Nieuw Amsterdam - upgrade/karaoke

[Buggerton]

I am taking my mother for an Alaskan cruise to celebrate her 70th birthday. I am thinking August on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Her husband is coming with, and it's apparently important to him that there is somewhere for him to do karaoke. Is that activity available on this ship?

 

Also, how likely is it that there will be an upgrade special sent before the cruise? Would it just come over email or do you have to call and ask? Right now, only doing partial sea view but hoping upgrade special might be available at a later date.

 

Sorry if this questions is answered somewhere, but I've looked around and couldn't find any info. Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

There is absolutely no way to predict whether you will be upgraded.

[Lady Arwen]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Sorry, but I can't help with the Karaoke question. However, it is a very good possibility that it's offered on NA. Others here would be able to answer that for you.

 

As for upgrades, are you referring to free upgrades or upsells? Free upgrades are very, very rare these days. Upsells are usually sent by e-mail, but again, only to a select few. You're better to keep monitoring prices yourself and if you're before final payment date, you can move up if you see what you want. After final payment, you can always inquire as to the possibility of upgrading at the current price. I'm of the feeling that you should pick the cabin that you want to actually be in when you book initially and then no disappointments. Good luck and enjoy your cruise on NA....she's a gem!

[can_birdie]

When I was on NA over the holidays, I didn't notice Karaoke on the schedule - but activities change for every sailing depending on the passenger demographics. The Cruise Director may be able to arrange something, but I'm not 100% positive that they have that ability. Would be worth a try to ask them when you get onboard!

 

 

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[JRG]

I am taking my mother for an Alaskan cruise to celebrate her 70th birthday. I am thinking August on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Her husband is coming with, and it's apparently important to him that there is somewhere for him to do karaoke. Is that activity available on this ship?

 

Also, how likely is it that there will be an upgrade special sent before the cruise? Would it just come over email or do you have to call and ask? Right now, only doing partial sea view but hoping upgrade special might be available at a later date.

 

Sorry if this questions is answered somewhere, but I've looked around and couldn't find any info. Thanks!

 

 

 

Whatever you do don't let him sing "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck, the lyrics would break her heart. Can I suggest "Moon River", that might be just what the doctor ordered.

As for the upgrade fairy, he moves in mysterious ways. Since you're sharing a cabin with mom and pops, you might be in for less than a "partial sea view'. Ask for a second cabin so you can fly solo.

[Buggerton]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Sorry, but I can't help with the Karaoke question. However, it is a very good possibility that it's offered on NA. Others here would be able to answer that for you.

 

As for upgrades, are you referring to free upgrades or upsells? Free upgrades are very, very rare these days. Upsells are usually sent by e-mail, but again, only to a select few. You're better to keep monitoring prices yourself and if you're before final payment date, you can move up if you see what you want. After final payment, you can always inquire as to the possibility of upgrading at the current price. I'm of the feeling that you should pick the cabin that you want to actually be in when you book initially and then no disappointments. Good luck and enjoy your cruise on NA....she's a gem!

 

I mean an upsell. l remember reading about some certain offers being available in the past, a month or so before departure...like an upgrade to a balcony for $200 for example. I just wondered if this was common or more rare.

 

I wish I could just go ahead and book balcony right now, but as we're paying for 2 rooms, it's unfortunately not in the cards. Either way we'll have fun! :)

[Buggerton]

Whatever you do don't let him sing "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck, the lyrics would break her heart. Can I suggest "Moon River", that might be just what the doctor ordered.

As for the upgrade fairy, he moves in mysterious ways. Since you're sharing a cabin with mom and pops, you might be in for less than a "partial sea view'. Ask for a second cabin so you can fly solo.

 

Ha, he's of the more WIllie Nelson variety!

 

 

As for the room, definitely not sharing....that is too much family togetherness for me! My husband and I will be in one room and my mom and her husband in another. But as we're paying for both, not able to purchase balcony rooms outright at the current prices, as it's a bit out of our budget. Just hoping the upgrade fairy will send me a deal at a later date. ;)

[djhsolara]

Karaoke used to be a big deal on HAL. They did it as a competition and had the final in the main showroom.

 

I haven’t seen this on our last several cruises.

 

 

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[djhsolara]

Karaoke used to be a big deal on HAL. They did it as a competition and had the final in the main showroom.

 

I haven’t seen this on our last several cruises.

 

 

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Now that I think about it, Karaoke was held in the Queen’s Lounge. Now that BBKing is onboard, I don’t know that I’ve seen it.

 

 

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[luv4cruises]

HAL’s entertainment and activities, including Karaoke, have been greatly reduced in recent years. Last year on the Koningsdam we were very bored in the evenings. BBKing - I’m not a jazz fan, dueling pianos, I miss the traditional HAL piano bar. There was no traditional party band for dancing, no karaoke, very limited activities.

Better to go on Princess. In fact I believe Princess is the best cruise line for Alaska having, the most permits to Glacier Bay, and the most infrastructure in Alaska. HAL is also good for Alaska itineraries, but NOT for entertainment.

Princess has its own rendition of the Voice, great evening entertainment, many activities, constant entertainment in the Piazza, movies under the stars ...

PS - I love Celebrity’s ships and entertainment also, but NOT for Alaska, no permits into Glacier Bay.

I used to love HAL , now I have to talk myself into one. We will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam in March because there were great promos and we love the Caribbean. Unless HAL improves their entertainment they will be our 3rd choice unless great promos are offered.

Edited January 27, 2018 by luv4cruises

[Lady Arwen]

I mean an upsell. l remember reading about some certain offers being available in the past, a month or so before departure...like an upgrade to a balcony for $200 for example. I just wondered if this was common or more rare.

 

I wish I could just go ahead and book balcony right now, but as we're paying for 2 rooms, it's unfortunately not in the cards. Either way we'll have fun! :)

Yes, it can happen, but it all depends on how the ship is selling. Balcony cabins are very popular and are the first to book up in most cases. Up until final payment, you should do "mock" bookings on your sailing for balconies. If a price comes up that you can afford, then jump on it!

[*Miss G*]

HAL’s entertainment and activities, including Karaoke, have been greatly reduced in recent years. Last year on the Koningsdam we were very bored in the evenings. BBKing - I’m not a jazz fan, dueling pianos, I miss the traditional HAL piano bar.

 

Did BB King do jazz? They were doing Motown when I was there.

[RMLincoln]

From what our Cruise Director told us on our last cruise (fall of 2017) HAL is no longer doing Karaoke on any of their ships, and no more game-type entertainment - marriage game, liar's club, etc. This is what we were told, I can't guarantee it's like this for all sailing and all ships but she seemed to have the scoop on it. They do have the BBC quiz game on longer voyages and the other BBC offerings but not sure about on a short itinerary.

 

Upsells are dependent on how the cruise is selling. Watch the prices constantly, I would do it daily on multiple site - HAL, and some online or big box TAs becasue pricing and deals will vary. Ask specifically about upsells soon after final payment and recognize that if there are any, they may get better closer to sail date, but it's a roll of the dice. We have gotten them by asking our HAL PCC or our online TA to go check and see what's available. We didn't take the first offer at about 5 weeks out, but the second offer at about 3 weeks out was better. If you want to go for an upsell, ask, don't wait for an email. If you have any perks, check that an upsell would include them... things like on board credit, dining or drinks packages, included gratuity, etc.

 

Have you considered a balcony and an inside? Or maybe a cruise line that has entertainment more to your guests liking. You can inquire about Karaoke over on the Princess boards, or other lines... m--

[CruiserBruce]

Did BB King do jazz? They were doing Motown when I was there.

 

No, they don't. They do Blues/Motown and a bit of Rock.

 

Koningsdam has the most entertainment of any HAL ship. As the newest ship in the fleet (I am sure N. Statendam will have as much, perhaps more) having the most entertainment opportunities, that would seem to imply entertainment is increasing. If you that poster was bored....hmmm...

[JAM37]

We were on Nieuw Amsterdam earlier this month (December 2021).  They had absolutely no karaoke.  They do sing-alongs during music trivia but no individual singing.  Nothing even close to it.  My husband was disappointed but it wasn't available on either cruise (7 night and 5 night).

[VMax1700]

41 minutes ago, JAM37 said:

They had absolutely no karaoke

Best news in a long time! 

[wdw1972]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

Best news in a long time! 

Couldn't agree more - leave karaoke to the Carnival ships!  Why should passengers be the "entertainment"???  Most of them are probably awful, but after several drinks they think they can sing.  No thanks.

 

Sue/WDW1972

[sfaaa]

Consider this a blessing. COVID and sharing karaoke mic are a big no no.

[NCTribeFan]

No Karaoke on NA in December (12 nights 12/11 to 12/23).  Thank goodness.  It was painful enough to have to listen to the piano bar "singers" when I was in the casino (and they were better than the 2 on Eurodam in November).

 

I think the BB Kings bands have been the best live bands I've yet to hear in my 40+ cruises.  The band on NA wasn't quite as good as the one on Eurodam, which wasn't quite as good as the one on K'dam back in Nov 2018, but they were still very, very good.  No jazz and, actually, very little blues.  Mostly R&B, soul, Motown, with some pop thrown in.  Depends on the band.

 

I've only sailed HAL 5 times, but I've never received an upsell offer.  I upgraded myself on K'dam from an inside to a verandah thanks to big price drops prior to sailing.

[DaveOKC]

1 hour ago, NCTribeFan said:

No Karaoke on NA in December (12 nights 12/11 to 12/23).  Thank goodness.  It was painful enough to have to listen to the piano bar "singers" when I was in the casino (and they were better than the 2 on Eurodam in November).

 

I think the BB Kings bands have been the best live bands I've yet to hear in my 40+ cruises.  The band on NA wasn't quite as good as the one on Eurodam, which wasn't quite as good as the one on K'dam back in Nov 2018, but they were still very, very good.  No jazz and, actually, very little blues.  Mostly R&B, soul, Motown, with some pop thrown in.  Depends on the band.

 

I've only sailed HAL 5 times, but I've never received an upsell offer.  I upgraded myself on K'dam from an inside to a verandah thanks to big price drops prior to sailing.

If you book through the "big box store", you are less likely to get an upsell offer.  IMO, this is due to the high volume of reservations they do, plus the time it takes to process them (simply put, it is not worth it to them cost wise).  If you want an upsell offer, you should book directly with HAL (online or a PCC) as that way you will receive upsell email offers directly (no middle man).

[jayhawk66]

If you buy club orange ( I believe it’s $25/ day per person on a 7 day cruise) one of the benefits is choosing a higher level stateroom in the same category at the price  of the original that you booked. There are other benefits as well like priority boarding and tendering, additional entree in MDR, and separate dining room on Pinnacle class ships.