Oriana Update: dancing still okay but some other standards falling !

[Slow Foxtrot]

..Cunard are fabulous but they tend to do far too many quicksteps and foxtrots and not enough latin....never satisfied are we!..

 

Yes, Cunard have three lovely ships but although their dance-floors are bigger than that on Oriana most of their dance bands have scant knowledge of correct British dancing tempo's. We have danced extensively on Queen Mary and Queen Victoria and much prefer dancing on Oriana. The problem is that Cunard have mostly American musicians in the band and American dancing is different from ours. On a recent cruise the band-leader said " we will now have a waltz" then proceeded to play a Viennese Waltz at about 60 bars a minute!

As for the quicksteps - for some reason this dance is not generally taught in America so the floor soon fills up with assorted jivers, lindy-hoppers, and goodness knows what else. Try doing a quickstep with that lot on the floor.

And, of course, there is no dance-floor management so it all ends up as a free-for-all.

Most American dancers know more about water-cress than they do about the Slow Foxtrot so similar chaos ensues when a foxtrot is announced. Their foxtrot is a Social Foxtrot - a dance that can be taught to a chimpanzee in under five minutes. And as for the resident dance-hosts - just don't go there.

So, yes, Cunard has some lovely ships (Queen Victoria is wonderful) - they have lovely ballrooms - but don't expect conventional strict-tempo international-style dancing or you will be disappointed.

[1160451]

If I could put my two penny's worth in....😄

We have danced for around 7 years now, and do not know any dancer that doesn't know at least 10 sequence dances.

We started cruising around the same time as we started dancing and soon realised that attempting strict temp on a cruise was a loosing battle, so we just do very basic and simple Ballroom and Latin, but find we can dance "properly" in the sequences. Most sequences incorporate classic steps that you couldn't produce in a free dance on the cruise ballroom.

i often see read quite ferocious posts about dancing especially on the Cunard Site.

We tend to cruise more with Fred Olsen than P and O and whilst Fred has plenty of dancing the ability and dance craft is often poor.

Arcadia we found good for dancing, Azure not, just dancing in the Atrium.

[kersh]

We learnt to dance about 10 years ago and were taught ballroom and Latin dances during classes. On a social night for 3/4 hour prior to the social dance starting our teacher taught a popular sequence dance. We must know about 12 at least that are played regularly and others which we have learnt and forgotten. The one we would love to relearn is the Mambo Magic but it is so quick and complicated that every time we try to copy another couple we have just got it when the music finishes.

 

We love both types of dancing and spend lots of our evenings in the ballrooms or atriums.

Edited November 28, 2014 by kersh

[OllieMK]

How many evenings are there for break dancing and hip hop dance off's? Until I know this I'm not comfortable booking my next cruise. :D

[Prefdavid]

As stated a couple of posts back, Sequence Dances are primarily composed of "proper dance steps and combinations" but often with a few non-standard steps to take the dance round the floor and also fit into 16 bars so that you're back in the same start position.

 

However to denigrate Sequence dancing as not proper dancing just demonstrates a limited knowledge of the dancing world. Certainly many people "shuffle around" but who cares if they're enjoying themselves.

 

There are Sequence Dance competitions, usually separating the Modern Sequence and the Old Tyme and I'd like to see anyone say that dances like the Regis Waltz, Waltz Camay, Britannia Saunter, Premier Two Step, etc. aren't proper dances.

 

Try them and see if you can get the footwork correct and precise and you may find it an even harder discipline than "proper dancing".

 

If you haven't got somewhere to go to learn, then most sequence dances can be found on You Tube (sometimes you can even work out what the steps really are ;)) and learning a few would then offer you the opportunity to join in and enjoy.

 

On Oriana last year they played the Argentine Stroll, only one couple knew it and performed it rather well. When talking to them later they advised that they'd taught themselves off You Tube so it's definitely possible.

[Denarius]

How many evenings are there for break dancing and hip hop dance off's? Until I know this I'm not comfortable booking my next cruise. :D

 

When I first sailed on Oriana in 1997 Harlequins was described as a "night club and disco" and was the home of pop style groups and the ship's DJ. Such ballroom dancing as there was took place in the Pacific lounge. I was therefore surprised, when sailing on her again after several years absence, to find that it was now described as a show lounge and featured ballroom dancing instead. Indeed, there was nowhere on the ship where you could dance to modern music until midnight, when the ballroom dancing finished and the DJ took over.

Edited November 28, 2014 by Denarius

[Len Baker]

We are on our first P&O cruise in January. It took me ages to persuade Mrs Len to commit to a P&O cruise. She does not like the formality of cruising & likes heavy rock music.

The online information regarding disco-dancing refers to late night and not early morning disco dancing.

 

"Harlequins

Midships on Promenade Deck lies Harlequins - Oriana's largest nightspot.

 

A pair of Harlequin figurines welcome you to this very glitzy and very modern dance venue. One of Oriana's most popular spots, Harlequins has an in-laid, wooden sprung floor, which offers a large open space that's great for ballroom dancing during the day. In the evenings, the floor area is reduced to a small intimate space for fantastic late night disco dancing action. The latest in lighting, coupled with superb high-tech sound equipment and the latest tunes, is a recipe for a fantastic evening experience!"

 

We like a variety of entertainment but now fear there will be nothing to listen to. We could only partake in disco dancing if we went wild & decided to dance. This thread has given me concerns. We like to sit quietly with a drink (not out of a bottle!!) and listen to a band or vocalist.

 

Nice banter, but what are the chances will we be arrested by the P&O Culture Police? No wonder fights break out on P&O cruises!!!

 

Len

[Brayman]

We are on our first P&O cruise in January. It took me ages to persuade Mrs Len to commit to a P&O cruise. She does not like the formality of cruising & likes heavy rock music.

The online information regarding disco-dancing refers to late night and not early morning disco dancing.

 

"Harlequins

Midships on Promenade Deck lies Harlequins - Oriana's largest nightspot.

 

A pair of Harlequin figurines welcome you to this very glitzy and very modern dance venue. One of Oriana's most popular spots, Harlequins has an in-laid, wooden sprung floor, which offers a large open space that's great for ballroom dancing during the day. In the evenings, the floor area is reduced to a small intimate space for fantastic late night disco dancing action. The latest in lighting, coupled with superb high-tech sound equipment and the latest tunes, is a recipe for a fantastic evening experience!"

 

We like a variety of entertainment but now fear there will be nothing to listen to. We could only partake in disco dancing if we went wild & decided to dance. This thread has given me concerns. We like to sit quietly with a drink (not out of a bottle!!) and listen to a band or vocalist.

 

Nice banter, but what are the chances will we be arrested by the P&O Culture Police? No wonder fights break out on P&O cruises!!!

 

Len

 

No problem, Oriana have great bands and a superb orchestra (or they did last year when I was last on). The bands alternate between Harlequins, Crows Nest, Lords Tavern and the Pacific Lounge. The Orchestra backs the entertainers in the theatre but also play in other venues on occasions. There's no shortage of music of different types.

[Scriv]

Hi Len and Mrs Len

 

Please don't worry. You will have a variety of bands and vocalists to listen to in the various venues throughout your cruise. They do circulate their sessions across the various venues and you will know in advance from your daily programme which musician or singer is performing where, so you can choose where to go for your drink (in a glass) according to your tastes.

 

We have never done any form of dancing on Oriana and have only been inside Harlequins for the Muster Drill and have never once been arrested by the P&O Culture Police!

 

We liked to end our evening in The Crow's Nest - and started our evenings there often too - and the Culture Police never made it up there. Maybe they were busy behind closed doors behind those Harlequin Figures!!!

Edited November 28, 2014 by Scriv

[Slow Foxtrot]

.....

 

"Harlequins

Midships on Promenade Deck lies Harlequins - Oriana's largest nightspot.

 

A pair of Harlequin figurines welcome you to this very glitzy and very modern dance venue. One of Oriana's most popular spots, Harlequins has an in-laid, wooden sprung floor, which offers a large open space that's great for ballroom dancing during the day. In the evenings, the floor area is reduced to a small intimate space for fantastic late night disco dancing action. The latest in lighting, coupled with superb high-tech sound equipment and the latest tunes, is a recipe for a fantastic evening experience!"

 

We like a variety of entertainment but now fear there will be nothing to listen to. We could only partake in disco dancing if we went wild & decided to dance. This thread has given me concerns. ......Len

 

Write-ups in cruise brochures should always be taken with a pinch of salt. Ask yourself, where are all those tall, elegant, James Bond types that you see in the brochures? And where are the stunning females that they feature in the casino and the main restaurants? That's right - they all got off at the last stop to be replaced by a majority of old age pensioners with assorted sticks and zimmer-frames. Well, not entirely - but you get my gist.

 

Currently, the general format for Harlequins in the evening is ballroom, latin and sequence dancing. On a recent cruise this often went on until around 11pm and even 12 midnight on one occasion. After this they had a DJ who played disco-type music, but on many occasions not many people stayed for this. There would not be much to suit your wife if, as you say, she is in to 'heavy rock' - although she may experience this in the Bay of Biscay!

 

As other posters have said, if you just like listening to a band or a vocalist there are several places around the ship where you can do this. Or you could simply watch the dancing one night, providing you are not allergic to John James singing 'Blue Moon'.

[jonjo69]

It has a nice atmosphere, although one night there were guys standing at the bar on formal night swigging their beer from the bottles! Not unusual in your local pub, but dressed in dinner suits on formal night there was something amiss here!! How long before the barman is calling the bingo?

 

This will be my 1st cruise, but I've been lucky enough to travel widely and stay in some of the best hotels in the world. I was amazed by this comment. While drinking beer from a bottle at the table may be a bit of a faux pas; standing at a bar, are you serious? This happens everywhere, even waiting for a table at a Michelin Star restaurant. If you really wanted to be snooty, drinking beer from a mug could be seen as working class.

[Slow Foxtrot]

This will be my 1st cruise, but I've been lucky enough to travel widely and stay in some of the best hotels in the world. I was amazed by this comment. While drinking beer from a bottle at the table may be a bit of a faux pas; standing at a bar, are you serious? This happens everywhere, even waiting for a table at a Michelin Star restaurant. If you really wanted to be snooty, drinking beer from a mug could be seen as working class.

 

As this will be your first cruise you obviously have no idea of the atmosphere in Andersons. If you think drinking beer straight from the bottle is an everyday occurrence in Andersons then you may have to think again.

[jonjo69]

As this will be your first cruise you obviously have no idea of the atmosphere in Andersons. If you think drinking beer straight from the bottle is an everyday occurrence in Andersons then you may have to think again.

 

As with any bar or restaurant, it is of course up to the management as to what is and isn't acceptable in their establishment. The fact is, that by your comments, the people at the bar appeared not to be challenged while doing this. It would therefore appear this wasn't an issue.

 

While you are correct that this is my 1st cruise, I don't see why a cruise ship should be any different than any other top class establishment. I don't have an issue in Benares or Coq d'Argent and unless asked not to by staff, I'll be doing the same in Andersons. Passengers with odd foibles have plenty of other directions they can look!

[Denarius]

As this will be your first cruise you obviously have no idea of the atmosphere in Andersons. If you think drinking beer straight from the bottle is an everyday occurrence in Andersons then you may have to think again.

 

Pass the smelling salts, Carson. :)

[dgs1956]

This will be my 1st cruise, but I've been lucky enough to travel widely and stay in some of the best hotels in the world. I was amazed by this comment. While drinking beer from a bottle at the table may be a bit of a faux pas; standing at a bar, are you serious? This happens everywhere, even waiting for a table at a Michelin Star restaurant. If you really wanted to be snooty, drinking beer from a mug could be seen as working class.

 

Quite right Jonjo. Anyone offended by someone drinking beer from a bottle has lost the plot. I can't honestly believe anyone would notice or care. This ranks alongside the comments about men removing their jackets at dinner and loosening their bowties, neither of which I do but couldn't care less if anyone else does.

[Slow Foxtrot]

As with any bar or restaurant, it is of course up to the management as to what is and isn't acceptable in their establishment. The fact is, that by your comments, the people at the bar appeared not to be challenged while doing this. It would therefore appear this wasn't an issue.

 

While you are correct that this is my 1st cruise, I don't see why a cruise ship should be any different than any other top class establishment. I don't have an issue in Benares or Coq d'Argent and unless asked not to by staff, I'll be doing the same in Andersons. Passengers with odd foibles have plenty of other directions they can look!

 

For someone who has never been in the place you seem to be an authority on Andersons so who are we to point out the facts. Just carry on guzzling your beer from the bottle and you will go down a treat.

[jonjo69]

For someone who has never been in the place you seem to be an authority on Andersons so who are we to point out the facts. Just carry on guzzling your beer from the bottle and you will go down a treat.

 

No, never been in Andersons, but I've seen videos and pictures people have taken. I've even read about it. And yet I can't find anywhere where it mentions it being the last bastion of an old colonial Britain that never actually existed apart from in Hollywood movies. I get the feeling the Andersons in your head and the one in the real world are two totally different places.

 

And me 'guzzling' beer; whatever next? Jolly foreigners eating rather than serving in the restaurants no doubt!

[Slow Foxtrot]

No, never been in Andersons, but I've seen videos and pictures people have taken. I've even read about it. And yet I can't find anywhere where it mentions it being the last bastion of an old colonial Britain that never actually existed apart from in Hollywood movies. I get the feeling the Andersons in your head and the one in the real world are two totally different places.

 

And me 'guzzling' beer; whatever next? Jolly foreigners eating rather than serving in the restaurants no doubt!

 

Last post to you Mr Jonjon. Just for the record I have enjoyed a drink in Andersons regularly since Oriana's launch in 1995. You have never been in there yet you sound off as though you are an authority on the place. And as for your assertion that 'old colonial Britain never existed apart from in Hollywood movies' it seems that in that matter you are again spectacularly misinformed.

But have a good cruise. We have enjoyed some good bottled beers in Andersons e.g. Tiger, Stella, Becks etc. They even supply glasses to drink it from. Last word in luxury eh?

[1160451]

Really think the point is one of an age thing. I am 63, as is my wife. We have cruised for 7 years now. We have travelled the world, but enjoy a good night in any Weatherspoon's.

I find drinking out of a bottle, in my eye, very loutish. As is ladies drinking pints.

Now I know probably most people under the age of forty think that is pathetic and old fashioned. I have no problem with people doing it, but that's what I think. Wouldn't dream of saying anything or even commenting on it, but as we are all talking about it well......

Any body who has cruised with us will probably have thought the four of us are often loud and possibly a touch over the top. So I am not going to through standards at anybody.

Each to his own.

I Korea I was drinking with Business Colleagues who could buy and sell P and O and and they were drinking out of the bottle. I wasn't tho....��

Stay happy everybody

Edited November 29, 2014 by 1160451

[jaceyar]

Imagine lying on Grand Anse beach drinking beer from a glass...

[Len Baker]

No problem, Oriana have great bands and a superb orchestra (or they did last year when I was last on). The bands alternate between Harlequins, Crows Nest, Lords Tavern and the Pacific Lounge. The Orchestra backs the entertainers in the theatre but also play in other venues on occasions. There's no shortage of music of different types.

 

Many thanks for your reply Brayman. We both thank you for this information. It's not been easy to reconcile brochure information to what actually happens. (Its like comparing verbally embellished restaurant menus to the actual food consumed).

 

Regards

Mr & Mrs Len

[Len Baker]

Hi Len and Mrs Len

 

Please don't worry. You will have a variety of bands and vocalists to listen to in the various venues throughout your cruise. They do circulate their sessions across the various venues and you will know in advance from your daily programme which musician or singer is performing where, so you can choose where to go for your drink (in a glass) according to your tastes.

 

We have never done any form of dancing on Oriana and have only been inside Harlequins for the Muster Drill and have never once been arrested by the P&O Culture Police!

 

We liked to end our evening in The Crow's Nest - and started our evenings there often too - and the Culture Police never made it up there. Maybe they were busy behind closed doors behind those Harlequin Figures!!!

 

Many thanks fro your re-assurances Scriv.

 

Kind regards

Mr & Mrs Len

[jaceyar]

I was a bit disappointed on Ventura recently. The Atrium was monopolised by the dancing pros and their Cds. Apart from the odd artist who encouraged some dancing whilst they sang, modern (BarryWhite!) dancing didn't start til very late. We tried to join a dance class but it really wasn't for beginners and we escaped with our toes barely intact!

[dgs1956]

I was a bit disappointed on Ventura recently. The Atrium was monopolised by the dancing pros and their Cds. Apart from the odd artist who encouraged some dancing whilst they sang, modern (BarryWhite!) dancing didn't start til very late. We tried to join a dance class but it really wasn't for beginners and we escaped with our toes barely intact!

 

As I said before I don't know why the Dance Instructors don't teach Sequence Dances. That would give people some success in learning a dance. To try and teach a Ballroom or Latin dance in 2 x hour lessons isn't achievable. Once beginners have got the basic steps its almost impossible to then venture onto a dance floor where people are flying about all over the place. Its a shame because we should be encouraging new dancers.

[Slow Foxtrot]

As I said before I don't know why the Dance Instructors don't teach Sequence Dances. That would give people some success in learning a dance. To try and teach a Ballroom or Latin dance in 2 x hour lessons isn't achievable. Once beginners have got the basic steps its almost impossible to then venture onto a dance floor where people are flying about all over the place. Its a shame because we should be encouraging new dancers.

 

Good news for you. On our recent Oriana cruise the dance instructors taught the Rumba One and, I think, the White City Waltz. It's possible that the dancing tuition varies on P & O from ship to ship, probably due to the variations of floor size.

Incidentally, Cunard seem to be increasingly catering for dancers who prefer sequence dancing. On our last cruises on the Queen Mary and the Queen Victoria they held limited special 'sequence dancing only' events and these were advertised in the daily programme. This did not effect the nightly ballroom and latin dance sessions.

Agree with you about trying to teach ballroom and latin dances in a matter of hours. It's next to impossible to acquire any degree of competence in such a short time. But it may set the seeds of enthusiasm to learn more when the passengers return home.

We are predominantly ballroom dancers but enjoy joining in with some of the sequence dances. It's the most enjoyable way of keeping fit after those four-course meals!