I Love Holland America but...

[sapper1]

pipedream you continue to crack me up with your seemingly unlimited ability to post funny pictures within seconds. How do you do that?

I keep asking him the same thing but he won't let us in on his secret.

 

I always enjoy the evening show on HAL but afterwards there is nothing to do. We wander around a bit to see if we can find something to entertain us but wind up going back to our cabin early. If there were something to do we would stay up and spend more money on drinks. I wonder why HAL hasn't done anything about that situation as I can't believe we are the only ones who feel that way. The casino holds no charms for us and we may spend a total of half an hour in there during a cruise.

[innlady1]

Lettie,

 

I have to agree with you. Like you, we did the 20 day cruise. We only went to the Vista Lounge a handful of times...there was nothing of interest the other nights. And the Piano Bar? Sorry, but David Mann is a poor excuse for a pianist. I thought the pianist last year on the Noordam (Brad Stevens) was a few notches below the one the previous year, but Brad was a joy compared to this guy. Fifteen minutes in the Piano Bar this cruise, and that was enough for me!

 

We mostly ended up listening to the four women in the Explorer's Lounge. And the band in the Ocean Bar.

 

This was our 3rd year on the Noordam and it seems a little worse each year.

 

Lisa and the HalCats? Yikes! :eek:

 

I'd still sail the Noordam because I love the ship and everything else about it. But it would be a "plus" to have decent entertainment.

[world~citizen]

Every now and again we begin to think we need a break from HAL, and its things like the "sock hop" that puts things over the top. When you sail HAL again you say "oh yeah, they still do that...jeeze".

 

Smooth sailing...

[MadManOfBethesda]

These 20 years old singers parents were not born in the 50s-more likely their grandparents. Who wrote their material!

 

I'm scratching my head trying to figure this out. All my friends were born in the mid 50s and all of their children are in their late teens to mid 20s. Why would what the singers said be unusual? :confused:

[pipedreams62]

Yes I guess the entertainment is weak. I don't know if it's the fresh air,but every evening at late dinner seating I can barely stay awake.

 

The nights I can muster up some energy I go to all the lounges and they're all dead. There's 6 people in the crows nest,1 couple dancing in a different lounge,and 4 people in the piano bar?

 

This Christmas on the Statendam the Karaoke was in the crows nest and it was standing room only,and fun I might add.

 

There's too many great things about HAL to make me want to leave but yes the entertainment is weak.

 

I went on the Caribbean Princess two summers ago. There was a piano player that played in the atrium. This guy packed them in.There were people standing on the stairs and anywhere they could, just to see this guy. It was 'Happening" and fun.

[flag fan]

This is disappointing. I like to go to shows and entertainment events are a big part of a cruise for me so I'm sorry to hear that HAL does a poor job in this area (my first HAL trip is later this year). I am really tired of all those 50s songs and themed shows that I have seen on and off on other ships. It sounds like that is the focus of Holland America's entertainment. I wonder if its a cost thing--are the royalty fees cheaper than more contemporary music? I like broadway tunes and 70's-80's music (which is already over 20 years old!). Do we really have to go back to music from 50 years ago?

[lettienets]

I can't wait to read your review of the Dream - she looks like she will be a superb ship!

:)

I will write a review when I get back. Compare notes. Since this is a T/A cruise Rome to NY it may not be a typical Carnival but it will be different from my last few HAL cruises and I am looking forward to a change. And a new ship, it will be so cool. I got a Spa room (in the spa rooms area, no smoking no less) that includes the spa amenites and things like the thermal suite, aroma steam baths and thalasso pool. From my roll call group, it looks like it will also be fun, we have some events planned like puttputt tournament, cabin crawl and theme parties - meet and greet, birthday, anniversary, Halloween etc) That ought to shake up this HAL lover.:p;):D

[Sage]

Perhaps those in charge of entertainment and activities on HAL should take a cruise with Crystal and learn a few things. There is so much quality entertainment and activities on board Crystal ships, that at times it is difficult to choose. I love the cabins on HAL, but their entertainment is lacking both during the day and at night.

[ellsy]

We are sailing on the Zaandam, March 22. Wondering if the HAL Cats are different groups going by the same name and thus they are on all the ships? Sounds like they are dreadful, maybe thats a prequisite for them to be hired! I know we'll have to check out the entertainment ourselves and make a judgement. Just hoping we can find something we like.

[lettienets]

We are sailing on the Zaandam, March 22. Wondering if the HAL Cats are different groups going by the same name and thus they are on all the ships? Sounds like they are dreadful, maybe thats a prequisite for them to be hired! I know we'll have to check out the entertainment ourselves and make a judgement. Just hoping we can find something we like.

Not all HAL Cats are alike. Even on Noordam, Lisa and the HAL Cats sounded better in the Crow's Nest than out on deck. Not so loud for one thing. Same songs. But suited the inside atmosphere better with some lively jazzy tunes.

[bepsf]

However, I have read on several reviews that this cruise could be like a floating rest home and the only music we will hear will be Moon River! Is this likely to be the case? I thought this was supposed to be a family Vista ship encouraging a younger clientelle!:confused:

 

Oh, I wish we could hear a good rendition of "Moon River" aboard a HAL ship...

;)

 

Some ships are better than others - It just depends on who the entertainer is aboard.

 

I remember a cruise aboard Amsterdam where we had a lovely lady - I believe her name was JoAnne Mitchell - who sang with her Jazz Duo in the Ocean Bar every night and even took requests: She was simply outstanding.

 

Then there was Kory Simon in the Piano Bar aboard Oosterdam and later Noordam - He was superb too (I hear that he was chased off to another cruiseline :( )

 

Then there was Randall (I forget his last name - someone here will remember I'm sure) He was terrific - and terrifically funny as well.

 

But yes, HAL was supposed to make the Vistas appeal more to a younger set - but they're been doing just about everything they possibly can in the entertainment department to appeal to the Geritol set.

[Copper10-8]

We are sailing on the Zaandam, March 22. Wondering if the HAL Cats are different groups going by the same name and thus they are on all the ships? Sounds like they are dreadful, maybe thats a prequisite for them to be hired! I know we'll have to check out the entertainment ourselves and make a judgement. Just hoping we can find something we like.

 

HAL used to have a dedicated show band headed by a musical director in the main show lounge. They also used to have a band dedicated to the Crow's Nest night club, in addition to a smaller dance band in the Ocean Bar and a strings quartet in the Explorers Lounge. Within the last couple of years, the dedicated show band and the Crow's Nest band have disappeared and in their place, we now have a band called 'the HALcats'. You'll find the HALcats on every one of the fourteen ships with a female lead singer such as Jenny, Angela, Pamela, Sandra, Rita, Monica, Erica,Tina, Mary, Jessica, you name it.

Within the last couple of months, there has been a member of one of the HAL bands here on the CC HAL board, who supplied all kinds of good info on the 'musical scene' at HAL

[MarylandBob]

I wonder if Seattle is listening???

 

We do have one more cruise already booked with HAL (Oosterdam crossing in October 2009) and one more deposit on an unplanned future cruise. But, we're seriously considering booking our 2010 winter cruise on the new Carnival Dream just to try something different. Been on Carnival before and enjoyed the experience.

 

Like many other posters here, I still believe HAL excels over similarly priced Cruise lines in every other category, especially service and food. And, the suites on the Vista class ships can't be beat for size and comfort.

 

Let's get Rhianna, Ne Yo and Justin Timberlake pumped up in the disco at least a few nights on the cruise on I'll be booking that unplanned deposit!

[Arwen]

Most of the time my husband and I are too tired from our shore excursions to check out more than a few entertainment venues during our cruises. My husband is much more into going to the shows than I am. Quite frankly, I just don't care for them. I would rather read, watch a movie, or do something else.

 

One of the more popular attractions on past cruises has been an "American Idol" type show held every night. These shows put on by the talented(or untalented) Pax are

a hoot. You have to get there early because the shows are always packed out.

 

On our last cruise, my husband and I really enjoyed Liz Latham, a singer and comedienne. We had seen her before on a previous cruise and really enjoyed her singing, along with her witty humor. She was a real pro.

 

The last time I checked, HAL had their own talent/hiring agency called "Stiletto".

[fatcat04]

 

I bet if you posted that pic on some cruise line boards many people would have no clue who that "old guy" even is. Wunnerful, Wunnerful!!;)

 

Welk wuz da man!!!:D

[pipedreams62]

Oh, I wish we could hear a good rendition of "Moon River" aboard a HAL ship...

;)

 

Some ships are better than others - It just depends on who the entertainer is aboard.

 

I remember a cruise aboard Amsterdam where we had a lovely lady - I believe her name was JoAnne Mitchell - who sang with her Jazz Duo in the Ocean Bar every night and even took requests: She was simply outstanding.

 

Then there was Kory Simon in the Piano Bar aboard Oosterdam and later Noordam - He was superb too (I hear that he was chased off to another cruiseline :( )

 

Then there was Randall (I forget his last name - someone here will remember I'm sure) He was terrific - and terrifically funny as well.

 

But yes, HAL was supposed to make the Vistas appeal more to a younger set - but they're been doing just about everything they possibly can in the entertainment department to appeal to the Geritol set.

 

 

He's booked on your Ryndam cruise

 

[usha]

On our Westerdam b2b last month, there was a 4 piece Filipino band called Counterpoint that played mostly at the Ocean bar and sometimes in the Crowsnest. Those guys played EVERYTHING, and all four were good singers. They trade off doing lead vocals & harmonies, and DH & I really enjoyed them a lot.

Our version of the HALcats included a female singer named Charlie, who was really quite good. They also had a quirky young brit on lead guitar named Andy who was pretty good (one of the very few guitarists I've ever seen who could read sheet music:D). We enjoyed that band too.

What we didn't care so much for were the song & dance shows in the vista lounge. The singers were okay, but definitely not headed for stardom. The shows themselves made me wish we'd decided to go stargazing out on deck instead. Just didn't thrill me one way or another.

I did like the Elton John guy, and I enjoyed the comedian. I'd rather see more stand-up comedians than those stale song & dance things any day, but that's just me.:o

Bottom line, tho... for us, the entertainment isn't the be all & end all of a cruise; we do a pretty good job of entertaining ourselves.:D

[hammybee]

I'm scratching my head trying to figure this out. All my friends were born in the mid 50s and all of their children are in their late teens to mid 20s. Why would what the singers said be unusual? :confused:

 

I was born in the 50's and enjoy 50's music. I am not however, able to relate life experiences to the music. I was off somewhere twirling and pining for a Chatty Cathy doll.

[hammybee]

I bet if you posted that pic on some cruise line boards many people would have no clue who that "old guy" even is. Wunnerful, Wunnerful!!;)

 

Welk wuz da man!!!:D

 

I think his TV show ended in the early 70's.

 

I suspect there are plenty reading this forum who also have no idea who he was.

[hammybee]

 

Then there was Kory Simon in the Piano Bar aboard Oosterdam and later Noordam - He was superb too (I hear that he was chased off to another cruiseline :( )

 

RCL bought him. He's reportedly on Navigator of the Seas, a ship that carries about 3900 passengers. No doubt their entertainment budget is reflective of the number of cabins/passengers.

[usha]

I think his TV show ended in the early 70's.

 

I suspect there are plenty reading this forum who also have no idea who he was.

I do know who that guy was.

I wanted so BADLY to be one of the Lennon Sisters!:o

[Spender Nui]

HAL used to have a dedicated show band headed by a musical director in the main show lounge. They also used to have a band dedicated to the Crow's Nest night club, in addition to a smaller dance band in the Ocean Bar and a strings quartet in the Explorers Lounge. Within the last couple of years, the dedicated show band and the Crow's Nest band have disappeared and in their place, we now have a band called 'the HALcats'. You'll find the HALcats on every one of the fourteen ships with a female lead singer such as Jenny, Angela, Pamela, Sandra, Rita, Monica, Erica,Tina, Mary, Jessica, you name it.

Within the last couple of months, there has been a member of one of the HAL bands here on the CC HAL board, who supplied all kinds of good info on the 'musical scene' at HAL

 

 

Where are the Rosario Strings when you need them?

[hammybee]

I do know who that guy was.

I wanted so BADLY to be one of the Lennon Sisters!:o

 

I had Lennon Sister paper dolls.

 

 

( What's the likelihood of mentioning Chatty Cathy and paper dolls in a single thread? Hammybee is taking her pineapple and giving herself a time out)

[the_dylaness]

The "dancing through the decades" was quite strange IMHO... we showed up around 11 (late for us!) the night before my birthday. They were playing some very modern hip-hop style music and there were only a handful of people in the room. I asked the DJ to play some funk or disco songs and he said he would later but right now he's playing music for "the younger crowd!" :eek:

 

Given that I am not even 30 I was surprised by this comment. And, yes, after a couple songs he did play some disco for us!

[usha]

I had Lennon Sister paper dolls.

 

 

( What's the likelihood of mentioning Chatty Cathy and paper dolls in a single thread? Hammybee is taking her pineapple and giving herself a time out)

OMG, I had the lennon sisters paper dolls AND a Chatty Cathy! :o

But, back in the 50s & 60s, you didn't get a time out, you got a SPANKING.