Is the style of entertainment on Viking Ocean changing somewhat?

[KBs mum]

33 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

Huh....find that hard to believe. I can't recall encountering much of any live music unless venturing into a bar or later evening, which we don't do anyway. Except for whomever was playing during tea, theatre shows and either piano or string duo in the atrium at various times, I don't think we heard any other live music. 

Not a problem we've encountered in the past. This time music in the atrium was continuous from 5 until 10pm.

The strings had become a decent pianist and an average violinist. To be fair they weren't bad, just louder than ideal and repetitive. There was a different pianist who did songs from musicals. Loudly, badly, played off tempo and flat. Same set every time, three times every evening.

There was a singer with a guitar who was in the explorer lounge for a lot of each evening. Not brilliant but not bad. Problem was some passengers (usually the same group) decided to repeatedly commandeer the microphone and do kareoke. 

 

We don't mind music in the theatre, it's where it's supposed to be. We don't go to afternoon tea, so can't comment on the music there

[KBs mum]

2 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Curious...in what way? 

Referring to the customer service department only, everyone else was as good as ever. 

Examples, question asked, answer got. Agreed action didn't happen, went back to desk explained, was told what had been agreed was impossible. 

 

Information about disembarkation and transfer times and arrangements were not available until 6.30pm the previous evening. We have prior knowledge of Viking procedure so were only inconvenienced, some of those new to Viking were caught out by the luggage out in the evening time. 

 We understand that everyone was winging it to a certain extent, but a letter of the provisional/likely arrangements and when pax would get confirmation of final would have prevented a lot of hassle. 

 

Edited March 9, 2023 by KBs mum

[Vineyard View]

22 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

May have been the same guy we heard on the Sky in '19. Knew his way around the neck for sure and did both vocals and instrumentals. 

Likely same one. Oct ‘19. 

[KBs mum]

2 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Curious...what sort of "things" did you feel you were prevented from doing? There's always the option of just chilling out in the wintergarten. No live music taking place there at all except for during tea. Great place, we always found, for just reading in a quiet setting - or also the seating areas right outside the wintergarten. Explorer's lounge too. During the day...no music at all. Mamson's..same thing. Warmer weather, of course, one's own balcony is always good. The atrium areas, except for when there is live music, also seem quiet and relaxed - people playing various games or working on a jigsaw puzzle. A bit confused as to what you're referring to. 

 

Could it be you're looking for more organized, group-type social events on a sea day? During our cruise the big thing was baggo...crew vs. guests. Threw the bag (or whatever) down the staircase. Once again, somehow expected that sort of thing on a larger cruise line. It was fun for all involved I have no doubt...but made for a good bit of extra noise while passing through the atrium areas. Also lots of people standing around the railings looking down on it. I think they did it every sea day. Will probably become a Viking tradition. Some activities are probably dictated to some extent by who the cruise director is. 

You are thinking of the situation during the day, I have only mentioned things on in the evening.

We usually want to enjoy a drink in a bar and chat with other passengers in the late afternoon-evening. We are both British village pub culture people (right now an accountant, a funeral director and a farmer are having a worryingly in depth conversation about beer mat design) Sometimes one or both of us want to enjoy drinks in a social setting with books or with our own choice of music playing through ear pods while we people watch.

 

During the morning and early afternoon we are either ashore or in our cabin (other than breakfast and lunch) watching the world go by, hoping for sightings of sea life No eagles but one orca on the last cruise, also saw a belt of venus sunset and some scenic bits of Norway

 

We avoid organised social activities, for the most part we find them forced and often tedious, spontaneous gatherings are much preferable but can't be arranged, as we are not in the atrium during the day the baggo type activities don't bother us,.

To say again, we are quite happy to go to another bar to socialise if music is on in one, our problem was that it seemed to all evening every evening in every bar. The dancing under the stars and film showings take the pool area and wintergarden off being an option, but we've never found them particularly sociable areas, everyone seems to want to only talk to their travelling companions

 

 

Edited March 9, 2023 by KBs mum

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, KBs mum said:

There was a different pianist who did songs from musicals. Loudly, badly, played off tempo and flat.

As i said, can't be Sofia. She's too well polished for anyone to accuse her of being even at a mediocre level, since she's so far above that. Are you sure it wasn't some passenger who slipped in there unbidden and decided to share some degree of talent!

 

21 minutes ago, KBs mum said:

We avoid organised social activities,

Basically same here....

 

 

[OnTheJourney]

22 minutes ago, KBs mum said:

I have only mentioned things on in the evening.

We don't do much then. Usually after (early) dinner we head back to the room, prepare everything for whatever comes the following day (especially if a long excursion), take showers, probably catch up on missed lectures or port talks, and typically in bed by 10:30-11:00. Never been into going to any lounges in the evenings - did a few times on various cruises. We go to the shows though unless it's something we have little interest in. 

[tocruiseguy]

3 hours ago, bookbabe said:

 

 

I’ve seen a number of complaints about Viking moving away from its original demographic in terms of entertainment choices, but I personally think that’s a smart business move on their part.  They won’t be able to survive forever on the current 60-70+ crowd, and future 60-70+ cruisers won’t have grown up in the same decades.  Maybe The Beatles will get replaced by Rolling Stones cover bands at some point?

 

Rolling Stones?  Thats pretty old stuff too. 😀 The Beatles and Abba though, thats absurdly old. I was in single digits in age when the Beatles broke up, yeah I have heard their songs but not a fan at all.  Those in their late 50's and early 60's would have "grown up" musically in the 80's and even 90's, which is still 30 to 40 years ago so Viking's entertainment is actually targeting the 70 to 80 year old demographic, an age range which at the upper end some people stop travelling.  God forbid, some of us actually like some current music hits!  Even my 92 year old Dad likes music like the Back Street Boys (which isn't new at all) and pop stuff like that.  Just because we get old doesn't mean we need to live in the past.  I think the older people get the more entitled we get and expect the world to revolve our tastes and likes.....

 

 

[KBs mum]

4 minutes ago, tocruiseguy said:

Rolling Stones?  Thats pretty old stuff too. 😀 The Beatles and Abba though, thats absurdly old. I was in single digits in age when the Beatles broke up, yeah I have heard their songs but not a fan at all.  Those in their late 50's and early 60's would have "grown up" musically in the 80's and even 90's, which is still 30 to 40 years ago so Viking's entertainment is actually targeting the 70 to 80 year old demographic, an age range which at the upper end some people stop travelling.  God forbid, some of us actually like some current music hits!  Even my 92 year old Dad likes music like the Back Street Boys (which isn't new at all) and pop stuff like that.  Just because we get old doesn't mean we need to live in the past.  I think the older people get the more entitled we get and expect the world to revolve our tastes and likes.....

 

 

The best musicians we heard did different everytime something for everyone sets, classical, musicals, rock and pop from various decades and so on, played at a volume that can be heard but doesn't prevent conversation

 

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, tocruiseguy said:

when the Beatles broke up

Well, that was '74. I was already in college. 

 

1 hour ago, KBs mum said:

Those in their late 50's and early 60's would have "grown up" musically in the 80's and even 90's,

I'm in my upper 60s but feel like I grew up musically during the late 60s and early 70s. Probably the time that had the most impact, for me, is early teens or even before when I started guitar lessons since the music of the time so influenced what people wanted to learn to play...guitar and drums!!  

 

1 hour ago, tocruiseguy said:

yeah I have heard their songs but not a fan at all.  

That went right through me since I, and so many, probably feel they're among the best, if not THE best, bands of all times as to musical creativity and being able to crank out amazing pop tunes that'll likely play 200 years from now. But..hey...each to his/her own! My daughter's age group (30ish) grew up hearing the music of their parents' generation and so often got into it equally as much. No generalizations implied though. I still think the 60s and 70s was the most amazing time period in terms of the quality and creativity of the music compared to anything that came since. So many amazing bands and solo artists. 

Edited March 9, 2023 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, tocruiseguy said:

The Beatles and Abba though, thats absurdly old.

LOL   So you were...what...8 or 9 years old in '74 based on your mention of being 'single digits'? Some people might refer to the music of Bach or Mozart as being 'absurdly' old. All relative. 

Edited March 9, 2023 by OnTheJourney

[lackcreativity]

It's difficult to find music that appeals to everyone. At the ripe old age of 70 (YIKES) I listen to an alternative radio station from a local university, so I have a broad range of musical tastes. The ABBA show was fun just one time, but I must admit to being a bit suspicious of anyone (of any age) who can't enjoy the Beatles. I know I shouldn't judge, but so it goes.

 

Our evenings sometimes include a show in the theater, or some music in the Atrium or the Explorer's Lounge, but our happiest memories come from long dinners with good conversations with people we have met on the ship.

 

[KBs mum]

Seems to me the problem is lack of variety, not choice of band/artist to cover or composer. 

Baffling why Viking don't issue guidelines for themed shows then approve final set lists, with, say, 3 or 4 different ones per season per itinerary on rotation, to allow variety for audiences and give performers the freedom to do things they like and which they know suit their vocal range or style of play

[MadMarine]

On 3/8/2023 at 2:17 PM, KBs mum said:

We joined in with the Sweet Caroline singalong. It is an ashes year, and rugby internationals were on. Americans nearby were aghast when told that in the UK it's usually only sung by well lubricated crowds at sports events

 

 

Saw and heard this last year, when the US NFL, had an American football game in Berlin.  I loved it. And they still like cowboys and Indians, as I remember from my far distant youth!

[Pushka]

Sweet Caroline is used in many Australian National sporting competitions as well. 

[MELSMOM47]

On 3/8/2023 at 5:17 PM, KBs mum said:

We joined in with the Sweet Caroline singalong. It is an ashes year, and rugby internationals were on. Americans nearby were aghast when told that in the UK it's usually only sung by well lubricated crowds at sports events

 

 

It’s usually sung by well lubricated Red Sox fans.

[Twitchly]

8 hours ago, lackcreativity said:

I must admit to being a bit suspicious of anyone (of any age) who can't enjoy the Beatles.

That’s funny. I admit to being indifferent to the Beatles. Just not my cuppa. Not a big fan of Abba, either. Don’t get me started on Grease or show tunes. 
 

I think I’m just not in Viking’s target demographic when it comes to their shows. The big exception: when they bring on local talent. We were wowed by a Spanish trio during our Trade Routes cruise, and we greatly enjoyed the Norwegian violinist in Bergen. I would be THRILLED to hear more local music from the places we’re visiting. 

 

As for music played in the public spaces, I don’t really enjoy pop music (of any era) being played as background. It’s too distracting to me, hard to do anything else like have a conversation or read. For background, I much prefer instrumental music — jazz, classical, Latin. During our last cruise (Mars) I quite enjoyed the daytime atmospheric music played quietly in a couple of ship locations.

I wonder why Viking doesn’t feature more jazz musicians. I’d think they would be popular and a great addition. I’d much rather hear some jazz guitar in the Explorer Lounge than James Taylor or Jim Croce cover songs. 
 

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by Twitchly

[Mrs Miggins]

Does no one go to Torshaven ? 

 

I must say reading this thread the job of Cruise Director is impossible.  There seems to be very little joy around.  

I am old !  I love most music from the 50's (Elvis of course)  until now (Ed Sheeran - Louis Capaldi - George Ezra  (except perhaps rap) and of course some of the wonderful US artists.  I also love musical theatre, classical plus my all time favourite,  Opera.  Jonas Kaufmann is unlikely to be performing.

 

The world is full of wonderful music.  Do I expect my personal favourites to be on the Viking playlist - No.

 

[tocruiseguy]

12 hours ago, lackcreativity said:

Ibut I must admit to being a bit suspicious of anyone (of any age) who can't enjoy the Beatles. I know I shouldn't judge, but so it goes.

 

 

Really?  You judge others based on their musical taste?  Of any age no less....wow....

[uktog]

Please no preset pre approved playlists. That would be awful. Let the professionals that these musicians are identify the right music for their audience at each moment. I felt on Viking admittedly 12 months ago that the musicians were more plentiful and of a far wider skill set than on other lines and were very adept at reading all their “room” not just one or two folks. That’s what I’m looking forward to again in August.
I don’t expect to like every musician’s repertoire every night and I realise sometimes it’s a question of timing at venues but my timing isn’t your timing and I’m on a ship of 900 folks not a private yacht 😜

[KBs mum]

Got some Viking marketing bumph in the post this morning, apparently Torshavn is now a cabaret lounge not a nightclub

[photopro2]

22 hours ago, bookbabe said:

They won’t be able to survive forever on the current 60-70+ crowd, and future 60-70+ cruisers won’t have grown up in the same decades.

I completely agree. On top of this, we did not stop finding and enjoying new music once we were "grown up". In our case we also had a whole new crop of artists and material opened up to us by our children once they entered their teens. Viking ocean will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in only a couple of years and customers should not be expected to enjoy exactly the same "contemporary" music that was performed back in 2015. All the more so, as many of us have now experienced multiple Viking cruises.

 

It is interesting to note that it is the solo guitarists who often get most praise, both on this and other threads. In our experience, they often seem to be sensitive and attentive to their audience, adapting their sets accordingly. The very last thing these musicians need are Setlists imposed upon them by management, that would be a disaster!

 

John, the guitarist on our most recent cruise was a good example. He listened to audience requests (practicing them the following day if they were not already part of his repertoire) and then performed them the next time the person requesting was in the audience. This personal attention certainly added to our impression that we were on our own private yacht 😉

 

Coming back to the original subject of the post, I think that guitarists like John (and their apparent popularity) may be a sign that Viking entertainment is beginning to get just a little bit more up-to-date. While they do include many of the well-known "standards" they are also performing more contemporary music in their sets. This is no bad thing from my point of view.

 

That said, there is a wide range of opinion on what constitutes entertainment and Viking do seem to provide least a little of something for most tastes. My feeling is that continuing this diversity is the key going forward. While I don't normally listen to classical music at home, I do enjoy doing so occasionally on the ships as part of my cultural enrichment. It is equally true that, although I would not go out of my way to listen to a Neil Diamond album, I have been known to join in with the chorus of  "Sweet Caroline" while dancing under the stars. Variety, they say, is the spice of life! 

  

[wine-wine-wine]

On 3/9/2023 at 7:41 AM, OnTheJourney said:

No chance whatsoever that it would have been Sofia! 

I'm so sorry I offended you so deeply.

 

1. I did not say the name of the pianist and do not recall it.

2. I did not say what ship I was on - there are nine of them so the chances that it was Sofia's is slim.

 

I choose not to take this further as I'm sure Sofia is wonderful. There is a musician to everyone's taste in any case and I celebrate that.

 

As usual, I now recall why I limit my time on Cruise Critic Message Boards! 🤣 

[OneSixtyToOne]

5 hours ago, KBs mum said:

Got some Viking marketing bumph in the post this morning, apparently Torshavn is now a cabaret lounge not a nightclub

The Death of Disco

[Twitchly]

5 hours ago, KBs mum said:

Got some Viking marketing bumph in the post this morning, apparently Torshavn is now a cabaret lounge not a nightclub

I wonder what they see as the difference.

[Twitchly]

7 hours ago, Mrs Miggins said:

The world is full of wonderful music.  Do I expect my personal favourites to be on the Viking playlist - No.

I doubt anyone else does, either. I see this thread — and much of this board — as providing ideas and suggestions to whatever Viking employee might be reading. To their great credit, Viking does listen and make changes. 
 

I also enjoy hearing different perspectives. I find it easier to tolerate music I dislike when I know it brings joy to others.