TRAVEL THERE: (NOT SO MUCH) LEGENDS IN CONCERT
As we headed back to the Norwegian Epic after our disappointing shore excursion, St Maarten gave us its final salute. Rain poured from the sky. A short afternoon rain, so common in the tropics, but all I could think of was, “par for the course.” Deb and Joe got soaked to the skin. Bill made a dash for it and stayed pretty dry. My very large sunhat took pretty good care of me.
Food is First
We grabbed lunch in The Garden Cafe, then Bill and I went back to our cabin to hang out on the balcony. We made it back to the buffet for our pre-dinner dessert, so even though were only on our third day, we’d already established a routine. I think Deb and Joe worked out, but I was still on antihistamines and was taking it very easy.
Dinner was at Taste – the first meal Joe and Debbie ate in that dining room. We all agreed that we liked the Manhattan Room better. The food and service was virtually the same, but the decor and ambiance in Manhattan fit us better.
Music Next
The Mexcal Duo became another part of our routine. Deb and Joe dance ballroom. In fact, Deb teaches it and Joe teaches skate dance. So, dancing is important to them. Since I wasn’t exactly to to snuff, I hadn’t been cutting the rug, too much – and that was fine with Bill. Deb and Joe on the other hand had been scouting out all the musical venues to discover the best dance music. The Mexcal Duo, who played nightly in the Deck 5 Atrium were their favorites.
This particular evening we didn’t spend much time with the Mexcal Duo, because we had reservations for the Legends in Concert Show in the Epic Theater. This was one I’d been excited about. On the NCL website and throughout the ship, I’d seen pictures of the impersonators in Legends dressed up like people I really thought were legends: Elvis, Marilyn Munroe, The Beatles – you know, the really big names.
Well the show started off with a nod of the head to Whoopie Goldberg in Sister Act. I didn’t think it was a very effective nod, but I’m a big Whoopie fan, so I appreciated the effort. The Whoopie Goldberg impersonator was acceptable when she had on the nun’s habit, but when she tried to do stand-up Whoopie style, the act started wearing thin.
Next a guy came out and did Jimmy Buffet. He was a really good Jimmy Buffet. Not only did he sound like him, he could have been his twin brother. I enjoy Jimmy Buffet and his Parrot Heads, but I thought that part went on a little bit too long, also.
Then out came the impersonator who had been Whoopie Goldberg, but now she was Donna Summer. I’d thought the impersonator was a little small to be Whoopie, but she was particularly unconvincing as Donna Summer. I remembered Donna Summer as this long, tall drink of water and she was being portrayed by someone who was short and chunky. However, the music was glorious.
As good as the music was – I was still waiting for the legends. Where was Elvis? I’d have preferred quicker bits on each star, but more stars. The longer the impersonators were at it, the more the illusion fell apart.
Then we got a real legend – Michael Jackson. I can only imagine how difficult it was for this guy to be as convincing as he was. You knew it wasn’t really Michael, but occasionally you chose to forget. Instead of coming out and wowing us and then moving on to the next legend, the Michael Jackson impersonator did several songs. With the addition of each song the magic faded some more.
So – was the show good. Yes, it was. Could it have been better. Yes, it could.
After the show, Deb and Joe headed to the dance floor, but Bill and I headed to the room. Be back next week for St. Thomas and in the meantime, tell me which legend you think should have been impersonated.
jane sadek 