xCaGrapeGrower

Thank you.

Here's what we wrote, although I think it's a done deal: Mr. Gus Antorcha, President of HAL; and Ms. Jan Swartz, Group President of HAL, Princess, etc: 450 3rd Ave W. Seattle, WA 98119 Please do not remove the intimate venue, “Lincoln Center Stage,” from your Signature and Vista Class ships! It will be a huge mistake! In the new Pinnacle Class ships, where Lincoln Center Stage shares a two-story stage with other musical groups (i.e., the LOUD groups), the intimacy of chamber music is completely lost. Rumor has it that your new plan is to put two classical musicians on the Showroom stage a couple of times per cruise. UGH! Rumor also has it that this change is due to only one man, who apparently doesn’t appreciate how meaningful LCS is to many of your passengers. For the dedicated, passionate lovers of classical music and popular music specially arranged for a chamber quartet, there will be nothing in the way of almost daily entertainment. (“Coloring Books for Adults?” You must be kidding!) We go to almost every performance, appreciating this elegant, contemplative and “quieter” form of music, as opposed to your loud, so-called “Music Walk.” What distinguishes HAL from Princess or Celebrity? Lincoln Center Stage! Compared with all of the other performance venues onboard, LCS is the gem. The quartet during our cruises on Noordam (October 8, 2022 – January 2, 2023) has been superb. HAL was fortunate to engage these four talented professionals: Alexander Lee, Alice Martelli, Aleksandra Gargol and Eric Haugen! (We first saw Alex, Alice and Aleks on Rotterdam in May 2022.) We will try to follow their careers, but it would be even better to see and hear them, and other similarly excellent musicians, again in the future in the presently configured LCS venue. Writing this letter is an exercise in futility, we fear, because a corporate decision to make this change may be cast in concrete. If it isn’t, add our plea to what I hope is a chorus of other chamber music-lovers who are as deeply dismayed and disappointed as we are with your proposed dreadful change to LCS. Of all the entertainment venues and performers on your ships, this is the only one that adds “class” to your offerings. You should keep LCS exactly as it is on your Signature and Vista Class ships!!! Most sincerely, Alson and Martha Kemp P.S. These four musicians (Alex, Alice, Aleks and Eric) were so enterprising that they learned and rehearsed additional music scored for chamber quartets so that their audience (and they, themselves) would not be bored by repetitious programs. They are truly remarkable! P.P.S. At the conclusion of this evening’s final performance on January 1st there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience. Everyone knew what will be lost if the one narrowly focused, bean-counting individual does away with this magical haven for classically trained and talented musicians. Don’t do it! Do not take away LCS!!!

I cannot find the news release. Where is it? Thank you.

We understand that HAL is in the process of canceling Lincoln Center Stage (LCS), at least as we have known it. Even though LCS is HAL's highest ranked entertainment. ??? The friendly small area on the older ships is to be remodeled - into what we have not heard. Some officials say, and others do not, that the LCS presentations will be moved to the Main Stage, becoming just another act and appearing 2 - 3 times over 10 days or so before leaving. That is unsatisfactory for many, obvious reasons (number of presentations, ambiance, will the best musicians appear, etc.), but also because the LCS musicians themselves say that they cannot play well as an ensemble on the Main Stage, because they cannot accurately hear each other's notes in that cavernous space (without mikes and headphones). Please write HAL and complain. Maybe something can be done. Thank you.