Music walk chases us away from HAL

[IJustWantToGo36]

 

Just off the Rotterdam we had a great cruise ,  but decided to cancel our 14 day transatlantic  on Stantendam

 

everything was great  except the music walk.   Between the loud  rock band  and incredibly loud blues band, 
  deck 2 from front to  midship  was painful just to cross

 

A drink and quiet conversation was only possible when the dueling pianos were playing.

Couples dancing and ballroom dancing basically nonexistent (ED  did try  to put ballroom dance times in the schedule but they were not conducive to attend.

 

 I think HAL  is pushing to the younger  market,  but having talked to many people I think the losing the core customer at least in  Pinnacle Class.

Not much the onboard crew  can do ,  because these decisions come from corporate.

A real shame because we love the ship
 

[oakridger]

Have you sailed on Cunard?  You might like it better if you are looking for ballroom dancing.

 

~Nancy

[VMax1700]

You didn't like it, so you need to find another cruise line.  We and many others love it.

By definition, Rock music should be loud!  Can you imagine the complaints if Jumpin' Jack Flash was performed pianissimo? 😉

There are plenty of other locations for a quiet drink and conversation even on the same deck without crossing the music walk.

We love the Music Walk and now will probably only sail on Pinnacle class.  But then we are the younger target market being in our early 70's 🤣

[ski ww]

To each their own, it's not our thing either, we just find other parts of the ship that we enjoy.

[Ellencruise]

Not a fan of the LOUD music either, I am an audiologist!
But give me HAL over the mega ships any day!! Plenty of quiet places to sit and enjoy our time at sea.

[Mary229]

I am not a fan either but have easily found ways not to be present.  
 

[projecthandbag]

I am a huge fan of the Rolling Stone Rock Room and think it could be even louder.  (gasp).  That being said, we were on the Rotterdam in November and BB Kings' volume was deafening when we walked by.  We had a room on Deck 4 on the starboard side over the shops and could hear the music and the female lead singer's every word in our room.  The other two times we sailed on the Rotterdam BB Kings wasn't this loud so perhaps it's just this particular group.  I found the volume at the RSRR to be consistent on all three cruises.

 

Ballroom dancing and quieter dancing music should be available also as that's what HAL is known for.  I enjoy watching others dance.

 

 

[BobbiSox]

I agree that the live music is too loud. I'm happy that the piped-in music around most of the ship is not as loud as it could be. I bring lots of foam earplugs. It doesn't allow for quite conversation, but at least I am able to hear myself think. BTW, if HAL is trying to attract a younger clientele, they would have to do more than blast the music.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

You didn't like it, so you need to find another cruise line.  We and many others love it.

By definition, Rock music should be loud!  Can you imagine the complaints if Jumpin' Jack Flash was performed pianissimo? 😉

There are plenty of other locations for a quiet drink and conversation even on the same deck without crossing the music walk.

We love the Music Walk and now will probably only sail on Pinnacle class.  But then we are the younger target market being in our early 70's 🤣

It is nice going on both class of ships in Jan, we do the World Cruise and in the Fall we go on the Pinnacle class it is the best of both Worlds ..

[foodsvcmgr]

I wouldn’t say these music venues are for a younger clientele.

I’ve seen the Rock Room packed with a sea of white heads swaying to the music.

I’m 63, even those 10+ years older were in their 20’s when a lot of this material was current.

Thats their oldies music, not Big Band era, but I enjoy that also.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We sit in Billboard every evening  for about 1.5 hours and listen to both rooms 

[Mosaic]

Music Walk is great, if not loud.  The problem is that large dark spot in the front of the ship called the World Stage...

[Sir PMP]

20 minutes ago, Mosaic said:

Music Walk is great, if not loud.  The problem is that large dark spot in the front of the ship called the World Stage...

Where not much happens.

[LMaxwell]

1 hour ago, BobbiSox said:

 BTW, if HAL is trying to attract a younger clientele, they would have to do more than blast the music.

I was shocked to hear a song at Billboard from this century...just one....then right back to 1970's top 20 hits.  That's not gonna fly for the under 50 set...

[keysey222]

16 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

I was shocked to hear a song at Billboard from this century...just one....then right back to 1970's top 20 hits.  That's not gonna fly for the under 50 set...

I disagree. Many of us under 50's enjoy 1970's rock. Personally, I prefer music from the mid 60's-1970's and I'm 40 (so do most of my peers). Our parents listened to it and most of us were raised in a home with it playing all the time when we were teenagers. I really enjoy the music on HAL. 

[AKJonesy]

When sailing on Rotterdam, it's important to get a stateroom pretty far away.  I thought we'd be safe from Music walk with our last cruise on RD, but the boom boom boom of the music was still heard.  It was not enough to drive us nuts, but I made note that next time on RD, we need to get a stateroom even further away.  

[Sea42]

I can't wait, it sounds like fun to me!

[LMaxwell]

1 minute ago, keysey222 said:

I disagree. Many of us under 50's enjoy 1970's rock. Personally, I prefer music from the mid 60's-1970's and I'm 40 (so do most of my peers). Our parents listened to it and most of us were raised in a home with it playing all the time when we were teenagers. I really enjoy the music on HAL. 

You're the reason I have to hear Brown Eyed Girl and Sweet Caroline 5 times every cruise? 

 

Nothing wrong with 1970's music - lots of great music - just wish they would play more than the same playlist every cruise and repeat some songs day to day.  It gets old and boring really fast.  If HAL wants younger target demo they need to add in more 80's, 90's, 2000's music.  

[ChinaShrek]

It really is funny. Some people will; say the HAL is too quiet while others post that it is too noisy. I'm not sure how they win, but yes, I think HAL is trying to attract a younger crowd to their ships. Of course, what does younger mean? The World Stage is a large unused elephant but I think a lot of people in their 20s and 30s do not go to broadway shows or care about musical theatre, so maybe that it is okay to do away with with Porgy and Bess. I think talent shows like the Voice could work. Bring contestants on board or have people participate. Have TikTok making contests. Young people also want lightening fast internet that is free. They also want healthier food than their parents enjoyed. 

Edited December 22, 2022 by ChinaShrek

[Mary229]

12 minutes ago, ChinaShrek said:

It really is funny. Some people will; say the HAL is too quiet while others post that it is too noisy. I'm not sure how they win, but yes, I think HAL is trying to attract a younger crowd to their ships. Of course, what does younger mean? The World Stage is a large unused elephant but I think a lot of people in their 20s and 30s do not go to broadway shows or care about musical theatre, so maybe that it is okay to do away with with Porgy and Bess. I think talent shows like the Voice could work. Bring contestants on board or have people participate. Have TikTok making contests. Young people also want lightening fast internet that is free. They also want healthier food than their parents enjoyed. 

I agree so much.   I want healthy food.  I would rather the world stage be used for a good enrichment series and night at the movies . I also want them to raise prices instead of lowering their standards😉

 

I am way past 50 too

[albingirl]

The quality of music on the ships is debatable.  I would love to see some live music by the pool every day, and the music in the Ocean Bar is sadly missing.  I've never had a cabin that is disturbed by the sound of music, and I wish there was more music, not less.

[AFNavigator]

The Music Walk is what first drew us to Holland America.  It was a breath of fresh air from the usual offerings on other cruise lines.  If HAL pulled Music Walk, we'd probably decide to walk to another line again.  Everyone is entitled to their own personal preference...Music Walk just happens to be our preference.

I'll agree with all the other posters about how little HAL uses their World Stage.  On the Pinnacle ships especially, HAL invested a lot of money in the wrap around video panels and sound system then they barely use the facility.  In a typical week, it probably gets used 2-3 hours/day, tops.  Most other cruise lines probably use their main stage area 6-8 hours/day between main shows, bingo, game shows, demonstrations, movies, port talks, etc.

[SilvertoGold]

OP: you liked the rest of HAL, so maybe trying out the other class ships (Vista and Signature or R class) would work for you.  Very different (take a look at the deck plans), not like the Music Walk on the Pinnacle ships. We have never found this overboard except the BBKings at times.

[millennial]

I'm 34 and have been on 5 HAL cruises and 1 RCL cruise, most of them with my parents in the early 2000s. I have seen HAL evolve from really boring to having somewhat of a nightlife. I've only been on the Maasdam and 3 vista class ships so I haven't experienced the rock band but I've seen videos and it seems like a great alternative to BB kings. I proposed to my wife on the Oosterdam in 2018 and the biggest issue I had was after I proposed at 10PM we were ready to party but the ship's venues were starting to wind down. We found ourselves gravitating to BB Kings on most nights. I love the concept of the dueling pianos and was looking forward to that but really didn't enjoy the song choices. I also just didn't like the environment of the billboard area, being next to the main walkway and across from the casino there was no ambiance or club feel like you get at BBkings. Went to a couple world stage shows but it just feels like a waste of time. Since everything closes around 11 or 12 I'd rather spend my time on the music walk before it closes.

We cruise with Holland because we want to avoid the rowdy crowds and like the classic cruise experience. I just wish there was a place night owls could go. Also the music should be LOUD! 😄

[esimon]

love all the back and forth -   you sure can't please everybody -  glad there are so many cruise lines to choose from