Why so against Casinos on DCL? With Poll

[PrincessShmoo]

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

Because it will also take up valuable onboard space that could be utilized for more "non-casino" activities or venues. IMO, casinos just seem cheap (all those flashing lights and noise), even without smoking. Not really the image Disney wants.

I don't believe it's the DCL cruisers that are making the call. It's DCL that's made the call to not have casinos.

BTW, you need an "other" option. My vote is "No casino" As to whether I'd still cruise DCL if they did put a casino onboard, I'd have to hold back on that answer, it would depend on itineraries/cost (that's how we book all our cruises).

 

[FreeTime]

I've been checking out Disney cruises for the possible future and a casino would put me off booking for sure. Heck, honest to gods I'd pay even more for one without alcohol. In my searches I checked out RCL and a few others, we don't drink, we don't smoke, we don't gamble, there was nothing for either me or my spouse to do besides maybe lounge in a deck chair but I could do that from a beachfront hotel and have more dining options. If I'm looking for a DCL cruise it's because I like Disney, so add more Disney, not a casino... unless maybe it had a villains theme and the blackjack is being dealt out by Hades. Then I'd be tempted...

This confuses me when you say there is nothing for you to do. My bar bill on a recent 7 nighter was $37. Majority of this was for coke at the bar. You can do plenty without partaking. Each evening after the main show my DH and I found plenty of entertainment in the clubs without drinking. You aren’t criticized on a cruise for taking up a spot to watch a comedian, a game show, a band, at the piano bar, etc just because you have a water in your hand.

 

[DuskKodesh]

This confuses me when you say there is nothing for you to do. My bar bill on a recent 7 nighter was $37. Majority of this was for coke at the bar. You can do plenty without partaking. Each evening after the main show my DH and I found plenty of entertainment in the clubs without drinking. You aren’t criticized on a cruise for taking up a spot to watch a comedian, a game show, a band, at the piano bar, etc just because you have a water in your hand.

I meant the shows listed for RCL were stage plays (Meh.) a comedian, (I guess could be okay, depends), musical performances (I have weird tastes in music, probably a hard nope.) None were my jam. With Disney there was Disney trivia (Yes), the movie theatre with animated shows (All my yes), fireworks (Yes.), characters (Yes).

Think of me less as an adult that doesn't drink and think of me more as a thirty-six year old with a ten year old's interests.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I like playing cards and go to the casino a lot on other cruise lines. But it wouldn’t feel right on Disney. It would need to be totally out of the way and would give the ship a different feel. We did talk to a cruise director on our cruise to Iceland this summer and asked him if he thought any of the new ships would be in Asia. He said he doubted it primarily because a cruise line in Asia has never been successful without a casino and that’s not the Disney brand.

 

[mcd2745]

I voted "No, but would still sail with DCL". I've spent my share of time in casinos in Atlantic City (pre-kids, not so much since). I've enjoyed casinos a little on other cruise lines, but the smoke usually keeps me away. If DCL put in a casino and it was smoke-free, I'm sure I'd spend some time in there "late" nights (I put late in quotes because I'm talking approx 11:30pm - which I don't consider late by any means, but many of you probably do). It would be something - really, the only thing - to do after the performance in the lounge ended (usually around 11-11:15pm). That's my biggest issue with DCL (besides cost)...the ship shuts down so early. Yeah, there are a couple of bars still open - with no more than a few people in them. We'll have a drink during the show, but once it ends, we're not ones to just stick around the bar and have another drink or two. However, by no means are we looking to head back to the stateroom and go to bed either. So for people like that, how many options are there available to them on DCL? Zero. That's why I personally wouldn't mind a casino - it would increase the number of options at that time all the way up to one.

I guess this is the spot to re-iterate what I've posted many times before when the subject of casinos comes up. Since it's likely never going to happen. I agree with the pp who mentioned how hard Disney has fought to keep casinos out of central Florida - so they can't embrace them on DCL. I believe a great "compromise" would basically be a 'Dave & Busters' at sea (they could have it be their own version, or actually contract with the chain). It can serve as the arcade for kids/families for most of the day, and then become adults-only after say, 10pm with a full bar, of course, and possibly even some food options. I bet (see what I did there!) it would generate lots of revenue for DCL.

 

[cgolf]

There are a few posts I could reply too, but I am happy people are voicing their opinions.

My personal thoughts are that all the ships I have been on imo had their fair share of underutilized space that could be repurposed for something else. Whether it’s a casino, bar, nightclub, kids space, they could do something more.

As for casinos they don’t bother me, but I would prefer that they be smoke free like they are on Celebrity. I don’t see myself ever hanging out in one because it doesn’t interest me but others seem to enjoy them. Just like we don’t hang out at the bars to drink.

As far as the results, the leading option, I added on a whim, that people wouldn’t cruise DCL if a casino was added, shocked me. I thought people wouldn’t be so anti casinos. I underestimated how much this would bother people.

I also never expected this to be such a hot topic, I expected 20 to 30 votes and 5 or 10 replies. It all came about from some comments on the Wish thread. Thanks again for all of your replies and comments

 

[bbel]

You bring up an interesting point. While I'm assuming the majority of those drunk parents are still reasonably able to parent, what was the procedure if a parent showed up that clearly wasn't able to take care of their child if you released him/her? Were there protocols for dealing with that sort of parent?

I saw one parent throw up over the gate into the kids club when the came to pick up before falling over. I had one parent not able to remember their kids name, the password or date of birth and then become abusive because they couldn't remember.
We had one parent not even show up and security found them asleep in an elevator... and they were just the top three Haha!
Royal has been really tame compared. I've had a few tipsy parents but nothing unsafe. More they're picking up at 2am and just really want to chat and know all about everything, Haha!
Maybe Disney are just too scared to say no, especially if they're making money, maybe royal are quicker to cut them off, especially if they're on a drinks package so not really paying?

And yes, the kids were not allowed back in their care until it was sure they were capable to parent again.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

I could see Disney putting in a casino, one or two ships only, in an out of the way location. They don't allows smoking, you have to purchase any alcohol, no slots or Big Wheel, only craps, baccarat, blackjack and roulette. Maybe not include craps because it gets so loud. And only open them at night. Also, only open them at sea, not in port.

Something that limited wouldn't be profitable enough to be worth the investment required to pay the casino's dealers, monitors, security people, etc., and to train all those folks to keep their interactions with guests "Disney"...

 

[starvenger]

To be perfectly honest, DCL costs so much that I don't want to even entertain the thought of them getting more of my money via a casino, even if I only play $5-$10 tables.

Regardless, it's not the make or break feature for me when considering what cruise to book.

 

[elle21]

The reason I’m choosing a Disney Cruise is because it’s different than the competitors. If I wanted the casino/ party/ bar scene, and the crowd it attracts, I would sail on a different line.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I also never expected this to be such a hot topic, I expected 20 to 30 votes and 5 or 10 replies.

You've been here for 7 years, and you didn't expect this to be a hot topic?

 

[cgolf]

You've been here for 7 years, and you didn't expect this to be a hot topic?

No not at all, now chair hogs, dress code, alcohol policy change, rapidly increasing prices get your out The alcohol policy change, one poster in particular brought the worst out in me and many others, don’t think he is around anymore.

I guess I never saw anyone post this before as a topic. I thought I had been here longer but I guess not. Site would have been helpful for our first 5 cruises.

 

[Toolulu22]

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.

I can see why many people are not thrilled with the idea of a casino. I don't gamble much, but my husband likes to play poker. I go to the casino with him maybe once or twice a year. I usually get a manicure while he plays and we have dinner at some point and then I snuggle up in our room and watch movies. The smell of smoke is irritating, and the slots and table games also have more alcohol involved and its just not really appealing. It doesn't really seem to fit with Minnie and Mickey and the rest of the gang.

But what about something more tame like Bingo or Mahjong? It might appeal to those who don't want to get off the ship and do excursions, who skip the pools and parties, or who want a break from their families.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

But what about something more tame like Bingo

DCL does do Bingo.

 

[DisUniversal]

Yes, but should be in an out of the way location...like at the end of the "night club" district on the ships. Should also be smoke free. I think some additional "night life" options are needed and that could help liven things up. Would hopefully help subsidize the cost of the cruise and bring down prices a little for the non-gamblers. I can see them releasing casino chips with characters on them, which become collectibles and never get redeemed at face...which could also be good for Disney.

Anyone who says they would stop sailing Disney if they had a casino without first at least giving it a chance is lying...plain and simple.

 

[starvenger]

I can see why many people are not thrilled with the idea of a casino. I don't gamble much, but my husband likes to play poker. I go to the casino with him maybe once or twice a year. I usually get a manicure while he plays and we have dinner at some point and then I snuggle up in our room and watch movies. The smell of smoke is irritating, and the slots and table games also have more alcohol involved and its just not really appealing. It doesn't really seem to fit with Minnie and Mickey and the rest of the gang.

Casinos are smoke free in Ontario, and it is amazing.

But what about something more tame like Bingo or Mahjong?

I can't say that I've ever played or seen a "tame" game of MJ. It's usually the loudest, moist boisterous game in the room. And don't even think of looking over your grandmother's shoulder to see what tiles she has.

 

[fhtpdw20]

For 18 years I was a die-hard Disney park fan. Supported Disney through 9/11 and economic down turns. I would not think twice about refusing to sail with DCL if they bring on casinos. I have already given up going to WDW because of the dog policy that is now the norm. I don't spend that kind of money to vacation in a kennel. Everyone decides what they are willing to tolerate and what they consider the best value for their vacation dollars. Disney has put so many nails in their coffin over the past two years not even the 50th Anniversary is going to bring me back. The new ships will continue my interest in Disney but my next Florida park vacation will be at Universal.

 

[Budzooka]

Amazing to me how many people have hard lines drawn in the sand. I’m a gambler and never considered not sailing DCL because they didn’t have a casino.

I understand the argument about taking up space and not being able to multi-purpose that space. Would be interesting to see how DCL would reconfigure.

I think it’s a moot point because I don’t think DCL will stir up this type of controversy. I’m not a drinker but don’t boycott places that serve alcohol. But to each their own.

 

[Numtini]

I voted no because they're not interesting to me at all and seems like a waste of space. I waffled, but eventually voted no we wouldn't go if they added them. My reason though isn't pure objection or a boycott. It's that DCL is a significant premium from other lines, since we cruise on school vacations about twice the price, and we are already questioning the value as our daughter gets older. The more they are like the other lines, the less that premium seems worth it.

 

[daisyx3]

For 18 years I was a die-hard Disney park fan. Supported Disney through 9/11 and economic down turns. I would not think twice about refusing to sail with DCL if they bring on casinos. I have already given up going to WDW because of the dog policy that is now the norm. I don't spend that kind of money to vacation in a kennel. Everyone decides what they are willing to tolerate and what they consider the best value for their vacation dollars. Disney has put so many nails in their coffin over the past two years not even the 50th Anniversary is going to bring me back. The new ships will continue my interest in Disney but my next Florida park vacation will be at Universal.

But didn't they stop allowing the dogs in the resorts? I think only service/support dogs are allowed at this time.