Why so against Casinos on DCL? With Poll

[lklgoodman]

On the Dream/Fantasy they could probably convert the District Lounge/La Piazza space into a casino with impacting too many people. On every cruise I've been on, I've rarely seen more than a handful of people in that area. Could be put to better use.

On our last Fantasy cruise(Jan 2019) we went to several trivia, a character drawing, and some pictionary games in the La Piazza space. It was the first time we played any of these types of games in this area, other times we played in the D Lounge. There were always a lot of people there during the games, but like you said not at other times. However add me to the group that wouldn't want a casino in that area(or at all on the ship, but it wouldn't stop me from cruising if they did add one.)

 

[KKKKCS]

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 grew up in Las Vegas and still live in Nevada. For my wife and I (she also grew up in Nevada) casinos are places to be avoided. I can't remember the last time we spent any time in one other than to pass through on the way to a restaurant, and then only because there was no way to avoid it. We have been on one RCCL cruise and made the mistake of transiting the casino once (early morning, no-one in there but us passing through). I almost threw up from the stench. It reeked. Like a casino. Needless to say, we avoided deck 4 at all costs from then on. We tried to ignore it, but if we got anywhere near deck 4, including the stairwells leading to it and the photo area, the stench was there to greet us. We cruise Disney in part because there is no casino, and are happy to pay the premium DCL charges. If DCL decides to be one of the many instead of the unique, we would probably opt to cruise for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost since we would have to put up with the casino anyway. That being said, when you are visiting Nevada please do gamble heavily. It keeps my taxes low!

 

[cgolf]

I grew up in Las Vegas and still live in Nevada. For my wife and I (she also grew up in Nevada) casinos are places to be avoided. I can't remember the last time we spent any time in one other than to pass through on the way to a restaurant, and then only because there was no way to avoid it. We have been on one RCCL cruise and made the mistake of transiting the casino once (early morning, no-one in there but us passing through). I almost threw up from the stench. It reeked. Like a casino. Needless to say, we avoided deck 4 at all costs from then on. We tried to ignore it, but if we got anywhere near deck 4, including the stairwells leading to it and the photo area, the stench was there to greet us. We cruise Disney in part because there is no casino, and are happy to pay the premium DCL charges. If DCL decides to be one of the many instead of the unique, we would probably opt to cruise for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost since we would have to put up with the casino anyway. That being said, when you are visiting Nevada please do gamble heavily. It keeps my taxes low!

Sorry we will never visit Vegas, not our thing either. Like your taxes being low I like paying under a 100 bucks per person per night on a cruise on RCCL and that includes 2 soda packages it’s on the Adventure so a decent ship too.

I really wish RCCL casinos were smoke free like Celebrity. We honestly didn’t really notice the casino on the Edge.

 

[3monkeys4me]

I really wish RCCL casinos were smoke free like Celebrity. We honestly didn’t really notice the casino on the Edge.

I do agree that for me at least it makes a big difference when the casino is smoke free. Our last cruise was on RCCL, but it was out of Australia so no smoking allowed in the casino (I believe it is the same with cruises that are out of the UK as well) and it made a huge difference. I haven't been on a Celebrity cruise yet, but I do think of the smoke free casinos as a selling point. While I generally don't spend any time in a casino (on land or on a ship) it is nice not to have to avoid as area because of the smell.

 

[starvenger]

I grew up in Las Vegas and still live in Nevada. For my wife and I (she also grew up in Nevada) casinos are places to be avoided. I can't remember the last time we spent any time in one other than to pass through on the way to a restaurant, and then only because there was no way to avoid it. We have been on one RCCL cruise and made the mistake of transiting the casino once (early morning, no-one in there but us passing through). I almost threw up from the stench. It reeked. Like a casino. Needless to say, we avoided deck 4 at all costs from then on. We tried to ignore it, but if we got anywhere near deck 4, including the stairwells leading to it and the photo area, the stench was there to greet us. We cruise Disney in part because there is no casino, and are happy to pay the premium DCL charges. If DCL decides to be one of the many instead of the unique, we would probably opt to cruise for 1/3 to 1/2 the cost since we would have to put up with the casino anyway. That being said, when you are visiting Nevada please do gamble heavily. It keeps my taxes low!

So really, it's more the fact that smoking is allowed in the casino than the gambling that bothers you. Which I think most people would agree with.

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Wow. I am surprised at how "heated" this topic has become. Just curious, for those of you who would like to see a casino onboard, do you gamble regularly at home? Or, is this an "activity" you expect/choose for vacations? I just can't fathom the thought of a Princess/Mickey meet or greet happening around the corner from a room full of slot machines

 

[DisUniversal]

Wow. I am surprised at how "heated" this topic has become. Just curious, for those of you who would like to see a casino onboard, do you gamble regularly at home? Or, is this an "activity" you expect/choose for vacations? I just can't fathom the thought of a Princess/Mickey meet or greet happening around the corner from a room full of slot machines

Not much of a gambler at all, but would be a nice to have the option. Sometimes it's fun sit in front of a slot machine pulling the handle or even sit down and play a few hands of blackjack. Nobody is forced to participate so don't understand what the big deal would be if they offered it as an option. They don't have Princess/Mickey meet and greets around the corner from the night club area so putting a small, tastefully done casino in the same area would affect absolutely nobody other than those who sought out that type of entertainment.

 

[ashley0139]

Wow. I am surprised at how "heated" this topic has become. Just curious, for those of you who would like to see a casino onboard, do you gamble regularly at home? Or, is this an "activity" you expect/choose for vacations? I just can't fathom the thought of a Princess/Mickey meet or greet happening around the corner from a room full of slot machines

Literally never gamble except for on a cruise ship. I'd happily go on a ship without a casino as well - I definitely don't need it, but I enjoy it if it's there.

I'm surprised at the amount of people whose vacation would be ruined by walking through a casino every once in a while.

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Not much of a gambler at all, but would be a nice to have the option. Sometimes it's fun sit in front of a slot machine pulling the handle or even sit down and play a few hands of blackjack. Nobody is forced to participate so don't understand what the big deal would be if they offered it as an option. They don't have Princess/Mickey meet and greets around the corner from the night club area so putting a small, tastefully done casino in the same area would affect absolutely nobody other than those who sought out that type of entertainment.

Well, I guess I've never encountered a "small" or "tastefully done" casino. But, if DCL chose to include a casino I would hope that would be the approach versus something off the main atrium area.

 

[FigmentSpark]

They could offer "casino nights" where they'd arrange, maybe a few tables of blackjack and maybe even pull out a roulette table. You could maybe buy in to a poker table, as well. They could even have maybe 10 slot machines on a wall that they could close behind a sliding door when not in use. That would make it an evening activity, rather than something that was always there and making noise for everyone.

 

[sethschroeder]

small, tastefully done casino

I just don't think you can have a small casino. You need slots, tables for various games, video poker, and other games.

If you are just going with slots or video poker then put it on an app and let people do it anywhere while on board. No space is taken up and people still get their fix.

Adding in:

They could offer "casino nights" where they'd arrange, maybe a few tables of blackjack and maybe even pull out a roulette table. You could maybe buy in to a poker table, as well. They could even have maybe 10 slot machines on a wall that they could close behind a sliding door when not in use. That would make it an evening activity, rather than something that was always there and making noise for everyone.

While this sounds good what would you do if all 10 machines were held up the entire evening? 10 machines on ships with upwards of 2000 adults is a very small percentage. Same with any of these tables as well. I just don't think you can do a small casino. Would you allow people to pre-book slot machines? Or would you have people lining up for an hour to be the first one like a meet and greet?

 

[lklgoodman]

I imagine slot machines with pics of various Disney characters. And when you win, instead of bells and whistles it's Mickey saying "Hot diggity dog, you won!!" Or when you lose, Goofy would say something like "Aww, shucks, better luck next time" lol

 

[FigmentSpark]

I just don't think you can have a small casino. You need slots, tables for various games, video poker, and other games.

If you are just going with slots or video poker then put it on an app and let people do it anywhere while on board. No space is taken up and people still get their fix.

Adding in:


While this sounds good what would you do if all 10 machines were held up the entire evening? 10 machines on ships with upwards of 2000 adults is a very small percentage. Same with any of these tables as well. I just don't think you can do a small casino. Would you allow people to pre-book slot machines? Or would you have people lining up for an hour to be the first one like a meet and greet?

Well, yes. Pre-book. Also, if there's that much demand, add more and you'll have your answer about a casino.

 

[sethschroeder]

Well, yes. Pre-book. Also, if there's that much demand, add more and you'll have your answer about a casino.

I don't really think so. A casino (especially slots) are an ultimate time sink and are supposed to draw in single players for hours. A group of just 20 or 30 could tie up these limited time slot machines for a whole cruise.

This goes back to my point of it not being realistic to make a small casino area.

 

[Amunet]

I have solved the problem.
Disney does adult humor disguised as children friendly for a long time, so, apply that to casinos.
Ready for this?
Chuck E. Cheese/Dave & Busters type area with tokens to spend, tickets awarded and you can use the tickets to buy fun stuff. Add quite a bit of games that are pure winning by chance mixed with some skill games and BOOM! DCL brings back the arcades while adding a casino.
People who want casinos can have one, DCL saves face, and kids can play (family activity).

Genius? Yes, I believe so.

 

[cdoc29]

(Sorry, language barrier here) Do you mean that you can "upgrade" your meal for a certain amount and get ... a steak from the specialty dining steak house for 20$ more?

If that's what you are talking about: I love love love having that option! Done this many times on Carnival.

yes on RCCL you can pay extra in the main dining room for lobster or steak from thier specialty steakhouse. When the waiter kept pushing that option every night it was annoying, he would explain the dishes and make a comment how none of it was a good as the steak or lobster upcharge.

 

[mevelandry]

After eight pages and hundreds of votes, the results are in. Disney doesn’t do casinos because the target demographic isn’t interested. 85% of voters said NO. Seems clear to me.

One of the "NO" - 42% (vs 42.8% which is a firm no) wouldn't stop cruising with them if they had a Casino and the rest would like it.

That's 57.1% that are not completely against it. Which is more than I expected.

While I don't think Disney will go that route, if they had similar results in a survey, I can't say for sure that they would not try a "Casino Night" just to see how adults react to it.

 

[mevelandry]

So really, it's more the fact that smoking is allowed in the casino than the gambling that bothers you. Which I think most people would agree with.

That's the only thing that bothers me about casinos.

 

[mcd2745]

I have solved the problem.
Disney does adult humor disguised as children friendly for a long time, so, apply that to casinos.
Ready for this?
Chuck E. Cheese/Dave & Busters type area with tokens to spend, tickets awarded and you can use the tickets to buy fun stuff. Add quite a bit of games that are pure winning by chance mixed with some skill games and BOOM! DCL brings back the arcades while adding a casino.
People who want casinos can have one, DCL saves face, and kids can play (family activity).

Genius? Yes, I believe so.

I have been suggesting that for years (as well earlier in this thread).

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

One of the "NO" - 42% (vs 42.8% which is a firm no) wouldn't stop cruising with them if they had a Casino and the rest would like it.

That's 57.1% that are not against it. Which is more than I expected.

Actually, no means no. Just because people say no, but it won't keep them from cruising, doesn't mean they are "not against it". It just means they're being realistic about the fact that there are enough plusses about cruising with Disney that they'll keep cruising in spite of a change they really dislike. For example, I'm strongly opposed to DCL getting rid of onboard credit as an OBB perk, but that won't stop me from cruising with them.

So the fact is that the large majority are against a casino, as indicated by the polling data.