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Best Piano Entertainer on Carnival? (Part 2)

CC Help Jenn

By CC Help Jenn,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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cruzin749

cruzin749

Posted
Posted
We were on the Conquest last week and really enjoyed Michael Dardis in the Piano Bar, this is his first contract with Carnival so he is still a newbe. He is great on on the piano, a really good singer and if he dosen't know a song that someone requests he will learn it. He hardly ever takes a break, Wednesday is his night off because there is a deck party that they want people to go to. I will try to attach a photo.

nancy,

just back from conquest and you were absolutely right about mike. he was great! we had a nice crew in there almost every night singing our butts off with him. and he learned Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" in about 8 minutes. it was quite impressive! let's hope carnival figures out a way to keep him around

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nobody137

nobody137

Posted
Posted

On the Fascination back in April, we had Mike Smith, and he was really good. His entire show was based on audience suggestions, and he knew most everything that people threw at him, and those that he didn't, if they could play him the song on an MP3 player or something, he could usually learn it by the next time he performed. Unfortunately, he is no longer with Carnival as far as I know.

 

On the Ecstasy, we had Beau Tahana, and he was a good singer and had high energy. My only problem with him was that the two nights we went to the Piano Bar, he played the same set, and didn't really allow for requests, so it was a concert instead of a piano bar.

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divetrash

divetrash

Posted
Posted

A couple of updates. And just so y'all know we really do post the information as soon as we have it.

 

 

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 6/2/2013 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

Dream: Martin Alex Aucoin 4/13/2013 - 8/31/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Ecstasy: Beau Tahana 2/16/2013 - 3/2/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Jim Morris 2/8/2013 - 5/??/2013

Fascination: Rob Crucilla 1/19/2013 - 7/18/2013

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

Freedom: Marty Gast 5/12/2013 - 11/2/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Freedom Drydock 11/2/2013 - 11/16/2013

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

Glory: James Quigley 3/10/2013 - 8/11/2013 http://www.jamespquigley.com

Imagination: Hrvoje "Mr. H" Knezevic 2/18/2013 - ???

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: Michael O'Quinn 1/13/2013 - 5/12/2013

Magic: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 5/12/2013 - 9/15/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

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

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

Paradise: Angela Johnson 3/14/2013 - 9/16/2013

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

Sensation:Russell Villarin 2/21/2013 - ??? http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Spirit: Geoffrey Davies 1/20/2013 - 3/21/2013

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

Triumph: Drydock until 4/13/2013 (at least)

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.

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Anung Un Rama

Anung Un Rama

Posted
Posted
That stinks....I have been on 17 Carnival cruises and by a wide margin, the best entertainer I have had the pleasure of seeing is Ron Pass....SOCIAL!

 

 

He's OK. You know if you like a PBE that's funny, witty, entertaining, sociable, and a great singer :D.

Laura, I guess they're gonna keep me in suspense about the Liberty til the last minute?

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divetrash

divetrash

Posted
Posted
Yes it was Duane Lewis! He was absolutely fantastic...such a good entertainer.

 

I go on at least one cruise a year, unfortunately I haven't even come close to enjoying the piano bar as much as i did on that first one...

 

Hopefully Carnival up's their standards in the piano bar going forward. Understandably its a very hard position to fill, but common, Carnival's batting average is pretty awful in my opinion, in this department.

 

I said this over on the Facebook group, but I have to disagree with you there. Since this list was started about 6 years ago things have definitely changed. It used to be that you could count on one hand the number of entertainers that got mostly positive comments. Now, just looking at the current list, there are a lot more than that:

 

Ron Pass, Michael Dardis, "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter, Beau Tahana, Marty Gast, James Quigley, Mr. H, Ben Gentry, Michael O'Quinn, Dave Filsinger, Angela Johnson, Roger Concepcion, Russell Villarin, Brad Alexander and Seth Gibson all get lots of great comments.

 

Some of the others get more a of mix leaning towards the positive, and there are less than a handful of true duds.

 

So chin up! Things are looking better!

 

Happy Cruising,

 

Laura

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divetrash

divetrash

Posted
Posted
He's OK. You know if you like a PBE that's funny, witty, entertaining, sociable, and a great singer :D.

 

Laura, I guess they're gonna keep me in suspense about the Liberty til the last minute?

 

Chris,

 

Yes, I like to prolong the pain and toy with your emotions... silly! I'm trying to find out, I promise, I've got some feelers out, but nothing yet. I've even resorted to begging, which is neither pretty, nor dignified.

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Steve8

Steve8

Posted
Posted
So this is who I get for my Honeymoon cruise? :(

 

Does anyone have anything positive to say about him?

 

Who are you fooling Chris. This is your honeymoon cruise, you and Cass might not even find the Piano Bar on this one!

 

Steve

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divetrash

divetrash

Posted
Posted

Begging appears to have paid off... I gave Anung Un Rama (Chris) the name of the next Liberty piano bar entertainer for his birthday... I think he wants to return the gift! LOL! :p

 

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 6/2/2013 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

Dream: Martin Alex Aucoin 4/13/2013 - 8/31/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Ecstasy: Beau Tahana 2/16/2013 - 3/2/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Jim Morris 2/8/2013 - 5/??/2013

Fascination: Rob Crucilla 1/19/2013 - 7/18/2013

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

Freedom: Marty Gast 5/12/2013 - 11/2/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Freedom Drydock 11/2/2013 - 11/16/2013

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

Glory: James Quigley 3/10/2013 - 8/11/2013 http://www.jamespquigley.com

Imagination: Hrvoje "Mr. H" Knezevic 2/18/2013 - ???

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/

Liberty: Peter Brenner 3/23/2013 - 7/20/2013

Magic: Michael O'Quinn 1/13/2013 -5/12/2013

Magic: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 5/12/2013 - 9/15/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

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

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

Paradise: Angela Johnson 3/14/2013 - 9/16/2013

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

Sensation:Russell Villarin 2/21/2013 - ??? http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Spirit: Geoffrey Davies 1/20/2013 - 3/21/2013

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

Triumph: Drydock until 4/13/2013 (at least)

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.

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ceegers

ceegers

Posted
Posted

end dates... I have 3 dates that differ from what you have, but I don't know which is more accurate.

info I have gives 5/19 for Ron's end date, 8/17 for Beau, and 3/24 for O'Quinn.

 

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 6/2/2013 http://www.ronpass.com

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

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

Dream: Martin Alex Aucoin 4/13/2013 - 8/31/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Ecstasy: Beau Tahana 2/16/2013 - 3/2/2013

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Jim Morris 2/8/2013 - 6/9/2013

Fascination: Rob Crucilla 1/19/2013 - 7/18/2013

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

Freedom: Marty Gast 5/12/2013 - 11/2/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Freedom Drydock 11/2/2013 - 11/16/2013

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

Glory: James Quigley 3/10/2013 - 8/11/2013 http://www.jamespquigley.com

Imagination: Hrvoje "Mr. H" Knezevic 2/18/2013 - 8/19/2013

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/

Liberty: Peter Brenner 3/23/2013 - 7/20/2013

Magic: Michael O'Quinn 1/13/2013 -5/12/2013

Magic: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 5/12/2013 - 9/15/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

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

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

Paradise: Angela Johnson 3/14/2013 - 9/16/2013

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

Sensation:Russell Villarin 2/21/2013 - ??? http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Spirit: Geoffrey Davies 1/20/2013 - 3/21/2013

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

Triumph: Drydock until 4/13/2013 (at least)

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.

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divetrash

divetrash

Posted
Posted
end dates... I have 3 dates that differ from what you have, but I don't know which is more accurate.

info I have gives 5/19 for Ron's end date, 8/17 for Beau, and 3/24 for O'Quinn.

 

 

Ron extended to 6/2, Beau is leaving early, and I'm unsure about O'Quinn. I know Bob gets on the Magic 5/12, so I guess they are getting someone else in for 6 weeks?

 

Hmmmmmm.... Thanks for your help ceegers! How is life on the Inspiration?

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Anung Un Rama

Anung Un Rama

Posted
Posted
Who are you fooling Chris. This is your honeymoon cruise, you and Cass might not even find the Piano Bar on this one!

 

Steve

 

We fully plan on taking advantage of our cabin and balcony ;)

 

Begging appears to have paid off... I gave Anung Un Rama (Chris) the name of the next Liberty piano bar entertainer for his birthday... I think he wants to return the gift! LOL! :p

 

He'd rather return the PBE :o

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LizaMM

LizaMM

Posted
Posted
So this is who I get for my Honeymoon cruise? :(

 

Does anyone have anything positive to say about him?

 

Sorry....Peter Brenner is just NOT one of the good ones. I did get friendly with him because he is from New Jersey where I lived for awhile.

 

He does an amazing version of Walking in Memphis and a couple of other tunes but for the most part he can be a dud.

 

As I said, I did make sure to chat him up and I wound up having a little fun with him....even got him into the dance club one night which was a real hoot....but for the most part he was far from fun in the piano bar.

 

It will be your honeymoon....find other entertainment :D

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buggystuff

buggystuff

Posted
Posted
Oops, never mind. Our boring piano guy on the Freedom was Sean Laws. Yawn.

 

Agreed. I had the misfortune of sailing with both Sean Laws and Peter Brenner

Snooze fest with both

 

My first was with Damisn Brell, so the bar has been set high since I've started visiting the PB

The good have outdone the poor though, with the likes of:

Damian Brell - 2007

Brad Alexander (2) Liberty, 1-15-2011, Valor 4-22-2012

Larry McConaughey - Valor, 11-2009

Jason Davis - Glory 1-2010

Bob Berhalter (2) Dream, B2B, 01-12-2013

Dave Filsinger (3) - Freedom, 1-23-2011, Dream (B2B) 01-14-2012

Angela Johnson (2) -Ecstasy 2008, Imagination 10-02-2011

Dana Honey - Fascination, 5-01-2010

Tom Grable - Paradise, Sept 2012

Vince Strong - Freedom, 2009

Don Russell - 2008

Josh Tuckman (2) -Imagination 2009, Victory 3/7/2010

James Davis - Fascination 2009

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divetrash

divetrash

Posted
Posted

Breeze: Ron Pass 11/6/2012 - 6/2/2013 http://www.ronpass.com

Breeze: Michael Dardis 6/2/2013 - 11/17/2013

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

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

Dream: Martin Alex Aucoin 4/13/2013 - 8/31/2013 http://www.martinalexaucoin.com/

Ecstasy:

Elation: Michael Geier current - 5/9/2013

Fantasy: Jim Morris 2/8/2013 - 6/9/2013

Fascination: Rob Crucilla 1/19/2013 - 7/18/2013

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

Freedom: Marty Gast 5/12/2013 - 11/2/2013 http://www.*****/MartyGast

Freedom Drydock 11/2/2013 - 11/16/2013

Glory: James Quigley 3/10/2013 - 8/11/2013 http://www.jamespquigley.com

Imagination: Hrvoje "Mr. H" Knezevic 2/18/2013 - 8/19/2013

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/

Liberty: Peter Brenner 3/23/2013 - 7/20/2013

Magic: Michael O'Quinn 1/13/2013 -5/12/2013

Magic: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 5/12/2013 - 9/15/2013 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter

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

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

Paradise: Angela Johnson 3/14/2013 - 9/16/2013

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

Sensation:Russell Villarin 2/21/2013 - ??? http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Spirit: Geoffrey Davies 1/20/2013 - 3/21/2013

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

Triumph: Drydock until 4/13/2013 (at least)

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.

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MszKitty

MszKitty

Posted
Posted
Ok...who can tell me about MIKE DARDIS???

 

According to the post he put on Ron Pass' fb page - be will be taking over for Ron on the Breeze June 2 through November 17th.

 

So now I know who will be there when we sail the Breeze again in August!! ;)

 

I'll be there on November 9....Hoping we can get some feedback on Mike Dardis.

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