Best Piano Entertainer on Carnival? (Part 2)

[summersigh]

We were on the Sunshine last week and he was in the piano bar. We have been known to book a B2B solely because of the PBE, so this is where we usually hang out. But we could not handle it this time. He goes by Russell Blues and is a great pianist. Singing voice is just OK IMO.

 

The reason we could not hang there too long is the way he does his set and he is rude to the patrons. He plays only slow songs from 9 to 10, then allegedly party music from 10 to 11 and nasty songs after 11. We never were there that late to see. No one who comes in knows HIS agenda so he is constantly telling the crowd that, and anyone who wanders in after 10 and requests a slower song gets reprimanded and told to come back at 9 tomorrow night. I prefer a mix of songs and usually it is what the crowd at the time wants to hear. I could not stand a performer who is going to do it HIS way no matter what. Some times it was full but then people would leave, like us, I suspect for that reason.

 

He was also very vocal about the fact that songs given with money were requests and songs given without money were suggestions. I don't mind tipping and enjoy tipping for good entertainment but I loathe being asked for money between most songs and putting people down because they did not tip. Most people do not carry cash around on the ship because it is not necessary.

 

So, if I had a choice between 2 cruises and he was the PBE in one, I would take my chances with a different PBE.

 

Four songs was all we could take :D

[FloridaGram]

Four songs was all we could take :D

 

I don't think we even made it that long. He is on the list posted here as Russell Vallerin and he works steadily for Carnival and has been there a long time. I thought I was crazy if he was so "good" that they kept him. It is nice to know I am not the only one.

[kcparrothead]

I loved Ben Gentry!!! Never thought anyone would beat Marty Gast but he did! Does anyone know about Andrew Sauer on the Magic? Hopefully, he is funny and entertaining!

[Pesh]

I loved Ben Gentry!!! Never thought anyone would beat Marty Gast but he did! Does anyone know about Andrew Sauer on the Magic? Hopefully, he is funny and entertaining!

 

 

Agree, Ben is the best!!!

[Micahs Grandad]

Agree, Ben is the best!!!

 

Ben is one of the best. Heard Elizabeth Setzer on Glory recently and really enjoyed her act.

[NWACruiser]

We are booked on the Dream during this time period. Has anyone been on a cruise with Russell as the PBE. I would love an honest review.

[NWACruiser]

Saw Elizabeth a couple years ago on the Ecstasy. She was fantastic and made the cruise.

[FloridaGram]

We are booked on the Dream during this time period. Has anyone been on a cruise with Russell as the PBE. I would love an honest review.

 

If you scroll up about 4 posts you will find my opinion of him embedded in the post from summersigh. Apparently they agreed with me. If you don't find it let me know and I will tell you but you should be able to see it. very disappointing.

[divetrash]

If you scroll up about 4 posts you will find my opinion of him embedded in the post from summersigh. Apparently they agreed with me. If you don't find it let me know and I will tell you but you should be able to see it. very disappointing.

 

I don't dispute your experience because it is your experience. But I will say that in the 8 years that I've been involved with the Piano Bars, this thread, posting the schedule, admin-ing the Piano Bar-Barian's group, the bad reviews of him are very, very rare. He's been with Carnival for over 10 years, and most everything I've ever read about him has been very positive. Here is a recent sampling from the the Piano Bar-barians group:

 

January 31, 2016 with a video posted by Michelle Helock Kemp: "A little piano bar fun with Russell Agustin Estrada Villarin.... My favorite piano man..."

 

Same day by Roy Duncan: "I've cruised with him twice... He's great"

 

January 29, 2016 by Tracey O'Dea: "Our last cruise we went on the Splendor & loved the Piano Bar & Russell we had so much fun that we went every night. Russell is the most awesome talent both playing & singing. We are going on the Legend in May I hope the Piano bar is good on board the Legend."

 

by Alissa Vandeventer Morgan: "Russell Agustin Estrada Villarin is the best pb entertainer on the entire carnival fleet. That is all."

 

by Sonya Ingersoll-Stille: "We really enjoyed Russell Agustin Estrada Villarin on our last cruise on the Sensation. He is extremely talented and was lots of fun. My only complaint was the acoustics in the actual piano bar, the sound was too loud."

 

In the interest of fair and balanced, this was also posted that day by Art Bryen: "I spent a week on the Sunshine with Russell in November. He is very talented but he doesn't know how to work a piano bar. If he gets 4 requests for the same song and there's some money attached to it he'll play it 4 times. Also he's got a few 'smutty' songs that managed to clear the piano bar out almost every time he played them."

 

I could continue to search and post his reviews , but alas, I am at work. You can search him on this thread or on the Piano Bar-barians on that big social media site that shall not be named.

 

Lots of people love him. So go in and form your own opinion.

 

 

Happy cruising.

 

Laura

[Kokomo_Man]

Laura (Divetrash) - Thank you for all that info on Russell (and for all you do for the PB folks.) I was starting to get worried because I'm going to be on the Dream with him in April. (Yeah... I [we] fell in love with New Orleans during the Big Fat Social, so I [we] just have to do it again.) It's good to know from your post that I'll likely be spending a lot of time in the PB on this one too.

 

Kokomo Man

Still "Searching for Kokomo"

[johnlisac]

Does anybody know who is playing in the piano bar on the breeze we leave on the 20th of this month?

 

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

[summersigh]

Laura (Divetrash) - Thank you for all that info on Russell (and for all you do for the PB folks.) I was starting to get worried because I'm going to be on the Dream with him in April. (Yeah... I [we] fell in love with New Orleans during the Big Fat Social, so I [we] just have to do it again.) It's good to know from your post that I'll likely be spending a lot of time in the PB on this one too.

 

Kokomo Man

Still "Searching for Kokomo"

 

If you love the PB that much ,,, I truly hope your experience is better than ours was on the Sunshine in January. (and not just my opinion but it was the same for everyone we talked to on our cruise that had stopped in):(

[broncdriver]

Anybody know anything about Todd T.C. Fugate? We're suppose to have him on the Dream next week. Any opinions would be great. Thanks

[divetrash]

Does anybody know who is playing in the piano bar on the breeze we leave on the 20th of this month?

 

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

 

You will have Ben Gentry, who in my opinion is fantastic.

 

This is the most recent list:

 

*** 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.

 

 

Current (ish) list as of 01/21/16

 

 

 

 

Breeze: Ben Gentry 1/10/2016 - 3/6/2016

Breeze: Scott Lyles 3/10/2015 - 5/1/2016

Breeze: Christine Hetfield 5/1/2016 - 6/26/2016 Christine4082@gmail.com

 

Breeze: Gregg Akkerman 6/26/2016 - 8/21/2016 https://www.facebook.com/pianomangregg

Breeze: Russell Augustin Villarin 8/21/2016 - 10/16/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Breeze: Tony Ward 12/11/16 - 2/5/17

Conquest: Tom Grable 1/9/2016 - 4/24/2016

Conquest: Brad Alexander 4/24/2016 - 5/8/2016 http://www.bradthepianoman.com

Conquest: Timothy Jenkins 5/8/2016 - 5/28/2016

Conquest: Milburn Dumas 5/28/2016 - 7/23/2016

Conquest: Jimi Finn 7/23/2016 - 9/17/2016

Dream: Todd "TC" Fugate 2/7/2016 - 4/3/2016

Dream: Russell Augustin Villarin 4/3/2016 - 8/7/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Dream: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 8/7/2016 - 10/2/2016

http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com

Ecstasy: Larry Carlton 12/14/2015 - 6/15/2016

Elation: Milburn Dumas 12/3/2015 - 2/1/2016

Elation: Russell Augustin Villarin 2/1/2016 - 4/2/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Elation: Jorge Ramirez 4/2/2016 - 5/30/2016

Fantasy: Reynold Senn 12/5/2015 - 2/6/2016

Fantasy: Zdrazko "Roddy" Spassov 2/20/2016 - 4/11/2016

Fantasy: Greg Alcock 4/11/2016 - 6/6/2016

Fantasy: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 6/6/2016 - 8/5/2016

http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com

Fascination: Tony Ward 12/19/2015 - 5/1/2016

Fascination: Michael O'Quinn 5/1/2016 - 6/26/2016

Freedom: Craig Jensen (Quiter) 1/9/2016 - 3/10/2016

Freedom: Ben Gentry 3/10/2016 - 4/2/2016

Freedom: Brad Alexander 7/2/2016 - 7/23/2016 http://www.bradthepianoman.com

Freedom: Russell Augustin Villarin 12/17/2016 - 2/11/2017 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Glory: Scott Casey 11/28/2015 - 1/23/2016

Glory: Natalie Carboni 1/23/2016 - 3/19/2016 https://www.facebook.com/NatalieCarboniMusic/

Glory: Martin Aucoin 3/19/2016 - 5/14/2016

Glory: Hailey Weibe 5/14/2016 - 7/9/2016

Glory: Tom Grable 9/3/2016 - 12/12/2016

Imagination: Michael O'Quinn 1/10/2016 - 3/6/2016

Imagination: Scott Casey 3/6/2016 - 5/1/2016

Inspiration: Barry Meijer 2/5/2016 - 5/27/2016

Inspiration: Reynold Senn 5/27/2016 - 7/22/2016

Legend: Scott Lyles 1/18/2016 - 2/17/2016

Legend: Jimi Finn 2/17/2016 - 4/10/2016 www.jimifinn.com

Legend: Todd "TC" Fugate 4/10/2016 - 6/7/2016

Liberty: Hailey Wiebe 1/10/2016 - 3/6/2016

Liberty: Reynold Senn 3/6/2016 - 5/2/2016

Liberty: Mati "The PianoMat" Sanchez 5/2/2016 - 6/27/2016 http://www.facebook.com/ThePianoMat

Liberty: Russell Augustin Villarin 10/17/2016 - 12/12/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Magic: Andrew Sauer 12/13/2015 - 2/21/2016

Magic: Milburn Dumas 3/6/2016 - 4/30/2016

Magic: Tom Grable 4/30/2016 - 8/20/2016

Magic: Elizabeth Setzer 8/20/2016 - 12/10/2016

Magic: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 12/10/2016 - 2/4/2017

http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com

Miracle: Mark Johnson 1/11/2016 - 2/13/2016

Miracle: Elizabeth Setzer 2/13/2016 - 4/9/2016

Miracle: Patrick Duffy 4/9/2016- 6/4/2016

Miracle: Gregg Akkerman 10/1/2016 - 11/26/2016 https://www.facebook.com/pianomangregg

Paradise: Gustavo Garcia 1/14/2016 - 3/10/2016 http://www.facebook.com/GUSTAV.INT

Paradise: Gustavo Garcia 4/16/2016 - 6/16/2016 http://www.facebook.com/GUSTAV.INT

Pride: Patrick Duffy 1/13/2016 - 2/7/2016

Pride: Rob Crucilla 2/7/2016 - 4/10/2016

Pride: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 4/10/2016 - 6/1/2016

http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com

Pride: Scott Lyles 6/1/2016 - 7/20/2016

Sensation: Martin Aucoin 12/3/2015 - 2/4/2016

Sensation: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 2/4/2016 - 4/7/2016

http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com

Sensation: Natalie Carboni 4/7/2016 - 6/2/2016

Spirit: Thomas Listebarger 12/19/2015 - 2/3/2016

Spirit: Lacey Troutman 2/3/2016 - 3/27/2016

Spirit: Stephen Dooks 3/27/2016 - 5/23/2016

Splendor: Ewart Williams 1/17/2016 - 1/31/2016

Splendor: Steven Jaymes 1/31/2016 - 3/6/2016

Splendor: Gregg Akkerman 3/20/2016 - 5/7/2016

Splendor: Zdrazko "Roddy" Spassov 5/7/2016 - 7/2/2016

Sunshine: Russell Augstin Villarin 10/10/2015 - 1/24/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman

Sunshine: Christine Hetfield 1/24/2016 - 3/26/2016 Christine4082@gmail.com

 

Sunshine: John Milligan 3/26/2016 - 5/8/2016

Sunshine: Jimi Finn 5/21/2016 - 7/12/2016 www.jimifinn.com

Sunshine: Patrick Duffy 7/12/2016 - 11/5/2016

Triumph: Greg Alcock 12/10/2015 - 2/6/2016

Triumph: Martyn Lucas 2/6/2016 - 3/21/2016

Triumph: Carson Rhodes 4/4/2016 - 6/6/2016 www.carsonrhodes.com.

Triumph: Tony Ward 6/6/2016 - 10/6/2016

Triumph: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 10/6/2016 - 12/1/2016

http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com

Valor: Daniel David 1/9/2016 - 2/6/2016

Valor: William Brawner 2/6/2016 - 5/8/2016

Valor: Andrew Sauer 5/8/2016 - 7/16/2018

Victory: Peter Thompson 12/7/2015 - 2/11/2016

Victory: Roger Concepcion 2/11/2016 - 3/6/2016

Victory: Brandon McLean 3/6/2016 - 5/1/2016

Victory: Robert Crucilla 5/1/2016 - 11/6/2016

Vista: Ben Gentry Inaugural through September

[divetrash]

If you love the PB that much ,,, I truly hope your experience is better than ours was on the Sunshine in January. (and not just my opinion but it was the same for everyone we talked to on our cruise that had stopped in):(

 

 

Sometimes people have an off cruise, there may have been other things going on during that cruise. It happens. I have friends that sailed with a particular entertainer that I had heard great things about. They did not enjoy that entertainer at all, nor did many of the other people on that cruise. Found out after the cruise that the entertainer was ill and receiving steroid shots just to be able to show up (calling out sick when you work on a cruise ship is not as simple as a regular job). I have another friend sailing with that entertainer right now and he tells me they rock!

[divetrash]

Anybody know anything about Todd T.C. Fugate? We're suppose to have him on the Dream next week. Any opinions would be great. Thanks

 

TC gets lots of great comments over on the Piano Bar-Barians group. He was one of the 4 entertainers,along with Ben Gentry, Marty Gast and "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter, on the Piano Bar-barians group cruise on the Breeze. From all heard, it was an epic piano bar.

 

I have some friends that adore TC. High energy and interactive and very good skills.

[Kokomo_Man]

I am indeed hoping for the best. Of course Russell has some very "Big Fat" shoes to fill. Of course I won't hold him to that standard, but I just want him to be entertaining.

[broncdriver]

Thanks Divetrash. Looking forward to seeing him perform. :D

[NWACruiser]

I have been on a cruise with Barry Meijer last August. Most reviews on him were negative. I enjoyed the piano bar when he was playing. His voice was not the best, but he did entertain, and was, IMHO a very talented pianist. (I reserve a spot where I can watch the PBE play). I chatted with Barry during a break to find out he had stressed his vocal cords and was looking forward to a few weeks off to rest them.

 

If I only see negative reviews, i question the PBE's skills. If I see both positive and negative reviews, I will most likely enjoy the time at the PB. If I see only positive reviews, then I wonder if the board is being trolled by friends...

 

Anyhow I am ready to start my second Dream in 74 days. I will form an opinion of the PBE after the cruise and post my opinion.

[summersigh]

Sometimes people have an off cruise, there may have been other things going on during that cruise. It happens. I have friends that sailed with a particular entertainer that I had heard great things about. They did not enjoy that entertainer at all, nor did many of the other people on that cruise. Found out after the cruise that the entertainer was ill and receiving steroid shots just to be able to show up (calling out sick when you work on a cruise ship is not as simple as a regular job). I have another friend sailing with that entertainer right now and he tells me they rock!

 

I truly hope that was the case on our trip for the enjoyment of those that have him next :)

[Jana60]

I am indeed hoping for the best. Of course Russell has some very "Big Fat" shoes to fill. Of course I won't hold him to that standard, but I just want him to be entertaining.

 

I've seen Russell on multiple cruises and he's great! I wish he was still on the triumph for my cruise next week!

[John F]

We will be going on the Glory (April 23rd) with Martin Aucoin preforming in the Piano Bar. We have not heard him in our past cruises. Any feed back on him would be appreciated. Many thanks. John F. :)

[OSUKNIGHT]

We will be going on the Glory (April 23rd) with Martin Aucoin preforming in the Piano Bar. We have not heard him in our past cruises. Any feed back on him would be appreciated. Many thanks. John F. :)

 

 

Not too good. Sorry.

 

We had him on Imagination a few years ago and ended up talking to him every night because the piano bar was empty. Nice guy though.

[summersigh]

Has anyone had experience with Jimi Finn in the PB ? He'll be on our Sunshine cruise this spring. (I searched the thread but only saw references to Jimi Finn on the probable calendars) :)

[divetrash]

Has anyone had experience with Jimi Finn in the PB ? He'll be on our Sunshine cruise this spring. (I searched the thread but only saw references to Jimi Finn on the probable calendars) :)

 

This was posted back in Feb 2015 over on the Piano Barbarians Group on the social media site that shall not be named...

 

"Jimi Finn...GREAT entertainer! Only his 2nd sailing on a ship. He is going to do well. You are all gonna love him. He had a wide range of music ( from good Old Blue Eyes to Meghan Trainor "All About That Bass"). Kept the crowd involved. Great job Jimi!"

 

She also posted some videos of him too.

 

On that group as well:

 

From September 16, 2015" "We were on Glory last week with Jimi! He was great! Hope to sail with him again soon!"

 

I can't post the videos over here because they were uploaded to that big social media site that this forum does not allow links to.