Things To Do Other Than Shows Onboard At Night

Hi,

I will be embarking on the 24 Magic Of the Mediterranean cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam in just over a month. This will be my first cruise but having read all the fantastic information posted by everyone on this board I am extremely excited.

The main consensus I got especially about the Nieuw Amsterdam is that the shows and entertainment aren't that great. Myself personally I am not a huge fan of singing, dancing or musicals so I think I will be giving most of the shows a miss. Being of a younger age (under 30) I was just wondering are many of the bars etc open til late on the ship. By some of the posters I get the feeling that they seem to close early most nights and there is not much to do.

The days are going to be long anyway and i'm not looking to 'go crazy' but just wondering what options or recommendations people had about what to do onboard the ship at night apart from shows :D! Also I am in no way complaining and will definitely be able to find my own fun just thought I would ask around

We are 30 and love the piano bars if the performer isn't terrible.

But I just order a wang wang (it's a drink, get your mind out of the gutter!), then order another. Then you won't care what's going on, you'll have fun regardless. :)

The Northern Lights disco is open later than most of the other venues. It often has drink specials from 10-11 or 11-midnight. They do theme nights, but it's usually straight up club music later. Definitely give the B. B. King show a try. A number of people have complained that it is too loud, but it didn't bother my wife and I. (It's no where near as loud as clubs in Miami, but it's definitely much louder than the Piano Bar.)

My advice is to walk around and try to sample a little bit of everything. If you do go to a show in the main show lounge, don't sit in the upper balcony. The site lines are poor. (I know that you said you probably weren't going to the shows, but if you do....)

My favorite entertainment is either going to a bar or sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine. I'm boring.

Bb King is good. I also found that is wasn't too loud.

See if there is a movie being shown at night.

My DH and I always enjoyed a glass of wine or after dinner drink in Ocean Bar or wherever...... Maybe Pinnacle Bar?

The legendary Wang Wang is definitely on the to-do list. I believe I may actually of heard of it from reading one of POA1's reviews which first got me extremely excited in cruising. These suggestions so far are great and right up my alley.

Finding a nice bar with some music and and some beverages sounds absolutely perfect. Definitely sounds like there will be more than enough to do at night I just had the impression everything was shutdown by 10ish.

There's usually a movie playing at night; or you can get a DVD at the Front Desk. Every cabin has a DVD player.

If you want to stay out, Adagio plays until about 10:00. The Ocean Bar closes down around 11:30. There should be a B.B. King group on your ship, and they will go until sometime between 11:00-midnight. The Piano Bar generally closes down at midnight, although if there's a lively group it may stay open until 1:00. Northern Lights disco opens around 11:00 and closes very late, if there's a crowd.

It's not at all like it used to be when every lounge stayed open late, and the last one closed down at 2:00 AM. :(

But in the Med, you will be interested in getting up and seeing the ports, so you should be able to find a good time at night.

My first thought is that the OP could do what many HAL cruisers do and simply go to bed after dinner :). But there are usually a few bars open until around midnight...and the casino bar is always open until the wee hours.

Hank

I enjoy sitting on my veranda with a glass of wine and a cigarette.

Piano bar is a good suggestion - and a must-do if it is Stryker or Buddy Mitchell performing.

Piano bar is a good suggestion - and a must-do if it is Stryker or Buddy Mitchell performing.

Just a little tidbit, but I wonder how many are aware that Stryker cannot read a single note of music. He is an interesting guy :).

Hank

We did this cruise last July, it was great. BB King's and some of the shows were good. The Northern Lights disco was certainly open late, the noise disturbed us slightly when we were going to bed. However we were not out late, partly because it was a port intensive cruise. Btw we are 36 and 41.

I know it's off-topic, but check out my review of the cruise, if you want to see lots of photos of the ports and the ship.

I am just wondering how many posters have ever gone to the Northern Lights Disco after 10:30 (or even earlier). What you normally find is a DJ and perhaps a few passengers (generally less then a dozen) sitting around bored out of their minds. Later at night (after 11) there will sometimes be a few younger crew members (such as the entertainers) that will stop in the disco. But even these crew members usually find another venue (such as the crew bar).

Hank

Your can choose for late dining. Your days are longer and the evening less. Walk around, visit a bar, walk over the outside promenade and enjoy sailing at night.

I am just wondering how many posters have ever gone to the Northern Lights Disco after 10:30 (or even earlier). What you normally find is a DJ and perhaps a few passengers (generally less then a dozen) sitting around bored out of their minds. Later at night (after 11) there will sometimes be a few younger crew members (such as the entertainers) that will stop in the disco. But even these crew members usually find another venue (such as the crew bar).

 

Hank

WHAT??? I thought that HAL closed everything down at 10 PM and rolled up the carpets. I must be getting old..........

Thanks for all the helpful information everyone. Definitely going to be some long port intensive days but as always a few beverages are needed to wind down after a busy day. Dont know if I will be throwing some shapes (im sure my wife will be thankful for this although being 6ft 4 I say I move like a graceful flamingo) at the northern lights disco but anywhere to go and enjoy a drink if im not feeling like turning in for the night sounds good.

Laurino thanks for posting your review. Definitely more hyped now!

Did this cruise last year. You will enjoy spectacular sunsets on this cruise! There are a number of places around the ship to relax and enjoy it, especially outside.

The crow's nest is also a relaxing place to go indoors with a panoramic view; last year the guitarist played in the evening.

Your daily On Location guide will list all of the times and venues for evening entertainment.

Enjoy your cruise!

We alternate -- now that the loud guitarists are gone from the Crows Nest -- some times we got there for a night cap.

Or sometimes we go to the Ocean Bar.

And we also have drinks out on our verandah.

I am just wondering how many posters have ever gone to the Northern Lights Disco after 10:30 (or even earlier). What you normally find is a DJ and perhaps a few passengers (generally less then a dozen) sitting around bored out of their minds. Later at night (after 11) there will sometimes be a few younger crew members (such as the entertainers) that will stop in the disco. But even these crew members usually find another venue (such as the crew bar).

 

Hank

Going on a 70 day cruise is much, much different than a shorter cruise so what you describe here is not surprising. Most people stay up for the entire day and don't go down for a two hour baby nap during the day. Have you ever seen the bars on shorter cruises? They are generally not anything like you describe.

casino every night! then a cigar and a drink on deck