Poll: On the heels of the casino thread, a question about DCL nighttime activities...

[sleepydog25]

Just for clarification, the question was simply do they need more activities at night - and not necessarily, do they need more "adult-oriented" activities. It is more about "when" than "what". Game night is a perfectly good example.

True enough. I was viewing it through the denotative lens of "need" vice something that simply would be nice to have. However, I did go back and add my vote.

 

[otten]

Honestly I am surprised it's not already open 24/7, at least one pool per night.

I am guessing that has to do with lifeguard duty times.

 

[mousefan73]

Closing pools early is the one area that Disney really is bad about. I love to swim late at night as I like ending my day with a quick swim at 10 or 11 PM, my kids too. This was actually the really nice thing about the Oasis of the Seas sailing we did this summer. Pools were open much later and they were multiple hot tubs my kids and I could use together. we also did the fantasy and to be honest that sucked, pool wise. Especially the fact that there’s not a hot tub that myself and the kids can use together.

 

[mousefan73]

I am guessing that has to do with lifeguard duty times.

Well then hire some more. It’s that simple and other cruise lines it doesn’t seem to be an issue. For what we are paying they could have some guys stand there 24/7.

 

[otten]

Well then hire some more. It’s that simple and other cruise lines it doesn’t seem to be an issue. For what we are paying they could have some guys stand there 24/7.

They probably don't think that it's worth the cost. Out of curiosity which cruise lines have their pools open 24 hours?

Disney's market isn't the same as every other cruise line and they clearly don't think investing in more late night entertainment is necessary to keep their market happy.

 

[cgolf]

While I feel they need more activities at night, guessing like not having casinos their current activities fit the folks that cruise DCL.

It seems like the club areas generally clear out after the last adult show at night. On the Magic we went to Rob Sanders late night set in the piano bar, regular person got the night off, and my wife and I and one other person heard an amazing set.

The thing is if they do add later activities I would prefer some interactive stuff or game shows. When we were on the Edge, they had the CD do a staged funny discussion with one of the officers, and interviewed one of the singers. After that they had on of the singers from the theatre performers sing a set. They also had live music all over the ship that was recording artist level talent that was must see. RCCL also had a house band that was must see and they would fill up the atrium type area multiple levels up.

Not sure how much Disney would roll with the live music since they would want to stick to Disney themes. The snuggly duck after party with the mini show and music was a lot of fun and a step in the right direction.

 

[Geomom]

I have only sailed on the Fantasy, but will have to check out the Magic if I ever get the chance.

Both the Magic and Wonder have live piano music in the adult only lounge. It's called 'Keys' on the Magic and 'Cadillac Lounge' on the Wonder. DH and I enjoy sitting in there and listening to the music.

 

[mcd2745]

It seems like the club areas generally clear out after the last adult show at night...

The thing is if they do add later activities I would prefer some interactive stuff or game shows.

I agree. I think after the last show in he club, is the perfect time to for trivia or some other game(s). If they offered other activities, I think people would stick around after the show. But since there is nothing, they just go back to their staterooms. The activities could be in one of the other bars next to the club, if they want to leave the club for dancing.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

The pools, slides & hot tubs being open later would help a lot.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

IDK... the decks clear pretty early on DCL; my family likes to do pool deck / AquaDuck / Funnel Vision after late dining -- which is not THAT late -- because it's almost deserted. While some of us with older kids (or no kids!) would appreciate more late-night entertainment, I'm not sure there'd be a huge market for it. I think the 18 - 25 crowd would appreciate more/better late night activities the most, but really, 90%+ of the adults on DCL have young kids to wrangle. If they're anything like I was when the Young MacSpiffs were younger, they probably relish the opportunity to crash early and sleep hard... and even if they do have to get up early because of their kids' sleep habits, not having to get ready for work / school / daycare in the AM is a much appreciated event.

 

[DisMommyTX]

This was our biggest complaint on the Magic. We are night owls and struggled to find anything to do late in the evenings, with or without kids. Our son is usually with us, so the adult only limitations made it even worse--we haven't had this issue on most other cruise lines (25+ cruises). We love the piano bars and other live music which runs until after midnight on most ships.

On our last NCL Getaway cruise, the dueling piano bar transitioned from family friendly to adult oriented as the night progressed, and announcements were made each hour or two that the humor may become more crude, but kids were never kicked out. Our son has special needs and can't understand the jokes anyway, but he loved the music. We also loved the two story lounge on the RCL Oasis, which alternated between a dj and band until 2 am nightly. We always finished the night there, usually with the kids dancing on the upper level out of the way of the adults on the main dance floor. Most cruise lines have a single night club that is 21+, but from what we have seen DCL has less evening options overall and even fewer for families to enjoy together. For a family oriented cruise line, this seems counterintuitive to me.

I have heard that our next cruise on the Fantasy should have more late evening entertainment than the Magic did, hopefully including someplace our family can listen to music together at 11pm.

 

[mousefan73]

They probably don't think that it's worth the cost. Out of curiosity which cruise lines have their pools open 24 hours?

Disney's market isn't the same as every other cruise line and they clearly don't think investing in more late night entertainment is necessary to keep their market happy.

They probably don't think that it's worth the cost. Out of curiosity which cruise lines have their pools open 24 hours?

Disney's market isn't the same as every other cruise line and they clearly don't think investing in more late night entertainment is necessary to keep their market happy.

What I meant was that for what we are paying for Disney they can afford to hire someone 24 hours. I can say that recently on Royal we as a family were at the pool, and they 3x what DCL has , until about 11. They closed most of the pools but the left one open very late.

 

[randumb0]

I wish there was more to offer after 12. I'm a night owl.

 

[FigmentSpark]

What I meant was that for what we are paying for Disney they can afford to hire someone 24 hours. I can say that recently on Royal we as a family were at the pool, and they 3x what DCL has , until about 11. They closed most of the pools but the left one open very late.

Perhaps naively, I thought DCL was the only line with lifeguards at the pools? Am I wrong or has that changed?

 

[mcd2745]

While some of us with older kids (or no kids!) would appreciate more late-night entertainment, I'm not sure there'd be a huge market for it.

So far, as limited as it is, the poll results suggest otherwise.

90%+ of the adults on DCL have young kids to wrangle. If they're anything like I was when the Young MacSpiffs were younger, they probably relish the opportunity to crash early and sleep hard...

I'm fairly certain that number is pretty inaccurate. I've read on average, for most DCL sailings, 20-25% (and the number goes higher at times such as now when all schools are in session) of the guests are adults with no children at all. Then, add in the percentage of parents whose children are at least in their teens, and you have a very significant percentage who are likely looking for more nighttime activities. And even among those with younger kids, I'm sure there are plenty who want to take advantage of an opportunity (they may never get at home) to partake in some nighttime activities while the kids enjoy the clubs.

 

[Happy99]

More activities in general are needed. If you aren't into trivia there really isn't much else to do.

 

[mcd2745]

Perhaps naively, I thought DCL was the only line with lifeguards at the pools? Am I wrong or has that changed?

A problem created by our overly-litigious society. They shouldn't have to keep lifeguards at the pools. Parents should be the lifeguards for their children. Personal responsibility seems to be a thing of the past.

 

[iivye]

I wish they would keep the pools open and play some late night movies on the Funnelvision.

 

[mcd2745]

More activities in general are needed. If you aren't into trivia there really isn't much else to do.

while this thread focuses on nighttime activities, I generally agree. They definitely could have more activities during the day (particularly on sea days) to help draw people away from the pool deck.

 

[FredtheDuck]

My kid’s normal bedtime is 8:30. We pushed it past 9:00 for the shows on our cruise. While I’m sure my husband and I would have loved to grab a drink or hit the pool, there’s no in-room baby sitting on board. So once she hits the hay, we’re stuck in our room