Music walk chases us away from HAL

[IJustWantToGo36]

2 hours ago, PACD_JG said:

If it's too loud, you're too old.  Oh wait...

 

I've only been cruising a year, but to me it's quite obvious - old folks who want old HAL should book the old ships as the Pinnacle ships are trying to appeal to a new generation of cruisers.

I know what they are trying to do- just saying WON'T WORK

Also- many of us have GREAT  hearing because we did not have headphpones in our ears our whole lives

and based on the crowd size- we had almost as many people watching a few ballroom dancers during a 4pm recorded dance hour as the rock band

No need to argue- lets see in a few years how it works



 

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, IJustWantToGo36 said:

I know what they are trying to do- just saying WON'T WORK

Also- many of us have GREAT  hearing because we did not have headphpones in our ears our whole lives

and based on the crowd size- we had almost as many people watching a few ballroom dancers during a 4pm recorded dance hour as the rock band

No need to argue- lets see in a few years how it works



 

 

I, too, still have my hearing and am protective of it. The fact that you saw lots of people watching the dancers shows that HAL's entertainment is not limited to the Music Walk. Sadly, there was more non-deafening music before they started the Music Walk, but at least there's some. I don't like the Music Walk, so I avoid it. If others enjoy it, then it's there for them. 

[PACD_JG]

1 hour ago, IJustWantToGo36 said:

No need to argue- lets see in a few years how it works

But in a few years, how many HAL loyalists will be dead or unable to cruise again?

[robotpony]

4 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

The volume for most cruise ship shows is usually around 90- 100 dB

 

FWIW, I measured it on our November (NS) cruise and this is accurate for both the Rolling Stone and BB King rooms. Levels occasionally hit 102dB, but the average was well within the mid 90s every night we were there. This is slightly below average for live shows in small venues, at least in my experience.

[IJustWantToGo36]

2 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I, too, still have my hearing and am protective of it. The fact that you saw lots of people watching the dancers shows that HAL's entertainment is not limited to the Music Walk. 

Dancers was BB Kings at 4pm

[HALcruiser2001]

On 12/22/2022 at 5:32 AM, BobbiSox said:

I agree that the live music is too loud. I'm happy that the piped-in music around most of the ship is not as loud as it could be. I bring lots of foam earplugs. It doesn't allow for quite conversation, but at least I am able to hear myself think. BTW, if HAL is trying to attract a younger clientele, they would have to do more than blast the music.

 

If you like music but want protection.

 

Try Eargasm or Earasor. foam ear plugs do not bring Db down consistently over the frequency range.   They kill highs and let lows through.

[RD64]

And you are cancelling your cruise over this one aspect?

[aliaschief]

Ricky Nelson oldie song. “Can’t please everyone so sometimes you just have to please yourself.” 

[REOVA]

12 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Ricky Nelson oldie song. “Can’t please everyone so sometimes you just have to please yourself.” 

This doesnt sound like a Garden Party 🤣

[Mary229]

36 minutes ago, RD64 said:

And you are cancelling your cruise over this one aspect?

Seems so.  🤷‍♀️

Edited December 24, 2022 by Mary229

[Copper10-8]

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

Ricky Nelson oldie song. “Can’t please everyone so sometimes you just have to please yourself.” 

 

 

[IJustWantToGo36]

2 hours ago, RD64 said:

And you are cancelling your cruise over this one aspect?

ON last 2 princess grand class we danced 3-5 hrs a nite most nites

so...YES

If you don't own a pair of dancing shoes, you won't understand

[iflyrc5]

This is a quote from the American Speech - Language - Hearing Association.

 

Sound-level meters measure noise levels. We record noise levels in decibels, or dBA. The higher the noise level, the louder the noise. You can listen to sounds at 70 dBA or lower for as long as you want. Sounds at 85 dBA can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than 8 hours at a time.

Sounds over 85 dBa can damage your hearing faster. The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dBA. For example, you can listen to sounds at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours. If the sound goes up to 88 dBA, it is safe to listen to those same sounds for 4 hours. And if the sound goes up to 91 dBA, your safe listening time is down to 2 hours.

 

Based on this at levels of 100dba your hearing will me damaged after 15 minutes of exposure.

[IJustWantToGo36]

4 minutes ago, iflyrc5 said:

This is a quote from the American Speech - Language - Hearing Association.

 

Sound-level meters measure noise levels. We record noise levels in decibels, or dBA. The higher the noise level, the louder the noise. You can listen to sounds at 70 dBA or lower for as long as you want. Sounds at 85 dBA can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than 8 hours at a time.

Sounds over 85 dBa can damage your hearing faster. The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dBA. For example, you can listen to sounds at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours. If the sound goes up to 88 dBA, it is safe to listen to those same sounds for 4 hours. And if the sound goes up to 91 dBA, your safe listening time is down to 2 hours.

 

Based on this at levels of 100dba your hearing will me damaged after 15 minutes of exposure.

This is fascinating info

THANK YOU

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 hour ago, IJustWantToGo36 said:

ON last 2 princess grand class we danced 3-5 hrs a nite most nites

so...YES

If you don't own a pair of dancing shoes, you won't understand

Try Cunard....you will love the QM2 if you enjoy dancing.  They have the largest dance floor on any cruise ship.   

[IJustWantToGo36]

2 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Try Cunard....you will love the QM2 if you enjoy dancing.  They have the largest dance floor on any cruise ship.   

we know, but its not conducive to a cruise every other month

We are hoping to do CUNARD in the Fall

BTW-  COSTA is also good for dance, bad for food

[montythecat]

Each to their own but we are very much in the opposite camp. We

are now booking HAL cruises on Pinnacle Class ships for one 
main reason and that is Music Walk. We love every aspect of it

including the classical quartet. Music from Bach to Bon Jovi. It

is our definition of entertainment heaven. Our days on Celebrity

with, in our opinions, their old fashioned theatre productions 

with acrobats/aerialists are now almost over. There are also

other good experiences on The Pinnacle Class vessels which

are leading to us booking HAL.

 

 

[rodndonna]

10 hours ago, IJustWantToGo36 said:

ON last 2 princess grand class we danced 3-5 hrs a nite most nites

 

 

I think if the Princess line has a class of ships with a good component of ballroom dancing for entertainment, then it would be that much less likely HAL would ever incorporate it also. Princess and HAL ate both CCL cruise lines, and they have to differentiate them somehow. Not a lot of things you can do, but the focus of the entertainment is probably one of the bigger ones.

[REOVA]

6 hours ago, montythecat said:

Each to their own but we are very much in the opposite camp. We

are now booking HAL cruises on Pinnacle Class ships for one 
main reason and that is Music Walk. We love every aspect of it

including the classical quartet. Music from Bach to Bon Jovi. It

is our definition of entertainment heaven. Our days on Celebrity

with, in our opinions, their old fashioned theatre productions 

with acrobats/aerialists are now almost over. There are also

other good experiences on The Pinnacle Class vessels which

are leading to us booking HAL.

 

 

We used to like Music Walk, but after day 3 the song sets are repeated so it starts feeling like Groundhog Day. And the sound between RS and BB King mixes together some nights. Definitely not our reason for booking or not booking a Pinnacle ship. Some musicians are great and others not so much so it's luck of the draw what you get on any ship.  We love all music but sitting in a crowded bar/lounge doesn't make a cruise for us. We like strolling the promenade decks of old ships, looking at the vast oceans and meeting new people sitting on the loungers. Pinnacle ships did away with that. But the Grand Dutch Cafe and actual Club Orange restaurants are wonderful additions. None of the ships have upped their game in World Stage. So after looking at itinerary and number of days, we select which ship fits the cruise we want. So many options, so little time 😉

[Djptcp]

DH and I have sailed on the Rotterdam 4 times in the past year and I agree that the music is just way too loud. I've tried listening to the Blues groups from the 3rd Deck above the venue, but I can't stand it, just hurts my ears too much.

 

Having said that, we love almost everythig about the Pinnacle Class ships and will sail on the N. Statedam in Jan, and Feb. I probably won't be able to listen to the Blues groups, but will enjoy almost everything else aboard the NS. My other major complaint about this class of ships is the tiny size of the casinos. At least I can smoke in them.

[HALcruiser2001]

12 hours ago, IJustWantToGo36 said:

ON last 2 princess grand class we danced 3-5 hrs a nite most nites

so...YES

If you don't own a pair of dancing shoes, you won't understand

My dancing shoes are whatever I am wearing.  😉

It was pretty obvious to me in the first few minutes of researching HAL cruises, that ballroom dancing has gone away on this line.  Although the only way ballroom dancing is interesting to me at all is if there is a quality "Glen Miller Orchestra"  playing.  If it is a partial band with backing track or DJ, they can feel free to just delete it, which seems like what they have done.

I know a ton of musicians, bands and other performing artists, that could not make a career during covid, it had a huge impact on the local live music scene.  I am sure it did a number to cruis music as well.

My first HAL cruise had an Elton John impersonator, I believe it was Rus Anderson.  Absolutely outstanding.  They should bring him back!

[ChinaShrek]

22 hours ago, PACD_JG said:

But in a few years, how many HAL loyalists will be dead or unable to cruise again?

Hopefully, they will have created new HAL loyalists by then. 

[MISTER 67]

On 12/22/2022 at 10:46 AM, Reds4life said:

We are in our 40s and getting ready to go on our first HAL cruise. We have been very confused about why the main stage is not scheduled to be used. We like music but not the so called "intimate" setting of these music walk venues. We see it as a crowded bar. That does not appeal to us. Other lines have the same dueling pianos and other venues with music like the music walk, but they also have a main stage show each evening. Plus, movies by the pool, games shows, etc. We like to do things with our kids in the evening after dinner because it is our time when everyone comes together and we discuss our day and plans for tomorrow and then spend some common time. Most of our days on the ship, we are all scattered about. If the people in the music walk are talented, then why not bring them to the main theater for more people to watch?

We've had some in Billboard that weren't too talented.

[Guest ldtr]

10 hours ago, montythecat said:

Each to their own but we are very much in the opposite camp. We

are now booking HAL cruises on Pinnacle Class ships for one 
main reason and that is Music Walk. We love every aspect of it

including the classical quartet. Music from Bach to Bon Jovi. It

is our definition of entertainment heaven. Our days on Celebrity

with, in our opinions, their old fashioned theatre productions 

with acrobats/aerialists are now almost over. There are also

other good experiences on The Pinnacle Class vessels which

are leading to us booking HAL.

 

 

Problem with music walk if you book a lot of cruises is that they play basically the same program, approved by HQ with little variation from cruise to cruise.  For example in Lincoln Center the only time they can deviate from the approved program is if one of them is ill and they have to substitute music.  

[robotpony]

49 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Problem with music walk if you book a lot of cruises is that they play basically the same program, approved by HQ with little variation from cruise to cruise.

 

We were chatting with the Rolling Stone room band on the NS last month and they mentioned that they have a rotating set of more than 100 songs, and that they were adding 2-3 a week (with a goal of ~200 songs). For that 14 days, there were some classics repeated but every show was about 50% "new" music. It feels a lot the same as it's still the same band, but there was some good variety too.