Things to do at night?

[Orator]

This is triggered by another thread. One of the most frequent complaints found on these boards is: There is nothing to do at night on a Celebrity ship. This complaint is most frequently voiced by those who are disappointed in their cruise, but a number of "Celebrity loyalist" have said the same. Perhaps I just return to my cabin too early, but I find the evening filled with activities such as Masque, Dancing With the Strips, Late Night Comedy, Theme Parties, Karioke, music in several bars and even Star Gazing from the Lawn Club. I have rarely if ever seen any suggestions for improving the evening program. What would you suggest? How late should planned programing be offered? Remember, any expansion might require additional staff time and cost, so let's be practical.

[cb at sea]

We enjoy seeing a show now and again, but for "late night" stuff...I have no need! We like to have some drinks before a late dinner...and then, we're pretty much done! I think the current offerings are fine!

[Glammy Grammy]

I thoroughly enjoy evenings on Celebrity ships there's always something to do and keep us entertained if we want it, or we can simply listen to some jazz quietly playing in a bar with a night cap, suits us fine. If anyone should want evenings that are more upbeat with partying all night then in all fairness perhaps Celebrity isn't the line to choose. Would I change it?, probably not.

[phoenix_dream]

The problem is - no matter what you plan if people go to bed early it will be lightly attended. I agree with you that there are some things planned, but I find that on some cruises (varies by length, itinerary, time of year etc) no one is up and around past 11:00ish. I think if there were more party animals gathering in places like the Sky Lounge people wouldn't think it was so dull at night. I guess I can sumarize this by saying on most X cruises I have been on (with a couple exceptions) I think the vast majority of people prefered to go to bed early based on attendance at bars and events while they were open. I am not sure Celebrity adding things would change that.

[Gonzo70]

For me there is enough to do at night, but I think those that complain are more speaking about the "vibe" than the amount of organized activities. On sister line RCI there tends to be lots of energy well past midnight; not necessarily a lot of organized activities, but a large number of people are awake and utilizing public spaces on the ship. On Celebrity a much larger percentage of cruisers hit the sack (or at least retreat to their stateroom by midnight). There is still usually some action in the martini bar, casino and (on S-Class ships) bar by the Lawn Club - but definitely less going on (i.e. the nightclub is typically empty, the pools are shut down, other than the aforementioned bars the other bars/lounges are typically empty or sparsely populated and fewer people just roaming about the ship. For me I prefer the overall ambiance (and the smoking policy) on Celebrity to RCI, but for those who like to have late night action RCI is a better fit - and even if Celebrity added additional organized activities past midnight, the relatively lower energy level would still prevail.

[Orator]

The problem is - no matter what you plan if people go to bed early it will be lightly attended. I agree with you that there are some things planned, but I find that on some cruises (varies by length, itinerary, time of year etc) no one is up and around past 11:00ish. I think if there were more party animals gathering in places like the Sky Lounge people wouldn't think it was so dull at night. I guess I can sumarize this by saying on most X cruises I have been on (with a couple exceptions) I think the vast majority of people prefered to go to bed early based on attendance at bars and events while they were open. I am not sure Celebrity adding things would change that.

 

I agree. The "problem" might be one of demographics rather than programing. Potential cruisers should understand the particular demographics of a cruieline and cruise prior to booking.

[Notagoose]

The nightclubs on my past 3 cruises were always dead, which is a shame, because they're usually really nice spaces. I'm not a party animal by any measure, but I'd enjoy dancing to some modern music on my cruises if it didn't mean dancing alone! I'll echo the others and say that it is more about passenger participation/demographics than an issue with the cruise line's offerings.

[BlueCat1105]

So, there are places where you can have a drink and listen to a little jazz? That would suit me just fine!

[CruisingChick]

The nightclubs on my past 3 cruises were always dead, which is a shame, because they're usually really nice spaces. I'm not a party animal by any measure, but I'd enjoy dancing to some modern music on my cruises if it didn't mean dancing alone! I'll echo the others and say that it is more about passenger participation/demographics than an issue with the cruise line's offerings.

 

 

I agree, the same thing on our March 2012 Silhouette cruise. Quasar was dead every single night. So were the other venues, unless there was an activity like Dancing with Stripes, but once that is over everyone clears out.

[Zoey]

I've been on several Celebrity cruises and love Celebrity but when friends or people I know who like night life ask me which cruiseline I think they would like, I tell them probably Carnival, Norwegian or maybe RCI, but not Celebrity or Holland America. I'm a reclusive, loner who cruises alone and barely leave my balcony cabin....even for food.

[suzzek]

If Celebrity decided to mimic some of the other cruise lines that court the "party til the wee hours" crowd, I would find a new cruise line. I love X just the way it is, there are lots of fun places to have drinks before/after dinner, the guests are refined w/o being stuffy or leaning towards the Geritol set. We enjoy the shows before/after dinner and on our first cruise we danced our happy feet off til after midnight! I'm hoping we enjoy our next cruise as much as the first two. This next cruise is very port intensive, so we will have good reason to shut the lights out by midnight!

[Orator]

If Celebrity decided to mimic some of the other cruise lines that court the "party til the wee hours" crowd, I would find a new cruise line. I love X just the way it is, there are lots of fun places to have drinks before/after dinner, the guests are refined w/o being stuffy or leaning towards the Geritol set. We enjoy the shows before/after dinner and on our first cruise we danced our happy feet off til after midnight! I'm hoping we enjoy our next cruise as much as the first two. This next cruise is very port intensive, so we will have good reason to shut the lights out by midnight!

 

I believe that you reflect what attracts so many frequent cruisers to Celebrity.

[CruisingChick]

My DH don't want to party to the wee hours. But we'd love to at least be able to find nightlife until 1 AM. That's not really the wee hours.

[neverbeenhere]

When we first started cruising, we partied til morning.(That was Carnival cruising) Now we cruise on Celebrity, party late enough. Once in a while we still party til morning...but on Celebrity we bring our own crowd. Nothing gets a party started like bring the crowd.

[richsea]

As Phoenix Dream said, it doesn't matter what is planned for late night entertainment, if no one attends, it's going to be dead. However, Celebrity does not plan much organized entertainment for after 10:30 or so, perhaps because they have found that no one attends. I checked a Celebrity Today from our last Celebrity cruise (May 2011, wow, has it been that long!), & there was 1 thing scheduled for 11:15pm , a "jazz quartet in the Ensemble Lounge, 11:15 til late". This was on a sea day during a Trans Atlantic. On a recent Princess cruise, examples of late entertainment were; an adult comedian, a dance party til midnight followed by a dj taking requests after midnight, & a new years eve party at 11:45. This was a typical night. Our last cruise was on RCI Explorer of the Seas, & although I didn't keep any dailies, suffice it to say that there was a multitude of things to do after midnight. In fact, I was talking to a crew member who serves pizza in a shop on their promanade, & he said that they usually close at 2 am, but stay open til 3am if they are busy. I doubt that this would ever happen on a Celebrity ship.

I think that the bottom line is, Celebrity is dead at night, if you are looking for a bustling night life. However, if you're looking to hit the hay by say, midnight, you might have a different opinion.

 

Our kids, who are in their 40s, enjoy Celebrity because of their service & amenities, but prefer something like Royal Caribbean, to take advantage of the night life, & more entertainment choices in their " late time".

 

Our preference is Celebrity, but to those that complain that Celebrity is boring, I say, do your homework before you board, & you will have a much better chance of enjoying your cruise.

 

One more thing; for me at least, I would like to see Celebrity offer more comedians performing an adult only show in a late night performance. I might stay up after midnight for that!

 

One thing that I forgot to mention, On our last Celebrity cruise on Solstice, Quasar, was literally a ghost town every single night of the cruise I am sure that they will be rethinking the use of this space in the future.

[bbappel]

Maybe if they made the cabins more uncomfortable people would stay out later. :p

 

My favorite thing to do in the evening after we've enjoyed the entertainment on offer is to go back to the cabin and decompress from the days activities. Just my husband and me - and maybe finish a glass of wine out on the veranda under the stars.

[ladylemondrop]

Maybe if they made the cabins more uncomfortable people would stay out later. :p

 

My favorite thing to do in the evening after we've enjoyed the entertainment on offer is to go back to the cabin and decompress from the days activities. Just my husband and me - and maybe finish a glass of wine out on the veranda under the stars.

 

Like :D

[Presto2]

Horses for courses ----------- if it doesn't suit find a cruise line that does. It is that simple - please don't change Celebrity !

[stellarose]

Hubby and I are considering celebrity summitt next summer. We are both in early 40s. Have traveled on carnival and Rci. Wanted a more relaxed vibe. What are evenings like on summitt? Can we just chill on deck with a beverage or find a piano bar? We don't need a night club til 2 am. Thanks

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I think things are just fine the way they are. If people want to party all night, they're probably sailing on the wrong cruiseline.

[Scrappytraveller]

I imagine the itinerary has a lot to do with it. On my southern caribbean cruise on Millenium, I went into the club a couple of times later in the evening and the dance floor was pretty full. But with the long, tiring days in Europe, can't image too many people want to stay up late dancing.

 

I'm interested to see how the transatlantic plays out - I'm expecting the first half to be very sedate (if it isn't, I won't know, I'll be in bed!:o:D).

I'm not a club girl, which is part of the reason i like Celebrity, but I agree with the suggestion of some "adult" comedy, or an interactive piano bar. Would be nice if a couple of venues were still relatively busy at midnight, at least on the eve of sea days.

[jconeil]

We like to dance before & after dinner, but the band schedules aren't conducive. Also, they take reallllly long breaks. After a full touring day, it's hard to stay awake waiting. We've closed a lot of lounges. I think they wait for us to leave.;)

Celebrity is the wrong cruiseline if you are interested in late night life.

[Kevnzworld]

There are always people in the casino late. It would be nice if the Martini bar, or Cellar Masters had more activity after 10, especially on nights before a sea day. Most evenings I retire fairly early, especially if there is a morning shore excursion the next day.

[racelvis]

We are going on our first Celebrity cruise in October.

Been on Royal many times...

What would be nice if the night clubs opened for dancing a

little earlier. Not opening untill 11:30 is fine if you are in

your 30's. We would like to dance earlier than 11:30.

I think if they opened earlier, more people would go.

If people are not there at midnight...start earlier !!!!!

:)

[Orator]

We are going on our first Celebrity cruise in October.

Been on Royal many times...

What would be nice if the night clubs opened for dancing a

little earlier. Not opening untill 11:30 is fine if you are in

your 30's. We would like to dance earlier than 11:30.

I think if they opened earlier, more people would go.

If people are not there at midnight...start earlier !!!!!

:)

 

What ship will you be on?