Tuesday 30 August 2005

Shall we dance?

The boat we were on last week held 1,750 passengers and 980 crew. Some of the latter had titles like Chief Engineer, Bosun’s Mate, Master at Arms, Deck Ratings (30 of these) and there was even a Captain.

Many of these gallant fellows no doubt sprang from five generations of fine old sea-faring ancestors, but among the remainder of the crew were many whose skills must have been of quite a different kind: Casino Staff (16), Cocktail Pianists (2), Barkeepers (17), Chefs (101), Florists (2), Waiters/Waitresses (183), Salon/Spa Staff (20), Dancers (10), Receptionists (13)…..
…..and Gentleman Hosts (6).


These men were generally tall, distinguished, of sober mien and impeccably dressed, giving the impression that they might have accepted their appointments merely to supplement their senior officer’s retirement pay—though, come to think of it, few officers of staff rank would have the necessary foxtrot expertise. Anyway, they were not instantly recognisable as gigolos.

1 comment:

Tony said...

There was a complete Purser's Office, staffed with some very unfascinating clerks.
Do you mean Yeoman-Purser Burl 'Gopher' Smith, played by Fred Grandy (who he)?
I never caught the series but it sounds like a load of old compost to me; 249 episodes, for God's sake?
And Fred looks a bit wet, but you were very young.