MarylandBob

Thanks all for your insights. I will definitely check out "Live From" and "The Inside Cabin".

We've been cruising for a long time and have many days on HAL but grew increasingly disappointed with the elimination of many of their more popular and enjoyable entertainment venues and acts. When we started sailing with HAL in the 1990s, there was live entertainment in the dining room at dinner, orchestras played in the Crow's Nest, cabaret singers and comedians performed in the Queen's Lounge and the Main Stage included cast shows, individual singers and orchestra/band music for dancing and general enjoyment. A DJ played contemporary music in the Club late night.  The Officer's Black and White Ball was usually held on the second formal night in the Queen's Lounge, always a favorite.

On our recent HAL voyages which we typically take on Vista or Signature-class ships, most of this was gone. The late night Clubs had been changed into "library/reading/game rooms", the Crow's Nest is relegated to another lounge with puzzles, maps and a coffee-selling cafe. What a waste of a great entertainment venue! On our last HAL voyage in February 2020 on Eurodam, the only things happening at the Main Stage were BBC movies and port/shopping lectures.  No live entertainment.  

I realize everyone's tastes for cruising are different and lines appeal to varying clientele based on those interests.  We've cruised on quite a few other lines and have many days with RCCL where entertainment is second-to-none. But, we really liked HAL for the service and dining, spacious staterooms and even their entertainment some time ago.  That's why I'm willing to give them another try but wanted to get a read on what, if anything, may have changed with new management.

Thanks again, for your feedback and insights!

Thinking of taking a HAL cruise next year but the last one we did prior to the pandemic was really disappointing. HAL's entertainment options had been slipping for years; no more cabaret singers, black and white officer's ball, contemporary club music and even song and dance shows on the main stage were missing on our last cruise in February 2020. I believe Test Kitchen may be gone too.

Can anyone offer insights on what's happening with their entertainment since cruising has restarted and they have new top tier management?

Robert and Jerry here. Hopefully we'll see you guys on board!

No, not a member of the FB page, didn't know there was one.

Thanks. Yes I did sign up for the Meet and mingle and plan on looking for the meetings. I'm Ralph btw do you guys belong to the Facebook group for the ship?

 

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I was afraid I would be alone. Would love to meet others "family" members as I'm be traveling with my family. Let me know if you are interested in meeting for a drink onboard. I am planning on going to any LGBT gathering planned on Allure.

 

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Sure that'll be fun. Trust me, you won't be the only one on board, there are already three of us and likely to be 30 to 300 more. This is a big ship! Check the community bulletin board postings by the front desk daily for scheduled LGBT gatherings. We've been on this ship before, you going to have a great time. Sign up for the RCCL Meet and Mingle through this website.

Anyone else traveling on this ship.

 

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Hi, Robert and Jerry here. We'll be on the ship! See you soon.

Welcome! See you soon.

Rich and Michele from Kansas with our daughter and son-in-law.

Wendell, great we'll see you soon.

Robert and Jerry from Maryland going. Anyone else?

Robert and Jerry from Maryland sailing, anyone else?

Jonathan, Sounds like a good time will be had by all. We also try to attend the FOD meetings and it sounds like we'll definitely have to check out the Karaoke show! Don't forget to make your show reservations now if you haven't already done so. There's no charge but it's best to reserve now so you're assured of getting into the theatre. If the entertainment is anything like Oasis and I've got no reason why it shouldn't be, the shows are spectacular. The water and ice shows are not to be missed and the broadway stage show is almost like the real thing.

I just turned 57 and Jerry is a bit older (I'll let him tell you much older) but let's just say he robbed the cradle back in 1980. If you guys are planning to do a ziplining tour and you wouldn't mind an extra tagging along, I'd like to join you. Jerry isn't much for that sort of activity and doing stuff like that alone isn't much fun.

Enjoy Halloween and we'll see you in a month!

Hi JonATL, We are Robert and Jerry who live in Maryland, about midway between D.C. and Baltimore. We, too, have a fair amount of cruising experience (on cruise ships) :p but have never been on Allure. We did sail on Oasis in 2011 and really liked it. The ship is a destination unto itself. Your first-timers or "cruise-virgins" will be amazed!

We'll be celebrating 35 years together on this voyage. We're both retired Feds but I do have a part-time retirement job. I worked with Federal law enforcement for the last 9 years of my career.

We look forward to meeting you and your group.

Two guys sailing from Puerto Rico back to Baltimore. Anyone else going?

Hi fun guys from the Midwest. We are a couple from Central Maryland who'll be joining you on this cruise. Look forward to meeting you soon.

Yeah, I'm sure we'll all have a good time. We always meet other LGBT passengers onboard even though they're not active on Cruise Critic. Looking forward to getting away!

Yep, you'll be glad to know at least two more "family" will be joining you. Robert and Jerry here just signed up!

Welcome aboard!

No one?

Just booked this 11 day cruise. Anybody else going?

FOD means Friends of Dorothy aka the chick who wore the blue and white checkered dress in the Wizard of Oz and sang about being somewhere over the rainbow.

Was on the Carnival Dream last week and FOD/GLBT was announced every night.

Shane Michaels without a doubt. Sailed with him three times and a nicer guy you will not meet.