elycelynne Posted March 11, 2014 #1 Share Posted March 11, 2014 (edited) I know that the vast majority here rave enthusiastically about the BB King Blues Club that's featured in the Queen's Lounge on all of the Vista and Signature class ships. I admit that they were very good when I saw their mainstage show in the Vista Lounge, but I feel that having them there almost every night (9 nights out of 11 on my recent Noordam cruise) was just too much. I guess my main complaint is that the entertainment offerings that used to be located in the Queen's Lounge are now quite limited. For instance, they only had two game shows (Marriage Game and Majority Rules), one occurrence of live band karaoke with the HAL Cats and one occurrence of regular karaoke for an 11-night cruise. I'm sure that the only reason those were able to be fit in was because the BB King entertainers were on the mainstage one night, and had the night off on the other night. I suppose that if watching and/or dancing to the BB King show is one's thing, then it's probably fine. Unfortunately, it wasn't my thing. But I do know that the general feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, so I'm sure that they'll be around for a long time. So am I the only one who wasn't particularly interested in having them as my nightly entertainment? Edited March 11, 2014 by elycelynne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana51 Posted March 11, 2014 #2 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I don't know what music they play (I'm assuming blues) but I wouldn't want any of the same kind of music night after night. Sounds boring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenato Posted March 11, 2014 #3 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Everyone to their own preferences but I much prefer BB King show to the Marriage Game and the other "guest" involved shows that went on in the Queen's Lounge. Unfortunately on our last cruise on the Eurodam many of these shows had moved to the Mainstage replacing what was while not great entertainment, a lot better than these "shows. Just my opinion so please no flaming!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elycelynne Posted March 11, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Wow, I'm surprised that they did that! Although come to think of it -- The "Dancing With The Stars" final was in the theater one night, and there was a Superbowl party in there another night. I wonder what they would have normally put there instead of the Superbowl party? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elycelynne Posted March 11, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I don't know what music they play (I'm assuming blues) but I wouldn't want any of the same kind of music night after night. Sounds boring. From what I saw when they were in the theater for the one night, it was r&b and soul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda&Vern Posted March 11, 2014 #6 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Just off the Zuiderdam and we loved the BB King show. Our group had husband/wife feature singers. She sang the "blues" and he sang the "Motown." They encouraged audience participation and dancing. Our opinion is that HAL made a smart move with this entertainment. We have never gone to "games shows" or "karaoke" on any cruise - and likely never would. Just our opinion of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmycat Posted March 11, 2014 #7 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I, too, loved the BB King shows. I don't like the singer/dancer shows nor the game shows so this was a breathe of fresh air. I went every night they played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted March 11, 2014 #8 Share Posted March 11, 2014 We have not experienced them yet. And really will not go to a Blues show as neither of us like Blues music. If they are loud like the HAL Cats -- just another reason not to listen to them. I also can't imagine having the same group playing night after night. Pity the people in the cabins below the Queen's Lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alwaysfrantic Posted March 11, 2014 #9 Share Posted March 11, 2014 You are right! I went to part of one show and they are good. But it was 3 shows a night, every night. Only the Marriage Game to fill one spot and that conflicted with a comedian we had hoped to see. The Marriage thing was awkward for everyone. I love the game shows with audience participation. That's an area HAL lacks in, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pris993 Posted March 11, 2014 #10 Share Posted March 11, 2014 We are going on the NA for a TA, haven't been on HAL for 4 years, so we will see. In general, this relates to all cruise lines, when I see audience participation, game shows, movies under the stars, dancing with the stars, etc., what I think is "cheap entertainment". Unfortuantely, we are seeing more of this on all lines. The best entertainment we in the last 5 years, was on Cunard, the Queen Victoria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted March 11, 2014 #11 Share Posted March 11, 2014 There was very little that would be qualified as the blues. A lot of it would be better described as "oldies." Remember that oldies are anything 20-25 years old and older. They even did a couple of current numbers. Most of the tunes were danceable or at least sing-along-able. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but the shows were all very well attended on our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted March 12, 2014 #12 Share Posted March 12, 2014 We have not experienced them yet. And really will not go to a Blues show as neither of us like Blues music. If they are loud like the HAL Cats -- just another reason not to listen to them. I also can't imagine having the same group playing night after night. Pity the people in the cabins below the Queen's Lounge. They're quite a bit louder than the HAL Cats. They're better musicians and singers, too. They won't be everyone's favorite, but all the shows during our sailing were packed. The main showroom shows were cast productions, a comic, a harmonica virtuoso, a juggler, and a pianist. You also had a female singer and guitarist who plays soft stuff, and the usual Adagio Strings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted March 12, 2014 #13 Share Posted March 12, 2014 From what I saw when they were in the theater for the one night, it was r&b and soul. Pretty much - and usually a few disco numbers. K C and the Sunshine Band, Commodores, Earth, Wind & Fire, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HALrunner Posted March 12, 2014 #14 Share Posted March 12, 2014 We have not experienced them yet. And really will not go to a Blues show as neither of us like Blues music. If they are loud like the HAL Cats -- just another reason not to listen to them. I also can't imagine having the same group playing night after night. Pity the people in the cabins below the Queen's Lounge. I was in one of those cabins under the Queen's Lounge on the Noordam- it was ridiculous!!! The music sounded fun, and we should know- we heard three sets a night every night loud and clear. One night we sat in the Atrium, again listening to BB King because you can hear it there loud and clear too, and the CD stopped for a listen. This was supposedly after they had turned the volume and base down a bit because everyone below the Queen's Lounge was complaining. Now every time we hear a motown-ish song we giggle. Bottom line: I think they are a great act- just wish the Queen's Lounge had been engineered to accommodate a 6 piece amplified band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeriatricNurse Posted March 12, 2014 #15 Share Posted March 12, 2014 We have not experienced them yet. And really will not go to a Blues show as neither of us like Blues music. If they are loud like the HAL Cats -- just another reason not to listen to them. I also can't imagine having the same group playing night after night. Pity the people in the cabins below the Queen's Lounge. I throughly enjoyed listening to 'Darelle & the HALCats' onboard the Ryndam, whenever they played/sang by the Lido pool! :) I certainly didn't find them "loud"! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare boards Posted March 12, 2014 #16 Share Posted March 12, 2014 well this is sure loud enough!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaBands Posted March 12, 2014 #17 Share Posted March 12, 2014 in the QL several nights during a cruise. Just one or 2 singers from the big shows to show their individual talent and it doesn't need to be loud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted March 12, 2014 #18 Share Posted March 12, 2014 We went one evening...music was OK but very loud...dance floor was crowded though so plenty were enjoying it. I, too, would hate to be in a room on Main Deck below the Queen's Lounge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GmaPajama Posted March 12, 2014 #19 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Karaoke was never my thing, till I sailed with Elycelynn (the OP here). We attended a couple of times, to support our new friend - and found we very much enjoyed it. We also enjoyed the BB King group, but 3 times a night, nearly every night, was too much - and it did tie up the Queens Lounge far too often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted March 12, 2014 #20 Share Posted March 12, 2014 They're quite a bit louder than the HAL Cats. They're better musicians and singers, too. They won't be everyone's favorite, but all the shows during our sailing were packed. The main showroom shows were cast productions, a comic, a harmonica virtuoso, a juggler, and a pianist. You also had a female singer and guitarist who plays soft stuff, and the usual Adagio Strings. The last year and a half on our cruises we had only the Adagio Duo -- A violinist and a piano player. The best were the Rosario Strings years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted March 12, 2014 #21 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I was in one of those cabins under the Queen's Lounge on the Noordam- it was ridiculous!!! The music sounded fun, and we should know- we heard three sets a night every night loud and clear. One night we sat in the Atrium, again listening to BB King because you can hear it there loud and clear too, and the CD stopped for a listen. This was supposedly after they had turned the volume and base down a bit because everyone below the Queen's Lounge was complaining. Now every time we hear a motown-ish song we giggle. Bottom line: I think they are a great act- just wish the Queen's Lounge had been engineered to accommodate a 6 piece amplified band. I feel sorry for you. We are early risers thus we retire somewhat early -- no midnights for us unless it is a special occasion. Hope you were able to sleep in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runnergirl71 Posted March 12, 2014 #22 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I haven't been on HAL yet and don't think it's even an option on the Westerdam to Alaska, but I would definitely skip it. Not a blues fan at all. Actually I'm planning on skipping most if not all of the acts. What I've seen on YouTube tells me easily that my time will be better spent elsewhere - even if just hanging out on deck. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted March 12, 2014 #23 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I was in one of those cabins under the Queen's Lounge... ==SNIP==Bottom line: I think they are a great act- just wish the Queen's Lounge had been engineered to accommodate a 6 piece amplified band. I wondered about those poor souls. We enjoyed the shows, but I have to imagine that it would be impossible to sleep below the lounge with that going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solocanadian Posted March 12, 2014 #24 Share Posted March 12, 2014 The last year and a half on our cruises we had only the Adagio Duo -- A violinist and a piano player. The best were the Rosario Strings years ago. You've got that right. Still miss them very much.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted March 12, 2014 #25 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I haven't been on HAL yet and don't think it's even an option on the Westerdam to Alaska, but I would definitely skip it. Not a blues fan at all. Actually I'm planning on skipping most if not all of the acts. What I've seen on YouTube tells me easily that my time will be better spent elsewhere - even if just hanging out on deck. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Alaska is all about the scenery. We have spent many hours in the Crow's Nest watching out the windows. You never know what will pop up in the water or fly by the windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now