Why so against Casinos on DCL? With Poll

[cgolf]

Having sailed RCCL and Celebrity now, I am curious why many are against a casino on a DCL cruise ship? The casinos on Celebrity are smoke free and other than the free 5 bucks we were given I spent zero time in there. If DCL added them as smoke free in an out of the way location, what are the concerns?

One argument I know of is some won't want kids exposed to it, but I see more people having issues with alcohol, always in the news of someone getting OWI 4 or greater, not gambling and DCL is not an alcohol free ship. I also see this as a plus for some parents that have kids that are big Disney fans but they are not. This may give them something to do to get away from all things Disney for a bit. In theory this could bring down or at least put a freeze on the cruise fares.

So why all the push back on something that you could just ignore?

For us it wouldn't be an issue at all. In my mind I would think my cruise fares are cheaper because of it and I would completely ignore it.

 

[squirk]

Simple - they don’t need a casino to attract their target demographic.

Even if a casino was “out of the way,” space is finite and something else would have to go to accommodate it.

I can’t think of anything on the ships that I’d want to give up in favor of a casino.

 

[cgolf]

Simple - they don’t need a casino to attract their target demographic.

Even if a casino was “out of the way,” space is finite and something else would have to go to accommodate it.

I can’t think of anything on the ships that I’d want to give up in favor of a casino.

The Magic is the ship we have been on the most and we have always seen the Promenade lounge rarely used, except when they schedule an activity there. Same with the piano bar. We went in for a few of the nightly performances and were the either the only ones in there or just one or two other couples. On the dream and Fantasy we saw a few of the bars rarely used, and I don't remember a lot from those ships because the Dream was a long time ago and the Fantasy we varied our routine hangouts because we did concierge. We probably should have explored the Fantasy more.

 

[squirk]

The Magic is the ship we have been on the most and we have always seen the Promenade lounge rarely used, except when they schedule an activity there. Same with the piano bar. We went in for a few of the nightly performances and were the either the only ones in there or just one or two other couples. On the dream and Fantasy we saw a few of the bars rarely used, and I don't remember a lot from those ships because the Dream was a long time ago and the Fantasy we varied our routine hangouts because we did concierge. We probably should have explored the Fantasy more.

That’s fine. I’m just speaking for myself and my wife.

We enjoy all parts of the ship(s), and we are not gamblers. A casino would add no value for us, and in fact would likely subtract value in terms of what would have to be sacrificed.

There are a lot of things DCL could add to the ships to make more money. Not all of those things would be “on-brand.”

 

[vegs1]

We did a tour years back and asked why there was no casino. We were told then that Disney is a family brand and that they don’t see that as part of their branding. You never know if they will change that down the road but for now, I’m personally happy they don’t have it.

 

[Chirple]

My husband and I are not gamblers, but we don't care if other people do enjoy it. My late mom loved playing the slots in Atlantic City; my sister and I would go with her once in a while but be done once we lost $20 each.

 

[Sarahslay]

The Magic is the ship we have been on the most and we have always seen the Promenade lounge rarely used, except when they schedule an activity there. Same with the piano bar. We went in for a few of the nightly performances and were the either the only ones in there or just one or two other couples. On the dream and Fantasy we saw a few of the bars rarely used, and I don't remember a lot from those ships because the Dream was a long time ago and the Fantasy we varied our routine hangouts because we did concierge. We probably should have explored the Fantasy more.

Simply because you didn't see them used often does not mean they aren't used and enjoyed. If they were replaced with a casino then where would those activities be held? The piano bar is a late night handout, not used during the day, but I know I still enjoy that to relax after the kids have gone to bed (DH is an early sleeper too, leaving me as a night owl to explore). I haven't been on the dream or fantasy yet but am really excited to visit the Pink champagne bar, which I know never looks overly crowded but you wouldn't want it to be. If any of those places were taken away for a casino I do believe there would be something missing from the DCL experience IMO. I've been on cruises with casinos, they are there to attract a certain type of people, as squirk said, DCL does't need one because that isn't their target demographic. I personally don't care for them and believe they would take away much of the joy of a DCL cruise. If someone wants to gamble that badly they can cruise with another line to get their fix.

 

[cgolf]

We did a tour years back and asked why there was no casino. We were told then that Disney is a family brand and that they don’t see that as part of their branding. You never know if they will change that down the road but for now, I’m personally happy they don’t have it.

One could argue that having bars is not a family activity either, but they do have many of those on board? I do think overall though people don't drink as much on DCL, but I have no proof to back it up. The only truly smashed people, (3 total) we have seen have been on DCL, but our sample size on other lines compared to DCL is very small.

 

[Deb T.]

Speaking as an adult who was raised by alcoholic parents who spent hours of "family vacations" in bars and casinos - fall-down drunk - I am pleased with DCL's decision not to add casinos on their ships. I realize DCL has plenty of bars onboard, but at least a kid's parents aren't going to be parked in front of slot machines or game tables all day and night like mine were.

 

[squirk]

One could argue that having bars is not a family activity either, but they do have many of those on board?

I think DCL’s target demographic had a far bigger interest in just getting away from all the kids for a little while and enjoy a drink vs. hitting the slots and tables.

In other words, the absence of casinos isn’t anywhere near a deal-breaker as an absence of bars would be.

As @vegs1 said, that could change in the future, but right now, casinos are not needed and, as a whole, probably aren’t even much wanted on a DCL ship.

 

[vegs1]

One could argue that having bars is not a family activity either, but they do have many of those on board? I do think overall though people don't drink as much on DCL, but I have no proof to back it up. The only truly smashed people, (3 total) we have seen have been on DCL, but our sample size on other lines compared to DCL is very small.

Yes, you could definitely argue (and be correct) that bars aren’t family activities but that would likely be the tipping point to a large percentage of people not cruising at all.

You also mentioned that your cruise fares could be cheaper because of a casino but on DCL, I would highly doubt it.

I am not against casinos when used responsibly. I just don’t want to see them on DCL. Would you personally prefer to have them?

 

[cdoc29]

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.

 

[cgolf]

Simply because you didn't see them used often does not mean they aren't used and enjoyed. If they were replaced with a casino then where would those activities be held? The piano bar is a late night handout, not used during the day, but I know I still enjoy that to relax after the kids have gone to bed (DH is an early sleeper too, leaving me as a night owl to explore). I haven't been on the dream or fantasy yet but am really excited to visit the Pink champagne bar, which I know never looks overly crowded but you wouldn't want it to be. If any of those places were taken away for a casino I do believe there would be something missing from the DCL experience IMO. I've been on cruises with casinos, they are there to attract a certain type of people, as squirk said, DCL does't need one because that isn't their target demographic. I personally don't care for them and believe they would take away much of the joy of a DCL cruise. If someone wants to gamble that badly they can cruise with another line to get their fix.

They have plenty of areas to hold activities during the day since the adult areas are only adult at night. I am guessing DCL's goal is to maximize the profit from each area of the ship and from what we observed on the Magic the Promenade lounge in particular was under performing. We only sailed on the Magic 8 times which while is a lot of family cruises is still a small sample set.

All good responses so far, we all use the ships in different ways and also have varying levels of life for the Disney product overall.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

I am looking to go on my first cruise in 2020 and the black of a casino takes DCL off my list from the start.

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.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm not sure I'd mind one if it was totally out of the way, like the adult bar district, but I'm skeptical that a cruise line would build a casino and then tuck that casino out of sight. Casinos only make money with a decent amount of traffic, and they use all the lights and colors and open entrances without closed doors to draw people in. When we were on Princess pre-kids, the casino was something you couldn't get around the ship without seeing. They just wouldn't make money with an invisible casino.

Plus the bars on DCL aren't adult only until night time. They do daytime activities there that kids can go to, so it isn't totally "wasted" space for cruisers that want to spend time with their families. A casino on the other hand would have to be adult-only, all day and night.

And I would absolutely hate one if it was out in the open. The kids would see all the slot machines and want to play. It would be a constant source of annoyance for parents having to drag screaming toddlers away from the entrance who don't understand why they aren't allowed to go in.

 

[cgolf]

Yes, you could definitely argue (and be correct) that bars aren’t family activities but that would likely be the tipping point to a large percentage of people not cruising at all.

You also mentioned that your cruise fares could be cheaper because of a casino but on DCL, I would highly doubt it.

I am not against casinos when used responsibly. I just don’t want to see them on DCL. Would you personally prefer to have them?

As I stated in my original piece, if out of the way, I wouldn't care either way. I didn't find them to be a big deal on other ships we have now sailed like I thought they would be, easily avoided. Some are right, DCL probably wouldn't drop prices, but one could hope the extra income might slow down the increases, especially when they hit 7 ships. I was just curious why so many are very against them, especially when I see lots of lightly used spaces on board all ships we have sailed, not just DCL.

 

[ahain]

I'm in the same camp as those who say they prefer that DCL use their limited space for things other than casinos. We don't gamble, and don't really drink much either. But I'd much rather hear/see the atmosphere of small lounges/bars when I walk through (or stop & just relax a bit) as compared to the bright flashing lights and ding, ding ding of hundreds of slot machines - not a relaxing sound at all! I also feel that - at least for some - it is very easy to park down in front on a slot machine and suddenly hours have passed....seems like a waste of time that could be spent with family, but perhaps that's "fun" for some.

 

[Travel60]

We did one cruise on another line because it sailed out of our city. Loud people, loud dings and bells, bright flashing lights. No thanks. It was right in the middle of the ship on the way to restaurants. I hated going through it so badly that we figured out a much longer roundabout way to traverse the ship. Seemed to attract a different sort of crowd, too. Please, Disney, don't go down this path!

 

[squirk]

I am guessing DCL's goal is to maximize the profit from each area of the ship and from what we observed on the Magic the Promenade lounge in particular was under performing.

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.

 

[Eeyore daily]

If I wanted to be at a casino while on vacation I'd go to Vegas or Atlantic City. That's my parents perfect vacation but not mine. I've never been on a cruise, but the lack of a casino and pressure of "vacation drinking" appeals to me greatly about DCL.