innlady1 Posted July 10, 2016 #276 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Thanks, copper. That would have been an interesting career change! A somewhat common name, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boze9999 Posted July 11, 2016 #277 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Jimmy Maddox will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam from March 5, 2017 - April 9, 2017, doing E/W Caribbean Sailings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted July 11, 2016 #278 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Jimmy is awesome! Wish we could coordinate a cruise around his schedule! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted July 11, 2016 #279 Share Posted July 11, 2016 We came off the Oosterdam on 24th May. There were always two pianist playing in the Billboard piano area. They did not take requests while we were present, but confess we weren't too impressed so were not there often. They play set programs with titles like The 80's, Icons, British invasion, Hot Country, etc. It is not at all like the old piano bar. We were on the Eurodam in February and found the same thing - the "duelling pianos" were less than stellar. They became very shrill while trying to sing louder than their pounding on the pianos. Remember the phrase "tickling the ivories"? Well, there certainly wasn't any tickling going on, it was a full-on assult of the keys. After a couple of tries, our group of 8 found other areas of entertainment for the duration of the 2 weeks onboard. Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted July 11, 2016 #280 Share Posted July 11, 2016 We were on the Eurodam in February and found the same thing - the "duelling pianos" were less than stellar. They became very shrill while trying to sing louder than their pounding on the pianos. Remember the phrase "tickling the ivories"? Well, there certainly wasn't any tickling going on, it was a full-on assult of the keys. After a couple of tries, our group of 8 found other areas of entertainment for the duration of the 2 weeks onboard. I'm incredibly saddened, but not at all surprised, to read this. HAL has been steadily moving away from the Piano Bar concept for several years now, and it seems they are finishing them off now at a rapid rate. What used to be a fun, party place where guests could have a good time while getting to know each other every night has been replaced with just another entertainment venue where musicians of different abilities try to perform. There's nothing interactive about it at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipity1499 Posted July 11, 2016 #281 Share Posted July 11, 2016 (edited) I'm incredibly saddened, but not at all surprised, to read this. HAL has been steadily moving away from the Piano Bar concept for several years now, and it seems they are finishing them off now at a rapid rate. What used to be a fun, party place where guests could have a good time while getting to know each other every night has been replaced with just another entertainment venue where musicians of different abilities try to perform. There's nothing interactive about it at all. Agree with you this is very sad.. My DH & I used to love the piano bar.. It was small enough for us to enjoy & get to know the other guests, was not so loud that it hurt your ears, & they played some old favorites of ours.. Wonder if HAL will still have the piano bar on our cruise on the Zuiderdam in Oct? Edited July 11, 2016 by serendipity1499 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxmantoo Posted July 11, 2016 #282 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I'm incredibly saddened, but not at all surprised, to read this. HAL has been steadily moving away from the Piano Bar concept for several years now, and it seems they are finishing them off now at a rapid rate. What used to be a fun, party place where guests could have a good time while getting to know each other every night has been replaced with just another entertainment venue where musicians of different abilities try to perform. There's nothing interactive about it at all. The new set-up is definitely not what one would call a Piano Bar. Interaction with the piano player and other guests, an essential aspect of any Piano Bar, seems very difficult in the new style entertainment area. It is not very well suited for the "regulars" to meet every night around the piano to enjoy and sing-along with the likes of a Jimmy Maddox, Stryker, Diane Fast or others who I am sure we will never see playing dueling pianos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted July 11, 2016 #283 Share Posted July 11, 2016 The new set-up is definitely not what one would call a Piano Bar. Interaction with the piano player and other guests, an essential aspect of any Piano Bar, seems very difficult in the new style entertainment area. Even Mix was a giant step away from the former Piano Bars on the S-class ships. I was pleased when I saw that there was seating around the piano, but soon realized the entire atmosphere of a piano bar was gone. With the passageway going right through, all the nearby shops intruding on the music, and the glaring lights shining bright in the eyes of those seated around the piano---everything that made the Piano Bar special was gone. Mix made the Piano Lounges on the R-class ships look better than they did in comparison. I totally agree that there are some of the better musicians who would not be who they are if they are forced to play in the new set-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkandpurple Posted July 17, 2016 #284 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Was on the Eurodam in February 2016. Two pianos (never did find out who was playing) daily program never listed, they were a man and a woman. I didn't see any requests being taken. Didn't look like anyone was having a great time. It's in the same area as the casino and all open. They were very loud so they could be heard over the casino noise. Didn't ever sit down to listen as it was to loud for me. Just observed while walking through the area to casino and elevator lobby. Also they were off for two nights without a replacement. Same thing with the BB king group. I overheard people in the elevator complain at 9pm that there was "nothing to do!" I like piano bars! but it no longer is one! so I never even sat down in there. It's a shame they spend money on getting rid of the piano bar. I certainly won't be there for a few drinks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkandpurple Posted July 17, 2016 #285 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Was on the Eurodam in February 2016. Two pianos (never did find out who was playing) daily program never listed, they were a man and a woman. I didn't see any requests being taken. Didn't look like anyone was having a great time. It's in the same area as the casino and all open. They were very loud so they could be heard over the casino noise. Didn't ever sit down to listen as it was to loud for me. Just observed while walking through the area to casino and elevator lobby. Also they were off for two nights without a replacement. Same thing with the BB king group. I overheard people in the elevator complain at 9pm that there was "nothing to do!" I like piano bars! but it no longer is one! so I never even sat down in there. It's a shame they spend money on getting rid of the piano bar. I certainly won't be there for a few drinks! Who knows who will be the piano bar player on the Nieuw Amsterdam in October for the Panama canal cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhsocal Posted July 18, 2016 #286 Share Posted July 18, 2016 On our July 9th Westerdam Alaska cruise, piano bar entertainer was Anna. Cannot comment on the quality or setup, we were never there. Daily program usually listed 9PM to Close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted July 18, 2016 #287 Share Posted July 18, 2016 On our July 9th Westerdam Alaska cruise, piano bar entertainer was Anna. Cannot comment on the quality or setup, we were never there. Daily program usually listed 9PM to Close. Anna Vanderheide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare SLOTheta Posted July 18, 2016 #288 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Just got off the Eurodam and they had a guy and a girl that were doing a dueling piano gig. It was painful to listen. Most of the songs they had to read off iPads and they were off key. They did know a set of songs that they would play over you night. I gambled every night and had to block them out. Disappointing. I never caught their names Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dobiemom Posted July 18, 2016 #289 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Copper, do you know who will be on the Westerdam October 22nd (and Oct 18th)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted July 18, 2016 #290 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Copper, do you know who will be on the Westerdam October 22nd (and Oct 18th)? I do not, at this time, Dobiemom, sorry. Ronald Lewis is there until 18 Oct and back on 05 Nov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dobiemom Posted July 18, 2016 #291 Share Posted July 18, 2016 I do not, at this time, Dobiemom, sorry. Ronald Lewis is there until 18 Oct and back on 05 Nov Thanks, I'll check back later. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkandpurple Posted July 18, 2016 #292 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Does anyone know who will be playing in the piano bar on the Nieuw Amsterdam during October 2016 Panama canal cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HurricaneJane Posted August 28, 2016 #293 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Will there be a Piano Bar on the Noordam for the San Diego 9/29 to 11/9/16 NZ cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOHN 57 Posted August 28, 2016 #294 Share Posted August 28, 2016 My question, who is the piano player on the Oosterdam now. Thank you, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir PMP Posted August 28, 2016 #295 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Will there be a Piano Bar on the Noordam for the San Diego 9/29 to 11/9/16 NZ cruise? Yes, there will be a piano player in the bar and if you have Diane from Anchorage you're lucky.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msteries Posted August 30, 2016 #296 Share Posted August 30, 2016 As I understand it, the NA still has the traditional piano bar. Anyone know who is likely to play during the S. Caribbean cruise next winter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkandpurple Posted August 31, 2016 #297 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) Does anyone know who will be playing in the piano bar on the Nieuw Amsterdam during October 2016 Panama canal cruise? HAL got back to me after posting the question on their facebook page and it will be Damian Brell. Edited August 31, 2016 by pnkandpurple left out facebook page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msteries Posted August 31, 2016 #298 Share Posted August 31, 2016 (edited) I gather that there is a way to ask for information bout entertainers on the HAL Facebook page? Edited August 31, 2016 by msteries Quoted wrong post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boze9999 Posted August 31, 2016 #299 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Just got off the Eurodam and they had a guy and a girl that were doing a dueling piano gig. It was painful to listen. Most of the songs they had to read off iPads and they were off key. They did know a set of songs that they would play over you night. I gambled every night and had to block them out. Disappointing. I never caught their names Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app HAL's experiment with dual pianos is painful. Very few if any positive comments on any ship with a wide variety of piano players. Hoping they see the light and again start featuring the solo HAL piano bar players.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkandpurple Posted August 31, 2016 #300 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I gather that there is a way to ask for information bout entertainers on the HAL Facebook page? That's what I did. It took sometime for them to get back to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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