Entertainment changes again

[nordski]

Kathy, you may not like listening to live music on the ship but you did ask how many people do? The answer to that would be the vast majority of us. To sit and listen to live music, have a drink and a chat and sometimes sing along is one of the quiet pleasures of an Azamara cruise.

 

 

 

It is hard to find a seat in Spirits Bar most nights because of the popularity of Max and Ed. Yes there are a lot of people who read and don't post. There are a lot of Azamara cruisers who are not CC members at all, so they won't know until they board that this pleasant and valued entertainment of Azamara is no more.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, my post on this topic may well have led Kathy astray, as we have not had the same experience in Spirits. The Living Room is a different matter; for us a much better experience.

 

Perhaps that is explained by:

 

1/ We are in Spirits at the wrong times (quite likely)

 

2/ You and Spursgirl have not been on our cruises to create a party atmosphere there (certainly true)

 

3/ Sadly, we constitute a “blackhole” sucking all the good times out of that venue (very likely, but we can try to reform [emoji1])

 

Actually we were excited to hear that the casino’s removal might provide another lounge where people can gather, but we certainly agree it should provide live music.

 

Obviously we are in a tiny minority in criticizing Spirits. We would have preferred the piano to be located in the Discoveries Bar. Fond memories of the harp, and no large screen TV!

 

 

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[travelberlin]

Don't worry Ann, if the right opportunity presents itself at the LCV event next week then I will certainly make my views known.

 

I also intend to clarify whether we can still choose the old LCV loyalty discounts when booking or whether we only have the option of that useless (to higher loyalty tier members anyway) new benefit package.

 

I was given the choice to book under either option on my cruise in November. As discoverer plus I have chosen the old LCV discount. No problem.

[marinaro44]

I really don’t understand what everybody is so upset about. As long as there is live music before and after dinner and an evening show, I’m happy.

 

It’s about time the production shows get replaced. I’m all for a wider variety of guest entertainers instead of new production shows, which get stale as soon as you’ve seen them once (and are stuck with until 2021) so really don’t care if there’s no on-board cast. As for Max, etc. - yes they are good but they’ve been on board for a gazillion years now and I’m ready for some fresh faces and different types of live music before and after my meal.

 

Floris

I agree, Floris. Seven years (the length of the production shows contract that's about to expire) is more than long enough. Why complain before even experiencing what the new entertainment program will be? I am told gigs will be found for the current performers.

[Melissaghoti]

Is there an assumption that there will be live music before and after dinner? A sized-down orchestra would be way better than Muzak, but still not the ambiance the individual musicians create.

[BBMacLaird]

Is there an assumption that there will be live music before and after dinner? A sized-down orchestra would be way better than Muzak, but still not the ambiance the individual musicians create.

 

I’ve posted there will be music before and after dinner. Please note my post #32.

Why the rumor about Muzak??

[Melissaghoti]

I did see your post, Bonnie, but some later comments made that sound uncertain. Thanks for the reassurance. I think, I hope, that Muzak is mere speculation about what could replace the individual musicians.

Let it not be anything more than speculation!

[Mrs Miggins]

I know I really don;t count because I most probably will not do another cruise with Azamara after the one in April but I personally could care less about pianists or guitars. I have never in all my cruises sat and listened to one..................ever. Someone asked on one of the previous posts how many people actually do sit and listen. I think that is a good point as this thread is a small number of people. However there are a lot of people who read and don;t post.

Kathy

 

I understand from your previous posts on many subjects that you have not yet sailed on Azamara. Live music adds to the ambience on any ship. Perhaps you do not like music but many others do. Will you be attending any of the live shows, White Night or indeed the Azamazing evening which also include music ? These shows feature the main band of course or guest local entertainers. One of the existing downsides to Azamara is their Entertainment program and to downsize it even further would be a great mistake in my opinion. Most other cruise lines, in a similar class, promote live music as a selling point. It would seem perverse to go the other way and close down something which gives pleasure to many guests.

[Lottie A]

I’ve posted there will be music before and after dinner. Please note my post #32.

Why the rumor about Muzak??

 

Because that is what the actual entertainers onboard are saying Bonnie. They are being replaced with canned music in Spirits Bar. I am primarily concerned with the loss of the piano players in Spirits because this is where I spend most of my time in the evening. No one would be happier than me to hear this is a rumour, but I tend to believe them when they say this is a fact.

So no more live piano or guitar players in a space that is perfect for them, no more Ukrainian or Russian dancers in the shows, no cast performances etc.

 

All of us who have cruised with Azamara since the beginning are very happy that the cabaret shows are being revamped as we have seen them so many times now. We have no problem with that. I rarely go to the cabaret shows as I have seen them so many times. However the loss of the piano and guitar live music in Spirits is really depressing to us. It isn't that the current piano players, cast, dancers are being replaced by new ones ....it's that there just won't be any of them in the future that is worrying us.

 

Of course we know there will be alternative types of music onboard once the piano players etc have left but to us, that isn't the point at all. An Azamara ship without live music in a Piano Bar is not a ship I want to sail on and it seems that I'm not alone.

 

As for marinaro's comment that the performers are being found other gigs by Azamara....well I know that just isn't the case either. This is directly from the entertainers affected. Of course they are talented people and will be able to find alternative employment by auditioning like anyone else, but make no mistake, they are out of work when their last contract finishes.

 

I really hope that a rethink in Miami will be taking place very soon and they do keep Spirits as a live piano bar.

[Spursgirl]

Unfortunately, my post on this topic may well have led Kathy astray, as we have not had the same experience in Spirits. The Living Room is a different matter; for us a much better experience.

 

Perhaps that is explained by:

 

1/ We are in Spirits at the wrong times (quite likely)

 

2/ You and Spursgirl have not been on our cruises to create a party atmosphere there (certainly true)

 

3/ Sadly, we constitute a “blackhole” sucking all the good times out of that venue (very likely, but we can try to reform [emoji1])

 

Actually we were excited to hear that the casino’s removal might provide another lounge where people can gather, but we certainly agree it should provide live music.

 

Obviously we are in a tiny minority in criticizing Spirits. We would have preferred the piano to be located in the Discoveries Bar. Fond memories of the harp, and no large screen TV!

 

 

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Lottie A and I with other friends are doing a B2B on Quest in mid June 2018. Join us. I'm sure we would all have huge fun 😃

[nordski]

Lottie A and I with other friends are doing a B2B on Quest in mid June 2018. Join us. I'm sure we would all have huge fun [emoji2]

 

 

 

That’s a very attractive thought!

 

And I promise that we would try to amend our dull ways. [emoji1].

[Bloodaxe]

Because that is what the actual entertainers onboard are saying Bonnie. They are being replaced with canned music in Spirits Bar. I am primarily concerned with the loss of the piano players in Spirits because this is where I spend most of my time in the evening. No one would be happier than me to hear this is a rumour, but I tend to believe them when they say this is a fact.

So no more live piano or guitar players in a space that is perfect for them, no more Ukrainian or Russian dancers in the shows, no cast performances etc.

 

All of us who have cruised with Azamara since the beginning are very happy that the cabaret shows are being revamped as we have seen them so many times now. We have no problem with that. I rarely go to the cabaret shows as I have seen them so many times. However the loss of the piano and guitar live music in Spirits is really depressing to us. It isn't that the current piano players, cast, dancers are being replaced by new ones ....it's that there just won't be any of them in the future that is worrying us.

 

Of course we know there will be alternative types of music onboard once the piano players etc have left but to us, that isn't the point at all. An Azamara ship without live music in a Piano Bar is not a ship I want to sail on and it seems that I'm not alone.

 

As for marinaro's comment that the performers are being found other gigs by Azamara....well I know that just isn't the case either. This is directly from the entertainers affected. Of course they are talented people and will be able to find alternative employment by auditioning like anyone else, but make no mistake, they are out of work when their last contract finishes.

 

I really hope that a rethink in Miami will be taking place very soon and they do keep Spirits as a live piano bar.

 

I totally agree Lottie, we have also cruised Azamara from the very start.

Not as often has some but once or twice a year.

I have seen many changes some of which I did not like.

This could be the straw to break the Camels back.

I have one more cruise booked but if these changes and the ones to the LCV benefits do happen it could well be our last.

[Lottie A]

That’s a very attractive thought!

 

And I promise that we would try to amend our dull ways. [emoji1].

 

Dull? Not you nordski!

 

Would love to see you onboard Quest next June. There are a lot of us going. We could talk about Montalbano and that would make a welcome change from football with Spursgirl! Sorry Haze! 😄

[uktog]

Dull? Not you nordski!

 

 

 

Would love to see you onboard Quest next June. There are a lot of us going. We could talk about Montalbano and that would make a welcome change from football with Spursgirl! Sorry Haze! [emoji1]

 

 

 

Hazel June is football time just leave the others and join us on Journey where you can get it live :) bucket list etc

 

 

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[nordski]

Dull? Not you nordski!

 

Would love to see you onboard Quest next June. There are a lot of us going. We could talk about Montalbano and that would make a welcome change from football with Spursgirl! Sorry Haze! 😄

 

I'm so easily confused as well as dull!

 

Montalbano? Montalbano?

 

Did he replace Gareth Bale at Tottenham?

[Lottie A]

I'm so easily confused as well as dull!

 

Montalbano? Montalbano?

 

Did he replace Gareth Bale at Tottenham?

 

Very funny! 😄 But not with those bandy legs and long lunches!

 

However Gareth Bale did go to our local school and his aunt lives in the next road to me.

[Spursgirl]

Hazel June is football time just leave the others and join us on Journey where you can get it live :) bucket list etc

 

 

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That's a very tempting offer - food for thought 😄

I am usually in tennis mode in June but 2018 is World Cup year

 

So sorry we won't get to meet on Monday. Hopefully to be rectified before too long

[Mrs Miggins]

Montalbano! How I miss him. In fact both of them. Young and old. What a choice !

[Melissaghoti]

Well, here's to hoping that Bonnie's right and the canned music rumor wrong. I know that there are people who just don't care much about music, but there are a lot of us who do. How much it means has been pretty clearly articulated here and I hope Miami is paying attention. Music pumped over loudspeakers will make my next Journey cruise my last.

[BBMacLaird]

I totally agree Lottie, we have also cruised Azamara from the very start.

Not as often has some but once or twice a year.

I have seen many changes some of which I did not like.

This could be the straw to break the Camels back.

I have one more cruise booked but if these changes and the ones to the LCV benefits do happen it could well be our last.

 

As you know, over the years we have made many changes, and we have always listened to and responded to your input.

 

While we wish we could share all of the information about the new entertainment program right now, we are still working through some details.

 

This is a process, and while it is unfortunate that some of our current team is changing, it doesn’t mean we are discontinuing entertainment. Quite the opposite. We are working on new and different concepts to keep it fresh.

 

As we had indicated, we will let you know in early 2018 what we are planning. What we can tell you, is that we will continue to have live music as we do now, before and after dinner at all venues as well as our main evening shows in the Cabaret Lounge.

 

We appreciate your patience and we hope you will be pleased with the new offerings.

[ellbon]

I feel like after seven years I am listening to a broken record. First the moved the piano and changed the hours of the coffee bar to close earlier. Late night tea and cookies is gone.

 

Now we rare losing our men who have entertained us for years.

 

I lost the trio,the harp and now the piano. I am right now on. A ship that has two out of three plus more.

 

I agree we need new shows. But I have no idea how they can live without the cast as they are the trivia people etc all day long.

 

Is next our DJ !

[aussie travel bird]

Can someone enlighten me to the proposed LCV benefits changes, and more importantly is it a rumour or not? Seems I've missed something here. I'm currently not getting any emails from the LCV team but it's being looked into I'm told.

 

 

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[Grandma Cruising]

As you know, over the years we have made many changes, and we have always listened to and responded to your input.

 

 

 

While we wish we could share all of the information about the new entertainment program right now, we are still working through some details.

 

 

 

This is a process, and while it is unfortunate that some of our current team is changing, it doesn’t mean we are discontinuing entertainment. Quite the opposite. We are working on new and different concepts to keep it fresh.

 

 

 

As we had indicated, we will let you know in early 2018 what we are planning. What we can tell you, is that we will continue to have live music as we do now, before and after dinner at all venues as well as our main evening shows in the Cabaret Lounge.

 

 

 

We appreciate your patience and we hope you will be pleased with the new offerings.

 

 

 

Thank you Bonnie for your reassurance. I’m looking forwards to hearing more about the changes next year. I’ll be on the Quest in January and again in July, so will be able to see for myself, I hope.

 

 

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[Bloodaxe]

Can someone enlighten me to the proposed LCV benefits changes, and more importantly is it a rumour or not? Seems I've missed something here. I'm currently not getting any emails from the LCV team but it's being looked into I'm told.

 

 

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There is a recent post about new booking on board benefits, scroll down to page 2 to find it.

[Bloodaxe]

Thank you Bonnie for your reassurance. I’m looking forwards to hearing more about the changes next year. I’ll be on the Quest in January and again in July, so will be able to see for myself, I hope.

 

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It will be interesting to hear what is planned but I would not say that I am looking forward to it.

Edited December 10, 2017 by Bloodaxe

[uktog]

Can someone enlighten me to the proposed LCV benefits changes, and more importantly is it a rumour or not? Seems I've missed something here. I'm currently not getting any emails from the LCV team but it's being looked into I'm told.

 

 

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Basically they are trialing an alternative benefit for on board bookings. Although there have been assurances it’s a trial reports onboard from some guests are it’s a very biased trial in that they were not made aware they could still book under the old benefit (% off future cruise based on loyalty level). The new offering is addition of one of the Experience bundles (OBC, WiFi etc) but the benefit is not tiered by loyalty but type of room you book. So in effect if this does become the future, loyalty doesn’t count. Time will tell if that pilot becomes reality and whether an some other perks come in for loyalty or if it’s a cut back.

For what it’s worth, we certainly do not like the plan but maybe there is good news somewhere.......

 

 

 

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