Where was everybody????

[Corryn]

We had the late dinner seating, which I thought was great for us. But after dinner at 10:30 when we walked out of the restaurant to see what was going on.....(insert cricket chirping sound here) Nothing.....Nothing at all. Where was everyone? I mean, I know we were on a family cruise and some parents had very young children and retired early, but it seemed like a ghost ship. My husband and our friends were, it seemed, the only souls wandering the ship and hanging out, besides the teenagers and a few other adults who weren't tired by 11:00 p.m. We even tried going to the clubs but they were empty, too. Even my kids were hanging out until the kids' club closed for the night. For the most part, out Party Days are behind us, but when we're on vacation, we're usually the last ones out of the park at night and our curfew goes out the window...To heck with sleep!

One night we went to a comedy show and yes, there were people there, but very few compared with the amount of people on that ship during that time. I will admit that I totally enjoyed wandering around the ship in my p.j.'s with no one else around

So, I'm just curious....When you cruise, what do you do after dinner and what time do you retire?

 

[jlawall]

Early in the week, most people are tired from traveling, etc. Later on, check out Rockin' Bar D, there is a lot of fun activities going on there!

 

[kaykels]

I know exactly what you mean! Were you on the Wonder or the Magic? It seems like there are a lot more tired folks on the Wonder since there is so much to cram in in such a short time. My husband and I often said the same thing. It's no fun hanging out in a club when there's only 6 people in there!
We were on 2 Wonder cruises and a Magic. The Magic was a little more lively but I bet I could still walk around in my PJ's without many people noticing!

 

[Corryn]

We were on the Wonder.....You're right about crammin' so much in, but one afternoon nappy helped me recoup!
Remember when you used to go out dancing and you'd get into a club and, like you said, there were 6 people there? We would just leave - and you're right, you can't have a good time being Dancing Queen when there's no one else in the clubs

 

[Honu]

We'd love to dance the night away, but don't because smoking is permitted in the clubs. We do movies and read in the cabin.

 

[lbgraves]

DH is usually up around 5:30/6 and the rest of us are up by 7 so we start the day without alot of people roaming around either. After the late show got out at 9:30 we would walk around with the kids, check out the new pictures in shutters, and roam deck 9. By then we were all ready for bed.

 

[Corryn]

I think we got lucky on our cruise as far as the smoking goes...I'm a non-smoker and now I'm remembering that the comedian had asked the question, who was and who wasn't and the non-smokers far outweighed the smokers. I am allergic to the cigarette smoke and I can smell it right away when its around, but I did not notice it at all while on the cruise, except for while walking through the adult pool area during the day.

 

[tezb]

This was our experience the last time we cruised DCL in 2003. By 11pm, no one was around except a few people and teens wandering the ship. Our kids are older now and we were looking for something to do after dinner. We just thought since most people have little kids that they go to bed early and get up early. This is one reason we tried RCCL (mariner) last summer. We needed more night life since our kids are teens now. What a change...so many things/clubs to choose from in the evening and wee hrs of the morning. We are not partiers but wanted more from a cruise for adults. We enjoyed RCCL in that respect better than DCL.

 

[tvguy]

Disney IS an "early to bed early to rise" cruise line. Disney was my 6th cruise, after having cruise HAL, RCCL, NCL and Paquet. Unlike other cruise lines, the Magic was abandoned by the time we got out of late seating. We were shocked to discover the shows for late seating were BEFORED dinner, other lines do the shows after dinner, no matter what seating you have. I suspect this is dictated by the type of customer Disney attracts, the early to bed crowd.
We had a great time on the Magic, but about the time my wife and I were ready to dance......the clubs were open, but empty.,

 

[aprilgail2]

We were in the room in bed by 10 most nights..some nights I would go to the internet cafe for a little while after 10 but other than that we were in the room and in bed.

 

[married2grumpy]

We felt the same way! One night the kids wanted to go to the kids clubs so we let them. My DH and I wandered around and there was absolutley nothing to do. We felt like we were the only adults on the ship. Now we aren't party animals by any means but there really wasn't a thing going on at that time. We picked the kids up and went to bed.

It did seem that as the trip progressed, more people showed up in the clubs. I guess the first couple nights people are still tired and not ready for the night life. I do wish it was a little more lively in the evenings for those of who had a sitter for the evenings or those who have no children at all.

I think it's one of the areas DCL needs to improve on.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

We have late seating, and no matter how much we try, DH and I CANNOT seem to stay up late. Never thought we'd see the days where we'd be 'wiped-out' by midnight. In our prechild days, we worked until 11 pm, and usually wouldn't unwind and go to bed until 2am or later.

Now, we're the same as most other DCL cruisers. Even though we dine late, we're happy to hang out at Rockin' Bar for only about an hour and are ready to head back to the stateroom for bed. Wouldn't have it any other way though. I prefer the family atmosphere of DCL over other cruise lines.

 

[PizzieDuster]

On our last 5/8/04 Western, we had a blast dancing in the clubs - errr 'club'.

I'm still trying to figure out what the heck Studio Seas has to offer, if anything. Every single time (3 DCL cruises) we have yet to see ANYTHING happening in Studios Seas! Nada!

Sessions/Cadalllic Lounge was smoothing, but a little dancing in there would be nice too.

I don't know about you, but I'm thinking of the 7 days SIX nights of fun. It's like 6 days and FIVE nights of fun. The last night is like a ghost town and I couldn't help but feel like the staff was already "over" this cruise and
"hey, don't let the door hit you in the beehind on your way out to pack". It was dead! Loungers stacked up on deck, bartenders, cleaning up, getting ready for the next cruise. It was so depressing. I just guessed that the last night would like --- ---- --- ---

But it felt like it was basically --- shut down the ride, we want to go home ---.

 

[lbgraves]

We have enjoyed going to Studio Sea with our kids a couple times on each cruise. On the first they enjoyed learning some of the line dances and on the last one we went to the Golden Mickey all star dance party after the last show and Mickey even showed up to dance with everyone for a little while. There were quite a few people there then too.

On the last night most people are rushing to get their stuff packed & out in the hall. It really helped me on the last cruise to pack up all the dirty clothes on Tuesday and put that full suitcase under the bed again. Thursday afternoon I did the same thing & just kept out two outfits for each of us, swim suits, and one outfit for dinner on Friday night. After coming back from dinner that last night I was able to finish packing rather quickly & was very happy that DS & I were able to make it to the Til We Meet Again in the atrium. I was surprised at how many people were there.

 

[Corryn]

I just guessed that the last night would like --- ---- --- ---

So funny

 

[aprilgail2]

I'm still trying to figure out what the heck Studio Seas has to offer, if anything. Every single time (3 DCL cruises) we have yet to see ANYTHING happening in Studios Seas! Nada!

We spent time in Studio Seas doing family things..like Tea with Wendy, Scavenger Hunt, Family Karoke, family dance party..
I have yet to do anything in Rockin D Bar after 9pm on any cruise...we tired once but there was smoking in there so we didn't stay,..