Anyone Else Harassed by Ship's Entertainers?

[Cahroozer]

We embark on another cruise this month and I'm still wondering about an incident on our last one. Here's the story:

 

I was sitting in row three on the aisle of the ship's theater to watch a show. One of the ship's entertainers was singing the Name Game song (banana fana-fo-fana, etc) and came down to into my aisle for audience participation. He got someone to stand up and do the song with her name. I realized I was at risk of being called on and I definitely didn't want to participate, so I made sure I squarely looked away while he was scanning for participants.

 

The entertainer didn't seem to accept that signal, walked up and stood over me to get me to play along. I kept looking away. He wouldn't go away, and even started making jokes that I wasn't looking at him, so I put my hand up by my face. He apparently wasn't taking no for an answer. He than asked me my name and put the microphone in my face. I responded to this intrusion by saying "not telling." After another comment or two, he moved on.

 

Then a few minutes later the ship's entertainers were dancing and one of the male dancers came down the aisle and jumped in my lap (I'm a man. I admit it the retaliation may have been less annoying if it had been one of the girls!). I almost dumped him on the floor and he jumped up to save himself.

 

I intended to complain to the cruise director but my travel mate asked me not to make a fuss.

 

I can't believe that taking an aisle seat near the front is signing over one's right to privacy. I certainly made it clear from the git-go that I wasn't interested in participating. Surely there are many people looking at the entertainer, smiling, etc. and looking like they're thinking "Pick Me!". And for another entertainer to try to embarrass me further by leaping into my lap does seemed rude.

 

Have others had this kind of intrusive experience?

[cb at sea]

Don't sit near the front or on the aisle, if you don't want to chance being "harrassed"...athough, it's not really harrassment...it's "audience participation".

 

Next time, I'll take your seat...I love participating in a show!

 

Should it ever happen again, you'll draw less attention to yourself by being a good sport and playing along....

[cruisinfanatic]

sure. It's a cruise. You are supposed to be enjoying yourself.

[alicam]

I feel differently about this than the other poster who replied...you should be able to sit in the front at the aisle if you wish and not be bothered by the entertainers....nothing says that if you sit there you have to participate

[rolloman]

I intended to complain to the cruise director but my travel mate asked me not to make a fuss.

 

Just when you thought you had heard everything.....Come on...I can't believe you are serious. In the unlikely event you are, you should inquire before each show on whether there is audience participation. If yes, then you need to seek other entertainment options for the evening or sit in the first row of the theaters second deck. Using the term Harrassment for an audience participation show is way out there......and I am not talking about Saturn or Pluto..I am talking about another solar system.

[Cahroozer]

Don't sit near the front or on the aisle, if you don't want to chance being "harrassed"...athough, it's not really harrassment...it's "audience participation".

 

Next time, I'll take your seat...I love participating in a show!

 

Should it ever happen again, you'll draw less attention to yourself by being a good sport and playing along....

 

I appreciate your advice that I should not sit near the stage but I don't think this should be a consideration. Harassment is making someone do something they do not wish to do.

 

As you indicate, that is something you enjoy and I'm happy for you. Why should anyone be forced to engage in public displays against their will?

[LBumb]

go with the flow....

[firefly333]

Of course you dont have to participate. Iv seen other people refuse. You can just say NO, instead of not making eye contact and playing games with the entertainer.

 

When you started playing games, it probably encourage them to play games back.

 

Harrassment?? Only if it continued past the show. Learn to say no and stand up for yourself.

[babyher]

Never on a cruise ship , but several times at comedy clubs . myself, DW and one hilarious time with my Mom. We have been kidded with by the comic.

 

 

Some comedians feed off the answers they get just asking audience members where they are from, or what they do for a living.

 

It adds to the fun.

[schnocker]

Don't ever sit down front for comedians, magicians, and, especially, jugglers !

[NordicPrince]

Harassment is making someone do something they do not wish to do.

 

 

Obviously you're not married or haven't been married long enough!

 

On topic: Harassment is directed personally at a particular person deliberately on a continuing basis. Two instances does not constitute continual. You were not targeted on a personal basis. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The performers can't read your mind. To think that the dancers who are in the background would purposely pick you out on a personal basis in a dark theater is too much of a stretch.

 

Of course if Charo was performing that night it would be different. She goes after some guy sitting in front and takes his shirt off in a sultry manner while singing "Sexy, Sexy, Sexy". Often she drags him on the stage and goes a lot further than that. Is that harassment according to you? I doubt it.

 

Sorry not in your corner on this one. Even if you were a little uncomfortable. On the other hand, maybe you should get 1/2 off your next cruise as credit for your suffering.

[bmarchal]

If you consider that harrasment then mabe you should stay in your room and hang out the don't disturb sign on your door. Then you won't be bothered by any entertainer or other passenger for that matter. Or better still...stay at home.

 

Come on, lighten up. The front row seats aren't usually the best anyway.

[clarkspond75]

Is your name Chuck.............

[Creepella]

I don't think you should be made to feel uncomfortable, no matter where you sit. A good entertainer can tell if someone only wants to watch, and leaves that person alone.

[Single Cruiser]

Probably needed an extra G&T or glass of wine before the performance...

 

I think rather than putting your hand up and saying "not telling" you should just have said "no thank you", not telling is like playing along...

 

I bet they thought misery guts in that seat and told the dancer! :D

 

I got up on stage on one cruise (reluctantly) but made sure that the drink I ordered from the waiter was booked to the performers account!

[jmraggs]

I am sorry that you were bothered by this, but you should really take it in stride as they were just looking to add some humor to the audience. Until you posted this, I have never seen someone get upset about a situation like this before, most just go along with it and laugh. I don't take things like that seriously especially when I am on a cruise ship.

[mjldvlks]

I guess the thing that surprises me most is that a self respecting professional entertainer would try to involve an adult audience in "The Name Game," a song that was excruciatingly lame when it was released about 50 years ago. What's next -- "The Hokey Pokey?"

 

If you really want them to leave you alone, say your name is "Chuck". No, on second thought, that might not work anymore.

[nancronin]

I don't think you should be made to feel uncomfortable, no matter where you sit. A good entertainer can tell if someone only wants to watch, and leaves that person alone.

 

 

Agree with this - although I don't consider it harrassment, I would have been very upset also!:eek:

[gbcruise]

Shaking my head here......next time if you dont want to participate the obvious choice is to sit where you will not be picked so easily.

[catlady27]

We were on the Freedom in 2008 and attending the art auction when the auctioneer (who was trying to push the impressionist paintings) said "what does everyone take with them on a cruise?" and my DH shouted out "CONDOMS". Well, the ensuing laughter caused the auctioneer to say "you think this is easy selling art, come on up here and give it a try?" So, my DH went up front, looked at the painting and said "this painting is by . . . oh, who cares who painted it, if you like it, buy it. Let's start the bidding at $1" and he had a great time. Bottom line, the guy thought he would embarrass my DH but because he went with the flow, everyone had a good time.

[Cruisinfrombmore]

sure. It's a cruise. You are supposed to be enjoying yourself.

 

For many people like myself, having the entertainer draw attention to them is not enjoyable - in fact, it's miserable. For all of those who feed off of attention, more power to you! But don't beat up on the OP just because audience participation isn't his type of fun!

 

Personally, when I attend that type of show, I sit towards the back because it's less likely that I will be singled out. But, I do get the OP's thought that you shouldn't have to sit in the back just to avoid getting picked on.

[firefly333]

For many people like myself, having the entertainer draw attention to them is not enjoyable - in fact, it's miserable. For all of those who feed off of attention, more power to you! But don't beat up on the OP just because audience participation isn't his type of fun!

 

I dont think people are beating up on the OP because they dont enjoy the attention .. its because the OP used the word harrassement, which seems to me to be a overused word this day and age. .. at least thats why I reacted.

[BILL-WI]

Is your name Chuck.............

 

:D:D:DBest post on this thread! :D:D:D

 

BILL

[Morecruisesplz]

We embark on another cruise this month and I'm still wondering about an incident on our last one. Here's the story:

 

We always sit in the balcony. You might consider doing the same.

[croozerz]

What I would do....If you are not willing to participate beacuse you don't want to give your name out, I would have given a name to the singer that would have given them problems of rhyming, like Xavier!