend any time there on our family vacation. If DCL wants to borrow something that other lines have but it doesn't, I vote for a Thallasotheray (sp?) pool like the M class X ships have - those T-Pools are heavenly

 

[birkner]

I voted no. Not that I have a problem with casinos, I don't. Personally, I just wouldn't use a casino. I have ventured into them briefly on other ships but frankly I'd rather spend my $$$ on shoes. I live fairly close to 3 casinos but I've only been to 1 of them 1 time. As a smoker, its a nice place to smoke while DH plays blackjack, but we are sailing DCL because we have a child now. A casino is no place for a child and neither is a smoky room so we wouldn't spend any time there on our family vacation. If DCL wants to borrow something that other lines have but it doesn't, I vote for a Thallasotheray (sp?) pool like the M class X ships have - those T-Pools are heavenly

Now that gets my vote, a thallisotheraphy seawater pool like I spent my evenings in before dinner on the Celebrity ship Mercury.

 

[Mickey_loves_Minnie]

I also agree with those saying the "use the space for more shops" argument is a thin strawman - onboard retailing is not the primary draw of any cruiseline (ports are the draw for shopping, people).

As for expanding the restaurants, let me use my NCL Spirit (a 77,000 ton vessel I just sailed on last week) analogy again. That ship easily accomodated a relatively large casino (albeit one buried low and far forward) with dining options much more extensive than on either the Magic or Wonder. Specifically

- two large main dining rooms
- four large specialty restaurants
- a pool deck dining arrangement that included a large buffet plus two grills (one at poolside, one a deck above as part of an open area "sky lounge."
- a 24/7 sit-down restaurant (with an extensive menu, not just a generic fast food) near the main atrium.

So saying the casino would "steal" space from expanded dining is another strawman argument.

Bottom line - I'm no more personally interested in a casino than others here who say they don't want it. But I'm skeptical of those who are stating "space" is the main issue.

That just doesn't float. The real objection -- which I fully appreciate -- is a solely a "cultural" one.

Ah, I did mention a larger shop for two reasons. One was to garner more revenue for DCL, which is what the benefit of a casino would be. The other is that I've read people would like more DCL merchandise in the shops, and there's not enough space. (I haven't taken my DCL cruise yet, though, so this is not my experience talking.) Lots of people do like to shop--that's why they have stores onboard cruise ships. But I do think DCL can make bigger shops AND add a casino. It would be nice to have one, and they'd just keep it in the adults-only areas. I don't think they'll put any in, though, since the current ships don't have them.

I think bigger draws are nice restaurants and more recreation activities--Royal Caribbean has most lines beat on the latter. I see a lot of people on these boards salivating over the Freedom of the Seas' H2O zone and other RCI stuff like rock wall, skating rink, etc. Things like that would be great additions to any cruise ship.


(this is not directed at bb) I do want to reiterate something another poster said about casinos and revenue. NCL America doesn't have casinos (not allowed in Hawaii's waters). Some time ago, I read that the CEO of NCL said that his regular cruise line's ships make about 5-7% of their revenue from casinos, so it wasn't a big deal to not have them on the NCL America ships. The price difference between DCL and other mainstream lines is much more than 7%, assuming that's about the same percentage as most cruise lines. And honestly, if a casino were put on board DCL, we would not see that 5-7% difference in the fares.

 

[Kimf]

I voted yes, for a little fun adult time if the kids are in the kids clubs. I am defintely looking forward to lots of family time - but also hoping for a little break for adult only time. We are not big gamblers, but it is fun once in a while.

 

[BethA]

I voted yes--they do appeal to a lot of people and the revenue might allow prices to be more in line with other cruise lines.

I don't see the big deal about it. there are areas where people can smoke--something I HATE. There are bars for those who want to drink, so why not have a small casino. It can be placed near the adult areas and if you don't want to gamble, don't want to gamble, don't go in. Gambling is not the root of all evil, and many states now have slot casinos.

 

[bobbi565]

I agree with Disney Fans at the start of this thread. I love that DCL doesn't have casinos because that leaves more room on the ship for other things that I would enjoy. I will always seek out a cruise with no casinos and as long as Disney uses its space for more things that I would enjoy, I need look no further. It's Disney for me!

 

[mom2my3kids]

noooooooooo...

 

[beachblanket]

Ah, I did mention a larger shop for two reasons. One was to garner more revenue for DCL, which is what the benefit of a casino would be. The other is that I've read people would like more DCL merchandise in the shops, and there's not enough space.

Part of what is likely going on here is the fact many DCL passengers presume the environment onboard is supposed to directly replicate that of WDW. Ergo, theming, characters, entertainment, etc.

Ergo, those used to massive stores like the World of Disney at DTD apparently feel like the shops (on any cruise ship) are tiny/low inventory.

With the new ships being significantly larger tonnage-wise than those in the existing fleet, DCL can easily add a couple of hundred square feet to retail, which is all that is necessary to put up stacks of more DCL chochkies (souvenirs, caps, shirts, coasters yada yada yada). That will stop the "there isn't enough stuff" whining. You don't need to use a quarter of an entire deck for that, and DCL isn't going to "replicate" DTD.

 

[ariesmom]

We like playing blackjack and poker on occasion...especially DH. BUT It sounds so un-Disney-like to have a casino. I actually think it would be sad to have one on a Disney ship.

 

[Mickey_loves_Minnie]

Part of what is likely going on here is the fact many DCL passengers presume the environment onboard is supposed to directly replicate that of WDW. Ergo, theming, characters, entertainment, etc.

Ergo, those used to massive stores like the World of Disney at DTD apparently feel like the shops (on any cruise ship) are tiny/low inventory.

With the new ships being significantly larger tonnage-wise than those in the existing fleet, DCL can easily add a couple of hundred square feet to retail, which is all that is necessary to put up stacks of more DCL chochkies (souvenirs, caps, shirts, coasters yada yada yada). That will stop the "there isn't enough stuff" whining. You don't need to use a quarter of an entire deck for that, and DCL isn't going to "replicate" DTD.

Yup, you're right, the huge Disney shops on land are probably influencing the idea that the cruise shops are tiny. I have imagined DCL's shops to be similar to other cruise lines' shops, but first-time cruisers are probably expecting Waterworld of Disney. And I definitely agree that they can and will add more space to buy stuff on the new ships.


Casinos--honestly, I think that's just a rumor. But we'll see. Won't bother me!

 

[wingkng]

I have cruised on both DCL and Royal Caribbean, and I have to say that being a non-smoker and non-gambler, the casino was a real turnoff for me on the Royal Caribbean ship. It seems such a big waste of space for me. Also, there was always people smoking there, which makes my nose all congested. I think that the cruise should be a time to connect with your family. A casino may just tempt too many adults to ditch their children.

 

[disjest8]

I voted yes simply because it would provide a little more adult fun. We definitely enjoy the family time on the cruise, but a casino might be a nice change.

I haven't read the entire thread...is there rumor that all ships will incorporate a casino or just the new ones? It would be nice if one had the option to choose a DCL ship with or without a casino.

-Kristi