Molson99 Posted June 22, 2018 #201 Share Posted June 22, 2018 I did not hear this but found on my Med cruise there was little emphasis on the singers and dancers. They only had 3 shows on a 12 day cruise and one was somehow connected to a BBC earth presentation. We had no Voice like shows but did have three BBC Explorations type shows with live music. I did not attend any and heard no reviews as people I spoke with did not attend either. We only had 4 guest performers, a beatles guy who did one show alone then teamed with a magician who had done one show alone. In malta we overnighted and they had a local group come on and perform. Near the end of cruise they had a cello player one night. I only went to two shows and they were ok. Other nights the show description did not encourage me to trek all the way to the front of the ship and sit for an hour performance. I went to other venues like BB Kings. We have attended the BBC movies with the live music by Lincoln Center and they were awesome. the photography is unbelievable and the live orchestra music really enhances it. My mom is Heard of hearing but even she loved it both times. Highly recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rguy123 Posted June 22, 2018 #202 Share Posted June 22, 2018 I found the Hal singers to be poor at lip syncing. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted June 22, 2018 #203 Share Posted June 22, 2018 This news distresses me somewhat. I usually enjoy the cast shows. Surely, some are better than others. But, the ones that were good were very good! A Country and Western Show on the Westerdam and the group Cantere on Nieuw Amsterdam are stand-outs in my memory. Much money, and I mean much money from what I have learned on several Behind the Scenes Tours, was spent on the Vista and Signature Class ships main theaters' production areas. Areas of the stage that could revolve, be lifted into tiers, lighting and sound upgrades, etc. My concern on my most recent cruises on these ships that the facilities that are available are underused or not used at all. When Koningsdam was introduced, the expanded video wall and entertainment in her main theater were much touted by HAL. "Theater in the Round" was mentioned in many pre-introduction ads. More money spent on something that's not going to be fully utilized? More questionable thinking to make a change in the entertainment offering, in my opinion, by the "suits" in Seattle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted June 22, 2018 #204 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Their demise was confirmed in our Coffee Chat with the CD when on the Zaandam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted June 22, 2018 #205 Share Posted June 22, 2018 This news distresses me somewhat. I usually enjoy the cast shows. Surely, some are better than others. But, the ones that were good were very good! A Country and Western Show on the Westerdam and the group Cantere on Nieuw Amsterdam are stand-outs in my memory. Much money, and I mean much money from what I have learned on several Behind the Scenes Tours, was spent on the Vista and Signature Class ships main theaters' production areas. Areas of the stage that could revolve, be lifted into tiers, lighting and sound upgrades, etc. My concern on my most recent cruises on these ships that the facilities that are available are underused or not used at all. When Koningsdam was introduced, the expanded video wall and entertainment in her main theater were much touted by HAL. "Theater in the Round" was mentioned in many pre-introduction ads. More money spent on something that's not going to be fully utilized? More questionable thinking to make a change in the entertainment offering, in my opinion, by the "suits" in Seattle. Loved Cantare on Nieuw Amsterdam! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcummin Posted June 22, 2018 #206 Share Posted June 22, 2018 No movie can replace the Singers and Dancers. Cruises are not cheap. If HAL wants to keep me happy, they will continue the good live entertainment. Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted June 22, 2018 #207 Share Posted June 22, 2018 No movie can replace the Singers and Dancers. And no singers and dancers can replace a movie.They're different forms of entertainment. Neither is universally better than the other. Different people will like different things. This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellowrose Posted June 23, 2018 #208 Share Posted June 23, 2018 I agree, no movies can replace the singers and dancers. We have always enjoyed the shows...mostly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted June 23, 2018 #209 Share Posted June 23, 2018 No movie can replace the Singers and Dancers.Cruises are not cheap. If HAL wants to keep me happy, they will continue the good live entertainment. Barbara I agree, no movies can replace the singers and dancers. We have always enjoyed the shows...mostly. Agreed. While going to the movies at your local cinema or watching them on tv can be entertaining, when I book cruises I expect to enjoy live entertainment that I can't watch at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzaholic41 Posted June 23, 2018 #210 Share Posted June 23, 2018 I totally agree with the folks who say no movies can replace live entertainment. And yes, live entertainment can replace movies because live entertainment is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted June 23, 2018 #211 Share Posted June 23, 2018 I'm currently on board Koningsdam and just wanted to post that the title of this thread actually IS correct. They're no longer going to have a cast of singers and dancers specific to each ship. Instead, revues (with smaller casts) will move between ships as guest entertainers do. I got this from the CD on my sailing after being told by two of the current cast members that they were indeed getting rid of the singers and dancers. I'm about to lose free Wi-Fi in port (Stevanger) so I won't be able to respond until Sunday. I don't think that this info had previously been posted; I recall people saying that HAL was just changing production companies. If this info was previously posted, my apologies. So, obviously another cost saving move, like having guest performers do 2 different shows on the same cruise. Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app Should be Interesting, Celebrity floats group's from one ship to another Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted June 23, 2018 #212 Share Posted June 23, 2018 Should be Interesting' date=' [b']Celebrity floats group's from one ship to another[/b] Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app In tenders, or do they bob along wearing PFD's? :halo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted June 23, 2018 #213 Share Posted June 23, 2018 During my one Celebrity Eclipse cruise, two of the three cast shows were, I thought, eclectic. Not the usual type of a shipboard cast show that I like. Their live music groups, particularly the music in the Atrium outside the Dining Room before Dinner, are memorable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankc98376 Posted June 23, 2018 #214 Share Posted June 23, 2018 We don't go to the shows so OK for us. I do miss the dinner music. My vote would be less entertainment, more cabin stewards- they work so hard and have so many staterooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveling Dot Posted June 23, 2018 #215 Share Posted June 23, 2018 I wish they would get rid of everything OPRAH instead of the Singers & Dancers. On my last cruise everything is marked with an "O" like she owns the ship. I wouldn't buy any of the merchandise with her "O" on it. I wonder if she had something to do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted June 23, 2018 #216 Share Posted June 23, 2018 Most likely, everything Oprah is net income for the cruise lines, not something that is a net cost. This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea girl 23 Posted June 24, 2018 #217 Share Posted June 24, 2018 And once again Oprah gets mentioned in a thread that has NOTHING to do with her. *sigh* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igraf Posted June 24, 2018 #218 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Net income means that we are paying more or getting less, and I can watch all the movies I want at home. I want live entertainment on a ship. Not movies. Not celebrity logos. igraf Most likely, everything Oprah is net income for the cruise lines, not something that is a net cost. This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted June 24, 2018 #219 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Most likely, everything Oprah is net income for the cruise lines, not something that is a net cost. This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos. How would you know this? Franchise arrangements do come with fees, in hopes HAL will get a return on name-recognition marketing and self-branded product sales. Or did Winfrey trade this expected franchise fee in exchange for getting named the next HAL ship's godmother? No one has ever said Ms Winfrey is not a shrewd businesswoman. She has been brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaCruiser72 Posted June 24, 2018 #220 Share Posted June 24, 2018 I know at one point there was a statement from HAL implying they would split the fleet into two groupings, specifically with regards to entertainment and onboard activities & enrichment. The S, R and Prinsendam Class ships would be one group and the Vista, Signature and Pinnacle Class another. The smaller ships were to go to a more destination rich content and feature more cabaret style entertainment with local performers/guest entertainers more common. The bigger ships would continue with full production shows, guest entertainers, and branded entertainment venues (BB King, Bilboard, Lincoln Center, etc). I'm wondering if what we are hearing reported from the ships isn't exactly this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterBill99 Posted June 24, 2018 #221 Share Posted June 24, 2018 The bigger ships would continue with full production shows, guest entertainers, and branded entertainment venues (BB King, Bilboard, Lincoln Center, etc). I'm wondering if what we are hearing reported from the ships isn't exactly this? Given that I'm on Kdam and I was told that they're getting rid of the production shows here, I'd say that your theory isn't correct. Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted June 24, 2018 #222 Share Posted June 24, 2018 I know at one point there was a statement from HAL implying they would split the fleet into two groupings, specifically with regards to entertainment and onboard activities & enrichment. The S, R and Prinsendam Class ships would be one group and the Vista, Signature and Pinnacle Class another. The smaller ships were to go to a more destination rich content and feature more cabaret style entertainment with local performers/guest entertainers more common. The bigger ships would continue with full production shows, guest entertainers, and branded entertainment venues (BB King, Bilboard, Lincoln Center, etc). I'm wondering if what we are hearing reported from the ships isn't exactly this? If this is Seattles thinking, I say bravo. They have a unique collection of ships, history and niche in the main line cruise market with no competition - this would be a very good move - for as much longer as they can efficiently keep these smaller ships sailing. That is one way to get more "brand consistency" that others keep asking for - across each collection - the small ship grouping and the larger ship grouping. Two choices in the HAL family is far better than just one. Each group can offer a different experience - more traditional onboard experience and more adventuresome itineraries with the smaller group - more competitive industry wide on board serving the more standard routes with the larger one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcummin Posted June 24, 2018 #223 Share Posted June 24, 2018 (edited) It is the In Depth cruises on ms Maasdam that will offer "a more destination rich content and feature more cabaret style entertainment with local performers/guest entertainers more common." I was hoping that the rest of the fleet would then continue with the more traditional entertainment that we are used to. Barbara Edited June 24, 2018 by bcummin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted June 24, 2018 #224 Share Posted June 24, 2018 (edited) Net income means that we are paying more or getting less, ... No, it means the owners of the cruise line are getting more. Passengers are going to get value for price regardless, even if it is a different set of passengers. I don't know about you but I don't buy something that isn't worth the price based on what the contract guarantees. I know at one point there was a statement from HAL implying they would split the fleet into two groupings, specifically with regards to entertainment and onboard activities & enrichment. It seems that whatever split they make would set the smaller ships up for quicker reduction to irrelevance. This message may have been entered via voice recognition. Please excuse any typos. Edited June 24, 2018 by bUU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igraf Posted June 24, 2018 #225 Share Posted June 24, 2018 There may be a disconnect here, but if the Oprah branding means more income for the company then it means that passengers are paying more or the company has cut back on other amenities. In this case, the singers and dancers are gone but I can watch a movie instead and buy a T-shirt with an "O". igraf No, it means the owners of the cruise line are getting more. Passengers are going to get value for price regardless, even if it is a different set of passengers. I don't know about you but I don't buy something that isn't worth the price based on what the contract guarantees. It seems that whatever split they make would set the smaller ships up for quicker reduction to irrelevance. This message may have been entered via voice recognition. Please excuse any typos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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