Onboard entertainment - which Cruiseline is preferred

[wynlyn]

We recently cruised with Holland America (van Ooosterdam) and found the onboard entertainment a bit sedate and amateurish which is a pity because the age groups of all other passengers appeared to cover all ages - an example was the 'Putt Putt' golf course which consisted of a narrow rolled up piece of green carpet, with a hole at one end and a tee at the other (about 5 metres in length) which was moved around the ship by the Entertainment Director to various areas and decks depending on other scheduled activities on the timetable. We sort of expected an actual 'Putt Putt' course as being a designated area as experienced on other cruise ships.

 

We did make attempts to participate in some activities for our age group (+50) but found them more designed for the 70+ (sorry, no offence intended)

 

What are people's thoughts on comparative cruise lines such as NCL -v- Holland America as far as quality of onboard entertainment for all age groups? :confused: (please refrain from sarcastic responses - it's not necessary in this forum) - I'm making a genuine query as a traveller who enjoys cruising :)

[moki'smommy]

Well, in fairness, DCL has "Chip it Golf." They set it up in the atrium for about a hour a couple of times during a 7 day cruise.

 

If by "entertainment" you mean the main stage shows, DCL has the best of any line I've been on. The "Stars of the Infinity" on Celebrity didn't compare at all, but I will give them credit for a live (small) orchestra. Also, they had a quartet that did several very nice 15 minute performances, but they were scheduled at inconvenient times. Other than that, there wasn't a lot going on around the ship on Celebrity that didn't involve the casino. There was a nice tea. There were really good food options, a covered, heated pool (nice since we were in Alaska), but few organized activities for families or adults. The moms I spoke with were happy with the kid programming though. Their evening stuff was also blah--LOTS of drinking going on and audience members being loud, vulgar, and rude. I tried it twice and left both times. Oh, and the video of what a great guy the cruise director was....yeah, really. One good thing--the programs by the naturalist on board were entertaining and informative...and there was a female stand up comedian who was great. The other variety acts were very similar to DCL. In fact, 2 of them I had seen on DCL.

 

Sorry, I haven't done NCL or Holland America, so can't compare those.

[wynlyn]

Thanks for your quick reponse Moki'smommy

 

I read your response and soon realised that I should have also included the term ón-board activities' as well as entertainment in my initial comment.

 

I don't doubt that cruise lines try to cater for families with children, but there appears to be a lack of quality activity for other travellers of various active ages without children - it seems they're having to make their own fun on át sailing days''

 

I know it's a big ask for cruise lines to cater for all their passengers of varying age groups but onboard activities differ immensely in quality depending on which cruise line you choose. I appreciate their dilemma, so what I am asking is which cruise line offers the best option for the money spent no matter what the age

 

Wynlyn:)

[moki'smommy]

DCL offers a bunch of trivia games during the day--some for families, some adults only. They are not very good about enforcement of "adult only" at these, maybe because the CMs can't remember whether this is a family or an adult session. For adults, there are various "tastings" for a small fee. And there is a lot of bingo. Pool, spa, fitness center, Cove Cafe, not a lot else that I remember. Movies too. Good selection of recent releases in the BV theatre.

 

We do a lot of reading on the pool deck.

Edited January 18, 2014 by moki'smommy

[boulders]

We recently cruised with Holland America (van Ooosterdam) and found the onboard entertainment a bit sedate and amateurish which is a pity because the age groups of all other passengers appeared to cover all ages - an example was the 'Putt Putt' golf course which consisted of a narrow rolled up piece of green carpet, with a hole at one end and a tee at the other (about 5 metres in length) which was moved around the ship by the Entertainment Director to various areas and decks depending on other scheduled activities on the timetable. We sort of expected an actual 'Putt Putt' course as being a designated area as experienced on other cruise ships.

 

We did make attempts to participate in some activities for our age group (+50) but found them more designed for the 70+ (sorry, no offence intended)

 

What are people's thoughts on comparative cruise lines such as NCL -v- Holland America as far as quality of onboard entertainment for all age groups? :confused: (please refrain from sarcastic responses - it's not necessary in this forum) - I'm making a genuine query as a traveller who enjoys cruising :)

 

The HAL ship you were probably on was the Oosterdam.

 

If you want an actual mini golf course on board, you are looking at a Royal Caribbean ship. If you want the most entertainment options for adults, that would be on Allure of the Seas or Oasis of the Seas. It's doubtful that a Disney would satisfy your desire for adult entertainment. Their ships and entertainment options are designed for small kids and their parents. If you are looking for information on NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line), you would be best off asking on their board.

 

The best "entertainment" I've had on a cruise was on my recent HAL Zaandam cruise where we had many lectures on Antarctica.