What do You Think of This Idea???

[sail7seas]

Piano Bars on the ships are not always full or and sometimes barely used from our observation. Cruise after cruise, ship after ship, we often see few people in there and truthfully, the talent isn't always fabulous IMO

 

So, how about converting Piano Bar into Pub type Bars? I think it would be fun. Offer light pub food (even charge us for it, if they want), good selection of beer and ale and wine, even some tv's to show the ball games/sports events.

 

This idea is growing on me.

 

Your thoughts?

[Sailorgirlseattle]

I think it's a great idea! I don't like the idea of charging for the food, but having a better selection of draught beers would be good. They could even have the piano player in there, still, but playing Irish singalong tunes!!

[mamaofami]

Sail, I've never been to the sports bar, but I was under the impression that they did that there. Maybe they don't serve food, though.

When I was on the Noordam, there was a wonderful piano player in the Piano Bar and I didn't discover him until near the end of the cruise. Can't remember his name. But lately, it does seem as though reports on the players aren't all that great. A pub there sounds like an interesting idea.

[sail7seas]

Carol,

 

The "S" and "R" class ships are not like the Vistas, Carol, with that dedicated sports bar. There is a bar beside/abutting the casino where they have a few tv's hung above the bar. Noordam's Sports Bar is great. Piano Bar seems to be an underused space.

 

That is where they sometimes do Renewal of Vows and have small cocktail parties....small group gatherings on the "S" ships. I think a Pub make provide more use (more revenue producing possibilities).

 

Before everyone screams at me, remember....... the more revenue they can generate on board the more they can keep the fares affordable. Buying an ale or pub snack would be at your choice and not required.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

On the majority of the S and R class ships that we have been on the Piano Bar was quite busy!!

 

Pub Bar -- we wouldn't be there -- didn't come on a ship to watch TV.

[Desdemona01]

when the entertainer is good, we prefer the piano bar over all other onboard entertainment venues. On our Feb Westerdam cruise the piano bar was SRO every night, with people waiting for stools/tables to open up. We noted that the ocean bar and explorer's lounges were not as populated--many open tables and seats. With a few exceptions, we've found the piano bars to be very busy. As long as HAL hires good entertainers it's a cash cow (speaking from personal experience :o ).

 

I would NOT like for the piano bar to be replaced with some other venue.

 

JMHO.

Des

[norcal2]

I absolutely LOVE that idea. That would be a pefect environment for those specialty beers to be offered. And now that specialty beer has become so big I think it could make money and be crowded to boot.

[sail7seas]

On the majority of the S and R class ships that we have been on the Piano Bar was quite busy!!

 

Pub Bar -- we wouldn't be there -- didn't come on a ship to watch TV.

 

 

:D I'm not suggesting soap operas :D LOTS of folks enjoy watching things such as Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series........

 

You were on Maasdam with us back-to-back last August, KK........ Piano Bar was dead for 14 days.

[leoandhugh]

Do not like the idea; everytime we have been there when there was a musician, there were plenty of people. And it is one of my favorite places to sit during the day when there is no entertainment. Not so sure I would want to sit and read or daydream in a pub bar.:(

[Krazy Kruizers]

:D I'm not suggesting soap operas :D LOTS of folks enjoy watching things such as Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series........

 

You were on Maasdam with us back-to-back last August, KK........ Piano Bar was dead for 14 days.

 

We don't even watch sports when we are on a cruise.

Maasdam opened their Piano Bar far too late in the evening for a port intensive cruise.

On our last Ryndam and Veendam cruises -- so many sea days -- the Piano Bar opened at 7:30 every evening -- and both were packed all night long.

[sail7seas]

KK..... :D No one is going to make anyone go into my Hypothetical Pub is they don't wish but surely you can see many folks enjoy major events such as I have outlined. And, the sports events aren't even the real attraction IMO I love the feel of a pub. I think it would be a relaxing atmosphere. An unexpected interesting change of mood from Explorers Lounge and Ocean Bar. Some of the Piano Bars aren't all that beautiful though I do like Maasdam's, Ryndam's and Statendam's. I never particularly liked Veendam's.

 

Whatever time they opened Maasdam's Piano Bar, the point is that for 14 days the place was dead.

 

 

BTW...... I love watching Big Games!!! I'd love if we could 'kick back' in a pub and watch the Patriot's win the next SuperBowl. :D Okay, okay... I'll settle for Red Sox winning World Series. :D Then, er, ah, not to be a total greedy pig,,,,,,, but can't forget those World Champ Celtics. Life is good these days when you're a Boston Sports Fan!!!

 

Now, if we were from Pittsburgh...... :D (kidding, only kidding)

[Sir PMP]

Piano Bars on the ships are not always full or and sometimes barely used from our observation. Cruise after cruise, ship after ship, we often see few people in there and truthfully, the talent isn't always fabulous IMO

 

So, how about converting Piano Bar into Pub type Bars? I think it would be fun. Offer light pub food (even charge us for it, if they want), good selection of beer and ale and wine, even some tv's to show the ball games/sports events.

 

This idea is growing on me.

 

Your thoughts?

 

A bad and dumb idea, we need as much entertainment on board as we can get, because that's what makes the cruise, you can watch stupid sports at home, so my advise is stay....at home, and the piano bar, with Tony Payne, on the Zuiderdam in the Med was pretty full every night and great fun!

[babyher]

I like the idea very much Sail.:)

 

I grew up going to these little pub /corner bar places . Sitting with a bunch of friends watching the ball game. Having some "pub grub" ( wings, nachos etc) and just hanging out having a good time listening to "war stories" and solveing the worlds problems *LOL*

 

I agree with the idea one of the other posters mentioned about serveing a wider selection of beers . That would be just the place for it.

[sail7seas]

bad and dumb idea, we need as much entertainment on board as we can get, because that's what makes the cruise, you can watch stupid sports at home, so my advise is stay....at home, and the piano bar, with Tony Payne, on the Zuiderdam in the Med was pretty full every night and great fun!

 

 

Why does this not surprise me. :D :D

 

Okay........

 

Thanks for your kind and gentle way of telling me you think it's a bad idea. :D

 

 

All ears for your ideas for additions? What do you suggest?

 

[sail7seas]

I like the idea very much Sail.:)

 

I grew up going to these little pub /corner bar places . Sitting with a bunch of friends watching the ball game. Having some "pub grub" ( wings, nachos etc) and just hanging out having a good time listening to "war stories" and solveing the worlds problems *LOL*

 

I agree with the idea one of the other posters mentioned about serveing a wider selection of beers . That would be just the place for it.

 

 

:D Thanks, Babyher. I was about to go hide under my rock.

Just trying to stir a little conversation about changes some of us might like. I have noticed a number of times that posters comment the beer selection is not good. I don't drink beer (that's why I said the pub needs to have some wine. ;))

 

It's okay to disagree but they don't have to be disagreeable doing it. ;)

[mamaofami]

I have to admit that the first time I discovered the piano bar was on my last cruise on the Noordam. It was packed with SRO, and I loved it. I was also in the one on the Zuiderdam for renewal of vows. I tend to bypass the sports bars because of the smoke.

I wonder why some of the piano bars tend to be busy and some are so empty. Do you think it has to do with the ship or the featured player.If they really are empty, a different type of use of the area might be fun.

Wonder what Ruth C would say about all this? Guess we won't know till she comes back.

And this is my 5000 post.

[babyher]

KK..... :D No one is going to make anyone go into my Hypothetical Pub is they don't wish but surely you can see many folks enjoy major events such as I have outlined. And, the sports events aren't even the real attraction IMO I love the feel of a pub. I think it would be a relaxing atmosphere. An unexpected interesting change of mood from Explorers Lounge and Ocean Bar. Some of the Piano Bars aren't all that beautiful though I do like Maasdam's, Ryndam's and Statendam's. I never particularly liked Veendam's.

 

Whatever time they opened Maasdam's Piano Bar, the point is that for 14 days the place was dead.

 

 

BTW...... I love watching Big Games!!! I'd love if we could 'kick back' in a pub and watch the Patriot's win the next SuperBowl. :D Okay, okay... I'll settle for Red Sox winning World Series. :D Then, er, ah, not to be a total greedy pig,,,,,,, but can't forget those World Champ Celtics. Life is good these days when you're a Boston Sports Fan!!!

 

Now, if we were from Pittsburgh...... :D (kidding, only kidding)

 

 

Sail

 

Depending on when you book the cruise , You could have the Red Sox watching the World Series with you in the pub. :)

 

 

Book early October , they are usually free by then *LOL*

 

 

KIDDING......JUST KIDDING

[norcal2]

On second thought; Pubs are so BIG on the coasts and larger communities and specialty beers are so sought after everywhere that upon reflection I suspect the first line that puts a true pub in will probably be rewarded for it no matter where they locate it. The elitism about beer causes the greatest beer connoisseurs to pay the price for those specialty beers. It is in fact such a good idea I wonder why it has not been done yet.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I think it sounds like a great idea. I know that DH would like it if they offered different types of draft beers. Unfortunately I am not sure about doing the draft, it seems somewhere I read that could not do that and it seems they only serve bottle beer because of not being able to have the kegs. Now I could be wrong about this.

But yes have some different type of foods like a sports bar do, wings, fingers, pizza and other types of finger foods. Even offer sliders:D I got bets the place would be packed.

[DFD1]

Stateroom TV is quite enough, Thanks.

[sail7seas]

Sail

 

Depending on when you book the cruise , You could have the Red Sox watching the World Series with you in the pub. :)

 

 

Book early October , they are usually free by then *LOL*

 

 

KIDDING......JUST KIDDING

 

 

Run for cover!!! You just entered the DANGER ZONE!!! :D

[jhannah]

I guess activity in the Piano Bar is not consistent. On the Eurodam, it was packed whenever we went in ... which was several times. Having a pub-type bar does sound interesting, though. Interesting thought.

[Oceanwench]

Stateroom TV is quite enough, Thanks.

 

Yeah, really!

 

I guess we could say the same about several venues on the ships at various times -- attendance is poor. Never saw the movies crowded, yet they still show them! To me, I'd rather be out under the stars sipping a margarita and laughing with friends than sitting in a movie that I can see at home!

But different strokes ... not going to suggest HAL stop showing movies.

 

Piano bars: I've seen some good ones and some bad. It depends on the chemistry of the player and the crowd, and if he/she can create the *magic* that transforms a bunch of strangers into a community.

 

We've seen a guy with very mediocre talent on the piano and a barely adequate voice ... and yet he packed people in because he was fun, he played songs people enjoyed singing, he ran contests every night. He recognized people by name, and he played their favorites when they walked into the bar.

 

We've seen another guy who was extremely gifted but he felt he was there to entertain us, and so he sung his favorite songs and never engaged the patrons in singing. After a few nights, we stopped going. If we wanted that kind of entertainment, we'd go in the Vista Lounge.

 

Last year we had a great piano player who handed out lyrics sheets on "Broadway Night" and the place was packed. People had so much fun singing some old favorites as well as some songs from newer shows. Almost every night there was a crowd in there, and business for the cocktail servers was brisk. My daughters loved him -- they are in their 20s. My son-in-law, who is a major sports fan, loved the piano bar and never ventured into the sports bar.

[gizmo]

I have seen the piano bar with a good crowd on all my cruises. I would not change it.

 

Adding an additional lounge, pub, sports bar, whatever you want to call it, is a good idea, but I do object to charging for any kind of food. :mad:

[kakalina]

I have just about always found the piano bar to be packed in the evenings. I love the piano bar and the singalongs, I would hate to see it replaced by more TV's. IMO it would be just one more thing to ruin the ambiance of the cruise.

Now, if they added it somewhere else on the ship in addition to the piano bar I wouldn't care.