Recently I was browsing the Carnival Cruise Line website to learn more about the ship I will be singing on, The Pride.
And then, I saw this: 
What you are looking at my friends, is the Taj Mahal Lounge. Believe it or not this is the name of the lounge I will be doing much of my performing in.
Just when you thought I was going to be taking a break from all things Indian...
Isn't God a great practical joker?
You will always be connected to India!!
This is a lovely alternative though!!
Sigh, I wish I was going on a cruise liner, of course for holiday not work!
I hope you have a greaattt super awesome time.
xo
Hah and because your port is so close you should meet me at the Taj Mahal CASINO in Atlantic City!!!
Jubeee, how far is Philly from Baltimore? If it’s close we should really meet for lunch sometime!!
90 minutes
It’s a sign, doll…who knows, maybe you were Indian in a former life and now you’re drawn to all things – even nominally – Indian, like a lightening rod!
hahahahahahaha!
“Just when you thought I was going to be taking a break from all things Indian…”
dont heed n monkey will get off ur back. life’s ironic lol
very true gallas!
I had gone on this a carnival cruise in south carribean. Wouldn’t never do a cruise again…felt like I was cooped up in a bacteria/virus factory…with soporific sleep inducing food, with no way to burn it off. Also I felt most of the crew on the ship, were like folks looking in from the other side of the glass. The crew was mostly indian, east european, indonesian, filipino…earning less than minimum usa wage. Something like $500/month plus tips. The entertainers might have been earning more, depending on how much they have to face the audience. It was capitalism at its worst. Your pay will be cut, if folks from other third world countries can do it cheaper. If you are singing and such, it is a career which cannot be outsourced easily and thus can command a premium.
You are right gringo, most of the crew are foreigners and do work long, exhausting hours. I always felt bad for them. but I suppose the pay they make working on a cruise ship is still more than they could make in their home country, which is why many of them choose to be there. Often times, they leave their families behind and send home money.
As an entertainer, we are a bit spoiled. We get paid very nicely – 5 years ago I walked away from my contract with $10,000 savings. And we get privileges that are very similar to the paying tourist ie we can eat where they eat, get off at all the ports they get off at, do all the excursions they do, party in the dance clubs, etc.
Working and living on a ship can be tough at times even for the most privileged of employee. But the memories and friendships that are made are priceless.
VISHAL says “But I still wish you girls good luck. After all you are living in a country where priests molest kids, every kid has step dads and step moms, where people are more obese than mountains, where racism and tea parties have a free go, where every girl spreads her legs a day after she turns 16, where dating and dumping is a game, where people are so greedy that they will buy houses they cant pay for, where corporates are so greedy that they will lie and sell you anything without a thought, where your government invades and kills people for Oil and money,every celebrity has to release a sex video………Man what a place you are living in. 5th world shithole isn’t t?. Are you sure you don”t want to leave your country”
**********************
A rebuttal: Vishal, even though you might have some instinctive patriotism. It doesn’t stand to reason. Lets see why not:
(1) Priests molest in use…true if you hear media stories….but what about stories in times of india, where daughters are molested by their fathers/brothers in india.
(2) About step parents and obesity. You are right usa has much more of it than in india. But, compared to other economically developed countries it is comparable. The question to ask is would india have less of those problems when it per capita income is the same as usa. I doubt it, obesity in indian middle class children is quite high. Divorce rate in indian yuppee generation is quite high.
(3) Racism in usa. Racism might exist in usa. But, it is one of the few countries, where they discuss it and confront it. They elected a black president. India has its own ugly history of racism..castism.
(4) Dating and dumping is a game. Again my arguement is if men and women have the same rights, this would happen in india too. The only reason it doesn’t happen now, is because of less individuality. But, with more economic progress the individuam expression will come out and so would the resulting ugliness.
(5) Greed. I have seen lots of greed in india. Greed is universal. Its not that india is more or less greedy that usa. Few facts, as a percentage of their income the folks in usa gives the most in charity in the whole world. Another fact, I grew up in bombay, where folks have to be immune to see suffering on the streets, just to live the life. I have also seen folks from west see the same suffering and are not able to cope. It is hard to label all folks from the west as greedy compared to indians, after seing that reaction.
(7) Indian army kills more of its own citizens in collateral damage per year, than us army does in decades. So, don’t use facts peacemeal to fit your personal bias.
thank you for your rebuttals, gringo. I deleted his comment because I thought it was uncalled for. (especially for this post) But you had gotten to it already!
Well all I can say is that it’s sign that is all, it’s trying to tell you something, it could also be Karma as well telling you something. I do like the looks of it I do wish that I could have fun looking job like that working on curise ship for while. I wish you the best! I hope that you keep this blog going while you are on the ship I would love to hear about it. Hope this finds you well
they always need nurses on cruise ships nicki!
Looks like a stage set out of “Moulin Rouge”. On a somewhat tongue in cheek note, I don’t think this song would be requested a whole lot on sea cruises… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH2hWwD5Qfg
haha! I’ve never heard that song before now. Yeah, doubt it’ll be a big request!
I guess I am showing my age a bit when I mentioned that song. What are the most popular songs requested on a ship ? Ship cruises sound like a nostalgic throw back to a different, more laid back time (I could be totally wrong… I’ve never been on one). I’m envious.
GoodLuck MDG,
I have followed your blog and posted comments and fought with people on your comment site, Good luck with wherever and whatever you choose.
Be happy.
Thank you, travelbug
MDG,
I’ve been reading your blog in creeper mode for a little while, but I just had to comment on the irony of this particular situation! Someone out there is trying to tell you something!! I’m so sorry that you and your IM aren’t working out right now, but who knows what the future holds, plenty more fish in the sea! You should keep writing your blog, I myself am a singer, and would love to hear about what it’s like to work on a cruise ship! Best of luck!
Laura
Hi Laura and fellow singer! As of now, I plan to continue blogging at least until I get to the ship and will write a bit about the experience. But, it may trail off once I’m on the ship and settled in. We’ll see. I was a production singer for Carnival 5 years ago, so I know how it’s mostly going to play out. So if you have any questions about it now, ask away!
actually i dream to have a Carnival Cruise in the next few years, i am still trying to earn more money to afford it`~;
Hi Audio Switch. Keep a look out for Carnival’s prices. Sometimes they dip greatly. My cruise is near $1,000 at times and $400 at other times. You should be able to find a good deal!
I have been reading some more of your past blogging. I found it interesting to find how much you love to sing. This is also a passion of mine. In no means am I a professional, but it is something I have a heart for and love to do! I haven’t read a lot about your singing, but am curious to find out what kind of singing you do. How exciting to have sung on a cruise!
Have a wonderful day.
–A fellow singer