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Has anyone experienced Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas? What are the chance of us finding any ballroom dancing? My husband and I are taking ballroom dance lessons. We've only been taking them for a year and a half, but we enjoy it and we are hoping we might find ballroom dancing on the Oasis.

 

Oasis doesnt really have anywhere suitable for ballroom im afraid. i took a group on and we had to use night club for classes but it was difficult....i dont remember any ballroom music being played anywhere. apart from this....it was a great ship.

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Has anyone experienced Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas? What are the chance of us finding any ballroom dancing? My husband and I are taking ballroom dance lessons. We've only been taking them for a year and a half, but we enjoy it and we are hoping we might find ballroom dancing on the Oasis.

 

Oasis doesnt really have anywhere suitable for ballroom im afraid. i took a group on and we had to use night club for classes but it was difficult....i dont remember any ballroom music being played anywhere. apart from this....it was a great ship.

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  • 3 weeks later...
Most dance groups never make it onto the Internet. The local group in January was just a bunch of friends who decided to book on the Mediterranea at the same time. Nobody was really in charge and we mostly dance International style at the bronze/silver level. Incidentally there were equal numbers of singles- sometimes we end up with more single guys than women. There was a dance studio group from Florida who hadn't posted either. dancinglist.com has some cruises, but I personally know of one with Southern Star chapter of USA Dance next October that isn't listed.

I decided a long time ago not to hire partners for social dancing. I did try one of the companies that provides hostesses, but it was quite expensive and not all that much fun. I do travel with Stardust. They were getting 500+ people when they were on Costa Fortuna but Adventure of the Seas (San Juan) a much smaller group and I didn't like the ship (should have done trip report, will dig out my notes). Linda says she wants to sail from Florida next year but is having trouble finding a ship.

If you want "cheap" and "dancing" then, for all its many and varied faults Costa is your only real choice, so the best odds of finding other dancers is on whatever ship they have sailing from the US.

 

We do, but they're usually through ballroom message boards and just email groups. There are about 60 of us going on a Caribbean Cruise in February with Princess.

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  • 1 month later...

I spent a month on Royal Princess the atrium is very large. They had several hundred people learning ball room dancing. Also line dancing and several other forms of dancing.

 

 

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I spent a month on Royal Princess the atrium is very large. They had several hundred people learning ball room dancing. Also line dancing and several other forms of dancing.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Several hundred at once? Was it even possible to move, let alone learn ballroom dancing?

Could you please tell us how big the atrium is? What sort of flooring do they have?

Thank you

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Several hundred at once? Was it even possible to move, let alone learn ballroom dancing?

Could you please tell us how big the atrium is? What sort of flooring do they have?

Thank you

 

The atrium can hold a lot of people. Since they were learning the steps and the teachers made sure they went in the same directions it helped. People also used other levels of the ship to dance. They would move all the tables and chairs out of the main floor area and if they had a lot of extra people they would even remove them to some of the back spaces. I cant tell you the dimensions but there is room for a band stand closer to the Vines bar. The Vines bar is 2 times the size of any other ship that I have been on. The atrium is really set up to accomdate a very large crowd as the ship holds over 4400 passageners. It intresting that when you do web search it states only 3600. We had closer to 4500 on our baltic cruise and it was very crowded.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Dance portion of review, full review to be posted soon, HAL Westerdam, Eastern Caribbean, Nov 2014.

Music: There are TWO groups playing under the name HALCats, both 5-piece combos. No one could explain why, although it appeared I was the only passenger alert enough to notice. The groups are allowed to play only HAL's music. The group in the Ocean Bar tried, but were crippled by the music, which didn't have much after 1970 and worse, was arranged so the saxophone player was constant playing wildly off-tempo from the rest of the group. The other group played theme nights in the Queens Lounge, very monotonous and repetitious music.

Ocean Bar: Oval, 16' x 12', could be 16' x 20' with furniture pushed back. Floor in reasonable condition but too small for standard/smooth. Usually pretty much empty after 10 PM.

Queens Lounge: Semi-circular, 40' x 25', about 30' x 20' useable LOD. Floor is in good condition, but used as a multipurpose room, usually reduced to about half by furniture.

Crows Nest: Circular, 20'. Not normally used for dancing, covered with furniture.

Northern Lights “Disco”: 16' x 24', with one corner nibbled off, down to 16 x 12'. 18” pillar in the middle. Loud, obnoxious music. I spot-checked a few times, only once did I see anyone there after 11 PM.

DWTS “Classes”: These were really auditions for a Pro-Am passenger talent show, with what were called samba, tango and foxtrot. Samba started with Criss-Cross Bota Fogos, Criss-Cross Voltas and Corta Jacas. So far so good, except 90% of the women showed up wearing things like platform sandals! It quickly degenerated into prancing and arm-flailing. Tango started with a demonstration of ballroom hold, but there were only Argentine Tango-like movements. Foxtrot was absurd, with nothing that could really be called foxtrot.

The only woman in the class who could actually dance was not picked for the show, although they did take her partner, who was nowhere near her standard.

 

Although there is potential, do not expect HAL to deliver anything better than “poor”. I was traveling with a dance group, the dozen of us made up about 90% of the nightlife. If I had been solo, it would have been a disaster.

Edited by Dancer Bob
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  • 1 month later...

Ruby Princess, early December 2014, Eastern Caribbean. Grand class ship, 3,000 passenger capacity.

 

Entertainment (Since Princess is American, I've used USA Dance tempos).

Club Fusion Overall about 32' x 40'. Useable LOD about 30' x 20' due to odd shape and furniture placed on floor.

Explorers semi-circular, base about 30', radius about 17'. Useable LOD about 10x 20. There are two concentric metal rings which may be of concern.

Wheelhouse Roughly triangular base about 20' height 12'. Not suitable for standard/smooth, limited for latin/rhythm.

Skywalkers Disco L-shaped floor, about 8' wide with 12 and 20' legs. Plexiglass and tile squares with noticeable joints. Music less loud and obnoxious than most discos.

Lobby. Tile mosaic, circular, about 12'. Not comfortable for dancing.

Crooners. Advertised as a dance venue but does not have a dance floor, only a tile area in passenger corridor.

Music:

Atomic band- contracted as a group, with their own music. Trying hard, seem to want people dancing, but usually assigned to theme nights. Many tempos just not right, not receiving any useful guidance from Princess.

DJ Robin. Some good music but infrequently scheduled. The Caribbean band had some very danceable music, but were only scheduled in the lobby.

“Ballrom Blitz” dance lessons- tango, merengue, cha-cha. The instructors appeared to have seen the figures, although they had no idea how to actually teach them.

 

Rated “Poor”. Although Club Fusion has a decent floor and some of the musicians tried hard, it was obvious management just didn't care. They could have done much better, but except for the group I was with, there were no more than about a dozen couples who could be said to dance.

Edited by Dancer Bob
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  • 2 months later...

Was on Costa Luminosa in February. Trio Tringali and Duo Contatto alternate in the main lounge from 18.00 to 01.00. Best music I've heard on a cruise ship for a decade. Luminosa's dance floors are also very large for a cruise ship (of course, usefulness depends on how many people are dancing). Overall, with these groups playing, this cruise was the best for dancing for individuals/small groups I've been on in a long time.

Currently on Costa Mediterranea, an older version of the Luminosa, with a large group (Stardust). Unfortunately, the "improvements" on the two new ships (Deliziosa as well) involved removing three dance floors, so for a large group, Mediterranea is the better choice, although the music is a notch below Luminosa.

 

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  • 3 months later...

This has been an interesting thread and after reading all the postings I'm inclined to agree with Dancer Bob that the Costa ships - Luminosa and Mediterranea in the winter season out of Miami have the best overall mix of dancing, large dance floors and music.

 

Many years ago after Lily and I fist met we took a cruise on the old RCI Nordic Empress where we were awed by some older couples dancing swing/jive and we resolved that someday we'd be dancing like them. On returning home after that first cruise we signed up for Latin and Ballroom dance classes at the local Community College. Now fourteen cruises later can offer the following observations:

 

Small dance floors are not an issue if you dance Argentine and Latin. In recent years we've noticed many more of the ships musicians seem to be classically trained Eastern Europeans who play violin and piano in small trio's and do Argentine Tango music particularly well.

 

Don't judge a ship solely by it's adherence to line of dance International Style and orchestra's tempo. Space is tight on board so get used to more American Social and Latin. Besides, your Ballroom shoes and wardrobe are going the way of all such civilities like formal dining and dress code.

 

The ship orchestra or dance band is more likely to be one lead singer, a guitarist and one guy on a keyboard with six backing tracks and a pre-approved playlist.

 

Cruises out of San Juan will always be filled with Salsa, Cha Cha and Merengue dancers and ship bands that cater to the Latin dance crowd.

 

If you like waltz or social foxtrot or any particular dance for that matter, come to the lounge or dance floor when nobody else is dancing, make your request and give the band leader a big tip. For the rest of the cruise the band is yours!

 

Organize some cruises with a posse of dance friends, particularly if you're on a mostly French and Italian speaking ship as all MSC and Costa ships are. This way your little group can (very politely of course) hog a bit more floor space and combined with the band tipping at the start of the cruise, lead to a very successful dance cruise.

 

If you and the DW are cruising alone, join up with any other dancers you meet in the lounges. Years ago we actually met Dancer Bob. I think he was hosting with Starlight back then and we'd been crashing their private dance events for several evenings before someone figured out we weren't part of the group!

 

The smaller HAL ships on the summer Alaska cruises can unexpectedly be a good dancing opportunity. Yes, you really do become the nightly entertainment for everybody else and a Viennese Waltz on a tiny floor is easy when you're the only dance couple out there.

 

Most ships have a disco, usually with horrible music and often empty. If it's empty go in and dance anything while ignoring the music. If it's full of younger dancers, well, dive right in. We've actually found ourselves joining is some weird Bollywood numbers and as a 64 year-old hockey player I can still pull a few hard shifts doing the Hustle.

 

Music up on the Lido deck is usually a nasty form of suntan lotion and flip-flop torture for strict tempo Ballroom types (as we are). But between the silly games and Steel-Band party music the CD's staff very often have short afternoon dance lessons which can be a really good place to pick up new steps and some of the current line dances. So, be a joiner and make the DW happy.

 

Consider the embarkation port for dance opportunities. Travel a few days early and book a hotel close to local dance events. Google all the entertainment events in Florida before finalizing your cruise. Miami's South Beach has many dance clubs. (If you're Canadian you must also schedule an NHL game and a round or two of golf).

 

San Juan has nightly dancing at the big casino hotels along Condado and Isla Verde Beaches. If you fly down Thursday and take a cruise on the Sunday you can spend part of Friday and Saturday evening dancing in the street along the Calle Marina before going to the El San Juan or Marriott Stellaris for a Mojito and dancing until 3:00 am.

 

Finally, I'd say the best dance cruise is the one you take with your best dance friends, no matter which ship you choose.

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Yes, been on every Stardust cruise except one. Nope, haven't hosted, they do American style, I do International. There's usually a bunch from Toronto, if any of the ladies are sitting or who want to do Intl, that's probably what you saw. Was on neoRomantica, very disappointed, best food but worst dancing of any Costa. I'll be on Diadema in November, then Deliziosa with Stardust and TA to Venice in the spring. 42 days, I sure hope they put Tringali/Contatto on board. Only been on MSC Divina- tile dance floors, very uncomfortable lounge furniture. On Princess there was a decent floor, the band tried hard but just didn't know what they were doing. And see PunkiC's comments over on Cunard board, that attitude seems depressingly common now on almost every cruise line.

Edited by Dancer Bob
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  • 8 months later...

Since last fall, Costa has contracted with a Hungarian agency for Latin teams (two couples) on many of their ships. I've been on Diadema and Deliziosa since. The teams' shows are excellent. And, while not officially dance hosts, they dance with passengers most nights, and they're excellent dancers. One lady who was on Deliziosa and who cruises a lot, said she's never had more dancing on a cruise ship. By way of comparison, she said last Christmas on Queen Mary 2, of the 6 hosts, only one could really dance, 3 couldn't even keep time with the music.

Highly recommended for singles who dance. (Be warned, most travel agents in North America are completely ignorant of Costa, don't expect to get accurate information from them.) For single guys, I don't know of anything competitive.

I did post a review of Diadema, although I see I missed posting anything here.

Edited by Dancer Bob
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  • 1 month later...

I am intrigued by the previous recommendations and will look into the possibilities of new sea dance venues.

 

For energetic dance enthusiasts, especially aficionados of the many forms of swing (East Coast, West coast, Lindy, Balboa, etc.,) I can recommend the Jazzdagen cruises for the quality and quantity of the music, all danceable, and the friendliness of the clientele, many of whom mingle and switch partners with newcomers as well as acquaintances. There is a price premium for the extra bands, but it is worth it if one of them is your favorite and oh-so-inspiring dance band, as in my case.

There are ample opportunities with the guest bands to do quickstep if you grab the floor promptly, many foxtrots, plus a sprinkling of waltzes, all the Latin and club dances. The ship's small combos will take requests, and if they like your dancing may play your favorite songs every night without being asked.

I have been dancing (occasionally competitively but mainly socially) and performing for 26 years, typically five days a week, in all the International and American style ballroom dances, plus the various club dances and Argentine tango, and greatly prefer cruises to any other vacation because of the opportunity to do what I love daily. Crystal is no longer worth it to a non-drinker like me now that they are all-inclusive; I would be subsidizing others' drinking. But Princess, with excellent shipboard musicians, and Holland America, with the Jazzdagen group, have come through nicely for me.

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My agent was just on the refurbished Eurodam. Can't remember everything he said, but it sounds like major changes . He was definite that I wouldn't like it and he won't be booking dance groups with them. The older ships should be OK for swing, but consider carefully what the group is offering, on HAL there'll be precious little else to do on the ship.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Is Crystal. There crossing cannot be beet. They have twice a year the Tommy Dorsey band 19 strong. They play for cocktail hour every night and 10 PM to 12PM every night. The passengers wear there best and what great dancers. If you travel alone they have the best men to dance with the single women. Their crossing is Oct. 18th from Lisbon to Miami. We take it both ways every year.

Trust me it's worth it.

Steve And Judy

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Margatecruiser's post is COMPLETELY INCORRECT.

Big Bands are useless for dancing. Too loud, too fast, too monotonous. And there were precious few people still awake by 12 PM.

The Crystal house band was execrable. They were completely unable to do strict tempo music. When I asked for a waltz at 90 beats per minute, I was told "We don't know what you're talking about".

Of the dance hosts, one could dance, American style only. The rest were various degrees of bad. While there were a few women who danced, most were just fat clumsy slobs (I won't speculate about their motivation).

When I asked about strict tempo music for the band break, the Cruise Director was disdainful, treating me as an annoying inconvenience.

The dance floors are larger than normal, but otherwise Crystal was a badly over-priced disappointment.

Edited by Dancer Bob
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Have you ever been on Crystal? We have, we just came back on a crossing with the Tommy Dorsey band. They had wonderful hosts. They even brought more on board. In the 30's and 40' that's the only type of bands for ballroom dancing. I was on a wait list just toget on the March crossing. We will be back in Oct. They also have all priced cabins. Not a Carnavil cruise line. Your right their house band is not great at all. But their show band is great.

Margate Cruiser.

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Crystal Serenity, Dec 2012, review posted. Also Costa, (7 ships), Cunard (all 3), Holland America (3), Carnival (4), Royal Caribbean (3), Once was enough on P&O, NCL, Silversea and Princess. Many trips were with groups but I was still able to gain an impression of general dancing. My background is ISTD, I accept others such as USA Dance (I'm a member) or DVIDA, as equally valid for "best dancing".

I had the cheapest cabin on Crystal, well over $300/day. Even with group premium, I pay $150 to rarely over $200/day on Costa, a bit more on Cunard. Bernie Madoff's friends may think $1000/day is cheap, any keen dancer I know it's more like $100.

What on earth is a "wonderful" host? What do I say to a lady who dances International style, Gold level? She's rich enough she has her pick of gigolos, she wants to have fun dancing with competent partners when she cruises.

Dancing has evolved massively since 1930's. The Latin faculty of ISTD was not even formed until the 1950's. Are we strictly interpreting ballroom as standard/smooth? Where I am in France right now, bachatta and Paso Doble are popular. Costa- definitely, Carnival- usually good with contemporary Latin, Cunard- not likely, Holland America or Crystal-?

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  • 3 months later...
  • 1 month later...

We were on the Costa Fortuna about six years ago and the dancing was very nice, but the smoking was horrendous, hopefully that has changed.

 

We found the Club Fusion on Grand Princess ships to be a good dance venue, but very hit and miss on scheduling.

 

We enjoyed the Manhattan room on the NCL Breakaway during dinner. Loved it when the Burn the Floor dancers performed.

 

We also really enjoyed the MSC Divina. We are more Latin oriented in our dancing and they would alternate bands in the Black and White lounge, so there was never a break. MSC had a fun dance contest at the end of the cruise where a random guest was paired with one of the ship's Professional dancers.

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Smoking is now rare in Western Europe. I'm in Italy right now, I've seen exactly one person smoking in the last 24 hours- less than Florida. Newer Costa ships have enclosed smoking areas. As far as I know MSC is the same.

The dance floors on the MSC Divina were tile, also the lounge furniture was the most uncomfortable I've ever seen on a ship. There was a large group that took over the lounge at 10.30 almost every night, I was told that was common.

The Manhattan Room on Epic would have been very nice except the floor was covered with tables, leaving a tiny area. Obviously management didn't care.

I agree, Princess staff tried, but again management obviously didn't care. Same on RCCL- the staff (mostly) tried but management didn't care.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Surprised to see this thread is still active. Since my last post here I've been on Costa Luminosa and Mediterranea which always have decent dancing. The Costa brand is the Italian themed low end of the Carnival line. Very musical and very dance friendly.

Most recent cruise on RCI's Independence of the Seas had no proper dance floor, no band and the few lounges with music and small floors were coated with the no-slip gunk!

But there was a wonderful duo (piano and violin) willing to play our requests, most of which were Argentine Tango (vals and milonga) along with American Social Dance standards. We were the only dance couple and simply carried a secret stash of dance floor wax which we surreptitiously sprinkled on the floor - usually during the afternoon tea where the duo played each day. The passengers must have thought we were the "entertainment".

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I've done a Ballroom and Big Band on Crystal Serenity. Some things Crystal did do well, but very over-priced. My review, I titled "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", dancing was mostly under "Bad" or "Ugly". Not fun.

I'm not familiar with the specific band mentioned, but I've never seen one that was much good.

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