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I Love Holland America but...

MarylandBob

By MarylandBob,
in Holland America Line

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NYCsurfer

NYCsurfer

Posted
Posted

This thread sounds like the "discussion" the wife and I have every time we travel in the same vehicle, which station do we listen to. I am more of a rock a roll guy, which includes everything from the fifties to yesterday, and she is much more of an easy listening type gal. We usually settle on the oldies station. :rolleyes:

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lazey1

lazey1

Posted
Posted

Happy Trails to you was actually written by Dale Evans and performed by Roy Rogers with the Sons of the Pioneers. Roy and Dale are both buried in Apple Valley, Ca. The Roy Rogers museum which used to be in Victorville, Ca. closed a few years ago and was moved to Branson, Mo. by their son "Dusty" Rogers. That is where Roy's horse Trigger hangs out now.

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hammybee

hammybee

Posted
Posted

 

Book better entertainers and put more venues to use, and they could have people prowling the decks going from one party to the next - purchasing drinks and spending money. Why, they could even have "Twilight Trivia" in the Crow's Nest, "Starlight Lounge" cabaret shows in the Lido followed by "Midnight Madness" sales in the shops onboard!

 

HAL already make a to-do about certain chefs who are aboard certain sailings for their cooking demonstrations: Why can't they do the same with entertainers such as Paula West, Natalie Cole, Rita Moreno, Michael Buble, Oleta Adams & Tim Hockenberry who might do one or two performances on a 7 or 10 day cruise?

 

When the entertainment is lacking, so is the onboard spending - We all might as well just go to bed.

 

Chicken or egg? Do HAL Pals retire early cause that's what they do, or do they do it cause there's not much too do? It would be worthwhile to find out.

 

The Twilight Trivia etc. is potentially low cost enough to not have to bet the farm, if incremental revenues do not support it.

 

As for bringing on top name entertainers.....I have no idea what that costs. $50,000? $100,000? More?.... when cabins, entourage, insurance and booking fees are all included. It comes down to will consumers pay more to get more?

 

NCL hit one out of the park with Second City. Princess seems to be doing reasonably well with the Murder Mystery surcharge event thing. The jazz and blues charters sell out. And I am the one and only who loved Cirque du Soleil, on Celebrity.

 

Heck Brian, I would pay a surcharge to see and listen to you sing " Roly Poly". ;)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DVStlC-9Hc

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Zippercat

Zippercat

Posted
Posted
OK, I'd book a HAL/Keith Richards cruise for sure! He could teach a "Secrets to Longevity" class - we'd all be "Dancin' in the Streets"...oops, that's Mick - well, bring him along, too.

 

I know lots of folks have covered it, but isn't the most famous version of "Dancing in the Streets" by Lionelle Ritchie?

 

:confused:

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carlabob

carlabob

Posted
Posted

Nope...I believe that would be Martha & the Vandela's. (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong...)

 

I know lots of folks have covered it, but isn't the most famous version of "Dancing in the Streets" by Lionelle Ritchie?

 

:confused:

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orangearmy

orangearmy

Posted
Posted

This is an interesting discussion and I do agree with the majority of you who feel that the on board entertainment could be better. That being said though, the last thing we think about when booking a cruise is who/what type of entertainment we will see. My DW does enjoy the production shows but as for me, I could really care less. I must say that i always try to make it to see the crew shows. As for the rest, I will go to the casino or the disco.

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carlabob

carlabob

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But seriously, HAL does struggle w/the entertainment piece of it's package.

And, it's a shame, since the rest of the package is about as good as it gets for the price point. Maybe you just can't have it all....& that's OK.

We're booked again w/HAL this spring, after having sailed last year w/Princess (who's entertainment options are superior (IMHO), but that's the ONLY area that I would rate as superior to HAL.

You absolutely can't beat HAL's crew, some of whom you just want to take home with you. They are the unsung heroes (except here on CC).

You can't beat their Lido buffet & the overall classic ambiance that is provided onboard - and their commitment to onboard service.

Yes, I have some issues w/the inconsistency of service @ Seattle, but once onboard, sailing HAL feels like coming home & we've only sailed w/them 3 times previously. We don't have as many cruises under our belts as some here on CC, but we feel that we've found our line of choice w/HAL. I have to think that they will evolve in the entertainment area out of necessity.

My husband is a musician & while he doesn't care much for their entertainment, he only wants to sail HAL, because the positives so outweigh the entertainment negatives, in our opinion.

Just my 2 cents.

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seafun

seafun

Posted
Posted

I agree that Martha and the Umbrellas -- oops -- Vandellas, was the more popular version.

I think the poster who mentioned Lionel Ritchie was thinking of "Dancing on the Ceiling."

As for me? I'm dancing with a pineapple on my head -- heading for the Crow's Nest... :rolleyes: hoping that the band will be good...

 

th_HPIM4466.jpg

 

 

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TCF

TCF

Posted
Posted

I have to agree with those critical of the HAL entertainment. In broad terms it is awful!

We found only one really talented entertainment group on our last HAL group and that was a string quartet who played wonderful classical musical in the Explorer Lounge. But, that was all that was worth going to see for five weeks and while we like classical musice it sure did get boring every night.

Whomever and the HALCATS was determined to fracture ear drums every time they played anywhere on the ship...and frankly I think the singer did better serving orange juice during the Red Alert!!!

In my opinion everything else on HAL ships is about as good as it gets in a consistent manner when it comes ot crew, food, service and ships, than any other cruise line in the mass market category. They are a little weak and overpriced in the excursion department, but that is easily overcome by the passengers booking their own....but when it comes to entertainment we are at Seattle's mercy....and that is no where to be ever!

Even the closed circuit TV system....which has huge potential is poorly programmed. I understand that they want us out of the cabin spending money in the evening, not sitting inside watching TV....but then they are going to have to give us something worth leaving the cabin to see!!!

Does HAL have an entertainment booking agent to come up with it's talent? If it does....then it better look for someone else....'cause the guys that are doing it now are booking dogs.

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hulamoon

hulamoon

Posted
Posted

I agree the entertainment could use a makeover. It does not have to break the budget just a little more creative booking. Or a taste evaluation for the one making the choices.

 

pipedream you continue to crack me up with your seemingly unlimited ability to post funny pictures within seconds. How do you do that?

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lettienets

lettienets

Posted
Posted
I cannot agree more - With few exceptions, the entertainment on HAL is about the worst ever.......

 

When the entertainment is lacking, so is the onboard spending - We all might as well just go to bed.

Hi Brian, I am with you in this one, the entertainment is terrible even the recent Noordam! The only group I really liked this trip was the dance band in the Ocean Bar and I put that on the critique at the end. Even the classical music wasn't up to snuff. They need some good comedians and solo acts. Forget Michael Buble, he's too good and expensive for HAL, he would never go on there. Maybe something big like Oasis of the Seas. I'm not a big partier but Hal entertainment puts me to sleep. No wonder everybody goes to bed early. I hate ventriloquists, magicians and musicians who do comedy.

I decided to take a Carnival cruise to feel some life onboard for once!

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off2ctheworld

off2ctheworld

Posted
Posted

Interesting thread! On our recent Zuiderdam cruise, the hal singer and dance leads (NOT THE HALCATS) sang one night in the Queens lounge. Excellent songs from the 50s and we enjoyed them. But when the stories between the songs were "songs my parents fell in love with, songs I grew up to-etc" I had the giggles. These 20 years old singers parents were not born in the 50s-more likely their grandparents. Who wrote their material!

We enjoy going to shows after dinner, would like more music of all kinds.

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louben

louben

Posted
Posted

Oh golly! We are from the UK travelling with two kids on the Zuiderdam at end of March. After reading reviews regarding the entertainment, I am now really beginning to worry about our choice of cruise. I decided on this cruise mainly because of the itinerary and the price. We are in our late thirties and love a variety of music - not just modern, but also seventies and eighties stuff. However, I have read on several reviews that this cruise could be like a floating rest home and the only music we will hear will be Moon River! Is this likely to be the case? I thought this was supposed to be a family Vista ship encouraging a younger clientelle!:confused:

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