Best Piano Entertainer on Carnival?

[divetrash]

Hi Laura,

Do you know if Larry is going to another ship or is just finisdhed for now, I noticed someone is taking over for him on the 12th?

 

Thanks

Kruz

 

I'm not sure if it is just a work break or an end of contract. Duane just said he was doing a short fill-in, but he didn't know either. Although, they let him name his end date do I have a feeling that Larry may be finished with his contract and taking vacation. I don't have a contact for Larry so I can't find out for sure. But I'm sure you will see Larry on another Carnival ship in the future.

 

Happy cruising,

 

Laura

[alreadypacked]

There are a bunch of new policies which makes it extremely difficult for any good entertainer to be on a cruise ship. New policies on Carnival ships are quite tough :

PianoBar is Non-Smoking!! Because a few sissies cannot 'take' the smoke! Reality check: It is a painobar, unfortunately the smoke is a part of it. It would be like saying, "I want to go to the superbowl but I cant take the crowd'!

Piano Bar Entertainer is NOT allowed to smoke in any guest area! Not even on Lido Deck!

Pianobar Entertainer Must keep alcohol content BELOW .08 ( In case he has to drive the boat?)

PianoBar Entertainer is NOT allowed to solicit tips as there is a growing number of guests who finds this offensive! Aah..... Nevermind.

Pianobar Entertainer is NOT allowed to get room service after work. Only option is Pizza, IF there is no line. If there is few people in line, he MUST wait until everyone is served before he can approach.

Too Many to list here, so next time you go to the pianobar on a fun ship, understand that the guy playing the piano has 100 rules to follow. These rules has NOTHING to do with being a pianobar entertainer. As a result of this, NO really talented musician is going to stoop to this slavery style of living for 4 months away from his family. Especially when the cheap crowd refuse to tip. They know who they are.

Enjoy your mediocre pianoman on your next cruise. As long as he sings 'pianoman', that is all most simple minds need from a pianobar. Most guests dont really appreciate true talent anyways, hence the reason why Karaoke always makes the 'TOP TEN' in the daily capers, or as they call it now, the "FUN TIMES". How cute.

 

I have to say that I am a non-smoker and while I hated the smoke in the piano bar, I fully understood that it is a bar, and that smoke and drinking goes hand in hand so to speak.

 

Though I disagree with your characterization of non-smokers as "sissies" I understand the sentiment. Smoke just really irritates my throat and I find the smell to be extremely unpleasant (as well as the risidual smell in my hair and clothing). I don't think I'm a "sissie"--just different strokes...

 

I must say, I think it's ridiculous that the piano bar player cannot solicit tips--I definitely agree with you on that one. As well as the not ordering room service, not smoking in public, making the piano player get served last at the pizza station etc--ridiculous!

 

It's no wonder they are not getting the talent anymore. We used to really enjoy the piano bar, but the piano players on our last few cruises were not nearly as good as we were used to.

 

Out of curiosity, how do you know all of these new regulations?

[Swampbaby]

Anyone know WHO this is and is he any good? Do a Google search and come up with photographers but no piano player. Sure hope he's good as I love a GOOD piano bar and I'm a very happy camper that it is NON-SMOKING. Am I a sissy? NOPE, but I am someone whom smoke affects in an adverse manner.

 

I did find a "2011 Demo" on U-Tube. Will withhold opinion until we are on board and listen to him live.

[ceegers]

PianoBar is Non-Smoking!!

As a possibly future carnival piano bar entertainer, the piano bar being smoking was a con for me. Now that it's non-smoking, that reason to possibly not do it is gone :-D

Pianobar Entertainer Must keep alcohol content BELOW .08 ( In case he has to drive the boat?)

This is not very new, and also only enforced if it needs to be (if it becomes an issue). They can still be pleasantly buzzed.

PianoBar Entertainer is NOT allowed to solicit tips as there is a growing number of guests who finds this offensive!

This one is not true... unless it changed in the past month, which I find unlikely.

If there is few people in line, he MUST wait until everyone is served before he can approach.

Also not particularly new, and flexible... usually they're reasonable with it, and I've never seen them be That strict. He could also eat in the crew areas, which almost always has pizza at that time... usually the piano bar closes before our food stops.

 

 

anyone know who is going to be on Ecstasy Sept. 26 (about a month away)!!!!!!

I will! ...but not in the piano bar... in the showband though! And for that one cruise only, before I go to another ship hehe.

[ceasehope]

There are a bunch of new policies which makes it extremely difficult for any good entertainer to be on a cruise ship. New policies on Carnival ships are quite tough :

PianoBar is Non-Smoking!! Because a few sissies cannot 'take' the smoke! Reality check: It is a painobar, unfortunately the smoke is a part of it. It would be like saying, "I want to go to the superbowl but I cant take the crowd'!

Piano Bar Entertainer is NOT allowed to smoke in any guest area! Not even on Lido Deck!

Pianobar Entertainer Must keep alcohol content BELOW .08 ( In case he has to drive the boat?)

PianoBar Entertainer is NOT allowed to solicit tips as there is a growing number of guests who finds this offensive! Aah..... Nevermind.

Pianobar Entertainer is NOT allowed to get room service after work. Only option is Pizza, IF there is no line. If there is few people in line, he MUST wait until everyone is served before he can approach.

Too Many to list here, so next time you go to the pianobar on a fun ship, understand that the guy playing the piano has 100 rules to follow. These rules has NOTHING to do with being a pianobar entertainer. As a result of this, NO really talented musician is going to stoop to this slavery style of living for 4 months away from his family. Especially when the cheap crowd refuse to tip. They know who they are.

Enjoy your mediocre pianoman on your next cruise. As long as he sings 'pianoman', that is all most simple minds need from a pianobar. Most guests dont really appreciate true talent anyways, hence the reason why Karaoke always makes the 'TOP TEN' in the daily capers, or as they call it now, the "FUN TIMES". How cute.

 

Don't hold back..how do you REALLY feel?

[iluvdoxies]

We have a good friend who used to be a piano bar man on Carnival, Johnny Stone.

He was awesome! Played any song you requested. Got the crowd involved.

 

He quit about 5 yrs ago- he got burnt out plus the salary wasn't what he wanted/needed,

 

He's now at Pat O'Briens at Universal.

 

I sure miss his piano bars !

[divetrash]

Well, in the chess game that is Carnival piano bars, it looks like there is a change up and Ron Pass will be returning to the Magic in early October until early December. That means he will on for the Trans Atlantic and the Inaugural from Galveston. This is not confirmed with the office yet and the dates are not finalized, just thought I'd give all y'all a heads up. I will update the list when all is set.

 

Happy cruising,

 

Laura

[LibratPDX]

I stand corrected. The non smoking policy in a piano bar is great. Cant wait for the no drinking policy. Drinking is actually worse for your health than smoking! As a doctor, I KNOW this. A few sissies cannot take the smoke, ok, lets ban it! It is the american way!

As a frequent cruiser, I have seen how this affects the pianobar, which is why I posted here. I am not ranting! I'm only voicing what I observed. Let's just make the whole world non smoking, that would be fun.

 

Actually, in moderation, alcohol is beneficial. Smoking combined with drinking is worse than either one on it's own. Drinking alcohol directly affects only the health of the person imbibing (unless they are driving); if an individual's smoking was a choice that never affected anyone else's health, it wouldn't be such a hot topic. What would be so wrong about a smoke-free world? :confused: I know, freedom of choice.....how very American!

 

I just ask you to consider this: it's a proven fact that some people have died because of their exposure to second-hand smoke. If wanting to avoid smoke that makes me cough and gives me a sore throat makes me a sissy, so be it! I'm just a little taken aback that someone who calls themselves a doctor would resort to name-calling to make their point.

 

As far as your statement "I am not ranting!", that is a rant in and of itself, but you know what? You have the right to express your views, opinions, and observations. Also the American way :)

[pe4all]

Could you ask him when he is leaving the Miracle. List says 9 11 but heard that Carnival was asking him to stay another week.

 

Have a great time.

Just back from Miracle this a.m. Had a great cruise, even with 10 ft. swells on the way "down" to GT. I spoke with him last evening - he is definitely leaving the 11th. CCL DID ask him to stay another week, and he said he would, but they never got back to him, so he booked his flights and off he goes. He said he didn't understand why they asked him to extend a week, then just let it drop. Nice guy, btw! Unfortunately, the pb was pretty much dead the whole week - I am wondering if is the no-smoking policy. The pb was actually totally closed at least 2 nights - something I have never seen before!

[golfadj]

Just back from Miracle this a.m. Had a great cruise, even with 10 ft. swells on the way "down" to GT. I spoke with him last evening - he is definitely leaving the 11th. CCL DID ask him to stay another week, and he said he would, but they never got back to him, so he booked his flights and off he goes. He said he didn't understand why they asked him to extend a week, then just let it drop. Nice guy, btw! Unfortunately, the pb was pretty much dead the whole week - I am wondering if is the no-smoking policy. The pb was actually totally closed at least 2 nights - something I have never seen before!

 

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we will get a good one.

[love2sale]

Who is going to the Conquest???? Today is Wally's or Walter's last day and I haven't been able to see who's going to be there.

[divetrash]

In the ever evolving schedule that is the Carnival piano bar schedule, Ron Pass' schedule has changed one more time. He will be on the Triumph Oct 6 - Oct 24 then fly to Barcelona to join the Magic for the Trans Atlantic on 10/28 where he will remain until December 4th.

 

Sorry about the holes on the Conquest and the Victory, I'm working on it!

 

Conquest:

Destiny: Seth Gibson current - 9/10/2011

Destiny: Russell Villarin 9/10/2011 - ???

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

Ecstasy: Russell Villarin 2/24/2011 - 9/8/2011

Elation: Bruce McGhie 1/24/2011 - 10/22/2011

Elation: Drydock 10/22/2011 - 11/05/2011

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

Fantasy: Hrvoje "H" Knezevic 7/16/2011 - 10/12/2011

Fascination: Lawrence Maconaghy 7/23/2011 - ???

Fascination: Duane Lewis 9/12/2011 - 10/1/2011

Freedom: Marty Gast 8/21/2011 - 1/14/2012

Glory: Tom Riccio 8/27/2011 - ???

Imagination: Angela Johnson 7/11/2011 - 11/4/2011

Inspiration: Jafar Curry 7/10/2011 - 12/3/2011

Legend: Lizl Strauss 7/15/2011 - 10/2/2011

Liberty: Pollyanna Jones 7/16/2011 - 10/8/2011

Liberty: Drydock 10/8/2011 - 10/22/2011

Magic: James "Jim" Morris 7/10/2011 - 12/4/2011

Magic: Ron Pass 10/28/2011 - 12/4/2011 www.ronpass.com

Miracle: Billy J. Clay 5/14/2011 - 9/11/2011

Paradise: Jordan Heppner 6/3/2011 - 10/7/2011

Pride: James Quigley 7/31/2011 - 12/4/2011

Sensation: Barry Miller 9/1/2011 - ???

Spirit: Keith Turner 7/19/2011 - 1/6/2012

Splendor: Jason Davis current - 11/13/2011

Triumph: Lorraine Ingle 5/14/2011 - 9/21/2011 www.lorraineingle.com

Triumph: Ron Pass 10/6/2011 - 10/24/2011 www.ronpass.com

Valor: Rob Crucilla 6/5/2011 - 9/18/2011

Valor: Brad Alexander 9/18/2011 - 12/11/2011 www.bradalexanderonline.com

Victory:

 

*** 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.

[love2sale]

John sent me a message and said he will have it up Tuesday.

[CWcruisers]

Apparently, the Spirit is sailing empty these days because I cannot get a single tidbit of info on Keith Turner.:rolleyes:

 

Hasn't anyone seen the poor guy? He must be really lonely on the big ship all by himself.:p

[swimmom32]

I am very excited to hear that Ron Pass will be on our liberty Sailing in November after Dry Dock!! already told dh we must go, since ive heard such wonderful things about him...

[divetrash]

I am very excited to hear that Ron Pass will be on our liberty Sailing in November after Dry Dock!! already told dh we must go, since ive heard such wonderful things about him...

 

I'm sorry to say that things have changed. Carnival decided that they want Ron on the Magic TransAtlantic and US inaugural festivities, so he is doing the Triumph and then the Magic now, no longer on the Liberty at all.

 

Happy Cruising anyway!

 

Laura

[love2sale]

John said Tuesday then he said today.. Diva hope you can find out who's going to the Conquest??

[divetrash]

John said Tuesday then he said today.. Diva hope you can find out who's going to the Conquest??

 

I've got a couple of emails out. Hopefully, I'll hear back. But I hope John does post it today.

 

 

Happy cruising,

 

Laura

[love2sale]

Me too! Thanks Diva! I got a message to John also.

[thesapster]

John's list is out but he still has Walter Boik as the Piano player. I posted on fb for him to please update.

[rockabutzer]

Here is the list from John Heald's Blog Thingy:

 

 

 

 

 

"Time to meet the latest group of brilliant piano bar entertainers…………here they are.

Carnival Sensation: Adam Saxe – 09/01/11

Carnival Fascination: Larry Maconaghy – 09/03/11

Carnival Dream: Milburn Dumas – 09/03/11

Carnival Conquest: Walter Boik – 09/04/11

Carnival Victory: Tom Grable – 09/04/11

Carnival Ecstasy: Agustin Villarin – 09/08/11

Carnival Destiny: Seth Gibson – 09/10/11

Carnival Miracle: William Barclay – 09/11/11

Carnival Triumph: Lorraine Ingle – 09/22/11

Carnival Legend: Lizl Strauss – 10/02/11

Carnival Paradise: Jordan Heppner – 10/07/11

Carnival Liberty: Pollyanna Jones – 10/08/11

Carnival Valor: Robert Crucilla – 10/16/11

Carnival Elation: Bruce McGhie – 10/22/11

Carnival Imagination: Angela Johnson – 11/04/11

Carnival Splendor: Jason Davis – 11/13/11

Carnival Fantasy: Hrvoje Knezevic – 11/28/11

Carnival Inspiration: Jafar Curry – 12/03/11

Carnival Pride: James Quigley – 12/04/11

Carnival Spirit: Keith Turner – 01/06/12

Carnival Freedom: Marty Gast – 01/14/12

Carnival Magic: Jim Morris – 01/15/12

Carnival Glory: Tom Riccio – 02/26/12

Recently I spoke with Laura AKA “Divetrash” who is our President of the Piano Bar Entertainers Appreciation Society about who are considered the top three in the fleet and I know she is polling that information for me on Cruise Critic. I am sure that you have your own thoughts, as well, so please let me know who has impressed you in the piano bars and if you wish, who has not. Thanks to you and thanks to all of them for continuing to make the piano bars so much fun."

[divetrash]

Well the problem with John's list is that there are 6 ships out of date with two more which will be by the end of the weekend. We have the replacements for the Dream, Destiny, Fascination, and Sensation.

 

The reason his list is so out of date is that he uses the Master Musicians Roster from the office to get the list. The roster is an excel sheet that doesn't always get updated in a timely manner.

 

So we'll nudge him some more, send out emails and post other places and hopefully soon we will get the holes plugged.

 

Happy cruising,

 

Laura

[divetrash]

Meanwhile, I'll bump this list to the top so people don't use John's list and wonder why it is soooo out of date. LOL

 

Conquest:

Destiny: Seth Gibson current - 9/10/2011

Destiny: Russell Villarin 9/10/2011 - ???

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

Ecstasy:

Elation: Bruce McGhie 1/24/2011 - 10/22/2011

Elation: Drydock 10/22/2011 - 11/05/2011

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

Fantasy: Hrvoje "H" Knezevic 7/16/2011 - 10/12/2011

Fascination: Lawrence Maconaghy 7/23/2011 - ???

Fascination: Duane Lewis 9/12/2011 - 10/1/2011

Freedom: Marty Gast 8/21/2011 - 1/14/2012

Glory: Tom Riccio 8/27/2011 - ???

Imagination: Angela Johnson 7/11/2011 - 11/4/2011

Inspiration: Jafar Curry 7/10/2011 - 12/3/2011

Legend: Lizl Strauss 7/15/2011 - 10/2/2011

Liberty: Pollyanna Jones 7/16/2011 - 10/8/2011

Liberty: Drydock 10/8/2011 - 10/22/2011

Magic: James "Jim" Morris 7/10/2011 - 12/4/2011

Magic: Ron Pass 10/28/2011 - 12/4/2011 www.ronpass.com

Miracle: Billy J. Clay 5/14/2011 - 9/11/2011

Paradise: Jordan Heppner 6/3/2011 - 10/7/2011

Pride: James Quigley 7/31/2011 - 12/4/2011

Sensation: Barry Miller 9/1/2011 - ???

Spirit: Keith Turner 7/19/2011 - 1/6/2012

Splendor: Jason Davis current - 11/13/2011

Triumph: Lorraine Ingle 5/14/2011 - 9/21/2011 www.lorraineingle.com

Triumph: Ron Pass 10/6/2011 - 10/24/2011 www.ronpass.com

Valor: Rob Crucilla 6/5/2011 - 9/18/2011

Valor: Brad Alexander 9/18/2011 - 12/11/2011 www.bradalexanderonline.com

Victory:

 

*** 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.

[divetrash]

Hi guys,

 

John Heald is soliciting opinions on the PB entertainers again on his facebook page. Would y'all go over there and chime in on your favorites as well as the good, the bad and the ugly?

 

www.facebook.com/JohnHeald

 

Thanks,

 

Laura

[divetrash]

Well, John got the Conquest entertainer, now we need the Victory and the Miracle, and the Ecstasy after its Drydock.

 

Conquest: Larry McConaghy 9/12/2011 - ???

Destiny: Seth Gibson current - 9/10/2011

Destiny: Russell Villarin 9/10/2011 - ???

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

Ecstasy:

Elation: Bruce McGhie 1/24/2011 - 10/22/2011

Elation: Drydock 10/22/2011 - 11/05/2011

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

Fantasy: Hrvoje "H" Knezevic 7/16/2011 - 10/12/2011

Fascination: Duane Lewis 9/12/2011 - 10/1/2011

Freedom: Marty Gast 8/21/2011 - 1/14/2012

Glory: Tom Riccio 8/27/2011 - ???

Imagination: Angela Johnson 7/11/2011 - 11/4/2011

Inspiration: Jafar Curry 7/10/2011 - 12/3/2011

Legend: Lizl Strauss 7/15/2011 - 10/2/2011

Liberty: Pollyanna Jones 7/16/2011 - 10/8/2011

Liberty: Drydock 10/8/2011 - 10/22/2011

Magic: James "Jim" Morris 7/10/2011 - 12/4/2011

Magic: Ron Pass 10/28/2011 - 12/4/2011 www.ronpass.com

Miracle: Billy J. Clay 5/14/2011 - 9/11/2011

Paradise: Jordan Heppner 6/3/2011 - 10/7/2011

Pride: James Quigley 7/31/2011 - 12/4/2011

Sensation: Barry Miller 9/1/2011 - ???

Spirit: Keith Turner 7/19/2011 - 1/6/2012

Splendor: Jason Davis current - 11/13/2011

Triumph: Lorraine Ingle 5/14/2011 - 9/21/2011 www.lorraineingle.com

Triumph: Ron Pass 10/6/2011 - 10/24/2011 www.ronpass.com

Valor: Rob Crucilla 6/5/2011 - 9/18/2011

Valor: Brad Alexander 9/18/2011 - 12/11/2011 www.bradalexanderonline.com

Victory:

 

*** 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.