Bands or music by the pool

[JaniceB]

I am curious as to weather HAL has music or a band by the pool. I have read conflicting reports. We will be on the Zaandam in March during spring break.

[gizmo]

A band plays around the Lido pool for about an hour. It is usually around lunch time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our most recent cruise, the Statendam had a band playing around the Lido pool - no music at the aft pool. Some days they played for an hour - other days an hour and a half.

[RuthC]

A band playing from noon to 1:00 or 1:30 is customary on the cruises I've been on. Usually it's the group from the Crow's Nest on sea days and nothing on port days.

On one Big Band cruise the Guy Lombardo Orchestra played from 11:30 to 1:30 every sea day. We had some really great Gentlemen Hosts who never stopped dancing on that cruise. Boy it was fun! :) :) :)

[DFD1]

While we do not object, we have found that the area around the pool is quieter on HAL than on almost any other cruise line we have sailed. On the Volendam recently, there must have been two hundred people reading out by the pool. It seemed like everyone we saw was carrying a book....including us.

We wished there had been some additional steel band music on deck as we sailed away from some of the ports. The afternoons were really beautiful and many passengers were having drinks around the aft pool. The sunsets were magnificent. Some special music would have been nice.

[localady]

Actually the lack of appropriate Caribbean music around the pool on the Rotterdam was disappointing to me and others and was one thing I noted on our questionnaire.:o The band played mostly "lounge type" music and many folks on the cruise, both young and older, agreed that it would be much more festive to have a steel drum band or a band that could play something with an island flavor!:) HAL says they want a younger crowd and wants to sell more cocktails at the Lido, give us some festive music and I believe sales will increase!

P.S. My family and I will be on the March 19th Zaandam, hopefully with enough feedback they might consider adding Caribbean music.

[DFD1]

Localady: I'm with you l00%. It seems that HAL just can't make the connection between music around the pool and cocktail sales. Strange......

[dakrewser]

While we do not object, we have found that the area around the pool is quieter on HAL than on almost any other cruise line we have sailed. On the Volendam recently, there must have been two hundred people reading out by the pool. It seemed like everyone we saw was carrying a book....including us.
That's just one more thing I like about HAL - the passengers are literate, and the cruise director doesn't try to interfere with my enjoyment of a sea breeze, refreshing libation and an interesting book.

For those who must have loud music and forced hilarity at sail away, there are other cruise lines which specialize in that sort of thing.

:) -dave

[localady]

That's just one more thing I like about HAL - the passengers are literate, and the cruise director doesn't try to interfere with my enjoyment of a sea breeze, refreshing libation and an interesting book.

For those who must have loud music and forced hilarity at sail away, there are other cruise lines which specialize in that sort of thing.

:) -dave
Respectfully, I can not understand how a steel band at lunch time would impair your enjoyment, but to each his own. An hour of music would be lovely and would leave those who prefer the quiet to have the other 23 hours quietly reading.:cool:

[Arubalisa]

The band played mostly "lounge type" music and many folks on the cruise, both young and older, agreed that it would be much more festive to have a steel drum band or a band that could play something with an island flavor!:) HAL says they want a younger crowd... Boy, I would agree with that 100%. For a Caribbean cruise, you are not going to attract a "younger crowd" by playing lounge music. My husband and I spend most of our days reading at the swimming pool. We are not drinkers and love our peace and quiet. Our beer drinking & bikini contest days are over and with that being said an hour or two each day of steel drum or island music each day will not ruin the ambiance of a tropical vacation.

[Orcrone]

That's just one more thing I like about HAL - the passengers are literate, and the cruise director doesn't try to interfere with my enjoyment of a sea breeze, refreshing libation and an interesting book.

For those who must have loud music and forced hilarity at sail away, there are other cruise lines which specialize in that sort of thing.

:) -daveOnce again if someone does not agree with our own point of view, they're obviously dragging their knuckles on the ground. OP wanted to know what to expect regarding music. Localady answered. I happen to agree with her. I'd prefer to hear some Calypso or Steel Drum music, especially in the Caribbean. That's fine. You would prefer dead silence, that's fine too. But it's extremely arrogrant to infer that those who prefer music by the pool are illiterate.

[dakrewser]

Respectfully, I can not understand how a steel band at lunch time would impair your enjoyment, but to each his own. An hour of music would be lovely and would leave those who prefer the quiet to have the other 23 hours quietly reading.:cool:
I didn't mention lunch, though, I was talking about sail away. Still, I would choose to eat in the DR if there was loud, obnoxious music playing around the pool during lunch.

-dave

[dakrewser]

Once again if someone does not agree with our own point of view, they're obviously dragging their knuckles on the ground. OP wanted to know what to expect regarding music. Localady answered. I happen to agree with her. I'd prefer to hear some Calypso or Steel Drum music, especially in the Caribbean. That's fine. You would prefer dead silence, that's fine too. But it's extremely arrogrant to infer that those who prefer music by the pool are illiterate.
Yeah, that would be arrogant. Luckily I didn't say that. What I did imply was that there are different cruise lines to provide a different experience for different people. I believe you've also said that once or twice.

Nor did I say I preferred dead silence, just that I didn't appreciate the loud, obnoxious sail away behavior which I encountered on Carnival.

-dave

[iluvcruzin]

Marc - i don't think Dakrewser was saying that people who like music onboard are illiterate, he was using the word "literate" to describe the people who read books onboard (as mentioned by DFD1). However, something I find silly personally is the "go to another cruiseline if you don't like it". It's like "get out of my sandbox". lol.

As far as the lack of music on deck. That was decided by the passenger surveys. People complained they couldn't sleep or read on the deck. So now this is the protocol. Some may find that a pretty funny reason. As we age, things like music and sound become more annoying (Kid sounds get on my nerves now and I'm in my early 40's). With an older crowd on HAL ships, they are smart to accomidate those who are their biggest market.

I missed the steel-drum band. However, it was nice to have some peace and quiet onboard. My 20 year old daughter liked being able to read a book on deck. She even fell asleep one day for 2 1/2 hrs. You couldn't do that on some ships. As far as Sailaway.. it was pretty hopping as is on all cruiseships I've sailed. It was no different.

[Orcrone]

Yeah, that would be arrogant. Luckily I didn't say that. What I did imply was that there are different cruise lines to provide a different experience for different people. I believe you've also said that once or twice.

Nor did I say I preferred dead silence, just that I didn't appreciate the loud, obnoxious sail away behavior which I encountered on Carnival.

-davePerhaps I misunderstood. When you said "That's just one more thing I like about HAL - the passengers are literate" I assumed that you meant that on some cruise line(s) the passengers are illiterate. But obviously you know your intentions better than I do.:)

Also, I've only been on one Carnival cruise and did not experience anything like that. The typical passenger demographic was couples in their 30s and 40s traveling with children. I wonder which of us had the normal Carnival experience, and which of us had the anomoly.

[Arubalisa]

As we age, things like music and sound become more annoying (Kid sounds get on my nerves now and I'm in my early 40's).I have found portable MP3 players are great noise blockers! Plus I get to listen to what I like...all without bothering ANYONE around me who may not like my choice of music.

[JaniceB]

Thank you all for letting me know what to expect by the pool. I enjoy music and reading by the pool, and I can read and listen to music at the same. The music would not keep me from napping around the pool, either. I think it would help drown out the voices and be very relaxing. I will bring my portable CD player and my MP3 player in case I want to hear more music by the pool. FYI, I am in my 40's and have children from 22 to 14. I enjoy all types of music. My parents were from the big band era and my kids listen to rock n roll, country, and hip hop. I would prefer Carribean music by the pool, but "lounge music" is better than nothing.

Happy Cruisinghttp://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[fsdj1097]

We have sailed the Zuiderdam on Western and Eastern Caribbean iteneraries and each time have had steel drum music by the Lido pool during lunch.

We thought if added greatly to the "feel" of the cruise.

[DJP]

DH and I were on the Zaandam the week of Thanksgiving and there was piped in music by the pool most of the time. I only saw a live band there once and it was at the end of the week. This was our first HAL cruise, but 8th overall and all the others had steel drum bands by the pools every day. I knew ahead of time that HAL wouldn't and I thought I would miss it, but truthfully I didn't. I much more enjoyed the music in the background and not the in-your-face loud live music all afternoon by the pool.

[dakrewser]

Also, I've only been on one Carnival cruise and did not experience anything like that. The typical passenger demographic was couples in their 30s and 40s traveling with children. I wonder which of us had the normal Carnival experience, and which of us had the anomoly.
My voyage on the Carnival Exaspiration was quite a while ago, but it was so obnoxious an experience ("who wants to win some....<shouted by all the frenzied crowd>Ship Stuff!!") that I wouldn't go near another cruise ship for years.

:) -dave

[Orcrone]

My voyage on the Carnival Exaspiration was quite a while ago, but it was so obnoxious an experience ("who wants to win some....<shouted by all the frenzied crowd>Ship Stuff!!") that I wouldn't go near another cruise ship for years.

:) -daveIf you've found a product you like I wouldn't suggest switching. But we did not find a "wild party" ship last year. Compared to HAL there were some aspects of HAL that I prefer (roomier ship, fewer announcements, decor) and some that were better on Carnival (service in the dining room, more varied evening entertainment, more music by the pool;)).

One of the negatives of Carnival was that it was a lot more crowded than HAL. But I don't know if it's fair to compare a Carnival cruise during spring break with a HAL cruise the beginning of November. I would expect a lot more triples and quads during spring break.

[sail7seas]

I don't care how loud they want to screech the music at Lido Pool. Bang those drums as loud as they want.....crank it up.



BUT I care ALOT if they have LOUD music at aft pool....ever; at any time; NO LOUD MUSIC. If they want some quiet background music, okay, I'll live with that. But LOUD, Screaming Music and I'm off to land resorts!!!

I HATE LOUD ANYTHING.....and I particularly hate loud music.

[Orcrone]

I don't care how loud they want to screech the music at Lido Pool. Bang those drums as loud as they want.....crank it up.



BUT I care ALOT if they have LOUD music at aft pool....ever; at any time; NO LOUD MUSIC. If they want some quiet background music, okay, I'll live with that. But LOUD, Screaming Music and I'm off to land resorts!!!

I HATE LOUD ANYTHING.....and I particularly hate loud music.With two pools available it seems to me that they could have more music by the pools. Make one pool the "music" pool and the other the "quiet" pool.:)

[sail7seas]

Yes, Marc.


That is my point which I have often expressed here. :)

Make Lido the party pool as that is where most of the kids and families choose to go. Make Aft the quiet pool as most out there wish to read or have quiet conversations etc As least that has been my observations over 40+ HAL cruises. There's likely someone who will pop in to tell me I am wrong. That on their cruise, all the kiddies wanted to go to Aft Pool....:rolleyes: THEY want to go where the Taco bar/hamburgers/french fries are!!! Who's kidding who??!! :)

[JDee]

Yes, Marc.
That on their cruise, all the kiddies wanted to go to Aft Pool....:rolleyes: THEY want to go where the Taco bar/hamburgers/french fries are!!! Who's kidding who??!! :)
Sail, me thinks you got a misprint. The taco bar/hamburgers/french fries are at the forward Lido pool. The aft pool has a multitude of tables, regular & lounge chairs, but no food availability.

Happy cruising....

[Orcrone]

Sail, me thinks you got a misprint. The taco bar/hamburgers/french fries are at the forward Lido pool. The aft pool has a multitude of tables, regular & lounge chairs, but no food availability.

Happy cruising....JDee, Actually Sail has it correct. I believe you misunderstood her post. She says that the Aft pool should be the quiet pool because the families are at the Lido pool. Then she goes on to say that someone will disagree, saying that all the kids hung out at the aft pool. The last line of her posts is a disagreement with whoever would say that, because kids will want to hang out by the taco, burger bar near the Lido pool.

[JDee]

JDee, Actually Sail has it correct. I believe you misunderstood her post. She says that the Aft pool should be the quiet pool because the families are at the Lido pool. Then she goes on to say that someone will disagree, saying that all the kids hung out at the aft pool. The last line of her posts is a disagreement with whoever would say that, because kids will want to hang out by the taco, burger bar near the Lido pool.Ocrone, we all know that Sail is well aware of where the taco/hamburger/ff, etc., are located...http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon10.gif She has been on the HAL ships often enough for that..

Sorry Sail, guess I misunderstood your post....thought it was a typo implying that the food goodies were at the aft pool....

Happy cruising.....

[sail7seas]

For someone who possibly could be confused...........:confused:



What I said........what is the fact.......is the the taco/burger bar/french fries etc are at Lido Pool.

What I said.......what I hope.......is the Aft pool be left for those of us who want quiet.

Families tend to go to Lido Pool........that is where the kiddies like to go. LIDO POOL.


Of course, I STILL know that someone will be more than happy to tell me I am incorrect. ;) Any guesses?

[sail7seas]

On second thought....there surely must be more than a little wrong with me because I prefer to sit at a pool that does not have blaring music....be it live or canned. Keep the blaring stuff for the Lido Pool. Please leave the aft pool peaceful so we all can have a choice to enjoy the one we like best.

I know....what is in the world is wrong with me that I don't want a blaring band pounding away? Sorry....I hate loud music. I enjoy music played at a comfortable listening level.

Oh boy.....here we go.....how many decimels is approrpriate? How many is comfortable for the most people? This could go on for pages.....

[Orcrone]

On second thought....there surely must be more than a little wrong with me because I prefer to sit at a pool that does not have blaring music....be it live or canned. Keep the blaring stuff for the Lido Pool. Please leave the aft pool peaceful so we all can have a choice to enjoy the one we like best.

I know....what is in the world is wrong with me that I don't want a blaring band pounding away? Sorry....I hate loud music. I enjoy music played at a comfortable listening level.

Oh boy.....here we go.....how many decimels is approrpriate? How many is comfortable for the most people? This could go on for pages.....Sail, no one is saying that there is something wrong with you because you don't like blaring music. I don't like it either (OK, most of the time I don't;)), but that doesn't mean that I want total silence either. That doesn't make me right and you wrong, or you right and me wrong. It just means that everyone has their own preference.

While sitting by the pool there are times that I like to hear what I consider Caribbean music, and other times that I like quiet.

[RuthC]

I don't want to hear blaring music, either. And I don't want it at the Lido pool. Soft, backround music---fine. Live music for an hour or so at lunchtime, especially that's not too loud,---fine.

On last summer's cruise there was too loud, rock music over the Lido PA while I ate breakfast. Believe me, it was too cold to eat at the aft pool; it was too hot for me indoors. By the Lido pool was just right. Except for the "music"! Before I've had my coffee? :rolleyes: Please.

Now, my cruises do tend to have fewer families, and are definitely not Caribbean, but I would hate to see HAL introduce that type of "entertainment" on my itinerary.

[Giorgi-one]

That's just one more thing I like about HAL - the passengers are literate, and the cruise director doesn't try to interfere with my enjoyment of a sea breeze, refreshing libation and an interesting book.

For those who must have loud music and forced hilarity at sail away, there are other cruise lines which specialize in that sort of thing.

:) -dave

Totally agree. Most other cruise lines have a steel band at the pool all afternoon. I love music but why do all bands feel that they are in a competition to see who can play the loudest. This even happens at weddings and other affairs. You can't talk to anyone and you certainly can't take a nap unless you turn off your hearing aid if you are lucky enough to need one). This is the main reason we started booking balcony cabins so we don't have to spend the afternoon at Coney Island (er, I mean the pool area).

[DFD1]

I've got three great steel drum music CDs, including one with Rudolph the Red Nosed......on it. Be glad to send them right along to you, if anyone needs them for their next cruise...LOL

Funny thing, they sounded absolutely fantastic when I bought them down in Barbados. I don't think they have been played since we got back. Somehow, they just don't seem right for the East Tennessee Mountains... LOL

[Cruiseoften]

We've no objection to music of any kind, for short periods, around the pool - however, some musicians/bands use such strong amplificatiion that it is actually impossible to carry on any kind of conversation. For Sail Away, appropriate music is definitely in order.

We're book carriers too and love a game of cards sitting around the pool. We can live quite happily without music in hallways and elevators - a ship can so easily become too much like the shopping malls we all know (and many dislike) :rolleyes: :eek:

[Bowgard2]

Just got back two weeks ago from the Maasdam eastern caribbean cruise. Music didn't bother us a lot, but it would have been nice to have a little steel drum influence. Didn't have to be loud, but it would have added flavor. The band we had was good on the 6 or 7 songs they knew, but they couldn't, or didn't sing to "walk don't run", and were pretty boring after the first day. We did remember how to play every note we had forgotten 40 years ago though. Much preferred the band on the Galaxy last year who could play a little of everything and brought the audience into the act. They also played everywhere all day and up to closing in the main lounge. They were from St Lucia so they gave a little flavor to the cruise, not to mention the fact that they were animated. Worse part of the Maasdam cruise was the piano bar gentleman who sang one day in the Lido. We couldn't hear the piano, only his voice. Would have made a great comedy act. Sorry, if I could have slept with that on deck with a good book, I would have. At least the food was good.

[jetfixer03]

We recently did our first HAL on the Oosterdam, with a few Princess cruises under our belts, and one thing we really thought was missing was some poolside carribean music. I mean it IS a carribean cruise, what's wrong with a little island atmosphere at one of the pools. That leaves plenty of other areas for a quiet book, which I enjoy also. As a matter of fact, we felt that the entire evening entertainment selection was lacking also.

[Arubalisa]

I've got three great steel drum music CDs, including one with Rudolph the Red Nosed......on it. Be glad to send them right along to you, if anyone needs them for their next cruise...LOL

Funny thing, they sounded absolutely fantastic when I bought them down in Barbados. I don't think they have been played since we got back. Somehow, they just don't seem right for the East Tennessee Mountains... LOLI wouldn't get rid of that music quite yet...you may need it to keep warm in the next few days...
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