Getting away from infernal MUTS noise: Diamond Princess

[Nebr.cruiser]

I really like watching movies at night on MUTS; not a fan during the day, though my husband will watch a movie then--he's not a reader. I know others like NFL games and such, but I'm not happy when they replace a movie.

 

I especially don't like the concerts, which seem to be replayed often and usually of someone I'd never go see in person. It's also often too loud and the picture quality during the day is not good.

 

That said, IMO it is easy to find a quiet place away from MUTS in various places on the public decks. If you have to be right by the main pool, then you're stuck, but I'd prefer not to be in all that chaos anyway.

[rpcv77]

On the Crown in Alaska now. Plenty of kids, older folks and everything in between. Some behaving well, some not, across all ages. But we're on vacation and don't let much bother us. The Crown has a new MUTS screen. Looks and sounds great, but not difficult to get away from it. It's all good!

[caribill]

The sound level of MUTS is much, much louder than a band or poolside music. I've also experienced MUTS so loud that I couldn't sit on my balcony two decks below. When it's that intrusive, there's a problem.

 

Also it was always loud out there. It's the price that you pay for having it there.

 

Yet on another thread, two people have posted that they tried to watch a movie on MUTS, but gave up because the sound was too low.

[GUT2407]

I don't spend a lot of time by the pool so I hope it doesn't bother me too much.

 

I enjoy a Movie under the Stars, snuggled under a blanket with the one I love, but the noise during the day is too much, I wish they would find the off switch during the day.

Edited June 17, 2015 by GUT2407

[lahore]

Wow, I really opened a can of worms, but I'm glad because I thought I was the only person who was shocked at how foul MUTS is. I'm totally 'each to their own' and couldn't care less if others love MUTS as long as MUTS isn't the only option.

 

I should reiterate that I don't have a problem at all with movies under THE STARS (MUTS). It's NDDD that I hate (noise during the day). I can rock on with the best of them but it's just not what I'd envisaged poolside. I guess it's a bit like choosing between a holiday at the Hard Rock Hotel vs the Intercontinental. I thought I was in the Intercon but found I was in the Hard Rock with Princess. Moreover, as much as I could bear music vids during the day, I simply don't understand why anyone on the planet would (as per our recent experience) want to listen to "Mrs Doubtfire" in the equatorial sun around lunch time; the sun being so bright you couldn't actually see the movie.

 

Yes there are lots of cruise lines that don't have this. In recent times we have traveled Oceania and Seabourne which are much more refined - I know that sounds elitist but 'refined' is the right word in terms of noise levels. There is no poolside noise at all on Seaborne, and Oceania is quiet noise (although even then I got very tired of John Denver over 35 days). I like to read by the pool and swan about doing my own version of pool ballet on holiday :p.

 

Anyhow we are not ON Oceania or Seaborne. Recently we came home on Dawn Princess because it was going from Singapore to Perth which was where we had to go and it was only marginally more expensive than the flight. We found out why - we really disliked the whole experience. However we are booked on Diamond Princess because of the port-intensive Northern Japan itinerary - nobody else does it. I suspect it will be our last trip on Princess but it's great to know that there are MUTS-free spaces because there weren't on the Dawn.

Edited June 17, 2015 by lahore

[Cruiserkenn]

Hardly. Irresponsible parents ruin vacations.

 

I've cruised for thirty years, and I can count on one hand how many times I've encountered unruly children. However, I haven't enough fingers and toes to tell you how many obnoxious, self-centered adults I've had to endure.

 

Yes, well said:)

[Colo Cruiser]

Hardly. Irresponsible parents ruin vacations.

 

I've cruised for thirty years, and I can count on one hand how many times I've encountered unruly children. However, I haven't enough fingers and toes to tell you how many obnoxious, self-centered adults I've had to endure.

 

 

Yes!

[travel09]

Yes!

 

Well ,just completed 42 days on Sun Princess, great weather, and lots of time to be outside in the sun....NO... not around the main pools, as the noise from MUTS is so bad, a very elderly group on this cruise, and certainly a minority who could stand the blaring and invasive sound. I have no problem with the evening movies, for those who enjoy seeing them on the big screen, but to begin at 9.30 am is simply awful...Fortunately there is an aft pool, peaceful, covered from the fierce sun, but ask your passengers I say, cater to the majority, we were the slightly "younger brigade," so many much older folk. The very worst thing that happened was in Rabaul, a beautiful place, with many lovely ,religious ,residents ,who sang church songs to us, gentle folk, slightly in awe of the great numbers of cruise passengers amongst them,[ sadly that will change ],but later in the afternoon, for some bizarre reason, a blaring rock concert was staged on the pool deck, screamingly loud, music that teenagers may enjoy , talk about an invasion of their space, its was dreadful, un professional and really arrogant .Echoing around this natural amphitheatre , it could not be avoided... I found it hard to believe that a Princess Ship could be so inconsiderate ,in another country. Out of character and very disappointing indeed, when in some harbours, even blowing the ships horn is considered invasive...!A huge error of judgement on somebody's part.! I'm sure our Captain, who had his work cut out trying to please everyone on this journey, would not be in favour of such behaviour..!

[Colo Cruiser]

Well ,just completed 42 days on Sun Princess, great weather, and lots of time to be outside in the sun....NO... not around the main pools, as the noise from MUTS is so bad, a very elderly group on this cruise, and certainly a minority who could stand the blaring and invasive sound. I have no problem with the evening movies, for those who enjoy seeing them on the big screen, but to begin at 9.30 am is simply awful...Fortunately there is an aft pool, peaceful, covered from the fierce sun, but ask your passengers I say, cater to the majority, we were the slightly "younger brigade," so many much older folk. The very worst thing that happened was in Rabaul, a beautiful place, with many lovely ,religious ,residents ,who sang church songs to us, gentle folk, slightly in awe of the great numbers of cruise passengers amongst them,[ sadly that will change ],but later in the afternoon, for some bizarre reason, a blaring rock concert was staged on the pool deck, screamingly loud, music that teenagers may enjoy , talk about an invasion of their space, its was dreadful, un professional and really arrogant .Echoing around this natural amphitheatre , it could not be avoided... I found it hard to believe that a Princess Ship could be so inconsiderate ,in another country. Out of character and very disappointing indeed, when in some harbours, even blowing the ships horn is considered invasive...!A huge error of judgement on somebody's part.! I'm sure our Captain, who had his work cut out trying to please everyone on this journey, would not be in favour of such behaviour..!

 

 

 

You quoted my post (with your response not sure why?)

Were there children running amok along with all the intrusive noise you mentioned? Or was it just the noise issue?

My response above was not about noise. :(

 

 

What you describe is quite disturbing though. :mad:

[JimmyVWine]

How about a game of Wii the kids are playing on the big screen with all the loud noises? Or, a lovely promo to visit the shops that goes on and on. The sound level of MUTS is much, much louder than a band or poolside music. I've also experienced MUTS so loud that I couldn't sit on my balcony two decks below. When it's that intrusive, there's a problem. The sound is controlled by the CD's staff and some really crank it up. I'm not a fan.

While I agree with the entire post, I wanted to hone in on the bolded portion. It sure would be nice if some of the CD's, (all of them, actually), would latch on to the idea that a "MUTS-free day" would be a good idea once a week. Just like a smoke-free casino once a week, how about a MUTS-free daytime option on one of the sea days for cruises that have more than one sea day. I've always said, and will continue to say: If the movie/concert being shown on the screen at 2:00 p.m. was being shown in the Theater instead, would you go? If the answer is "no--I'd rather be outside at the pool", then the truth is, it is the pool area that is the draw for you, not the movie/concert. The latter just serves as background noise. That's fine some of the time. I get it. Lots of people like MUTS during the day. But turnabout is fairplay. "Go to the indoor pool" is not an equal alternative. Nor is "Go to the Lotus Pool" (with its 10 lounge chairs and "adults only" policy). Or the aft pool (with its "adults only" policy). While people of any age would enjoy a more quiet environment without a Beyonce concert or a PG-13 movie playing in the background, what I think a lot of people miss is that passengers with children with them would like that type of environment at least as much if not more. And they cannot escape to the "adult only" pools. So it is loud music and skimpy costumes, and/or PG-13 movies, or nothing for them. Would it be too terrible to have a MUTS-free daytime once per cruise? This is obviously not an issue with ships that have two outdoor pools. But the new builds have one single all-inclusive pool that is presided over by a movie screen, and other ships have only one outdoor pool and that is the one with the movie screen. It is on these ships where this matters the most.

Edited June 17, 2015 by JimmyVWine

[Bemidji Ty]

I honestly don't understand the appeal of investing thousands of dollars to go on a cruise vacation and spending your time watching TV.

 

That said, we usually just quickly walk through - maybe grab some popcorn.

 

Smooth Sailin'

[Thrak]

While I agree with the entire post, I wanted to hone in on the bolded portion. It sure would be nice if some of the CD's, (all of them, actually), would latch on to the idea that a "MUTS-free day" would be a good idea once a week.

 

Actually, that isn't a bad idea at all. There would be those who complained of course - they might want to watch the football game or something of that sort. You will never please everybody. As I said above, I like MUTS but I have never watched a concert or enjoyed having one playing. Fortunately for me, I don't have a thing for the pool. If I want to swim I would much prefer swimming in Big Chico Creek where it runs through Bidwell Park here in my home town or perhaps swimming in Butte Creek. Pools don't do much for me at all. (Other cruisers really ought to thank me for not taking off my shirt in public... :eek:)

[bdjam]

Some people like to watch movies, in fact most people do. Of course it depends on what they are showing. I guess it also depends on the age of the OP, if your older than yes you might want to avoid the loudness if it. It all depends on what is being shown. I am doing one on a few weeks and I am really looking forward to watching amicus under the stars, as long as they show a good and recent movie.

I started cruising in my early 30s and do not consider myself "older", however I hated MUTS when I was "younger" just like I do now.

 

Those who claim there are other areas on board to get away from MUTS should remember that the original Sun Class sisters do not have multiple pools, so if you're stuck with MUTS there, you're pretty much stuck...which reminds we of a wonderful afternoon at sea on Sea Princess a few years ago. Everyone was having a good time with the music - not at all intrusive - and the warm weather. Everyone around the pool was enjoying the afternoon and each other. Then the band stopped and MUTS went on - full blast.

 

Within five minutes three quarters of the people had left the pool area and many of us went to the back of the ship where the splash pool is. One of the bartenders there was heard to remark "they must have started a movie." And for the record, all ages were represented in that group that headed to the back of the ship...not just the "older" ones.

 

There are appropriate times for MUTS - those times are when I'm not on deck.

[Matcodixon]

Jimmy V

I like your suggestions. An evening movie is what the original intent of the program was and why it is named "Movies Under The Stars" in the first place.

 

Having it on some afternoons and off others Is a great idea especially on sea days.

 

Two things come to mind..

"How can I miss you if you won't go away?" Sometimes things are more special if they are not there constantly.

 

Could this be a way of controlling crowds (in a limiting way) at that pool??

Hmmmmmmm:rolleyes:

 

Dixon

[elliair]

Why don't you want to do MUTS? I would think it would be nice to watch a movie out by the pool?

 

If you can see the screen. The glare during the day time doesn't do MUTS any justice.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Some people like to watch movies, in fact most people do. Of course it depends on what they are showing. I guess it also depends on the age of the OP, if your older than yes you might want to avoid the loudness if it. It all depends on what is being shown. I am doing one on a few weeks and I am really looking forward to watching amicus under the stars, as long as they show a good and recent movie.

 

Luckily your cruise is mid-year, not at Christmas. On our cruise last Christmas they showed children's Christmas movies every afternoon, with the sound so loud that we could hear it clearly on our balcony three decks below. When they weren't playing the movies they either had very loud music or travel infomercials. It was very irritating, especially when wanting to relax and listen to the sound of the ship moving through the water.

 

We weren't interested in trying to watch a movie at night either. We prefer to dine late then go dancing or see a show. However I think they turn the volume down at night. We had a balcony dinner one night and didn't notice excess noise then.

[Thrak]

It would be kind of cool if the just provided each passenger with bluetooth earbuds and then only had the MUTS sound sent to the ear buds. Of course nobody would ever listen to their spa ads and other garbage of that sort so Princess likely wouldn't be in favor of something like that.

[schlot]

Some of the posts on here just make me laugh.

 

I'm not a fan of MUTS. Not during the day or night. I just don't understand the appeal. That being said some people do...and more power to them.

 

Asking this question made me think about the noise, and I wondered what I did to escape that. If memory serves me I simply walked past it to another area and had a wonderful vacation!

 

Good luck to you in doing the same. MUTS is part of Princess, and I'm sure it will be for some time to come.

[GUT2407]

I wouldn't mind MUTS if they left it at that

 

Movies [not all the other rubbish, maybe a few adds before the movie starts]

 

Under

 

The

 

Stars [you now at night].

[pablo222]

It would be kind of cool if the just provided each passenger with bluetooth earbuds and then only had the MUTS sound sent to the ear buds. Of course nobody would ever listen to their spa ads and other garbage of that sort so Princess likely wouldn't be in favor of something like that.

 

As people have proudly told us that they take MUTS blankets

to their cabins, and steal bathrobes, how long would these possibly last?

[RayWitt001]

Lending out headsets is a wonderful idea. I have been to an inner city shopping complex that has done this at night during summer. They set up deck chairs in the middle of a wide main walkway, project the movie onto a white wall, and loan out headsets with a deposit and drivers licence ID (so I don't see why they couldn't scan your cruise card to do this) and you sit back oblivious to the late night shoppers walking either side. The shoppers aren't disturbed by noise (or in this case those relaxing in or by the pool) and you can personally adjust your volume to your own level of comfort.

[waltd]

Lending out headsets is a wonderful idea. I have been to an inner city shopping complex that has done this at night during summer. They set up deck chairs in the middle of a wide main walkway, project the movie onto a white wall, and loan out headsets with a deposit and drivers licence ID (so I don't see why they couldn't scan your cruise card to do this) and you sit back oblivious to the late night shoppers walking either side. The shoppers aren't disturbed by noise (or in this case those relaxing in or by the pool) and you can personally adjust your volume to your own level of comfort.

 

How many more staff members will be needed to clean each one of these head sets before they have to be used again. With issues with Noro on cruise ships I don't think they would want the additional headache.

[Thrak]

I would rather they sold the headset/ear buds for a small fee or allowed people to pair their own devices with the system. I don't want somebody else's ear boogers.

[waltd]

I would rather they sold the headset/ear buds for a small fee or allowed people to pair their own devices with the system. I don't want somebody else's ear boogers.

 

I was thinking it but glad you said it. :)

[Colo Cruiser]

I would rather they sold the headset/ear buds for a small fee or allowed people to pair their own devices with the system. I don't want somebody else's ear boogers.

 

 

They already tried the headset thing when MUTS first started.

It did not last long.

We don't need anymore fees. :(