Match Your Mate First Night?

[dreamer17555]

So on our recent Dream sailings we were told by crew that due to guest feedback Match Your Mate is now being held on the first night of any cruise...

I have to say this first night move seems like a mistake. On the Dream, Evolution was normally packed for Match Your Mate but instead it was almost empty (which is semi common for first night for adult 10-11PM entertainment). Guests were leaving half way through and the whole thing seemed more stilted. I am sure it is a few things- people tired from Embarkation and traveling, maybe new cruisers not even familiar with the adult venues, kids not settled into staying late at the kids club, and people not being in vacation mode yet so not in the mood to share (or over share) that makes Match Your Mate so fun.

I have to wonder- did guests really want this? One of the most favorite activities to be held on a night when people are tired? Isn't it even more awkward to volunteer at the beginning of a cruise knowing you have so many days of being that couple ahead of you? It seemed we had more volunteers when it was held later in the cruise... Has anyone else experienced first night Match Your Mate? Are you in favor of it being held the first night or no?

 

[allashore]

So on our recent Dream sailings we were told by crew that due to guest feedback Match Your Mate is now being held on the first night of any cruise...

I have to say this first night move seems like a mistake. On the Dream, Evolution was normally packed for Match Your Mate but instead it was almost empty (which is semi common for first night for adult 10-11PM entertainment). Guests were leaving half way through and the whole thing seemed more stilted. I am sure it is a few things- people tired from Embarkation and traveling, maybe new cruisers not even familiar with the adult venues, kids not settled into staying late at the kids club, and people not being in vacation mode yet so not in the mood to share (or over share) that makes Match Your Mate so fun.

I have to wonder- did guests really want this? One of the most favorite activities to be held on a night when people are tired? Isn't it even more awkward to volunteer at the beginning of a cruise knowing you have so many days of being that couple ahead of you? It seemed we had more volunteers when it was held later in the cruise... Has anyone else experienced first night Match Your Mate? Are you in favor of it being held the first night or no?

Not in favor of Match Your Mate the first night
looked at our B2B on the Dream in January 5 nights 18th-23rd & 4 nights Jan 23rd-27th, both were on the 3rd night

 

[dreamer17555]

Not in favor of Match Your Mate the first night
looked at our B2B on the Dream in January 5 nights 18th-23rd & 4 nights Jan 23rd-27th, both were on the 3rd night

It was 3rd night on the Dream in Jan and sadly moved for our Feb sailing to first night. Spoke to several crew members who said it was fleet wide change to first night due to guest feedback.

 

[NAB]

I totally agree . We had Match your Mate first night on the Treasure last month too. I love going to this one but did not go. I was too tired and was just getting used to the ship.

I didn’t actually go to any of the adult things in the lounge. It through me off I guess…lol I like Majority Rules that is usually played just before it but on the Treasure it was in Tritons that place is so small so didn’t play that.

 

[catsrgr8]

Sailed the Magic a few weeks ago and it was definitely not first night, either night 2 or 3, I think it was the night that wasn’t pirate night, so probably night 2.

 

[dreamer17555]

Sailed the Magic a few weeks ago and it was definitely not first night, either night 2 or 3, I think it was the night that wasn’t pirate night, so probably night 2.

Interesting. I hope the crew I spoke to were misinformed that it was a fleet wide change. Can I ask when you sailed? They said it started in Feb.

 

[catsrgr8]

Interesting. I hope the crew I spoke to were misinformed that it was a fleet wide change. Can I ask when you sailed? They said it started in Feb.

We sailed mid February on the Magic and it was definitely not the first night

 

[SnowWhite2]

Match your Mate has traditionally been held the first night. I remember almost 20 years ago my parents were picked for the "old" couple. I was so tired getting everyone packed and ready for the trip that I missed it and went to bed early. Thank God! Those are things I don't want to know about my parents.

The past several cruises it has not been held on the first night. I've missed a few due to tastings that we scheduled prior to sailing and didn't realize it conflicted with Match Your Mate.

 

[princesscinderella]

We are sailing in a few weeks on the treasure so I will report back. I remember that match your mate was usually in the middle of the cruise. They also used to give the winning couple a massage certificate for the spa. Now I think you only get a bottle of champagne, not worth the potential embarrassment to be a couple contestant anymore.

 

[scroogie]

Match your Mate has traditionally been held the first night.

Yeah, when I opened the thread I had a bit of a "huh?" moment... out of 12 cruises I can only remember maybe 2 or 3 times that Match Your Mate wasn't on the first night, going all the way back to 2013.

 

[dreamer17555]

Yeah, when I opened the thread I had a bit of a "huh?" moment... out of 12 cruises I can only remember maybe 2 or 3 times that Match Your Mate wasn't on the first night, going all the way back to 2013.

I will admit I’ve only started cruising on Disney in 2020. Since then I’ve been on over 16 sailings and the only time we had Match Your Mate on night one was our recent Feb sailing and I had no idea that that’s how it used to be. Appreciate the insight that it used to historically be the first night.

 

[NAB]

Yeah, when I opened the thread I had a bit of a "huh?" moment... out of 12 cruises I can only remember maybe 2 or 3 times that Match Your Mate wasn't on the first night, going all the way back to 2013.

Weird because I have done 21 cruise as of last month and started sailing in 2004 . This was the first time we saw it on the first night on the Treasure. We have been on all the ships too. Weird.

Oh well I don’t like it on the first night…lol

 

[drstrange]

Had a Fantasy sailing in the middle of February and "Match Your Mate" was on the second night of the sailing.

 

[Chirple]

Was on the 2/8 Treasure sailing. Match Your Mate was night 1; Match Your Matey was on Pirate night. We didn't go to either.

 

[CamColt]

We were on the 2/16 Fantasy and it was not the first night.

For me personally, we are in the adult club every night so what is when doesn't matter so much but I do get what you are saying about possibly having a lesser crowd.

 

[Joanna71985]

Just did the Dream on Feb 15-20, and it was on the first night

 

[iloveeeyore]

We were on Treasure January 18, and it was the first night. There was also a Match yer Matey on pirate night, which was night 4.

 

[dreamer17555]

Just did the Dream on Feb 15-20, and it was on the first night

We were on Treasure January 18, and it was the first night. There was also a Match yer Matey on pirate night, which was night 4.

Did you enjoy it being on night one? Would you prefer it on another night?

 

[iloveeeyore]

Did you enjoy it being on night one? Would you prefer it on another night?

It made no difference to us. It was a blast. And crowded in Sarabi. That said, our travel day was 3 days earlier so we were already well adjusted and not travel-tired.

 

[Joanna71985]

Did you enjoy it being on night one? Would you prefer it on another night?

It didn't really make a difference to me. I was fine going on the first night