A Night of Calypso and Steel Drum
The Calypso girls arrived on the ship promptly at 7 p.m., giddy with excitement for the night’s performance. From the look of the costumes they were carrying—headdresses with feathers and glitter, golden bikinis covered with rhinestones, stiletto heels so high I wouldn’t try walking on with the help of crutches—I knew the guests were in for a treat. I would be the entourage’s point person for the night, responsible for the dressing room and keeping the performers satiated with beverages, and any other logistics that may arise.
Dinner was served buffet style in the dining room to leave the Lido deck free for the set up of the steel drum band. There was no coincidence in the fact that the dinner was served buffet style to speed the eating process along. Midway through my braised leg of lamb I could hear the band upstairs warming up and knew that the dancers would be growing anxious to begin. I hurried through my meal and made my way upstairs, surprised to find that many of the other guests were taking front row seats and had rushed through their dinner, as well. There is something irresistibly alluring about the sound of a steel drum band warming up.
Soon the band was ready and the guests crowded around eagerly awaiting the costumed dancers to join the music. For the next two hours we were treated to traditional Trinidadian dance, a performance of the limbo with guest participation, and a lovely acoustic sing along by one of the band members. I saw complete enjoyment on each guests face as the performers delighted our ship with energy. Quite a few of the crew members even managed to sneak their way onto the Lido deck to catch a peek to see what all the excitement was about.
Although we had to wake early the next morning for an excursion, most of the guests stayed until the last song, not caring about the consequence of the 6 a.m. morning rise.
The Calypso girls arrived on the ship promptly at 7 p.m., giddy with excitement for the night’s performance. From the look of the costumes they were carrying—headdresses with feathers and glitter, golden bikinis covered with rhinestones, stiletto heels so high I wouldn’t try walking on with the help of crutches—I knew the guests were in for a treat. I would be the entourage’s point person for the night, responsible for the dressing room and keeping the performers satiated with beverages, and any other logistics that may arise.
Dinner was served buffet style in the dining room to leave the Lido deck free for the set up of the steel drum band. There was no coincidence in the fact that the dinner was served buffet style to speed the eating process along. Midway through my braised leg of lamb I could hear the band upstairs warming up and knew that the dancers would be growing anxious to begin. I hurried through my meal and made my way upstairs, surprised to find that many of the other guests were taking front row seats and had rushed through their dinner, as well. There is something irresistibly alluring about the sound of a steel drum band warming up.
Soon the band was ready and the guests crowded around eagerly awaiting the costumed dancers to join the music. For the next two hours we were treated to traditional Trinidadian dance, a performance of the limbo with guest participation, and a lovely acoustic sing along by one of the band members. I saw complete enjoyment on each guests face as the performers delighted our ship with energy. Quite a few of the crew members even managed to sneak their way onto the Lido deck to catch a peek to see what all the excitement was about.
Although we had to wake early the next morning for an excursion, most of the guests stayed until the last song, not caring about the consequence of the 6 a.m. morning rise.
