No theater shows on the fantasy this week

[bobbiwoz]

If Meredith Inglesby is on the ship as Mother Gothel, go see every single show she does in Fathoms or anywhere else.

She’s amazing! Enjoyed her on the Jan 3-8 Magic cruise!

 

[KashasMom]

Starting to realize that this is the change that would break the camels back for us. I’ve been good with just about every other change they’ve made. But if the shows didn’t play, I’d be pretty let down as it’s a major selling point for Disney Cruise Line for us. Will be keeping a close eye on if this is a trend that continues as our March cruise on the Fantasy creeps forward.

For me as well. TOO many things for us have changed for us already. No shows would be the end for me.

 

[tvguy]

For me as well. TOO many things for us have changed for us already. No shows would be the end for me.

Unfortunately this is the reality on all cruise lines these days. And often you don't find out until you board the ship. But I think everyone should know if you are cruising right now you have to understand ports, shows, other perks may not happen.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Unfortunately this is the reality on all cruise lines these days. And often you don't find out until you board the ship. But I think everyone should know if you are cruising right now you have to understand ports, shows, other perks may not happen.

I know you get what you get, but it feels like a rip-off to pay the premium prices we've all paid for the 'luxury' cruise and only get a portion of the experience. This will be my sister's first DCL cruise. If the shows aren't on and there are no replacements, it'll likely be her last, particularly at these prices.

DCL should consider rebates to passengers when the experience ends up being so sparse, even if only for their reputation.

 

[Donna3271]

I was second guessing pushing our Feb 19 Fantasy to July 9. Reading through the thread, I think I made a good decision. Praying this is all behind us soon. HUGS TO ALL!

 

[tvguy]

I know you get what you get, but it feels like a rip-off to pay the premium prices we've all paid for the 'luxury' cruise and only get a portion of the experience. This will be my sister's first DCL cruise. If the shows aren't on and there are no replacements, it'll likely be her last, particularly at these prices.

DCL should consider rebates to passengers when the experience ends up being so sparse, even if only for their reputation.

No argument on rebates being something that should be considered. However, I've been cruising 42 years and back then these well produced, Broadway type shows were the second string entertainment on cruise ships. I cruised on the Norway twice in the 1980's, and they had these shows, but their big entertainment offerings were NAME entertainers that you would see on the Tonight Show etc who would put on the show on the ship, then mingle with the guests the rest of the week. We saw the Fifth Dimension, Norm Crosby, Jack Jones (and his dad Allan who also was a big name entertainer), Shield and Yarnell. THOSE were the big entertainment options in those days. I should dig out my photo of me playing basketball in a game of passengers versus the Fifth Dimension on the Norway.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I know you get what you get, but it feels like a rip-off to pay the premium prices we've all paid for the 'luxury' cruise and only get a portion of the experience. This will be my sister's first DCL cruise. If the shows aren't on and there are no replacements, it'll likely be her last, particularly at these prices.

DCL should consider rebates to passengers when the experience ends up being so sparse, even if only for their reputation.

IDK what a rebate would look like, but the difference between expectations/cost and product delivered needs addressed somehow. Way before COVID, we had missed CC on a DCL cruise due to rough seas and so many passengers were so angry that they took it out on fellow passengers - it was a miserable experience! I know DCL doesn't control the weather (or COVID) but backup plans to the backup plans should be in place to provide entertainment, a free drink, etc. to 'make up for missing' whatever we're missing. Making some effort as a 'fix' can go a long way to soothing ruffled feathers...

 

[lanejudy]

DCL should consider rebates to passengers when the experience ends up being so sparse, even if only for their reputation.

That becomes a very slippery slope -- what you consider of high value on the cruise someone else might not. A family with elementary school age kids might value the Club/Lab and towel-folding class but may not attend the shows. An older couple traveling alone maybe appreciates the shows and adult-only venues but has no need for the kids clubs. A family with teens maybe really enjoys the sports deck and adult-only areas, but the kids spend little time at Vibe. And others within those same demographics have different likes/preferences. Then when "normal" returns, what about the people who don't attend the shows - do they get to insist on a rebate because others received one during the pandemic? There aren't specific prices attached to every activity onboard, that's part of the the "all inclusive" aspect -- hopefully something for everyone even if everyone doesn't like the same thing. People who decide to cruise at this time need to be aware that it's a fluid situation and can backtrack at any given time.

I do think DCL could lower their fares overall considering the entire experience is not what it used to be, but as long as folks are willing to pay full freight for the current cruises they won't do that.

 

[cvjw]

Not sure if anyone has posted, but supposedly Believe is being shown on the fantasy tonight. Saw a screen shot of the navigator app showing believe tonight.

 

[tvguy]

That becomes a very slippery slope -- what you consider of high value on the cruise someone else might not.

Very well put. And then there are crazy people like my wife and I who took cruises with our kids because it gave up a change to be together 24/7 for a week. To hang out as their friends, not mom and dad. Kids clubs, Adult only areas and specialty dining that excluded those under 18 were features we would never use.

 

[Snowwhyt]

What is the status going to St Thomas? Did they swap days with Tortola or are they just not going?

Just got off the ship a half hour ago we did not go to St. Thomas received a 20% discount on future cruise in 24 months. While we were on Tortola port I put $1500 in gift cards down on my account to pay for my Saint Thomas excursions. And they told me few hours later St. Thomas was canceled and they were giving me a $200 credit that could only be used on the ship. Thankfully I was able to get all my gift cards refunded. Otherwise I would never have been able to use the $200 onboard credit

I know you get what you get, but it feels like a rip-off to pay the premium prices we've all paid for the 'luxury' cruise and only get a portion of the experience. This will be my sister's first DCL cruise. If the shows aren't on and there are no replacements, it'll likely be her last, particularly at these prices.

DCL should consider rebates to passengers when the experience ends up being so sparse, even if only for their reputation.

We had to gold cruisers to Silver cruisers and one virgin cruiser. The two gold cruisers found this to be the least favorite cruise and a tribute are (unhappiness-boredom) to pandemic problems. With 20% off on next cruise we probably “got what we paid for” I’m hoping are transatlantic cruise in May and the magic will be more exciting. I’m really kind of terrified that the adult entertainment will be the juggler 4 nights and birthday party style magician 4 nights. I had been hoping for a real comedian and actual adult entertainment. I really would have loved to had Jo of the wonder on our cruise. Needed her so bad!

 

[Cheburashka]

Well, imagine what a lot of passengers will say if told "yeah, the entertainment staff is all in quarantine."

I imagine they'd say, "Oh, well that's too bad. I'm not surprised." Given that we all live on the same planet and are experiencing the same surge. It's happening to workplaces and schools all over the country.

 

[Cheburashka]

I know you get what you get, but it feels like a rip-off to pay the premium prices we've all paid

This is why I'm only sailing GT cruises right now. Sailed a 3-night VGT on the Magic in October and have a 7-night IGT on the Fantasy in March. Both cruises are the cheapest of their kind, by far, that I have ever booked. I would never pay what I used to pay to sail DCL under these conditions. There also seems to be more GT availability than there used to be.

If you can get a good discount rate, it's easier to roll with certain elements being missing. A Disney cruise is still a wonderful thing, especially in the world we live in.

 

[CMontheseas]

A little onboard insight here on a few things -

-Using the term "technical issues" is one of the oldest tricks in the book that we've had to explain anything we can't quite deliver to guests. Management never wants to give away too much for guests to know to make them worry (this is why we use Code words over the ship system ), so things in the past that were "technical issues" that have stopped shows have included GI/Noro sicknesses, unsafe stage conditions (too rocky), riggers are sick (no one can 'fly' during a show), or even notably - the cast got wasted in Cozumel and are not fit to perform, or had a physical fight and are being disembarked and sent home (in which case they aren't permitted to leave their cabin under strict security).

-it seems like as far as the ENT department goes on the Fantasy most have recovered from Covid and shows will slowly be back just some in B-Mode (reblocking with "swings" in for certain Cast Members, and syncing over vocal tracks). Often times if one cast member gets sick or is on vocal rest they'll switch to tracks (lipsync), or the swing steps in and you'll have one less dancing body on stage.

-Only some Cast Members of the mainstage cast are union, it's a big celebration day when someone get their card. They also get to have their own cabin while others share.

-The performances you see on Stateroom television are definitely pre-recorded and sometimes are really, really, really old. Like some of the people on there haven't been near ships in years, and one or two have gone on to actually win Tony awards!

 

[dvcjoe]

Currently on the fantasy, no frozen, aladdin or believe so far. They claim its technical and will be updating day by day.

Are they showing any previous performances on the TVs?

 

[Snowwhyt]

Are they showing any previous performances on the TVs?

That was old information because I just got off the ship yesterday and Believe and Frozen were there. But I sorry I don’t know about the TV answers for you. I think it was???

 

[jenushkask8s]

We boarded the Fantasy yesterday and the stage shows are happening. Frozen was shown last night and will be shown again tonight.