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Entertainment changes again


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I know this has been discussed before, but yesterday I was told by an azamara entertainer currently onboard that Azamara has now eliminated all pianists and guitarists as well as reducing orchestra members by at least two positions.:(

 

This is upsetting news to especially those losing their jobs, here's hoping they find something else in short time.

 

I understand this will be effective in early 2018.

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I heard they were changing the production shows significantly and that contracts were being changed. However if the pianist/guitarists are not staying that is not a change we would welcome at all. T

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I was on Quest in November . Heard about the shows. Finally a change. But not heard anything about music. Why would they bring on Simon to replace Max if this was true. Ed leaving soon for the holidays.

Is Max moving on? Or just on vacation. We love Max.

 

If they are really eliminating pianist and guitarist (and I can't believe they are) this will definitely be a deal breaker for us....no casino and no live music in the evenings? No no no.

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There are big changes to the Entertainment planned. This has been talked about for some time. I have heard that they are thinking of bringing on more speciality acts for one or two nights on each cruise and reducing the onboard permanent entertainment staff.

 

Max is on his way back to Journey imminently until about June I think, but it is not known about contracts for later in the year. The dancers are also affected with possibly no more contracts for them next year either.

 

I am all for updating the cabaret shows as I have seen them all many times now, but I would hate to loose Max and Ed and the brilliant dancers like Sasha and Dima and Alina and Alex. In my opinion this would be a huge mistake and I really hope Azamara will listen to us on this matter. Watching those amazing dancers and listening to Max or Ed on piano is one of the great pleasures of an Azamara cruise.

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I know this has been discussed before, but yesterday I was told by an azamara entertainer currently onboard that Azamara has now eliminated all pianists and guitarists as well as reducing orchestra members by at least two positions.:(

 

This is upsetting news to especially those losing their jobs, here's hoping they find something else in short time.

 

I understand this will be effective in early 2018.

 

I sincerely hope that this is not true.

We have cruised with Azamara since 2008 and have noticed the gradual erosion of entertainment.

At first we had a singing trio/duo, the orchestra, a pianist, a harpist and a guitarist. Then the vocalists "disappeared" and then the harpists.

Even now we find that, if we don't want to go to a show, it is a case of "chase the entertainment" and trying to find where the pianist/guitarist is at a time that doesn't clash with dining.

I cannot imagine cruising on Azamara without being able to listen to someone as talented as Ed Waters.

I'm just hoping that this is an unconfirmed rumour.

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There are big changes to the Entertainment planned. This has been talked about for some time. I have heard that they are thinking of bringing on more speciality acts for one or two nights on each cruise and reducing the onboard permanent entertainment staff.

 

Max is on his way back to Journey imminently until about June I think, but it is not known about contracts for later in the year. The dancers are also affected with possibly no more contracts for them next year either.

 

I am all for updating the cabaret shows as I have seen them all many times now, but I would hate to loose Max and Ed and the brilliant dancers like Sasha and Dima and Alina and Alex. In my opinion this would be a huge mistake and I really hope Azamara will listen to us on this matter. Watching those amazing dancers and listening to Max or Ed on piano is one of the great pleasures of an Azamara cruise.

I totally agree! But they didn't listen to us about the harpist, so I doubt they will listen now.

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Yes, big changes afoot. It will be interesting to see how it pans out. My own opinion is that some of it needs a revamp, some I could do without and others like Lottie mentions (eg the ballroom dancers) could be used more widely to better effect.

 

I hope they avoid trying to be too "out there" like Celebrity did with their Cirque shows although it's hard to see how that could be done in a small show lounge. We will see.

 

Phil

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Last month we were also told there were changes coming to the on board entertainment, but no details.

 

We have enjoyed music in The Living Room both before and after dinner for several years on 16 cruises of varying length and most certainly hope live music for listening and occasionally dancing will continue in that venue in the evenings.

 

Listening to music in Spirits can be a bit challenging, unless in port with no slot machine noise drowning one's attempt to listen. We know the gaming tables are going, but so far no word on the machines.

 

As has been said already, from the perspective of loyal repeat cruisers, the production shows are long overdue for a change. There is a limit to the number of times one really enjoys seeing the same show, even with a different cast.

 

Time will tell I guess . . . . .

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There are only six people in the shows now..how do you do a show with no dancers. How do you have dance classes.

 

Life without out Ed or MAx or Simon would be sad. Other ships have even more music.no one can. Live without music

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I heard Max was replacing Ed on Journey - Ed goes off next week, he has been on since May so well due a holiday

 

Sorry to learn Ed is going on holidays, as I was looking forward to seeing him after hearing what a wonderful entertainer he is. Still I wish him happy holidays.

 

I'm cruising on Azamara for the first time, because of the small size of their ships, which can cruise up rivers, and their recommended musical entertainment. A ship without live music would be a deal breaker for me for future cruises. Music is food for the soul!

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We have loved our Azamara cruises, but the entertainment has been a bit repetitive and by that I mean the HD jokes, we love the dancers [emoji126] plus we love the fantastic dance classes that we have been to.

I really hope they don’t reduce the entertainment, I think it is already fairly minimal.

 

 

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There are only six people in the shows now..how do you do a show with no dancers. How do you have dance classes.

 

Life without out Ed or MAx or Simon would be sad. Other ships have even more music.no one can. Live without music

The one thing we really enjoyed on Oceania was the music...the string quartet played before and after dinner...the piano man (although he lacked personality) played before dinner. There is nothing like having a pre-dinner drink while being entertained by (not loud bands) music. Ditto after dinner or after show. It is indeed one of the joys of cruising. I don't need bingo, or art auctions, or climbing walls, or massive stage productions. I do need music.

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We enjoy life music - for the first time in 4 years have no European cruises booked with Azamara because of the high prices and false promotions. The new on-board packages have removed any loyalty benefits.

 

The bigger worry is are they cutting other crew numbers, if so the happy smiling crew may be just a memory

 

These changes could make for a boring on-board atmosphere

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I’d like to think that the peripheral performers like the pianists and guitarists will remain and perhaps there will be room for a rethink and have something like a string quartet or harpist or other live music. It will be the production shows and guest entertainer slots that change.

 

I was saying to a friend yesterday (as this thread had me thinking) that whilst the orchestra are great to have, I find on a few occasions that they are way too loud for me at things like the jazz brunch. Dare I say that a couple of cruises ago we retreated to Spirits on White Night because once again the music was just too loud for me. Well, all of us at our table and we weren’t near the stage. Maybe as I get older my ears become more sensitive, but at 53 I don’t consider myself that old. They are a big orchestra for a small ship.

 

Phil

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I’d like to think that the peripheral performers like the pianists and guitarists will remain and perhaps there will be room for a rethink and have something like a string quartet or harpist or other live music. It will be the production shows and guest entertainer slots that change.

 

 

 

I was saying to a friend yesterday (as this thread had me thinking) that whilst the orchestra are great to have, I find on a few occasions that they are way too loud for me at things like the jazz brunch. Dare I say that a couple of cruises ago we retreated to Spirits on White Night because once again the music was just too loud for me. Well, all of us at our table and we weren’t near the stage. Maybe as I get older my ears become more sensitive, but at 53 I don’t consider myself that old. They are a big orchestra for a small ship.

 

 

 

Phil

 

 

 

Yes, I could see a logic to cut the brass section by two and have the two remaining able to cover several wind/brass instruments. I also think the shows are such an upfront investment and high maintenance cost (retrains etc) for something that is repetitive. I agree on the volume and recently the sound technicians don’t seem to have been as technically competent, the balance has been all wrong.

 

However as was said earlier I do hope it’s not going to be a wacky “you’ve never seen anything like this before” solution and that a piano bar player remains in Spirits or the Living Room.

 

I suspect the half world cruise will be a time they might make the change to satisfy the guests who would see the shows 8 times otherwise.

 

What I cannot understand is why the entertainers haven’t been booked as I was expecting they’d need more not less. Yes maybe a time to change some of the guest entertainment but my take is its add to the current successful entertainers don’t replace all of them.

 

I’m sorry there is uncertainty for some, the comfort though is with several new ships coming into Service the overall demand for talent will still be there.

 

 

 

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I think that Azamara may go with a different entertainment agency who will source and book the guest entertainers for them. I don't think the previous guest entertainers onboard will be part of that.

 

It is way beyond time that the production shows are revamped. I have been watching Voices three or four times a year since 2011 and am truly fed up with it, although it was good the first few times. I rarely go to the cabaret shoes now as I have seen them so many times, as have many of the repeat Azamara cruisers. However I do adore the dance shows, especially Sasha and Dima. They came up with some marvellous new dances on our last cruise in October.

 

With only two exceptions, Bruce Parker and Virtuoso, personally I wouldn't have a problem with a complete change of the "old" guest entertainers. Most of them may be nice people, but their shows just weren't that good. However, I might have seen Bruce's show at least 12 times but I think he is fantastic, as are the very talented pianist and clarinet player guys from Virtuoso. Could listen to them for hours.

 

What I really won't like is the loss of the piano player in Spirits, if that goes ahead. That seriously would make me rethink my thoughts of Azamara as a cruise line of choice. I can't think that Azamara management would do that though, as that space is so suited for piano music but not band music. It was deafening in there once the band started and we left immediately.

 

I agree with Ann that it will all begin to change around the World Cruise time as Azamara could not expect those onboard for a World Cruise to watch the same shows week after week. Just please keep Max and Ed!

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I have a question. I thought all the talent and production shows were done and produced out of Miami. Supposedly there is a warehouse down there somewhere ( I think in Hollywood, Fl) they learn the shows. Is that not true?

 

Kathy

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I have a question. I thought all the talent and production shows were done and produced out of Miami. Supposedly there is a warehouse down there somewhere ( I think in Hollywood, Fl) they learn the shows. Is that not true?

 

Kathy

yes they did work with a production company but there are only four shows currently onboard, and I suspect far less in the future. The other nights are other entertainment e.g. guest entertainers

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