The Journey to the Destination – Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruises 2024
When getting there is half the fun
The centrepiece of the room is a black grand piano. I am resting on its surrounding bar, a gin and tonic beside me. The ice bobs in the glass as the two-metre swell affects our ship, Quantum of the Seas. Best not to make jokes about ice cubes in this environment.
It is midway through the evening on our fourth day on board; four more days until land. It’s a mellow time of the night. People come and go from their dinner venues. Most are looking forward to an evening of entertainment. Many are well on their way to doing damage to their livers via their $ 128-a-day drinks package offered on board. Some have already achieved their maximum today and wander around the ship, sharing stories or jokes and giving hugs to anyone who passes.
With bars open at 10 am, access to alcohol is easy; those on the drink’s packages are limited to 15 drinks a day. When you figure out the math that 15 standard drinks in 24 hours gives the average adult a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.3, you have to be responsible for your intake. Everyone is there to have a good time, and we are all grateful for fabulous service. Personally, I was not so grateful about being accosted on the way out of dinner by one of the patrons of this package, clearly well into his double-digit drinks. Being put in a headlock, which was supposed to be a “hug”, whilst attempting to take photos of my sister, really opened my eyes to the negative side of a drinks package. The bruises weren’t a deterrent from the fun. One man does not spoil a holiday.
We all find evening entertainment in many forms, for me, it comes as a night beside the piano, waiting for the talented young pianist to take us on a tour of decades with music. Songs that we love to sing along to, songs that inspire melancholy moments. All bring delight to the members of the audience. Some raising their eyebrows at the Australian versions of some classics. Alice, Alice, who the (bleep) is Alice.
The pianist enters the bar, and all attention turns his way. It doesn’t matter the age of the patron; Daniel Burnett has something for everyone. He is all of 23 years old but already knows how to hold his audience, regardless of their age, from the minute he sits down. Well into his 7-month contract on Quantum of the Seas, he has seen more of the world than most of the people surrounding his piano.
He takes his seat,
“Good Evening everyone, I’m Daniel, I know we are going to have some fun tonight” introducing himself whilst warming up his piano keys.
His fingers start to rapidly fly across the keyboard, playing a pub classic tune to get everyone bopping in their seats. It takes the newcomers a while to get into the swing; in the meantime, those of us who have already become regulars are writing out requests on the sticky notes he has provided. A good mixture of old and new. Daniel’s motto is ‘If I know it, I’ll play it’. Some of the songs being thrown at him are unusual and not yet in his repertoire. These songs often get tucked in his pocket to take away and learn. He clearly wants to make his clientele happy.
“Play Piano Man”, yells a drunk at the back of the room.
From where I sit, I see Daniel’s shoulders slump a little. Every night, he is asked for this song. He would clearly love to say no this time, but the most important ‘person’ in the room to him is his audience. As his fingers fly, his eyes are constantly flicking, checking out the people around him. Looking for signs that they are entertained or not happy. Every person in the room is engaged and singing along. He knows he has the audience in his hands and continues to play his tunes until 1 am, with a handful 10 minute breaks tossed in.
The number of stragglers left behind after midnight has steadily increased from the first night, when a few bodies at the piano bar table were all there was. Everyone has heard about Daniel, and it’s now a full bar room. Every person in that room is important. He plays their songs and takes them away from their everyday world to a place in their mind where their favourite song lives, eliciting the memories out of the deep corners that hide their past in their brains. Smiling, singing and applauding, all full of endorphins, dopamine and a little or a lot of booze, making it a good night all round.
New friendships are being formed over laughs and much loved tunes. Australians share a sense of humour like no other. Light-hearted jibes bounce around, teasing about song choices, or whatever funny moment that has just happened.
As Daniel walks away for a break a few people leave. The race is on, the seats that have been left are prime territory, you cannot drag your feet to get a seat. They are swooped upon from all directions. Only one can win, the losers go back to leaning against the wall.
The seats around the piano are gold, and we regulars get there early, two hours before Daniel’s evening starts. Getting up to go the the bathroom is dangerous, you have to ask the person next to you to guard your seat. Human vultures constantly circle in the hope that one of us will leave. It doesn’t matter if you leave your drink and bag in front of your seat. You leave, and they dive, hoping to gain a place and become one of the cool kids. Your new mate guards your spot.
A four-hour set is a long night for an entertainer, but Daniel takes it in his stride. The smile never leaves his face. His fingers may be sore, and his eyes desperate to close but he keeps the energy going in the room until 1am. The bar staff work just as hard. Keeping a drink in everyone’s hand, remembering our names and our drink of choice.
The Schooner Bar is a special place to be.
If you ever meet Daniel at his piano, make sure you throw some bread
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