Other cruise lines...

[Phonedave]

For me the smoking issue is one of a health concern. I am very allergic to it, instant migraine, runny nose, rash that seems to be getting worse and worse as I get older. So I need to avoid it altogether. I have been on another cruise line(Celebrity) and my experience with it was bad when it came to smoking. The casino was central on the ship and near the grand foyer and I could smell the smoke anywhere near the center of the ship because it wafted up. I know most people who are not sensitive to the smoke can not smell it but I have the nose of a bloodhound on top of being allergic to it. I actually have this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperosmia, it sucks. That ship also allowed smoking at almost all of the outdoor bar areas which were around to pool decks. So that limited me greatly on where I could actually go on the ship. The Disney cruise line keeps it to 1 side of the ship away from the main pool areas so I can avoid it. And most gamblers are smokers, just go to a casino and look around. For me the Disney cruise is amazing, not for the smoking issue but just in general. The food is amazing, our room has always been spotless, the bed is comfy, and the customer service is outstanding. I believe that you get what you pay for when it comes to cruises.

OK, you never stated that you are extremely allergic to smoke. That is a game changer. If you had initially said "I pay extra for DCL because they have a very strigent smoking policy and limit where peopel can smoke. I am very allergic to smoke, and DCLs policy makes for a much for enjoyable cruise" then that would have made sense. Instead you went on about having a casino being detrimental to a family atmosphere.

And all ships are different, I have been on ones where the casions are easy to avoid, and inless you are next to them, there is no smoke.

Honestly, I cant stand cigarette smoke either, but I am not allergic to it. I will leave an area if it is too smoky, including a casino.

DCL is a great cruise line for the reasons you list, but not so much greater in those areas to justive the outrageous prices they charge.


-dave

 

[jaklgreen]

OK, you never stated that you are extremely allergic to smoke. That is a game changer. If you had initially said "I pay extra for DCL because they have a very strigent smoking policy and limit where peopel can smoke. I am very allergic to smoke, and DCLs policy makes for a much for enjoyable cruise" then that would have made sense. Instead you went on about having a casino being detrimental to a family atmosphere.

And all ships are different, I have been on ones where the casions are easy to avoid, and inless you are next to them, there is no smoke.

Honestly, I cant stand cigarette smoke either, but I am not allergic to it. I will leave an area if it is too smoky, including a casino.

DCL is a great cruise line for the reasons you list, but not so much greater in those areas to justive the outrageous prices they charge.


-dave

Oh I never said that casinos are detrimental to the family. I think you have me mistaken with another poster. I have no issues with casinos and would probably play a hand or two of black jack IF it was smoke free. I have issues with the other cruise lines that allow smoking in an interior room like the casinos for the reasons that I have explained. I could care less if someone gambles or drinks. So I will stick with DCL, not only because of the smoking but I really enjoy them.

 

[Phonedave]

Oh I never said that casinos are detrimental to the family. I think you have me mistaken with another poster. I have no issues with casinos and would probably play a hand or two of black jack IF it was smoke free. I have issues with the other cruise lines that allow smoking in an interior room like the casinos for the reasons that I have explained. I could care less if someone gambles or drinks. So I will stick with DCL, not only because of the smoking but I really enjoy them.

Yes, I did have you mixed up with an other poster. Sorry about that.

 

[Ralphlaw]

You make a LOT of assumptions that seem to be based on religious aspects.

You think wearing a gold chain is wrong, unless it has a rosary. Maybe it is a family heriloom, or maybe their wife gave it to them, or maybe they bought on their honeymoon and they wear it as a reminder, or maybe they just think a gold chain looks good. I happen to know many people men and women that wear chains. None of which are in any way lecherous or problem drinkers (as far as I know) - and for the record, the only jewelery I wear is a watch and my wedding band. I don't even own a necklace (gold or otherwise)

Yes, all people can be tempted (Christianity has nothing to do with it, if you are "good" only becuase you are afraid god is going to send you to hell without an electric fan, then you have some real moral issues to work through). Just like bravery is being afraid, but still doing what has to be done, "morality" is being tempted but resisting that temptation. It is easy to be "good" and "moral" and "classy" when there is no opportunity to do otherwise. The true test of character is when presented with a situation where you can go in either direction, and you choose the correct one.

I would also like to know how you knew these people were loosing needed money, including mortgage payments? DId they yell out "Oh no, that was my mortgage payment" when they lost, or did you conduct an inverview afterwards. Maybe they were just gambling with money that they were fine with loosing. My wife and I go into casinos every so often, and when we do, we walk in with a fixed limit. It's money that we know we can loose with no impact, in fact we expect to loose it. We look at it as paying for entertainment. If I drop $400 to go to NYC and see a show for about 3-4 hours, or I go into a casino and "loose" $400 and am entertained for 3-4 hours, how is that any different? And, again, for the record, I don't drop $400 in a casino for 3-4 hours of entertainment. We spend about $100 for about an hour or so, and then leave. After an hour the entertainment aspect fades for us.

There are many people who are the same way. They set limits, and stick to them. Not just with gambling, but with many things in life.DCL (as with other lines) have buffets that run close to 24 hours, with plenty of unhealthy food. Some people have eating disorders and gorge themselves, others may have an extra slice of cake because "its vacation" and leave it at that. Should we rail about buffets on ships because it is unhealthy? Same thing goes for alcohol, even without a drink package, there are people who are going to get totally drunk, but there are people who will have a drink or two because they are on vacation. If alcohol is so bad, then why not press to have it removed from the ships all together. What about smoking, maybe that should be banned in its entirety as well.

Stuck in trial all week, so I'm finally getting a chance to respond.

Back in the 90s I took the time to learn how to count cards in Blackjack. It isn't easy, but there's a system that, in the right circumstances, can shift the odds in your favor. It also takes a great deal of practice to keep it up. Ultimately, I was able to make money after spending many hours in various casinos in the Midwest. Overall, I am one of the few people who actually made money, but it was time-consuming and exhausting. During my time with that "hobby" I saw many people verbally abuse the dealers and waitresses, scream over their losses, chain smoke, drink like crazy, and say things like, "There goes my rent, how can you do this to me?" That's one large reason I stepped away from it. Who wants to be surrounded by such people on your time off from work, even if it is profitable?

Those troubled gamblers were the minority, probably 1 out of 10 or so. The others were normal people having a distraction or small adventure in the casino. Nevertheless, it brought an element of addiction and waste that would not be consistent with the family values that Disney tries so hard to impart.

As to men wearing chains, I'm just parroting a comment from Gravity Falls where Grunkle Stan apparently subscribes to some "Old men in gold chains magazine". I'm also drawing from my own experience noting that most older guys who I knew that wore them were unfaithful in their marriages, heavy drinkers, etc . . . Yeah, exceptions abound, but where would we be if we didn't categorize (and be honest enough to say that we ALL so so)? Again, there are exceptions, but decades of observations don't lie.

Anyhow, if even ten percent of Disney Cruise guests were problem gamblers, party-down drinkers, etc . . ., if would invade the experience of the family-oriented guests. Disney is wise to have no casino, and to tone down the idea that adult partying is encouraged.

 

[jaklgreen]

Stuck in trial all week, so I'm finally getting a chance to respond.

Back in the 90s I took the time to learn how to count cards in Blackjack. It isn't easy, but there's a system that, in the right circumstances, can shift the odds in your favor. It also takes a great deal of practice to keep it up. Ultimately, I was able to make money after spending many hours in various casinos in the Midwest. Overall, I am one of the few people who actually made money, but it was time-consuming and exhausting. During my time with that "hobby" I saw many people verbally abuse the dealers and waitresses, scream over their losses, chain smoke, drink like crazy, and say things like, "There goes my rent, how can you do this to me?" That's one large reason I stepped away from it. Who wants to be surrounded by such people on your time off from work, even if it is profitable?

Those troubled gamblers were the minority, probably 1 out of 10 or so. The others were normal people having a distraction or small adventure in the casino. Nevertheless, it brought an element of addiction and waste that would not be consistent with the family values that Disney tries so hard to impart.

As to men wearing chains, I'm just parroting a comment from Gravity Falls where Grunkle Stan apparently subscribes to some "Old men in gold chains magazine". I'm also drawing from my own experience noting that most older guys who I knew that wore them were unfaithful in their marriages, heavy drinkers, etc . . . Yeah, exceptions abound, but where would we be if we didn't categorize (and be honest enough to say that we ALL so so)? Again, there are exceptions, but decades of observations don't lie.

Anyhow, if even ten percent of Disney Cruise guests were problem gamblers, party-down drinkers, etc . . ., if would invade the experience of the family-oriented guests. Disney is wise to have no casino, and to tone down the idea that adult partying is encouraged.

I agree. I would also like to add that even casual gamblers can get sucked into spending more then they intended. I can see that being easy to do if you do not use actual cash but just charge it to your room. I think there is enough to do on a Disney cruise that gambling isn't necessary. If it is a deal breaker for someone to not have a casino, then I guess DCL is not for them.

 

[Phonedave]

I agree. I would also like to add that even casual gamblers can get sucked into spending more then they intended. I can see that being easy to do if you do not use actual cash but just charge it to your room. I think there is enough to do on a Disney cruise that gambling isn't necessary. If it is a deal breaker for someone to not have a casino, then I guess DCL is not for them.

Usually charging chips back to your room has a fee assocaited with it as well.

Too many people do things like charging $1,000 worth of chips, and walking out the door. Then the next day the chash in the chips. Then they enjoy the airline miles, points, disney dollars, or whatever their credit card gives them. The cruise line then ends up paying the transaction fee. So, they will charge the transaction fee to you, if you try to "buy money" with a creadit card.


-dave

 

[jaklgreen]

Usually charging chips back to your room has a fee assocaited with it as well.

Too many people do things like charging $1,000 worth of chips, and walking out the door. Then the next day the chash in the chips. Then they enjoy the airline miles, points, disney dollars, or whatever their credit card gives them. The cruise line then ends up paying the transaction fee. So, they will charge the transaction fee to you, if you try to "buy money" with a creadit card.


-dave

That's actually pretty clever. So they just give you that money back in cash?

 

[21stamps]

That's actually pretty clever. So they just give you that money back in cash?

Yes, which you cash in for chips. When you cash out- you exchange the chips back for cash again. Same thing as starting with cash in the first place, except for the fees.

 

[Phonedave]

That's actually pretty clever. So they just give you that money back in cash?

Yes, It's not like you are buying something and returning it, and they can scan the item and check your name if see if you used credit, debit, or cash.

When you buy gaming chips, they are - in the eyes of the casino - the same as cash. When you go back to the cage to change your chips to cash, they have no idea how you got them or what you did with them. Maybe you changed $100 at the table, got $100 in chips, and then won $900, or maybe you walked into the casino, bought $1,000 of chips on a credit card, and then turned around to cash them out. When you go the the cage, they are going to give you $1,000 cash. But, if you used a credit card, you likely paid $1,060 for the chips.

The credit card charge the vendor a transaction fee (that and interest is how credit cards make money). That is why, lots of times, you cannot pay things like a mortgage or utility with a credit card - or if you can, they charge a convience fee. If people could pay their mortgage and other bills with a credit card, you could get a card with good perks, pay all your household bills on the creditcard each month, and then pay of the card in full. You would get loads of points / miles / whatever.

It's also why you cant pay off a credit card with a credit card. If you could, you could just keep bouncing a balance among multiple cards, and each month have perks comming in, while at the same time avoiding finance charges. Thats why they make you specifically use a balance transfer, which they charge you for, and which does not net you miles.

There was a time where you would get miles on an Amex card if your used your card to get Amex Travelers Checks. Too many people started to buy $10,000 in travelers checks, deposit them in their bank, and then pay off their credit card - so they put and end to that as well.

-dave

 

[ChuckElias]

I just got to tour the Carnival Sunshine yesterday while it was stopped in Boston. If anyone would like to see pictures, send me a PM and I'll send you a link.

 

[21stamps]

We just got back from a cruise on the Norwegian Getaway.

LOVED IT!!

So much to do for kids!! And even better- organized family activities as well!

Our favorite part was the ropes course/zip line.

We both absolutely loved the vibe of the ship.. the music, the restaurants, shows., all of it.

My fears were completely put to rest. I will definitely be back on NCL.