"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

DaCruzNut · July 12, 2004

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It was all started by Carnival, back in the late 70's. The song, "Hot! Hot! Hot!," by Arrow, had swept the island of Jamaica, hopped across the Caribbean, and the Florida Straights, and made its way to The States, where it became a big hit.

Carnival picked up on the spirited song, and had its waiters, and busboys, all sing it while balancing Baked Alaska's on their heads, wirling them in thier hands, and, otherwse, put on a production that would have made Ziegfield proud!

Soon, the craze jumped from cruise line, to cruise line, from ship-to-ship!

During a almost any cruise, you could count on a Caribbean Night, replete with the mandatory, "Hot! Hot! Hot!"

OK, so it was a little corny, cliched and trite. So what? Everyone sang along, and some even joined in the procession of waiters, clapping and having a ball.

Oh well, another tradition that is being lost. It's been a while since I've heard those strains, and seen the waiters dance, with the exception of a recent cruise on the Regal Empress, which still runs a "traditional" cruise. They didn't even perform it on my April cruise on Carnival's Fascination! yes, even Carnival seems to have dumped it.....

Am I the only one, or will you miss it also?

Shari2 · July 12, 2004

Jeff...I love it when they sing, "Hot! Hot! Hot!" I love the flaming Baked Alaska parade, too. I missed it on my last cruise!

I also love the Calypso/Raggae music they play on pool deck. I just love a song they kept playing on my last cruise, called, "Every Little Thing's Gonna Be Alright." As they used to say on,"American Bandstand," "Its Got a Good Beat," and," It's Easy to Dance to." :grin:

TheSkipper · July 12, 2004

We miss it!

:angry:

KeithnRita · July 12, 2004

I have a video of Rita joining in the waiter conga line on our first cruise--the Carnival Sensation. They were singing Hot! Hot! Hot! and then went into the Macrarena.

EJM · July 12, 2004

OK, I admit it.....I'm a tourist at heart and love traditions on the ships!!

I refuse to eat that nasty baked Alaska but, I enjoy the parade and the sappy antics with the napkins and all.

You know the first time we were in Jamaica and this beat up old flat bed truck came by down one of the streets with a calypso band playing on it, I actually cried. It was just such a treat to see them playing and it was a genuine band from the island, I was thrilled beyond words.

Yep, sappy, traditional, don't take the demise of these things easily!!

sailingrose · July 12, 2004

I miss that old traditions. Sorry to see some of them go.

hazelson · July 13, 2004

I am an old tradition and I would hate to see me go! Stick with what works - and - in the words of Billy Joel - "Don't Go Changin'" TTFN Jennifer

JohnG · July 14, 2004

They still do the singing parades on Carnival ships on cruises of 7 days or more. I think it is only short cruises that are skipping it. My wife loves it and has been known to join the conga line along with some other diners. :smiley: