
Royal Caribbean added many new issues it is by no means had on its cruise ships, together with a dueling piano bar.
I am somebody that could be very loyal to its English pub as a result of I choose bar songs which might be typical of the ’80s and ’90s, but it surely’s not precisely a spot I can take pleasure in with my youngsters.
Kids are allowed in any Royal Caribbean bar, however my youngsters merely do not look after this form of music. Plus, relying on the guitarist, it may be very un-interactive.
With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean added a model new idea that they by no means had on a ship earlier than with Dueling Pianos.
It is situated on the Royal Promenade, and I wished to present it just a few tries to see what it is all about.
How dueling pianos work
The thought is fairly simple to determine. There are two pianists performing, and every performs off one another.
In contrast to the Schooner Bar or pub the place you yell out requests, visitors fill out small slips of paper with their music request.
The music request has your title, music you are requesting, and any special day.
It is a option to allow them to know any significance of a music or why you are requesting it. It feeds into the schtick of the present.
It is a very interactive present, the every pianist taking turns taking part in to the bar. Either side of the bar is split up into one part for every participant, and it’s kind of of competitors.
One other main distinction from different cruise bars is the very fact visitors get referred to as up rather a lot.
Somebody is likely to be wanted to elucidate a dance, begin a conga line, or carry out a perform like yelling out unofficial lyrics to a music.
Introverts won’t love listening to this, however in case you sit far sufficient again, the probabilities being picked on are fairly slim.
Tipping will get your music heard first
Relying in your perspective, the position ideas play is both a terrific concept or not.
The pianists give desire to anybody that ideas with their music request. The extra you tip, the higher likelihood your music will get performed.
Most ideas are about $5-10 per request. In the event you transfer as much as $20 or extra, you are going to get their consideration actual quick.
A $50 or $100 tip is actually like a turbo possibility, the place you would actually cease them mid-song with a request.
The advantage of this technique is you probably have cash to throw round, you may rapidly get your songs performed. However after all, the “pay to play” system places different requests in the direction of the again of the queue.
To be truthful, the pianists do a terrific job of balancing paid and free requests. They don’t seem to be solely gifted gamers, however they will learn the room fairly effectively.
I like how interactive the exhibits grow to be
One factor that drew me again to Dueling Pianos was how enjoyable the pianists made the entire present.
On our cruise, we had Sarah Angel and Roel, and so they had a terrific relationship attempting to at least one up one another.
Being a household cruise line, in addition they welcomed the youngsters into all of it too.
Unofficially, they preserve it PG-13 till 11pm. The jokes are tamer and the music extra different.
After 11, they flip it extra adult-focused with “soiled” drink cheersing and songs which may contain profanity.
Like all bar, it is going to be extra grownup targeted than not, however I do recognize it is inviting to all passengers.
It is actually laborious to get a seat most exhibits
If there’s proof how standard Dueling Pianos is, it is within the truth seats go very, in a short time.
In the event you do not present as much as the bar at the very least half-hour earlier than the efficiency begins, you most likely do not get a seat.
On this cruise, I knew to point out up early, however this is not the bar to stroll by and cease in for a pair songs.
In contrast to the pub or Schooner Bar, not solely does it make sense to plan across the present occasions, but it surely helps to be there firstly of the efficiency so that you get in on the schtick and jokes.
Every present is exclusive, and the pianists play off the viewers’s power.
I’ve added Dueling Pianos to my must-do checklist
If I am crusing on Icon of the Seas (or the upcoming Star of the Seas), there is a good likelihood I will be at Dueling Pianos within the night.
Whereas I nonetheless choose the pub as my go-to spot, Dueling Pianos is a enjoyable expertise for teams. I would like to go right here with associates and seize a desk for us all to benefit from the present.
There is a good mixture of power, expertise, and showmanship that goes into this idea, and I am glad Royal Caribbean has added it to the combination.
Source link