"Ball" on cruises, such as "Black and White Ball"?

[surfergirle]

HI there!

How will I knwo if there is a Ball on our cruise (Oct 30 Eurodam Eastern Carrib.)
If there is, how does it work, what is it like etc? Has anyone been?

Any help would be great.

[wilsonqbc]

We did Eurodam Eastern Carib, there was no Ball just 2 formal nights.

[RevNeal]

HI there!

How will I knwo if there is a Ball on our cruise (Oct 30 Eurodam Eastern Carrib.)
If there is, how does it work, what is it like etc? Has anyone been?

Any help would be great.

You really can't tell, for sure, in advance. However, they usually have "Captain's Black and White Balls" on (1) longer cruises, and (2) cruises with special occasions (like New Years, etc).

Aboard the Prinsendam this past late July/August we had such a ball. It was an enjoyable event, lasting a couple of hours with dancing and door prizes. I was impressed with how much the Captain and other officers danced with the passengers. I didn't get to dance with Captain Albert -- haha! -- but some of the "Ladies from the Front Desk" were quite nimble on their feet. Thankfully, I didn't step on any of their dainty tootsies.

[Stevesan]

HAL's web site has a few photos from a "Black And White" ball aboard Amsterdam:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=153625215641 (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=153625215641)

[Randyk47]

Unfortunately we've never been on a cruise with any kind of special ball. We've taken a number of 10 and 11 days cruises, two 12 day, and one 14 day. Guess those weren't long enough and not extraordinary or special enough from an itinerary point of view to qualify for a "ball". Kind of like the Captain's Table. Only seen one of those in all of our cruises and we were lucky enough to get invited to that one.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have never had any balls, Black & White or otherwise, on our cruises of 7, 10, 12 or 14 days. And even on some of our longer ones -- 19 days -- nothing on a couple of the ships. But on special cruises like our Pan American cruises -- we had the Black & White Balls. We have done several repostioning cruises from Ft Lauderdale to Seattle -- only once did we have the Black & White Ball.

[RevNeal]

We have never had any balls, Black & White or otherwise, on our cruises of 7, 10, 12 or 14 days. And even on some of our longer ones -- 19 days -- nothing on a couple of the ships. But on special cruises like our Pan American cruises -- we had the Black & White Balls. We have done several repostioning cruises from Ft Lauderdale to Seattle -- only once did we have the Black & White Ball.


I've noticed that they tend to be found on cruises longer than 14 days. I've seen them do a Black and White Ball once on a cruise of 15 days (a Hawaii Cruise), on a 21-day Panama Canal cruise, on a 20-day South America/Antarctica Cruise, on an 18-day Western-Med-and-Crossing Cruise, and on a 22-Day Top of the World Cruise. I've also seen the Black and White Ball on special cruises, like the Noordam and Eurodam Inagurals (while only 10 day cruises, they still had one). I THINK I remember one on a 10-day Southern Caribbean cruise, but if my memory serves me correctly very few officers showed up for it ... they called it a Black and White Ball but the nominal tradition of the offices showing up was almost ignored.

Sometimes shorter cruises will have a "Black and White Formal Night" but no ball.

[deck chair]

Hi Gang

Unless something has changed, I don't think there is any HAL ship that has a dance floor large enough for real ballroom dancing not do any of the HAL ships have decent orchestras to play for a ball. Perhaps I am wrong. If you want to enjoy really fabulous balls, you need to sail on Cunard. On my two very recent trans-atlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2 passengers enjoyed a BIG BAND BALL, ROYAL BLACK AND WHITE BALL, MASQUERADE BALL and ROYAL ASCOT BALL. All formal dress evenings. Of course, QM2 has the largest dance floor of any ship and has great orchestras. These sorts of balls are not just limited to the crossings. If you really like to dance in elegant surroundings please check out Cunard.

DECK CHAIR

[vinodoc]

The title of your thread made my heart skipped a few beats :D. I thought, great! fellow watch lover/collector :).

Here is a black "Ball"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Watches/IMG_0504.jpg

Sorry, can't help myself, worng forum... now back to your regular scheduled programing... :D

Kevin

[ibethenanya]

We are on the Westerdam for Halloween and have been told by HAL (through the travel agency) that there will be a "Costume Ball" with no particular theme. We will take costumes and hopefully buy masks in Venice to get into the spirit of the celebration.

[English_in_Spain]

I think it depends a lot on the Captain. We were on the Noordam in April/May. 2 x 10 night Southern Caribbean + transatlantic. All 3 cruises had a black and white ball.

The captain was John Scott who likes to socialise. Also, his wife was on board.

It was held in the Crow's Nest. Quite a lot of officers turned up. Unfortunately I am mobility challenged so cannot dance.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes -- I agree that it depends on the Captain and Hotel Manager if there is a Black & White Ball.

Some like to socialize and others don't.

[RevNeal]

Unless something has changed, I don't think there is any HAL ship that has a dance floor large enough for real ballroom dancing not do any of the HAL ships have decent orchestras to play for a ball.

Actually, there is large enough dance area on several of HAL's ships. Aboard the the S, the R, and the Vista Class ships there is enough space in the Crows Nest to Hold the Black and White Ball. Granted, space is tight on the S-class, but they move furniture around and make it work. There's more room on the R Class ships, and on the Vista class ships (particularly the Noordam) there is plenty of room in the Crows Nest.

On the Prinsendam they use the Showroom at Sea, which -- when you clear the chairs and tables back off the lower dance floor, and when you invite people up onto Stage-forward, there is plenty of room to dance "ball room style."

As for orchestras, HAL "makes do." Some ships are better than others.

[Cinder Again]

Here's a little tip I've gleaned from my trips...save your black formal or cocktail dress for the last formal night. For some reason, if a B&W Ball is going to happen, it usually is that one. They did change it to Red and Black one Valentines day...but the decorations were the same, white covers on dining chairs,etc. I always get conflicting information if I ask at the front desk, and it's sometimes listed in the first program, with all the dress codes...although, like all things, information can change.

[amster65]

We had a Black & White Ball on the Maasdam last year (2009). Was a 14 day Carib. Cruise. It was held in the Crows Nest, not really ballroom dancing, but a lot of rock music. Captain attended and most of his crew. Black and White Balloons for decorations. The captains wife was there and also another officers wife, cant remember his rank. A great time was had by all.

[surfergirle]

Thanks guys so much!
I hope they have something great on Halloween!

[ROZO'SBEAU]

On the Grand Asia this Fall we are going to have a Black & Silver Ball. Go figure.

[Essiesmom]

We had a Black & White Officers' Ball on both legs of the Oosterdam repo last year, San Diego to Rome. EM

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks guys so much!
I hope they have something great on Halloween!

All the ships that we have been on over Halloween have had a dance. Optional costumes. It started around 10:30 PM. The place depends on which class of ship you are sailing on.

[Vic The Parrot]

Hi Gang

Unless something has changed, I don't think there is any HAL ship that has a dance floor large enough for real ballroom dancing not do any of the HAL ships have decent orchestras to play for a ball. Perhaps I am wrong. If you want to enjoy really fabulous balls, you need to sail on Cunard. On my two very recent trans-atlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2 passengers enjoyed a BIG BAND BALL, ROYAL BLACK AND WHITE BALL, MASQUERADE BALL and ROYAL ASCOT BALL. All formal dress evenings. Of course, QM2 has the largest dance floor of any ship and has great orchestras. These sorts of balls are not just limited to the crossings. If you really like to dance in elegant surroundings please check out Cunard.

DECK CHAIR



I agree with you on that. Cunard does an excellent job with thier Royal Balls, and they are always well-attended. ;)

Think I was on the same trip as Rev Neal, and the B&W ball didn't have the same pizazz as others on different HAL sailings. The balloons helped, tho.

[Hlitner]

Ahhhh, The Black and White Ball is amazing but is only found on Cunard ships. One of the amazing things about the QMII is that amazing ballroom with a dance floor as big as many cruise ship lounges. And when you add a 17 piece big band orchestra it is something we have not seen on any other line.

Hank

[Vic The Parrot]

One of the amazing things about the QMII is that amazing ballroom with a dance floor as big as many cruise ship lounges.



You mean QM2 ... :D


Roman numerals are generally reserved for vessels of the Royal Navy. ;)
(A bit of trivia this fine morning. :cool: )

[Soccer Mom 96]

We will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam 7 day Christmas sailing departing on 12/19. Based on the itinerary and the usual placement of formal nights, I am guessing that Christmas Eve will be a formal night. Has anyone been on a HAL ship during this time and know/guess if there will be anything different for this formal night?

Thanks,
Soccer Mom

[2ptu/000]

Wouldn't they have to tell you in your cruise information? Otherwise, you wouldn't have the correct clothes.

[Hlitner]

You mean QM2 ... :D


Roman numerals are generally reserved for vessels of the Royal Navy. ;)
(A bit of trivia this fine morning. :cool: )

Hmmm. Interesting. I guess we will have to start typing "Rotterdam 6" :) But we do stand properly corrected regarding the QM "2"

Hank

[Vic The Parrot]

Hmmm. Interesting. I guess we will have to start typing "Rotterdam 6" :) But we do stand properly corrected regarding the QM "2"

Hank



Here's another interesting story from the life of QE2.

A letter was received at Cunards Southampton office with "Deliver to QEII" on the front. A clerk at the office nonchalantly wrote "Try Buckingham Palace", and sent the letter back to London. :D

[luxurysailer]

On our 12 day eastern Mediterranean cruise in 2008 on the Zuiderdam, the last formal night was dubbed a black and white ball with dancing in the Queen's Lounge. Lots of people turned out, including ship staff. The more active participation by the ship's staff is about the only difference I noted between this and a regular formal night. But it was nice and I'd like to see more of them.

[Hlitner]

Here's another interesting story from the life of QE2.

A letter was received at Cunards Southampton office with "Deliver to QEII" on the front. A clerk at the office nonchalantly wrote "Try Buckingham Palace", and sent the letter back to London. :D

We know this is not the proper forum be we could fill pages with Cunardisms! For example, everyone knows about the British Lady who received a personal invitation, from the maitre' d, to dine with the Captain. Her response was: "Sir, we never dine with the hired help!" And then there was the gentleman who decided to test the waiter in the Queens Grill and told his waiter he wanted an Elephant Steak. The waiter without missing a beat responded, "would that be Indian or African!"

Hank