Best Piano Entertainer on Carnival? (Part 2)

[divetrash]

Just adjusting Ron Pass' end date...

 

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 -5/19/2013 http://www.ronpass.com

Conquest: Michael Dardis 10/28/2012 - 3/24/2013

Destiny:Steven Burks 12/10/2012 - ???

Dream: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 12/15/2012 - 4/13/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

Ecstasy: Milburn Dumas 7/21/2012 - 1/19/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - ???

Fantasy: Larry Maconaghy 11/3/2012 - 1/26/2013

Fascination: Angela Johnson 12/8/2012 - ???

Freedom: Marty Gast 11/10/2012 - 4/1/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Glory: Tom Riccio 12/9/2012 - ???

Imagination: Martin Aucoin 11/10/12 - 2/17/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Inspiration: Richard Yurlkis 12/7/2012 - ???

Legend: Keith Turner 11/18/2012 - ???

Liberty: Benjamin Gentry 10/27/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.http://pianomanben.com/

Magic: Jim Morris until 1/13/2013

Miracle: Darin Isaacs 11/14/2012 - ???

Paradise: Dewey Hunt 11/12/2012 - ???

Pride: Derrek Robertson 11/11/2012 - 1/20/2013

Pride: Roger Concepcion 1/20/2013 - ???

Sensation: Del Clark 8/9/2012 - 2/10/2013 http://www.delclark.com

Spirit: Trevor Jones 11/27/2012 - ???

Splendor: Brad Alexander 9/16/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.bradthepianoman.com

Triumph: Russell Villarin 12/10/2012 - ???

Valor: Seth Gibson 12/2/2012 - 3/24/2013

Victory: Dana Honey 11/4/2012 - 4/6/2013

 

*** A note about this list: This list is compiled from reports and reviews of current cruisers and reports from the entertainers themselves. There is no guarantee of accuracy. An actual date usually means that the schedule has been confirmed by either the performer or someone inside Carnival. Schedules are subject to change. Also, this list is updated very regularly, so if it's not on the list, we probably don't know it.

Edited December 18, 2012 by divetrash

[ceegers]

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 5/19/2013 http://www.ronpass.com

Conquest: Michael Dardis 10/28/2012 - 3/24/2013

Destiny:Steven Burks 12/10/2012 - 2/22/2013

2/22/2013 - 4/12/2013: Destiny becomes Sunshine!

Dream: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 12/15/2012 - 4/13/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

Ecstasy: Milburn Dumas 7/21/2012 - 1/19/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Larry Maconaghy 11/3/2012 - 1/26/2013

Fantasy drydock 1/26/2013 - 2/8/2013

Fascination: Angela Johnson 12/8/2012 - 1/5/2013

Fascination drydock 1/5/2013 - 1/19/2013

Freedom: Marty Gast 11/10/2012 - 3/31/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Glory: Tom Riccio 12/9/2012 - 3/10/2013

Imagination: Martin Aucoin 11/10/12 - 2/18/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Inspiration: Richard Yerkes 10/?/2012 - 2/8/2013

Legend: Keith Turner 11/18/2012 - 5/16/2013

Liberty: Benjamin Gentry 10/27/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.http://pianomanben.com/

Magic: Jim Morris current - 1/13/2013

Miracle: Doug Ross current - 2/18/2013

Paradise: Dewey Hunt 11/12/2012 - 3/14/2013

Pride: Derrek Robertson 11/11/2012 - 2/10/2013

Pride: Roger Concepcion 2/10/2013 - ???

Sensation: Del Clark 8/9/2012 - 2/10/2013 http://www.delclark.com

Spirit: Trevor Jones 11/27/2012 - 1/20/2013

Splendor: Brad Alexander 9/16/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.bradthepianoman.com

Triumph: Russell Villarin 12/10/2012 - 7/11/2013

Valor: Seth Gibson 12/2/2012 - 3/24/2013

Victory: Dana Honey 11/4/2012 - 4/6/2013

 

*** A note about this list: This list is compiled from reports and reviews of current cruisers and reports from the entertainers themselves. There is no guarantee of accuracy. An actual date usually means that the schedule has been confirmed by either the performer or someone inside Carnival. Schedules are subject to change. Also, this list is updated very regularly, so if it's not on the list, we probably don't know it.

[catmech007]

after 21 carnival cruises have sailed maybe 5 times with barry miller, while he is not for everyone he is one of the best closers in the business, have not seen his name on the list in a while, anyone know what happened to him?

[CruisinTormos]

Omg! I so excited that Ron pass will be on my sailing 1/27/13! I think this might be my first cruise with him on board! Woooooo hoooooo!

 

You are in for a serious good time. We were on the Dec 8 sailing and he is just an absolute blast!

[LizaMM]

after 21 carnival cruises have sailed maybe 5 times with barry miller, while he is not for everyone he is one of the best closers in the business, have not seen his name on the list in a while, anyone know what happened to him?

 

I LOVE Barry Miller also! Would love to know if he is coming back to Carnival as well.

 

 

Omg! I so excited that Ron pass will be on my sailing 1/27/13! I think this might be my first cruise with him on board! Woooooo hoooooo!

 

I am excited to have him as well on 1/5 sailing! The past few Piano Bar experiences have not been so great for me and I am really looking forward to spending time in there again.

[BigDfromTN]

Just back from the Elation with Michael.

 

Not overly impressed. Michael is a good piano player and a good voice. He did not work to entertain as much as others have and do. We requested a few songs and he played none of them. One was Walking in Memphis, Said he did not know that one. DW requested Brown Eyed Girl, Said he had already played it and moved on. Dont exactly recall the other but was declined as well. All were songs we have heard multiple times in Carnival Piano bars.

[pmang]

Just back from the Elation with Michael.

 

Not overly impressed. Michael is a good piano player and a good voice. He did not work to entertain as much as others have and do. We requested a few songs and he played none of them. One was Walking in Memphis, Said he did not know that one. DW requested Brown Eyed Girl, Said he had already played it and moved on. Dont exactly recall the other but was declined as well. All were songs we have heard multiple times in Carnival Piano bars.

 

Did you offer a tip with any of your requests?

 

If he already played "Brown Eyed Girl" (one of the most requested songs), he was right not to play it again... But I'd bet a $5 or $10 would have gotten it played again sometime that evening and your song selections would have been more of a priority...

[BigDfromTN]

Did you offer a tip with any of your requests?

 

If he already played "Brown Eyed Girl" (one of the most requested songs), he was right not to play it again... But I'd bet a $5 or $10 would have gotten it played again sometime that evening and your song selections would have been more of a priority...

 

Interesting point of view you have there...

 

I understand the fact he may have just played that song recently before we entered the bar. I also understand not knowing a song(also a popular song in the past on ships). But when we tried 3 times and others requested other songs and he seemingly just played what he had on HIS mind.... Well we just decided maybe the comedy club would be more inviting for us at that time.

 

I also understand tipping in advance but that is a rather backwards concept. I guess there is no need to beat that to death again(Its been done on other threads), BUT a tip is a gift for a service received. Not hoped for. And why tip him for a song he does not know?

[pmang]

Interesting point of view you have there...

 

I understand the fact he may have just played that song recently before we entered the bar. I also understand not knowing a song(also a popular song in the past on ships). But when we tried 3 times and others requested other songs and he seemingly just played what he had on HIS mind.... Well we just decided maybe the comedy club would be more inviting for us at that time.

 

I also understand tipping in advance but that is a rather backwards concept. I guess there is no need to beat that to death again(Its been done on other threads), BUT a tip is a gift for a service received. Not hoped for. And why tip him for a song he does not know?

 

Well... A few things in your post.. In a piano bar, a tip is not a reward for a service received. The performer is not a waiter or cabin steward. It is customary to offer a tip when requesting a song... On land or sea. This bigger the tip, the sooner it gets played. If no tip is offered, the suggestion will be placed to the side and may or may not be played. If everyone just kept shouting out songs and the player had no way to prioritize, the show would have no pacing and could be dominated by a few people who try to pick every song. By pacing, I mean things like a ballad after a fast song, country after country, popular sing-a-long followed by an obscure B-side, etc. The performer wants to avoid these things... I hope that made sense!

 

Now, you are correct that you shouldn't tip for a song the performer doesn't know. If you offered a few bucks and he/she didn't know your song, they should offer an alternative selection or even return the tip... But in no way should they play everything people suggest and hope they are "rewarded" later... If no one is making "official requests ($$)", the performer will pick the songs and try to get the party going.

 

One possible explanation for not knowing "Walking in Memphis" (most quality players should know this song)... If not tip was offered, he may not of thought it was a good time for a slow song. Sometimes it's easier to say he just doesn't know the song instead of No... If you hear him playing it another night, he can always say he learned it for you! Again... Just a guess... 8)

 

Hope you had a good cruise regardless....

Edited December 26, 2012 by pmang

[twiltz]

Thanks Laura.

 

Anyone care to comment on his abilities?

 

Edit, can anyone confirm this is same person?

 

TIA, Don

 

This is the same person that is on the Elation. He was a great performer and a really nice guy!

[cruisinthemed]

Does anyone know who is scheduled in piano bar on. Feb. 10, 2013 on the Glory?

How about the Freedom on Feb. 17, 2013?

[JXR]

You should have Tom Riccio on the Glory & Marty Gast on the Freedom. Both are on their respective ships until sometime in March!

Joanne

[cruisinthemed]

You should have Tom Riccio on the Glory & Marty Gast on the Freedom. Both are on their respective ships until sometime in March!

Joanne

 

Thank you

[divetrash]

Seems a fire was lit under someone's butt and new contracts are coming out. (Out of the office I mean, not out of the roasted butt...) Here's a couple of dates:

 

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 5/19/2013 http://www.ronpass.com

Conquest: Michael Dardis 10/28/2012 - 3/24/2013

Destiny:Steven Burks 12/10/2012 - 2/22/2013

2/22/2013 - 4/12/2013: Destiny becomes Sunshine!

Dream: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 12/15/2012 - 4/13/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

Ecstasy: Milburn Dumas 7/21/2012 - 1/19/2013

Ecstasy: Dave Filsinger 1/19/2013 - 2/16/2013

Ecstasy: Beau Tahana 2/16/2013 - 8/??/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Larry Maconaghy 11/3/2012 - 1/26/2013

Fantasy drydock 1/26/2013 - 2/8/2013

Fascination: Angela Johnson 12/8/2012 - 1/5/2013

Fascination drydock 1/5/2013 - 1/19/2013

Freedom: Marty Gast 11/10/2012 - 3/31/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Glory: Tom Riccio 12/9/2012 -3/10/2013

Imagination: Martin Aucoin 11/10/12 - 2/18/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Inspiration: Richard Yerkes 10/?/2012 - 2/8/2013

Inspiration: Tom Grable 2/8/2013 - 8/??/2013

Legend: Keith Turner 11/18/2012 - 5/16/2013

Liberty: Benjamin Gentry 10/27/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.http://pianomanben.com/

Magic: Jim Morris current - 1/13/2013

Miracle: Doug Ross current - 2/18/2013

Miracle: Dave Filsinger 2/18/2013 - 6/4/2013

Paradise: Dewey Hunt 11/12/2012 - 3/14/2013

Pride: Derrek Robertson 11/11/2012 - 2/10/2013

Pride: Roger Concepcion 2/10/2013 - ???

Sensation: Del Clark 8/9/2012 - 2/10/2013 http://www.delclark.com

Spirit: Trevor Jones 11/27/2012 - 1/20/2013

Splendor: Brad Alexander 9/16/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.bradthepianoman.com

Triumph: Russell Villarin 12/10/2012 - 7/11/2013

Valor: Seth Gibson 12/2/2012 - 3/24/2013

Victory: Dana Honey 11/4/2012 - 4/6/2013

 

*** A note about this list: This list is compiled from reports and reviews of current cruisers and reports from the entertainers themselves. There is no guarantee of accuracy. An actual date usually means that the schedule has been confirmed by either the performer or someone inside Carnival. Schedules are subject to change. Also, this list is updated very regularly, so if it's not on the list, we probably don't know it.

Edited January 3, 2013 by divetrash

[divetrash]

And welcome back to the list James Quigley, taking over the Glory in March (to the relief of some...)

 

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 5/19/2013 http://www.ronpass.com

Conquest: Michael Dardis 10/28/2012 - 3/24/2013

Destiny:Steven Burks 12/10/2012 - 2/22/2013

2/22/2013 - 4/12/2013: Destiny becomes Sunshine!

Dream: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 12/15/2012 - 4/13/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

Ecstasy: Milburn Dumas 7/21/2012 - 1/19/2013

Ecstasy: Dave Filsinger 1/19/2013 - 2/16/2013

Ecstasy: Beau Tahana 2/16/2013 - 8/16/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Larry Maconaghy 11/3/2012 - 1/26/2013

Fantasy drydock 1/26/2013 - 2/8/2013

Fascination: Angela Johnson 12/8/2012 - 1/5/2013

Fascination drydock 1/5/2013 - 1/19/2013

Freedom: Marty Gast 11/10/2012 - 3/31/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Glory: Tom Riccio 12/9/2012 -3/10/2013

Glory: James Quigley 3/10/2013 - 8/??/2013 http://www.jamespquigley.com

Imagination: Martin Aucoin 11/10/12 - 2/18/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Inspiration: Richard Yerkes 10/?/2012 - 2/8/2013

Inspiration: Tom Grable 2/8/2013 - 8/8/2013

Legend: Keith Turner 11/18/2012 - 5/16/2013

Liberty: Benjamin Gentry 10/27/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.http://pianomanben.com/

Magic: Jim Morris current - 1/13/2013

Miracle: Doug Ross current - 2/18/2013

Miracle: Dave Filsinger 2/18/2013 - 6/4/2013

Paradise: Dewey Hunt 11/12/2012 - 3/14/2013

Pride: Derrek Robertson 11/11/2012 - 2/10/2013

Pride: Roger Concepcion 2/10/2013 - ???

Sensation: Del Clark 8/9/2012 - 2/10/2013 http://www.delclark.com

Spirit: Trevor Jones 11/27/2012 - 1/20/2013

Splendor: Brad Alexander 9/16/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.bradthepianoman.com

Triumph: Russell Villarin 12/10/2012 - 7/11/2013

Valor: Seth Gibson 12/2/2012 - 3/24/2013 http://www.sethgibsonmusic.com

Victory: Dana Honey 11/4/2012 - 4/6/2013

 

*** A note about this list: This list is compiled from reports and reviews of current cruisers and reports from the entertainers themselves. There is no guarantee of accuracy. An actual date usually means that the schedule has been confirmed by either the performer or someone inside Carnival. Schedules are subject to change. Also, this list is updated very regularly, so if it's not on the list, we probably don't know it.

[darth frosty]

My vote goes to Mike O'Quin!

 

He was on the destiny for our B2B over Haloween. Here are some vids I took on Halloween night:

 

 

***WARNING***Please ignore the drunk off key singing of the idiot who filmed this!

 

 

Mike O'quinn destiny sweet caroline

 

mike O'quinn destiny piano man

 

 

mike o'quinn alabama

 

mike o'quinn destiny ole time rock n roll

Edited January 6, 2013 by darth frosty

[AQW]

Any comments on Dave Filsinger? I see he's been on various ships for a while now, but I went back several months and didn't find any reviews.

 

We'll be on the Miracle for 15 nights in March, so I have my fingers crossed for a great PBE! Our last long cruise was with Seth Gibson, so the bar is set pretty high. :)

 

Thanks for any input!

[bp traveler]

Sailed with Bob Berhalter on the Dream over Christmas and he was a pleastant suprise! It has been quite some time since we have enjoyed the piano bar and he was a real treat!

 

There seems to be less and less entertainment options on Carnvial these days so I am glad he was fun!

[divetrash]

Any comments on Dave Filsinger? I see he's been on various ships for a while now, but I went back several months and didn't find any reviews.

 

We'll be on the Miracle for 15 nights in March, so I have my fingers crossed for a great PBE! Our last long cruise was with Seth Gibson, so the bar is set pretty high. :)

 

Thanks for any input!

 

Dave gets lots of great comments over on the FB "Carnival Cruise Lines Piano Bar-Barians" group, I can't post the link here, but if you are on FB you can search for it. He's got a lot of fans who couldn't wait to find out what ship he was on next.

 

Enjoy and Happy Cruising,

 

Laura

[Silvestri4]

Anybody have any comments on Tom Riccio...about to sail the glory in one week, really hoping we get a good piano bar entertainer. Haven't had a real good one since Dwayne on the Valor about 5 years ago. and i've been on 3 cruises since that one.

[Anjanu]

I hardly ever visit the piano bar on cruises but this time I was with friends who enjoy it so I went with them. We were on the fantasy and Larry was the piano entertainer. I one of those carnival cheerleaders that most speak of and never complain but this guy was really bad. I mean really really bad. He didn't have a song list and most of his songs sounded like the last one before it. He didn't know the words to a lot of song. I was not impressed at all. However, my friends liked him a lot.

[pmang]

I hardly ever visit the piano bar on cruises but this time I was with friends who enjoy it so I went with them. We were on the fantasy and Larry was the piano entertainer. I one of those carnival cheerleaders that most speak of and never complain but this guy was really bad. I mean really really bad. He didn't have a song list and most of his songs sounded like the last one before it. He didn't know the words to a lot of song. I was not impressed at all. However, my friends liked him a lot.

 

Please don't judge a player on whether or not they put out a song list... Most top players won't as they know thousands of songs and are constantly adding new ones..

 

Not being a good performer is another story though!

[Anjanu]

Please don't judge a player on whether or not they put out a song list... Most top players won't as they know thousands of songs and are constantly adding new ones..

 

Not being a good performer is another story though!

 

 

I could care less whether they have a song list or not. My point was if he only knew a few songs, it would have been easier and maybe more enjoyable if we knew which songs they were instead of asking for songs that he didn't know through the night.

[AQW]

Dave gets lots of great comments over on the FB "Carnival Cruise Lines Piano Bar-Barians" group, I can't post the link here, but if you are on FB you can search for it. He's got a lot of fans who couldn't wait to find out what ship he was on next.

 

Thank you so much Laura; I joined the group and found a wealth of helpful information. Appreciated!

[cruzin749]

And welcome back to the list James Quigley, taking over the Glory in March (to the relief of some...)

 

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 5/19/2013 http://www.ronpass.com

Conquest: Michael Dardis 10/28/2012 - 3/24/2013

Destiny:Steven Burks 12/10/2012 - 2/22/2013

2/22/2013 - 4/12/2013: Destiny becomes Sunshine!

Dream: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 12/15/2012 - 4/13/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

Ecstasy: Milburn Dumas 7/21/2012 - 1/19/2013

Ecstasy: Dave Filsinger 1/19/2013 - 2/16/2013

Ecstasy: Beau Tahana 2/16/2013 - 8/16/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Larry Maconaghy 11/3/2012 - 1/26/2013

Fantasy drydock 1/26/2013 - 2/8/2013

Fascination: Angela Johnson 12/8/2012 - 1/5/2013

Fascination drydock 1/5/2013 - 1/19/2013

Freedom: Marty Gast 11/10/2012 - 3/31/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Glory: Tom Riccio 12/9/2012 -3/10/2013

Glory: James Quigley 3/10/2013 - 8/??/2013 http://www.jamespquigley.com

Imagination: Martin Aucoin 11/10/12 - 2/18/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Inspiration: Richard Yerkes 10/?/2012 - 2/8/2013

Inspiration: Tom Grable 2/8/2013 - 8/8/2013

Legend: Keith Turner 11/18/2012 - 5/16/2013

Liberty: Benjamin Gentry 10/27/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.http://pianomanben.com/

Magic: Jim Morris current - 1/13/2013

Miracle: Doug Ross current - 2/18/2013

Miracle: Dave Filsinger 2/18/2013 - 6/4/2013

Paradise: Dewey Hunt 11/12/2012 - 3/14/2013

Pride: Derrek Robertson 11/11/2012 - 2/10/2013

Pride: Roger Concepcion 2/10/2013 - ???

Sensation: Del Clark 8/9/2012 - 2/10/2013 http://www.delclark.com

Spirit: Trevor Jones 11/27/2012 - 1/20/2013

Splendor: Brad Alexander 9/16/2012 - 3/23/2013 http://www.bradthepianoman.com

Triumph: Russell Villarin 12/10/2012 - 7/11/2013

Valor: Seth Gibson 12/2/2012 - 3/24/2013 http://www.sethgibsonmusic.com

Victory: Dana Honey 11/4/2012 - 4/6/2013

 

*** A note about this list: This list is compiled from reports and reviews of current cruisers and reports from the entertainers themselves. There is no guarantee of accuracy. An actual date usually means that the schedule has been confirmed by either the performer or someone inside Carnival. Schedules are subject to change. Also, this list is updated very regularly, so if it's not on the list, we probably don't know it.

Anything on michael dardis on the conquest, sailing feb 17th, just wondering if anyone has sailed with him