Entertainment volume in Piazza

[SargassoPirate]

From noise awareness.com:

 

 

"A rule of thumb: If you have to shout in order to be heard three feet away, then the noise is probably too loud and could be damaging to your hearing"

 

For those of you who like it loud, don't worry, you'll get used to it. 😁  Which means you've already suffered some hearing loss.

[stoneharborlady]

On 11/6/2023 at 1:33 AM, Over from NZ said:

That's an exaggeration if ever I've head one. 

Really?  Have you read this thread?

[Over from NZ]

42 minutes ago, stoneharborlady said:

Really?  Have you read this thread?

I've been on the odd cruse. The last one was almost 5-months ago though.. perhaps things have changed dramatically since then?? 🤣

[mtnesterz]

The problem does not lie with us, as passengers, except as someone noted, generational age. I don't mean in the sense the younger crowd wants things louder, rather, as we age, we perceive sound differently. What is enjoyable when younger becomes painful as we age.

The other factor, also age related, also mentioned above, is that our ability to discriminate sounds also changes. As we age. Ordering a drink at a nearby bar or even table conversation becomes more difficult to discern because conversation is not picked out in a din of noise as it could be when younger.

The problem on Princess part is though they have received complaints about the sound, they apparently do nothing about it. What needs to happen is to hire an audiologist to make recommendations in the theater and venues on volume and graphic equalization, based on predictable averages for the demographic of Princess cruisers. In that way, voices can be understood, at a lower volume.

My guess is, crewmembers set the sound for themselves, for their hearing. "It sounds good to me." There needs to be professional direction.

 

[leck57]

6 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Never have experienced this in the many many days of cruising we have done over the years on Princess and visiting with family and friends in public areas on their ships.   I guess it is possible?  Best advice I can suggest is do not go to a rock concert.

 

I agree. We just had Paul McCartney here. He is 81 and his concert was louder than anything I've heard on a Princess ship.

That aside I do wish the Piazza itself was a bit quieter especially through the day.

[Outerdog]

14 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

I decided that I have had enough of the over- amplification of music and the almost constant racket in the "inviting" piazza so I sent and email to customerrelations@princesscruises.com to complain.  Here's what I received back by way of reply.  If more people would complain directly to corporate and vacate too-loud areas on the ship, maybe something would happen.

 

 

 

 

Reads like AI wrote that. Wait, did it? At least the robot offered to buy you a drink. 

 

Edited November 8, 2023 by Outerdog

[cr8tiv1]

3 hours ago, mtnesterz said:

The problem does not lie with us, as passengers, except as someone noted, generational age. I don't mean in the sense the younger crowd wants things louder, rather, as we age, we perceive sound differently. What is enjoyable when younger becomes painful as we age.

The other factor, also age related, also mentioned above, is that our ability to discriminate sounds also changes. As we age. Ordering a drink at a nearby bar or even table conversation becomes more difficult to discern because conversation is not picked out in a din of noise as it could be when younger.

The problem on Princess part is though they have received complaints about the sound, they apparently do nothing about it. What needs to happen is to hire an audiologist to make recommendations in the theater and venues on volume and graphic equalization, based on predictable averages for the demographic of Princess cruisers. In that way, voices can be understood, at a lower volume.

My guess is, crewmembers set the sound for themselves, for their hearing. "It sounds good to me." There needs to be professional direction.

 

 

As I have mentioned, my son-in-law says that 80 decibels is a reasonable sound level for theatrical productions.  Princess sets it at about 100.  That's 20% higher than is necessary for the audiences' comfort.  I really enjoy the evening entertainment but seen so many that it is not worth my hearing to sit through some of them again.

 

As for the Piazza, I feel so sorry for the Guest Services agents that have to pull shifts 24/7.  Unfair to their hearing.

[Carnevale]

13 hours ago, Princessfan20 said:

 Are passengers really carrying decibel meters and have data that the sound is approaching a dangerous level for humans.  I doubt it.

Yes, some of us are.  It’s simple to download a dB meter on an iPhone.  Over 90 dB on deck 7 when the World Orchestra sound check was underway in the Piazza on deck 5 was just one example of excessive sound levels that the app on my phone registered.

[Carnevale]

13 hours ago, happy cruzer said:

So why do you resist using ear protection?  Yo will not have to get action from anyone else?  Just curious to know what the objection is?

Not all of us find ear protection comfortable and those using hearing aids can’t be expected to use ear protection.  I do not think it is in any way unreasonable to expect Princess to maintain a more moderate sound level especially in venues close to eateries and bars when conversations are a normal occurrence.

[Princessfan20]

Must not be that big a deal and not that many people complaining about it because we have never found it a problem or has anybody we travel with ever commented on the sound volume on a Princess ship.  

 

I know people have complained for years about the smoke, a proven health hazard for those around second hand smoke,  in Princess's casinos and their solution to that was to cancel the several smoke free nights they did have.  Time to move on.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Princessfan20

[happy cruzer]

7 hours ago, Carnevale said:

Not all of us find ear protection comfortable and those using hearing aids can’t be expected to use ear protection.  I do not think it is in any way unreasonable to expect Princess to maintain a more moderate sound level especially in venues close to eateries and bars when conversations are a normal occurrence.

Ok.  I now understand your choice and expectation.

 

My choice is to use "concert" style earplugs that filter noise and allows for conversations.  Plus it comes with a carry case so I can have it whenever I like.  Don't have to bother trying to get someone to turn down the noise.

[wolfie11]

9 hours ago, Carnevale said:

Not all of us find ear protection comfortable and those using hearing aids can’t be expected to use ear protection.  I do not think it is in any way unreasonable to expect Princess to maintain a more moderate sound level especially in venues close to eateries and bars when conversations are a normal occurrence.

Let’s start a protest movement.  Everyone who finds the sound annoying should bring large, brightly colored earmuffs and wear them in the Piazza and theater! 🤣🤣

[PrincessLuver]

1 hour ago, happy cruzer said:

Ok.  I now understand your choice and expectation.

 

My choice is to use "concert" style earplugs that filter noise and allows for conversations.  Plus it comes with a carry case so I can have it whenever I like.  Don't have to bother trying to get someone to turn down the noise.

 

Wow!  Terrific suggestion and also a great concept that WE are responsible for our own happiness not a Princess sound engineer.

[Tedferg]

I have two thoughts, interesting comments by mtnesterz, I did not understand the age related aspect of hearing differently. I do understand that hearing loss of higher frequencies causes conversation to be unclear, but not that sound/noise levels might be different. While sitting in Princess Live and the host shouts into a microphone 'Hello Cruisers!' my ears hurt!

 

Secondly, in a large multi use, gathering space such as the Piazza, music should be softer 'background' music that does not intrude on general conversation. It should NOT be an entertainment event.

 

I recall chatting to DW in Crooners when the guitar player played a tune, she said, 'Oh I love this number' and we discussed the artist in a normal tone. That to me is entertainment. A discordant voice, screaming Proud Mary so loudly that we cannot hear each other is not. To the person who suggests ear plugs - how would they help conversation in the latter circumstance.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Tedferg

[SargassoPirate]

I wonder if anyone can offer a rational explanation of why the volume in most venues on the ship over-amplified?  Just what is the reasoning?

[startedwithamouse]

38 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

I wonder if anyone can offer a rational explanation of why the volume in most venues on the ship over-amplified?  Just what is the reasoning?

Driving away the old generation?  

 

Like a venue which changes ownership/music genre, you play the type of music at the volume required for the crowd you need to attract. 

 

Pretty apparent Princess doesn't want the cheap crowd or sitting in the Piazza not participating in the games and events. 

[mtnesterz]

1 hour ago, SargassoPirate said:

I wonder if anyone can offer a rational explanation of why the volume in most venues on the ship over-amplified?  Just what is the reasoning?

Because they can? The job requirement for a Princess sound engineer is three years experience in a theater or club or bar. It's up to somebody who worked in a bar to be considerate of your hearing. Point was made, it's really up to the individual to protect themselves.  But there should also be measurable guidelines, oversight and a corrective action process. If there is, it doesn't seem so.

Edited November 8, 2023 by mtnesterz

[charliedalrymple]

64-year-old hearing aid user here.  I haven't been on a cruise since COVID, but I honestly don't remember being bothered by the sound levels in the piazza or elsewhere.  Things could get a bit raucous during events like the egg drop, but that's to be expected.  Otherwise, we've had drinks in the piazza when there was music and were able to hold a conversation.

 

We are doing our first post-COVID cruise next month (on Majestic). I'll make a point of noticing whether music levels seem excessive in the piazza or theatre and will report back.

[cr8tiv1]

Great idea, but no room in luggage if flying.  Every piece of real estate is more valuable than earmuffs.

 

6 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

Let’s start a protest movement.  Everyone who finds the sound annoying should bring large, brightly colored earmuffs and wear them in the Piazza and theater! 🤣🤣

 

High quality ear buds/plugs would work for those that don't require hearing aids.  No room in ear canal for both.

 

6 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

Wow!  Terrific suggestion and also a great concept that WE are responsible for our own happiness not a Princess sound engineer.

 

You just wait until you board.  The Piazza is used for almost every event during the day/night.  Good luck finding a good place to sit and have a drink.  Maybe the only time it is quiet is when the piano player is in the area or nothing is scheduled (unlikely).

 

Let's see:

 

Sail Away Kickoff/celebration (sometimes in the Piazza/dependent on port)

Welcome to Princess Event

Egg Drop

Paper Airplanes

Martini Demonstration

Horseraces.

Bean Bag toss

Party Band, Piano, Duo, Guitarist

Jenga

Officers verses Passengers

Watercolor 

Demonstrations

Elevator Roulette

Champagne Hoopla Competition

Ring Toss

Cookie Face

60 Second Frenzy

Goofy Golf

Hole in One Golf Challenge

 

1 hour ago, charliedalrymple said:

64-year-old hearing aid user here.  I haven't been on a cruise since COVID, but I honestly don't remember being bothered by the sound levels in the piazza or elsewhere.  Things could get a bit raucous during events like the egg drop, but that's to be expected.  Otherwise, we've had drinks in the piazza when there was music and were able to hold a conversation.

 

We are doing our first post-COVID cruise next month (on Majestic). I'll make a point of noticing whether music levels seem excessive in the piazza or theatre and will report back.

 

[happy cruzer]

Just do some research.  There is big variety of ear plugs. Search on concert ear plugs.  The ones we like filter some frequencies and db level yet let a normal conversation happen.

 

Or choose to try and change the environment on ship and other places.

[SargassoPirate]

14 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Great idea, but no room in luggage if flying.  Every piece of real estate is more valuable than earmuffs.

 

 

High quality ear buds/plugs would work for those that don't require hearing aids.  No room in ear canal for both.

 

 

You just wait until you board.  The Piazza is used for almost every event during the day/night.  Good luck finding a good place to sit and have a drink.  Maybe the only time it is quiet is when the piano player is in the area or nothing is scheduled (unlikely).

 

Let's see:

 

Sail Away Kickoff/celebration (sometimes in the Piazza/dependent on port)

Welcome to Princess Event

Egg Drop

Paper Airplanes

Martini Demonstration

Horseraces.

Bean Bag toss

Party Band, Piano, Duo, Guitarist

Jenga

Officers verses Passengers

Watercolor 

Demonstrations

Elevator Roulette

Champagne Hoopla Competition

Ring Toss

Cookie Face

60 Second Frenzy

Goofy Golf

Hole in One Golf Challenge

 

 

Most of the events listed above in the "inviting" piazza involve someone shouting into a microphone and/or over amplified music.  

 

 

[Cruise Raider]

On 11/5/2023 at 5:27 PM, Ombud said:

Because I enjoy the commotion? Especially the musicians. Yes that's where you'll generally find me. 

I’m with you!  While I think that sometimes the volume is set a little too high, I do enjoy the entertainment, games and other events in the piazza.  
I am actually happy when there are seats available there .. maybe because others want a more subdued and quiet atmosphere.  
We cruised on Celebrity earlier this year and I just find it to be kind of boring. There was rarely any entertainment or activities happening in the day time hours.  

Just of note, Princess seems to be filling their ships .. and the piazza .. obviously, many people like what they are offering!  I know I do!  

[Tedferg]

10 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

I’m with you!  While I think that sometimes the volume is set a little too high, I do enjoy the entertainment, games and other events in the piazza.  
I am actually happy when there are seats available there .. maybe because others want a more subdued and quiet atmosphere.  
We cruised on Celebrity earlier this year and I just find it to be kind of boring. There was rarely any entertainment or activities happening in the day time hours.  

Just of note, Princess seems to be filling their ships .. and the piazza .. obviously, many people like what they are offering!  I know I do!  

We enjoy the games too it is the music we find disturbing when it is too loud. The games are engaging the music should be background.