Why so against Casinos on DCL? With Poll

[sethschroeder]

On the dream and Fantasy we saw a few of the bars rarely used

As first time cruisers this is a good thing not a bad one. I want quite laid back locations that are not packed. Although from others it sounds like they are more specific hours some places might fill up more.

There just isn’t enough on a ship of interest to me. I would want a casino as a backup in case I got bored.

I would say watch the vlogs that are out there for Disney cruise. If the shows and activities are not for you that's fine. Disney needs to stay Disney and let others fill that casino void.

I plan on just bringing my Nintendo Switch if things get "boring" I can easily pop out the switch and play a party game in one of these low attended lounges. Heck random people might even want to join as well.

If I wanted to gamble I would personally be in Vegas where I have options as I wouldn't expect a DCL casino to offer much of variety likely and it's very unlikely to have things like poker.

 

[cgolf]

Let’s take that to an absurd extreme just to make a point - DCL could put a strip club in that space to make it more profitable.

But that is not their brand. It is not what their passengers are looking for on a DCL ship. There are other ways for them to make money than going off-brand or actively damaging their brand.

There is simply not an appetite for casinos among the demographic that DCL is targeting.

I simply am asking the question, because I am curious. Your example I personally not a fan, but way different topic.

I was just curious with the new ships comping out and I have read that some itineraries the DCL may branch out to their is the expectation of a casino, not that DCL couldn't get past without one.

There is a drinking culture on DCL, but I think people generally drink a bit less when they have their kids with them. Not a lot of single college aged kids cruising DCL or the other ships we have sailed.

 

[T & R]

If you want to get your "gambling fix" on DCL, you've always got Bingo. I am glad they do not have casinos. Don't get me wrong, I love gambling and will be at the Royal Beach Casino in St. Kitts on our upcoming 8 night on the Fantasy but DCL is not the right venue for a casino. I'm more comfortable bringing my family on DCL knowing there's no casino and a bunch of drunken 19 year olds. Just personal preference but DCL must know what their doing because you don't see us going on any other cruise line and we'll be on our 10th DCL cruise in approx 3 weeks.

 

[squirk]

There is a drinking culture on DCL, but I think people generally drink a bit less when they have their kids with them. Not a lot of single college aged kids cruising DCL or the other ships we have sailed.

I think you answered your question right there. There is not a big gambling culture on DCL either. There is “light” gambling with bingo, just as there is “light” drinking with the adult lounges.

A casino would be a lot of space that would satisfy a very small percentage of passengers.

 

[vegs1]

Maybe instead of a casino, DCL could take a gamble on installing a tiny little cafe that only sells Palo’s Chocolate soufflé! Now that I’d go to!!!

 

[cgolf]

I think you answered your question right there. There is not a big gambling culture on DCL either. There is “light” gambling with bingo, just as there is “light” drinking with the adult lounges.

A casino would be a lot of space that would satisfy a very small percentage of passengers.

It is hard to tell overall though, because I knew for years folks on this board would be against it, which is a micro subset of DCL cruisers, would be curious of the responses to a post cruise survey done by DCL.

Heck for us if DCL had no smoking, alcohol, or casinos it would still be an option for us empty nesters. I am never expect the booze to go away because it is a money maker, I just choose to mostly ignore it because of the added cost I do miss my eco tini though

 

[DCSWO]

As has been stated, not the cruise crowd DCL is catering to. DCL isn’t hurting for business and there are plenty of other cruise lines that offer casinos. I don’t think you will ever see it and I’m not sure I would want to sail on a Disney ship WITH a casino - it would be like they were “selling out.” I also wouldn’t want to see unlimited or super low priced extended drink specials - not the type of people I want to sail with.

If, beyond your $5 free dollars, you spent zero time in the casino on Celebrity, why would you care about a casino on DCL?

 

[cgolf]

Disney charges a premium over other cruise line such as Royal or NCL. For me I am happy to pay that premium as I expect is because they are not trying to make up the difference in the casinos. When I have been on other cruise lines they are always looking to nickel and dime everything to make a profit margin, this includes pushing the casino. If Disney were to go that route it would take away from the environment they have built. If a gambling is important then go on a cruise line that has gambling or choose itineraries where they have casinos.

I think this argument is just flat out wrong. Having sailed 2 RCCL ships and Celebrity, we have always had to hit the shops at the end to use our onboard credit. We never felt nickel and dimed or pressured to spend more money. There are more options to spend money, but it isn’t forced on you.

 

[squirk]

It is hard to tell overall though, because I knew for years folks on this board would be against it, which is a micro subset of DCL cruisers, would be curious of the responses to a post cruise survey done by DCL.

Heck for us if DCL had no smoking, alcohol, or casinos it would still be an option for us empty nesters. I am never expect the booze to go away because it is a money maker, I just choose to mostly ignore it because of the added cost I do miss my eco tini though

I am sure Disney bean-counters and marketing specialists have looked at this idea from all angles - surveys, analytics, etc. - for many years and, for whatever reason, deemed the idea as an overall net-negative. I would hazard to say that more people are either actively against a casino or just indifferent to the idea vs. people who actively want one.

That having been said, if DCL ever launched a separately-branded sister cruise line that didn’t target young families, they would totally put casinos on those ships.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I've been on ships with casinos, and it's fine? But if DCL charged the absurd premium they do WHILE having a casino, I would not be pleased.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

The casinos usually great nasty rooms of smoke and alcohol. I can’t see that happening on DCL.

 

[pezgirlroy]

I think this argument is just flat out wrong. Having sailed 2 RCCL ships and Celebrity, we have always had to hit the shops at the end to use our onboard credit. We never felt nickel and dimed or pressured to spend more money. There are more options to spend money, but it isn’t forced on you.

Having been on RCCL a month ago, we absolutely were pressured to spend additional money. At almost every single meal we were asked about to purchase the specialty dinning. Same for the alcohol package which we already had. We had a great time but yes there was constant pressure to spend more.

 

[Dug720]

As others have said, Disney is having no trouble filling their ships (indeed I have seen PLENTY of the "cultures that expect casinos" - read: Asian market) without them. Leave well enough alone! For those that simply must get a gambling fix, there is Bingo.

I'd still cruise them (as I have cruised RCCL and HAL), but I would not darken the door of the casino as that is not my jam at all. There are plenty of options out there of ships with the loud, sensory overload, get drunk and stinky smoky rooms - you're free to go on them. Let Disney remain Disney with things that set it apart.

 

[Dug720]

Having been on RCCL a month ago, we absolutely were pressured to spend additional money. At almost every single meal we were asked about to purchase the specialty dinning. Same for the alcohol package which we already had. We had a great time but yes there was constant pressure to spend more.

Not to mention the gauntlet to get into the Windjammer - specialty dining, drinks packages, spa, jewelry, art auctions... There was no way to avoid that if you wanted to get to the buffet!

 

[cgolf]

The casinos usually great nasty rooms of smoke and alcohol. I can’t see that happening on DCL.

Celebrity casinos are smoke free, and the hope is RCCL will be too in the future.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

For us a casino doesn't fit into Disney's image and not something that we would like to see. I can tell you that my Mom and Dad don't go on any cruises anymore, since my Dad does like to gamble and the previous cruises they have been on with other cruise lines, he spent more time in the casino then anywhere else. So she refuses to go on the cruises because in her mind all cruise ships have casinos. We are trying to talk them in going on their 1st Disney cruise with us next year; but I had to spend time trying to explain to my Mom that the closest thing to gambling on the Disney ships is Bingo.

Also in my opinion, anyone who thinks that having a casino on a Disney ship would lower or slow the prices price increases is just plain wrong. As long as the demand is there and people pay their prices; then they have no incentive to lower them.

Psy

 

[cgolf]

Not to mention the gauntlet to get into the Windjammer - specialty dining, drinks packages, spa, jewelry, art auctions... There was no way to avoid that if you wanted to get to the buffet!

We walked past without any issues. Are there people there trying to sell you stuff, sure, but we always sailed right past we never felt they were pushy about it.

 

[cgolf]

Having been on RCCL a month ago, we absolutely were pressured to spend additional money. At almost every single meal we were asked about to purchase the specialty dinning. Same for the alcohol package which we already had. We had a great time but yes there was constant pressure to spend more.

We have never been asked to try specialty dining, sorry you were, but a firm no should send them away.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I'm all for a smoke free casino in an out of the way location. I don't think I'd gamble much but I'm always in favor of having more options.

 

[pezgirlroy]

We have never been asked to try specialty dining, sorry you were, but a firm no should send them away.

I understood how to send them away which we did. While we were in the dinning room eating dinner we would be approached by multiple different people. This is definitely the norm.