HAL to Disband HAL Dancers and Singers

[ICUQT]

Not quite correct. HAL was unwilling to match the singers and dancers salaries paid by competing lines. Instead, they reduced the duties required of them. On other lines, singers and dancers often are assigned to assist other departments, like shops, photo, and Shorex. They even assist in the restaurants on busy nights on some lines.

 

On HAL, they only perform their contracted entertainment duties and assist with the pax safety drill. Most of them are quite unhappy about working the safety drill.

 

If you see one of the singers or dancers doing anything else onboard, they have made a deal with one of the managers to work for extra pay.

If you see a singer or dancer - or any other Crewmember - escorting pax on a tour, they are doing it only to get a free tour. Their only duty on the tour is to complete a short report on the quality when the tour is finished.

 

Well after reading most of the posts on this thread this is what I got. Hal is doing away with their stage shows. The performers only want to perform. Hal wants them to do more for less (than perform). Hal's answer is to have the "passengers" perform some type of competition for entertainment. Hal wants to get the best bang for their buck ($$$$). Sounds like contract negotiations to me and HAL is telling them (performers) who is in control. A take it or leave it attitude.

 

So here's my thoughts. I'm not paying a cruise fare to sit and watch other passengers entertain me. I don't care if the performers just perform or have other duties. It's contractual and if you don't like it don't sign the contract. I don't think anyone has mentioned yet if this is going industry wide. I haven't heard or read that it is. That said it was pointed out to me a couple of years back that HAL is just an average cruise line and that there are similar lines. All you need to do is look and see what is out there. I made the leap out of my "comfort zone" 50 days short of my 5th Star with no regrets. I found a couple of other cruise lines that I really like and enjoy. The little things that HAL has done away with over the course of time has irritated me an alienated me. This issue just adds to the list.

 

bob

[Cruzaholic41]

Sorry, another empty statement...

 

^^^^ That ... (again...)

 

It just keeps coming, doesn’t it?

[Cruzaholic41]

Not quite correct. HAL was unwilling to match the singers and dancers salaries paid by competing lines. Instead, they reduced the duties required of them. On other lines, singers and dancers often are assigned to assist other departments, like shops, photo, and Shorex. They even assist in the restaurants on busy nights on some lines.

 

On HAL, they only perform their contracted entertainment duties and assist with the pax safety drill. Most of them are quite unhappy about working the safety drill.

 

If you see one of the singers or dancers doing anything else onboard, they have made a deal with one of the managers to work for extra pay.

If you see a singer or dancer - or any other Crewmember - escorting pax on a tour, they are doing it only to get a free tour. Their only duty on the tour is to complete a short report on the quality when the tour is finished.

 

I’ve been on over 200 cruises, and have cruised on every single major cruise line, luxury line and some lines that don’t exist anymore. I have never seen the singers and dancers working in the shops, photos or shorex. Never. I’ve seen them at muster, during some game shows and at dancing classes or q&a sessions, but that’s about it.

 

Singers and dancers are not staff. They are guest entertainers. They are allowed to mingle with the passengers and go to passenger venues throughout the day and evening. Staff who work in the shops often are not.

[CruiserBruce]

Well after reading most of the posts on this thread this is what I got. Hal is doing away with their stage shows. The performers only want to perform. Hal wants them to do more for less (than perform). Hal's answer is to have the "passengers" perform some type of competition for entertainment. Hal wants to get the best bang for their buck ($$$$). Sounds like contract negotiations to me and HAL is telling them (performers) who is in control. A take it or leave it attitude.

 

So here's my thoughts. I'm not paying a cruise fare to sit and watch other passengers entertain me. I don't care if the performers just perform or have other duties. It's contractual and if you don't like it don't sign the contract. I don't think anyone has mentioned yet if this is going industry wide. I haven't heard or read that it is. That said it was pointed out to me a couple of years back that HAL is just an average cruise line and that there are similar lines. All you need to do is look and see what is out there. I made the leap out of my "comfort zone" 50 days short of my 5th Star with no regrets. I found a couple of other cruise lines that I really like and enjoy. The little things that HAL has done away with over the course of time has irritated me an alienated me. This issue just adds to the list.

 

bob

 

No, as far as I know, this is a rumor...nothing confirmed. Still.

[sail7seas]

No, as far as I know, this is a rumor...nothing confirmed. Still.

 

 

Interesting and frank post. Gives food for thought. :)

 

Which lines do you now prefer?

[caladezi]

In the past few years the singer and dancer quality has slipped a great deal. This is particularly true with the lead singers, both male and female, who scream more than sing. If these folks were to perform as professionals with a truly quality performance rather than a high school quality show then I could go along with them not having to assist with CD staff duties. What we are getting these days are shows that if they were presented at a land based theater would cause the place to close. IMHO, HAL is foolish to keep them employed without requiring them to perform other duties as assigned by senior staff.

[CruiserBruce]

Interesting and frank post. Gives food for thought. :)

 

Which lines do you now prefer?

 

Sail, we still prefer HAL. We tried Princess a couple of years ago. OK, but not HAL.

 

Do you think this is confirmed fact?

[navybankerteacher]

Would you repeat that in english :eek:

Which word didn't you understand?

[Ken the cruiser]

If today's big rumor is true, this will come up again ... with regard to building big ships like the ms Nieuw Statendam and selling the ms Prinsendam to Phoenix Reisen late 2019.

So is selling the ms Prinsendam to Phoenix Reisen in late 2019 fact or fiction?

[bUU]

So is selling the ms Prinsendam to Phoenix Reisen in late 2019 fact or fiction?

I'll put money on fiction, but one of the times the rumor bubbles up it'll be true.

[rkacruiser]

A few words from a shore excursion guest who was injured on a HAL Shore Excursion whose tour was escorted by the Music Director of the ships' orchestra: Whether he was being paid to do so or whether he was doing so to get a free sightseeing trip, his kindness and concern that I experienced after my injury was greatly appreciated on the night my accident took place. Upon arrival at the pier and seeing that it would be impossible for me to stand in the long line waiting to re-board, he went to the ship and obtained a wheelchair and helped to wheel me aboard at the head of the line, when a ship's crew member took over and took me directly to the infirmary.

 

And, yes, I did see him filling out a report on our trip back to Safaga.

[Ken the cruiser]

Talked with a former HAL CD the other day who had just signed on with Oceania after 8 years with HAL. He pretty much confirmed what other folks in this thread are saying. He also mentioned the HAL CDs now have to wear a gray suit while on duty and are not allowed to tell jokes prior to introducing an evening act. If you ever met this CD, you would know these new rules would definitely not fit his personality.

[kevingastreich]

Given the ratings for shows like The Voice and American Idol, I can certainly understand why they'd be thinking of doing this. I don't care for the shows and never go to them, but I'd consider something like that.

The Gong Show did pretty well for a few years also. HAL should try it with passengers as the acts.

[Hlitner]

Just a word about entertainers (and certain other staff) escorting excursions. This is not an assigned duty or part of the job. In fact, the staff signs-up (volunteers) for the escort duty which gets them a free excursion and gets them off the ship. Even the spouses (or partners) of certain HAL staff can sign up for these free excursions. We have noted a similar policy on several other cruise lines. It is a good thing and a win-win for everyone involved.

 

Hank

[Hlitner]

Talked with a former HAL CD the other day who had just signed on with Oceania after 8 years with HAL. He pretty much confirmed what other folks in this thread are saying. He also mentioned the HAL CDs now have to wear a gray suit while on duty and are not allowed to tell jokes prior to introducing an evening act. If you ever met this CD, you would know these new rules would definitely not fit his personality.

 

And why would you think they do not want CD's telling jokes, Senior Officers attending Meet and Greets, etc. And have you noticed how it is now rare to see Senior Officers hosting tables in the MDR...when that used to be a norm? Consider that a good joke for many would "offend" at least a few older HAL cruisers. or....A Senior Officer at a Meet and Greet might have to regularly fend-off a few chronic complainers who take advantage of the function to whine. And when Senior Officers host tables in the MDR.....there are always a few whiners who complain because they are not invited.

 

A few years ago we were on a HAL cruise when they had a special fun show with lots of percussion. Most enjoyed the show, many gave it a standing ovation and it was fun. But sure enough, a number of long time HAL cruisers complained because the show was "too loud" and did not have the usual "Broadway music." We have also seen recent posts where folks complained about the BB King shows being too loud. If a comedian on HAL tells some "off color jokes" there are always a few passengers who will complain. So HAL does not have adult comedy (it is a darn shame).

 

Sometimes we find ourselves feeling a little sorry for the cruise lines. No matter what they do or try there are those who whine. Try nothing new and they also whine. On HAL there are plenty of passengers who consider any music written after the 40s as being Offensive! And we have heard HAL bands that do not play much written after the 40s :).

 

Hank

[rsldonk]

And why would you think they do not want CD's telling jokes, Senior Officers attending Meet and Greets, etc. And have you noticed how it is now rare to see Senior Officers hosting tables in the MDR...when that used to be a norm? Consider that a good joke for many would "offend" at least a few older HAL cruisers. or....A Senior Officer at a Meet and Greet might have to regularly fend-off a few chronic complainers who take advantage of the function to whine. And when Senior Officers host tables in the MDR.....there are always a few whiners who complain because they are not invited.

 

 

 

A few years ago we were on a HAL cruise when they had a special fun show with lots of percussion. Most enjoyed the show, many gave it a standing ovation and it was fun. But sure enough, a number of long time HAL cruisers complained because the show was "too loud" and did not have the usual "Broadway music." We have also seen recent posts where folks complained about the BB King shows being too loud. If a comedian on HAL tells some "off color jokes" there are always a few passengers who will complain. So HAL does not have adult comedy (it is a darn shame).

 

 

 

Sometimes we find ourselves feeling a little sorry for the cruise lines. No matter what they do or try there are those who whine. Try nothing new and they also whine. On HAL there are plenty of passengers who consider any music written after the 40s as being Offensive! And we have heard HAL bands that do not play much written after the 40s :).

 

 

 

Hank

 

 

 

If HAL wants to get past the reputation of being a floating retirement home, they need to appeal to at least the Gen X people. For us, broadway isn’t Rogers and Hammerstein, it’s wicked and Hamilton.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Ken the cruiser]

If HAL wants to get past the reputation of being a floating retirement home, they need to appeal to at least the Gen X people. For us, broadway isn’t Rogers and Hammerstein, it’s wicked and Hamilton.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

But what about us from the hippy generation? Those who graduated in the late 60s and early 70s and grew up on rock n roll. When is it going to be our turn? :cool::cool:

[rsldonk]

But what about us from the hippy generation? Those who graduated in the late 60s and early 70s and grew up on rock n roll. When is it going to be our turn? :cool::cool:

 

 

 

Even though I’m a gen Xer, if they played zeppelin or Hendrix I’d be all for it

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[rkacruiser]

Talked with a former HAL CD the other day who had just signed on with Oceania after 8 years with HAL. He pretty much confirmed what other folks in this thread are saying. He also mentioned the HAL CDs now have to wear a gray suit while on duty and are not allowed to tell jokes prior to introducing an evening act. If you ever met this CD, you would know these new rules would definitely not fit his personality.

 

Sorry, this is not my recent experience. I guess I now have to remember how the CD is dressed? Gray suit? What about a woman?

[MisterBill99]

And why would you think they do not want CD's telling jokes, Senior Officers attending Meet and Greets, etc. And have you noticed how it is now rare to see Senior Officers hosting tables in the MDR...when that used to be a norm? Consider that a good joke for many would "offend" at least a few older HAL cruisers. or....A Senior Officer at a Meet and Greet might have to regularly fend-off a few chronic complainers who take advantage of the function to whine. And when Senior Officers host tables in the MDR.....there are always a few whiners who complain because they are not invited.

So because some people like to complain, that's an excuse to stop talking to all of your customers? Sometimes, hearing about a problem on the ship is a good thing for senior management since they can do something about it and might not have heard about it otherwise. Celebrity's captains and senior officers are regularly seen around the ship talking to passengers. Do they just have less complainers? Or do they understand that it's part of their job?

[Ken the cruiser]

Even though I’m a gen Xer, if they played zeppelin or Hendrix I’d be all for it

Sounds good. But I'm sure there is another more senior crowd that wouldn't like it so much. But that's ok, there are other lines that do target our generation and we have been finding ourselves drifting towards them.

[Ken the cruiser]

Sorry, this is not my recent experience. I guess I now have to remember how the CD is dressed? Gray suit? What about a woman?

We were on an Antarctica cruise in January and the CD was always wearing a gray suit and didn't tell any jokes prior to introducing the evening act. I didn't think about it until the ex HAL CD we talked with mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. As far as what a HAL CD that's a woman would wear, I have no idea. On the 11 HAL cruises we've been on, the CDs have always been men.

[bUU]

So because some people like to complain, that's an excuse to stop talking to all of your customers? Sometimes, hearing about a problem on the ship is a good thing for senior management since they can do something about it and might not have heard about it otherwise. Celebrity's captains and senior officers are regularly seen around the ship talking to passengers. Do they just have less complainers? Or do they understand that it's part of their job?

Complaints, like every other aspect of a business, need to be managed. And when the manner by which complaints are delivered becomes a problem, then that needs to be managed too. Why would one cruise line handle such things differently from another? Perhaps the complainers are different; more willing to browbeat staff; more willing to disrupt, holding staff hostage for kowtowing to demands? Who knows?

 

 

This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos.

[taxmantoo]

Sorry, this is not my recent experience. I guess I now have to remember how the CD is dressed? Gray suit? What about a woman?

 

As far as what a HAL CD that's a woman would wear, I have no idea. On the 11 HAL cruises we've been on, the CDs have always been men.

On the Eurodam, in March, the female CD wore a very plain gray dress (always the same one) to introduce every show in the theater.

[whogo]

Even though I’m a gen Xer, if they played zeppelin or Hendrix I’d be all for it

 

 

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Yeah, I'm sure you'd love Hendrix and Zeppelin as done by the HAL singers and dancers.

 

 

Cheesy is a good description. The performances are like watching the Lawrence Welk show.