Pouring 1

It never rains but it pours. I'm on a short cruise with my Mum. This is a very generous replacement for days lost to Covid on our cruise last year which ended locked in cabins. It's generous by Princess and much appreciated, although they are pretty much in a bind. Nonetheless we are here. This is just a quick 6 days Sydney to Hobart and back. To give you a feel of the entertainment, here's just an overview of bands and shows. I'm surprised quite how much there is this time. I have seen or glimpsed rock or related bands Sunset Quartet (ex-Chile) and Grace's Secret (UK) as well as the House band (or at least its rhythm section) playing jazz. The House band obviously backs the stage shows so they are well trained and capable readers. Solo artists and duos included pianists Tetiana Shabaieva (classical) and Jose Milanes (jazz from memory), piano-man Kevin Brando (who apparently plays Las Vegas), guitarist Scott Kruser (of the House Band playing classic real book jazz), guitar/singer Ercobel and pop violin duo No Strings Attached. Plus DJ Hammer laying out pop and beats. These people can have interesting backgrounds. Kevin Brando was in the New Mickey Mouse Club at age 5, has acted and performed with Lily Tomlin, Ricardo Montalban and more and voiced over Schroeder in Peanuts and is still the voice of Pinocchio in Disneyland. There are also a string of singers and dancers for the stage shows and individuals to lead a few concert presentations. The bands and solo performers play various locations on the ship at different times, so they can be busy...

Solo performers included Kevin Brando (piano, vocals), DJ Hammer (DJ), Ercobel (guitar, vocals), Tatiana Shabaieva (classical piano), Jose Milanes (jazz from memory) and Scott Kruser (guitar), No Strings Attached comprised Iryna Khaschenko and Tetiana Sapozhnikova (violins).