Does the Rotterdam have hallway music now?

[tomc]

I'm on the Rotterdam in about ten days and need to know if it now has hallway music. Other threads have indicated that either it's happening now, or will soon.

Also, is the music in the public areas more modern than what we are used to? Couple of trips back, we had some age-inappropriate (as they say these days) music for a ship whose pax list was about 95% 70+.

I am seriously thinking of earplugs, as I like to hang out in the Lido at night, but I don't want to be hearing what has been described elsewhere. Apparently, what I'm hearing is HAL has brought in some snappy fast-talker who seems poised to kill the brand identity that we've come to know for so many decades.

[Krazy Kruizers]

tomc

Like you, we are now curious about all the new changes and if some of them will take place on our up-coming Statendam cruise.

[RuthC]

On my cruise that ended in July I did not notice any music in the common passageways; if it was played it was of a subdued nature. Lets hope it stays that way.
As far as the Lido music (daytime) goes I did notice that it was an improvement over last year. It had a quieter tempo---more under your heading of "age appropriate". Can't say I noticed any backround music there at night---so if there was any played it must have been of the quiet style, too.
The "music" (if anyone can call it that) by the Lido pool at breakfast, however, was awful.

Different cruise length/different itinerary, but perhaps the same ambiance can be maintained. Sure hope so.

[tomc]

I think I'm going for the earplugs. I was chased out of the Lido a few trips ago by the soft-rock (lite-rock) music which repeated over and over and over. That "Blue Bayou" number was nice the first time that evening, but by the tenth time I was ready to rip out the wires.

I used to like hanging out there in the evening, pretty much alone, reading and having an endless cup of tea. The music ruined the ambience. I didn't pay $x,xxx to listen to that crap on HAL; I paid to be on a classy line that has some semblance of elegance while keeping up with the times.

"50 is the new 30," eh, Mr. Meadows? How about "Meadows is the new graveyard of HAL"?

[merryecho]

I don't know anyone who enjoys sound pollution. Why would HAL think we do? Are they adding sumbliminal messaging (you are thirsty, buy a drink now..)? (just joking)

[gizmo]

I think I'm going for the earplugs. I was chased out of the Lido a few trips ago by the soft-rock (lite-rock) music which repeated over and over and over. That "Blue Bayou" number was nice the first time that evening, but by the tenth time I was ready to rip out the wires.

I used to like hanging out there in the evening, pretty much alone, reading and having an endless cup of tea. The music ruined the ambience. I didn't pay $x,xxx to listen to that crap on HAL; I paid to be on a classy line that has some semblance of elegance while keeping up with the times.

"50 is the new 30," eh, Mr. Meadows? How about "Meadows is the new graveyard of HAL"?Agree about the repetetive music, after a couple of days you know what is coming next. Go for the earplugs !!!!

Maybe Meadows thinks we are all ageing hippies with fried brains. :rolleyes:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sounds Meadows wants to attrack the "younger" generation. Guess he feels that some of us are getting old and won't be cruising much longer.

If he keeps doing all these new changes, some of we older cruisers will be gone from HAL long before we aren't able to cruise anymore.

[trustee55]

Hi!
Let's hope they don't decide to play RAP or HIP-HOP music...if they do, I'll stay on land!

Best regards,

Carol Ann

only 11 more days until our cruise on the Rotterdam!

[tomc]

Carol Ann

You're on with me, right? Send me a note and we can arrange a meeting place. I'll let you know what I will be wearing (very obvious -- a shirt with a microphone design). tomcarten@homail.com

[shipcafe]

I have sailed, toured, other cruise lines' ships that have "muzak" or "corridor music" and it was never at a level to require "ear plugs". It was always just barely noticeable as to have background music while walking from point 'a' to 'b' on the ship.

I think that this enhancement is really being analyzed to the hilt - hehe. I'm sure that it will be a case of hearing it and saying to oneself, "oh is THAT what it is . . .?" :)

Steve

[CaptData]

Elevator music in the hallways. Must want to keep everyone calm, cool, and collected????

Oh I'm 50 (the new 30) and don't mind the fried brain comment. I think I'll just de-age on the ship when I go. My daughter might object though.

I like classical, western, rock and jazz. I hope it is played very low as I like to relax with a cup of tea too. I do like some background music when I dress or shower but in the hallways is a little much.

[tomc]

Steve --

What I mean by wearing ear plugs is not for the hallway music, but for the Lido. Last cruise, maybe two cruises ago, the main dining room breakfast music was so inappropriate that I got up and complained to someone in a white uniform. I don't do that often, especially at breakfast when I'm so groggy that I can barely tell Eggs Benedict from Benedict himself. There are times when I like to be quiet, there are times when I like to read in the Lido and I'd like to combine them.

[RuthC]

Steve, last summer on the Rotterdam the morning music by the Lido pool was simply awful. It was too loud, and way too jumpy (for want of a better word).
It was too hot inside (yes, in the north Atlantic) to eat there, and since the end of the buffet line was closer to the Lido pool area than aft that's where I went. It was not a pleasant atmosphere before the caffeine kicked in! There was no way to get away from the speakers since they're fairly close together.

This passenger does not consider that type of music appropriate. I hope if HAL does, they let passenger wishes prevail.

[jazzsea]

We will be aboard as well. I know none of you want to hear it but...... Holland America is not "YOUR" Holland America any more.

Consider this. 96% of the US population has never been on a cruise. What does that tell you about the Holland America Line marketing plan?

I think we (DH and me) will cruise less often but sail on Radisson when we do.

I'm doing a little research on the cruise line telemarketing programs. I'll keep all of you posted on what I am finding out. The data that I am finding leads me to believe that the cruise lines are not trying to level the playing field for travel agents. They are trying to eliminate the compitition. Low prices will still be available but one will have to book through one of the cruise line "in house" telemarketing companies. The next six months will be very interesting as many of us experience the "new" Holland America Line.

[tomc]

jazzsea and carol ann

I wear a t-shirt with a large "Larry King" style microphone and some words in print and Braille on the front. Long hair, glasses, camera bag with me. Between the back pool and the stern just before sailaway, on the Sports Deck during sailaway, in the Lido most nights reading.

Remember: Departure has been changed to 8:00pm.