Double Shows in the Med

[janiebubble]

Or you just hang out and chill like those of us who don’t like magicians, find ventriloquists creepy, and have never found a “comedian” remotely funny have been doing all along.

Spot on ... plus there is the cinema option too. I’m booked back on the Med next summer, and obviously in the minority, but i would be happy with this schedule.

 

[Intr3pid]

Are folks here really expecting to see six different shows on a 7-night, port-intensive cruise? Do you realize the cost of running that kind of setup with the sets, costumes, training, and the salaries of that sort of entertainment staff? The performers who can perform six different shows on six different sets on six consecutive nights! And such skilled performers would be on a cruise ship as opposed to scouting for work on Broadway?

And let's be realistic. How many folks will actually make it to all the shows after they have spent whole days touring the ports? And then the complaints would run in the opposite direction - for having to choose between a show and a full port day or whatever else.

While Disney is a premium cruise line, even the true luxury cruise lines don't have this sort of entertainment. Remember, Disney will simply pass on the costs of what you will demand - so everyone on the cruise will pay for the added costs whether they can get to actually enjoy those six shows or not.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Well this is disappointing. I don't want to see the same show twice. Like a previous poster said, I really enjoyed Hamilton but I am not dying to see it again. Even if a particular act isn't to my liking, I still prefer having something different in the theater each night.

Fully agree, it's about a product we expected and purchased, and they changed it without informing us, way past the PIF.
The WDT has an ambiance that is not replicated in the small bar areas.

The funny thing is that the current Magic mainstage cast (Magic 40) knows Once Upon a Song (the show even has a Moana update). They performed that, show for us on the EBTA with Magic 39 performing their last iterations of the other mainstage shows.

Agree, give us that.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Are folks here really expecting to see six different shows on a 7-night, port-intensive cruise? Do you realize the cost of running that kind of setup with the sets, costumes, training, and the salaries of that sort of entertainment staff? The performers who can perform six different shows on six different sets on six consecutive nights! And such skilled performers would be on a cruise ship as opposed to scouting for work on Broadway?

And let's be realistic. How many folks will actually make it to all the shows after they have spent whole days touring the ports? And then the complaints would run in the opposite direction - for having to choose between a show and a full port day or whatever else.

While Disney is a premium cruise line, even the true luxury cruise lines don't have this sort of entertainment. Remember, Disney will simply pass on the costs of what you will demand - so everyone on the cruise will pay for the added costs whether they can get to actually enjoy those six shows or not.

The sets are there and ore built for shows.
Not expecting six Disney shows but guest entertainment on other nights.
Cost for Disney shows already paid.
Performing CMs on the ship already.

I always have a full day in port and always make the show, considering the WDT is always full, looks like the majority does, ( Main dinner).

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Well we should join forces in the no show double dipping support group!

Agree.

 

[TestingH2O]

Are folks here really expecting to see six different shows on a 7-night, port-intensive cruise? Do you realize the cost of running that kind of setup with the sets, costumes, training, and the salaries of that sort of entertainment staff? The performers who can perform six different shows on six different sets on six consecutive nights! And such skilled performers would be on a cruise ship as opposed to scouting for work on Broadway?

And let's be realistic. How many folks will actually make it to all the shows after they have spent whole days touring the ports? And then the complaints would run in the opposite direction - for having to choose between a show and a full port day or whatever else.

While Disney is a premium cruise line, even the true luxury cruise lines don't have this sort of entertainment. Remember, Disney will simply pass on the costs of what you will demand - so everyone on the cruise will pay for the added costs whether they can get to actually enjoy those six shows or not.

So let's look just at the Med iteveraey since you bring up the port intensive nature.

Day 1 - embarkation and not port driven. Last year it was a welcome show to get to know the cruise director and get a taste of the other entertainment.

Day 2 - at sea. Again, no port. Last year, this was a Broadway show that had not been seen just the day before.

Days 3 - 6 - ports with a mix of variety acts and shows in WDT. Perhaps here you might justify repeating ONE stage show in case people had a tiring day in Rome or something.

Day 7 - sea day & stage show. No port implications.

Ok, so day 3&4 might make sense for a repeat stage show. Day 5 & 6 should be fresh options in the main theater. Or some mixing & matching of those days. The entertainers might be available in the lounge for a show. But certainly not for as many people since those venues are so small. They've also still removed a whole show.

I get that not everyone likes the shows. That's fine. But even if you don't partake in them, it is still DCL taking away an amenity without replacing it with a substitute.

It also occurs to me that the repeating schedules mean that the performers are actually working MORE instead of having nights to rest their voices and bodies. If they are tied to the theater every night now, who is working the character lines and doing those jobs?

 

[ACQUADUCK]

So let's look just at the Med iteveraey since you bring up the port intensive nature.

Day 1 - embarkation and not port driven. Last year it was a welcome show to get to know the cruise director and get a taste of the other entertainment.

Day 2 - at sea. Again, no port. Last year, this was a Broadway show that had not been seen just the day before.

Days 3 - 6 - ports with a mix of variety acts and shows in WDT. Perhaps here you might justufy repeating ONE stage show in case people had a tiring day in Rome or something.

Day 7 - sea day & stage show. No port implications.

Ok, so day 3&4 might make sense for a repeat stage show. Day 5 & 6 should be fresh options in the main theater. Or some mixing & matching of those days. The entertainers might be available in the lounge for a show. But certainly not for as many people since those venues are so small. They've also still removed a whole show.

I get that not everyone likes the shows. That's fine. But even if you don't partake in them, it is still DCL taking away an amenity without replacing it with a substitute.

It also occurs to me that the repeating schedules mean that the performers are actually working MORE instead of having nights to rest their voices and bodies. If they are tied to the theater every night now, who is working the character lines and doing those jobs?

Excellent post.

 

[CarolynU]

Are folks here really expecting to see six different shows on a 7-night, port-intensive cruise? Do you realize the cost of running that kind of setup with the sets, costumes, training, and the salaries of that sort of entertainment staff? The performers who can perform six different shows on six different sets on six consecutive nights! And such skilled performers would be on a cruise ship as opposed to scouting for work on Broadway?

And let's be realistic. How many folks will actually make it to all the shows after they have spent whole days touring the ports? And then the complaints would run in the opposite direction - for having to choose between a show and a full port day or whatever else.

While Disney is a premium cruise line, even the true luxury cruise lines don't have this sort of entertainment. Remember, Disney will simply pass on the costs of what you will demand - so everyone on the cruise will pay for the added costs whether they can get to actually enjoy those six shows or not.

No of course that’s not what we are expecting.
What we are expecting is what we have had right up until very recently.
That would be, some kind of welcome/introductory show.
The normal three Broadway type shows and a mix of other fabulous entertainers brought on by DCL to perform in WDT on the other evenings.
And yes I do go to all the shows on a seven night cruise!
If DCL have managed to do this every year until 2018 I fail to see why they can’t continue to do so.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

No of course that’s not what we are expecting.
What we are expecting is what we have had right up until very recently.
That would be, some kind of welcome/introductory show.
The normal three Broadway type shows and a mix of other fabulous entertainers brought on by DCL to perform in WDT on the other evenings.
And yes I do go to all the shows on a seven night cruise!
If DCL have managed to do this every year until 2018 I fail to see why they can’t continue to do so.

Fully agree.

Now yes first time cruisers may not have an argument based on DCL advertising, however us regular cruisers do.

We have experienced the ships shows and entertainment and therefore our expectations are for a different entertainment show each night, a mix of Disney shows, and on longer cruises guest entertainment.

Now again I can see logic on new productions being popular say beauty and the beast and frozen, so repeating a new show in say the first year has merits when there are limited sea days. When tangled was introduced we had a special afternoon matinee.

But now the Magic. We have not been informed of any changes by DCL, that not only being of curtesy, is with a change of product a necessity.
The Magics shows have been around a long time now, Tangled two years, no repeats on consecutive nights required recently. Dreams Twice charmed around far longer.

A " Port intensive " itinerary doesn't wash, as we are paying for a Disney cruise, we want, as well as food, a port day and a entertainment show, we know what we booked. If we are too tired after a port day and just eat and go to bed, we can book, any cruise or any hotel and buy car rental.

But we pay higher rates for Disney shows and guest entertainment.

Our expectations are based on the purchase of prior cruises, this is a degrade and as a minimum we should have been advised.

The majority on this the Dream and Wonder threads agree.

BTW Carolyn, are you in the very active cruise meets group of the 22/7?

 

[kaseyC]

A " Port intensive " itinerary doesn't wash, as we are paying for a Disney cruise, we want, as well as food, a port day and a entertainment show, we know what we booked. If we are too tired after a port day and just eat and go to bed, we can book, any cruise or any hotel and buy car rental.

Exactly. Many people pay DCL's premium not for the itinerary but for the Disney difference which includes their unique brand of entertainment. Up until recently, they didn't seem to have an issue providing varied productions with out the repeats on all of their cruises including the port intensive sailings. So what has changed? Like many others, I see this a cost cutting measure which I'm sure Disney is presenting this to their customers as providing us with more "options"!!

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Exactly. Many people pay DCL's premium not for the itinerary but for the Disney difference which includes their unique brand of entertainment. Up until recently, they didn't seem to have an issue providing varied productions with out the repeats on all of their cruises including the port intensive sailings. So what has changed? Like many others, I see this a cost cutting measure which I'm sure Disney is presenting this to their customers as providing us with more "options"!!

Very true, cost cutting.

I recall being at the contemporary resort when WDW gave us 1 day notice of stopping extra Magic hours.

They said this was " in response to customer demand!" Some spin, they added visitors wanted to see more characters in the resorts, so they did that and cut EMHs.

The two things had no connection whatsoever, it was cost cutting, and a suit decided on it. A year later when bookings in resorts were down considerably, as there was no Disney difference EMHs came back and they had to add free Disney dinning at times.

With double shows, there is now little Disney difference between cruises, others have good kids clubs, shows each night, RCCL had a Disney inspired copy cat show!

This will hit them hard on repeat cruisers. They charge more, and with degraded entertainment options cruisers will go elsewhere and most likely not come back.

They said to cruisers last week,
" they are giving more options ".

Like the withdrawal of extra Magic hours it's Disney PR spin, you remove 50% of shows by repeating them, saving money on guest entertainment, and describe it as more options?

 

[dclpluto]

I would think this will have a impact on the characters. We all know that the characters on the ship is from the Walt Disney theatre shows. So will the character meetings be less? Dcl is going to wear out some of their performers. Getting less time off might mean more people not signing up for another contract and they will have a bigger turn over rate.bigger turn over rate means more mistakes.

 

[kaseyC]

It makes me wonder if this is headed towards adding some fee based entertainment on the new ships. They are already trying out the fee based evening Supper Club at Tiana's on the Wonder.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

It makes me wonder if this is headed towards adding some fee based entertainment on the new ships. They are already trying out the fee based evening Supper Club at Tiana's on the Wonder.

They are always looking for ways to boost Non Fare income. Without a casino they are behind other cruise lines.
We have seen an introduction of various Fee paying extra services.
Concierge enhanced but then cost rocket. Boutique, Royal afternoon tea, Booked photo services, expanded mixology. Clearly looking at extras to charge.
RCCL charge for upgraded steak in MDRs and there fresh orange juice is taken away post breakfast and charged on deck. They have soda packages.
I am not sure about charging for core shows, I can see “ on demand” in room services having fees added, and non core entertainment in say MDRs or bars having charges.

 

[Keris]

I don’t mind the new schedule at all. We don’t like variety acts all that much and would appreciate the chance to choose which night to see the Disney shows.

We were so busy last year, that we only made it to two shows anyway! I can see why those who like variety acts might be disappointed though.

 

[ButterbearUK]

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 guess it depends on what they are taking away... it’s a while since I was on DCL (I’ve only done the longer Med cruises). I loved all the broadway style Disney shows, but the visiting local musicians, acrobats and comedians were not my cup of tea at all. Also their quality was very mixed. I’d happily sit through the same proper show twice rather than have one of those groups on the main stage at night. Or take a night off from the theatre and go to the cinema or something instead.

That said, I would be disappointed if they removed one of the main Disney shows and then doubled up another. At that point I would feel a bit cheated.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I guess it depends on what they are taking away... it’s a while since I was on DCL (I’ve only done the longer Med cruises). I loved all the broadway style Disney shows, but the visiting local musicians, acrobats and comedians were not my cup of tea at all. Also their quality was very mixed. I’d happily sit through the same proper show twice rather than have one of those groups on the main stage at night. Or take a night off from the theatre and go to the cinema or something instead.

That said, I would be disappointed if they removed one of the main Disney shows and then doubled up another. At that point I would feel a bit cheated.

Yes it's each to their own tastes, and personal preferences, some will sit through twice charmed a hundred times! When on the Fantasy we had back to back cruises and we watched Aladdin twice in 7 days.

But we like the mix , WDT show then variety acts, I found guest like ABBA tributes, Greta Salóme Stefánsdóttir, from Iceland, Junk, etc.

On the three cruise meets threads I think it's 90% dissatisfaction on policy and 10% like it.

In the end it's personal choice, what you see, we look forward to a different show each night, we were going to get repeats anyway as back to back, but now have the same shows offered 4 times.

 

[Dug720]

To be fair, the DCL website technically says “Original musicals and award-winning live productions are performed every night of the week”. And random variety acts are not mentioned.

So this move actually *is* in keeping with their “advertisement”.

 

[TestingH2O]

In the end it's personal choice

Yes. And by taking the variety acts out of the theater, they are removing choices since the lounges have nowhere near the capacity that the WDT has.

 

[dclpluto]

It makes me wonder if this is headed towards adding some fee based entertainment on the new ships. They are already trying out the fee based evening Supper Club at Tiana's on the Wonder.

I wouldn’t doubt it. Some of the seats might even cost extra. Anything is possible. The better the performer the more it will cost.