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Totally agree with Petronillus; the chamber music ensemble is a start but falls short with only two performances on a 14-day crossing and now a 7-day voyage. Classical should be a daily feature of HAL’s “Music Walk” offering. Pre-Covid and LCS, there was Adagio on every sailing - violin and piano, with several daily performances.

We’re still on the Rotterdam, doing 21-day collectors voyage (crossing from Lauderdale and back-to-back 7-day roundtrip from Rotterdam thru fjords to Shetland Islands and Edinburgh). The classical trio boarded in Ponta Delgada and played twice in the theater before the end of the crossing. On this 7-day segment they will also play twice in the theater (same program) and then transfer to the N.Statendam. Not sure if a new trio will come onboard. Seems like HAL has commissioned 25 pieces of classical music for special trio ensemble performances. Hope it is eventually rolled out simultaneously to all ships. Still disappointing not to have any live music in the Ocean Bar for pre/post dinner during crossing. They have art work on easels where the quartet played on this ship on the October 2023 crossing from Amsterdam to Lauderdale. Also, there is only 1 piano in the Billboard on Board, instead of the previous two piano players. Finally, first time we sailed with a DJ on a crossing ….

Hi Jacqui! Bon voyage to you both. Safe seas and fun times. Greetings from Stavanger as we continue our 21-day “Voyager Collection “ crossing from Lauderdale to Rotterdam. Looking forward to seeing you in October on the Oosterdam. Hugs

Yes Jacqui, was indeed watching for this post! The PG had always been a highlight and special treat on all our HAL cruises. We had similar inconsistent experiences in the PG in Nov 2022 on the Oosterdam fall crossing (Barcelona to Lauderdale) and thought that was perhaps an isolated occurrence. Thus our surprise again on this voyage with the PG service and meals at both dinner and lunch.