Will HAL Ever Add More Daily Activities a Day/or Night Entertainment??

I have to ask this question, I have 19 cruises on HAL, their entertainment and daily activities were so much better in the beginning than they are now. One positive I will say is service was wonderful and the food, I thought, was excellent......

I love HAL but my last cruise this past March on the Eurodam left me wanting something more in the entertainment field on sea days and entertainment at night.

Three years ago we sailed in the Niew Amsterdam and while sea day activities were almost non existent compared to several years ago, I felt there it was still better than my March cruise this year. The piano bar 3 years ago was our go to spot for night time entertainment til at least midnight. This year on the Eurodam the dueling pianos were not impressive at all. I will say B B Kings was awesome but, I just feel HAL needs to step up their game in the entertainment field both day and night to stay competitive.

With that said, I have to ask you and myself, if nothing changes with HAL in the entertainment area, will I look for a new cruise line? I am asking myself the same question and some times I want to, then other times I still feel at home on HAL.

Thoughts?

As we finished up our Zuiderdam cruise this past March, my husband and I couldn't help but think this had been our best cruise ever...and we know we'll choose HAL again.

That being said, we did both remark at the end that this was the first trip where we DIDN'T end up in the showroom every night as the shows just didn't pull us in. We did see a couple, but they were the guest entertainers on board. We never once went in when the regular HAL singers and dancers performed (which was not every other night). One evening their was a movie "The Frozen Planet" accompanied by music from the HAL orchestra. That didn't pull us at all...

What we learned is we didn't need the shows to enjoy our evenings on board. We spent time in wonderful conversation with other passengers we met, enjoyed the casino (as we always do) and wandering the ship to find a quiet spot to have 'date nights'.

Many changes at HAL, most not favoring their customers. Many cutbacks in quality and staffing. At the same time they are raising their gratuities (?). It's pretty clear they want to chase away most of their more loyal customers. Well, as far as I am concerned their plan is working because I don't plan to cruise with them again until they provide a much better cruising experience.

Thank you for your opinions and to be honest with you, I agree with both of you. I sailed with 20 friends and we as a group had a great time however, I still feel entertainment could be better, both day and night.

I am planning a family cruise in 2019 and am hoping to book the Koningsdam, just hoping HAL will go back a few years in time and put back what worked!!

Hope HAL is listening!!!!!

Just off the Koningsdam Transatlantic. The food was terrific but there were very few activities on board that interested us. There is no more dancing with the stars. The culinary demonstrations are in a small area and not as good. Also, the entertainment at night could also be given during the day. What happened to champagne toasts? No more mariners cocktail parties. (less than 4 star). No more library! Hard to believe. We still had a great time as we like to lay around our cabin ( which seemed much smaller than other ships veranda cabins). Overall, more activities would get us out of our cabin.

We only sailed twice on Holland America and enjoyed the food, the staff, the sommelier and the ship. The only aspect that fell short for me was the entertainment. On port days, not so much of an issue, given the combination of land activities and evening shows. However, on sea days.... I ended up being bored. My previous cruises had been on Royal Carribbean, so I was not well prepared for the amount of quiet time on HAL, especially, in an inside cabin. If I ever sail HAL again, I will ensure to bring along at least one good book or two.

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We have decided that our next cruise will on a different cruise line, largely because the entertainment was so lacking (aside from BB King Blues) on our recent HAL cruises.

igraf

We only sailed twice on Holland America and enjoyed the food, the staff, the sommelier and the ship. The only aspect that fell short for me was the entertainment. On port days, not so much of an issue, given the combination of land activities and evening shows. However, on sea days.... I ended up being bored. My previous cruises had been on Royal Carribbean, so I was not well prepared for the amount of quiet time on HAL, especially, in an inside cabin. If I ever sail HAL again, I will ensure to bring along at least one good book or two.

 

 

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Yes, pack some reading material. With the downgrading (or maybe this is the place to use the word degrading???) of the libraries, HAL is introducing a new "BYOB," Bring Your Own Books. We use sea days to relax and always have books with us. We have noticed the changes in daytime activities--no more bridge, for example. Since most traditional daytime activities do not generate revenue, I doubt they will increase. It seems to me that the number of computer workshops has increased. The computer center is "powered by Microsoft," so I expect there's some money changing hands behind the scenes--perhaps those are a revenue generator for HAL?

I have to ask this question, I have 19 cruises on HAL, their entertainment and daily activities were so much better in the beginning than they are now. One positive I will say is service was wonderful and the food, I thought, was excellent......

 

I love HAL but my last cruise this past March on the Eurodam left me wanting something more in the entertainment field on sea days and entertainment at night.

 

 

Three years ago we sailed in the Niew Amsterdam and while sea day activities were almost non existent compared to several years ago, I felt there it was still better than my March cruise this year. The piano bar 3 years ago was our go to spot for night time entertainment til at least midnight. This year on the Eurodam the dueling pianos were not impressive at all. I will say B B Kings was awesome but, I just feel HAL needs to step up their game in the entertainment field both day and night to stay competitive.

 

With that said, I have to ask you and myself, if nothing changes with HAL in the entertainment area, will I look for a new cruise line? I am asking myself the same question and some times I want to, then other times I still feel at home on HAL.

 

 

Thoughts?

In January aboard the Noordam, I noticed that between 7 PM and 8 PM there was not a single music venue. Most early diners are finished by 7 PM and late dining starts at 8:15 PM and of course the early theater doesn't start til 8 PM.

Next day I mentioned this to the Cruise Director who said that can't be.

The next day he approached me sheepishly to say I was right.

Adagio was playing a 45 minute set between 5 and 6 PM another 45 set between 6 and 7 PM and were given their dinner break between, of all times, between 7 and 8 PM.

He said it took all his "persuasion" to convince the Entertainment Director that the above schedule need change and it was changed.

It seems that the employment contracts with entertainers dictate when and how they perform is more important than pleasing HAL's customers. It is also my observation that the Adagio Duo's and Lincoln Center Quartet's demeanor ( I like their Classical Music very much) seems to preclude them from anything but a terse announcement and stone faced performance, rarely any interaction with audience and out of the room as soon as they finish.

I definitely wish there was more. I love trivia and I always attend the Newlywed Game. I'd like to see more participation games day and evening.

Broadway style shows, musicians, dancing.... just not our thing. We do appreciate quiet pool time though. Definitely don't need belly flop contests.

We noticed a few years ago when HAL started to cut back on the extra people that helped with the activities, there were fewer and fewer of them.

One thing we used to love to do after dinner -- sit in the Ocean Bar and listen to the music and watch the dancers. On our Westerdam cruise spring 2016, The Band was never there as they had to do the music for the shows and entertainers in the show lounge. And the 2 playing for Adagio weren't in sync -- thus not enjoyable.

HAL really needs to hire a few more people and have more activities.

Looks like we are all on the same page here, I agree with everyone's experiences. I have all ways said how can anyone change anything if they are unaware of what we want. I know maybe here'd and there we have put this in our surveys, but I do believe if we all put in a letter to the CEO what we just said here, maybe, just maybe if we get enough letters sent they will listen. I am sending my letter hoping to make a difference.....here is the info to send your letters, let's try to make a difference...before it's too late...

Mr. Stein Kruse, CEO

Holland America Cruise Line

450 Third Ave. West

Seattle, WA. 98119

Mr. Orlando Ashford, President

Holland America Cruise Line

450 Third Ave., West

Seattle, WA. 98119

We also noticed this on our recent Koningsdam cruise.

While the Music Walk entertainment options in the evening were quite good, daytime activities were few.

They were mostly short seminars about jewelry, teeth whitening, foot pain, etc as a lead in to purchase a revenue producing product. One could also pay a fee for wine, beer, or liquor tastings, play bingo, or take a yoga class.

The daytime computer classes seemed popular but offer very limited seating.

On our cruise the casino never had any non smoking hours during our entire 10 days. This was verified directly to me by the casino manager and the front office. "Active players can smoke anytime the casino is open". For those of us who chose not to be around smoke, this was a major disappointment.

We did enjoy the totally non smoking casino near the port in Curacao and managed to double our investment.

The selection of on demand movies on the stateroom tv was very good.

I have often posted my complaint of lack of entertainment for the cocktail hour 7-8 and the lack of dance music in the Ocean Bar before dinner and afterwards. HAL is our cruise line of preference, but we are beginning to select our cruise ships by finding one that hasn't been to the shipyard for a makeover. That about says it all. :rolleyes:

We noticed a few years ago when HAL started to cut back on the extra people that helped with the activities, there were fewer and fewer of them.

One thing we used to love to do after dinner -- sit in the Ocean Bar and listen to the music and watch the dancers. On our Westerdam cruise spring 2016, The Band was never there as they had to do the music for the shows and entertainers in the show lounge. And the 2 playing for Adagio weren't in sync -- thus not enjoyable.

HAL really needs to hire a few more people and have more activities.

Do you remember when you embarked and stepped on board, the happy sound of a musical group playing in the Atrium ?

Do remember when there was live music by the Lido Pool at lunch

time ?

Do you remember when there was a Guitar Country Music player in the Mix after early dinner and before The "Piano" man came on ?

Do you remember as you walked through the public areas hearing a piano in the Atrium and a band in the Ocean Bar in early evening ?

Do you remember when the music didn't start until 10:30 PM in the Crow's Nest ?

They are all gone !........and I may have missed others ????

Add your memories to my list.

I miss the string quartet playing us all into the main dining room at fixed seating dinner, and then playing until about the time we'd received our hors d'oeuvres :D Another time, another era. It's gone. That was the era of elegance, this is the era of mass travel. Customers benefit from the comparatively reduced prices, while they experience diminished levels of complimentary offerings.

HAL is reducing those activities that don't promote revenue, and utilizing "branded" entertainment such as BB King's, Lincoln Center, Billboard Onboard, America's Kitchen, Oprah, etc etc as a means of extracting profit. Until we as passengers are willing to pay more for our cruises, the trend will continue. Cruise fares have not kept up with the pace of inflation, and HAL makes its money with on board revenue centers. So in your letters to the CEO and President, make sure to tell them that you're willing to pay the equivalent prices of the past for the return of the entertainment and activity standards of the past;). Otherwise, don't expect much.

For the most part, the older ships, such as the remaining S-class (Veendam, Maasdam), and the R-class vessels (Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam, Zaandam) are still offering more of the classic entertainment ambience. Prinsendam I can't speak for, being less familiar with her lay-out.

I have also noticed that HAL activities vary with cruise itinerary, destination, and price.

Do you remember when you embarked and stepped on board, the happy sound of a musical group playing in the Atrium ?

Do remember when there was live music by the Lido Pool at lunch

time ?

Do you remember when there was a Guitar Country Music player in the Mix after early dinner and before The "Piano" man came on ?

Do you remember as you walked through the public areas hearing a piano in the Atrium and a band in the Ocean Bar in early evening ?

Do you remember when the music didn't start until 10:30 PM in the Crow's Nest ?

They are all gone !........and I may have missed others ????

Add your memories to my list.

And don't forget the dancing in the Crows Nest and in the Oceans Bar. I expressed my displeasure with the Oosterdam's makeover via a lengthy review of the TA cruise last November. Never heard anything, of course. Among the lack of music, of dancing, of a good library, I suggested that a flower arranging course, where the passengers actually do the arranging, would be fun.

I don't see how the present lack of activities and music can attract the younger crowd. I guess HAL thinks that the only activity attracting the younger segment is the computer. Perhaps it is. More the pity. But it certainly makes HAL less desirable - at least from this cruiser's standpoint.

We love HAL and consider ourselves loyal to the line, but, we agree that the daytime activities and nighttime entertainment could use a makeover. We are sailing to Alaska in May on HAL, but just booked our first Celebrity cruise for October to check out the competition. Entertainment and activities, if more interesting and varied would be a welcome change. We shall see.

How can I share private transport from Rome airport to Cruise port in Civitavecchia?:confused:

We also noticed this on our recent Koningsdam cruise.

 

While the Music Walk entertainment options in the evening were quite good, daytime activities were few.

They were mostly short seminars about jewelry, teeth whitening, foot pain, etc as a lead in to purchase a revenue producing product. One could also pay a fee for wine, beer, or liquor tastings, play bingo, or take a yoga class.

 

The daytime computer classes seemed popular but offer very limited seating.

 

On our cruise the casino never had any non smoking hours during our entire 10 days. This was verified directly to me by the casino manager and the front office. "Active players can smoke anytime the casino is open". For those of us who chose not to be around smoke, this was a major disappointment.

 

We did enjoy the totally non smoking casino near the port in Curacao and managed to double our investment.

 

The selection of on demand movies on the stateroom tv was very good.

I noticed that on our last HAL cruise, too. Promotion rather than entertainment.

We load up our Kindles and do a lot of reading on at sea days, but it would be nice to do something else that didn't involve being "encouraged" to buy something.

Count us among those who sail HAL for the itineraries and the quiet times it allows us to have in the lounges and libraries - we are kindle and audio book lovers and I go through at least five new books on my iPod each cruise. HAL still offers a lot when there are long sea days, but not so much for the shorter- more port intensive cruise. That is true.

Just nibbling from meal to meal to meal on sea days is enough new entertainment for us. The rest of the offerings are just not on our radar. Yes, there have been changes. And yes, they have added a bunch of dumb stuff as far as I am concerned (the spa stuff) but we just find our quiet corners and enjoy being at sea. And snug in bed at early hours being rocked to sleep by the waves. Down time for us. Bliss.

Yes, there have been changes. And yes, they have added a bunch of dumb stuff as far as I am concerned (the spa stuff) but we just find our quiet corners and enjoy being at sea. And snug in bed at early hours being rocked to sleep by the waves. Down time for us. Bliss.

In many respects this is how we view our cruising lately.

We've gone in March the last four years. My husband works a full and stressful Jan/Feb in his job, putting in 12 hour days 6 days a week, and often the 7th at home working at the kitchen table. We see little of each other during those two months and our March vacation has become the rest and respite we both need after these two months are done.

Spa for me, catching up on movies for him (he watched three on the Zuiderdam he wanted to see but missed at home) and books for us both. Dinner for two more than two nights in a row is a treat we look forward to.

In his words, its our time to reconnect. If we happen to see an activity that interests us, fine...but its more important that we are disconnected from the 'real world' so we can just enjoy being together.

I noticed the cutback to the cruise director's staff when we sailed the Veendam a four years ago. I thought it was due to it being a smaller ship--but then found out here that it's fleetwide. The lack of activities and entertainment is one of the reasons we prefer Princess. If it were not for the Culinary Arts Center, I probably wouldn't want to go on HAL. But I do love that concept and have had a great time at the culinary activities on our past HAL cruises.

DW and I are real rebels (for HAL) since we like to dine around 8 or 8:15. We normally like to enjoy a pre dinner cocktail (or 2) around 7....which is a pretty normal cocktail time for much of the world :). But on HAL this often means having little or no entertainment with cocktails. On other cruise lines there are often 2 or 3 different music venues with entertainment from about 5pm and its a matter of deciding "which place shall we go." On HAL the decision making is much easier since the only entertainment might be a friendly bar tender or waiter.

The problem is that HAL has really cut back on entertainers. There was a time there was alway a decent Filipino band on most HAL cruises and this group was working the pre and post dinner hours with all kind of music (including dance music). Then HAL went to their HAL Cat concept which allowed them to eliminate real bands and replace them with a group of musicians that had to fulfill many tasks. The HAL Cats were OK, but seldom were up to the quality of a real professional group that works together for years. Now,, the have trashed the HAL Cat concept and further reduced the number of musicians. The one bright spot is the BB King concept...but that is not on all the ships and is limited to a few sets at night (none during the pre dinner cocktail times). Adagio is OK (hit or miss) but is a big cutback from the previous Rosario Strings.

Hank

We are in the group of folks who would just as soon read a book in the cabin /watch the news in the evening. I don't mind less ship activities, but I do feel bad for those who prefer a bit busier atmosphere.

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