Best Piano Entertainer on Carnival? (Part 2)

[cathyz]

Thanks JXR. Does he keep a crowd going? What kind of genre? Can't wait!

Oh my gosh, you are so lucky, he is fabulous!!!! We don't usually do piano bars every night, but did with him on the Splendor and he PACKS the place!!! SOCIAL!! (you'll know what that means when you see him). Have a great time!

[hi2mari]

Still no news on who is on the Legend now?

[blondietink]

While I don't know who was in the piano bar on our early Dec. Legend cruise (I think it was Pollyanna, but not sure), the very best piano player was Serigy (sp?) who played for hours straight in the Atrium lobby and also at the afternoon teas. He is awesome!

[BigDfromTN]

Anyone know who will be on the Conquest after 3/4/12?

We are booked on next sailing of 3/11/12 and was curious.;)

[richstowe]

We were on the Fascination this month and had Milburn Dumas as the piano man.

He is OK but seems a bit bored with his job (but I can't blame him).

He actually said when someone requested Piano Man, "Wow it took till 10 for that request. It's a record!" with serious contempt.

Again I am sure being asked to play the same songs night after night can get to you

but he should do a better job of hiding his annoyance.

 

The other issue was a waiter who kept hitting on the teenage girls at the bar, but thats another story.

[pmang]

He actually said when someone requested Piano Man, "Wow it took till 10 for that request. It's a record!" with serious contempt.

Again I am sure being asked to play the same songs night after night can get to you

but he should do a better job of hiding his annoyance.

 

That's why most piano bars have a $20 minimum tip for "Piano Man"! :)

[greenhorncanuck]

This will be our second cruise, first one was on the Glory with Jason. We loved him and closed the piano bar most nights. The one thing I didn't like was all the smoke but I was worried when I heard about the smoking change, that the piano bar atmosphere might suffer. It is our favourite night time entertainment. Reading this thread sounds like piano bars are alive and well and since we will be on the Valor in March, looks like we might get a good one! And won't go to bed at night smelling all smokey!

I appreciate all the information provided here, thanks!:D

[stsnfes]

Keith Turner is back on the Spirit.

 

 

I think it's gonna depend on what you like with him. He uses tracks for most of his upbeat songs. He's very much a jazz guy and plays crazy nuts solos, although some of you probably don't care to hear that in a piano bar, depends on what you like. He's a great guy and has a great personality.

 

Imani was so much fun. He does use tracks but he has a great personality and made us laugh so much! He is definitely a jazz guy and really can break it down on the piano when he wants to. We had a good crowd there every night and he played a little of everything. The ages in the piano bar ranged from 30's - 80's. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

[laumicmah]

This will be our second cruise, first one was on the Glory with Jason. We loved him and closed the piano bar most nights. The one thing I didn't like was all the smoke but I was worried when I heard about the smoking change, that the piano bar atmosphere might suffer. It is our favourite night time entertainment. Reading this thread sounds like piano bars are alive and well and since we will be on the Valor in March, looks like we might get a good one! And won't go to bed at night smelling all smokey!

I appreciate all the information provided here, thanks!:D

We like to go to the piano bar and have popped in on all of our cruises, except the last one (Aug 2011 on the Glory). DH and I walked by it (one night when our kids were otherwise occupied) and had planned to go in, but saw that there were a ton of kids in there (since it's now non-smoking). Was that a fluke one time thing or is that happening all the time now? My mom and I would LOVE to spend some time in the piano bar on our April cruise on the Pride (sans kiddos). And does anyone know if it will still be Roger?

Edited February 1, 2012 by laumicmah

[palmbaytish]

I feel like a stalker checking this thread every day to see any updates on who will be on the Glory at the end of March. We loved our last cruise (the Liberty with Brad) in the Piano Bar and hope to have a good time again this year.

[golfadj]

We like to go to the piano bar and have popped in on all of our cruises, except the last one (Aug 2011 on the Glory). DH and I walked by it (one night when our kids were otherwise occupied) and had planned to go in, but saw that there were a ton of kids in there (since it's now non-smoking). Was that a fluke one time thing or is that happening all the time now? My mom and I would LOVE to spend some time in the piano bar on our April cruise on the Pride (sans kiddos). And does anyone know if it will still be Roger?

 

Did not see any kids in pb last week on Valor.

[stsnfes]

We like to go to the piano bar and have popped in on all of our cruises, except the last one (Aug 2011 on the Glory). DH and I walked by it (one night when our kids were otherwise occupied) and had planned to go in, but saw that there were a ton of kids in there (since it's now non-smoking). Was that a fluke one time thing or is that happening all the time now? My mom and I would LOVE to spend some time in the piano bar on our April cruise on the Pride (sans kiddos). And does anyone know if it will still be Roger?

 

My 16 year old nephew spent every night in the piano bar with us on the Magic. He loves music (plays in a band) and just enjoyed the music aspect of it. Although, he doesn't look like much of a kid with his beard and mustache. LOL

[laumicmah]

My 16 year old nephew spent every night in the piano bar with us on the Magic. He loves music (plays in a band) and just enjoyed the music aspect of it. Although, he doesn't look like much of a kid with his beard and mustache. LOL

LOL! That wouldn't bother me too much, if he doesn't mind the sometimes adult content...then I don't mind. The PB on the Glory had younger kids in it...a bunch. So, I'm guessing the PB entertainer had to keep it G or PG, at least.

[Bambooman]

This will be our second cruise, first one was on the Glory with Jason. We loved him and closed the piano bar most nights. The one thing I didn't like was all the smoke but I was worried when I heard about the smoking change, that the piano bar atmosphere might suffer. It is our favourite night time entertainment. Reading this thread sounds like piano bars are alive and well and since we will be on the Valor in March, looks like we might get a good one! And won't go to bed at night smelling all smokey!

I appreciate all the information provided here, thanks!:D

This is Jason 'the pianoman' Davis, and this IS what happened to the pianobars :

Carnival Cruise Line had let me know that the PBs are gonna be non smoking in 2010. I told a few of the people in charge that you cannot change the piano bar to fit a different crowd and get the same results. Well, from being in a pianobar constantly for the last 12 years, I know that a pianobar WILL NOT be the same as a nonsmoking piano lounge. 2 Completely different vibe. Anyone who has been in some good pianobars will know this is true. If you want loud fun and debauchery, I MUST have my lounge to facilitate smokers, because they ARE the folks who sustain the vibe and the setting of a good PB.

But then again, maybe I'm just a disgruntled employee!

[Rockitman]

This is Jason 'the pianoman' Davis, and this IS what happened to the pianobars :

Carnival Cruise Line had let me know that the PBs are gonna be non smoking in 2010. I told a few of the people in charge that you cannot change the piano bar to fit a different crowd and get the same results. Well, from being in a pianobar constantly for the last 12 years, I know that a pianobar WILL NOT be the same as a nonsmoking piano lounge. 2 Completely different vibe. Anyone who has been in some good pianobars will know this is true. If you want loud fun and debauchery, I MUST have my lounge to facilitate smokers, because they ARE the folks who sustain the vibe and the setting of a good PB.

But then again, maybe I'm just a disgruntled employee!

 

Well isn't this nice. They don't allow smoking in the piano bar now. Oooh now I can sit down and enjoy it. Hey Mr. Piano player, can you please play Piano Man? And please sing the version without the swearing, my 2 kids here with me should not be exposed to that. Yes Johnny, you can play with your Hot Wheels on the bar. I don't think anyone will mind. Excuse me sir, could you please move your drink over a bit, my son needs some more room. Thank you. Boy, it's about time they changed the rules so regular people can come in and enjoy this.

Edited February 1, 2012 by Rockitman

[richstowe]

This is Jason 'the pianoman' Davis, and this IS what happened to the pianobars :

Carnival Cruise Line had let me know that the PBs are gonna be non smoking in 2010. If you want loud fun and debauchery, I MUST have my lounge to facilitate smokers, because they ARE the folks who sustain the vibe and the setting of a good PB.

But then again, maybe I'm just a disgruntled employee!

I appreciate your bravery in commenting but you didn't answer your own question.

What has happened at the PBs you've been in since they went non-smoking?

 

BTW ,DW and I used the PB on our Fascination cruise. Before we were always chased out by the smoke.

I even got to play with my "Hot Wheels on the bar".:D

Edited February 1, 2012 by richstowe
sp.

[ronrythm]

This is Jason 'the pianoman' Davis, and this IS what happened to the pianobars :

Carnival Cruise Line had let me know that the PBs are gonna be non smoking in 2010. I told a few of the people in charge that you cannot change the piano bar to fit a different crowd and get the same results. Well, from being in a pianobar constantly for the last 12 years, I know that a pianobar WILL NOT be the same as a nonsmoking piano lounge. 2 Completely different vibe. Anyone who has been in some good pianobars will know this is true. If you want loud fun and debauchery, I MUST have my lounge to facilitate smokers, because they ARE the folks who sustain the vibe and the setting of a good PB.

But then again, maybe I'm just a disgruntled employee!

Since the piano bars are non-smoking and they are still going strong, you may be a disgruntled employee. But would you want to be a gruntled employee?:D

Seriously, the quality of performer has much more effect then the lack of smoking. Personally, I find it nice not to walk out smelling like an ashtray.

Enjoy

Ron

[Irishlinny]

Don't want to step on Laura's toes or anything, but I know a bunch of people were chomping at the bit for the PB schedule...John just posted it on his blog. And he also thanked Laura for what she does here:)

Carnival Freedom Doug Ross 02/19/12

Carnival Destiny Robert Crucilla 02/20/12

Carnival Triumph Lorraine Ingle 02/23/12

Carnival Splendor Ron Passalacqua 02/26/12

Carnival Glory Tom Riccio 02/26/12

Carnival Dream David Filsinger 03/03/12

Carnival Conquest Larry Maconaghy 03/04/12

Carnival Ecstasy Frank Glenn 03/22/12

Carnival Fascination Milburn Dumas 03/31/12

Carnival Imagination Dana Honey 04/02/12

Carnival Liberty Robert Berhalter 04/28/12

Carnival Fantasy Jordan Heppner 05/04/12

Carnival Elation Tom Grable 05/05/12

Carnival Victory James Morris 05/20/12

Carnival Magic Jerone Howard 06/03/12

Carnival Inspiration Seth Gibson 06/04/12

Carnival Paradise Del Woodman 06/11/12

Carnival Valor Brad Alexander 06/17/12

Carnival Pride Roger Concepcion 06/27/12

Carnival Legend Alan Brown 07/15/12

Carnival Spirit Keith Turner 07/17/12

Carnival Miracle Brennan Villines 07/25/12

Carnival Sensation Currently in Drydock

Thanks as always to these great performers for all they do and to Laura aka Divetrash for looking after them and for the fan club she runs.

[caesar68]

Don't want to step on Laura's toes or anything, but I know a bunch of people were chomping at the bit for the PB schedule...John just posted it on his blog. And he also thanked Laura for what she does here:)

 

Carnival Freedom Doug Ross 02/19/12

Carnival Destiny Robert Crucilla 02/20/12

Carnival Triumph Lorraine Ingle 02/23/12

Carnival Splendor Ron Passalacqua 02/26/12

Carnival Glory Tom Riccio 02/26/12

Carnival Dream David Filsinger 03/03/12

Carnival Conquest Larry Maconaghy 03/04/12

Carnival Ecstasy Frank Glenn 03/22/12

Carnival Fascination Milburn Dumas 03/31/12

Carnival Imagination Dana Honey 04/02/12

Carnival Liberty Robert Berhalter 04/28/12

Carnival Fantasy Jordan Heppner 05/04/12

Carnival Elation Tom Grable 05/05/12

Carnival Victory James Morris 05/20/12

Carnival Magic Jerone Howard 06/03/12

Carnival Inspiration Seth Gibson 06/04/12

Carnival Paradise Del Woodman 06/11/12

Carnival Valor Brad Alexander 06/17/12

Carnival Pride Roger Concepcion 06/27/12

Carnival Legend Alan Brown 07/15/12

Carnival Spirit Keith Turner 07/17/12

Carnival Miracle Brennan Villines 07/25/12

Carnival Sensation Currently in Drydock

Thanks as always to these great performers for all they do and to Laura aka Divetrash for looking after them and for the fan club she runs.

 

 

 

thanks for the posting.....any reviews on Brennan (on the Miracle)????

[Irishlinny]

thanks for the posting.....any reviews on Brennan (on the Miracle)????

LOL, I'm trying to find out the same thing...that's a name I haven't seen before. I searched this thread and only got my post...am seeing if I can find anything if I google him;)

[Irishlinny]

thanks for the posting.....any reviews on Brennan (on the Miracle)????

 

LOL, I'm trying to find out the same thing...that's a name I haven't seen before. I searched this thread and only got my post...am seeing if I can find anything if I google him;)

OK, he's got some videos on YouTube...kind of a bluesy Harry Connick Jr. I imagine these videos were for the album he just released...they would be pretty slow for piano bar diet. But he sounds good and is easy on the eyes;)

[alreadypacked]

This is Jason 'the pianoman' Davis, and this IS what happened to the pianobars :

Carnival Cruise Line had let me know that the PBs are gonna be non smoking in 2010. I told a few of the people in charge that you cannot change the piano bar to fit a different crowd and get the same results. Well, from being in a pianobar constantly for the last 12 years, I know that a pianobar WILL NOT be the same as a nonsmoking piano lounge. 2 Completely different vibe. Anyone who has been in some good pianobars will know this is true. If you want loud fun and debauchery, I MUST have my lounge to facilitate smokers, because they ARE the folks who sustain the vibe and the setting of a good PB.

But then again, maybe I'm just a disgruntled employee!

 

I don't know Jason and maybe he is a disgruntled employee. Maybe not--I dont know, but I am a non-smoker, and the piano bar is my favorite nighttime venue.

 

When the piano bars allowed smoking, it was tough on me because I always left with a sore throat--between all my (very bad) singing and inhaling all the smoke.

 

However, now that the piano bars are non-smoking, I can say the following:

 

1. My throat is no longer hurts (Yay!).

 

2. My clothes and hair no longer stink (Yay!).

 

3. The piano bar was pretty empty and...

 

3.5. We had no trouble finding a seat around the piano (Yay!)

 

4. Is it better? It is in a few ways as noted in points 1, 2, and 3.5.

 

5. While I hate cigarette smoke and what it does to my throat, clothing, and hair, I can honestly say that the piano bar seemed more successful when it was smoking.

 

6. As a non-smoker, I had always accepted the fact that smoking and drinking (and gambling, in the case of casinos) tend to go hand in hand. Without the smoking, I do feel the piano bars have suffered a bit in terms of liveliness and business.

 

7. As much as I love the piano bar, I wouldn't want it to become not profitable for Carnival such that they might do away with them. I have already seen a decline in the quality of piano bar players 3 cruises in a row (with the exception of my last cruise on the Liberty in Sept 2011). Not sure if the decline related to the non-smoking issue, possibly a pay cut or expansion of duties in addition to piano playing, or something else, but I love the piano bars and hope they stick around (with good players, of course).:)

 

I might add also, that at first I thought Carnival's new smoking policy was a bit drastic (even as a non-smoker), but after reviewing other line's policies, Carnival seems to be right in line.

 

DH and I recently sailed Celebrity Solstice (first time on Celebrity). There were very few places for a smoker to smoke. I must say I enjoyed not being choked by smoke in the public areas, but (gasp), there was no piano bar onboard and (for us), nighttime entertainment after the show was lacking.

 

Carnival still rules for us in some areas.

[senorita frog]

I would be curious to know how all the piano bar performers feel about it. I personally wouldn't want to have a job where I had to sing in and breathe heavy smoke for 4-5 hours every day. Can't be good for their voice or their lungs.

[golfadj]

They do seem less crowded now. Not sure if it is because the smokers were chased away or the turnover in performers.

[divetrash]

Thanks Irishlinny for posting. And thanks everybody for all the updates. It's been crazy busy at work so I haven't made it over here (yes I do have a job outside of shilling for the piano bar entertainers). Here is the updated list with some more future dates.

 

Conquest: Larry McConaghy 9/12/2011 - 3/4/2012

Destiny:Rob Crucilla current - 2/20/2012

Dream: Dave Filsinger 9/3/2011 - 3/3/2012

Ecstasy: Frank Glenn 9/22/2011 - 3/22/2012

Elation: Tom Grable 11/05/2011 - 5/5/2012

Fantasy: Jordan Heppner 12/3/2011 - 5/4/2012

Fascination: Milburn Dumas 10/1/2011- 3/31/2012

Freedom: Doug Ross current - 2/19/2012

Glory: Tom Riccio 8/27/2011 - 2/26/2012

Imagination: Dana Honey 11/4/2011 - 4/2/2012

Inspiration: Seth Gibson 12/3/2011 - 6/04/2012

Legend: Alan Brown current - 7/15/20112

Liberty: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 10/22/2011 - 2/25/2012

Magic: Jerone "Imani" Howard 12/4/2011 - 6/3/2012

Magic: Ron Pass 3/4/2012 - 3/11/2012 Special Appearance for John Heald's Blogger Cruise

Miracle: Brennan Villines current - 7/25/2012

Paradise: Del Clark 12/12/2011 - 6/11/2012

Pride: Roger Concepcion current - 6/27/2012

Sensation: Drydock

Sensation: Rick Yerkes 2/9/2012 - ???

Spirit: Keith Turner current - 7/17/2012

Splendor: Ron Pass 1/15/2012 - 2/26/2012 www.ronpass.com

Splendor: Marty Gast 2/26/2012 - 7/??/2012

Triumph: Lorraine Ingle 10/24/2011 -2/23/2012 www.lorraineingle.com

Valor: Brad Alexander 1/21/2012 - 6/17/2012 www.bradalexanderonline.com

Victory: James Morris current - 5/20/2012

 

*** 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.