Double Shows in the Med

[TestingH2O]

Remember this?

I sent an email to DCL yesterday as I don't like this trend of double shows. I want something different to see every night in the Walt Disney Theater--we're fine with entertainers and a movie for the non-Disney show nights. I did mention that we're cruising on the Magic this summer and will be disappointed if we have 'duplicate' shows. For the premium we all pay for cruising Disney, we should have the option of seeing something different every night in the theater.

Here is the response I got from DCL (either she doesn't know about the current Wonder schedule or maybe it's just for this cruise...):

• Currently, the option to see the same Broadway-caliber show on two different nights is only being offered on the Disney Dream. This is being offered Friday, April 20 through the month of September 2018.
  
• Although subject to change, this option is not being offered onboard the Disney Magic.
  
• As the schedules are subject to change without notice, the live show schedules are not published in advance. Please check your Personal Navigator once onboard for the most up-to-date information for your cruise.

Well, check out this week's Navigator for the Med.



Courtesy of Scott at the DCL blog.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

It's quite disappointing even disgusting, say what about a 5 night Mediterranean.

I can understand say where the ship has a new production show like Beauty and the Beast, but all the Magic shows have now been around some time since Tangled.

Back to back would see them 4 times!

 

[Geomom]

Ug, I saw that on Scott's twitter today. Not happy at all. I can only hope they stop doing double shows before we cruise the Magic in August!

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Ug, I saw that on Scott's twitter today. Not happy at all. I can only hope they stop doing double shows before we cruise the Magic in August!

Current cruisers were putting it on their comment cards, the PR response to give cruiers " more options" i.e. Take a show away = more options.

Bottom line, some suits idea to cut entertainment budget.

 

[TestingH2O]

Current cruisers were putting it on their comment cards, the PR response to give cruiers " more options" i.e. Take a show away = more options.

Bottom line, some suits idea to cut entertainment budget.

I will certainly comment. I get that the other entertainers will be in a lounge, but that is a fraction of the seats available.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I will certainly comment. I get that the other entertainers will be in a lounge, but that is a fraction of the seats available.

I think other entertainers are cut a lot.

 

[GPaLarry]

I would assume that this Med cruise is similar to the 7-night one we took a couple of years ago. We had a different show every night. However, this cruise is very port-intensive. Of course, your choices of excursions make it so. We came back from our Pompeii, Rome and Florence days about 15-20 minutes before the Magic left port and, sometimes, eating into our dinner time (pun intended). I can only guess, but DCL might be thinking that doubling up on shows gives you the option, especially with late seating, to see their featured shows one of two days and plan their excursions accordingly. I would think a one-person magician or comedy show would be cheaper and less labor intensive to put on that two major musicals back to back. Just sayin'...

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I would assume that this Med cruise is similar to the 7-night one we took a couple of years ago. We had a different show every night. However, this cruise is very port-intensive. Of course, your choices of excursions make it so. We came back from our Pompeii, Rome and Florence days about 15-20 minutes before the Magic left port and, sometimes, eating into our dinner time (pun intended). I can only guess, but DCL might be thinking that doubling up on shows gives you the option, especially with late seating, to see their featured shows one of two days and plan their excursions accordingly. I would think a one-person magician or comedy show would be cheaper and less labor intensive to put on that two major musicals back to back. Just sayin'...

My friends were on a 7 night last week, and I have more on the current one.

Yes thoose in Late dinner may like to rest rather than a show, Late is 8.30 Main is 6 months.

Typically all DCL Port adventures are back before Main.

DCL has already set up the shows, trained their performers, so repeating is no extra cost.

Performers are paid a fee, ( negotiated) and have accommodation costs, maybe for some, flight costs, - Disney Stars guest performing, then there is the back up equipment, set etc to get on and off.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Remember this?



Well, check out this week's Navigator for the Med.

View attachment 326608

Courtesy of Scott at the DCL blog.

Wow, I'd be really bummed....

One of the big things I like about DCL over other cruise lines is the fact that there's a new show every night. I get the necessity of, maybe, running a new show twice during a cruise, but running 3 shows twice - not so much.

I've never seen the "old" shows that full that they needed to spread out the passenger load that much.

Now, if the shows were not run back to back nights, on a port intensive cruise, I might understand it. But that's not really feasible, because the change out of sets from show to show is a pretty big deal.

Ooo, had a thought, what if it's a test to see if making the theater smaller is a good option for the new ships? With a smaller theater, they'd HAVE to run the shows multiple times to allow everyone the opportunity to see them.

 

[TestingH2O]

Ooo, had a thought, what if it's a test to see if making the theater smaller is a good option for the new ships? With a smaller theater, they'd HAVE to run the shows multiple times to allow everyone the opportunity to see them.

I think it's a test to see if they might be able to hire fewer variety acts. If they can rerun shows in the big theater, then they need fewer acts to play in the lounges.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I think it's a test to see if they might be able to hire fewer variety acts. If they can rerun shows in the big theater, then they need fewer acts to play in the lounges.

Also.

If you have seen a show already, where do you go? Shops and bars, maybe Spa, win win DCL. You spend more.

 

[TestingH2O]

I went ahead and emailed DCL. I'm sure I'll get some response about "due to guest feedback" but I'll complain again to the CD and on my comment card next week. First time I've had a real complaint about the product itself (not just the price.)

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I went ahead and emailed DCL. I'm sure I'll get some response about "due to guest feedback" but I'll complain again to the CD and on my comment card next week. First time I've had a real complaint about the product itself (not just the price.)

In the end we are not getting the product we thought we were getting, ok their adverts may say Disney shows, but for Castaway club members, we have expectations that if cruises change their product significantly they should inform us, and they haven't.

 

[CarolynU]

I love going to the theatre. Les Miserables, Hamilton, Miss Saigon bring it on! However, not once have I ever come out of the theatre and thought "wow" I must do that all over again tomorrow!
I used to really enjoy the All Aboard or whatever it was called show actually. Yes it was cheesy, but it gave me that kind of excited to be back feel, even though Jeremy was a trifle annoying lol!
Then that changed to here are snippets of what you will be getting during your cruise. Ok at least it gave me some excitement to be back again. But now? Here is your first show which will also be tomorrow's entertainment too!
I agree. To me it seems like a cheap option to cut other entertainers!
I'm on the Med on July 22nd. I will be sure to comment on this.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I love going to the theatre. Les Miserables, Hamilton, Miss Saigon bring it on! However, not once have I ever come out of the theatre and thought "wow" I must do that all over again tomorrow!
I used to really enjoy the All Aboard or whatever it was called show actually. Yes it was cheesy, but it gave me that kind of excited to be back feel, even though Jeremy was a trifle annoying lol!
Then that changed to here are snippets of what you will be getting during your cruise. Ok at least it gave me some excitement to be back again. But now? Here is your first show which will also be tomorrow's entertainment too!
I agree. To me it seems like a cheap option to cut other entertainers!
I'm on the Med on July 22nd. I will be sure to comment on this.

I will see you then!

PS E mail sent to the bosses.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I love going to the theatre. Les Miserables, Hamilton, Miss Saigon bring it on! However, not once have I ever come out of the theatre and thought "wow" I must do that all over again tomorrow!
I used to really enjoy the All Aboard or whatever it was called show actually. Yes it was cheesy, but it gave me that kind of excited to be back feel, even though Jeremy was a trifle annoying lol!
Then that changed to here are snippets of what you will be getting during your cruise. Ok at least it gave me some excitement to be back again. But now? Here is your first show which will also be tomorrow's entertainment too!
I agree. To me it seems like a cheap option to cut other entertainers!
I'm on the Med on July 22nd. I will be sure to comment on this.

I'm with you. I enjoyed both the welcome aboard and final shows onboard the cruises.

I liked the little talk from the cruise director as to what to expect on our cruise (it seemed to cut down on the announcements every night pre-show), and the "taste" of the variety acts onboard that cruise. The final night wrap up was great.

I've already sent a message to DCL about my disappointment with this change in the entertainment.

 

[CarolynU]

I'm with you. I enjoyed both the welcome aboard and final shows onboard the cruises.

I liked the little talk from the cruise director as to what to expect on our cruise (it seemed to cut down on the announcements every night pre-show), and the "taste" of the variety acts onboard that cruise. The final night wrap up was great.

I've already sent a message to DCL about my disappointment with this change in the entertainment.

Maybe I’ll email them in advance too. Seems like they need to hear our opinions on this matter.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Maybe I’ll email them in advance too. Seems like they need to hear our opinions on this matter.

Good idea, the more the better, the " product" we thought we purchased, i.e. A fundamental part of it, the shows, have changed, and they didn't notify us.

What would occur if you purchased say an on demand TV service with new shows each night, then found half are repeats, we would cancel or demand money back.

 

[CarolynU]

I will see you then!

PS E mail sent to the bosses.

Are you on this sailing too?
I’m going to email DCL to add my thoughts. Let’s hope that whoever came up with this idea has a re-think!

 

[TestingH2O]

I specifically said that the value of the product had decreased.