Topic starter
06/09/2006 1:26 am
Hi everyone! This is my first post, so any help (especially if I mess up) is greatly appreciated 🙂 Does anyone have any info about this agency that is responsible for the music and musicians on the DQ and MQ? Is it true that they haven't had any time off since the steamboats started up in April? I don't know about any of you, but working 24/7 with no time off for 5 months seems a bit abusive. Has the crew also stayed on for that long a time? Being a musician myself, I have been considering working on a ship, but if this is standard working procedure, I guess I will have to pass on this job possibility.
Take care - Mimi
06/09/2006 12:15 pm
Hi Mimi,
As far as I remember plans were that all entertainers work until July/August and then another group of entertainers takes over until the end of season. Some of the entertainers on the DQ (Jazzou, Bob Schad) opted to stay for the whole season but they had a break recently. I think Paul might be able to tell more. He stayed for the rest of the season aboard the MQ.
By the way this not unusual regarding blue water ships. As far as I heard all staff (including entertainers) stays aboard for up to 6 months without a break.
I don´t want to defend this outsourcing. Especially having no break is much more difficult on a small boat like the DQ or MQ than on an ocean liner. Cramped crew quarters, no "amenities" for the crew...
Navigation, engineering and hotel staff is still working on rotation.
Carmen
06/09/2006 3:46 pm
Hi Mimi,
Glad to hear of your interest in a ship or boat entertainment contract! This season Delta Queen Steamboat Company outsourced their entertainment department to PGT Entertainment of Merritt Island, Florida. While it's a different scenario than what we've been accustomed to for so long, it has been workable. As this is the first time that PGT has ventured into the river cruising scene as opposed to blue water, it has been a season of learning and growing for them and for the entertainment staff. I, personally, have enjoyed the long rotation. I had planned to work the entire season with a three week break around about now, but due to my wife's serious illness and hospitalization, I am not sure when, or if, I will return to the Delta Queen this season.
At first, I had some concern about being onboard for such a long time without a break, but soon found it to be much easier than I had anticipated. Everything being relative, I found myself adapting nicely to the pace, and, working with fellow long-time staffers like Mike Gentry and Bob Schad, things were very smooth and we all remained fresh (despite the nay-sayers ensuring us we'd "die on the vine"). I believe you can do anything you set your mind to, and, by reading and negotiating your contract carefully, can make a successful and fulfilling go of it.
I would recommend you check out PGT Entertainment online at www.pgpti.com. They're wonderful people to work with, and as I mentioned, they are learning the brown water business. Perhaps next season they will work out shorter rotations, but all in all, I would say they've made a wonderful start. You also might want to give them a call and talk to Leslie Mitchell about the riverboats as well as possibilities on ocean liners.
Please feel free to email me with any particular questions at [email protected]
Best wishes,
Jazzou Jones
Cruise Director, Delta Queen
06/09/2006 3:57 pm
08/09/2006 6:25 pm
PGT
Hi Mimi,
As Jazzou pointed out, PGT has had a few bumps in the road, as was expected this being their first venture into the brown water business. All in all, however, the entertainment staff aboard the MQ has been able to hang together and put out a good product.
It's true that due to several factors, most of us will have put in an entire year before it's through. That is probably the most difficult part of this whole thing, especially since we work EVERY day and night. I was able to get one night off this week, only because I was ill with bronchitis - not the recommended way to get a night off, though.
Hopefully this can be worked out next year.
Good luck,
Paul