Bill Board on Board changing formats

[jeh10641]

22 hours ago, TRLD said:

Do not believe so  No reason why they should. The rules of the country in which they are registered maybe.

 

The company might choose to meet those standards but they are certainly not required to.

If I remember correctly it was a C.L.I.A. rule. Since HAL is a participant in C.L.I.A. I think that qualifies. This is from C.L.I.A.'s website.

 

• Gambling

  CLIA’s members have adopted a policy that all equipment purchased and installed on cruise vessels will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

  Rules of play

  The policy is that each line will provide a gaming guide setting forth the rules of play for their casino, and that these rules of play shall generally follow those established for casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, or England. To comply with CLIA’s policy:

  • These house rules must be made available in every casino.
  • Each member is to post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game.
  • Only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables.

  Internal controls

  CLIA’s member-approved policy is that all shipboard gambling operations be inspected by each member through its internal audit department on a regular basis, not to exceed 12 months.¹

  Further, all casinos are directed by the policy to have detailed internal control procedures concerning the cash and coin counts, casino cage procedures and other processes, similar to licensed jurisdictions.

  To comply with the policy each line must employ some form of surveillance to assure operations are fair and equitable for all parties.

  The policy states that each line should separate the operation of the casino from the financial aspects of the casino as clearly as possible including specific duties for cashiers and table gaming staff.

  Customer service

  CLIA’s policy is that onboard casino operations are the overall responsibility of the Hotel Manager or Director, or similar individual(s) charged with ensuring the highest level of conduct for casino staff.

  In case of a gaming dispute, any passenger who feels he or she has an issue that cannot be resolved by the Casino Manager should be able to bring it up to the Hotel Manager, and CLIA’s members have agreed that every effort should be made to resolve the problem. If the issue is not resolved on board the vessel, the policy is that each ship have at the casino cage a current list of contact information for their home office or casino operator where the passenger can pursue their dispute.

  CLIA’s policy is that cruise vessels have onboard comment cards for the inclusion of any comment, concern, or means to improve the gambling system on board the vessel. Gambling is strictly for the enjoyment of the passengers who choose to avail themselves of this form of entertainment.

  ---

  ¹Inspection provision applies to shipboard gambling operations as a whole as opposed to individual ships.

[TRLD]

8 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

If I remember correctly it was a C.L.I.A. rule. Since HAL is a participant in C.L.I.A. I think that qualifies. This is from C.L.I.A.'s website.

 

• Gambling

  CLIA’s members have adopted a policy that all equipment purchased and installed on cruise vessels will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

  Rules of play

  The policy is that each line will provide a gaming guide setting forth the rules of play for their casino, and that these rules of play shall generally follow those established for casinos in Nevada, New Jersey, or England. To comply with CLIA’s policy:

  • These house rules must be made available in every casino.
  • Each member is to post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game.
  • Only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables.

  Internal controls

  CLIA’s member-approved policy is that all shipboard gambling operations be inspected by each member through its internal audit department on a regular basis, not to exceed 12 months.¹

  Further, all casinos are directed by the policy to have detailed internal control procedures concerning the cash and coin counts, casino cage procedures and other processes, similar to licensed jurisdictions.

  To comply with the policy each line must employ some form of surveillance to assure operations are fair and equitable for all parties.

  The policy states that each line should separate the operation of the casino from the financial aspects of the casino as clearly as possible including specific duties for cashiers and table gaming staff.

  Customer service

  CLIA’s policy is that onboard casino operations are the overall responsibility of the Hotel Manager or Director, or similar individual(s) charged with ensuring the highest level of conduct for casino staff.

  In case of a gaming dispute, any passenger who feels he or she has an issue that cannot be resolved by the Casino Manager should be able to bring it up to the Hotel Manager, and CLIA’s members have agreed that every effort should be made to resolve the problem. If the issue is not resolved on board the vessel, the policy is that each ship have at the casino cage a current list of contact information for their home office or casino operator where the passenger can pursue their dispute.

  CLIA’s policy is that cruise vessels have onboard comment cards for the inclusion of any comment, concern, or means to improve the gambling system on board the vessel. Gambling is strictly for the enjoyment of the passengers who choose to avail themselves of this form of entertainment.

  ---

  ¹Inspection provision applies to shipboard gambling operations as a whole as opposed to individual ships.

So basically a voluntary standard.

 

Note the language. They need to follow standards for equipment and practices. That does not mean that they have to follow the Nevada rules for payouts. Only that the equipment must meet standards, the games follow the same rules, and they generally need to follow other rules, but it does not say that the slots must meet the Nevada rules for payout percentages on slot machines for example.

[jeh10641]

13 hours ago, TRLD said:

So basically a voluntary standard.

 

Note the language. They need to follow standards for equipment and practices. That does not mean that they have to follow the Nevada rules for payouts. Only that the equipment must meet standards, the games follow the same rules, and they generally need to follow other rules, but it does not say that the slots must meet the Nevada rules for payout percentages on slot machines for example.

Not to belabor the point but I think "Payouts" would fall under "Practices".

[Blackduck59]

How did the billboard thread suddenly become a big conversation about casino "rules" and whose standards they use. There were grand casinos in Europe when Las Vegas was some desert town with dirt roads. I'm not sure why there seems to be the need to assume that Nevada sets the "standards" for the world. Considering the casinos on all cruise ships don't operate anywhere near Nevada, and most of them spend very little time in American waters.

[jeh10641]

On 2/3/2024 at 10:31 AM, Blackduck59 said:

How did the billboard thread suddenly become a big conversation about casino "rules" and whose standards they use. There were grand casinos in Europe when Las Vegas was some desert town with dirt roads. I'm not sure why there seems to be the need to assume that Nevada sets the "standards" for the world. Considering the casinos on all cruise ships don't operate anywhere near Nevada, and most of them spend very little time in American waters.

Many of C.L.I.A.'s rules are strange but cruise lines voluntarily sign up for them.

Edited February 4 by jeh10641
typo

[iflyrc5]

The Rotterdam is now a single piano - the second one was removed today when were in Ft Lauderdale and the remaining one has been moved and is now facing almost directly aft.   BTW - a new Rolling Stones Rock group joined the ship today.  They were doing their sound checks this afternoon after sail-away.

[CNSJ]

I would have enjoyed watching them move a piano off a cruise ship!

[Ipeeinthepools]

4 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

The Rotterdam is now a single piano - the second one was removed today when were in Ft Lauderdale and the remaining one has been moved and is now facing almost directly aft.   BTW - a new Rolling Stones Rock group joined the ship today.  They were doing their sound checks this afternoon after sail-away.

 

 

Really sad.  Sorry to see this.

[*Miss G*]

I wonder if they’re making room for additional artists within that space?  On a 2022 Princess cruise, they had a space like this in the atrium.  Various musicians would be scheduled to perform throughout the day and evening.  My absolute favourite was the Extravaganza String Duet.  I would love to see something like this on HAL.

[Blackduck59]

5 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

Many of C.L.I.A.'s rules are strange but cruise lines voluntarily sign up for them.

 

Because you seem to like bold font I will use it for you. You missed my point entirely, my post you quoted and disregarded was "how did the thread about music start a big back and forth about the friggin' casino. Does the C.L.I.A. have rules about the entertainment in "Billboard on Board"? After all this thread is about the change in format in Billboard on Board. Just sayin.

[SDARCH]

3 hours ago, CNSJ said:

I would have enjoyed watching them move a piano off a cruise ship!

They were/are fake,  An electronic keyboard in a piano shell.

[Blackduck59]

45 minutes ago, SDARCH said:

They were/are fake,  An electronic keyboard in a piano shell.

Yes they are, but even without the whole piano inside, that will be an awkward and heavy piece of furniture. Of course some clever cabinet maker could have made the case with a knock down assembly system like Ikea uses.

[Queenvee]

Glad to see that the change to a solo pianist has actually happened!  Lots of seats around the piano, which are always popular.

[VMax1700]

7 hours ago, SDARCH said:

They were/are fake,  An electronic keyboard in a piano shell.

They are Yamaha CLP765 Clavinovas and are one third of the price of the equivalent Grand Piano and one third of the weight.

p.s. Three men and a set of bogey wheels will move a grand piano no problem.

[ColonyGirl2]

Another huge fan of Meghan and Gabe, so will certainly miss them.  They were on the first half of our Med cruise in September.  The duo on second half was "meh".  

Boarding the Zaandam in two weeks so hope the piano(s) are great as that is where we like to spend most of our evening.

[shippmates]

I just got off the Eurodam and spent most of my evenings in the Billboard.  The duo was Trenton and Hunter and they were great.  They had such a great show and feed off each others comments.  

[RedIguana]

On 1/27/2024 at 5:41 PM, weeislayman said:

While he declined my suggestion that he do 'Free Bird', he did a lot of songs that were suggested,

Most cruises have a 7 night segment. If he had started "Free Bird" mid-cruise, mot of the passengers would be disembarking before the song was over🤪

[weeislayman]

1 minute ago, RedIguana said:

Most cruises have a 7 night segment. If he had started "Free Bird" mid-cruise, mot of the passengers would be disembarking before the song was over🤪

Well, he could have skipped the solo at the end.  That would have saved a day or two...:)

[montythecat]

Well, what a sad picture that was. The one with a 

single piano on Rotterdam. I genuinely do hope

HAL have a re-think. This isn’t just a musical issue

but an entertainment one deriving from the 

interaction between the two pianists. I really

can’t believe that HAL’s finances are such that 

this type of penny pinching is necessary.

[Blackduck59]

2 hours ago, ColonyGirl2 said:

Another huge fan of Meghan and Gabe, so will certainly miss them.  They were on the first half of our Med cruise in September.  The duo on second half was "meh".  

Boarding the Zaandam in two weeks so hope the piano(s) are great as that is where we like to spend most of our evening.

Zaandam doesn't have a dual piano set up, it was  and I assume still is a single piano in "Mix" and there is a piano in the Ocean Bar. 

[Hlitner]

10 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Yes they are, but even without the whole piano inside, that will be an awkward and heavy piece of furniture. Of course some clever cabinet maker could have made the case with a knock down assembly system like Ikea uses.

We found it interesting that Explora Journeys (the new luxury line owned by MSC) has purchased 3 large Steinways for each of their 6 ships (of which one is already sailing).  We had a drink with the Explora Journeys staffer who did the deed (went to Steinway to buy the pianos) and he mentioned that even the Steinway folks were not used to getting an order for 18 pianos (which are to be delivered over a few years).  The also contracted with Steinway and Sons to periodically provide "Steinway artists" to perform on many EJ cruises.  These are accomplished pianists (from around the world).  There were several performing on our 18 day cruise.  Not as much fun as a decent piano bar player but interesting to hear accomplished pianists on world-class instruments.

 

The issue on cruise ships is not so much the weight of pianos (which can be handled) but the cost!  It is laughable that some ships have faux piano cabinet shells with an inexpensive electronic keyboard mounted inside.

 

Hank

[jeh10641]

14 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Because you seem to like bold font I will use it for you. You missed my point entirely, my post you quoted and disregarded was "how did the thread about music start a big back and forth about the friggin' casino. Does the C.L.I.A. have rules about the entertainment in "Billboard on Board"? After all this thread is about the change in format in Billboard on Board. Just sayin.

I use bold fonts because I find it easier to see at my age (82 and counting). I did not raise the issue of casinos but I was just responding to a previous note. I am looking forward to seeing to what Billboard on Board actually is changing, if it is changing.

Edited February 5 by jeh10641
missing word

[BarryFromBoston]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

It is laughable that some ships have faux piano cabinet shells with an inexpensive electronic keyboard mounted inside.

 

Hank

sometimes, especially with the case of pop music or dueling pianos, the shells are custom-made, and the digital keyboards inside are not inexpensive. They never require tuning, which is important because other instruments tune to the piano, and lining up tuners on a long or nonrepeating itinerary can be a big job. It is also easier to contain the sound to where you want it, and not to where you don't. They also have flexibility to color to the arrangement with strings, or add a bass. 

Edited February 5 by BarryFromBoston
Syntax

[Hlitner]

1 minute ago, BarryFromBoston said:

sometimes, especially with the case of pop music or dueling pianos, the shells are custom-made, and the digital keyboards inside are not inexpensive. They never require tuning, which is important because other instruments tune to the piano, and lining up tuners on a long or nonrepeating itinerary can be a big job. It is also easier to contain the sound to where you want it, and not to where you don't. They also have flexibility to color the arrangemt with strings, or add a bass. 

Interesting that you mention piano tuning.  It is very common, on turn around days in Florida ports, to see (and hear) local professional piano tuners doing their thing.  It happens to us, a lot, when on Princess where they have a real piano in the atrium.  In December, we were aboard when a tuner was working on the Sky Princess atrium piano and he told me he is busy, every Saturday and Sunday tuning cruise ship pianos.  

 

By the way, you are terrific on any kind of piano/key board :).

 

Hank

[BarryFromBoston]

2 hours ago, montythecat said:

 I really

can’t believe that HAL’s finances are such that 

this type of penny pinching is necessary.

I doubt it's penny punching. Billboard On Board is an entertainment product that is purchased for a given time, for a total $ figure. This is the same as the production shows ("Jukebox"), and BB King. Perhaps this is the end of 5 years? There have been times I'm purposely not specifying where pretty much everyone thought something was a turkey at final dress rehearsal, and then ya just have to make it work. With BoB, they have adapted the product best as they can. The same outsource is brining in the players, so there are really no losers in this story.