South Pacific in Dances Twice Told
Papeete, Tahiti, FRENCH POLYNESIA - Granted. In terms of travel distance, the South Pacific is not for everyone. Many Americans consider even a trip to Hawaii too far away, i.e., 2400 miles west of the US Mainland. Tahiti in French Polynesia, is another 2500 miles southeast of Hawaii. Fifteen hours one-way travel- time by air. Nevertheless, many true travelers who visit the South Pacific consider staying there forever.
As did the French artist, Paul Gauguin and the Belgian song writer and Producer of plays, Jacques Brel. They are buried side-by-side in a quaint, little cemetery on the island of Hiva 'Oa in French Polynesia.
But common American grocery store essentials and OTC pharmaceuticals are very expensive in the South Pacific. Housing - if you are permitted to buy or build - is equally so. A plot of family land is handed down from generation to generation. There is no buying or selling. Structures on these plots are usually very simple, ramshackle even. Roofs are thatched. The general disorder of living frequently spills out and around these primitive dwellings. Not much of a house is needed when the natural world outside is so generous in providing almost everything a person might need
The South Pacific is also heart-stoppingly beautiful: Endless expanses of tropical flowers cascading over huge boulders and blossoming in deep valleys; an ocean so fascinating that it is almost impossible to envision without having seen it. (Yet let me try to describe it.) On its most distant horizon, a line of pale, luminescent green, like the green of a Luna moth; then the blues of many colors rippling towards the shore like sparkling sapphires; like the blues of ultramarine and cobalt and lapis lazuli, even indigo bathed in light. Closer still, all turns aquamarine and green, intense and pure - so transparent that one can watch myriad species of tropical fish. Busy and curious, they investigate that which interests them, including one's feet in the water. So intriguing to contemplate as they swim in sun-caught wavelets reflected as bright golden chains on the sand below.
The sky, a perfect, cerulean blue, provides a majestic backdrop for great, billowy clouds that often obscure the tapered tops of mountains beyond the horizon. Think of the "Bali Ha'i" scene in the 1958 movie version of "South Pacific."
Well, who is fortunate enough to treasure daily these wonders of the South Sea Islands? Polynesians themselves, of course, and tourists. Perhaps even more fortunate are those who work on the cruise chips that make the South Pacific their destination. More fortunate because they have it all - the exquisite world surrounding them outside plus all the luxuries inside that modern cruise ships provide. So much from which to choose!
If I could, I would choose to be a dancer on such a ship. I would have a body as beautiful as the Polynesians. And teeth as white. I would be gifted. I would be able to sing, as well. I would enjoy performing in the shows on board - the Broadway-style productions. Developed, choreographed, presented four times during a 10-day cruise. But enough of me.
Dan Gibbons of Hamilton, Canada, has served on 14 Princess vessels. As Cruise Director - with three assistants - it is his duty to MC and to oversee all forms of entertainment extant on board, which includes the above-named, big musical productions that exhibit talent as outstanding and extraordinary as any you might witness anywhere.
Exceptionally effective are the musical numbers that are augmented with pre-recorded big band sounds while the dancing performers continue to sing into their silent head mikes, It's all so perfectly synchronized that everything seems to be going on live, right then and there. So real. But you can't simulate the dancing! It is definitely first rate and balance is maintained though the ship itself may rock and roll.
The major extravaganzas on the "Tahitian Princess" winter cruises are "The Century Sings" - a selection of numbers from the 1900s enacted and wildly energized to the 'nth degree, and "Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance" - a tribute to Broadway. The dancers are Kelly Jo White, Anneka Hack and Ashley Gledhill from Australia; Robert Valenta and Dance Captain Mark Grissom from the USA; Tammy McClintock from New Zealand.
Guest vocalists Daniel Hearn and Rebecca Elliott are Australians.
Princess Cruises employs entertainers through auditions in major cities around the world. After six weeks of rehearsals, performers are taught the shows for their particular ships. Entire productions have to be learned in five days - dance routines, lyrics, songs, general direction. Entertainers are then flown to their new homes for the next six months - in this case, one of 14 Princess cruise ships.
Dancers also "Double-Up" for Social Staff duties such as Dance Classes, Sports Events, Bingo, Trivia Games, Quizzes and much, much more. They love their work. Who wouldn't? Especially if one is lucky enough to land in the South Pacific where, by the way, the native dances are nothing like Hawaiian dances or any that are taught in schools around the world. However, like the dance routines on Princess Cruises, the Polynesian hoedowns are wildly energetic. Just different!