Will HAL Ever Add More Daily Activities a Day/or Night Entertainment??

[YankeePenny]

And, we were told it was more of a" sidewalks rolled up at 7 " kind of a cruise line , which is what we wanted.

 

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[Sue from Canada]

I agree with many of the comments but would like to add that not all of us go to bed at 10ish. So, why can there be late night bingo, trivia, a kitchen tour and other activities after the 2nd show.

[Randyk47]

DW and I are real rebels (for HAL) since we like to dine around 8 or 8:15. We normally like to enjoy a pre dinner cocktail (or 2) around 7....which is a pretty normal cocktail time for much of the world :). But on HAL this often means having little or no entertainment with cocktails. On other cruise lines there are often 2 or 3 different music venues with entertainment from about 5pm and its a matter of deciding "which place shall we go." On HAL the decision making is much easier since the only entertainment might be a friendly bar tender or waiter.

 

The problem is that HAL has really cut back on entertainers. There was a time there was alway a decent Filipino band on most HAL cruises and this group was working the pre and post dinner hours with all kind of music (including dance music). Then HAL went to their HAL Cat concept which allowed them to eliminate real bands and replace them with a group of musicians that had to fulfill many tasks. The HAL Cats were OK, but seldom were up to the quality of a real professional group that works together for years. Now,, the have trashed the HAL Cat concept and further reduced the number of musicians. The one bright spot is the BB King concept...but that is not on all the ships and is limited to a few sets at night (none during the pre dinner cocktail times). Adagio is OK (hit or miss) but is a big cutback from the previous Rosario Strings.

 

Hank

 

You took the words right off my keyboard......exactly our feelings and thoughts.

[TheCalicoCat]

Caveat: I don't sail for the entertainment. As a matter of fact the entertainment may be at the bottom of my list of priorities.

 

I cruise HAL for the itinerary and the quiet/serenity are a bonus.

 

Don't get me wrong, I will listen to the music if I like it & am in the area. (I don't search it out & I'm ok with quiet instead.)

 

What kind of entertainment are you looking for? I have read this complaint/concern, but I don't see the follow up with ideas.

[kira5]

If I had a program when the HAL Alaska cruise I took 25 years ago I know it would show many more activities than was offered on the one we took last summer.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Caveat: I don't sail for the entertainment. As a matter of fact the entertainment may be at the bottom of my list of priorities.

 

I cruise HAL for the itinerary and the quiet/serenity are a bonus.

 

Don't get me wrong, I will listen to the music if I like it & am in the area. (I don't search it out & I'm ok with quiet instead.)

 

What kind of entertainment are you looking for? I have read this complaint/concern, but I don't see the follow up with ideas.

 

Better classical music, for one thing. HAL is becoming a have/have not line, with Lincoln Center quartet on some ships and the not-always-good Adagio duo on other ships.

 

If they're going to provide BB King for those who like their music thumping and loud, then why can't they provide something more "classic" for those who want to trot out those foxtrot lessons they've been taking? Or jazz for those who like to listen to something interesting? I miss the Neptunes--that was our evening entertainment more often than not. The last time we were on Veendam, they had the dance floor in the Ocean Bar packed. The house Band on Zuiderdam was OK, but not even close to the Neptunes. And as another poster has said, if the Band is needed for the showroom, there's no music at all in the Ocean Bar. We found that disappointing.

 

I don't mind that the ship is quiet during the day, although I do understand that many people want more activities. We're happy to read on our balcony or maybe sit by the pool for a while. If there were more interesting activities during the day, I might partake. I do sometimes go to the computer sessions. I've done the cooking classes, but don't usually bother with the demos. I do not go to the spa or jewelry infomercials--there are way too many of them!

[EDLOS]

The "Old" HAL seem ed to have the right balance of Serene places .i.e. Library and Promenade Deck (both being done away with) Entertaining music and Dance music starting at 5 PM til late. Lectures, games, (all now down to bare minimum) in short, something for everyone, as wanted by a diverse mature cruise population. With the K'DAM I wonder where I might find that quiet place if I do not have a veranda, for me and my Kindle. And there was absolutely nothing to do when all musicians on board were playing the background music for BBC Planet video. on the Eurodam TA in November (watched it) and the Noordam in January (no reason to see it again) Nothing to do anywhere else. My point is HAL seem to be deminishing all the reasons I am a 4 Star with them..........

[Tampa Girl]

The "Old" HAL seem ed to have the right balance of Serene places .i.e. Library and Promenade Deck (both being done away with) Entertaining music and Dance music starting at 5 PM til late. Lectures, games, (all now down to bare minimum) in short, something for everyone, as wanted by a diverse mature cruise population. With the K'DAM I wonder where I might find that quiet place if I do not have a veranda, for me and my Kindle. And there was absolutely nothing to do when all musicians on board were playing the background music for BBC Planet video. on the Eurodam TA in November (watched it) and the Noordam in January (no reason to see it again) Nothing to do anywhere else. My point is HAL seem to be deminishing all the reasons I am a 4 Star with them..........

 

My thoughts, as well.

[Toftwood]

If as seems the general opinion HAL's entertainment offering is declining, which would you suggest are still making the grade?

 

 

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[3rdGenCunarder]

If as seems the general opinion HAL's entertainment offering is declining, which would you suggest are still making the grade?

 

 

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Cunard. On our last cruise on QM2, there was a classical quartet, jazz band, three piano players, the orchestra that plays for dancing in the Queens Room. Also a production show or entertainer every night. They had just introduced a bunch of new production shows, all of them with LIVE music. They used to use canned music, so they're upping the quality. Daytime has guest speakers (not about the ports), port lectures, dance classes, trivia, bridge, computer workshops. Probably more stuff, but I can't remember it all.

 

Note that all of this has to be paid for, which is part of why Cunard is more expensive. We'd sail with them more often, but it means the long flights to Europe. HAL is convenient and less expensive. I'm glad we binged on QE2 while we could.

[baggal]

We would definitely choose HAL again for a very port intensive cruise when you are off the ship for most of the day for many days. Evenings on those cruises tend to be dinner, a walk around the ship and then bedtime to wake up early for the next day's sightseeing. No complaints there.

 

But, FOR US, on a Caribbean cruise, where we don't do extensive sightseeing or water sports, HAL is definitely lacking in evening entertainment. We are both retired in our mid-sixties. When we cruise during the winter, we want to get away from the northeast weather and have some fun and entertainment that we wouldn't ordinarily have at home. With all due respect to the other cruisers posting, if we wanted to only read on our balcony or watch movies in our room, we could stay home.

 

On Princess, there is always something going on in the evening, usually a main stage production and some additional kind of entertainment in a smaller venue. Not to mention the various musicians around the ship in the evening. (now if Princess would only improve their customer service I would sail them exclusively - but that's another thread).

 

HAL, as it stands now, is just not for us in the Caribbean.

[OlsSalt]

What do land-based resorts offer for evening entertainment choices, for those traveling to the Caribbean? Are their nightly shows and various alternate entertainment venues, just a few steps away from your hotel room.

 

If people just want to get away to the sunshine, why not take a land-based trip and not expect a cruise ship to act like a trip to New York City at night? For a self-contained transportation venue, I am amazed cruise ships offer as much as they do including the moveable feast of new ports almost every day.

[baggal]

What do land-based resorts offer for evening entertainment choices, for those traveling to the Caribbean? Are their nightly shows and various alternate entertainment venues, just a few steps away from your hotel room.

 

If people just want to get away to the sunshine, why not take a land-based trip and not expect a cruise ship to act like a trip to New York City at night? For a self-contained transportation venue, I am amazed cruise ships offer as much as they do including the moveable feast of new ports almost every day.

 

No need for us to go to a land based resort - we're just going to pick a different cruise line when we cruise the Caribbean. Pretty simple.

[Cahpek]

I have to ask this question, I have 19 cruises on HAL, their entertainment and daily activities were so much better in the beginning than they are now. One positive I will say is service was wonderful and the food, I thought, was excellent......

 

I love HAL but my last cruise this past March on the Eurodam left me wanting something more in the entertainment field on sea days and entertainment at night.

 

 

Three years ago we sailed in the Niew Amsterdam and while sea day activities were almost non existent compared to several years ago, I felt there it was still better than my March cruise this year. The piano bar 3 years ago was our go to spot for night time entertainment til at least midnight. This year on the Eurodam the dueling pianos were not impressive at all. I will say B B Kings was awesome but, I just feel HAL needs to step up their game in the entertainment field both day and night to stay competitive.

 

With that said, I have to ask you and myself, if nothing changes with HAL in the entertainment area, will I look for a new cruise line? I am asking myself the same question and some times I want to, then other times I still feel at home on HAL.

 

 

Thoughts?

 

Have you been on 19 HAL cruises in addition to other cruises, or have you been on 19 HAL cruises and no other cruises?

 

If it is the latter, and if we were you, we would try other cruises, just for a change, especially those cruises lines in the luxury/luxury light bracket . You would then be able to compare whether you like them better than HAL, or you might realise that you actually still prefer HAL.

 

From our observation, it appears that most of the mid-range cruise lines like HAL, P&O, etc. are the ones making cut-backs. They appear to be following the "unbundling" model, like what low-cost airlines do, and to an extent, even some legacy airlines are edging towards that direction . They are providing less and less in their basic packange, with the hope that passengers will spend more on "add-ons" (speciality restaurants, etc, etc) to make extra profit. On the other hand, those luxury/luxury light cruises, eg Oceania, Regent, Seabourne, Viking, Crystal, they are doing the opposite , they seem to be offering more items included in their fares (eg free gratuities, drinks package, wifi, sometimes excursions, sauna, complimentary reservations to speciality restaurants, etc).

 

For us, if we have been on 19 cruises with just one cruise line, we would want a change. For us, part of the beauty of travelling is we see and experience new things. But if you have been on 19 cruises with just one cruise line, odds are you have had the same "old" experience over and over again, it might get a bit monotonous. No? Anyway, it's just a thought.

Edited April 24, 2017 by Cahpek

[Tampa Girl]

For a self-contained transportation venue, I am amazed cruise ships offer as much as they do including the moveable feast of new ports almost every day.

 

 

But therein lies the problem: Other than Cunard's QM2, cruise ships are not billed as, nor expected to be, simply a "self-contained transportation venue." We expect cruise ships to offer far more in the way of entertainment, and from what I know, most cruise lines do just that.

 

It is fine for those who simply want to read and watch the ocean; so do we. You don't have to partake of any entertainment. But we also want to enjoy a cocktail accompanied by live music; a quiet library WITH BOOKS; and a dance floor with music to dance by. And I don't think that is too much to ask of a cruise line, and apparently many others think the same.

[Tampa Girl]

Correction: Cunard's QM2 does not consider itself to be simply a cruise ship. It is considered as an ocean liner and a means of transportation from Europe to North America. And it is used by many people for that sole purpose.

[OlsSalt]

Crystal can add all the frills it wants, but it still has very small, poorly laid out ocean view cabins and limited outdoor deck space.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Correction: Cunard's QM2 does not consider itself to be simply a cruise ship. It is considered as an ocean liner and a means of transportation from Europe to North America. And it is used by many people for that sole purpose.

 

Actually, I would say both of your posts are correct. On the Cunard board, discussions can get long about whether QM2 is a true liner or a cruise ship--and about how a transatlantic is not considered a cruise, it's a crossing. To me, QM2 is a hybrid, as was QE2. There isn't a market to support transatlantics all year, so QM2 does a mix of cruises and crossings. And you're right, some people do make the crossing on QM2 mainly for the transportation, not for a "cruising" experience.

 

Perhaps Cunard's large array of entertainments comes from their history as a transatlantic service. If you're going to have passengers with 5 or more sea days in a row, you need to give them something to do. We've done crossings where the speakers and activities were so good, we were always dashing from one venue to another. Not much to rush to on HAL's sea days. But that's OK, we've done enough cruises on both lines to adjust our expectations from one to the other.

[idiebabe]

But therein lies the problem: Other than Cunard's QM2, cruise ships are not billed as, nor expected to be, simply a "self-contained transportation venue." We expect cruise ships to offer far more in the way of entertainment, and from what I know, most cruise lines do just that.

 

It is fine for those who simply want to read and watch the ocean; so do we. You don't have to partake of any entertainment. But we also want to enjoy a cocktail accompanied by live music; a quiet library WITH BOOKS; and a dance floor with music to dance by. And I don't think that is too much to ask of a cruise line, and apparently many others think the same.

 

Well said and totally agree!

[OlsSalt]

No need for us to go to a land based resort - we're just going to pick a different cruise line when we cruise the Caribbean. Pretty simple.

 

Make sense. It is your money and your vacation. Do what makes you happy.

[OlsSalt]

But we also want to enjoy a cocktail accompanied by live music; a quiet library WITH BOOKS; and a dance floor with music to dance by. And I don't think that is too much to ask of a cruise line, and apparently many others think the same.

 

1. Cocktails

2. Live music

3. Dance floor

4. Library with books

 

Shouldn't be too hard to offer that.

[Tampa Girl]

Actually, I would say both of your posts are correct. On the Cunard board, discussions can get long about whether QM2 is a true liner or a cruise ship--and about how a transatlantic is not considered a cruise, it's a crossing. To me, QM2 is a hybrid, as was QE2. There isn't a market to support transatlantics all year, so QM2 does a mix of cruises and crossings. And you're right, some people do make the crossing on QM2 mainly for the transportation, not for a "cruising" experience.

 

Perhaps Cunard's large array of entertainments comes from their history as a transatlantic service. If you're going to have passengers with 5 or more sea days in a row, you need to give them something to do. We've done crossings where the speakers and activities were so good, we were always dashing from one venue to another. Not much to rush to on HAL's sea days. But that's OK, we've done enough cruises on both lines to adjust our expectations from one to the other.

 

Kathy - with your Cunard experience, would you please take a look at my post, requesting a comparison between the QE and the HAL Vista ships for long voyages, and give me your thoughts?

[3rdGenCunarder]

Kathy - with your Cunard experience, would you please take a look at my post, requesting a comparison between the QE and the HAL Vista ships for long voyages, and give me your thoughts?

 

Sorry, I haven't been on QE. The "vista sistas," as they have sometimes been called, do world cruises and European cruises. Since we binged on Europe itineraries to get as many cruises as possible on QE2, we haven't found a cruise on them we're eager to do. Meanwhile, QM2 keeps having fabulous theme crossings and HAL keeps having sales, and QE and QV get pushed down the to-do list.

[3rdGenCunarder]

1. Cocktails

2. Live music

3. Dance floor

4. Library with books

 

Shouldn't be too hard to offer that.

 

You'd think so, wouldn't you!

[POA1]

We were in the Eurodam in December. It was our first HAL cruise since the Nieuw Amsterdam in late 2014. We actually thought that there was more to do. I keep scans of the daily programs, so I could compare apples to apples. (For the record, I like the old style daily program with the tear off activities sheet much more than the new, condensed format. It used to be a lot easier to see the day at a glance. We had two different color highlighters and my wife and I would mark up the tear sheet with the activities we found to be of interest.)

 

Anyway...

 

Here's my comparison of the activities Nov 2014 vs Dec 2016:

 

 

• Show Lounge: Mostly a wash, although there were two extra comedy shows in 2016. So, the net-net was +2 shows.
  
• Explorer's Lounge/Lincoln Center Stage: More shows and vastly higher quality in 2016. (I can see how people who enjoyed an after dinner nap with classical music might prefer the old Adagio Duo.)
  
• B.B. King: Exact same number of shows.
  
• Movies: A wash in the theater. Many more on demand in the room. (We last watched a shipboard movie on the Maasdam in 1999, so it doesn't matter to us, but I'm trying to be objective.)
  
• Culinary Demos/Lessons: About 15% more in 2016 including the return of napkin folding! (Napkin folding, along with Steel Drum lessons are things I always threaten to do, but perpetually fail to attend.)
  
• Computer Lessons: Six more classes in 2016. (Have never taken these, either. We don't need them, but I certainly won't begrudge the folks who attend.)
  
• Poolside Live Music: Way more in 2014 when you still had the HAL Cats.
  
• Piano Bar/Billboard Onboard: Same number of shows. Twice the number of piano players. Some people liked the old piano bar set up. My DFIL is one. I always found the old piano bars hot and overly crowded. I never complained about them, and always stopped by, but the new venue is more comfortable, IMO.
  
• Casino: I didn't notice much of a difference, but we're not really gamblers.
  
• Disco: The Northern Lights was removed from the Eurodam and replaced by the Gallery Bar. It has more seating, more sports, but is is utterly lacking in Europop disco music. People who cannot live without DJ Casper's Cha Cha Slide wept openly.
  
• Ocean Bar Dance Music: Based on the schedule, this appeared to be the same.
  
• Wine Tastings & Beer Tastings: No change.
  
• Cocktail Lessons: One additional class in 2016.
  
• Steel Drums: No change.
  
• Crow's Nest Solo Guitarist: There was one in 2014. There was not one in 2016.
  
• Port Lectures: Pretty much the same both years.
  
• Pub Crawl: Same.
  
• Late Night Dancing: Same schedule, but in the Queen's Lounge in 2016, because the disco is gone.
  
• Kitchen Tour: No change.
  
• Bingo: Same both years.
  
• Trivia: Schedule looks to be the same.
  
• Free Fitness Classes: No change.
  
• Paid Fitness Classes: Basically the same.
  
• Sports Stuff: Ping Pong Challenge, Basketball Challenge, etc - Same.
  
• Teas: Basically the same.
  
• Guest Participation Game Shows: Same number.
  
• BBC Earth Presentations: These were shown the Queen's Lounge, with the exception of Frozen Earth in the main showroom. This didn't exist on the Nieuw Amsterdam in 2014, so it's all new.
  
• Port Guide Availability: I'm referring to the one on one availability and not the port shopping lectures. - Slightly more in 2016.
  
• Dance Classes: There were 3 more in 2014 when "Dancing with the Stars" was still a thing.
  
• Meet the Artists of Lincoln Center Stage: New
  

 

Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not you like to do the offered activities or not, but the number was up slightly. However, if you really liked you some disco or solo guitarist, you were out of luck. I suppose the HAL Cats Fan Club would be disappointed too.