No more production shows?

[rkacruiser]

18 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

 

I saw the Humanity show last week on the Nieuw Amsterdam. As stated, it is an outside dance group. I personally did not like it - too much flashing lights, too loud, dancing OK in my opinion. Others aboard thought it was great. 

 

This show was on Nieuw Statendam as well and I share your opinion of it.  Not my type of entertainment that I enjoy, but others with whom I spoke (some of my generation) loved it. 

[sammiedawg]

OK, production shows are not the reason we sail.  But as the list of cutbacks grows, I hope no one pays over $399 a week to sail on Holland America.  I would rather stay home.  I can go daily to Applebee’s or Bob Evans for a middlin meal, comparable to the meals I had on my last Holland America cruise.  

 

 

[Alphen]

What I feal is missing as a comment in this thread is what I read earlier on a thread somewhere on CC and it is not a choice of HAL. As I understand it, due to union regulations, dancers and singers are not allowed to perform crew duties any more, so having them on board for a longer period (full contract) works out differently. I think this is why groups will be on board for shorter period, "hopping from ship to ship".

Edited March 31, 2019 by Alphen

[Ken the cruiser]

7 hours ago, Alphen said:

What I feal is missing as a comment in this thread is what I read earlier on a thread somewhere on CC and it is not a choice of HAL. As I understand it, due to union regulations, dancers and singers are not allowed to perform crew duties any more, so having them on board for a longer period (full contract) works out differently. I think this is why groups will be on board for shorter period, "hopping from ship to ship".

Which specific union regulations are they referring to, especially if they are not HAL employees? I believe, and I have no facts to back this up, it has more to do with the contract HAL enters into with the production company hired to do the job and what HAL is willing to pay for that service. On previous Celebrity, Oceania and Crystal ships we've been on the last couple of years, most of the entertainers are doing some sort of double duty.  

[terrydtx]

I can not believe how many are saying they really will miss the production shows. At best they were just a notch above amateurish and not really worth fretting over their demise. If you want to see a big Broadway type production stay home save your money and go the  nearest big city theater when shows like this are in town.  Are you really going to use this issue as a reason to not sail with HAL?

[Ken the cruiser]

20 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

I can not believe how many are saying they really will miss the production shows. At best they were just a notch above amateurish and not really worth fretting over their demise. If you want to see a big Broadway type production stay home save your money and go the  nearest big city theater when shows like this are in town.  Are you really going to use this issue as a reason to not sail with HAL?

We are in our mid 60s and started cruising with HAL in 2012 and their production shows, even though not the greatest, were still fun to go to. They really didnt start to deterirate until the last few years. But it's not just the production shows that have caused us to look elsewhere, it's the lack of a variety of organized fun things to do on sea days.

 

Yes, they have bingo (for a fee) and trivia on sea days, but not much else. You only get a professional lecture on sea days if you're on one of their 15+ day itineraries and not a combined back to back. Their CDs have also changed to where they just don't make a difference anymore like they used to. I've even heard they now where gray uniforms and aren't even allowed to tell jokes when opening a show. This was told to us by a CD who recently left HAL last April to be an Oceania CD.

 

However, we do have a 40 day Australia circumnavigation cruise booked on the Maasdam in October because we're interested in trying their new in-depth EXC cruises. However, since we don't do short cruises any more and since the Lincoln Stage music puts us to sleep, it may be our last HAL cruise if we're not impressed, especially since we are paying $350+ pp/day for a veranda cabin. 

 

But, please know this is just our reason for why we are booking a lot less HAL cruises these past few years. There are a lot of folks who are quite happy with the direction HAL is taking.

[Sailor Taylor]

Does anyone know what the current shows are on Rotterdam and Zuiderdam? 

[BJzink]

On 3/31/2019 at 1:06 PM, terrydtx said:

I can not believe how many are saying they really will miss the production shows. At best they were just a notch above amateurish and not really worth fretting over their demise. If you want to see a big Broadway type production stay home save your money and go the  nearest big city theater when shows like this are in town.  Are you really going to use this issue as a reason to not sail with HAL?

Exactly!!

[SAPMAN]

On 3/30/2019 at 3:59 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

This show was on Nieuw Statendam as well and I share your opinion of it.  Not my type of entertainment that I enjoy, but others with whom I spoke (some of my generation) loved it. 

Agree.  Need to at least intersperse some singing with the dancing.  and some props. 

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Four nights with only dancers and no band or singers was boring on our last HAL cruise.

 

First they took away the live band, then they took away the singers, soon they'll take away the dancers, and all we'll be left with is a movie.

 

Oh wait, isn't that the BBC World show they pass off as entertainment.

 

We'll have to put that on the Con side when selecting our next itinerary/cruise line.

 

[Hlitner]

On ‎3‎/‎31‎/‎2019 at 3:06 PM, terrydtx said:

I can not believe how many are saying they really will miss the production shows. At best they were just a notch above amateurish and not really worth fretting over their demise. If you want to see a big Broadway type production stay home save your money and go the  nearest big city theater when shows like this are in town.  Are you really going to use this issue as a reason to not sail with HAL?

In a way, you are making our case.  The Production shows on HAL have been going downhill for several years but that is not the case on some other lines.  I do not expect "Broadway" type productions on any cruise line (except RCI) but I do expect decent entertainment with some decent singers and dancers.  We recently had this on a MSC cruise (not exactly a premium cruise line) where there in-house production cast performed a different show every night...for 12 days!   On a HAL 12 day cruise we would have previously had 3 production shows with perhaps a 4th where the singers sat on stools and just sang.  On a few other nights we would have had a few Guest Entertainers (quality really varies).  But then HAL has their "dark nights" and also tries to pass-off movies (even documentaries) as their "main show."   I  do enjoy some documentaries, but can see all I want in my own family room where the sound quality is better then what I will get on HAL.   This cruiser does not cruise to watch movies!

 

Are we going to use the lack of production shows as a reason to not sail with HAL?  Probably not.  But it is definitely a factor and will enter into our decision making.  We are now looking at booking several new cruises (for the next 18 months) and there are zero HAL cruises under consideration.  That could change, but as of now we are focusing on other lines (Princess, MSC, Seabourn, Oceania, and Azamara).   We are running out  of reasons to book any HAL cruises except for the fabulous itineraries.  I want to shout, "Come on HAL...make my day and convince me to book more voyages!"

 

Hank

[oaktreerb]

32 minutes ago, CHOPPERTESTER said:

Four nights with only dancers and no band or singers was boring on our last HAL cruise.

 

First they took away the live band, then they took away the singers, soon they'll take away the dancers, and all we'll be left with is a movie.

 

Oh wait, isn't that the BBC World show they pass off as entertainment.

 

We'll have to put that on the Con side when selecting our next itinerary/cruise line.

 

I happen to agree with you about the BBC World show with live music.  I enjoyed the Alaska theme because we were in Alaska but then they had a wildlife BBC that I did not like at all.  

 

I enjoyed the production shows of a few years ago when they has the colorful costumes (Bob Mackie) and the entertainers were reasonably good singers and dancers.  When they got the next production company the sets and costumes were pretty drab but the entertainers were still ok.  Comics and Magicians are ok but if you cruise a lot you see the same shows and entertainers repeatedly.

 

The best entertainment on many HAL ships is the piano bar with a pianist that enjoys interacting with the guests.  I have read that the piano bar is also on the way out.

 

I know they sometimes show a movie in the showroom.....we can see those in our stateroom.  Definitely a con for HAL.

 

[rkacruiser]

Hlitner,

 

As a 21st Century of a cruise line that MSC seems to be in its advertisements, videos, and in many reports from recent guests, some of the "mainstream cruise lines" need to take note of  MSC with its new innovative ships and their programming and amenities.  If one usually books a HAL Neptune Suite, MSC's Yacht Club surely looks attractive.

[oaktreerb]

On our recent Azamara cruise we had two shows featuring  our talented cruise directors.  They were excellent.  They also had an excellent production show.  Seabourn has some wonderful live entertainment, also.

 

You don’t have to be on a big ship to have quality entertainment.  

[CruiseRQA]

On 3/29/2019 at 7:23 PM, SeagoingMom said:

Hi - You and I were on the same March 2019 cruise.  I read your review, but since there seems to be no way to respond directly to the review, this was my best option for communicating with you, though it goes beyond the specific topic of entertainment (as does your post.)

In your review, you stated that you are "thinking of doing something different next year."  I am curious to know what you are considering to replace HAL.  Do you have experience on other cruise lines that you might revisit to get what you feel HAL is lacking?  Or are you thinking of doing something other than cruising?

Thanks!

Our last non-HAL cruise was on Celebrity.    We might consider them.  We have not been on Princess.  Our travel agent has us thinking about Oceania or one of the other upscale lines.   Those seem quite pricey but perhaps is the thing to do given the direction HAL seems to be going.

 

We have friends that enjoy all-inclusive resorts.  Perhaps we will look for the a fit there.  

 

Or perhaps we will just do an AirBnB in FL or AZ for a week or two in the winter.  

[G&G]

On March 16, 2019 at 3:46 AM, CruiseRQA said:

Was on the Oosterdam two weeks ago:

 

No production show

No chilled soups

No smoked fish

$10 charge for an extra lobster tail

No library

No Explorations Cafe

 

Currently on Eurodam South Pacific cruise.

 

Though chilled soup is no longer on the menu, it is available. You have to ask your server what is the chill soup each night.

 

Also next to go, the band that supports the entertainers in the showroom. Only plays in showroom, no where else. One of the band members told me he did not know if HAL would renew their contracts.

[VTcruisenut]

On 3/16/2019 at 12:26 AM, RMLincoln said:

I picked up some bits and pieces that indicate HAL is phasing out productions shows. Has there been an announcement of this?  I understand some people's experience is that there were no productions shows with the ship's singers and dancers on their cruise, and I believe them.  But I'm wondering if this is an isolated glitch, maybe a contract issue?  Or is this beginning fleet wide? 

We had excellent shows on Koningsdam last November; the dancers were the best I've seen on a ship yet!  The World Stage backdrop of LED panels displayed a mesmerizing flow of images with these shows. I think we had 4 different shows during our 21 night B2B.  It was our first cruise on a Pinnacle class ship and I thought that HAL was finally coming into the modern ear.  Now I hear it's all going away? 

I'm much more concerned about this change than the new charge for second entrees in the MDR.... but if I am the only one concerned, then no wonder they may be phasing out this form of entertainment.    m--   

We are just off the Oosterdam on 3/23 and I can tell you there is little to no entertainment any longer!  No shows with the singers and dancers they used to have.  They had  Postmodern Jukebox 2 nights, once was fine, but not twice.  There was a comedian but his show was about 45 minutes long, and all his material was played off the front row of the audience.  One night there was a combo magician/ comedian and his show also about 45 minutes long.  One other night they actually projected photos on the stage wall with the orchestra playing in the front..............pretty images, but pretty boring.  There was no place to dance, no night club atmosphere at all.  No audience participation games as we have seen previously or Karaoke.  The piano bar has been turned into dueling piano players right outside the Casino and they were, well lets just say different.  That intimate atmosphere of the piano bar is gone.   No live music to speak of at either pool area and during sail away, they had a DJ like set-up above the Sea View pool.  In our conversations with other passengers, we were not the only ones that were very disappointed.  

[FlorenceItaly]

About the Oosterdam, we were on her in November.  We danced our hearts out at BB King.  We loved that venue.  I will miss this type of entertainment on our cruise later this year on the MS Amsterdam.

[RoyalVisit]

These recent experiences really make me wonder what we will see on our upcoming cruise in May.   

 

I hope the guests that have been disappointed with the entertainment (or lack thereof) are communicating that back to HAL. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[VTcruisenut]

4 minutes ago, RoyalVisit said:

These recent experiences really make me wonder what we will see on our upcoming cruise in May.   

 

I hope the guests that have been disappointed with the entertainment (or lack thereof) are communicating that back to HAL. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh I have communicated to HAL, and on a Facebook page, but so far, no response!

 

[Swice]

For the sake of this thread, I'm not sure I'm comfortable using the term "production" shows.   There is no way HAL is not going to have something on those huge stages.    They're building the new ships with additional technology for lighting, computer set movements, stage rotations, etc.     

 

One of the best shows I've ever seen on a HAL cruise was Cantare' on the N.A.   ...that was about seven or eight years ago.    It was not what I would call a "production" show.     It featured four EXCELLENT male singers with the changing LED background and some physical set pieces of Roman columns/ruins.    There was no dancing, no feathers, no sequins of  typical "production show."    But it was dynamite.       I'm assuming the show was a rip off of the success of Il Divo (https://ildivo.com/).      

 

Since then, I've seen a return to the traditional "production shows" but with limited sets and so-so singers (I LOVE production shows when they are quality-- but hate them when they are cheaply done).      

I actually liked the BBC nature film because it included a live orchestra-- BUT I would not want that on every cruise.    Give me variety.      

 

So I'm not caught up on the "production show" label   (I come from a theme park production show background!).   All I ask is a show full of "talent" that is worthy of filling the big stage -- and the theater.         Sometimes it's a full "show" with costumes and feathers (!) and sometimes it may be just a few singers.

 

[nextcruiseonmymind]

On 3/17/2019 at 3:56 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

No Explorations Cafe? No hot chocolate or tasty snacks anymore? What did they replace that large space with?

 

Deck 10 plans include an Explorations Cafe. If not I am going to be very disappointed as it was one of the reasons I booked a cabin on deck 10!

 

Edited April 2, 2019 by nextcruiseonmymind

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, VTcruisenut said:

We are just off the Oosterdam on 3/23 and I can tell you there is little to no entertainment any longer!  No shows with the singers and dancers they used to have.  They had  Postmodern Jukebox 2 nights, once was fine, but not twice.  There was a comedian but his show was about 45 minutes long, and all his material was played off the front row of the audience.  One night there was a combo magician/ comedian and his show also about 45 minutes long.  One other night they actually projected photos on the stage wall with the orchestra playing in the front..............pretty images, but pretty boring.  There was no place to dance, no night club atmosphere at all.  No audience participation games as we have seen previously or Karaoke.  The piano bar has been turned into dueling piano players right outside the Casino and they were, well lets just say different.  That intimate atmosphere of the piano bar is gone.   No live music to speak of at either pool area and during sail away, they had a DJ like set-up above the Sea View pool.  In our conversations with other passengers, we were not the only ones that were very disappointed.  

 

No Lincoln Center Stage? I thought the Vistas were getting that. Best entertainment on the K'dam IMO.

 

Pool band has been gone for several years. Can't say I miss the Hell Cats.

 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I think many of us are using the term "production show" to mean the HAL singers and dancers which are now gone on most ships.

[JT1962]

On 3/31/2019 at 2:21 PM, Sailor Taylor said:

Does anyone know what the current shows are on Rotterdam and Zuiderdam? 

I am currently in the Rotterdam and the shows are as follows (if I remember correctly):

 

First Night - presentation regarding the ports

 

Second Night - Comedian / Impressionist

 

Third Night - Post Modern Jukebox

 

Fourth Night - Comedic Magician

 

Fifth Night - Different show by Post Modern Jukebox

 

Sixth Night - Combination of the Comedian and Magician from earlier in the cruise

 

Last Night - Can’t recall, possibly a BBC Movie

Edited April 3, 2019 by JT1962