[pianotech] Another Cruise Ship Piano Tuning Question

[Nick Gravagne]

Interesting and funny story, Tom. Thanks!

Specially liked these parts:

"Seemed like everyone had spilled coffee stains on 
their clothes by the end of the trip."

"...play Trivial Pursuit at 9:30, then nap, then tune at 11am, then
lunch, then nap, then dancing lessons..."

And

"Arrived in NYC with 15 new pounds that I thoroughly enjoyed packing
on..."

I imagine you are back down to your fighting weight by now.

Nick 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Tom Servinsky
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 5:24 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Another Cruise Ship Piano Tuning Question

Depends upon what you call "Free".  They will barter for techs to go on 
board for specialty situations and will barter a free trip for 2 , but 
you'll be working to pay for the trip.  Since  911, the number of those 
situations have dropped dramatically as the cruise ship's have altered
their 
needs.
The last one I did was on the famed QE2 .They flew my wife and I over to

London, then  we sailed from South Hampton, England to New York and did
the 
Trans-Atlantic crossing.
All black tie affair and everyone was in tuxes in evening gowns for all 
events. This was their  yearly "Piano Cruise" in which big time concert 
artists  were contracted to  do numerous piano recitals daily, with
piano 
masterclasses and lectures in between all concerts.
I was on call 1 hr. prior to each event to get that piano ready then was

allowed to do as I pleased until the next event. Lots of down-time, 
incredible good food all day long, but too much cigarette smoke for my 
tastes. Seemed like everyone smoked constantly and the whole ship
smelled of 
smoke.
Seas were a calm 25 ft high with a 1 day of 40 ft seas. Most of the
patrons 
were loaded up with sea sickness shots and plenty of regurgitation,
making 
for a memorable trip. Seemed like everyone had spilled coffee stains on 
their clothes by the end of the trip.
We figured that the trips were being booked at $18,000 for 2 ( for our 
housing) for a  6 day crossing. All-in-all , a well-worth adventure and 
would do it again in a heartbeat.
I should note that the first quarters they gave us were horrible. 2
double 
beds on the lower level at the tail end of the ship ( where the affects
of 
motion are felt most). I complained and they said we could  upgrade our 
quarter for $2500 on the 2nd floor ( with a queen bed). After
complaining 
and trying to figure out a better plan, they agreed to give us the
upgrade 
BUT, I would have to work on all of the pianos on the ship instead of
the 3 
that I was originally assigned to.
I would work from 5AM -8AM daily, then go to breakfast with my wife,
play 
Trivial Pursuit at 9:30, then nap, then tune at 11am, then lunch, then
nap, 
then dancing lessons, then nap, then tune at 4PM, then dinner, then some

other activity, then tune again at 7PM, then nap to get rested for the 
midnight buffet with all the king crabs legs one could eat. Pretty
pathetic 
on my part. But hey....
Days were 25 hrs long as the clocks were turned backwards 1 hr each
night. 
Six days of 1 hr r time zone changes  has a great affect on one's
system.
Arrived in NYC with 15 new pounds that I thoroughly enjoyed packing on
and 
stories galore, making this a memorable experience.
Tom Servinsky