What do You Think of This Idea???

[sail7seas]

It was Radisson (now Regent). He did the World Cruise with them, then went to X, where he has stayed.

Thanks for the info re: Perry Grant.

 

The Piano Lounges on the R-class ships have an entirely different atmosphere than a Piano Bar, IMO. And I think it's much harder to "hold" the room. Those lounges were set up for chatting in small groups, with the music as a background.

The Piano Bars are much more cozy, and are designed for a camaraderie around a mutual enjoyment of the music. A good entertainer in there makes for a fun evening. He doesn't have to be a great singer, either. He has to know how to make a party.

I agree the Piano Bars in the "R" Class ships are different than the "S" but we've sailed plenty of cruises on both classes of ships and truly have seen that room echoing in emptiness many nights on both classes. We have a great many cruises on Maasdam and have gone by that lounge after dinner more times than I can count and seen it totally empty..... not a single guest in there. On our 14 day Maasdam cruise last November/December, it wasn't busy.

I suspect, sail, that the cruises where you're noticing few people in the Piano Lounge are those with a port-intensive itinerary. When you have to get up early in the morning, most every morning, the the lounges tend to close down for lack of patrons. That, and poor selection of entertainers in many cases, are the two primary reasons if the joint isn't jumpin'.

 

 

Again, of all our HAL cruises, some were busy itineraries and some more sea days. Canada/New England cruises being so port intensive, people do tend to go to bed early. There's only one sea day. But, goodness, we sail many other itineraries and have for years. Lots of nights aboard and lots of times we see Piano bar deserted. Certainly we have also seen times when it was packed. Surely you, too, have seen Piano Bar dead on some cruises? Can't just me us. It isn't a venue we choose to frequent, but we have to pass by it after dinner and often we go for a drink at Casino Bar right next to it. We like to 'check the scores' on the tv's before heading off elsewhere. :)

 

Poor entertainers are absolutely a factor. If the talent isn't good, they won't draw people in or bring them back.

[RuthC]

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Surely you, too, have seen Piano Bar dead on some cruises? Can't just me us.

Oh, yes. And that's been due to the poor musician in there. The times I remember the Piano Lounge being empty, though, were on the R-class ships---the Rotterdam, mostly. As I said, it's very hard to hold that room. Put a poor performer in there and there's no reason to stop.

My experience on the S-class, Vista's, and now the E-dam have been that of a busy, if not jammed, place.

[sueclark]

Hi Sail7,

 

I'm a bit late getting into the discussion, but don't have much time on the boards these days. I must disagree with you on this one, I really enjoy the piano bars. I have to admit I've heard some pretty 'iffy' talent in them, but I like the atmosphere and the sing-along-type music even if it isn't really sing-along. We usually track down the location of the pianist even on those ships that don't have a formal piano bar. (we sail a number of lines)

 

We have been onboard a ship for a number of big sports events like the superbowl and they have all designated a certain location for people wanting to watch it - usually providing special eats just for the location.

 

There seems to be room for both type bars on most ships.

 

Sue

[cruz chic]

It doesn't matter to me whether there are piano bars or not on board. It's not something that I ever go to. This thread doesn't seem to be an open discussion...more like if you say you enjoy them you'll be told why they shouldn't be there. It seems to be a common "thread" on these boards. I wonder why the question is asked just to be told you are wrong.

[sail7seas]

Hi Sail7,

 

We have been onboard a ship for a number of big sports events like the superbowl and they have all designated a certain location for people wanting to watch it - usually providing special eats just for the location.

 

There seems to be room for both type bars on most ships.

 

Sue

 

We find that on HAL, Sue. Every time we have been aboard when there is a Superbowl or World Series or whatever, they have always played it..... depending upon reception from the satellite. It's wonderful fun. HAL puts out 'game day snacks', sets up as many chairs as the space can hold and show the game. We probably will watch a bit of the end of the Olympics while on our upcoming Maasdam cruises. The finals for gymnastics will be something I hope to catch. That and the swimming and diving. :)

[papadave]

I'm on a back to back 14 day cruise in a couple of weeks. If the piano player is not horrible I will probably be in the piano bar every night and I wind up spending money on drinks every night. It is a high point of my cruising experience. On our two HAL cruises the piano bar was busy most nights. On an NCL cruise the situation was different -- more to do with the talent than anything else.

 

Beer is another issue entirely. You have a great point. The beer selection on most HAL cruises is pathetic. NCL had a specialty pub and I went there for a few pints during my cruise, even though it was poorly designed (there is a path through the center of the pub that is heavily trafficked by people going from one place to another on the ship) and smoke was an issue at times. HAL should improve its beer selection immediately.

[AlohaPride]

It doesn't matter to me whether there are piano bars or not on board. It's not something that I ever go to. This thread doesn't seem to be an open discussion...more like if you say you enjoy them you'll be told why they shouldn't be there. It seems to be a common "thread" on these boards. I wonder why the question is asked just to be told you are wrong.

 

Isn't that the point of debate? It not like any of this is actually going to happen. Its a discussion and debate about the pros and cons of the piano bar vs a new pub. There haven't been any personal attacks. So far. . . lol

[HeatherInFlorida]

Well, all I can say is it's darned lucky RuthC isn't here! She'd be climbing the walls about now since her absolute favorite hangout is the Piano Bar.

 

.....................

 

She's back. And she says keep your cotton-pickin' hands off my Piano Bar. It's bad enough when the piano player is lousy, but to have no Piano Bar at all? :eek: There'd be no point in booking a cruise!

................................

 

Ruth, very early on in this discussion there was no question in my miind how you would feel about this idea!!! LOL:D

 

There are some things in this world, like death and taxes, that we know we can be completely sure of ............ Ruth wants chocolates on her pillow and that Piano Bar better be on the ship!!!;) :)

[innlady1]

She's back. And she says keep your cotton-pickin' hands off my Piano Bar. It's bad enough when the piano player is lousy, but to have no Piano Bar at all? :eek: There'd be no point in booking a cruise!

 

 

LOL, Ruth! I agree, though. The Piano Bar is our favorite thing to do on a cruise. Missed it on our 1st Noordam cruise (not sure why!) as we missed Kory Simon. :rolleyes: But went this last one and loved every minute...Brad Stevens entertained, and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Looking forward to learning who the pianist is on the Noordam in January/February!

It was SRO every night...same pax many nights, too.

[Copper10-8]

Maybe we can make it a combo Piano Bar/Irish-English Pub/Teen Game Room with such innovative "Keep the guests busy" games as "Hit the Piano Man with throwing darts", "Sack races around the Game Boy stations", classic sing-a-longs such as "Oh Danny Boy, what have you done with Ruth's chocolates?", "Find the hidden ash trays" etc. The possibilities are endless!

[ekerr19]

We've been on cruises where the Piano Bar was deader than a doornail... we've also seen it SRO.

 

I like your idea Sail; we'd definitely enjoy seeing some of the big games, Olympic events, etc. and DH would love a greater assortment of beers!!! (in any bar on HAL)....:D

[cruz chic]

Isn't that the point of debate? It not like any of this is actually going to happen. Its a discussion and debate about the pros and cons of the piano bar vs a new pub. There haven't been any personal attacks. So far. . . lol

Debate ok....but it seems to be everyone that agrees no one says a word. When people say it's busy all you hear is no it isn't. Is one person on every cruise to see what is going on. Certain people think their opinion is everything and nothing else matters. I don't care if someone doesn't agree with me but it gets tiresome hearing the same tune on many threads. At times and turns me off this board.

[cruz chic]

Maybe we can make it a combo Piano Bar/Irish-English Pub/Teen Game Room with such innovative "Keep the guests busy" games as "Hit the Piano Man with throwing darts", "Sack races around the Game Boy stations", classic sing-a-longs such as "Oh Danny Boy, what have you done with Ruth's chocolates?", "Find the hidden ash trays" etc. The possibilities are endless!

Now you are talkin'