I hope the music is better in the dance club on the next cruise!

[hassellcastle]

Me and my wife have only been on two cruises, both Carnival.

 

October 1998 Carnival Celebration - 7 Day Western Caribbean.

First night on our honeymoon cruise the dance club was kickin'. There were lots of people in there. The place was jumpin' and the music was great. The DJ was playing a mix of disco, 80's retro and other popular dance music at the time. Very high energy and it was a great memory we had. We noticed throughout the cruise that the first night was the most hoping night at the club and we were glad we went that evening.

 

Fast forward to 2011.

July 2011 Carnival Ecstacy - 5 Day Western Caribbean Cruise.

Me and my wife were looking so forward once again to having a great dance clubbin' night on the cruise. However it didn't happen for lack of not trying. Every night we swung by the dance club it was playing hip hop music, stuff we had never heard of before. Several nights we tried to give the dance club a chance and we'd stay in there for a drink or two, but we would never hear anything we even heard of. The music was S***. Further more on each of those nights I can't think of it ever being more than 1/4 filled with people. It was like everynight was an off night. Ocassionally a few couple would get up on the dance floor and grind on each other but that was about it. We made it a point each day to look through the Carnival Caper to see if it would say something about one evening being Disco night, 80's night, etc. or something to that effect in the Dance club..but that never happened.

 

That was truly the one thing that we were so looking forward to that bummed us out about our last cruise. I don't feel we are "old" we are in our late 30's, but I know not everyone on a cruise ship is 20 years old and likes RAP, HIP HOP music. There are a lot of 30's, 40's, 50's somethings on the ship that would probably like a little disco and retro music mixed in there. Thus is why I think no one was hitting the club at night.

 

My wife wrote a letter to Carnival after the cruise expressing here disappointment on this one thing we were looking forward to enjoying on our cruise. Obviously we received no response from Carnival.

 

Anyhow...we are taking another cruise on the Carnival Conquest in July 2012, 7 Day Western Caribbean again. We are HOPING (fingers crossed) that the music in the dance club will be better again like our cruise in 1998. Or do you know is there certain evenings on the ship that the dance club plays certain types of music?

 

I'm sure others on here have to enjoy going to the dance club on the ship on occasion. What are your experiences with the types of music they have played in the clubs more recently and on what ships? Did you like it? What type of music did they play and when?

 

Looking forward to your responses.

Craig

[Aggiebuttercup]

I had that same complaint on Princess last summer - even "80s" night was full of remixes of songs I had never heard of. There were a lot of teenagers dancing, and not so many grown-ups (and, like, you, I'm in my 30s!).

[TaraLynne]

We went into the disco/nightclub maybe twice on our last cruise? Both times they were pretty much just playing hip hop, with maybe some Michael Jackson thrown in. I know on my 2005 cruise they had themed nights and one of them was an 80s them and the disco/nightclub on the Valor played 80s music all night...but honestly except for Halloween night on our 2010 cruise I've never seen a ton of people in the dance clubs or had a really awesome time in them.

[MomofBoyz]

Ditto to the OP. Sad, very sad. We also expressed our opinions, for what they were worth which, I suspect, isn't much.

[iowagirl411]

This has been just about my only complaint on Carnival for the past 6 or 8 years. We used to have an absolute blast in the dance club til the wee hours of the night. Now the music just plain sucks! They should have a variety that appeals to a wider range of pax. I have seen so very many stick their heads in the entrance and then just walk away shaking their heads.

[Cristallo]

We just returned from a 5 night on the Fascination and they played themed music for about an hour each night. Afterwards they switched to more current music which people did dance too.

[gapearl]

My experience has been quite the opposite. On my last cruise on the Valor, the dj really mixed things up a lot. I don't remember much rap or hip hop, but the dj played pretty much all contemporary music that you can turn on your radio today and hear (Beyonce, Party Rock Anthem, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Bruno Mars, Usher, etc). He was good about mixing in some 90's music, and reggae and Latin music as well. When he played music from Don Omar, a popular Puerto Rican singer, the crowd went wild. There usually is an 80's night or disco music night, around 10 pm or so, around when the club first opens. It only goes on for about an hour or 2 though, not all night. From my 6 Carnival cruises in the last 5 years, I can honestly say they don't play much (if any) disco or retro music. I've seen dance floors clear out FAST when the dj's tried. There are other venues around the ship with live music where you can dance to this kind of music, but you won't likely find it at the night club.

 

Here's a thread from a Carnival DJ about how he chooses his music and why he plays what he does. It's lengthy, but interesting.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=688618

 

Hopefully you'll have better luck on your next cruise. :)

[Spring1onu]

I wish they would play more of a mix of music and definitely throw in some actual dance music mixed by underground dj's and not just throw up the top 40 from the radio. I love music from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. I do like hip-hop/rap too but it's a little much for me if that's ALL they play. On our Freedom cruise they did a Michael Jackson tribute and the music was awesome! They went way back, like "Off The Wall" early and even some songs from The Jacksons. It was fantastic!!! variety is definitely good, especially since there's such a diverse crowd aboard :)

 

 

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[michelle1836]

did you request anything? the last time we went the disco was pretty empty. not sure if the DJ has set music

[Texarribean Chick]

Understand where OP is coming from. It's a toss up - depending on your DJ. We have had some cruises where the DJ was really into "crowd pleasing" and would play whatever you wanted to hear (with a little greasing of the palm) and others didn't care. What we have found is they are satisfying passengers for the first couple of hours and then the disco turns into the staff's lounge (for those that get off work around 11:00 ish) and when that happens, YOU CAN FORGET IT!. Most of the staff are Europeans and the music that is played is that European Techno crap - where one songs sounds just like the previous song and the beat just remains the same. Over and over again........

 

We like to dance alot, and are disappointed when there isn't at least one dance band, cover band, individual singer that will at least play something worth dancing to.

 

There is a current thread out now - that will tell you what the current bands are on any particular ship.

 

I also recommend hitting some of the other clubs (besides the disco) - where live music is played. Whether it be the jazz bar, atrium, casino bar, etc. Those are the ones that will play a mix of retro, 80's, Motown, Country, etc. - and at least you can dance to it. Even if at the Casino bar located along the Promenade where folks are walking through, DH and I will just dance right there in the Promenade.

 

Have Fun! :)

[aprime23]

I'm convinced the DJ's play whatever they want, screw the passengers. most of the time its crap mixed in with top40 then more crap. We would like to enjoy the dance club but they dont care so we dont go.

[adira]

We sailed the Conquest last summer on a 7-night and every night the disco was literally EMPTY. I don't think I ever saw ANYONE in there. Then again, it was still pretty early (9 or 10, maybe 11) when I would wander by and I didn't try that hard because my husband doesn't dance much....two-step only.

[YubaSutter]

If you go to a land based club, they are playing hip-hop, techno, trance, house, etc. Sorry, it's not 1998 anymore. Things change, some people don't.

[AdrenalineRush]

We sailed the Conquest last summer on a 7-night and every night the disco was literally EMPTY. I don't think I ever saw ANYONE in there. Then again, it was still pretty early (9 or 10, maybe 11) when I would wander by and I didn't try that hard because my husband doesn't dance much....two-step only.

 

Like most land based clubs, its normally not crowded until after 11pm. Usually people hit the clubs after the evening shows.

I have yet to see an empty club from 11pm-2ish am on Carnival.

[Spring1onu]

If you go to a land based club, they are playing hip-hop, techno, trance, house, etc. Sorry, it's not 1998 anymore. Things change, some people don't.

 

Truth! Personally, I'd like more house music. I'd be in heaven!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheTravelista]

If you go to a land based club, they are playing hip-hop, techno, trance, house, etc. Sorry, it's not 1998 anymore. Things change, some people don't.

 

Basically.

 

I think Carnival is moving more towards a real night club ambiance with the specialized drink menus, new DJ training and I think I might have read something about them wanting to offer bottle service?

 

I'm fine with that direction and I'm good with the music. I can't even imagine walking into a club in 2012 and hearing disco/retro music.

[sharecruises]

I was in discos back in the day....real discos...and they did NOT play music from 20 or 30 years before

 

They did not play big band music or Elvis or doo wop

they played the (then) contemporary music of the times

 

The "dance clubs" or whatever they call them now do the same

they play contemporary music of today...give it a try, I actually like a lot of it and I am way older. I happen to like Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars, Lady GaGa, Taio Cruz and more.

 

They also have a "theme" listed in the fun times each night but often conflicts with show /dinner so I rarely make it unless it is a Motown theme, then I am there

 

Times change

 

I really enjoy a good cover band too....they have great cover bands on NCL, 6 piece groups , 2 singers...who can do everything from Temptations to Abba.

[michelle1836]

another suggestion is depending on the ship, there is another dance club. The spirit class has the disco in the back and another club with a band in the front of the ship. we like that one better

[CRJ700]

another suggestion is depending on the ship, there is another dance club. The spirit class has the disco in the back and another club with a band in the front of the ship.

[TheTravelista]

Also they've started to change the names of the venues...they used to be called discos but notice on the Dream its the Caliente Dance Club, Magic its the Vibe Dance Club and on the Breeze its the Liquid Night Club.

 

They obviously want to move in another direction.

[gapearl]

if you go to a land based club, they are playing hip-hop, techno, trance, house, etc. Sorry, it's not 1998 anymore. Things change, some people don't.

 

basically.

 

I think carnival is moving more towards a real night club ambiance with the specialized drink menus, new dj training and i think i might have read something about them wanting to offer bottle service?

 

I'm fine with that direction and i'm good with the music. I can't even imagine walking into a club in 2012 and hearing disco/retro music.

 

Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!

[halos]

Me and my wife have only been on two cruises, both Carnival.

 

October 1998 Carnival Celebration - 7 Day Western Caribbean.

First night on our honeymoon cruise the dance club was kickin'. There were lots of people in there. The place was jumpin' and the music was great. The DJ was playing a mix of disco, 80's retro and other popular dance music at the time. Very high energy and it was a great memory we had. We noticed throughout the cruise that the first night was the most hoping night at the club and we were glad we went that evening.

 

Fast forward to 2011.

July 2011 Carnival Ecstacy - 5 Day Western Caribbean Cruise.

Me and my wife were looking so forward once again to having a great dance clubbin' night on the cruise. However it didn't happen for lack of not trying. Every night we swung by the dance club it was playing hip hop music, stuff we had never heard of before. Several nights we tried to give the dance club a chance and we'd stay in there for a drink or two, but we would never hear anything we even heard of. The music was S***. Further more on each of those nights I can't think of it ever being more than 1/4 filled with people. It was like everynight was an off night. Ocassionally a few couple would get up on the dance floor and grind on each other but that was about it. We made it a point each day to look through the Carnival Caper to see if it would say something about one evening being Disco night, 80's night, etc. or something to that effect in the Dance club..but that never happened.

 

That was truly the one thing that we were so looking forward to that bummed us out about our last cruise. I don't feel we are "old" we are in our late 30's, but I know not everyone on a cruise ship is 20 years old and likes RAP, HIP HOP music. There are a lot of 30's, 40's, 50's somethings on the ship that would probably like a little disco and retro music mixed in there. Thus is why I think no one was hitting the club at night.

 

My wife wrote a letter to Carnival after the cruise expressing here disappointment on this one thing we were looking forward to enjoying on our cruise. Obviously we received no response from Carnival.

 

Anyhow...we are taking another cruise on the Carnival Conquest in July 2012, 7 Day Western Caribbean again. We are HOPING (fingers crossed) that the music in the dance club will be better again like our cruise in 1998. Or do you know is there certain evenings on the ship that the dance club plays certain types of music?

 

I'm sure others on here have to enjoy going to the dance club on the ship on occasion. What are your experiences with the types of music they have played in the clubs more recently and on what ships? Did you like it? What type of music did they play and when?

 

Looking forward to your responses.

Craig

 

I just got off a 15 day cruise and the passengers were older than the typical CCL cruise and they KNOW this, yet, the same hip-hop played in the dance club every night...to NOBODY. We'd walk by...HOPING someone would come to their senses....listen to what was playing, see nobody in there and then we'd continue to go on our way.

 

It's utterly insane.

 

It's these little things that can be easily remedied....WHY are they not paying attention???? On a shorter, spring break cruise what they offered would be understandable, however they did NOT cater to their guests on board.

[rybreadsmom]

I just got off a 15 day cruise and the passengers were older than the typical CCL cruise and they KNOW this, yet, the same hip-hop played in the dance club every night...to NOBODY. We'd walk by...HOPING someone would come to their senses....listen to what was playing, see nobody in there and then we'd continue to go on our way.

 

It's utterly insane.

 

It's these little things that can be easily remedied....WHY are they not paying attention???? On a shorter, spring break cruise what they offered would be understandable, however they did NOT cater to their guests on board.

I honestly don't know why they didn't just shut down the dance club for that cruise and focus their entertainment where the people were...or wanted to be.

[vaguy22]

on the Oct 28 sailing of the Splendor, 7 day LA-Mexico 3 0r 4 superstar D.J. s will be brought aboard for the cruise.This cruise is about the music. The entire pool deck area will be converted to a HUGE dance club. There will be 5 nights of dancing 11.00 P.M.-6.00 A.M. each night with a different theme with costumes to match. There will be a concert sound system installed with an elabrite Laser light show,strobes the whole 9 yards. Music will be house, techno euro, all high energy also there will be several afternoon dances with different themes (Retro 70 s as well as other themes with outfits to match. preview-- go to U tube and enter in search box "Atlantis 2010 Mexico cruise. although this cruise was on rcl Ship is only slightly larger than the Splendor.

[ccruisequeen]

Friends we went with are professional ballroom Dancers. On Elegant night, they advertised "dance music" in the disco. They went & were bombarded with loud rap & hip hop. When they requested something THEY could dance to, they turned it up louder.

 

At the party on the last night, the band played on stage, so they tried dancing there, but the stage was invaded by munchkins who should have had their own party in Circle C.

 

Needless to say, this went on the comment survey!