Is there music in the Ocean Bar on the "Music Walk" ships

[kangforpres]

Hi-

 

We are going to be on our first "Music Walk" ship this September in Alaska, the Oosterdam. Is there music in the Ocean Bar from 5-9 pm, usually a trio and people sometimes dance. This is one of our favorite things about HAL ships.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

[axelskater]

I am wondering that too - I saw there is a band a few nights on my Eurodam sailing in September

[POA1]

There was on the Eurodam in December. I want to say that they played from around 5 to 8 or so.

[mllewis48]

Hi-

 

 

 

We are going to be on our first "Music Walk" ship this September in Alaska, the Oosterdam. Is there music in the Ocean Bar from 5-9 pm, usually a trio and people sometimes dance. This is one of our favorite things about HAL ships.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

Paul

 

 

 

I can say that we were on the Eurodam in December for three weeks and on the PC Repo in April and entertainment in the Ocean Bar was dismal at best, but there is a dance floor? Your only choices were BBKing and Billboard Onboard!

 

 

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[jhsocal]

Recent reviews for Oosterdam have indicated several changes since the recent refurbishment . One is the loss of that combo that played in Ocean Bar, another the absence of the traditional Piano Bar. You might want to read some of these reviews for a more accurate picture.

[POA1]

I can say that we were on the Eurodam in December for three weeks and on the PC Repo in April and entertainment in the Ocean Bar was dismal at best, but there is a dance floor? Your only choices were BBKing and Billboard Onboard!

 

 

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I have the daily programs from the Eurodam in December showing the hours the band plays. I also have a photo of the band stand and the Ocean Bar dance floor. I kind of doubt that they installed a wood dance floor and band stand just for the week of 12/17 - 12/24/2017. I'll repost the photos and links to the daily programs later this morning.

[styles27]

Just off Eurodam to Alaska and although I missed it on the "when and where" schedule it seems there were 2 or 3 days that the "band played" in the Ocean Bar from 5-8pm.

 

I'm so sorry we didn't see this. Unfortunately for us, we stayed by the pool and hottubs until 5:30-6 every afternoon then would go back to our room and shower and dress for dinner at 7:30. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to dance before dinner had I known.

 

My fault for not studying the schedule.

 

The BB King room does have a dance floor but they mostly play fast music and not many people were dancing on our cruise. We did do the Electric slide with the members of the band every night (which was really fun, the band members are awesome on the Eurodam) and a few times they played a slow song and a few couples danced.

 

The piano area at Bilboard doesn't have a dance floor unfortunately and it's wide open to the casino that can get pretty busy and loud in the evenings while the pianos are playing.

On our cruise the guy piano player (sorry can't remember his name) fell ill and the poor girl had to play all the sets by herself for 2 of the nights. She did a great job and I don't know how her voice didn't give out!

 

So I'm sure the O will offer some form of dancing in the Ocean bar, just keep a careful eye out on the schedule so you don't miss it like we did.

 

Have fun!

[catl331]

Our On Locations for the Oosterdam for the week of 12/16 to 12/22/17 show "solo pianist Joel" in the Ocean Bar at 5:00 and 8:00 every day except one, and also at 6:00 for three days. No mention of a band or dancing that I can find.

[mllewis48]

I have the daily programs from the Eurodam in December showing the hours the band plays. I also have a photo of the band stand and the Ocean Bar dance floor. I kind of doubt that they installed a wood dance floor and band stand just for the week of 12/17 - 12/24/2017. I'll repost the photos and links to the daily programs later this morning.

 

 

 

I was on the Eurodam from December 10-31 and the Ocean Bar was dismal at best. It's very sad that the dance floor that is there sees very little use since most of the focus is toward Lincoln Center, Billboard Onboard and BBKing. Maybe if enough people complain they may rethink that area. After speaking with a senior officer at dinner he explained the forthcoming major announced changes to the Crows Nest and a big change to the Atrium area, including the Ocean Bar area. There was a slight uptick during the pre Christmas week but nothing like it used to be. We have even spoken to many "ballroom dancers" that we're upset with the changes in the OB.

 

 

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[axelskater]

Styles, I enjoyed your review very much on the other thread. Having sailed Cunard so many times I keep a keen eye for anything which looks like it might be a little dancing, even if it is a small area.

 

Does anyone happen to know if there is music in the Crow's Nest?

I have been looking at all the videos and pictures on the HAL website since I am in "uh-oh I have been on the same ship 15 times and this is completely different" mode!:eek: I see a wood dance floor up there at the Crow's Nest but nothing about any entertainment. I know there will be no ballroom on board of course, but I am hoping for a few nights when we can dance for an hour, and it looks like that is a available, though on a greatly reduced scale, which is okay since we chose this solely based on going to Alaska.

I think Cunard is about the last hold out with the ballroom and gentlemen hosts. I never danced a step of ballroom until I sailed on Cunard for the 1st time in 2004 but now we really enjoy it.

[mllewis48]

Styles, I enjoyed your review very much on the other thread. Having sailed Cunard so many times I keep a keen eye for anything which looks like it might be a little dancing, even if it is a small area.

 

 

 

Does anyone happen to know if there is music in the Crow's Nest?

 

I have been looking at all the videos and pictures on the HAL website since I am in "uh-oh I have been on the same ship 15 times and this is completely different" mode!:eek: I see a wood dance floor up there at the Crow's Nest but nothing about any entertainment. I know there will be no ballroom on board of course, but I am hoping for a few nights when we can dance for an hour, and it looks like that is a available, though on a greatly reduced scale, which is okay since we chose this solely based on going to Alaska.

 

I think Cunard is about the last hold out with the ballroom and gentlemen hosts. I never danced a step of ballroom until I sailed on Cunard for the 1st time in 2004 but now we really enjoy it.

 

 

 

Music or dancing in the Crows Nest is gone! It's primarily used as a lounging area but the bar still functions. I think the "happy hour(s)" are to draw people. We have gone up after dinner and it was very slim at best. We have heard that eventually the Crows Nest will be converted to a educational area?

 

 

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[Sea Belle]

There was no dance music in the Ocean Bar for the Oosterdam March 3 sailing, however, there was a piano player who played a routine list with no requests allowed. There was no music in the Crow's Nest. The entertainment was very limited from 6-8 making for a very dull cocktail hour. (The O is a lovely ship and the lack of entertainment during those hours was our only complaint.) We are sailing next Mon. on the Amsterdam Alaska trip and hopefully since that ship hasn't been updated we will find our wonderful Ocean Bar unchanged. :D

[Old As Dirt Mom]

As I understand it, and I could always be wrong, the Prinsendam, remaining S class, and R class ships are mostly "safe" from the entertainment and Crow's Nest changes on the Vista, Signature, and Pinnacle class ships. There will still be music combos, dancing, and traditional piano players on those older ships. The newer vessels are in the transition process to the Music Walk, with BB Kings, dueling pianos, Lincoln Center, etc. In addition, the Crow's Nest on the Vista and newer class is being converted to EXC, Explorations Central, which will offer, and I quote from the HAL website, "indispensable travel resources and engagement opportunities that make the destination experience more engaging, vivid, and meaningful for our guests".

 

Time will tell if these are good decisions being made, or not.

[kangforpres]

So it sounds like a solo Piano player in the Ocean Bar from 5-8pm on "Music Walk" ships. It's a little disappointing the Ocean Bar is such a great spot for happy hour especially when they bring you hors d'oeuvres!

 

To the earlier poster- Yes there is a small dance floor space at each Ocean Bar in front of the piano. The tables and seating are arranged around the dance floor. It's been my experience on every HAL cruise I've been on there are always a few couples who know how to cut a rug which adds to the experience of listening to the trio in the Ocean Bar.

 

-Paul

[styles27]

So it sounds like a solo Piano player in the Ocean Bar from 5-8pm on "Music Walk" ships. It's a little disappointing the Ocean Bar is such a great spot for happy hour especially when they bring you hors d'oeuvres!

 

To the earlier poster- Yes there is a small dance floor space at each Ocean Bar in front of the piano. The tables and seating are arranged around the dance floor. It's been my experience on every HAL cruise I've been on there are always a few couples who know how to cut a rug which adds to the experience of listening to the trio in the Ocean Bar.

 

-Paul

 

I didn't see a piano on Eurodam in the Ocean Bar. The only pianos we saw were in the Billboard area.

[styles27]

Styles, I enjoyed your review very much on the other thread. Having sailed Cunard so many times I keep a keen eye for anything which looks like it might be a little dancing, even if it is a small area.

 

Does anyone happen to know if there is music in the Crow's Nest?

I have been looking at all the videos and pictures on the HAL website since I am in "uh-oh I have been on the same ship 15 times and this is completely different" mode!:eek: I see a wood dance floor up there at the Crow's Nest but nothing about any entertainment. I know there will be no ballroom on board of course, but I am hoping for a few nights when we can dance for an hour, and it looks like that is a available, though on a greatly reduced scale, which is okay since we chose this solely based on going to Alaska.

I think Cunard is about the last hold out with the ballroom and gentlemen hosts. I never danced a step of ballroom until I sailed on Cunard for the 1st time in 2004 but now we really enjoy it.

 

Thanks! I'm kicking myself for missing those few opportunities to dance in the Ocean bar. We've never sailed Cunard...may have to give that a look sometime.

 

The Crow's nest is such a nice room and a great location to see the beautiful sights of Alaska but there wasn't much going on there other than Happy Hour.

 

We actually went there on our sea day to read for a little while after grabbing cappuccinos in the Exploration Cafe. It's sort of all combined on the Eurodam. They have the computers, the cafe, a small area with books and puzzles then the Crow's nest area.

 

That was usually a lively area especially in the evenings on other ships we've been on, we were surprised how quiet it was on Eurodam.

[POA1]

These photos are from the Eurodam. The Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam have Ocean Bars that "wrap around" the Atrium. The bar and the dance floor is on one side of the Atrium. The other side is seating. The dance floor is fairly large, but it's not isolated like it is on some of the ships. There's a band platform at the end of the lounge, opposite the bar. For some reason, The Band isn't always listed in the daily program, even though they might be playing. (Not a fan of the new programs, but they use less paper.)

 

 

 

I wasn't planning on having to prove the existence of a dance floor when I took these photos. They're just shots I took to accompany my Live From thread.

 

On our cruise, there were people dancing to the piano music in Billboard Onboard and the dance floor was frequently packed in the Queen's Lounge during the BB King All Stars performances. While we saw some couples dancing at the BB King shows before the floor filled up, ballroom dancers might be best served by Cunard.

[Bouff]

Sadly HAL seem to have given up on 'lounge' music. We were on the Eurodam for the Panama Canal cruise in April. The band who played in the Ocean Bar on a few nights were the main stage band. If they were playing for a cast show or a guest entertainer then there was no music in the Ocean Bar. We are not dancers ourselves but have always enjoyed the music and watching those who do dance with our pre dinner drink(s). Whist Billboard and BB Kings are good for live music we consider them to be after dinner venues not pre dinner ones. I suspect that the situation has arisen from cost cutting and as a result a reduction in the number of musicians on board. I only hope HAL read these boards and react to what so many of us are saying.

[mllewis48]

Sadly HAL seem to have given up on 'lounge' music. We were on the Eurodam for the Panama Canal cruise in April. The band who played in the Ocean Bar on a few nights were the main stage band. If they were playing for a cast show or a guest entertainer then there was no music in the Ocean Bar. We are not dancers ourselves but have always enjoyed the music and watching those who do dance with our pre dinner drink(s). Whist Billboard and BB Kings are good for live music we consider them to be after dinner venues not pre dinner ones. I suspect that the situation has arisen from cost cutting and as a result a reduction in the number of musicians on board. I only hope HAL read these boards and react to what so many of us are saying.

 

 

 

Couldn't agree more, we too were on that cruise, very sad!

 

 

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[Sea Belle]

Sadly HAL seem to have given up on 'lounge' music. We were on the Eurodam for the Panama Canal cruise in April. The band who played in the Ocean Bar on a few nights were the main stage band. If they were playing for a cast show or a guest entertainer then there was no music in the Ocean Bar. We are not dancers ourselves but have always enjoyed the music and watching those who do dance with our pre dinner drink(s). Whist Billboard and BB Kings are good for live music we consider them to be after dinner venues not pre dinner ones. I suspect that the situation has arisen from cost cutting and as a result a reduction in the number of musicians on board. I only hope HAL read these boards and react to what so many of us are saying.

 

The dance floors are still there, but sadly to say there is no set music for the 6-8 hrs.. Hopefully HAL will get enough "chin music" from passengers who enjoy the cocktail hour with music and bring it back. We did not find the piano music conducive to dancing even though there is a dance floor. I remember when there was dancing in the Crow's Nest and the Ocean Bar.

[OlsSalt]

Anyone know how deep the inventory of musicians who still play "lounge music" is today?

 

I wonder if the contracting agency that provides musicians for cruise ships has enough to go around, or if the "Lawrence Welk" reputation for HAL ships does not translate as this a prime gig for young musicians who might be happier playing a different brand of music.

 

Our last Nieuw Amsterdam had very nice ballroom danceable and listenable music in the Ocean's Bar, but the musicians themselves were older too.

[Cruiser Bruiser]

There was no dance music in the Ocean Bar for the Oosterdam March 3 sailing, however, there was a piano player who played a routine list with no requests allowed. There was no music in the Crow's Nest. The entertainment was very limited from 6-8 making for a very dull cocktail hour. (The O is a lovely ship and the lack of entertainment during those hours was our only complaint.) We are sailing next Mon. on the Amsterdam Alaska trip and hopefully since that ship hasn't been updated we will find our wonderful Ocean Bar unchanged. :D

 

I was aboard Amsterdam for the lovely 3-night Pacific Coastal last weekend and we enjoyed the jazz/standards trio in Ocean Bar every evening. It was quite a busy bar, and there were many dancers.

[axelskater]

These photos are from the Eurodam. The Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam have Ocean Bars that "wrap around" the Atrium. The bar and the dance floor is on one side of the Atrium. The other side is seating. The dance floor is fairly large, but it's not isolated like it is on some of the ships. There's a band platform at the end of the lounge, opposite the bar. For some reason, The Band isn't always listed in the daily program, even though they might be playing. (Not a fan of the new programs, but they use less paper.)

 

 

 

I wasn't planning on having to prove the existence of a dance floor when I took these photos. They're just shots I took to accompany my Live From thread.

 

On our cruise, there were people dancing to the piano music in Billboard Onboard and the dance floor was frequently packed in the Queen's Lounge during the BB King All Stars performances. While we saw some couples dancing at the BB King shows before the floor filled up, ballroom dancers might be best served by Cunard.

 

The arrows did crack me up. Alas, the QM2 does not do Alaska - and I am just not interested in Cunard's other ships. We aren't looking for ballroom dancing per se, just a little dancing before dinner a few nights, and the tea dances. We will also take in the classical concerts some nights as I love a good string quartet or piano. I don't think any other line nowadays does the full big band orchestra and ballroom like Cunard.

Thank you for sharing your pictures and knowledge!

[InTheWASide]

The dance floors are still there, but sadly to say there is no set music for the 6-8 hrs.. Hopefully HAL will get enough "chin music" from passengers who enjoy the cocktail hour with music and bring it back. We did not find the piano music conducive to dancing even though there is a dance floor. I remember when there was dancing in the Crow's Nest and the Ocean Bar.

 

Eurodam has a group that plays there, usually around 5pm... I was just on the little 1 day reposition and when we were in the ocean bar for happy hour (immediately following muster drill) ocean bar was in full force, packed, bar servers everywhere and a group playing on stage

[3rdGenCunarder]

I was aboard Amsterdam for the lovely 3-night Pacific Coastal last weekend and we enjoyed the jazz/standards trio in Ocean Bar every evening. It was quite a busy bar, and there were many dancers.

 

You just made me look forward to my cruise on Amsterdam even more!