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Three weeks before Christmas. It’s cold and snowy in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. But I don’t care because with my friend piper Donn MacCara of Clan Thompson Pipe Band, I’m flying to sunny Fort Lauderdale. I’m about to embark on a one-week cruise of the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Eurodam. Can you imagine a more magical way to learn the pipes or drums than playing to the whales and dolphins (oh, and stingrays).
Just the Facts
• MS Eurodam cruises around the East Carribbean
• Captain Bob Horner invites pipers and drummers aboard, combining his love of pipe band music and sailing
• 2009, 40-50 students studied under piper Ken Eller and drummer Michael Eagle
• Our resident piper and blogger Scott Williams was aboard the ’09 cruise
MS Eurodam docked at Grand Turk
The MS Eurodam, just two years old, is Holland America’s newest luxury cruise ship. And for one glorious week we had a marvellous, educational, and fun-filled week in the sun, which ended all to quickly for a winter-minded Bluenoser, such as myself.
This ship is no slouch. It has 11 passenger decks, a new topside Pan-Asian restaurant and lounge surrounded by panoramic views, an Explorer's Lounge bar, a new Italian restaurant adjacent to the Lido, an elegant luxury jewellery boutique, a new atrium bar area, an enhanced and reconfigured show lounge, and a new photographic and imaging centre. Over 900 crew attend to the every want of its potential 2104 passengers.
Captian Bob notices the John Walsh Bagpipes logo on my shirt
The Piping and Drumming cruise is the brainchild of Bob Horner, Captain Bob to his friends (and incidentally the Pipe Major of the 23rd Highlanders Pipe Band of Dustin, Florida). Shortly after his band was formed in 2006, Capt. Bob established his Highlands & Islands Online Travel business that combined his love of the sea, bagpipes, performing and traveling. He approached well-known piping expert Ken Eller and drum instructor Tom Foote. The first cruise in December 2007 attracted some 40 to 50 students, supported a meeting of the Waters Pipe Band from Mississippi and a group from Birmingham, Alabama. The cruise aboard the Carnival Imagination was a short one, just four days from Miami to Key West and on to Cozumel, Mexico and back.
Ken Eller, internationally known as "The Captain", participates in piping and pipe band workshops nationally and internationally, and has an on-line school (www.thecaptainscorner.com) to help long distance pipers needing special assistance. He has been a member of the Piper's and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) since 1962 and is also a member of the Eastern US Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA).
The Captains, Ken and Bob, demonstrate that the pipes are a blowing instrument, not a squeezing instrument
Tom Foote has been studying and teaching pipe band drumming for three decades and maintains a teaching/mentoring website at http://www.tomfoote.com.
“The cruise to Playa del Carmen, Mexico was beyond expectations,” said Ken. “Captain Bob Horner … must be congratulated. We ate, we drank, we soaked up the sun, we swam in the ocean in Mexico, and we sipped buckets of Coronas on the white sandy beaches. On top of this, there was a seminar a day for all participants and private lessons for those who wished them. (This was) my first cruise but definitely not my last.”
Added Tom, “I think the idea of the cruise piping and drumming school has a great deal of potential for expansion. Certainly in a down economy people are really looking for great value for their dollar. Combining a cruise/resort visit with high level piping drumming instruction and performance is a way to get a big bang for your buck. As an instructor, it offers a unique opportunity to teach and vacation at one venue, although whenever I am teaching drumming it feels kind of like a holiday. I try to bring that kind of fun to my lesson plans.”
The approximately 50 pipers and drummers on the 2007 cruise came from across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to the workshops and private lessons, impromptu performances were held in downtown Key West and at several pubs. The cruising musicians also performed in Calica, Mexico, on the docks in various ports, and aboard the USS Imagination as they sailed between destinations. It was not all piping, however, as participants took part in several just-for-fun competitions such as the ‘Hairiest Chest’ contest, karaoke nights, and enjoyed numerous tastings of single malts.
Ken continued, “The 2009 cruise was a follow-up and perhaps because of the downturn in economy, it didn't attract as many participants but those that attended more than made up for the numbers through enthusiasm and participation. “Diane (Ken’s wife, affectionately referred to as ‘The Admiral”) and I especially loved the concept of seminars on days at sea only and letting all participants enjoy the ports of call. We are looking forward to that style again. Also good this time were the formal sit down dinners arranged by us rather than at set times that occasionally interfered with our other activities. We used the spa every morning for a workout, and had breakfast delivered to our room…. We swam and went sighting fish in Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay. All in all, there were so many things to do, the relaxed life style was just what we needed for a good week of R&R.”
Michael Eagle, drumming instructor
With Tom was unable to take part in 2009, another drumming instructor, Michael Eagle, was brought on board. Michael teaches New York City where he is a music instructor for the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, serving as the Drum Sergeant for the NYU Pipe & Drums. For more information about Michael and his programs, visit www.michaeleagle.com.
 
View of Charlotte Amalie, with the MS Eurodam in the distance and swimming with the sting rays on Half Moon Cay
During our weeklong cruise of the Eastern Caribbean, we stopped at four ports of call — Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, and Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s own private island in the Bahamas. The big workshops were limited to the two full days at sea, with smaller gatherings, private lessons and a Master Class taking place after returning to the ship from the various shore excursions. This year there were a few others who had booked on the ship and then learned about our workshops. “Have Pipes, Will Travel”, they say, and one man was ready to join us, not just as a spectator, but also as a full participant with his instrument at the ready.
Ken Eller reported on his blog after his return: “Well, we are all safe ashore and just starting to come down from the trip of the year! Our 7-day cruise of the Caribbean allowed us time in the sun, lots of great food served in the most gracious atmosphere in the dining room, superb wines (too much) and great friendship with piping and drumming workshops on our days at sea…. We were smart — we refrained from (visiting) the buffets that were open around the clock on the Lido Deck. This helped keep waistlines partially in check, but after cruising, dieting might be necessary!”
Michael commented on his first piping and drumming cruise experience as follows: “Highlands & Islands Travel provided a unique opportunity for pipe band musicians, the chance to receive top-notch, world-class instruction from professional Scottish musicians while enjoying the luxuries and amenities from one of the very best cruise lines in the world. Patrons are able to experience travel at it's best through some of the world's most desirable locations all while studying the great art of piping and drumming. This is an opportunity every pipe band musician should experience!
“My experience with HIT was absolutely wonderful! I was able to help eager students increase their knowledge and ability of Scottish (pipe band) drumming while enjoying one of the most spectacular cruises of my life to date. I very much love to teach, perform, and travel. Thanks to HIT, I was able to do all three simultaneously. The ship, food, sun, classes, and people made my cruise a most memorable experience. I would certainly advise a Highlands and Islands cruise to anyone involved in pipe bands!”
Ken went on to write: “This cruise was so successful, that the 2010 version is being planned already. The Captain's Corner wishes to hear from you if interested. The prices are at an all time best and the scheduling is flexible enough to accommodate the best time of year for all, so please email me (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) with all ideas.” Or, you might also contact Highlands and Islands Travel at the www.HITadventures.com website.
I’ve already written to Ken with my suggestions, and my name is on the list for the next cruise. Perhaps some of our readers will join us?
Second Formal Night Dinner
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