BoomerBuzz Travel Magazine

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7 Days of Smooth Jazz Ear Candy

Crusie Alaska with Dave Koz & Other Greats

EXCITING Themed Cruise Options

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Cruise Dishes Up 7-Days of Ear Candy

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Publisher’s Letter

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7 Days of ear Candy

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Be Prepared!

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An Epic Marvel, Panama Canal

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Dave Koz’s Alaskan Jazz Cruise 2014

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Land or Water?

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Cruising 101: The What’s?

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Cruising 101: Why Cruise?

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Crystal Stages WWII Themed Cruise

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Culinary Spain

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Play Ball!

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AmaWaterways Knitting Cruise

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Dancing with the Stars Cruise

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Parahoy!

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Rock Legends Cruise 3

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European River Cruising

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Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise

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boomerbuzz

PUBLISHER Robin Roberson EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Lyn E. Cathey MARKETING MarketingWorks PUBLIC RELATIONS Isabell Rossignol CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Becca Menig Katherine Garcia CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lyn E. Cathey Jet Parker

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Do you love to travel, but are maybe tired of the same places? Want a more fulfilling vacation? Set sail on an exciting new adventure at sea!

We are excited to launch BoomerBuzz Travel Magazine which will be a quarterly publication with themed issues: On the Sea, Volunteering Around the World, Exotic Locales and America the Beautiful. It is our hope that you will look at travel in a new light with a focus on engaging trips with one to one opportunities that offer enrichment in your life.

Our first issue, On the Sea showcases some fantastic cruises, not your normal sea-land excursions, but ones where you can enjoy great music of your favorite genre, traveling from the Alaskan waterways to the Panama Canal.

BoomerBuzz Travel Magazine…a bright, bold issue that will hopefully inspire you to plan a more rewarding vacation this year. In this inaugural issue you will enjoy 7 Days of Ear Candy, a grand review of the Smooth Jazz Cruise, the upcoming Alaska Jazz Cruise with Dave Koz and many other outstanding musicians, and if you love the blues, Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise is a must read! Be Prepared! gives great travel tips no matter where you may be going and Cruising 101 answers many questions you may have about taking a cruise.

Our On the Sea issue is definitely a kaleidoscope of travel options with a nod to themed cruises and I hope you enjoy every page!

Boom Voyage!

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Cruise Dishes Up 7-Days of Ear Candy

By Lyn E. Cathey

Recently my spouse and I found ourselves at the epicenter of a masterfully orchestrated convergence of three great loves – music, cruises and of course, each other. The venue was a premium class cruise ship full of dedicated music lovers and a dozen wellknown jazz virtuosos. Living in this magical sweet spot of almost continuous concerts, seminars and socializing for seven days proved to be a life changing experience.

First the backstory – Music themed cruises are a fast growing niche in the cruise industry – even full ship charters. They have been around for some time. For example – this year is the 10th anniversary for the consistently sold out Smooth Jazz Cruise.

A chance encounter with an enthusiastic devotee – a veteran of two jazz cruises – drew my attention to this particular theme charter – a creation of Michael Lazaroff of St Louis based Entertainment Cruise Productions.

However, due to a preconception of these soirees as alcohol soaked party-until-youdrop binges targeted to the young and hardy, I was in no hurry to subject myself to one.

(Those preconceptions have since been blown out of the water – pun intended).

So, to see for ourselves just what kind of loyalty generating secret sauce was being served on these floating concert venues, we sailed on the second of the two Smooth Jazz Cruises in January of this year – a full ship charter on Holland America’s Westerdam.

The 7-day itinerary from Ft Lauderdale included Cozumel, Belize and Key West.

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Our experience on board Using great restraint not to over-hype the issue, I must confess this was one of my best cruise experiences ever – without a doubt the best for entertainment. (Note that you are hearing this from someone seriously jaded by decades of cruising– first, 12 years as a cruise ship entertainer myself – then 25 years as a travel agent – interspersed with occasional trips as a full fare paying civilian passenger).

The standouts and distinctions from an ordinary cruise  





First and foremost, the quality of the performances (expected) Secondly, the congeniality and accessibility of the artists, including the headliners – never once seeing evidence of standoffishness or reluctance to mingle with guests. (unexpected) The state-of-the-art quality of the sound for all shows, even poolside (all unexpectedly top shelf – a couple of notches above typical cruise line offerings, even in the premium category – ECP brings on board their own sound equipment with accompanying engineers) The length and frequency of the shows – often two hours or more for the nightly main shows. Headliners not featured in any one night’s main show would frequently appear concurrently in smaller venues throughout the ship. (unexpected)

ECP also brings aboard their own cruise staff, including cruise director. How Lazaroff convinces ‘name’ performers to host what are traditionally cruise staff duties

– such as ping pong tournaments, water polo contests and the ubiquitous bingo – I’ll never know. But when ship’s comedian, Alonzo Bodden, calls bingo, it becomes a not-to-be-missed show in itself. As you can imagine, this results in a huge turnout for these events, generating a sense of family and camaraderie between artist and fans.

Alonzo Bodden And Bodden is one funny dude! He is the comedian of choice for most ECP cruises due to his close friendship with many of the performers – as well as his brilliance in working in an improvisational style. For example – In a chance encounter with Bodden one afternoon on the sports deck, he immediately agreed to a one-on-one interview. Once settled into a corner table in the Lido with my camcorder capturing the action, Bodden quickly turned the occasion into hilarious freewheeling group discussion by inviting all other headliners within shouting distance to put down their food trays and join in.

Lazaroff has succeeded in creating a perfect storm of loyalty that is almost fanatical. ECP charters are events where the highest quality of all aspects of the experience, including accommodations, meals, between show events, etc. is assured. We met many couples who were on their 4th, 5th or even 6th ECP cruise – some having never taken

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any other type of cruise! Amazingly, 60% of the 1900 passengers on our cruise were repeaters.

Expansion plans – there are many new theme variations already scheduled or in the works – including the (traditional) Jazz Cruise, Soul Train Cruise, Malt Shop Memories, Celtic Thunder and the Country Music Cruise.

(The lineup on our cruise – jazz all-stars George Benson, David Sanborn, Bob James, Marcus Miller, Richard Elliot, Jonathan Butler, Andre Berry, Jeff Golub and Rick Braun, to name a few.)

George Benson

new distinctions acquired – jazz isn’t ‘just jazz’ anymore. In on board concerts artists performed personal ‘roots’ music as well – which included pop, gospel and blues. Plus, I now have a heightened appreciation for the work and artistry of a dozen new musical heroes.

What could be improved While Holland America delivers an upscale, class product overall, I have one big, giant gripe. Internet service was abysmal…and expensive. I paid $150 for 350 minutes of what proved to be glacially slow service…a frustrating experience for a daily blogger like yours truly. Suits at HAL, are you listening? In today’s world, there is no excuse for such sporadic, slow service at such a high price. To add insult to injury, Wi-Fi did not extend to cabins. It was necessary to go to a public room to get a signal.

Now that I’ve got that little rant out of the way, time to get back to editing all of the great interview material. That’s gonna be a hoot!

So, is referring to this cruise as a life changing experience over doing it a bit? No. For me, musical biases were flattened and

Lyn Edwin Cathey now resides in Memphis as well, having a wife, daughter and dog…one of each. His passions include travel, travel writing playing the guitar and photography/videography

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Be Prepared!

(The Boy Scout-Inspired Way to Travel)

by Torrey Moseley Okay, so it’s obvious I was never a Boy Scout. I did, however, grow up around scouting. My dad was a scoutmaster for years. Besides learning how to build like six different types of fires, scouting also taught me the importance of being prepared—for everything. Now, couple that with the fact that I’m a nurse, and you get someone who is ALWAYS prepared when traveling.

When I travel, I am ready for almost ANY type of emergency, injury, illness or other unplanned or accidental event. I’m here to share with you some valuable hints and tips to ensure you, too, are PREPARED to deal with or PREVENT all sorts of potential traveling mishaps! Here is a list of things I keep in my carry-on (so it’s available at a moment’s notice). Most of these suggestions are natural too!

1. Tummy Calmers – Turbulent air, new foods and unfamiliar water sources can wreak havoc with your poor tummy causing nausea, indigestion, and the dreaded “traveler’s diarrhea” (aka Montezuma’s Revenge). But, there are things you can do to help!  Ginger - candied, chews, or capsules…ginger is one of the best natural cures for tummy ailments. It has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiinflammatory qualities. It can calm a queasy stomach quickly.  Activated Charcoal – this is a must-have item if you’re concerned about coming down





with food poisoning, food allergies, gas, diarrhea, or other stomach “bugs”. It works by absorbing toxins and transporting the offending stuff out of your GI tract. Yes, it looks nasty (black and inky) but it doesn’t really have a taste and it WORKS. Plug your nose and drink it down…and follow with bottled water (not tap water).

Acidophilus – also known as “Probiotics”. Buy it at a health food store in capsule form.

These “friendly” bacteria will help keep your gut happy. Start taking them, daily, before you leave and continue every day of your trip and for several days after your return. Your gut will thank you for it. (OR…you can eat yogurt. Just make certain your yogurt has “live” cultures).

Pepto Bismol tablets – In the family practice office I used to work in, we recommended people traveling to destinations with “questionable” water sources to start taking a Pepto Bismol tablet 3 times a day starting 2 days before you leave, and continuing every day and for 2 days after you return from your trip. Pepto Bismol can actually help prevent a case of traveler’s diarrhea as well as treat your symptoms if you

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

contract it. (Pepto Bismol contains aspirin, so be advised.

It will also turn your stool black—don’t be alarmed.)

1. Tension Tamers – Let’s face it, traveling can be…well…exasperating and extremely tense. There are some things you can do to smooth those frazzled nerves and help you enjoy your trip.  Herbal Remedies* – One in particular is called “Rescue Remedy”. Taken orally, these herbal drops can help keep you calm and relaxed even when everything around you is going crazy. Chamomile is another herb known for its calming properties. I always carry chamomile tea bags with me.

Valerian root is another herb known for its powerful sedative qualities. *NOTE: check with your doctor before taking ANY herbal supplement. Many can have bad side effects when mixed with medications.

2. Aches, Pains, and Ouchies – We all have overdone it while traveling. We feel compelled to do it all and see it all in a limited amount of time. This can lead to overworked joints, muscles, and tendons.  Arnica salve or Traumeel – available at health food stores, these soothing, topical salves are great for treating sore muscles or bruises.  Tiger Balm soothes overworked muscles and joints.

3. Everything Else – Other useful and beneficial items to have on hand:







Airborne – this is an herbal/vitamin supplement that helps boost your immune system thus preventing you from catching bugs while your traveling.

Coconut Oil - This is, perhaps, one of the most versatile things you can bring with you.

Coconut oil is not only a great moisturizer and skin/hair conditioner, it has many, MANY healing properties as well. It has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and even anti-viral properties. Used on skin, it helps soothe sunburns and minor scrapes and cuts.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)tablets – these really do work as a “natural” mosquito repellent.

Start taking these tablets daily about a week before you leave, and every day you’re on your trip. You may notice a “yeasty” smell to your skin…so do the mosquitos, and they don’t like it at all! I don’t mind smelling like a bakery if it means I don’t get devoured by nasty skeeters.

I also pack a variety of bandages and other firstaid paraphernalia (I am a nurse, after all).

Oh…and I always pack chocolate because in my book, chocolate cures ALL sorts of things.

Happy Travels!

Torrey Moseley is the Editor-In-Chief of BoomerBuzz Magazines. She is an avid blogger, designer, photographer and writer. Visit her blog at www.left-fieldstudio.blogspot.com.

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AN EPIC MARVEL, THE PANAMA CANAL

By DeeDee Lowder Panama Canal Cruise Vacations Princess Cruises offers convenience and flexibility in the Panama Canal. Enjoy this fascinating region your way and choose a partial canal transit roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale or experience a full transit from ocean to ocean -- just one reason why we've been honored by Recommend Magazine for the "Best Itineraries" nine consecutive years.

Full Transits Sail from ocean to ocean, offering both east coast and west coast departures! Embark or disembark from west coast ports such as Los Angeles, San Francisco,

or Vancouver, and Ft. Lauderdale as your main port on the east coast. Marvel at the epic engineering of the Panama Canal as you transit through the Gatun, Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks, and enjoy port calls in the Caribbean and Central America.

Partial Transits Conveniently sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, these classic itineraries take you through the Gatun Locks to beautiful Gatun Lake and feature calls in popular Central

American and Caribbean cruise ports such as Aruba, Cartagena, Lim 贸n and Ocho Rios

2-Day Canal Experience Travel between the Pacific and Atlantic coasts for an extended adventure through the Panama Canal. Enjoy an additional full day call in Fuerte Amador to explore Panama's

highlights even further, and visit picturesque ports such as Aruba, Cartegena, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Chiapas, Puerto Quetzal, Puntarenas, and San Juan del Sur.

DeeDee Lowder is a freelance writer, mother and entrepreneur who now lives in Atlanta.

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Dave Koz Travelogue…Alaska Jazz Cruise 2014

The good folks at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines were kind enough to offer my team and I an incredible opportunity to experience a cruise to Alaska in advance of the sailing we are set to do next year in August, 2011. It was the exact same itinerary with the same ports of call, the same ship…the beautiful Rhapsody Of The Seas, (and hopefully), the same wonderful staff.

We were overjoyed to have the ability this much time ahead to experience this cruise as a vacation in much the same way as our guests will be enjoying it next year. So, we jumped at the chance and without a doubt—it was worth every minute!

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Dave Koz & Friends are delighted to be able to cruise in style with you to Alaska.

Our 2014 Alaskan cruise line-up includes:

Your Host Dave Koz Nine-time GRAMMY nominee Dave Koz remembers the first record he ever purchased – Tower of Power’s 1974 album, Back To Oakland. It had a powerful impact on him, as his latest album "Summer Horns" shows.

Special Guest Chris Botti Chris Botti Expresses His Love For Romantic Melodies From Across the World On His Grammy Winning Sony CD, “Impressions.” Playing with his uniquely expressive sound and soaring musical imagination, trumpeter Chris Botti is joined by featured artists Andrea Bocelli, Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, Mark Knopfler, David Foster and Caroline Campbell in a warm, intimate celebration of melodic balladry.

Guest Artists: Mindi Abair One of the most recognizable saxophonists in the US, Mindi Abair has sold a half million records as a solo artist, but you probably know her as the featured saxophonist on American Idol for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Oleta Adams Since the runaway success of her 1990 debut album Circle of One (which went Platinum), and the impassioned hit single "Get Here" (the Brenda Russell composition that became an unofficial anthem of the 1991 Gulf War) Oleta Adams has inspired a growing legion of fans in the U.S. and Europe with journeys of the heart via songs that draw deeply from her roots in gospel, while crossing effortlessly into the realms of soul, R&B, urban, and popular music.

Gerald Albright One of the biggest stars of R&B, contemporary and straight-ahead jazz, Gerald Albright has earned his reputation as a “musician’s musician.” Born in Los Angeles, he began piano lessons at an early age. Albright’s love of music picked up considerably when he was given a saxophone that had belonged to his piano teacher. By the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, he was already a polished saxophonist.

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Jonathan Butler A life well lived is often the best foundation for compelling art and there’s no denying Jonathan Butler has been blessed with a fascinating life.

A South African native whose expansive musical gift has earned accolades in the R&B, contemporary jazz and gospel fields, Butler’s new release Grace and Mercy is filled with the soulful sounds and insightful lyrics fans have come to expect from the veteran performer.

Bobby Caldwell Bobby Caldwell's live performances are always electrifying! Drawing from his vast repertoire of rousing R&B, intimate smooth jazz stylings, and big band songs, Bobby has the ability to entertain at any venue, for fans of all ages. In Japan and throughout Asia, he enjoys a feverish popularity, selling out shows and achieving gold and platinum status for his releases in those countries.

Richard Elliot The reigning merchant of Soul Jazz, Richard Elliot invites loyal fans and newcomers alike to celebrate 25 years since the release of his debut album Trolltown. Where?s the party? Where else—In the Zone, a grooving, funked up, hornsplashed collection that finds the energized-asever tenor saxophonist paying homage to the pioneering instrumental artists of his formative years („70s-early „80s) whose brilliance and musical innovations inspired his own.

Land or Water?

By Carla McMahon

Cruises are fun and land tours are fun but, boy, they are totally different experiences. I have found that cruises can be a lot cheaper than land adventures but there are so many differences, it’s like comparing apples and oranges.

My husband and I like different things, so we go on cruises (for him) and we go on regular “land trips” (for me), and so I want to give you a sense of the differences between land and sea holidays.

Cruising The worst thing about cruises is that you only get to stay in a place for a short time. The best thing about cruises is that you only get to stay in a place for a short time. 

If your port is Civitavecchia, you are going to be unhappy that you only have a few hours.



If your port is Punta Arenas, a few hours are more than enough.

I have to admit that cruising is a great, cheap way to see some fabulous parts of the world. And cruising (if you don’t go crazy with soda, alcohol, gambling, or helicopter excursions) is like an all-inclusive vacation, however, you’re not stuck in one boring locale. Cruise vacations are a smorgasbord of cities, and you get to sample a lot of different towns.

Without a Baltic cruise, you may never know how cool Tallinn Estonia is. Without a Mexican cruise, you may never visit a fun little town like Huatulco, complete with armed guards. And, of course, everyone likes something different. You may love Malta. While, I thought it was a boring port (though it’s supposed to be a good place to retire.)

Land and train travel

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In Europe, we stay in Rick Steves’ style hotels, which are cheap and basic, though usually right in the middle of everything. We eat in little cafeterias and at McDonald’s (ick) to keep costs down. So, for us Europe can be done as inexpensively as most cheap cruises.

Examples of good things about land travel: 

Hot chocolate for breakfast in Place des Vosge

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Wandering through street markets and window shopping in Paris

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Paris at night

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Giverny

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Enough time to see the Vatican Museum AND The Forum

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Rome at night

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Taking the train from Florence to Venice, talking to people on the train, then running into them again on Piazza San Marco

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Switzerland in summer

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Switzerland in winter

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More than one day in Amsterdam

Great cruise ports On the other hand, there are cool places I've been to on cruises that I doubt I would have ever seen if I were planning a land tour: 

A beautiful Unesco Heritage site in Guatemala with temporary floor paintings made of flowers

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The Panama Canal

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Monte Carlo

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Ephesus

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St Petersburg

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Berlin

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Estonia

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Kauai (too expensive)

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Tauranga NZ

Cheap Europe

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Travel Cost You can estimate your cost per day on a cruise versus a land trip.

It’s easy to know what most of your cruise ship expenses will be, though you should remember to add in extra charges for tips, oil surcharges, etc. (Ask questions on the Cruise Critic forum for good info.)

However, expenses for land trips can be a bit trickier. A good guidebook and some internet research can help.

As for cruising, I think that there are two kinds of cruises, though others call this reductionism. 

Cruises where the focus is the ship (Baja California, transatlantic crossings).



Cruises where the focus is the port (Europe, New Zealand).

When push comes to shove, you are going to have to try both cruising and land trips to see which one fits your style and income. Usually, you will like a mixture of both. For example, I prefer train travel over cruising when I’m in Europe. However, I just booked a cruise for the Mexican Riviera to get out of the Seattle rain, and I don’t think I’d like staying in any hotel in Baja. I will probably stay on the cruise ship through most of the ports.

Cheap Travel I really feel that both land travel and cruise travel can fit into almost every budget, with a bit of extra research. There are cool places that you would probably never see if you weren’t on a cruise ship, like Monaco, because it’s so expensive.

And, there are great experiences that you will miss if you only travel by cruise ship, like Paris at night.

If you are one of those people who travel for the luxurious experiences, shopping, and gourmet meals/wine, I just can’t relate to that. I’d rather go slumming, go more often, and meet more fun people. And these days, with this crazy economy, I think there are more and more people like you and me. To life!

Carla McMahon is a homemaker and freelance writer of interests for women. She lives with her family in North Carolina.

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Cruising 101: THE WHAT’S? What About This, What About that, What About What?

Cruising is a Exciting!

WHAT ARE THE ROOMS LIKE? For every preference and budget, there is a stateroom to match on each guest’s preferences. Most offer balcony staterooms and we highly recommend booking one to get the most of your vacation experience. They also offer inside and ocean view staterooms so regardless of the room you choose, you will feel as comfortable and relaxed as if you were in your own home.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO ONBOARD? Cruising offers something for everyone from the very young to the young at heart. It’s great for groups, celebrations, and meeting new people. The choices are endless, from invigorating activities to more relaxing pursuits. With cruise ships you'll discover an incredible array of options that make each day a delightful new adventure.

You might find culinary demonstrations, bingo, wine tasting and spa services as well as presentations where you learn about the culture, top sites of the ports you will be visiting, plus live entertainment and even gambling.

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WHAT CAN KIDS DO? The youth centers and teen lounges are staffed by experienced counselors, who are ready to ensure your kids stay happy all day long. There’s everything from art projects, games, the latest movies, pizza parties, talent shows, and much more.

Kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will keep your children happy, while affording you some time alone. And of course the outdoor activities center around fun and sun!

Although we see this time and again, taking children under the age of 3 isn't the best choice of vacations. Pushing a stroller from one end of the ship to the other constantly is no fun for Mom or Dad and we would highly suggest a land-based vacation if you have children under 3 years old.

HOW DO I PLAN? There's a lot to consider when planning a cruise. But with simple planning, you'll be on your way in no time!

         

1. What kind of cruise vacation are you seeking?

2. Where and when do you want to go?

3. How do you choose the right itinerary?

4. What's your budget?

5. Do you have a preference of ship?

6. What sort of stateroom best fits your needs?

7. Are you traveling with kids, friends or family?

8. Need help booking air, hotel or transfers?

9. Which shore excursions most interest you?

10. What if you need to cancel?

It is important to note there are restrictions regarding fare refunds and cancellation fees may be assessed based on the length of your cruise and how many days prior to your cruise departure date your carrier/cruise line is notified of your cancellation. See the Cancellation Fees and Refunds section before booking, so your vacation is seamless from start to finish.

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Cruising 101: WHY CRUISE? Stateroom Cabin, Fabulous Dining & Meals, Shipboard Activities, Entertainment and More!

Cruising is a Winner!

Easy, Convenient Unpack once and experience the best of the region you are visiting in one cruise vacation. There is nothing easier than simply waking up in the morning in the world's most exciting and interesting cities.

For example, on a 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyage you might visit exciting ports of call including Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens, Rome, Venice and more.

Simplicity Do not come back from your vacation needing a vacation. Planning a cruise is simple; an experienced travel agent can handle all of the details. Make sure your travel agent has taken several cruises. Once you are on board, nearly all expenses are pre-paid... talk about hassle-free.

Unbeatable Value Your cruise fare includes accommodations, dining, entertainment and an endless array of activities. Plus, you won’t have to pay for costly airfare, trains, or motor coaches to get you from one city to the next.

Fabulous Cuisine Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare and specialty dishes featuring exotic ingredients. Most ships even offer old standbys like pizza and ice cream or most ships offer spa cuisine for a healthy alternative. Depending on your mood, dine in a traditional luxurious dining ballroom setting, a small bistro or a casual eatery. There are many choices on cruise ships.

Activities Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy live music, discos, dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming (gambling) or a quiet evening gazing at the stars.

Warm, Welcoming Service You'll be right at home without a care in the world. From sun-up to late into the night, cruise staffs are there to anticipate your every need. And by voyage's end, your crew will feel just like family.

Refreshing Sea Air Sea days can be as relaxing or active as you wish. There is nothing comparable to being out on the open sea with warm ocean breezes.

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Talk about Knowing Your Market, Crystal Stages WWII Theme Cruise

By Hanson Myers Every cruise line has its niche. Crystal Cruises is

immortalized raising the American flag on Iwo

one of the few with several appealing

Jima in the iconic Pulitzer-winning photograph.

characteristics, one of which is its attractiveness

Offering more color, context and history, will be

to more cerebral seafarers who prefer to

Don Farrell, veteran, Mariana Island historian

expand the mind more than their tan lines and

and local official in Guam and Tinian and

stay indoors for the luxury line’s enrichment

General

programs and lectures. That said, the Los

General and Commander in Chief of U.S. Central

Angeles, California-based luxury cruise ship

Command.

operator is offering a special World War II

passengers will be able to experience new

themed cruise this January that is bound to

WWII-focused Crystal Adventures on almost

bring out the history buffs.

every island of the itinerary, including: 

Anthony

Then,

Zinni,

when

former

Four-star

going

ashore,

A flight to the island of Tinian (from Saipan), to see the once-massive airbase from whence B-29 bombers carried the atomic bombs “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” for their fateful missions on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.



Saipan, including the American Soldiers

On January 19, 2014 the Crystal Serenity begins

Landing Point, Banzai Cliff, and the

her first leg of Pacific Ocean Odyssey world

American

cruise that begins in Los Angeles and continues

turned-Eastwood/Spielberg film about James’ father and five other soldiers who were

Park, which

campaign.

and Tokyo's port of Yokohama. To enhance the

author of “Flags of Our Fathers”, the book-

Memorial

commemorates the Marianas Island

on to Hilo, Honolulu, Guam, Okinawa, Saipan

experience is best-selling author James Bradley,

Visiting the sites from 1944’s Battle of



A lunch in the Captain’s cabin of the U.S.S. Missouri, the last battleship built by the U.S. and the site of the

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Japanese surrender which ended the

War. Also a trip to Shuri Castle home of

war.

the Japanese military’s WWII HQ and now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Guam’s WWII-related memorials or battlegrounds, including Ga’an Point, Asan Beach Park, and other areas of interest within the War in the Pacific National Historical Park.



Multiple tours explore Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial, as well as Oahu’s less-famous battlefields, military bases & memorials, such as Wheeler Army Airfield, Schofield Barracks, Ft. Shafter, Punchbowl



National

Memorial

In Okinawa, a tour of the Japanese

Cemetery, and the Home of the Brave

Navy’s underground headquarters, plus

Museum.

numerous memorials -- such as Peace The voyage will also feature a veterans’ gettogether of guests and crew of all nations to share personal observances and stories, as well as Ocean Views-themed expert panel discussions of world affairs, with audience feedback.

All-inclusive fares (gratuities, spirits and wines)

for

the

22-day

U.S.

to Asia

cruise start at $8,110 per passenger with a shorter, 16-day version available from Memorial

Park and

the

Himeyuri

Honolulu for $5,655 per person.

Monument and Peace Museum – related to the Battle of Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault of the Pacific

Hanson Myers is a world traveler and freelance travel writer who calls Virginia home.

31

Culinary Wine And Delights Of Spain April 19-27, 2014

Foodies are sure to find this cruise enticing with a gastronomic itinerary that highlights the culinary heritage of Spain and Portugal.

With each mouthwatering bite and sip, you will discover the jewels of sunny south coast of Spain.

The eight-day cruise will be wine-soaked and food-heavy in the country that introduced sherry, tapas, and paella to the world. We’ll pause to explore the rich culinary and wine traditions of regions from Andalucía to Catalonia, offering an insider’s look at the ingredients, techniques and cuisines that add the signature flavors to Spanish food.

Shore excursions include visits to Jerez de la Frontera, the “Sherry Capital of the World,” and a wine museum . Each day is filled with themed options designed to expand your knowledge of all Spain has to appreciate, but leaving you individual time to explore the region’s captivating history and beguiling beaches. Local chef’s teach you to prepare traditional paella while you snack Culinary Cruise Highlights on tapas and in Mallorca you learn the years old  Explore regional wines and cuisine with method of producing olive oil. a SAVEUR culinary expert, and 



 

 

renowned winemaker Jorge Ordonez Enjoy the best of Spanish food and wine pairings during two hosted dinners with special menus Sample a selection of six Spanish wines in addition to daily wine tastings throughout the cruise Experience two complimentary vineyard and culinary shore excursions Take part in cooking demonstrations of local regional cuisine with a SAVEUR guest chef Discover the magic of flamenco in a special dance performance Receive complimentary gifts to commemorate this unique itinerary

There’s a new culinary surprise in every port!

Hanson Myers is a world traveler and freelance travel writer who calls Virginia home.

32

PLAY BALL!

By Jet Parker

Love Baseball? Celebrate America's favorite pastime with a series of baseball-themed Caribbean cruises, paying tribute to the sport and its legendary players. MSC Divina, part of MSC Cruises' Fantasia Class, is offering a series of baseball-themed Caribbean cruises. The cruise spins sports activities compelling friendly competition. Players partake in a number of activities with passengers, including a playerhosted trivia game, pitching contest, Q&A, storytelling sessions and hitting, fielding and base-running clinics.

On March 15 (starting at $649 ) a seven-night cruise takes off with Bill Russell (Los Angeles Dodgers' star shortstop and manager), Ed Kranepool (New York Mets, major league record as pinch hitter) and Stan Bahnsen; and another seven night cruise on May 10 (starting at $779)with Gorman Thomas (Milwaukee Brewers American Leagues' Two Time Home Run King), Gary Peters (White Sox, 1963 Rookie of the Year and All-Star pitcher), Randy Hunley (Chicago Cubs, All-Star and Gold Glove catcher, set numerous records, invented the hinged catcher's mitt and Fantasy Camps) and Stan Bahnsen.

With marble and mirrors everywhere, Divina is a gorgeous lady; bold yet tasteful, flashy yet elegant. The decor, including Swarovski crystalcovered glass staircases, glass elevators and dramatic lighting, is exceptional and it is delightful to note the little touches tucked around - a statue here, an inlaid floor there – adding to the ambiance are the breathtaking atrium, glitzy Pantheon Theatre and sophisticated Black & White Lounge. And the Yacht Club is always a BIG hit! Plus the larger cabins, butler and concierge services, private restaurant, lounge and pool make your trip even better! The gym and spa are enormous, with first-rate equipment and services -- not to mention a well-stocked sporting goods store in case you forgot something vital for your trip.

With five pools, Divina also has the closest thing to a true infinity pool that we've seen at sea. It's

the best spot on the ship for unimpeded ocean views.

If you enjoy the thrill of speed you might also consider: Grand Prix of Monaco cruise, May 21 - 28, 2014.

Jet Parker is a freelance writer of men’s issues. He lives with his family in Plano, Texas.

33

AmaWaterways’ Announces Newest Theme Cruise Crafty Cruisers can Knit in the New Year on a Danube River Voyage

Framed by rolling hillsides, lush vineyards, and medieval castles, the Danube River has captivated musicians, artists and poets throughout the centuries. AmaWaterways’ newest theme cruise is the Knitting New Year’s Cruise which was recommended and hosted by acclaimed textile expert Barry Klein, owner of Trendsetter Yarns in Los Angeles. This cruise will showcase the latest in luxury yarns, forums on fashion trends, classes on new stitch patterns antechniques and much more. Enjoy Europe’s beautiful wintertime scenery as you learn from the best in the knitting world and meet fellow travelers who share your passion for hand-knit fashion. You’ll also have a chance to work on some wonderful accessories that can be completed during the cruise and worn for our gala New Year’s Celebration on board the ship!

Klein is deemed one of the ten most influential men in the world of knitting, served as past president of the National Needlework Association and has designed patterns for Interweave Knits, Knitters Magazine, and Vogue Knitting, among many others.

For more details, contact: http://www.amawaterways.com/

34

Dancing With The Stars At Sea Several dates 2014

Have you ever wanted to be the featured artist in your own “Dancing with the Stars”? Well, as a fan of the reality TV show, you can pretend to be the star while cruising on Holland America’s MS Nieuw Amsterdam through the Caribbean or Alaska. Select cruises will feature dance pros and

On every cruise guests may: Participate in complimentary dance classes based on dance routines from the ABC smash hit show “Dancing with the Stars.” This is a chance to learn the basics or new steps.

Compete in the Dancing with the Stars: At Sea competition. Following an early elimination process, finalists will have the opportunity to take to the main stage with the ship’s dance professionals. One Cruise Champion will emerge, based on the highest combined point total from our panel of three judges, as well as audience participation.

celebrities from the ABC television phenomenon.

Guests will enjoy a chance to take photos, get autographs and ask questions. The glamorous costumes from the show will mesmerize at a special fashion show and a dazzling evening production will star the dance professionals and celebrities. In addition, the cruise also features dance classes and competitions.

At the end of October 2014, the Cruise Champion with the highest score from each ship will have an opportunity to perform as a finalist on the Champions Cruise in December 2014. Finalists, plus a guest, will be invited on a complimentary 7-day Champions Cruise to the Caribbean, where the 15 finalists will dance for the coveted mirror ball trophy and the title Holland America Line Dancing with the Stars: At Sea Grand Champion.

35

PARAHOY! Sailing from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay, Private Island March 7 – 11, 2014

All Aboard with Paramore!

Special Guest Tegan & Sara, New Found

Glory,

Shiny

Toy

Guns,

mewithout You, Bad Rabbits, Reuben Wu of Ladytron, Headphone Disco, Doug

Benson-Comedian

&

Many

More!

Paramore is partnering with Sixthman to bring you 4 days & nights full of music, adventure, relaxation, new friendships and amazing moments on board the inaugural sailing of PARAHOY! Bring your closest friends and family while we spend a long weekend together March 7-11, 2014. We'll sail aboard Norwegian Pearl from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay, our own private island in the Bahamas.

Paramore will be your host, and they’re bringing their favorite musical friends to celebrate with them, treating you to amazing shows and activities throughout the 4 days! You can look forward to two outdoor shows by Paramore, a Q&A on deck, and great activities hosted by the bands. You'll also get a chance to participate in quirky theme nights and one-of-a-kind opportunities to interact with the artists on board. We’ll even have our own private beach party on Great Stirrup Cay, in addition to all the fabulous amenities that come along with sailing aboard the Norwegian Pearl - outfitted with multiple stages, a beautiful pool, hot tubs, a bowling alley, a rock climbing wall, and 24-hour room service.

With all your favorite music and amazing amenities available onboard from morning to night, the party will only be steps away from your door. It's a nonstop musical adventure you don't want to miss!

Rock Legends Cruise 3 02.19.15 888-666-1499 The Liberty of the Seas from Royal Caribbean is one of the biggest, fastest and most luxurious passenger vessels in service today, served by a crew of 1300 on 18 decks.

With a gross tonnage of 160,000, it can truly be said that the rock-themed benefit voyage will be a “heavy” experience for both bands and fans. The ship, almost as long as four football fields, cruises at 21.6 knots and is scheduled for a port stop in Nassau.

The main attraction of the cruise is, of course, multiple performances by the Rock Legends bands aboard. The ship offers no fewer than three performance venues for Rock Legends Cruise bands: The Deck, The Platinum Theater and Studio B/Ice Rink. All artists will perform 2-3 shows, festival style and a schedule of performances will be released closer to the sail date. This format will allow individuals to come and go between venues to see different bands. Our aim is to allow each and every Rock Legends Cruise passenger to have an opportunity, over the course of the voyage, to see the bands they wish to see.

The ship also features on-board surfing thanks to its FlowRider wave generator, a boxing ring, a full-sized volleyball/basketball court, cantilevered whirlpools and range of gourmet restaurants.

Read more at: http://rocklegendscruise.com/cruise-details/#sthash.lYPjlNPv.dpuf The Doobie Brothers, Alice Cooper, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam, Blue Oyster Cult, Uriah Heep, The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet, Rik Emmett, The Edgar Winter Band, Ten Years After, Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown, Pat Travers Band, The Artimus Pyle Band, Swamp Da Wamp, The Blue Lords + more to be announced!

If you're thinking of taking a yacht vacation, no need to look any further than SELECT CHARTERS! – Carlene Robinson Dailey

www.SelectCharters.com Peggy@SelectCharters.com 4020 N. MacArthur Boulevard Suite 122-183 • Irving, TX 75038 (972) 659-8941

Discover the Ultimate in Old World Charm

By Jacki Muehlenbein After the dreary grey of winter, the first signs of spring start popping up and a relaxing vacation sounds like just what the doctor ordered. But where should you go - a cruise, multi-city road trip or an idyllic location? There are so many exciting, inviting choices!

Perhaps you have been on an ocean cruise ship and enjoyed it, but are ready for something different.

Maybe you have never been on a cruise because you have visited many of the destinations where they typically dock or you fear sea sickness. The thought of driving from place to place is not very appealing and all you really want is to relax and take in the sights and sounds of anywhere but home. What you want and need is a vacation odyssey.

Imagine the picturesque windmills and bright tulips of Holland, the gothic castles in Germany and the lush vineyards of France. Envision immersing yourself in new cultures in some of the most fascinating cities in the world, meeting new friends and enjoying continental cuisine as you gently glide through a plethora of colorful scenic landscapes bursting with folklore and tradition.

Discover European River Cruising!

Spectacular views are abundant from all over the ship and river cruises allow you to enjoy the turns and twists along the river; the hidden villages and towns along the way. The flat bottom of river ships assures smooth sailing and they dock directly in the heart of every destination, thus you can enjoy more time exploring. Your hotel room will be with you as you experience spectacular scenery, UNESCO World heritage sites, world-renowned art in famous museums, architectural gems, vineyards, and fairy tale cities. River vessels offer elegant interiors, spacious accommodations, gourmet dining and exceptional service. Couple that with panoramic views and you have a vacation made for the gods.

The Danube River is one of the most popular cruise vacations. You will view charming century old towns nestled along the fertile banks of the Danube while you gracefully travel in elegance and comfort, visiting some of Europe’s most important cultural centers. With 2,200 miles of river running from the Black Forest in Germany to the North Sea, the selection of different cruise options along this beautiful river are plentiful. The Danube is one of the most vital waterways in central and eastern Europe, traversing ten

40 countries housing four capital cities and is the only river to run east-west. You’ll treasure every moment of these cruises - the art, music and culture assure it is memorable.

Other river cruises include the world’s most romantic river, the Rhine, and its tributaries the Mosel, Main and Neckar. European history comes alive with castles and towering walls, wineries and grand snowcapped peaks. Uncover the splendor of the Normandy region of France, the birthplace of impressionism.

Its history, beauty and culture are unsurpassed; you can visit the gardens that inspired Claude Monet or walk through Richard the Lionheart’s Chateau Gaillard, explore Paris, the City of Lights with its magnificent architecture and museums or spend a day on the beach at Le Havre. The Rhone and Saone cruises give you a glimpse of southern France and outstanding ports like Avignon and Lyon. Or you could immerse yourself in the history of London, Oxford and Westminster as you cruise by the rolling hills, dense forests and country lanes of southern England on the river Thames or discover Portugal and Spain on a cruise along the Douro River Valley famous for its steep terraced vineyards of Port wine grapes. The shore excursions last from a half a day to a full day. Depending on the cruise you select, you can visit Regensburg with the oldest surviving stone bridge in Germany, Passau, the vehicle-free city of Bratislava, Amsterdam, Nurnberg, Budapest, Vienna, or Bonn, the birthplace of Ludwig von Beethoven, Antwerp, Viviers and so many more wonderful places. and sterile.

The length of a river cruise varies from 6 days to over 30 days depending on the number of countries and sites you would like to explore. Most cruising is in the spring, summer and fall but you can celebrate the holidays on cruises to visit the Christmas markets in Germany, Hungry, Slovakia, and/or Austria. There are also theme cruises such as World War II, multigenerational family-oriented, or music focused.

You will choose between two types of river cruising: barge and river cruises. Typically, the river cruise ships carry between 100 and 200 passengers while the barges are smaller and carry from only a couple guests to no more than 50. The barges have fewer amenities, less decks, and cover less territory than river cruise ships. Some companies allow you to charter the whole barge and others offer self-drive cruising.

Barges are typically all-inclusive pricing and travel within one country or region in a country and are more expensive than river ship cruising.

River cruise ships travel within the same country or to multiple countries. The ships have several decks and are long and narrow due to the size of the canal locks and bridges on the waterways. Most offer a restaurant, bar, fitness center, spa, and a few have a swimming pool, and library. Some offer lectures about the areas being traveled and provide guides who speak the native languages. As you cruise down the rivers, you can view the scenery from your cabin since most have floor to ceiling windows and even a few have balconies or enjoy the panoramic views from the ship’s upper deck.

Although there are over one hundred cruises allowing you to explore the European waterways, the ships and barges are smaller than ocean liners, so you will want to book your excursion early.

Travel the heart of Europe in grace and style while experiencing an awe-inspiring adventure, a change from the pace of everyday life and mundane vacations spots, with an ultimate European river cruise. I promise you will not even remember the chill of those winter mornings you left behind!

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The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise has truly been a wildly life changing experience for literally thousands of musicians and blues cruisers alike. We have created a “Blues Village” for all to see multiple performances, jam at will with one another, network and simply relax… for an entire week at sea.Our Blues Mecca showcases more music than you can possibly see during the voyage! Imagine dancing at the front of the pool deck stage while our luxury ship sails at 20 knots under the stars, or sunbathing on an upper deck while the bands play directly below. It’s an experience that can only be described as Bluesin’®.

Legendary’s Roger Naber, blues industry veteran of over 34 years and twice awarded “Blues Promoter of The Year” by The Blues Foundation, has selected a multitude of the most diverse and talented blues and rhythm & blues bands on the planet, plus a host of unannounced “Surprise Guests” for you to meet and enjoy. Whatever style of blues music gets your mojo workin’, you can be sure we’ve got it! Simply sailing gets you a “Backstage Pass.”

The 70-plus scheduled shows are just the beginning…

Pro Jams start the very first night, as artists interact with one another on all 5 stages often until the morning sun peeks its head over the ocean horizon. These jams are a staple of the Blues Cruise, you will never see performances like these on land!

42 There are up close and personal Artist Spotlights in which artists showcase their instruments and blues music expertise in a highly interactive workshop setting. Autograph Signings afford you the chance to meet the Stars in person, andIndustry Panels provide the ultimate in Blues Music networking.

Additionally, passengers are invited to bring their instruments to play with one another or with the pros in two selective lounges. You never know who you’ll share a stage with!

Taj Mahal, Irma Thomas, Jimmy Thackery, Elvin Bishop, Terrance Simien, Los Lobos, Marcia Ball and many others have even participated in Culinary Demos, linking the artists’ creativity and cultures to the palate in the ship’s state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center. Theme Nights and our Legendary Mardi Gras Parade at sea also add to the fun!

Whether the October Cruise gets your groove on, or our January Caribbean Voyage suits your tastes, you will have the Legendary adventure you’re expecting and then some. We have selected a variety of exotic ports that are music friendly, and of course you’ll enjoy the amenities of a five star full ship charter.

Our cruises have SOLD OUT ten years running, so we encourage you to sign up today for the best available cabin selection. Many cruisers testify that The Bluesin’ Experience is life changing!

Sailing on the Holland America MS Nieuw Amsterdam ARTIST LINEUP World Blues - Taj Mahal Trio, Bassekou Kouyate & Deva Mahal w/ Fredericks Brown

Los Lobos Eric Burdon & the Animals Elvin Bishop w/ Special Guest Roy Gaines The Lowrider Band Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue w/ Tommy Castro Band, Magic Dick, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Deanna Bogart Royal Southern Brotherhood

Colin James (Canada) Curtis Salgado / Lloyd Jones Duo Doug MacLeod Carolyn Wonderland California Honeydrops Dennis Jones The 44′s Piano Bar Hosts: Eden Brent Leon Blue Deanna Bogart Tim Williams (’14 IBC Winner) Scottie Miller Steve Willis

Randy Oxford (Jam Host) plus Special Guests!

Sailing on the Holland America MS Nieuw Amsterdam Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas & Mazatlan on the NCL Sun ON SALE: FEWER THAN 30 CABINS REMAIN… CALL (816) 753-7979 TO RESERVE YOURS NOW!