Outside Entertainers.

[CarolynU]

I’m more than happy to just hang by the pool during the day, but evenings I flit from show to show. Not just main stage shows x 3 but singers like John Charles for example, Shawn Farquhar Magician, tribute bands etc etc I’m not a quiz person although if the club host is good I do go to watch them, and Match Your Mate is a must but the other entertainers brought on are a huge part of my cruising experience.
Now cruising has resumed for a while how are things shaping up in this sector? If there is very little what has replaced it? Just the crew doing lots of trivia etc?

 

[andrew870]

I sat by the adult pool on the Fantasy and watched a live guitarest for about a half hour this Christmas night. So I say its on its way back.

 

[apathetic]

Just got off a cruise and we had 2 variety entertainers. They were great. There isn't a club host, at least not on the Wonder. They have a rotation of people from the cruise staff rather than 1 club host. But, the adult shows at night were not well attended at all. I doubt 50 people came for the entertainers and match your mate had even less. They had a hard time getting couples to volunteer. There were actually family events in Azure after dinner, which never used to happen. They had a bunch of trivia, but they seemed like the same ones over an over. The shows in the theater were repeated (back-to-back nights) because of the lower capacity. If anything was even remotely popular you needed to get there early or run into the venue is full sign. There seemed to be a lot more "craft" events than usual. Plus, they had a happy hour in each venue every day. 30% off drinks, a nice surprise. Things are probably better than when they resumed cruising, but still quite a way to go still. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety acts because I heard there weren't any. So that could be a good sign.

 

[Billybob7]

Just got off a cruise and we had 2 variety entertainers. They were great. There isn't a club host, at least not on the Wonder. They have a rotation of people from the cruise staff rather than 1 club host. But, the adult shows at night were not well attended at all. I doubt 50 people came for the entertainers and match your mate had even less. They had a hard time getting couples to volunteer. There were actually family events in Azure after dinner, which never used to happen. They had a bunch of trivia, but they seemed like the same ones over an over. The shows in the theater were repeated (back-to-back nights) because of the lower capacity. If anything was even remotely popular you needed to get there early or run into the venue is full sign. There seemed to be a lot more "craft" events than usual. Plus, they had a happy hour in each venue every day. 30% off drinks, a nice surprise. Things are probably better than when they resumed cruising, but still quite a way to go still. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety acts because I heard there weren't any. So that could be a good sign.

Do you recall who the variety entertainers were? Thank you!

 

[apathetic]

Taylor Mason (ventriloquist) and Matt Baker (juggling). We enjoyed both acts.

 

[Billybob7]

Taylor Mason (ventriloquist) and Matt Baker (juggling). We enjoyed both acts.

Thank you.

 

[Keyser]

Just got off a cruise and we had 2 variety entertainers. They were great. There isn't a club host, at least not on the Wonder. They have a rotation of people from the cruise staff rather than 1 club host. But, the adult shows at night were not well attended at all. I doubt 50 people came for the entertainers and match your mate had even less. They had a hard time getting couples to volunteer. There were actually family events in Azure after dinner, which never used to happen. They had a bunch of trivia, but they seemed like the same ones over an over. The shows in the theater were repeated (back-to-back nights) because of the lower capacity. If anything was even remotely popular you needed to get there early or run into the venue is full sign. There seemed to be a lot more "craft" events than usual. Plus, they had a happy hour in each venue every day. 30% off drinks, a nice surprise. Things are probably better than when they resumed cruising, but still quite a way to go still. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety acts because I heard there weren't any. So that could be a good sign.

We were on the same cruise, and I'd echo everything. One addition: there were also some performers (in addition to the variety acts) in the lounges, as well. There was a trio (same group that performed in Tiana's place) and a couple of pianists, if I remember correctly.

I was surprised at how sparsely attended the variety shows were (we only went to the family ones). Especially since in past times these performers would have been the main evening show in the WDT, and their acts were pretty good.

 

[closetmickey]

Any reports of entertainers like the above mentioned currently on the Dream?

 

[varkgirl]

The main thing we noticed that was different on the Fantasy was they removed the amazing grand piano from the Atrium! It is now a player piano. The cruise director told us the stuff it is playing was actually recorded by the piano player on board (he played in some lounges) but there was no live piano happening in the atrium and also that piano SUCKS compared to the old one. No violin. Just not as nice as in years past.

 

[nancipants]

The main thing we noticed that was different on the Fantasy was they removed the amazing grand piano from the Atrium! It is now a player piano. The cruise director told us the stuff it is playing was actually recorded by the piano player on board (he played in some lounges) but there was no live piano happening in the atrium and also that piano SUCKS compared to the old one. No violin. Just not as nice as in years past.

I love the live music in the atrium during dinner times, when everyone is taking pictures. Obviously not feasible now, but I hope that eventually returns.

 

[varkgirl]

I love the live music in the atrium during dinner times, when everyone is taking pictures. Obviously not feasible now, but I hope that eventually returns.

I mean... there are TONS of people standing around for photos, waiting in line. Wouldn't change the crowd size much to add live music but would make the whole experience nicer.

 

[CamColt]

I'm glad to hear some of the entertainment is back. That was 1 thing we found lacking in August. I would still like to see a dedicated Club Host though. That really seems to add to the camaraderie in the club at night. Some of our funniest memories involve Club Hosts.

 

[CarolynU]

I'm glad to hear some of the entertainment is back. That was 1 thing we found lacking in August. I would still like to see a dedicated Club Host though. That really seems to add to the camaraderie in the club at night. Some of our funniest memories involve Club Hosts.

Absolutely this 100%! The club hosts can elevate a quiz or whatever to a fabulous event and that was also what was lacking for me in August. We had no club hosts even though Jo is from the uk and totally hilarious! The cruise staff tried their best but didn’t even come close! They can also ensure that people do attend the evening entertainment as people go to see them. I know I do.

 

[nancipants]

I'm glad to hear some of the entertainment is back. That was 1 thing we found lacking in August. I would still like to see a dedicated Club Host though. That really seems to add to the camaraderie in the club at night. Some of our funniest memories involve Club Hosts.

We've had Tisa (sp?) on several cruises and she's hilarious.

 

[CamColt]

We've had Tisa (sp?) on several cruises and she's hilarious.

She's our favorite too! We have lucked out to have her an handful of times as far back as 2002. I often find myself using her expression "Easy peasy rice and cheesy!".