Big Band Cruise

[the2ofus]

Just last week DH and I, our DS and his DW booked a cruise on the Volendam October 26, 2005. I just learned that this will be a big band cruise with the Harry James orchestra. DH and I are pleased as we love to dance.

I am concerned as to how it will affect our kids' (age 40+) enjoyment of the trip. This will be their first cruise so I want it to be perfect for them. They are very athletic but they don't dance.

Has anyone been on a big band cruise? Do they take over the whole ship or do the usual activities still occur in the usual places. Also, does HAL set up bigger dance floors anywhere?

If anyone worries about the age demographic on HAL, come along on this trip. You will see the most active senior citizens imaginable out there on the dance floor doing the cha-cha and merengue!

[RuthC]

Oh! What a wonderful time! I enjoyed the Harry James Orchestra on the old Rotterdam once. And I do mean enjoyed.

Not to worry about other activities. All the usual activities will be held in all the old familiar places. The Explorers Lounge, Crows Nest and Piano Lounge should be as usual; there should be the usual daytime games and activities.

I was on a Big Band trans-Atlantic with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra in '01. They did an evening show or two, and a few cocktail sets. They also played at tea in the main show lounge one afternoon and at the Bar-B-Que.
You asked it there were bigger dance floors anywhere; is the Lido Pool deck big enough? On my cruise the orchestra played from 11:30-1:30 every sea day.
I can't remember when I've done so much dancing before or since; my legs were burning from all the excercise. It was grand!

Have fun you lucky people!

[heyabbott]

As an early 40's couple, the Harry James Orchestra would be wonderful entertainment, I'm envious. Good music is good music, a polka band would be fun, a string quartet during supper would be nice, though everything in moderation.

[the2ofus]

Thanks for the information. Come along with us! At least one internet agency still has some VERY good prices for this cruise, if you don't want a verandah cabin.

[KFH]

How do you find out if you are on a "special cruise" such as a big band cruise?

[the2ofus]

When I looked at a new Caribbean Cruise booklet for 2005-2006-2007 which was recently sent by a TA, I saw a little symbol next to our cruise. The note at the bottom of the page said it was a Big Band Cruise. The symbol had not been there in the first booklet we had when we chose our cruise. I e-mailed HAL to verify that it was indeed a Big Band Cruise.

[wblynch]

Big Band and Swing are extremely popular with the 20-somethings these days. (well a pretty good number of them).

I wish they had something like this on our upcoming O-Dam cruise.

[heyabbott]

from another website

We sincerely regret to inform you that the OLDIES MUSIC CRUISE, ms Westerdam, March 20-27, 2005, has been cancelled. .........ETA will contact those guests who have made their reservations through their office and will offer them the opportunity to take this cruise at a discounted offer or receive their full refund. ...We apologize for this cancellation.. ---Barbara Verhoeve---

[Renorita]

the2ofus Where is this Big Band Cruise going? We just heard that our Oct. 29th Cruise on the Oosterdam is being taken over by a 100 % Lesbian group and everyone else will be bumped. Haven't heard this officially yet, but sounds like it is just a matter of time. Looking to see what else is available during that same week, as HAL may try and offer us an alternative, with extra perks I hope. This would have been our first HAL Cruise, not a very good first impression. :( However we LOVE Big Band music and this may be a possibility if they would give us the same deal that we would have had on the Oosterdam.

[FoxyTerrier]

How does HAL advertise these special criuses? I've never gotten any snail or emails about these types of special cruises.

Joni

[the2ofus]

Renorita, this is a 10 day Eastern Carib cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. Nassau (1/2 day), day at sea, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, Barbados, 2 days at sea, HMC.

Foxyterrier, we never saw this advertised as a Big Band Cruise, just saw the little symbol next to the date in the brochure and checked with HAL to be sure. Usually these cruises would be advertised on web-sites for dance enthousiasts. In the past, I have also heard advertising on some oldies radio stations for some Big Band Cruises on different cruise lines.

[KBC]

Try this pasting in this link for the HAL Big Band Cruises:-

http://crm.hollandamerica.com/broadbaseema/HA3129/pdf/11-04-04/13306-FX_TA_Big_Bands.pdf

We have done 2 transatlantic BB cruises on the Rotterdam and they were simply wonderful. I would do another in a heartbeat. :)