dueling piano players and tips

[Va. Plumber]

As is usually the case, people on here can beat a horse to death.

 

I saw Howl at the Moon for the very first time on the Epic in January.

It was, hands down, the most fun I've ever had on a cruise ship.

 

The trio, yes there are three, are superb musicians. I sat in on their show on probably four nights. Not once did I find it necessary to tip them to play a song. Howver, I see nothing wrong with it. By the way, they also accept a beer or two from the audience. Just to get it straight, they don't

get $500.00 for a few minutes. The play non'-stop for about four hours.

[vacation luvver]

It's almost as if you're looking for a way to feel cheated.

I don't know what you mean, because I didn't give them any money, so I don't feel cheated.

 

I did feel misled, though, because NCL never said in their dailies that Howl at the Moon was mostly about guys looking for money to play songs that people wanted to listen to. I just thought it was guys playing two pianos, and I was surprised to find that they spent more time asking for money than they did playing songs. But now I know what's going on, so if anyone contemplating taking a cruise on the Breakaway asked me about the entertainment, I would be able to give them an accurate rendition of what Howl at the Moon is really like, instead of saying "They're two pianists playing at the same time."

[cliffd64]

Howl At The Moon is a fun concept on land and at sea...

 

You don't HAVE to request songs, and you don't HAVE to tip anyone, but if you choose to participate, a tip accompanying your request slip is generally the accepted practice. The bigger the tip, the more prioirity is given to your request. Here in the Charlotte Howl At The Moon, you can even pay to write on the giant chalkboard wall for the "message of the day" in ever increasing $5 increments... it can get crazy during March Madness.

 

For example, one person will get up and pay $5 to write on the wall like "Go Duke!" and maybe someone else will then pay $10 to erase that message and write "Go Tarheels!" and so on... At the end of the night it is not unusual to see someone plunk down over $100 just to write on the wall! But just like anything else.. no one holds a gun to your head and you don't have to write on the wall...

 

The performers truly bust their butts to be able to know and play virtually hundreds of songs or at least be able to fake their way through some. You have to be really talented and play a lot by ear to be able to do this.

 

It's not a one way show... it requires the audience to be a big part of it to generate the most fun! If everyone just sat back and listened it would just be like any typical lounge band...

 

Sounds like NCL needs to put some placards on the tables in the venue explaining the concept to those who are new to it!

[Michylicious]

Who said you can't sit and listen to the music? Perfectly acceptable...

 

Think of this... If you're sitting in a bar that has a juke box, you can sit and listen to it all night long. If you want to pick the songs, you need to put some money in. Simple...

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Perfect Analogy!!

 

It's not simple at all! Howl at the Moon is nothing like putting money in a juke box. If you put money in a juke box, you get to hear the songs that you paid for. If you give the Howl at the Moon guys $20 to play your song, but someone else gives them $25 not to play it, you don't get to hear your song, and you just wasted $20. I never heard of juke box that doesn't play what you want if someone runs up to it and puts in more money than you did. Did you?

 

If I put $25 in a jukebox and then someone comes along to pay extra to get their songs played first, it's the same thing. Especially if their songs are still playing when the bar closes :)

[LrgPizza]

Just to get it straight, they don't

get $500.00 for a few minutes. The play non'-stop for about four hours.

 

I hope when you say "get it straight" you weren't referring to what I said about the $500, because you couldn't have possibly taken that further out of context.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Va. Plumber]

I don't remember too much requesting of tips. In fact I don't recall them asking. It was just kind of a natural thing for people to do. It definitely did not interfere with the show. Members of the audience would walk up with their written request and a varying amount of money and lay it on one of the pianos.

[cliffd64]

I don't remember too much requesting of tips. In fact I don't recall them asking. It was just kind of a natural thing for people to do. It definitely did not interfere with the show. Members of the audience would walk up with their written request and a varying amount of money and lay it on one of the pianos.

 

Exactly as is expected... However I can see people who are unfamiliar being a little confused by this at first... but offensive? Nah....

 

They should probably do a better job of coaching/explaining at the start of the show... keep people informed.

[Va. Plumber]

Never attending anything like this before, I can see how "piano players making over $500 in tips in about 5 minutes" would shock me.

 

Sorry if I mis-read you, but I was just trying to point out how hard these guys work.

[UKLloyd]

Our very first cruise was on the EPIC in Nov 2012. We loved howl at the moon. We only got to see it once.

 

We didnt tip the piano players, However, I want to get in on the fun this time around on the getaway, So will more than likely tip them. I didnt feel guilty previously, But i wouldnt feel offended if they hinted either.

 

If your waiter does a good job, you tip him. Same here surely?

[che5904]

So you think it's ok to request a bunch of songs with no tip? That's not how it works... Songs without a tip will be placed to the side and maybe they'll get played if they fit in the show... A request with a tip will be given priority and played much sooner.... A big tip will probably be played right away...

 

Why is this a big deal?

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Nice twisting my words around. Now I think you should go back #1 and read my other post where I say I do not think requesting a song is necessary and do not request songs!!!!! #2 Then re-read what post I was actually responding to!!!!

 

That poster said they did not feel pressured to tip. Which is completely different than everyone else on here was saying. They were saying those that request songs are asked to tip. Can't get much more pressured than that. :eek:

 

Not once did I ever say that you should request a song and not tip.

[johnql]

I don't see what the brouhaha is all about. I've attended Howl at the Moon both on the Breakaway and Getaway. Both times, I didn't tip at all and simply sat and enjoyed listening to the music. Did the pianists mention tipping? Yes, but in no way did they spend more time soliciting tips than playing and singing. Pressure to tip? No pressure whatsoever. However, if you're requesting a song, it's common sense to recognize that a tip would go a long way towards having your song sung. Finally, not once did I witness a song over-bid and not sung. Other posters say that this does happen in similar venues on land, but I never saw it happen on the ships. Nor did I ever hear the pianists indicate that this could happen. Maybe I missed it and, of course, it's possible that it happened when I wasn't present. As for the practice being offensive? Not to me.

[MCAT48]

I am someone who has never seen nor heard of howl at the moon or any dueling piano bars. I guess it depends where you are from? I had no idea what to expect when I went on my breakaway cruise. Truthfully, I was a bit confused when they started asking for tips, but I never felt the need to do so, they were already playing songs that I didn't mind hearing. And never did I see anyone pay the guys to stop playing a song.

 

I do think they should put more information on the dailies of what exactly this dueling pianos is. And the fact that tipping is customary for people, like myself who have no clue Considering its on a ship where you do not use or need cash for anything....

Edited March 27, 2014 by MCAT48

[pirateprincessinco]

I do think it depends on where you are from. Having always lived in locations where Howl and the Moon and other piano bars were popular, I was surprised that there were people who hadn't heard of them and/or didn't know how they worked. I think NCL must be of the same mindset - they assume everyone knows....and you know what they say happens when you assume things...;)

Edited March 27, 2014 by pirateprincessinco

[eiffeltower07]

At Howl on the Epic last year, tips were rarely mentioned and the performers were witty and talented. We enjoyed Howl so much and are looking forward to it on our upcoming Getaway cruise! Never did we feel pressure to tip, but we enjoyed it so much we wanted to tip!

 

Also, Howl is not for the easily offended!

[markf]

i think the rules on land are different than at sea--

 

if they ask for a tip on a land venue --I would have no issue--On a cruise , for which we paid to go on--all entertainment is included in the passage--

I have no issue with offering a tip -- I have an issue with them almost demanding one and mentioning it numerous times-

[pmang]

i think the rules on land are different than at sea--

 

if they ask for a tip on a land venue --I would have no issue--On a cruise , for which we paid to go on--all entertainment is included in the passage--

I have no issue with offering a tip -- I have an issue with them almost demanding one and mentioning it numerous times-

 

Sorry Mark... no one is charging you for entertainment... you can go in and watch the show as part of your cruise fare... Where does it say in your cruise contract that you get to pick the song lists of the musicians in the lounges? That is extra and a tip for a request is expected in any piano bar on land or sea.

[HowardK]

Having been on both the Epic and Breakaway - I totally understand the OP's point. I play the piano as well.

 

I went on the Epic and asked them beforehand if I could play a song, they were nice and let me up and invited me to comeback the next night.

 

I had not tipped them beforehand, but did afterwards and the previous night.

This particular crew were excellent, both pianists were drummers as well.

 

They did not hound the crowd for tips and in my opinion were well liked and well tipped because of how they acted.

 

Fast forward to the Breakaway- this group just cared about getting tips #1. They would mention getting tips just about EVERY SINGLE song.

 

I tipped them as well to play with them. They took my envelope and mentioned "Yay! Love Notes" Which was perhaps a little obnoxious but part of the fun.

 

I support the fact that a piano bar is about giving tips, but on the other hand I have not been to many of them where the performers seemed to mention it every song .

[vacation luvver]

Where does it say in your cruise contract that you get to pick the song lists of the musicians in the lounges?

To me, it is not a matter of picking the song lists of the musicians in the lounges. What bothered me about Howl at the Moon was that people tipped for songs they wanted played, only to have other people offer the pianists even more money not to play those songs, and the songs were not played.

 

When I said that Howl at the Moon was not like a jukebox, because if you put your money in a jukebox, the songs you chose will play, but this was not necessarily the case with Howl at the Moon. Someone said it was like putting your money in a jukebox, only someone comes in after you and puts more money in, meaning that your songs will not play. It's been many years since I listened to a jukebox, but I do not believe that after you put in your money, someone else can come along and cancel your song choices.

 

This has nothing to do with tipping should be expected if you want the pianists to play your song, because even if you do tip upfront, it means nothing, because someone could out-tip you, and you didn't get to hear your song, and you lost your money.

 

I liked Howl at the Moon because I was content to listen to whatever songs they played, but I would have liked them a lot more if they hadn't spent so much time trying to get more and more money out of the passengers.

[che5904]

To me, it is not a matter of picking the song lists of the musicians in the lounges. What bothered me about Howl at the Moon was that people tipped for songs they wanted played, only to have other people offer the pianists even more money not to play those songs, and the songs were not played.

 

When I said that Howl at the Moon was not like a jukebox, because if you put your money in a jukebox, the songs you chose will play, but this was not necessarily the case with Howl at the Moon. Someone said it was like putting your money in a jukebox, only someone comes in after you and puts more money in, meaning that your songs will not play. It's been many years since I listened to a jukebox, but I do not believe that after you put in your money, someone else can come along and cancel your song choices.

 

This has nothing to do with tipping should be expected if you want the pianists to play your song, because even if you do tip upfront, it means nothing, because someone could out-tip you, and you didn't get to hear your song, and you lost your money.

 

I liked Howl at the Moon because I was content to listen to whatever songs they played, but I would have liked them a lot more if they hadn't spent so much time trying to get more and more money out of the passengers.

 

That makes sense to me, well said.

[DGP1111]

My personal opinion . . . what it is (or isn't) worth . . .

 

.

Sitting in the passenger seat, relaxing and enjoying the view, is included in your fare.

 

.

Choosing to scoot over and take the wheel, managing your (and the others') destination, is going to cost you extra.

 

.

[garycarla]

Wow!

 

Those that want to argue or complain should just move along.

 

The tip thing is part of the show. You NEVER have to tip. You can sit and listen if you want - that is what the MAJORITY of people do.

 

Stop complaining. If you do not like it, move along.

 

And, if you have no idea what this is all about, then just read.

 

Geez.

 

What a waste of input from folks that do not get it. (those that are asking questions for information are of course welcome)

Edited March 28, 2014 by garycarla

[Still Dreaming]

I am so excited that there is a dueling piano bar!!! We wandered into one on our 30 wedding anniversary after a Josh Groban concert!! We had the absolute best night EVER!!!

 

I hope this thread is informative for people, but it is a blast!!!

[bingo3]

Made me smile! The chronic complainers will most likely complain about everything on any type of vacation they take, so to them I say...wah, wah, wah go away!:)

 

Why do you people even read the threads???? Just say'in.....:rolleyes:

That's why they make a scroll bar! If you can't say something nice or actually HELP someone, just skip it and to paraphrase "go away!". :D

[Froggitt]

Is it just me--or do you find it offensive that the piano players come right out and ask for tips, if you want them to play a song of your choice..

Why should they be the only person on the cruise asking for tips like this..

 

Because that is the environment of a duelling piano bar? NCL is trying to capture the atmosphere of a similar venue on land.

Great. So free drinks in the Casino then?

[garycarla]

Great. So free drinks in the Casino then?

 

Will assume you are just saying this in jest?

 

Anyways, at least here in the states, MANY casinos do not provide free drinks. Usually because of local laws though. At sea, they do not do it because they can. And, it probably makes some sense. I am sure they would have way more people coming in with $2 to "blow" just to get free drinks.

 

On a busy night, the casino is often full without free drinks. Could never imagine how many freeloaders they would have to deal with with free drinks.