Zuiderdam entertainment question

[stevel45]

Thinking of booking either the Zuiderdam, or Caribbean Princess, out of Ft Lauderdale. We are not really big into the shows, but we do like
to sit in a nice lounge after dinner and listen to a good band for a couple
of hours. Does HAL offer this?
Thanks

[FL24K]

:( We were on the Zuiderdam in December and were very, very, very dissappointed in the entertainment (as well as the ship overall)! Only the piano lounge had any really decent entertainment.

We have never been dissappointed in the entertainment onboard the Princess ships. I would suggest you book the Caribbean Princess.

[tooalto]

We have sailed the Zuiderdam twice and thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. Every evening ended with us sitting in the Explorer's Lounge listening to the Champagne Strings and talking to the attendents Richie and Willie. Flambe is served there each night and the music is perfect for conversation or just relaxed listening befor bed.

[x lindsay x]

They usually have a band up in the Crow's Nest after dinner for dancing, or just listening if you please. There is also music in the Ocean Bar before dinner (or after if you have the early seating) as well as the music in the Explorer's lounge as the poster below described. Basically, there are plenty of other non-show entertainment going on to keep you entertained.

[dealin dave]

You would not mind Carribean Princess level of entertainment. My wife and I would just warn you of 3 things. A / We were on the Grand Princess 2 years earlier at the same time of year, Princess had the same entertainment acts .B/Get to the lounges a good 45 minutes earlier to at least get a seat. Carribean carries close to 4000 passengers when full. Our cruise this summer had many passengers complaining about no seating problems. C/ Extra shows were added so passengers could get seats, only problem was shows started at midnight lasting at least 1and a half hours.
This summer my wife and children are booked on the Zuiderdam. I am willing to try something else because I was disappointed with Princess this past summer. Over crowded, they screwed up a good percentage of peoples bills at the end of the cruise,particularly tips and exchange rates.They are constantly attempting to sell you something, pictures,art,drinks,etc.. Princess in my opinion has dropped many notches. I am not saying Hal Zuiderdam would be better, but I believe Hal executives are working to upgrade there onboard experience,not take away from it.

[dealin dave]

You would not mind Carribean Princess level of entertainment. My wife and I would just warn you of 3 things. A / We were on the Grand Princess 2 years earlier at the same time of year, Princess had the same entertainment acts .B/Get to the lounges a good 45 minutes earlier to at least get a seat. Carribean carries close to 4000 passengers when full. Our cruise this summer had many passengers complaining about no seating problems. C/ Extra shows were added so passengers could get seats, only problem was shows started at midnight lasting at least 1and a half hours.
This summer my wife and children are booked on the Zuiderdam. I am willing to try something else because I was disappointed with Princess this past summer. Over crowded, they screwed up a good percentage of peoples bills at the end of the cruise,particularly tips and exchange rates.They are constantly attempting to sell you something, pictures,art,drinks,etc.. Princess in my opinion has dropped many notches. I am not saying Hal Zuiderdam would be better, but I believe Hal executives are working to upgrade there onboard experience,not take away from it.

[itsme_jj]

Maybe Hal needs feedback on what we are looking for in entertainment? I am new to HAL so have no experience, but have gotten alot of feedback on this subject from other family members I am trying to entice to go with me. I don't want to do the "carnival" thing so don't get FUN mixed up with Chaos.

If we all find a channel and send them feedback they could take a pulse as to if they are offering what most people want? Does anyone know an effective way to send them email or feedback in other forms?

Me personally I like a variety of entertainment depending on where I would be going (carribean or alaska) and what type of mood I am in. So variety is key I think.

See what you think:

Lounges/Clubs:
1) A small quiet intimate club for quiet conversation with music that is either a band (preferred) or piped in. Music would be on the lines of jazz, etc.

2) A Traditional Dance club for (and this is what probably a must for Hals) dancing fox trot, etc.

3) A small to medium DANCE club with modern / pop music that is open late

Pools
- If you are on a sunny vacation going to sunny destinations... like the carribean:
- One pool with a daytime calypso band/jimmy buffet style prefered that is not REALLY LOUD. Or at least pipe it in.
- One pool with maybe some more subtle piped in music for relaxing

- Alaska...or other non-sunny destinations. pools indoors could have nice middle of the road relaxing atmospher or one of each with the theme matching what the cruise is cruising.

Formal Entertainment
- Shows - A Good PG Comedien
- Musical Show
- Magician or other type of act that is NOT LAME

MOVIES
- PG Movies that are recent and popular earlier in the day
- R rates movies later in the evening.


OK theres my take... Now your turn, and please post how we give this feedback to HAL?

[dakrewser]

You know, there are cruise lines that have each of those things. People sail those lines, in part, for that entertainment. People sail HAL, in part, for the entertainment it offers.

Diversity is a wonderful thing, in people and in cruise lines. There's no need for them all to offer the same things.

[wblynch]

You know, there are cruise lines that have each of those things. People sail those lines, in part, for that entertainment. People sail HAL, in part, for the entertainment it offers.

Diversity is a wonderful thing, in people and in cruise lines. There's no need for them all to offer the same things.


My God that sounds ominous. I sure hope our Oosterdam cruise isn't absolutely boring with no or weak entertainment.

From your statement it sounds as though the entertainment on HAL, "is what it is".

I have always believed that HAL was an old person's cruise line and if there's no "fun" on there I know I'm going to be disappointed.

Please don't let this be a boring cruise.

[super_grover]

there are tons of little places to go and listen to music if you don't like the shows. I will post the options when I get home with my programs but there is the piano bar, the crow's nest, the atrium, the night club just to name a few.
We ended up most nights in the crow's nest before dinner watching people dance to a small combo they have there. also most of the smaller performers seem to take requests pretty well :)

[dakrewser]

Please don't let this be a boring cruise.

A cruise is only boring if you let it happen that way. There are certainly activities available from dawn thru the wee hours. If you want to dance, you can dance. If you want to sing, you can sing. If you want to eat and drink, you can eat and drink. And a whole lot more.

But no one will take you by the hand and lead you to these things. No one will get on the loudspeaker and tell you where to head so that you can "win ship's stuff!!" You'll need to be pro-active, but if you are then you'll never be bored.

[RuthC]

I'm never bored on my HAL cruises, but I certainly don't need (or want) lots of music by the pool. A band for an hour or so at lunch-time on sea days is more than enough at that venue. And they don't need to be loud, either. :rolleyes:
I want to be able to read in peace or be able to hear when someone speaks.

There has been rock music piped in the pool area at other times and it is unwelcome. It was awful in the Lido dining room. :eek:

And yet I stay out playing until way past the witching hour. :D

Not everyone has the same definition of "fun".

[drk]

We sailed on the Zuiderdam in December and had a great time. Our only complaint was with the live music entertainment. The musicians were fine but all 3 bands on board played the same style(light jazz) clearly aimed at an older audience. None of the groups had a vocalist...no caribbean music by the pool...as I've noted on the boards before my DW and I joking refer to the trip as the "mack the knife cruise" for all the versions of the song we heard that week. The really strange thing to me was that they were also pumping music into many public areas of the ship that was clearly aimed at twenty-somethings. Don't know if they change from week to week based on the demographics of the passengers.

[EMS8]

Hi Kevin, I've been trying to reach you. Can you send me your e-mail address? send to ems8@cox.net
Thanks.
Mike & Darlene.

[wblynch]

I'm never bored on my HAL cruises, but I certainly don't need (or want) lots of music by the pool. A band for an hour or so at lunch-time on sea days is more than enough at that venue. And they don't need to be loud, either. :rolleyes:
I want to be able to read in peace or be able to hear when someone speaks.

There has been rock music piped in the pool area at other times and it is unwelcome. It was awful in the Lido dining room. :eek:

And yet I stay out playing until way past the witching hour. :D

Not everyone has the same definition of "fun".

Oh my God, this is going to be terrible.

A bunch of people laying around reading... not to be bothered by live music around the pool.

From what I understand, there are three pools on the Vista class, no? So, there's an aft pool, a midships pool and a forward, covered pool.

Wouldn't that mean there are plenty of pools to lay beside where one would not be bothered by unwelcome music?

There should be hundreds of places to read or sun besides the pool deck.

Is it unreasonable to have live, happy music during the day?

I'm only 52 but I'm not ready for a walker yet.

Darn, now I dread my upcoming cruise because I already know it's going to be a Lawrence Welk haunting session.

oh no, oh no, oh no....

.

[Kabana]

HAL ships have two pools, midship and aft, on our cruise last year they did have a band playing at the aft pool and some pool games, not continuously though. HAL is a more "laid back" cruise experience if that is what you are looking for but there is plenty to do.

[wblynch]

HAL is a more "laid back" cruise experience if that is what you are looking for...


Dang it! Why did I sign up for this cruise?

Now I have to go because 4 other couples and family members are going too. I can't bail because I talked them all into it.

Shoot. We only get enough time for one cruise a year, I hate to waste it on some snooty laid-back cruise.

My life is too boring as it is. I need vacations to be exciting and energy-packed.

Oh well.... at least I've got 9 months to prepare myself.

....sigh....

[Ziggy7]

We sailed on the Zuiderdam last Aug. and there seem to be live bands at the midship alot of the times, music all the time, the aft pool was laid back and calm, except when they had pool games, there is also a disco there, a piano bar, a dance band, and other types of music. We are only in our late 40's and never had a problem finding what we were looking for :) Music or otherwise, and if I may say so the shows were good as well, one night we didnt like it but it was what it was, we left early and had the hot tub to ourselves hehehehe :)
Dont worry you will have a good time, just go with that in mind :)

[wblynch]

We sailed on the Zuiderdam last Aug. and there seem to be live bands at the midship alot of the times, music all the time, the aft pool was laid back and calm, except when they had pool games, there is also a disco there, a piano bar, a dance band, and other types of music. We are only in our late 40's and never had a problem finding what we were looking for :) Music or otherwise, and if I may say so the shows were good as well, one night we didnt like it but it was what it was, we left early and had the hot tub to ourselves hehehehe :)

Dont worry you will have a good time, just go with that in mind :)


Whew, that sounds a bit more encouraging.

I still get nervous when I hear, "but it was what it was"

Maybe it will be our job to wake the place up !!

Thanks, Bill
.

[dakrewser]

Maybe it will be our job to wake the place up !!

Oh, I would hope not. On a cruise ship just as on any other vacation to a new place, the old adage "When in Rome do as the Romans do" is a good rule.

Don't go on Carnival or RCCL and tell the band to pipe down. Don't go on a barge cruise and claim the cabin was too small. Don't expect beef in your Big Mac in India. And don't go on a HAL cruise with the idea that all the other passengers are just waiting for you to liven it up a bit.

If you really feel that high-energy singing and dancing are necessary, all the time, for you to enjoy a vacation than I would suggest you re-think before final payment date. It's not too late to switch.

Now, of course, someone will jump in here and tell me I'm just an old fuddy-duddy and what do I know. But what I do know is tthat if you're going to spend a big chunk of change on a cruise, it's best to find one that fits your lifestyle because the other thousand passengers or two aren't going to make the attempt to adjust to yours.

Have a great cruise, whatever you finally decide.

[Ziggy7]

Whew, that sounds a bit more encouraging.

I still get nervous when I hear, "but it was what it was"

Thanks, Bill
.It was a juggler, and we dont find that enteraining when its a hour and half show, thats all, I'm sure lots enjoyed it :)

[wblynch]

And don't go on a HAL cruise with the idea that all the other passengers are just waiting for you to liven it up a bit.



Well, we're travelling with two large groups representing about 24 people of Irish, Italian, Mexican and Filipino descent. If you're familiar with any of those heritages, you'll see why I don't think anyone will be able to quiet this group down.

So the ship had better be ready for us because we're not likely to sit down and shut up.

We certainly know how to have fun.

Look out O-Dam, here we come !!!

[dakrewser]

So the ship had better be ready for us because we're not likely to sit down and shut up.

Thanks for the warning. As an Irish-American married to another Irish-American, I also know many ways to have fun. Irritating my fellow passengers isn't one of them.

-dave
"Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental."

[wblynch]

Thanks for the warning. As an Irish-American married to another Irish-American, I also know many ways to have fun. Irritating my fellow passengers isn't one of them.

-dave
"Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental."


Well, I really don't expect we will be irritating other passengers unless they are irritated by other people enjoying themselves.

Apparently I'm doing a pretty good job of irritating certain forum members that seem to consider themselves the "Keeper of the HAL".

HAL ---- DAVE ---- it hasn't totally flown over my head.

[RuthC]

I have never understood why some people pick the cruises they do.

They want to eat when they want, in a casual setting/dress, but they pick a traditional line. HAL instead of NCL.
They want to party hearty, but pick a quiet, refined line. Celebrity instead of Carnival.
They want to relax and unwind, but pick a line of constant energy. RCL instead of Windstar.
Then they come back and post on how the cruise was not what they expected.

Why not just pick the line that suits your temperment in the first place? Each cruiseline has it's own "personality", as it were. Each can be the perfect vacation for many people, and the worst time ever for many others.
Neither is "wrong", just different.

Could someone enlighten me?

[Adman98]

Just returned from my first and last HAL cruise. Wife and I were with 3 other couples on the Zuiderdam from 2/19 to 2/26, but it felt more like spending a week at a nursing home! Same clientele, same food, same service.

While our group certainly contained no youngsters (mid to late 50's), we do like to have fun. Unfortunately, too many onboard were cut from the "dakruiser" mold. Having read some of his 2,300+ posts on other subjects, dave does seem to have appointed himself as the "fun police", somehow confusing someone having a good time with disturbing other passengers.

But then, confusion is the standard on the Zuiderdam. For instance, I heard one elderly gentleman ask the front desk , "Does this boat go to New York ?, I've got to get home!!" (we were out of Ft Lauderdale).

Smiles and laughter were in short supply except from our group. By making our own fun we had a great time, despite the many shortcomings of the Zuiderdam and its staff. Good Luck.

[wblynch]

I have never understood why some people pick the cruises they do.



This cruise (Thanksgiving 2005 - OOsterdam) was selected by one person in our group.

It was selected because its a new ship.

It leaves out of San Diego, California which means no flying for 9/10ths of the group.

It was priced in the range that made the group cruise possible.

It has a very high percentage of balcony cabins and suites which made it possible for all participants to have a balcony cabin or better.

At the time the cruise was selected, there were plenty of available cabins.

Most of all, It was selected because none of our group members is in the mood to cook this Thanksgiving.

Are you going to be on this cruise? -- No? Then why are you so upset?

Should every Holland America ship be a floating morgue?

I mean I'm going to be there soon enough. At least I can enjoy what time I've got left.

Thanks, Bill

.

[dakrewser]

Just returned from my first and last HAL cruise. Wife and I were with 3 other couples on the Zuiderdam from 2/19 to 2/26, but it felt more like spending a week at a nursing home! Same clientele, same food, same service.

Ah, another one-post wonder. Who were you in your previous life?

And why is it our fault you picked the wrong cruise line??????

[Ellya]

I sailed on the Zuiderdam last summer and found more entertainment than I had time for. I was escorting two 18 year olds and we were on the go the entire week. I recall there being a sail away party around the aft pool at each port which included music. Sometimes it was a live band and sometimes it was a DJ. There were other "events" at that pool also, pool games etc. There was music/dancing of different types each night in the Crow's Nest. I also recall seeing a band with a lead vocalist perform up there. There was music, of course, in the disco every night for dancing. In the smaller lounges there were strings groups etc. Now not all these things were happening constantly, but certainly enough to keep one busy. There were also plenty of nice, quiet, secluded spots to visit or curl up with a book if that is more your style. With a ship that size, there is no reason to think it has to be all one way or the other.

[KSCnCA]

We sailed the Zui last December and thought it was exciting enough for us. Didn't care for all the entertainment, but didn't really expect to. There were a lot of different activities, most of which we didn't participate but the people who did seemed to enjoy themselves. Music: we like the forties and fifties tunes. My husband played the keyboards during the bands break a couple nights and sat in on the next couple songs after they came back. We also discovered the closed lounges and made our own music: he played, I sang, and had 4 of our friends and a couple strolling by join us.

Make it what you want it to be. Expect a good cruise and you'll get one! A good point made re the Zui: no vocalists. HAL: are you listening? We are booked on the O Nov 26. Hope they have some good bands, but in any case we will make our own music!

[Ziggy7]

[QUOTE=KSCnCA] My husband played the keyboards during the bands break a couple nights and sat in on the next couple songs after they came back. We also discovered the closed lounges and made our own music: he played, I sang, and had 4 of our friends and a couple strolling by join us.QUOTE]Wow, cant get any better than that !!!! :)

[Adman98]

Ah, another one-post wonder. Who were you in your previous life?

And why is it our fault you picked the wrong cruise line??????

Lighten up sport, this ain't life and death.

Do you really believe that just because you have chosen to make this board a large part of your life, that the opinions of the casual poster are any less valid or valuable ?

Nothing in my post indicated that I blame you or any other posters for the shortcomings of HAL, they do an excellent job of failing on their own. Do I detect a hint of a persecution complex, or is the "our fault" a Fruedian slip of someone secretly working for HAL?!! A shill or a mole perhaps.

My point was, and is, there is no excuse for HAL or any other business to charge huge prices and provide an unacceptable product.

And how did you know about my previous life??!

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean thay aren't after you!"-----Anon.

[dakrewser]

My point was, and is, there is no excuse for HAL or any other business to charge huge prices and provide an unacceptable product.


So you didn't like it. Did you expect a guarantee? Had you asked here, (like the OP did) perhaps you would have realized that the Zuiderdam wasn't the party boat you were expecting. (What WERE you expecting?)

Lot's of folks have posted here about their Zuiderdam experiences. Many found fault with one thing or another. No one else, that I can find, found it dull and boring. Maybe they just did more research before they left.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And everyone else is entitled to their opinion of that opinion.

[itsme_jj]

OK FOLKS... Lets stay on topic. Else lets rename the thread or point me if you please to another one on entertainment.

Anyway long story short.... I called guest services and spoke to a very nice, but completely vague and uninformed lady about what they would have for entertainment on the ship the week I was sailing. She said it was decided by the cruise director and not published ahead of time.

Having noted that schedules are subject to modification and change, I told her I agreed they may not have an exact schedule but could she give me the average schedule for my destination and time of year. Not really.

I did gleen these gems from speaking with her, and also by a reply to an email I had sent...the email was much more friendly and very very nice... so here it goes. Those of you that have gone on this cruise in recent past please validate if this sounds true...

- The queen room doubles frequently as a movie theatre by day and a group meeting room at night.
- There are multiple clubs that have music and dancing.. but there is not set area for say "ballroom dancing", Disco dancing...etc. It seems to float or rotate. (I was disappointed at this, because I would love to ballroom in a formal setting one night, but disco another...)
- The disco does not serve drinks but being next to the sports bar, casino, etc you can get a drink and bring it in. It is also all ages.
- The pool does have a steel drum band play at times...but fuzzy on this when..which one.
- The crows nest is also said to be a place to disco (from other posts this doesn't sound right).

So its sounds like there is a wide variety... something for everyone, or every mood, (and since I like most people have dif moods), so you could go to the area of "activity" that fits your needs I think.

The only disappointment I had is that the teen club is not scheduled to be fully redone until dec 05. Although they still have the wave runner and kidszone.. so it should be fine, but the newer one sounded really cool.

I think you can have a good time anyplace, if you take the right attitude. I just wanted to know what is available so I could plan my trip.

I also think that as long as you are not doing the opposite of whatever everyone else is doing in the area and not bothering anyone.. you can have fun and still be polite. AKA don't crash someone else's good time, whatever type of time that is.

So I think majority rules in any situation... if this crowd in this lounge is too loud go to another, or if to quiet go to another... don't be a square peg in a round hole right?

So again please tell me if we should start another thread and talk about what entertainment there is, ? I want to know if what I heard is typical.

Thanks for your help.
Have fun!

[richnorto]

Wblynch, I hope you or people like you are on our cruise! We've been on Carnival, and... fun uh huh, but... we are adults. We prefer a more mature crowd, but, we aren't dead! Something in between is good! Everybody likes a little Buffet by the pool, Almond Brothers in the evening and sometimes, current rock (not rap)! somewhere evenings. That is just appealing to the average cruising age I would think.:rolleyes: Live a little, dance a little and save what little hearing we have left after all those Van Halen concerts we attended in our youth.:D

[wblynch]

We prefer a more mature crowd, but, we aren't dead! Something in between is good!



Well put. Thanks. :)

[dakrewser]

OK FOLKS... Lets stay on topic. Else lets rename the thread or point me if you please to another one on entertainment.

So its sounds like there is a wide variety... something for everyone, or every mood, (and since I like most people have dif moods), so you could go to the area of "activity" that fits your needs I think.



It really does vary from ship to ship, week to week and even day to day. THe CD will react to what he/she feels the current PAX want. But there will be a listing for all of the venues in each day's program (which you get the night before) to help you plan the day's activities.

[Ziggy7]

Those of you that have gone on this cruise in recent past please validate if this sounds true...
Thanks for your help.
Have fun! ok I repeat :)
We sailed on the Zuiderdam last Aug. and there seem to be live bands at the midship alot of the times, music all the time, the aft pool was laid back and calm, except when they had pool games, there is also a disco there, a piano bar, a dance band, and other types of music. We are only in our late 40's and never had a problem finding what we were looking for :) Music or otherwise, and if I may say so the shows were good as well, one night we didnt like it but it was what it was, we left early and had the hot tub to ourselves hehehehe :)
Dont worry you will have a good time, just go with that in mind :)