Entertainment/Activities

[luv4cruises]

i am so disappointed in the lack of activities on recent HAL sailings. I have been on 40 cruises on 6 different cruise lines- 11 on HAL.

 

Most recently I cruised on the Koningsdam - Southern Caribbean. There were very few activities offered during the day and evening.

Dancing ,which we love , was restricted to BB King Blues.

There was none of the music from the 60's, 70's, 8O's, 90's that we love to dance to. Gone was Northern Lights and at least a DJ,

 

The beloved Piano Bar has been replaced by Dueling Pianos- no comparison to the intimate, guest participation of the traditional piano bar,.

Despite being a new ship HAL has failed to incorporate the ever popular Piazza of Princess, or the Atrium of Celebrity. Gone is the unique wrap- around Promenade Deck.

 

The pool deck lacks music and life, Most afternoons used the big screen to display geometric patterns.

Now they are making similar changes on older ships.

I once looked forward to cruising on HAL.

I find myself having to talk myself into a HAL cruise.

HAL is making the wrong changes IMHO.

[AmberTeka]

Totally agree

 

We were on the Eurodam in March.

Service was great

Staff was great

Food was very tasty

Dining Staff.....loved them

Cabin Attendant could not been better

TV was fabulous. Large. mounted on wall at the foot of the bed. LOTS of FREE first rate Demand Movies. When My grand daughter spent afternoons with me, we had ice cream, we shopped ( toys) and watched movies. Then her Dad took her swimming for a couple of hours in an uncrowded pool...

Loved the Shows.

Did not lose at casino. For me, that is winning

Cannot think of a thing I did not like

EXCEPT. If you are not into swimming, or sunning, and cannot eat anymore, there is NOTHING TO DO during the Day. Sea Days. There was One trivia we could make.

. Activities guy was ever so not cute.

. Stupid questions. Like what takes a human 7 seconds to do..And it was to sneeze. . It was listed as General Knowledge or something like that and we got patronizing, silly questions like that.

.

AS LARGE groups showed up for Trivia, and few seemed pleased, I would say that is a loss for HAL.

 

So...........On Sea Days How much does it cost to have a Staff member WRITE a decent Quiz ( believe all ships have huge question book for that reason). Then the activites person could come out, act like he or she is having a good time, not be arrogant and ever so Kool. Just ask normal Trivia Questions. Sports. Geography. entertainment. politics. Range is wide. And do it Maybe two or three times a day? Maybe not when first dinner is being served?

Anything to do. . Match Game. Scattergory. One Game of Bingo. Jackie Kennedy Replica gems. Perfume Seminars. A lecture of two.

It could NOT cost that much..............

HOPE they read their reviews. HAL is GREAT. One tiny flaw..........please fix it..

[Krazy Kruizers]

Do agree that HAL has gone downhill in the entertainment area.

Our last cruise was last year -- 21 days on the Westerdam.

Trivia was held at odd times -- like when we were having dinner.

No music in the Ocean Bar in the evening as The Band had to play for all the shows in the show lounge.

[Sequim88]

Glad we're taking HAL to Alaska - no need for entertainment with all that scenery, even late into evening.

 

Will have to think twice about Caribbean of Transatlantic on HAL. On RCCL our evenings were all evening, every evening, at Piano Bar.

[OlsSalt]

 

Despite being a new ship HAL has failed to incorporate the ever popular Piazza of Princess, or the Atrium of Celebrity. Gone is the unique wrap- around Promenade Deck.

 

The pool deck lacks music and life, Most afternoons used the big screen to display geometric patterns.

Now they are making similar changes on older ships.

I once looked forward to cruising on HAL.

I find myself having to talk myself into a HAL cruise.

HAL is making the wrong changes IMHO.

 

There is still a wrap around promenade deck on the Konigsdam so don't know what you are talking about it being "gone".

 

As for some of the other suggestions, I say thank goodness these were not designed into the new HAL ships. At least you have alternative cruise brands if you want a busier, buzzier cruise experience. If they made your suggestions to turn HAL ships into Princess or Celebrity, then those who like the quieter charms of the present HAL ships would have no where to turn.

 

You can, and should chose these other brands instead of taking away the HAL charms for others.. No reason to keep sailing HAL if it does not meet your particular needs.

[luv4cruises]

Yes, there is a wrap around Promenade deck on the Koningsdam, very narrow, with obstructed views of the sea in most parts.

It certainly lacks the charm and traditional ambiance of the Promenade decks, wide, lined with loungers, beautiful views of the ocean, on those of other HAL ships. Although I walked on Koningsdam's Promenade many mornings, I always came back longing for the Promenade deck on older HAL Ships.

Regarding entertainment and activities- Even the Hal ships of a decade ago had more for cruisers to do, music in many more venues, activities organized by the cruise director's staff.

It is difficult to understand how less than what was once on HAL is better.

[OlsSalt]

Yes, there is a wrap around Promenade deck on the Koningsdam, very narrow, with obstructed views of the sea in most parts.

It certainly lacks the charm and traditional ambiance of the Promenade decks, wide, lined with loungers, beautiful views of the ocean, on those of other HAL ships. Although I walked on Koningsdam's Promenade many mornings, I always came back longing for the Promenade deck on older HAL Ships.

Regarding entertainment and activities- Even the Hal ships of a decade ago had more for cruisers to do, music in many more venues, activities organized by the cruise director's staff.

It is difficult to understand how less than what was once on HAL is better.

 

You have other choices. Let us keep ours. No ongoing piazza/atrium diversions and no outdoor pool music.

 

HAL still offers plenty and some of the best mass market travel itineraries - so HAL remains a good ship for those who use it to travel to new destinations, even as it become less interesting for those who use the ships for onboard entertainment. No question other lines do far better than HAL in this limited category. This is now a given. But typically their itineraries and small ship traditions are also materially compromised in the process.

 

And thank you for correcting your misstatement about the Konigsdam not having a wrap around deck. Even though it is narrower with less ambiance, it is still there.

[sandbag7]

Everyone has a different opinion on this; I find iutdoor pool music banal and intrusive; glad it's gone. I've never been a fan of Trivia so I can't comment on that; I bring my own music, books and kindle for self entertainment; I do enjoy a nice library (Oceania) but as to HAL forewarned is forearmed so I'll bring an extra book or two. As to other "activities" how about just enjoying the moment in silence, talking to your spouse or to other people? The need to be entertained 24/7 can be unlearned. I for one will be glad to be aware from the internet and twitterverse.

As to the piano bar; I did enjoy the one on Riviera (Oceania) though the performer had very limited performance times; what can I expect on Noordam? Also do they have any actual classical music (and I mean that in the classical sense - not mixed with show tunes)?

[E@syPe@zy]

Everyone has a different opinion on this; I find iutdoor pool music banal and intrusive; glad it's gone.

I'm not sure how it can be "banal" and "intrusive" at the same time.

It actually appears that exactly what you like about HAL cruises is that they are banal. ;)

[3rdGenCunarder]

I'm not sure how it can be "banal" and "intrusive" at the same time.

It actually appears that exactly what you like about HAL cruises is that they are banal. ;)

 

I see how that is. To me, banal would mean trite or boring selections. Intrusive would mean too loud.

[OlsSalt]

I see how that is. To me, banal would mean trite or boring selections. Intrusive would mean too loud.

 

For me that is Little Drummer Boy getting played every third song after Halloween. :p

[3rdGenCunarder]

For me that is Little Drummer Boy getting played every third song after Halloween. :p

 

Thank you SO MUCH for planting that earworm in my brain! :eek:

[OlsSalt]

Thank you SO MUCH for planting that earworm in my brain! :eek:

 

Quick, brain bleach. Put on "The Ring Without Words" - Lorin Maazel.

[sandbag7]

I see how that is. To me, banal would mean trite or boring selections. Intrusive would mean too loud.

 

Yep!

[bcd2010]

The thing is, there used to be many activities catering to a variety of interests, moods, demographics, etc. When my (adult) sons and I started cruising (on HAL) they would find activities that interested them while I went off to something else. Often each of us had to choose between things we wanted to do, always something interesting to do or see. Mix and mingle with others who enjoyed the same things we each did. But so many of these activities were not revenue producing which targeted them for elimination in favor of things that do bring in the bucks. I find I do not look forward to cruising anymore - the "specialness" is gone and I think the only way to (perhaps) find it again is to try other lines.

[Cruizer Bill]

Yes, we have been talking a lot about the changes to Entertainment. I don't like what is happening either.

[luv4cruises]

Two years ago I booked Celebrity Eclipse while on board the same ship. The Eclipse has my favirite southern Caribbean itinerary -,14 days - 8 ports, no return to Fort Lauderdale. It is my favorite ship of the many on which I I have sailed. We are avid snorkelers and dancers. We love to cruise in March.

I made the mistake of not checking the date of Easter, 2018.

Sadly - we would have to miss Easter with the family if we kept that cruise. Family -first. Rebooking would result in a huge price increase. So I began looking for alternatives.

The Nieuw Amsterdam back to back seemed like a good choice- especially with the current promo. I was happy to be able to book it until I learned that the upcoming dry dock would replace the piano bar with dueling pianos, and eliminate Northern Lights.

At least in the evening when nothing else was going on we could go to the piano bar, the Crow's, one of the lounges , or Northern Lights to dance to a wide variety of music. Even having the Hal Cats perform offered more dance variety than BBKing Blues.

If you are not a Blues fan you are out of luck.

Offering a little more daytime activities and variety to night life as in the past would in no way diminish the serene, quiet atmosphere so coveted by many HAL cruisers. I am not looking for parades, loud pool music, hairy chest contests, etc- just what HAL used to offer.

You can imagine my disappointment when I learned that the dry dock would take away the venues that would make me comfortably switch from the Eclipse to the NA.

[shopperwhite]

I was on an 11 day on nieuw Amsterdam.

Extremely nothing to do during the day. I am not a swimmer or a trivia buff. I did go twice to the theatre to see a movie. I understand that the theatre is no longer on the new ship.

Piano bar was very busy. Most evenings it was quite loud. I gave been to dueling piano bars on Norwegian. The language is definitely not holland America acceptable.. many many four letter words used very frequently.

Disliked the stage shows but enjoyed several of the entertainers they offered.

I now will only go on h.a. If it is a special itinerary I really want and definitely will take puzzles and reading materials.

[doone]

i am so disappointed in the lack of activities on recent HAL sailings. I have been on 40 cruises on 6 different cruise lines- 11 on HAL.

 

Most recently I cruised on the Koningsdam - Southern Caribbean. There were very few activities offered during the day and evening.

Dancing ,which we love , was restricted to BB King Blues.

There was none of the music from the 60's, 70's, 8O's, 90's that we love to dance to. Gone was Northern Lights and at least a DJ,

 

The beloved Piano Bar has been replaced by Dueling Pianos- no comparison to the intimate, guest participation of the traditional piano bar,.

Despite being a new ship HAL has failed to incorporate the ever popular Piazza of Princess, or the Atrium of Celebrity. Gone is the unique wrap- around Promenade Deck.

 

The pool deck lacks music and life, Most afternoons used the big screen to display geometric patterns.

Now they are making similar changes on older ships.

I once looked forward to cruising on HAL.

I find myself having to talk myself into a HAL cruise.

HAL is making the wrong changes IMHO.

 

I couldn't agree more, I have been sailing HAL for over 30 years and remember when they had the, IMHO, the perfect balance of day and night time entertainment.

I miss the old HAL:(

[OlsSalt]

Count how many crew beds it takes to house the BB King group, and then take away that many former entertainer slots. Crew beds make the on board offerings a zero sum game.

[cavecreekguy]

I commented on this on my survey after my last 14 day cruise. I was so surprised at the lack of activities on sea days. I thought it was very odd they didn't even show the movie in the afternoon on sea days, but they did when the ship was in port. I would have loved to go see a film during the afternoon on a sea day. It really doesn't take much crew time to put some popcorn out and hit "play."

[doone]

Count how many crew beds it takes to house the BB King group, and then take away that many former entertainer slots. Crew beds make the on board offerings a zero sum game.

 

count how many crew bed is taken up by teeth whitening people and the accupunturist..........what else can we take away that truly doesn't belong on a cruise......

[OlsSalt]

count how many crew bed is taken up by teeth whitening people and the accupunturist..........what else can we take away that truly doesn't belong on a cruise......

 

You get the picture. Including beds for the onboard paintings and graphics sales. People who want more active onboard diversions instead of passive activities like libraries and reading will rule the allocation of crew beds.

[Aquahound]

i am so disappointed in the lack of activities on recent HAL sailings. I have been on 40 cruises on 6 different cruise lines- 11 on HAL.

 

I took my first HAL cruise a few years ago. Prior, I heard how lacking HAL was in the area of entertainment but even knowing that, I was still surprised at how bad it was....and that's when the awful HAL Cats still existed.

 

Now, when I book HAL (which is rare), I know what I'm getting in to and I don't expect quality entertainment. It's just not who they are.

[cavecreekguy]

I took my first HAL cruise a few years ago. Prior, I heard how lacking HAL was in the area of entertainment but even knowing that, I was still surprised at how bad it was....and that's when the awful HAL Cats still existed.

 

Now, when I book HAL (which is rare), I know what I'm getting in to and I don't expect quality entertainment. It's just not who they are.

 

I always liked the HAL Cats. Just goes to show different people like different things.