Piano Bar on the Rotterdam last night

[msteries]

Happy to report that Dueling Pianos are indeed gone from the Piano Bar on the Rotterdam  Alissa did not do a canned set list but three sets of audience requests.  A very large crowd seemed to be thoroughly enjoying things.  I always snort when someone requests Bohemian Rhapsody.  The crowd happily provided all the verses and bridges with much enthusiasm.  

[BobbiSox]

I never understood the Dueling Pianos. One is enough. Requests are a great idea, as they were back in the glory days.  These musicians are used to requests and it's amazing how many hundreds of pieces of music they know. (and with lyrics!) 

[POA1]

Is the second piano still there? We're on the Rotterdam in late March. I would like to see a piano challenge. Or maybe 88 keys to the death. Possibly anything that involves walking the plank.

 

I might be in the minority, but if you are having "dueling" anything, I would like to see sabres or pistols at 20 paces.

[msteries]

10 minutes ago, POA1 said:

Is the second piano still there? We're on the Rotterdam in late March. I would like to see a piano challenge. Or maybe 88 keys to the death. Possibly anything that involves walking the plank.

 

I might be in the minority, but if you are having "dueling" anything, I would like to see sabres or pistols at 20 paces.

No, just one. If you search these boards a couple of weeks back you'll see that someone actually got a pic of the removal.

[SDARCH]

I hope Alissa is still on board in May.  She is fantastic and we never missed a show when she was on the N.A. in October 2019.

[Ipeeinthepools]

1 hour ago, BobbiSox said:

I never understood the Dueling Pianos. One is enough. Requests are a great idea, as they were back in the glory days.  These musicians are used to requests and it's amazing how many hundreds of pieces of music they know. (and with lyrics!) 

 

They often pull up the music on their iPad.

[kazu]

Great to hear!  Thank you so much for the report 🙂. Sounds like you scored with Alissa 👍 

[Blackduck59]

It's nice to know the change was well received, and the world as we know it has not ended. For the "I don't like the piano bar" crowd, don't go there, there probably won't be room for you anyhow. 

Edited February 17 by Blackduck59

[Mr. Boston]

We stopped in to listen for a bit last evening and she was fantastic.  Will definitely be spending some time there.

[madera1]

Can you ask her how long she will remain on the ship?

[shipshape sam]

On 2/17/2024 at 1:09 PM, Blackduck59 said:

It's nice to know the change was well received, and the world as we know it has not ended. For the "I don't like the piano bar" crowd, don't go there, there probably won't be room for you anyhow. 

When we were on Rotterdam in March 2023, the two pianos were NOT dueling and not very responsive to requests.  They had musical themes for the night/set.  

 

We actually liked to sit on the piano side (Onboard something) and listen to the pianos and then listen to the rock music set across the large room/space.

[YourWorldWithBill]

On 2/17/2024 at 9:30 AM, POA1 said:

I might be in the minority, but if you are having "dueling" anything, I would like to see sabres or pistols at 20 paces.

It could be made part of a production of "Hamilton." 

Too bad that HAL ships are too small for jousting. 

[Anastas617]

On 2/17/2024 at 1:49 PM, madera1 said:

Can you ask her how long she will remain on the ship?

I was on the previous cruise and the current cruise is her last one (for now).

[ukpylot]

I’ve never seen duelling pianos on HAL, dual yes, but always working together. I’m very sad if that’s now down to just one, the interplay between the two was always great. 
 

When we got off the Koningsdam last month our pianists, Brian and Katie, were on their penultimate cruise before a break. Sounds like break might be longer than they thought. It was our third time having Brian, and we loved Katie. I’d choose an itinerary just for them.

[Ipeeinthepools]

The single piano concept is certainly not a fan favorite this week on the Rotterdam last night.  I never saw a crowd this small for any dueling piano performance.  A very small crowd and frankly a lot less entertaining than the dueling pianos.  I really don’t care for the standard what state or country you are from interaction or if it warmer in the Caribbean than your home town.  Listening to the guy next to me try to sing “Uptown Girl” was painful to hear.

 

It’s just sad to see this.  I hope HAL find the funds for an additional piano player.

 

[shippmates]

That is sad to see.  When I was on the Eurodam in January, it was standing room only for the dueling pianos.  Once you found a seat for the first show you stayed until the end unless you had to go to dinner.  The duo that were playing that week were great.  I can not remember their names. The one had just come from the Rotterdam at the beginning of our cruise.  He was from the midwest and the other was from NYC.  Hope they bring the dueling pianos back before my next cruise on the Volendam.

[wdw1972]

We were in BB King's last night - pretty busy there.  This group has a lot of energy and they had the dance floor packed with people during the first show. Unfortunately we could smell the cigarette stench from the casino all the way over to BB Kings (we were on deck 3), so I can only imagine how bad it was down in Billboard.  The casino was very busy whenever we were nearby - lots of gamblers & it sees lots of smokers. Although our staterooms are forward, we use midship stairs/elevators in order to avoid the stink when leaving BB Kings to retire for the evening.

 

Sue/WDW1972

[POA1]

I think the issue was one of expectations. Billboard Onboard was never dueling pianos. Dueling pianos, a la Howl at the Moon (locations nationwide) or Jelly Rolls at Disney World or the dueling pianos shows on NCL's larger ships - is a completely different animal. It's more about requests and banter from the two pianists. Billboard was not that.

[Ipeeinthepools]

34 minutes ago, POA1 said:

I think the issue was one of expectations. Billboard Onboard was never dueling pianos. Dueling pianos, a la Howl at the Moon (locations nationwide) or Jelly Rolls at Disney World or the dueling pianos shows on NCL's larger ships - is a completely different animal. It's more about requests and banter from the two pianists. Billboard was not that.

Call it whatever you like, the crowds loved the performances of the two piano players and Billboard was always packed.  It’s a shame HAL eliminated it for cost cutting.

Edited March 9 by Ipeeinthepools

[POA1]

23 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Call it whatever you like, the crowds loved the performances of the two piano players and Billboard was always packed.  It’s a shame HAL eliminated it for cost cutting.

If the people here are any indication of the overall sentiment, I would venture to guess that customer preference for the old, solo piano player was a factor. The old piano bars were always standing room only. Granted, they were too small for the newer ships, but people really seemed to like the solo entertainer concept. I remember many of the pianists had their own followings.

[cruisemom42]

53 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Call it whatever you like, the crowds loved the performances of the two piano players and Billboard was always packed.  It’s a shame HAL eliminated it for cost cutting.

 

Wasn't that popular on the Nieuw Statendam crossing in November, that's for sure...

 

[Infi]

5 hours ago, shippmates said:

  Hope they bring the dueling pianos back before my next cruise on the Volendam.

 

The Volendam and Zaandam never had dueling (duet) pianos, as they have the Mix location for their piano bars. Not enough space, and I prefer the piano bar experience in that venue as opposed to the larger ships' (now former) dueling/duet pianos model. 

[Hlitner]

The problem is that HAL never really had "Dueling Pianos."  Rather they simply had two pianos (with players) who worked together.  The format is somewhat different (those who have been to real dueling piano venues would understand).  Like any entertainment, it call comes down to the specific entertainers.  If you got two good piano player/singers who worked well together, it could be a treat.  If they were not so good it could almost be painful.

 

One big difference we noted was in working hours.  The duel pianos we had on HAL would play 2 or 3 sets with a nice break between each set.  Piano Bar players may also do sets, but some are truly their own person.  DW reminded me of one night on the VOV when "Barry from Boston" (Barry Rocklin) placed from about 9 until nearly midnight without a break!  Why?  There was a fun crowd at the piano, I think Barry was enjoying the entire scene, so he just kept playing and singing.  I also recall one night on the Prinsendam when "Stryker" never took a break.  

 

The thing about our cruises with piano bar players on HAL is we usually find there are fewer then 10 people awake after 10pm.  In fact, Barry from Boston would sometimes have fun playing the Sesame Street counting song for the number at the bar such as "4."  Always great for a laugh (at least for the 4 of us awake).

 

Hank

[kazu]

19 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

 

The thing about our cruises with piano bar players on HAL is we usually find there are fewer then 10 people awake after 10pm.  In fact, Barry from Boston would sometimes have fun playing the Sesame Street counting song for the number at the bar such as "4."  Always great for a laugh (at least for the 4 of us awake).

 

I guess I was lucky that you and I were never on the same cruises 😂. the Crow’s Nest (piano bar) was always packed on the Prinsendam and still pretty much packed when we shut it down.  Same thing on the old Rotterdam at the Mix.  I’ve had the pleasure of hearing both Barry from Boston and Stryker a few times.  Always great!

[Hlitner]

1 minute ago, kazu said:

 

I guess I was lucky that you and I were never on the same cruises 😂. the Crow’s Nest (piano bar) was always packed on the Prinsendam and still pretty much packed when we shut it down.  Same thing on the old Rotterdam at the Mix.  I’ve had the pleasure of hearing both Barry from Boston and Stryker a few times.  Always great!

We would have loved a packed Crow's Nest.  That being said, one of my favorite times on the Prinsendam was sitting at the Crow's Nest with a few entertainers, Capt. Gundersen, Petr (the ship's beverage manager) and 3 or 4 other passengers (usually men).  

 

So sad that the Prinsendam is gone, and HAL has completely ruined what's left of the Crows Nests on their other ships,  Having been cruising for over 50 years, I seldom miss a specific ship.  But there was something special about the Prinsendam, and she remains our favorite vessel...ever.

 

The closest thing we find to that old Crows Nest is the Observation Bar found on the smaller (450 passenger) Seabourn ships.  There is just enough seating, around the bar, to allow for good conversations and the room has a Crows Nest feel.  And like on the Prinsendam, there is a piano and usually a decent piano bar player/singer.

 

Hank