Overview (Note: There are several boats and this one refers to the largest one, 'Majestic Star. Call ahead to see which boat you will be on)
Loading takes a very long time because you have to carry the equipment down these long docs, and then bring them up the stairs. Last I was there the venue did not let me use the elevator to move equipment (they can explain why, it actually makes sense). So, when DJing on the Majestic Star, or perhaps any boat, be sure to get there plenty early.
The majestic star is a boat with four floors. The wedding receptions are done on Floor 2, Floor 3, and Floor 4.
Floor 2 is where dinner takes place. Floor 3 is where the dance takes place. Floor 4 is where people can socialize, and is good for social hour and ceremonies. The captains area is also on Floor 4.
Be sure to connect with the venue prior to the event and establish that you can use the venue microphone and the venue sound system. Also, be sure to connect with the staff of the boat, especially the captain. The captain has access to the sound system in his area. It is ideal that the D.J. uses the venue sound system to play social music and dinner music by plugging a portable device into the venue sound-system (last I was there it used a 1/8th inch jack). It is also ideal to use the venue mic for social hour and dinner. You will need to have a synergy with the staff and the captain in order to do this. Because the dinner space is on a different floor than the dance space, and because the dinner space is longhand narrow, using the venue’s system is ideal.
When making announcements concerning where the guests should be or where they can go, be sure to carefully communicate to them where they are and how to get to the next place. You may find yourself saying something like, “dinner will be beginning in 5 minutes on the second floor…” or you may find yourself saying, “If you are enjoying company near the bar, then you are on the third floor, and if you are sitting down at tables, you are on the second floor. Please move to the second floor to dinner.” - That is, it may be helpful to say where guests are and where they need to go.
The dinner space is too long and narrow to use Bellagala speakers, even if you put one on each end. It is best to setup the Bellagala speakers for the dance only(on the 3rd floor). Use a portable device for social music and dinner music. You plug the portable device into the captains quarters on the 4th floor.
So, briefly, for everything to run smoothly: For dinner and speeches, use the house mic. For dinner music and social music, use the house system. Only use Bellagala sound system for the dance, or maybe even the ceremony (depending on the situation). It may be handy to have both the house mic (which communicates to multiple floors) and the bellagala mic (which only communicates to the dance floor) simultaneously.
It is definitely important to have a good rapport with the captain of the Majestic Star and it’s staff.
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