Entertainment on HAL - Good or not?

[KCGreg]

I've read on some boards that people were disappointed with the entertainment on HAL ships. I'm used to pretty good entertainment on Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships. To all of you who have sailed on HAL and other lines, give me an honest assessment. Does HAL entertainment match-up to other popular cruise lines or not?

[casavaha]

If you are asking about shows, I do not know, as we never go.

But if you are asking about music to dance to, that is great. We just

got off a cruise on the Oosterdam. Great danceable music. A quartet

and a 8 piece band led the danceable music, plus a great pianist

and string quartet.

Even better than RCI which I used to think had some of the best

dance music.

[jhannah]

I find the showroom presentations hit-and-miss. Some are stellar, with unbelieveably talented young performers. Others are just so-so, and few have been what I'd call disappointing. It's a very subjective thing. Depends on what your expectations are. But for the most part I think you'll find skilled artists working very hard to give you a good show.

[Lynne Myrna]

We have been on just one HAL cruise so far, the Noordam, we've been on other cruise lines, thought that HAL shows were very entertaining....very talented young people.

[hammybee]

I sail most mass - marketed cruise lines and production entertainment is a hit or miss on all of them. The more I sail, the more inclined I am to think the "big shows" are reminicent of some of the better high school productions.

Special guests are also a hit or miss on all cruise lines. I think Carnival pulls better talent while sometimes HAL's seem reminicent of what used to be "the Poconos" circuit. There is always at least one entertainer that is very enjoyable.

The ethnic crew shows on HAL are unique and I enjoy them.

I think the lounge entertainment on NCL, RCL and Carnival is more varied than on HAL. The Piano Bar on HAL tends to be better to substantially better than any on NCL , Carnival or RCL.

The pax dynamics onboard any ship change, sailing to sailing, and impact the evening experience. I have been on dead Carnival cruises known for their late night party life and HAL cruises where the evening continues into the wee hours. Much of this is a factor of season, intinerary, duration of the cruise and which groups are onboard any given sailing.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have seen some good shows and some bad ones. The last time we were on NCL, which was several years ago, we didn't like any of their shows. Maybe it's just us.

We have also had some good dances and singers among the production cast and some bad ones.

[akaCruiser]

As I just was on the Noordam last week, I thought that the enteraintment during the cruise was average compared to NCL or RCCL. HAL productions are not as splashy as the other two lines in my opinion. The other acts on board the Noordam varied from good to not really my taste.

[SmokinActuary]

It was hit or miss for us.

The only one big miss on this cruise and that was this singer they had who really did not belong on stage. I felt bad for her, but for the life of me I do not know who hired her.

My opinion on this singer was not in isolation either.

[earl_m]

It just depends on whats your taste in entertaintment is. HAL gives you variety of choice, dancing,musicals.comedy magic etc.. its like KK said its a hit or miss.

[SmokinActuary]

earl,

I have a pretty open mind and I was not expecting Broadway presentations or talent, but this one woman, G-d bless her, really did not belong there and IMO it was not a matter of taste.

[PathfinderEss]

In general, I think entertainment on Hal has been hit or miss in the last few years. Some cruises I've been on the entertainment has been great in all venues, but more often then not on other cruises I can't find one good thing to say about them. Comparison to other cruise lines, just about the same, though I will say Princess entertainment was pretty good on the two cruises I have done with them.
I think Hal was much better back a few years ago when their
entertainment overall was good, but can't truefully say that anymore. It's really is a shame. I love music and it is very much a part of my cruising experience.

[Copper10-8]

Agree with the "hit and miss" comments. We happen to like the production shows and always go to see them after dinner. Have seen several more than once. Have seen outstanding singers and dancers and some that obviously did not reach that same level. Only show we ever walked out of was Tommy Tune's "Paparazzi". One thing is for sure though; on every HAL ship we've been on those cast members always worked their butts off, lots of energy. For HAL, at least, all their cast members are selected by a company called Stiletto Entertainment locate here in L.A.

As far as the guest entertainers, same thing applies. We have seen some very talented, funny and entertaining folks and some that are not "our thing". Haven't been on them for a while but Princess always had good shows.

[Chivalrygirl]

Agree with the "hit and miss" comments. We happen to like the production shows and always go to see them after dinner. Have seen several more than once. Have seen outstanding singers and dancers and some that obviously did not reach that same level. Only show we ever walked out of was Tommy Tune's "Paparazzi". One thing is for sure though; on every HAL ship we've been on those cast members always worked their butts off, lots of energy. For HAL, at least, all their cast members are selected by a company called Stiletto Entertainment locate here in L.A.

As far as the guest entertainers, same thing applies. We have seen some very talented, funny and entertaining folks and some that are not "our thing". Haven't been on them for a while but Princess always had good shows.

OMG John what has happened to your head, someone has chopped it off.

Must say we thought most of the shows on our 28 repositioning cruise last year on the Statendam were good. The production shows were good, but they actually only performed a few times, thought they had a very easy cruise. Mind you, they only seemed to have one show so I guess they couldn't keep repeating it for fear of sending everyone nuts. The three best shows during this period were tops, mind you they were all from the land of the Kangaroo, perhaps this says something? The very best entertainers come from down-under :D

Val

[Atomica]

We've enjoyed all of the shows we've seen, but do agree with the hit-or-miss comment. I thought personally the shows were better on the Vista-class ships, though that may have more to do with the design of the theatre than the actual performance itself.

[jtl513]

When we go to the production shows, DW prefers lots of dancing and I prefer the singing ... so one of us is always unhappy no matter what the mix! I like the magicians, she likes the impersonators. Similarly, you may not like what she or I like. :D

[mamaofami]

I agree with the hit and miss comments. Some of the big production numbers have been very good, and others just so so. The magicians have been very good and I enjoy their acts. Commedy depends on who is performing. I am spoiled living so close to Broadway, so I try to go with an open mind and just enjoy the entertainment. After all, it is pretty amazing to me that people can dance so well while the ship is rockin and rollin.

[u4ea]

Agreed too on the comments. But I have seen some seriously cheesy electronic keyboard entertainment in the crows nest. We’re talking bring in a case of crackers because there is a ton of cheese wiz coming out of that amplifier. :eek:;)Noticed that mainly in Europe.
Mark...

[cruznon]

In every HAL production show I've seen, I had the feeling that the same person put the music together--so many of the songs had the same ricki-ticki beat that never really allowed the singers to deliver songs with any emotion...just sing the words and notes and keep the show moving.
Many of the non-production shows were good/some were not--this is where the "hit and miss" description really kicks in for me!

[Seasongs]

As someone else in this thread mentioned, we, too, just got off the Oosterdam last week - we miss it already! My dh attended almost all of the shows, and I attended a few. I agree that the entertainers really do work hard, and have a lot of energy.

We were disappointed that their "Rock" show was really a "country" music type.

They had Jim Curry, who doubles well as John Denver; but that's pretty specific for entertainment.

We thought the magician and his wife were great. They interacted well with the audience, and they did some great magic tricks.

The comedian was too "blue" for us on opening night. Why does raunch have to be included to make something funny?

A few years ago, my sis and I were on the Zuiderdam and we shared a dinner table with Claude Eric Brunelle. He was the headline singer, and was a very kind individual with a good voice. Is he still on HAL ships somewhere?

Like it's been said, the entertainment shows are just one part of the whole wonderful cruise experience. What a great cruise we just had!

Joy to all!

[IheartHAL]

As far as the ship's cast goes, I kind of expect a "hey kids, let's put on a show!" kind of thing, and their shows are often much better than that. (Hey, this isn't Broadway!) They do work hard and always give an energetic performance. I've generally been quite impressed with the visiting entertainers.

[Jade13]

It is hit or miss, bt you wll be disppointed if you are expecting Broadway or West End productions.

I do have to say that the lead singer "Jen" on the Veendam last summer was excellant and good enough for broadway in our opinion. The males did not have good voices, but were excellant dancers.

[grannynurse]

I agree, it's hit or miss. Some shows and entertainers hold my attention and some don't.
GN