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

[doone]

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.

 

Yes is have sailed other cruise lines, but once I sailed HAL, that was the cruise line for me, so it's been a while since I have sailed another line. I do enjoy HAL and feel like I am "at home" on HAL. I am looking at Celebrity as I feel their line may be a good one to try, but not liking their itineraries as much as HAL.....

[Tampa Girl]

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.

 

Appreciate your response, nonetheless. Since the balcony cabins on the R Class are a little larger than the Vista balconies, I wondered how comfortable the QE or QV would be on a world cruise, as opposed to the Amsterdam.

[cachouonacruise]

On Celebrity's board, when an issue is raised, reaching a large consensus; often, a Celebrity representative will post, corrected information perceptions by facts. I would be interesting in knowing from a HAL representative, what is the company's philosophy regarding entertainment now, and in the near future. Especially in the context where all has a nice itinerary next year that I would be considering, if clear information could be obtain, enhancing sea day experience. Any hope for a HAL representative to post?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Tampa Girl]

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.

 

However, the Eurodam has not or has not yet been revamped with the new format: No Crows Nest dance floor or music; no Oceans Bar or music; and a useless library. Having been on the retrofitted Oosterdam in November, these changes were very disappointing and discouraging. As a result, we are seeking other lines, probably Cunard, for an 80 - 100 day cruise.

[Tampa Girl]

1. Cocktails

2. Live music

3. Dance floor

4. Library with books

 

Shouldn't be too hard to offer that.

 

Tell that to Ashford! The only live music, beside the Lincoln Center, is the Dueling Pianos. Gone are the Crows Nest dance floor and music, and the Oceans Bar. And the only books Ashford wants in the library are destination books so HAL can make more money.

Edited April 24, 2017 by Tampa Girl
Didn't finish

[POA1]

However, the Eurodam has not or has not yet been revamped with the new format: No Crows Nest dance floor or music; no Oceans Bar or music; and a useless library. Having been on the retrofitted Oosterdam in November, these changes were very disappointing and discouraging. As a result, we are seeking other lines, probably Cunard, for an 80 - 100 day cruise.

 

The Eurodam HAS had a retrofit in 2016. That's why they have the Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard, and Gallery Bar.

 

Also, that's what the original post was about.

 

You are correct in that there is no dancing in the Crow's Nest. There is in the Ocean Bar, with a live band about 3 hours each evening.

 

I'm not sure how much more recent you want to have as a comparison, but the Eurodam has all the latest stuff and basically the same feature set as the Koningsdam. (I'm not counting the things that have been announced that aren't anywhere yet, like the virtual bridge.)

[POA1]

Tell that to Ashford! The only live music, beside the Lincoln Center, is the Dueling Pianos. Gone are the Crows Nest dance floor and music, and the Oceans Bar. And the only books Ashford wants in the library are destination books so HAL can make more money.

 

How did you miss the BB King Band in the Queens Lounge? They do 3 shows a night and they're not exactly quiet.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Eurodam and Oosterdam both have BB King's Blue Club in the Queen's Lounge. There is live music and dancing there, in addition to Lincoln Center Stage (Explorer's Lounge), and Billboard Onboard (dueling pianos near casino).

 

Oosterdam, like Eurodam, still has her Ocean Bar. I defer to those who have been on her recently as to what music or dancing, if any, is offered there.

 

(Eurodam received her last dry dock in December 2015, at which time she received the Gallery Bar, Lincoln Center Stage, and Billboard Onboard, among other renovations).

 

Thanks for your comparative list, POA.

[esimon]

I sure hope they don't add a bunch of stuff. Never had a problem finding something to do in the evening We have found music and dancing later.

[POA1]

Eurodam and Oosterdam both have BB King's Blue Club in the Queen's Lounge. There is live music and dancing there, in addition to Lincoln Center Stage (Explorer's Lounge), and Billboard Onboard (dueling pianos near casino).

 

Oosterdam, like Eurodam, still has her Ocean Bar. I defer to those who have been on her recently as to what music or dancing, if any, is offered there.

 

(Eurodam received her last dry dock in December 2015, at which time she received the Gallery Bar, Lincoln Center Stage, and Billboard Onboard, among other renovations).

 

Thanks for your comparative list, POA.

Sorry. I thought the Eurodam was dry docked in early 2016. It definitely has a dance floor in the Ocean Bar and the band, whose catchy name is "The Band," plays 5-8pm most nights. I have pictures of the dance floor and band area in my Live From thread. I also scanned the daily programs.

 

We felt that there was a lot to do and often had to choose among several options. Like I said though, if you only like certain things (Disco, Big Band, Guitar in the Crow's Nest, etc.) you would be disappointed. I know people who only like comedy shows and they like cruise lines with dedicated comedy clubs.

 

I've also talked to people who don't like BB King. They like the music. They like the fact that there's a dance floor. They don't like that there are so many people on the dance floor who don't understand "dance floor etiquette." I asked what that meant, and was told - And I'm not making this up - that people who aren't trained dancers should stay off the floor.

[sevenseasnomad]

Thank you for your opinions and to be honest with you, I agree with both of you. I sailed with 20 friends and we as a group had a great time however, I still feel entertainment could be better, both day and night.

 

I am planning a family cruise in 2019 and am hoping to book the Koningsdam, just hoping HAL will go back a few years in time and put back what worked!!

 

Hope HAL is listening!!!!!

 

If any of us are counting on HAL putting back "what worked", then we are going to be sadly disappointed. On our April 2017 cruise, several high-ranking officers connected to public relations and hotel services approached passengers during dinner several nights in a row. They were "polling" passengers about their cruise experience. When they paused at our table, DH & I bemoaned the loss of the libraries, no samples in "America's Test Kitchen", no ballroom dancing, Piano Bar, trend toward no deck chairs on a too narrow Promenade, etc. Their response: "You aren't telling us anything we aren't hearing repeatedly from other guests." DH then commented that the new president seems to be more interested in catering to new passengers who may or may not return to HAL rather than trying to keep us loyal HAL cruisers happy. (We are 4 star.) Sadly, these officers had heard that comment more than once or twice as well.

 

A few days later, we met with the hotel manager and again DH voiced the same complaints. This officer responded by saying that HAL must keep current to attract "new guests." He informed us that HAL is spending the majority of its money on new entertainment options for guests to enjoy. Really? That response left us questioning the wisdom of this decision. We aren't sure where HAL is heading, and it's leaving us worried about a product we once took for granted that we'd enjoy to one we might or might not enjoy as much. Too many changes in too short a time.

 

Actually, IMHO, I believe cruise lines strayed when they started referring to passengers as "guests," something that still makes me grit my teeth. The entire industry now views itself as floating hotels/resorts rather than ships, and it's sad to see many traditions pushed aside in an effort to entice younger cruisers. Did anyone in Seattle stop to contemplate that maybe, just maybe, what draws passengers to HAL are those traditions?

Edited April 25, 2017 by sevenseasnomad

[OlsSalt]

Eurodam and Oosterdam both have BB King's Blue Club in the Queen's Lounge. There is live music and dancing there, in addition to Lincoln Center Stage (Explorer's Lounge), and Billboard Onboard (dueling pianos near casino).

 

Oosterdam, like Eurodam, still has her Ocean Bar. I defer to those who have been on her recently as to what music or dancing, if any, is offered there.

 

(Eurodam received her last dry dock in December 2015, at which time she received the Gallery Bar, Lincoln Center Stage, and Billboard Onboard, among other renovations).

 

Thanks for your comparative list, POA.

 

Our recent NA cruise had live music in the Ocean Bar - cocktails obviously, but only a few dancers. The music was very good and many were listening. However I suspect there were fewer dancers onboard that cruise, than those not using kindles sitting in the Library.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Sorry. I thought the Eurodam was dry docked in early 2016. It definitely has a dance floor in the Ocean Bar and the band, whose catchy name is "The Band," plays 5-8pm most nights. I have pictures of the dance floor and band area in my Live From thread. I also scanned the daily programs.

 

We felt that there was a lot to do and often had to choose among several options. Like I said though, if you only like certain things (Disco, Big Band, Guitar in the Crow's Nest, etc.) you would be disappointed. I know people who only like comedy shows and they like cruise lines with dedicated comedy clubs.

 

I've also talked to people who don't like BB King. They like the music. They like the fact that there's a dance floor. They don't like that there are so many people on the dance floor who don't understand "dance floor etiquette." I asked what that meant, and was told - And I'm not making this up - that people who aren't trained dancers should stay off the floor.

 

I've heard that attitude about ballroom dancing (especially strict time), but I'm surprised to hear it in the context of BB King.

[POA1]

I've heard that attitude about ballroom dancing (especially strict time), but I'm surprised to hear it in the context of BB King.

It's my own fault for striking up a conversation with people by telling them that they are good dancers. ;)

[3rdGenCunarder]

It's my own fault for striking up a conversation with people by telling them that they are good dancers. ;)

 

A few cruises ago on Maasdam, we sat in the Ocean Bar and watched the very full dance floor (still the Neptunes then!). There weren't any "dance snobs," although I could see that a few couples had taken lessons. One couple kept messing up. They would stop, laugh, get their bearings, and start again. The Serious Dancers would probably have been annoyed, but all I could see was how much fun they were having--and isn't that what it's supposed to be? Fun, not work???

[Hlitner]

Geez, and I thought the idea of dancing was for everyone to just have fun. We did not realize that one must have a few dance school certificates to be allowed on the dance floor. We have done many HAL cruises and would often watch passengers dancing in the Ocean Bar (or Crows Nest when they had entertainment) and sometimes joined-in the fun. Most of the time there would be only a few couples on the dance floor. Last August we had our first cruise on a ship with the BB King group (Zuiderdam) while cruising in Northern Europe. There were a lot of European kids and teens on our cruise (they were very well behaved) and the dance floor at the BB King shows were packed with those kids and some other passengers. It was tons of fun. DW remarked that it was the first time we had ever been on a HAL cruise (and we have nearly 500 days) when the ship actually seemed alive! The band got into the spirit and played more disco type music (the kids loved it) then their usual sets. One of the band members later told me (over a drink) that it was the best crowd they had during their contract (which was to soon end for this group).

 

The next night, at dinner, a couple complained they were driven away from that same BB King show because the music was too loud and the dance floor too crowded. We didn't say a word. But my thinking is that just because we are seniors....we do not have to act like we have one foot in the grave. Nothing wrong with a band that actually gets a crowd motivated. Totally different then when I used to doze off listening the HAL Cats play music that was old when I was born! There is nothing wrong with Doris Day music, Glenn Miller....etc....but having some variety is also a good thing.

 

Hank

[geoherb]

... Adagio is OK (hit or miss) but is a big cutback from the previous Rosario Strings.

One of my complaints about Adagio on the Zuiderdam in February was that they advertised "sophisticated classical" music. It was not sophisticated or classical. Gypsy airs and popular standards would be a more apt description.

[doone]

I am so glad I started this post, sometimes I thought I was alone in my thinking. I agree with everyone's comments here. I truly don't think most of us are asking for a lot, but just a few more options for those of us who would like a few more activities added during the day and more music at night.

 

I loved BB Kings on the Eurodam, thought they were awesome, but we missed afternoon trivia, bingo, newlywed game, oh and the great ice breaker, are you Mr. or Mrs. Eurodam, I even miss the Captains welcome aboard cocktail party.

 

I agree with one poster here who said these ships are becoming less cruise ships and more like a floating resort or timeshare.....

 

Let's all write our letters to the CEO and President.......it can't hurt and hopefully it will make some type of positive impact, one can hope.........🙏🙏🙏

[POA1]

Doone -

 

Were you on in March as in last month? In December 2016, afternoon trivia was alive and well. You can check out the the daily programs in my Live From thread. Or, you can find the whole week's scans here.

 

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s88/sh/0f6a41b2-c8af-461f-bc15-eb94ebd802e0/faad13719bd0ffe54f83f886bd0955b6

[Hlitner]

A few more thoughts. About 5 or 6 years ago when we were on the Grand Med cruise (62 days on the Prinsendam) they had activities all day long..including silly (but quite popular) things like "Animal Toss" where passengers tossed stuffed animals at targets (great for a laugh). Personally, I disliked all those activities since it made it difficult to find a quiet spot to read. Last year we again did the Grand Med cruise and there did seem to be fewer activities. Then a few months later we were on the Zuiderdam and again thought there were fewer daytime activities (although we thought the evening entertainment options had improved). We had the impression that the Cruise Director had very few staff which might have led to an activity reduction. So we are wondering if there has been a fleet wide cutback in Cruise Director staff. On the Zuiderdam it seemed like there were only two staffers (there might have been more...but we never saw them).

 

Hank

[EDLOS]

Do you remember when you embarked and stepped on board, the happy sound of a musical group playing in the Atrium ?

Do remember when there was live music by the Lido Pool at lunch

time ?

Do you remember when there was a Guitar Country Music player in the Mix after early dinner and before The "Piano" man came on ?

Do you remember as you walked through the public areas hearing a piano in the Atrium and a band in the Ocean Bar and Adagio on your stroll to both early and late dining ?

Do you remember when the music didn't start until 10:30 PM in the Crow's Nest ?

They are all gone !........and I may have missed others ????

Add your memories to my list.

I beg to differ with those whose say today's offerings are not less than the above list. I think the word that is missing in these comments/opinions is "Ambiance". My wife and I often said in discribing a great restaurant that it must have three things: Great Food, Excellent Service and a certain Ambiance.

HAL for me, had that certain Ambiance for years and I see it slowly slipping away !

[Ken the cruiser]

We've taken now 8 cruises on HAL these past 4 years and are finding a lot of events we used to like to go to continually repeat themselves. For example, we used to enjoy learning new things at the computer classes. However, after the second cruise that took care of that as there have been no new classes offered since. We've been on the Koningsdam twice now with one cruise being a B2B, once in July and then again this past February. On all "3" of the those cruises if you count the B2B as two, we saw the exact same shows on every cruise. On the B2B the CD even used the same trivia questions in the afternoon sessions up in the Crows Nest.

 

On the entertainment side, we enjoy going to the main evening shows, except for now on the Koningsdam since they repeat themselves, especially if it involves BBC Earth shows, to include the game shows. As far as the Lincoln Stage goes, we are in our early 60's and were teenagers when the Beatles came out, so classical music with stringed instruments puts us to sleep. Also, since we don't drink, gamble or lay out by the pool on sea days, we have found as other folks have mentioned that there really isn't much to do on sea days anymore. However, we did find if you go on a 15+ day cruise that is not a B2B, HAL does invite professional lectures to speak on occasion.

 

BUT, it's not all HAL's fault as they have to do what they have to do to make money. It's actually mostly OUR fault for continuing to cruise with the same cruise line and then comparing the previous cruise with the current one. I'm not saying we don't have a great time on HAL cruises because we have fun wherever we go. For us, though, it's just getting harder to find new fun things to do on a HAL cruise.

 

So we have changed our cruising strategy, especially when we discovered a veranda room on HAL is sometimes more expensive on a per person per day basis than on some of the other comparable if not more luxurious lines such as Celebrity, Oceania and yes even Crystal on certain cruises. However, we will still cruise on HAL, especially since we made 4 star, but only if the itinerary is exactly what we are looking for and one of the other cruise lines doesn't offer a better deal. After all, variety is the spice of life!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

I'm asking this question in all seriousness, and not to be snarky: If some people are this bored with their cruising vacations, perhaps it's time to find some other way to spend your leisure time?

[3rdGenCunarder]

I'm asking this question in all seriousness, and not to be snarky: If some people are this bored with their cruising vacations, perhaps it's time to find some other way to spend your leisure time?

 

I'd like to add to your question, also no snark intended. I've seen posters mention going to an all-inclusive resort instead of taking a cruise. I've never done that kind of resort vacation. For those that have done both, how do they compare for on-site activities and entertainment?

[OlsSalt]

Early in life someone gave me the same advice allegedly given by the Queen Mother to her daughters: if you are bored, then my dears you are boring.

 

Am I the only one who remembers endless complaints here about the Neptune playing "too loud" at the Lido. Now people are complaining they are no longer there.

 

Personally I found the "Mr and Miss Rotterdam" game intrusive and annoying. The legendary toodle-doo CD introduced it on one of our early cruises before she was finally dismissed from HAL service. But I am also on record for liking HAL ships because they leave us alone, and we like to totally unplug when we are on a cruise. We use cruising to travel and enrichment ; not for onboard entertainment. HAL marketing must know how many there are like us, and how much they need to still attract with more onboard diversions.

 

I agree, the switch to more "selling" events passed off as onboard seminar "activities" is unfortunate, but they remain optional. I figure the animal spirits of capitalism will determine their fate - if they don't pay their way, they will be gone. If they do pay their way, they must have found a need to fill.