B.B. King's Blues Club Question

Hi all, I appreciate the info about the Blues Club and enjoy (and play) blues, rock, etc. But to put a slightly different twist on things can anyone throw any light on dancing? Our group likes to dance every night (swing, latin, waltz, tango even). What have you seen on HAL ships? Are there reasonable dance floors? Will the band play a cha cha, rumba, whatever? We've had luck just requesting things from the band and finding/making room where ever we are but any insights would be helpful. Also any recent daily event schedules/planners would help us understand what's going on on some of the ships. Maybe I'll start a dancing thread - meetups would be fun!

Just to remind people, my comment applies to my recent Rotterdam cruise. Others may have different experiences on other cruises and different ships.

Both the Crow's Nest and the Ocean Bar have a dance floor of moderate size and both were used during my cruise. The Ocean Bar's music group did play a variety of music that some did seem to enjoy for dancing. Whether the Ocean Bar's Band would play requests, I do not know. The BB King's group had a planned program. Perhaps if they knew in advance of that evening's program of a specific request, they might. I don't know.

On the Noordam last month there were 3 shows each evening, at 8:45, 9:45, and 10:45, except, I believe, for the last night, when they were 1/2 hour earlier. And one night they held a show in the main lounge, although we did not attend that one. We thought they were quite good.

Hope this helps.

 

George and Lori

Virtually identical schedule last week but no main stage show. Adagio helped out on main stage for a BBC movie thing about Alaska.

I think Rotterdam is the only R class to have BB King.

No BB King on the Volendam? That's a shame. We really didn't enjoy the venue they played in on the Noordam and were looking forward to checking it out on our next cruise, on the Volendam.

VoV is Voyage of the Vikings, a 35 or so day cruise that HAL has once a year in the summer. It is round trip Boston, goes up to the Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, down the coast of the UK to Rotterdam. It comes back along a similar itinerary but different ports. It can be booked as a one way as well.

 

Here's a link to the upcoming 38 day cruise for next year: http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?destCode=E&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&pageNumber=0&voyageCode=T748&directionCode=T&tabName=ItineraryDetails&fromSearchVacation=true

Thanks so much for the explanation. Sounds fabulous. Will look into it.

Virtually identical schedule last week but no main stage show. Adagio helped out on main stage for a BBC movie thing about Alaska.

I think Eurodam is one of the ships that is implementing some of the newer music lineup changes. On my recent 12-day Med cruise, BB King in the Queen's Lounge is similar to Noordam's 3 shows/night and high quality. Audience ranged from standing-room only to less than 10. Lincoln Center Stage (4-string plus piano) usually 2-3 times / night. They were very talented, but the converted bar area near the MDR isn't a good place to showcase their music. Dueling Pianos in the newly modified bar next to casino was generally okay in attendance. Main stage acts ranged from forgettable to very good, though I noticed the song selections have become a bit more contemporary (didn't hear any 40's music, quite a bit more millenial pop).

Are you sure about the Rotterdam? I called and was told "no bbking on Rotterdam. ". Hope your wrong.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Sorry! Hope your right!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Never thought "too loud" at all. Love BB King Blues club bands and is major reason we prefer HAL to all other lines. Not into "piano bar", showroom production shows, etc. Like our rock and roll and BB King Blues band provides our kind of music. Rock, soul, blues! Show times will vary but generally 3 each night. Beginning usually 8:45, but I have seen variation in this. Not 45 minutes between shows generally. I found usually 15 minutes between shows, maybe 30 but never recall 45 min between shows. Some people will stay for all the shows. I think times may vary by ship too but are always published in the daily schedule. In main showroom once per cruise on the 11 night, not the 10 night. That was really great show! Best band was on Noordam spring 2015 with Darryl Stanley and Tempest! Wow! Also Darryl was on Dec 2015 Oosterdam. Band on Westerdam early 2016 not as good but still enjoyed. Bands are managed by BB King Enterprises(something like that) and the musicians change quite often. Some groups better than others obviously, but we have always enjoyed and musicians quite good. Have a great time! Can't wait for our Zuiderdam 12/16 sailing to check out band on that ship.

Jane

Tempest Barnes is AWESOME! We love her! Darryl is very good also.

Was on the Westerdam last year and they were great I believe that I sat through all 3 shows for 5 nights. Total enjoyment for me. I would love to hear some 40's music.

"The Band" played some Glen Miller on our last cruise by request. The musicians were way too young to even know who Glen Miller was but they did a great job and even seemed to enjoy the variety.

I hope the changes were not reflected on our Oosterdam cruise in the Mediterranean earlier this month.

 

We could not believe when we received the On Location bulletin for Gala Night and the "gala" style entertainment in the main show lounge was a BBC Earth movie. I have nothing against BBC Earth and understand they have many followers, but on Gala Night? Going to a movie is more suitable for "date" night than "gala" night and I normally do not wear a tuxedo on "date" night :D

Did you go? I think you would find this to be one of the finest shows we have seen in a long time. It is a live concert with super musicians and brilliant footage. Nothing like what you describe.

Agree. It is way too loud.

I love sitting in front but end up standing in back due to volume.

On the Oosterdam, B.B. King was in the Culinary Theater, obviously not designed for Music, liked the choice of music but had to leave after a couple of sets, my ears(head) were hammered. Went back another night and sat in the extreme left corner and I could handle the volume.

The problem as I see it is that someone up high finds a new form of good entertainment, and does not think about the fact that the ship does not have the right venue for it. "don't worry about it, put them any where".

There's music that works in Carnegie Hall and music that belongs in Central Park.

We found it difficult to get a seat. The venue was intimate but too small for the popularity. The second time one of our party found a chair. If you time it right, you will have better luck. They encourage people to get up and dance so watch you don't take a seat that someone has temporarily vacated!

We were on the Eurodam this August & B B Kings was by far the best entertainment. The main stage shows were very iffy so apart from the odd comedian or magician, it was BB Kings. Usually 3 shows a night, usually packed but there quieter shows where it was easy to get a seat. Musicians were brilliant, best ever on a cruise ship & they added new songs each night of the cruise. Yes it's loud, but what do you expect? Maybe the room's acoustics aren't ideal for a 8 piece band. They disembarked when we did, to go home. Each to their own tastes, but the best I've heard & seen on cruise ships so far!

Sent from my SM-G925F using Forums mobile app