Bring back classical music groups and acapella singers

[Ragrandma]

We certainly will be using our balcony more this January for that reason. It's sad to have to avoid placed on the ship because of lack of decent music. There should be a better variety like there used to be. I'm certainly not saying to stop the rock and blasting "dance" stuff.

[bigbillfromchicago]

Live music is one of he reasons we love cruising. DW and I like a variety, but classical and acapella alternatives feel more "modern luxury" than other sytles. Glad they're still being offered and hope we'll see more in the future.

[TeaBag]

Not all of us can afford Oceania.

Right on Lois. Add Regent and Seabourn to that too.

 

Yes, I wish they would bring back the classical music and Brooks Aehron too. He is an excellent pianist. I will probably get flamed for this, but I would like them to bring back the harp too! They used to have one on the Alaska cruises, I believe. We were on the first Panama cruise after Alaska once and the harpist was still on board ending her contract. Loved it as we ate in Murano or whatever the specialty restaurant was called on Mercury.

 

If people don't like classical, they can always go somewhere else as one poster said he did. But if it's not there you have no option. I detest the loud music of today.

[cle-guy]

Right on Lois. Add Regent and Seabourn to that too.

 

Yes, I wish they would bring back the classical music and Brooks Aehron too. He is an excellent pianist. I will probably get flamed for this, but I would like them to bring back the harp too! They used to have one on the Alaska cruises, I believe. We were on the first Panama cruise after Alaska once and the harpist was still on board ending her contract. Loved it as we ate in Murano or whatever the specialty restaurant was called on Mercury.

 

If people don't like classical, they can always go somewhere else as one poster said he did. But if it's not there you have no option. I detest the loud music of today.

 

There was a harpist on my January Sillie Crusie this year, played at Ensemble and Al Bacio at various times.

 

I think what were are learning is that every ship has different options, and the options seem to rotate, as clearly Brooks Aehron can't be on all 10 ships at the same time, and the 4 night Connie cruises to Key West and Cozumel have a far different crowd than Eclipse sailing out of Southampton, and Summit to Bermuda will be different than Summit in the Southern Caribbean.

Edited August 10, 2015 by cle-guy

[Ragrandma]

Problem is Celebrity has decided not to offer them. All I'm asking for is to have them reinstated. I am not trying to eliminate other types of music.

[cle-guy]

Problem is Celebrity has decided not to offer them. All I'm asking for is to have them reinstated. I am not trying to eliminate other types of music.

 

This assertion is just absolutely false. Posters in this thread have indicated seeing Acapella this year. I have seen Classical music this year, by the duo Réka & Julien. I know there was classical music (including Harp) on Summit in January.

 

If necessary I can scan and post the dailies from my April sailing on Connie to put this to rest.

 

Clearly music choices must vary ship to ship, but to say it's gone is just not correct.

[ORV]

OK, so to recap,

 

People have reported on recent cruises within this thread:

• Yes Acapella exisits
  
• Yes, classical string music exists
  
• Yes, guitars still exist
  
• Yes, Piano player still exist
  

So not much really to ask of Celebrity to bring back, they never left. They may have changed locations, or frequency of play on ships, buy they are still here.

 

Wonder if mods can change title to "Thank's Celebrity for leaving music options in place!"

 

Problem is Celebrity has decided not to offer them. All I'm asking for is to have them reinstated. I am not trying to eliminate other types of music.

 

I believe if you read the replies on this thread you'll see there are some ships at some times that still have what you are asking for. So apparently you've already got what you want, you just need to know what ship it's on and when.

[ORV]

Here's more, maybe if they're all in one place without the extra chatter in between you'll see them.

 

We had an Acappella group on the Summit two weeks ago. Also a very good acoustic duo. We were pleased with the entertainment.

 

I was on Constellation in April and Silhouette in May.there was classical music offered on both ships. Constellation had a wonderful Russian string trio that played throughout the ship and in the Theater on formal night as well as an afternoon concert. Several of the featured entertainers played Classical music as major segments of their programs on both ships. Every cruise is different in terms of entertainment. People are also quite different in their musical preferences. The A Cappela groups became quite boring to me. The programs were almost identical on all ships and to me quite repetitive. I've noticed that longer cruises appear to have more classical music. Perhaps this reflects the demographic that takes longer cruises. RCL, the parent company reports strong earnings and strong future bookings. The ships are leaving full and the stock is at a record price. My guess is that they are doing something right in the Miami office.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Not all of us can afford Oceania.

 

 

I thought that too...

...Until I did a side-by-side comparison of Oceania with lines like Celebrity and HAL.

 

A lot of folks look at the cabin prices and quit comparing right then. But, a much better measure is "daily rate," i.e., all of your trip expenses combined and then divided by the number of days in your cruise.

 

Do this and you'll find that the first big equalizer is airfare, which is included in the O cabin price. Or you can take a credit, which can be sizable (US to EU this current summer has been about $1200/person).

 

If you do this comparison for summer 2016, you will find that just about all of the O cruises include the new "O Life Advantage," which provides complimentary gratuities, unlimited internet and a selection of excursions (e.g., 4 on a 10 day cruise, 5 on an 18 day, etc). O Life is the second big equalizer. Approx value for a 10 day cruise is about $1600 per two person cabin.

 

With specialty restaurants having no added cost on O, note that even the lowest tier cabin gets one guaranteed pre-cruise reservation for each restaurant (with additional no cost reservations available on a daily basis). That means a minimum of 4 on Riviera or Marina. So, at least another $100/person value added there. And then there's all non-alcoholic beverages being included.

 

Finally, don't forget TA OBC. O is very generous with incentives to their top producing TA partners. So, with the right TA and the right itinerary, you may be able to secure 7.5-10% of cabin cost in TA OBC. That should cover much of your bar and/or spa and/or additional ship excursions.

 

And, of course, there's the string quartet that started this thread. Add to that the food quality, favorable ratio of crew, quality bedding, toiletries and other cabin amenities.

 

At the very least, it's worth doing the math.

 

BTW, if you add the alcohol package and additional excursions, you'll find that O is still thousands less than sister line Regent.

Edited August 10, 2015 by Flatbush Flyer

[ORV]

Just off the Summit - there was an acapella group and they were very good.

 

And again.

[welshtiger]

I'll chip in my vote for a return of the strings and acapella groups! On our first Celebrity cruise the strings group played during dinner in the MDR. This made the experience feel very upscale. I was surprised to learn that this wasn't done on most cruises. I also enjoyed the strings and acapella live performances in the Grand Foyer while sipping my coffee or other beverage. The band by the pool and pianist in the Ensemble Lounge work great too. I think Celebrity made a mistake by having strings and acapella be main performance acts in the theater when passengers were expecting stage shows. However, IMO they do fit in with the Celebrity culture and enhance the ambiance of the cruise experience.

I agree with your views regarding music in the main dining room. It adds to the whole dining experience. I simply do not understand how the management of the cruise line

fail to understand this ? : or has the drive to cut costs and increase short terms profits clouded their judgement ?

[cle-guy]

I agree with your views regarding music in the main dining room. It adds to the whole dining experience. I simply do not understand how the management of the cruise line

fail to understand this ? : or has the drive to cut costs and increase short terms profits clouded their judgement ?

 

Whatever they are doing, the stock price hit another all time high today.

 

So their methodology is working in that they are making profits, attracting investors, building new ships and keeping both the old and new ones full.

 

Profits have been on steady incline since 2011, so it does't appear top be "short term", but rather Long Term.

[Ragrandma]

I was told that some ships still have them as Celebrity is honoring the contracts. The policy though from what many of us were told is that this type of music won't be renewed. Our Siloutte cruise did not have either. This was our British Isles cruise completed a couple of weeks ago.

 

clearly other people have found the same thing.

[hcat]

I was on Constellation in April and Silhouette in May.there was classical music offered on both ships. Constellation had a wonderful Russian string trio that played throughout the ship and in the Theater on formal night as well as an afternoon concert. Several of the featured entertainers played Classical music as major segments of their programs on both ships. Every cruise is different in terms of entertainment. People are also quite different in their musical preferences. The A Cappela groups became quite boring to me. The programs were almost identical on all ships and to me quite repetitive. I've noticed that longer cruises appear to have more classical music. Perhaps this reflects the demographic that takes longer cruises. RCL, the parent company reports strong earnings and strong future bookings. The ships are leaving full and the stock is at a record price. My guess is that they are doing something right in the Miami office.

 

That group played on Connie in January on a 5 day Carib cruise...they were outstanding, had a wide repertoire and a huge following on the ship....not all of whom were seniors...Good music of any kind is appreciated by many.They were the best entertainment on board!

 

I can live without the Acapella groups, miss the harpists, and would love to trade the banging drum and dj for a real Island Band and a Jimmy Buffet style guitarist on Carib itins,.

 

Love the jazz and wish they also had a good Latin band too....Maybe Celebrity Official will pass along the ideas on the thread..esp since many here do not frequent fb....

[travelwide]

"I believe if you read the replies on this thread you'll see there are some ships at some times that still have what you are asking for. So apparently you've already got what you want, you just need to know what ship it's on and when."

 

The above is a quote from a poster. You don't "have what you want" if it is not on YOUR ship. So........if one likes this music, how does one know if the ship and date they choose has it???? It can be very discouraging to get on the ship and not find the music you like when it is on other X ships. Perhaps the poster who said they are doing away with it once contracts end is right. Calling Miami is likened to speaking to the hand.

 

I enjoy all types of music but having a martini while listening to strings and harpists can't be beat.

[cle-guy]

"I believe if you read the replies on this thread you'll see there are some ships at some times that still have what you are asking for. So apparently you've already got what you want, you just need to know what ship it's on and when."

 

The above is a quote from a poster. You don't "have what you want" if it is not on YOUR ship. So........if one likes this music, how does one know if the ship and date they choose has it???? It can be very discouraging to get on the ship and not find the music you like when it is on other X ships. Perhaps the poster who said they are doing away with it once contracts end is right. Calling Miami is likened to speaking to the hand.

 

I enjoy all types of music but having a martini while listening to strings and harpists can't be beat.

 

I usually go to Roll calls for sailings on the ship I am looking to sail on and inquire there. Not 100% but a good start.

Edited August 10, 2015 by cle-guy

[BourbonNBluesLuvr]

 

I enjoy all types of music but having a martini while listening to strings and harpists can't be beat.

 

Except for having a Bourbon while listening to some Blues ! :D

 

 

BBL

[Orator]

Perhaps someone could create a Virtual Cruise Experience where you would just put on the glasses and get only what YOU want. The entertainers would be the one's you want to see. The on ship music would be only your choices. The food would be only your favorites and prepared to your taste. The Casino would always give you a payout. Your favorite pool seat would always be available. You'd only dress as you like. Service would be perfect. You'd only see people you really want to see.

Unfortunately, that experience to the best of my knowledge doesn't currently exist, so I'll just settle for Celebrity. I don't always get my "perfect" cruise, but they come pretty darn close. I'm really happy when on a Celebrity ship with my DW and looking out at the sea. I'm happy spending time with great staff I've known from past cruises. I'm really happy having conversations with cruising friends.

[TeaBag]

There was a harpist on my January Sillie Crusie this year, played at Ensemble and Al Bacio at various times.

 

I have seen Classical music this year, by the duo Réka & Julien. I know there was classical music (including Harp) on Summit in January.

 

 

Great to read that you had a harpist on board but was it Silhouette or Summit? It must be 15 years since we saw one on board. Maybe they are bringing them back. Like others have said, it is difficult to know what kind of music is on the cruise you have booked. There was no harpist on Silhouette on the Nov TA.

 

Off to practice. Maybe I can get a job that will pay for my cruises!:D

[ORV]

Perhaps someone could create a Virtual Cruise Experience where you would just put on the glasses and get only what YOU want. The entertainers would be the one's you want to see. The on ship music would be only your choices. The food would be only your favorites and prepared to your taste. The Casino would always give you a payout. Your favorite pool seat would always be available. You'd only dress as you like. Service would be perfect. You'd only see people you really want to see.

Unfortunately, that experience to the best of my knowledge doesn't currently exist, so I'll just settle for Celebrity. I don't always get my "perfect" cruise, but they come pretty darn close. I'm really happy when on a Celebrity ship with my DW and looking out at the sea. I'm happy spending time with great staff I've known from past cruises. I'm really happy having conversations with cruising friends.

 

Well said.

 

I've noticed lately a lot of "I Want" posts. Everyone has to find a cruise line that works for them and take the good with the bad. As far as I'm concerned they could do away with the pools, but could you imagine what an uprising that would cause. We've cruised for years and looked for cruise lines that offer the best of what we like. At this point in time for us Celebrity & Oceania offer the product at the price point we're willing to pay.

[cle-guy]

Great to read that you had a harpist on board but was it Silhouette or Summit? It must be 15 years since we saw one on board. Maybe they are bringing them back. Like others have said, it is difficult to know what kind of music is on the cruise you have booked. There was no harpist on Silhouette on the Nov TA.

 

Off to practice. Maybe I can get a job that will pay for my cruises!:D

 

Summit. Eclipse had one for my 2014 spring TA as well.

[cle-guy]

Well said.

 

I've noticed lately a lot of "I Want" posts. Everyone has to find a cruise line that works for them and take the good with the bad. As far as I'm concerned they could do away with the pools, but could you imagine what an uprising that would cause. We've cruised for years and looked for cruise lines that offer the best of what we like. At this point in time for us Celebrity & Oceania offer the product at the price point we're willing to pay.

 

That's a GENIUS idea, gives more room for deck chairs, would put an end to the chair hog threads!

 

If we're making a list I could do without :

• the OUTDOOR pool (keep indoor)
  
• Bistro on 5 - never eaten there
  
• Gelateria, never eaten there, still have about 3 dozen free scoop coupons
  
• BLU, eaten once, not any different to me than other venues
  
• Casino and all the shops
  
• Luminae, ate once, nice place, but the other specialties work too.
  
• Cellar Masters, hardly anyone really there
  
• Kids Club I have none, so its; a waste of space.
  

 

But don't dare touch the Theatre, Martini Bar, Sky Lounge, spa, buffet, hamburger grill or aft bar. These are really the only places I use when I cruise.

[bessinfl]

Well, some of you have dismissed the OP's opinion, but I have to chime in and say that I miss the classical music, too. There's plenty of louder music available onboard, and there's plenty of pop music (which I also enjoy). But it was lovely to sit in one of the lounges before dinner and listen to a string quartet. I'm not ancient, but I miss it.

[TeaBag]

Love your list cle-guy. I would miss Blu though and I like the gelateria too.:)

[Mar y Sol]

Say it ain't so! We love to salsa and rumba, but no acapella nor strings [emoji33]!

 

 

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