Take 5 on Enchanted Princess, what is it like?

[mistyPA]

Years ago, we traveled on the NCL Epic and we frequented Fat Cats Jazz and Blues Club where we saw Slam Allen and really enjoyed the entertainment. We have never been able to find a hangout spot quite like that again, more than a dozen cruises on various cruise lines. We are wondering what Take 5 is like on the Enchanted, can anyone help?

 

 

[lx200gps]

51 minutes ago, mistyPA said:

Years ago, we traveled on the NCL Epic and we frequented Fat Cats Jazz and Blues Club where we saw Slam Allen and really enjoyed the entertainment. We have never been able to find a hangout spot quite like that again, more than a dozen cruises on various cruise lines. We are wondering what Take 5 is like on the Enchanted, can anyone help?

 

 

We've frequented Take 5 on  the Enchanted, Sky and most recently the Discovery in October. It's usually very empty during the day and is always our go-to quiet place on sea days. Given its location tucked away next to the casino and the absence of through traffic moving from one end of the ship to the other, it's almost as if few passengers even know it's there. Great seating for two right on the ocean. During the day, no bar service, and it is used occasionally for lectures, loud games etc, by the entertainment staff.  Bar opens around 4 IIRC. In the evenings it's a great venue for live music. I don't recollect any other music than Jazz, maybe others can chime in on what other types of music they have.

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 hour ago, mistyPA said:

Years ago, we traveled on the NCL Epic and we frequented Fat Cats Jazz and Blues Club where we saw Slam Allen and really enjoyed the entertainment. We have never been able to find a hangout spot quite like that again, more than a dozen cruises on various cruise lines. We are wondering what Take 5 is like on the Enchanted, can anyone help?

 

 

@lx200gps gives a spot-on description. We were recently on the Sky and went to Take Five anytime we wanted a quiet place to read or just conversation with our friends. The CC Meet & Greet was held there for that particular cruise. Being right next to the casino you'd be surprised at how quiet it is!

[tonit964]

Was on the Discovery twice and went to Take 5 every night for the jazz music. It’s a live band and each night they played different jazz era type music. It started around 8pm and ended around midnight. 
 

It was so much fun. We really enjoyed our evenings there but we are Jazz fans.
 

There is a design flaw though that really irritates me. There is a walkway between the band and the seats in the lounge and it gets very busy in the evening. To me, it’s very disrespectful to the band members to have this walkway right in front of them. 

[memoak]

Loved it on the Discovery. Great music and good bartenders. The only issue was a few cruisers acting like it was there living room and talked really loud making it hard to enjoy the music. We tried to catch a set every evening 

[Jimmys Chippy]

Our favourite place on the ship due to the fact that it seems to be fairly undiscovered by many, so you can normally get a seat and get pretty quick service. The music is generally fantastic.

[mistyPA]

Thanks for the info, sounds like we may enjoy it. We will definitely be checking it out.

 

[Auntiejo]

Really cool place at night on Discovery. Unfortunately every time we tried to go there in the evening, we were unable to find any seats and had to leave (it’s not very big). Not sure if it was a fluke for our particular sailing or if it’s always packed like that. Going on Enchanted in a few weeks and hoping we have better luck! I’ve also seen videos of a cool gin and tonic cart they bring around and make drinks table side. I love G and T so this right up my alley! Hoping to try that too!

[cruisequeen4ever]

They had fantastic jazz music there every night. We loved going. They offer some unique drinks, too. 

[Rick&Jeannie]

On 12/10/2023 at 11:48 AM, tonit964 said:

There is a design flaw though that really irritates me. There is a walkway between the band and the seats in the lounge and it gets very busy in the evening. To me, it’s very disrespectful to the band members to have this walkway right in front of them. 

I suppose that they could have put the band on either end of that long room...but then you would still have people walking to one side or another entering/leaving.  I guess they figured that putting it in the middle was the best that could be achieved.

[memoak]

37 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I suppose that they could have put the band on either end of that long room...but then you would still have people walking to one side or another entering/leaving.  I guess they figured that putting it in the middle was the best that could be achieved.

There are 2 doors and people can come in from either direction to get to the bar. This is much like some Crooners locations where you can walk in from where the piano is

[BabySarge]

Just disembarked Enchanted Princess on 12/8 after doing the TA and went to Take 5 almost every evening.  Ian Baker Trio is currently playing with the occasional guest singer and/or musician joining.  Don't know if they will continue doing it but the furniture was rearranged to solve the problem of people walking into the area and using it like a corridor.  They could still come in and walk "through" but had to walk around rather than straight across.  Be forewarned though that if you want to "listen" to jazz without a bar atmosphere and people talking loudly you may not get that; I know we certainly didn't.

Seating for the first set was always at a premium but usually opened up for their second set.

Edited December 13, 2023 by BabySarge

[startedwithamouse]

23 minutes ago, BabySarge said:

Just disembarked Enchanted Princess on 12/8 after doing the TA and went to Take 5 almost every evening.  Ian Baker Trio is currently playing with the occasional guest singer and/or musician joining.  Don't know if they will continue doing it but the furniture was rearranged to solve the problem of people walking into the area and using it like a corridor.  They could still come in and walk "through" but had to walk around rather than straight across.  Be forewarned though that if you want to "listen" to jazz without a bar atmosphere and people talking loudly you may not get that; I know we certainly didn't.

Seating for the first set was always at a premium but usually opened up for their second set.

Ian BACON Trio?

[mistyPA]

On 12/10/2023 at 6:16 PM, Auntiejo said:

Really cool place at night on Discovery. Unfortunately every time we tried to go there in the evening, we were unable to find any seats and had to leave (it’s not very big). Not sure if it was a fluke for our particular sailing or if it’s always packed like that. Going on Enchanted in a few weeks and hoping we have better luck! I’ve also seen videos of a cool gin and tonic cart they bring around and make drinks table side. I love G and T so this right up my alley! Hoping to try that too!

Hope you have a fabulous time, can you let me know when you get back, please? Have a wonderful vacation!!

 

[BabySarge]

17 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Ian BACON Trio?

Sorry, yes; the Ian Bacon Trio.  

[JF - retired RRT]

Does smoke drift in from the Casino?

[Auntiejo]

49 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Does smoke drift in from the Casino?

No not at all - there's doors on both sides.

[lx200gps]

3 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Does smoke drift in from the Casino?

Technically, there are three entrances into Take 5. The "main" entrance is off the Piazza and is close to the entrance to the casino. The other entrance is at the back of Take 5 and ends up near the forward elevators. The third, often overlooked, entrance is FROM the casino into Take 5 but is rarely used. If you are hyper sensitive to the smell from the casino, it's theoretically possible to catch a very faint waft from the casino when someone opens that door. We spend a lot of time in Take 5 and can say that the stench of smoke from the casino isn't a problem at all, unlike what we notice in the open Piazza near the casino.

[BabySarge]

On 12/14/2023 at 10:35 AM, JF - retired RRT said:

Does smoke drift in from the Casino?

I am super sensitive to being able to smell cigarette smoke and can honestly say I never smelled it in Take Five; however, I often noticed the smell on Deck 6 and even at times on Deck 7 in the areas that overlook the Piazza.  It was almost as if the "hole" or "opening" was pulling it out of the casino area as the doors leading into the casino were always open there.  It wasn't horrible, but to me (and I am pretty sensitive to it) it was noticeable there but not in Take Five.