Dancing on Transatlantic?

[vcdarty]

On previous crossings with other lines, dancing has been a big feature: the Glenn Miller band, Artie Shaw band on board, for example. We're contemplating a transatlantic on Zdam in March and realize that no "big band" will be with us.

 

But we presume that a group (HALcats?) will be on duty in the Ocean Bar every night, yes? Will that be the major venue for live dance music? And will the ship's show dance troupe be offering daily lessons?

[RuthC]

There was a time when every HAL trans-At cruise was a Big Band cruise. Oh, they were wonderful! There were so many opportunities to dance that you practically came home in agony!

 

Alas, no longer. The only dancing now is nightly in the Ocean Bar, where either the Neptunes or the HALCats will play. There will be some opportunity at cocktail time normally before late seating. After dinner the musicians generally are there until midnight, although I have seen them shut down as early as 11:30---barely time to get warmed up after the late show. :rolleyes:

 

There may or may not be dancing lessons as part of the daily activities.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There is the Northern Lights where people can dance to recorded music. This probably is not the type of music you would to dance to.

On some Vista and Signature class ships that we have been on, the opening times varied -- 9 PM on some ships and 9:30 on others.

[lazey1]

We had always thought that the Northern Lights venue was strictly a Disco. Is this impression wrong? :confused:

[RuthC]

We had always thought that the Northern Lights venue was strictly a Disco. Is this impression wrong? :confused:

Not a wrong impression at all, at least by any definitions I know. It's a loud, raucous room.

[vcdarty]

Yes, Ruth C. Loud, indeed. Raucous, indeed. And very very cold two weeks ago. Not quite the thing for stodgy fox-trotters like us'ns.

[RMLincoln]

Just off the Trans-Atlantic from Rome to Port Everglades, Dec 13 Maasdam. The Neptunes played every evening in the Ocean Bar, lots of dancing going on. Also the showcast had ballroom dance lessons on sea days. Plus there were the sessions for the Dancing with the Stars competition and show. Enjoy, m--

[Hlitner]

If you want a TA with lots of dancing (in a real Ballroom) to a real live Big Band, then you might want to consider taking a cruise on the Queen Mary 2. There are some things we do not like about the Queen, but when it comes to dancing and Big Bands she is 2nd to none. The large dance floor in her Ballroom can easily accommodate 100 couples and we have seen that many moving around the floor. During the major Balls they will put their 2 ship's orchestras together which can result in a true Big Band Orchestra of more then 15.

 

Hank

Edited December 30, 2014 by Hlitner

[vcdarty]

Thanks, Hank, for the advice. We did a QM2 crossing a year ago and thought the bands were fine. Despite the large dance floor in the ballroom, it was often too crowded for comfort. Dance lessons were seriously jammed-up, so much so that we gave up on them.

 

Some of this may have been due to rough seas. (Decks were closed 5 of 7 days.) And this may partly account for the discomfort we felt generally in the crowded public spaces.

[holacanada]

Hello !

 

On my next cruise, were gonna have Hommage to Glenn Miller (?) band or something like this. A kind of ballroom activity.

 

Holacanada

[SilvertoGold]

Hello !

 

On my next cruise, were gonna have Hommage to Glenn Miller (?) band or something like this. A kind of ballroom activity.

 

Holacanada

 

Bonne Annee!