So that was our cruise in a nutshell. It was truly fantastic - we both had a great time. Well, mostly - what hasn't been mentioned is that Kim was not feeling well from Tuesday on. She was a trooper and participated much as she could. I felt bad for her - and felt bad about leaving her alone in the room while I went out and played. But despite that, it was awesome - wonderfully relaxing, fantastic music, super fan opportunities. I will definitely be there next year for Ships & Dip V - and invite all of you to come along! Clear here for more info.
I will end with some of my videos.
Brothers Creegan singing "Polliwog in a Bog" from the new kids CD.
Steve and Ed dancing to "If I Had $1,000,000"
Ed talking about a track on the new kids CD.
Griffin House
BNL playing "Hello City" with former member, Andy Creegan
Tyler singing "Brandy" with Guster
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Thursday - The End
Thursday morning started with the alarm going off and me saying "Oh my gosh! Kim! It's 9 AM already!" When you have an inside stateroom, the line between day and night fades and it's very easy to sleep all day! This was a day at sea, so we didn't need to head out for an excursion, but there was a lot to do on the ship, so we needed to get going! First on my agenda was yoga with Jim Creegan, BNL bassist. I dropped Kim off on the Lido deck and headed up to the uppermost deck, right under the goofy red and blue "tail". There were about 100 of us squished in on our cruise beach towels - when we went down into Cobra, I had to twist my upper body so that the toes of the guy in front on me weren't in my nose! It was pretty cool doing yoga outside and looking up into the clear blue sky! Next was "Meet the Managers", a chance to ask questions of BNL's 4 managers. It was pretty interesting - people asked questions about ticket prices, fan club pre-sales, how they decide where to tour, etc. One guy asked if the group might tone down their language at concerts now that they are releasing a children's album - everyone else nearly had a fot over this and I urged the woman in front of me to respond, which she did quite eloquently.
I found Kim on the deck - we had lunch and then headed back out to the deck. I actually managed to read... in between naps... It's so hard when the sun is above and you are stretched out on a lounge chair... Actually, it was not at all hot, and the sun kept disappearing behind clouds - when it did, it was almost chilly! After our exhausting afternoon, I showered and we headed to the final Griffin House show. We thought we might print out our boarding passes first but there was a line 30 minutes before the show was to start - crazy! We waited in line so we could get a seat, and the wait was well worth it! It was an incredibly intimate show, and his gorgeous lyrics were perfectly showcased. I had caught a bit of his show on Tuesday, and Kim highly recommended his music - I am now a fan! After the show, Kim left me to shower and pack and I intended to head to the computer lounge, but I was distracted by "If I Had $1,000,000" coming from the dining room. I thought it might be the waiters at the early dinner seating doing another "show" - I think that was the plan, but no one was up on the stands... until Steve and Ed made their way down and helped each up on one. While we sang, they slow danced, bumped and grinded and chicken danced to their most familiar hit. It was a hoot!
At dinner, we met our new friends Kendra and Marc (by now this is getting to be a bit Seinfeldian - Kim and I were so proud that we made friends on the cruise and started obsessively looking for them on the boat!) and chatted longer than our waiters would have liked. They played $1,000,000 at our dinner but no Ed and Steve. :-( At long last, it was time for our BIG BNL show. We had seats on the floor, but in row P under the balcony. Eww! Our new pals were in H so we made our way up to them in the aisle and, uh, never really left. We had a great spot to view the show! It was probably one of the best BNL concerts I have seen - the guys were having a blast playing for a very appreciative crowd. They announced that there would in fact be a cruise next year and Kim, Marc, Kendra and I made a pact to be there
Despite needing to pack, I headed up to the Lido deck one last time to watch the major jam session between all the artists. As I mentioned in a previous post, this went on and on and I finally threw in the towel at 4 AM. I later heard someone say that they ended when they were told the lights visible on the horizon were Miami
Some pics
We decided to get "official" pictures taken... although the photographer really wanted us to be serious!
Me and my pal Mitch
Yoga with Jim
Jim and sweaty Jenn
With our new friends at the concert
BNL in concert
Jam session on the Lido deck
I found Kim on the deck - we had lunch and then headed back out to the deck. I actually managed to read... in between naps... It's so hard when the sun is above and you are stretched out on a lounge chair... Actually, it was not at all hot, and the sun kept disappearing behind clouds - when it did, it was almost chilly! After our exhausting afternoon, I showered and we headed to the final Griffin House show. We thought we might print out our boarding passes first but there was a line 30 minutes before the show was to start - crazy! We waited in line so we could get a seat, and the wait was well worth it! It was an incredibly intimate show, and his gorgeous lyrics were perfectly showcased. I had caught a bit of his show on Tuesday, and Kim highly recommended his music - I am now a fan! After the show, Kim left me to shower and pack and I intended to head to the computer lounge, but I was distracted by "If I Had $1,000,000" coming from the dining room. I thought it might be the waiters at the early dinner seating doing another "show" - I think that was the plan, but no one was up on the stands... until Steve and Ed made their way down and helped each up on one. While we sang, they slow danced, bumped and grinded and chicken danced to their most familiar hit. It was a hoot!
At dinner, we met our new friends Kendra and Marc (by now this is getting to be a bit Seinfeldian - Kim and I were so proud that we made friends on the cruise and started obsessively looking for them on the boat!) and chatted longer than our waiters would have liked. They played $1,000,000 at our dinner but no Ed and Steve. :-( At long last, it was time for our BIG BNL show. We had seats on the floor, but in row P under the balcony. Eww! Our new pals were in H so we made our way up to them in the aisle and, uh, never really left. We had a great spot to view the show! It was probably one of the best BNL concerts I have seen - the guys were having a blast playing for a very appreciative crowd. They announced that there would in fact be a cruise next year and Kim, Marc, Kendra and I made a pact to be there
Despite needing to pack, I headed up to the Lido deck one last time to watch the major jam session between all the artists. As I mentioned in a previous post, this went on and on and I finally threw in the towel at 4 AM. I later heard someone say that they ended when they were told the lights visible on the horizon were Miami
Some pics
We decided to get "official" pictures taken... although the photographer really wanted us to be serious!
Me and my pal Mitch
Yoga with Jim
Jim and sweaty Jenn
With our new friends at the concert
BNL in concert
Jam session on the Lido deck
Friday, February 1, 2008
Wednesday and Jamaica
Wednesday started really early - too early - and we had to scoot to get to our excursion - swimming with the dolphins, climbing Dunn's River Falls and shopping. It was a bit overcast but still warm. We were divided into groups, put into lifejackets and assigned a dolphin. Ours was Mitch. We got into the water with our group and had the most amazing time swimming and playing with Mitch. Of course, pictures and video were taken, and we bought them all!
In our group were Kendra and Mark, a couple from the Bay Area who became our cruise friends. We went to Dunn's River Falls after the dolphins and were again in a group with them to climb the falls. The guides had us hold hands and climb the 600 foot falls in a single file, which has got to be the most inefficient and unsafe way to do this! We later hypothesized that it was really just a way to keep groups together so the video guy could easily capture the group on film, and it also provided MANY opportunities for photo ops, all of which were available for purchase at the end. It was still a neat climb, although I think I would rather do it without the guide.
Kim and I skipped the shopping part of the trip and headed back to the boat. We got dry clothes on and took a nap, although I tried to disguise mine as "reading". I was on the indoor pool deck all snuggy in my hoody and fell asleep after 2 pages.
After our nap, we headed out to watch Oakhurst play as we sailed away from Ocho Rios. Unfortunately, about 3 songs in it started to pour so we headed in while the guys covered the equipment and took cover. It was time for a shower and the Pajama Party! I think the whole cruise should have been a Pajama Party - it was sooooo comfortable! On our way dinner, we ran into Ed and asked him for a picture. He kindly obliged and I died a little. We meet our new friends in line for dinner and sat with them. We were again treated to our waiters dancing to a loud dance remix of something.
I watched another Brothers Creegan show, this time in the Atrium on the smallest stage on the ship. They managed to cram a baby grand, stand up bass, small drum kit and 5 musicians on it! It was a great show - better than the first one I saw earlier. To wrap up the night, I watched Steve's solo gig, Vanity Project, which was much better than I expected. Unfortunately, after 4 days of jamming with every group on the ship, Steve was losing his voice - not a good sign for our big concert the next night!
Some more pics:
Welcome to Ocho Rios! Or as BNL say, Welcome Tochorios!
In our group were Kendra and Mark, a couple from the Bay Area who became our cruise friends. We went to Dunn's River Falls after the dolphins and were again in a group with them to climb the falls. The guides had us hold hands and climb the 600 foot falls in a single file, which has got to be the most inefficient and unsafe way to do this! We later hypothesized that it was really just a way to keep groups together so the video guy could easily capture the group on film, and it also provided MANY opportunities for photo ops, all of which were available for purchase at the end. It was still a neat climb, although I think I would rather do it without the guide.
Kim and I skipped the shopping part of the trip and headed back to the boat. We got dry clothes on and took a nap, although I tried to disguise mine as "reading". I was on the indoor pool deck all snuggy in my hoody and fell asleep after 2 pages.
After our nap, we headed out to watch Oakhurst play as we sailed away from Ocho Rios. Unfortunately, about 3 songs in it started to pour so we headed in while the guys covered the equipment and took cover. It was time for a shower and the Pajama Party! I think the whole cruise should have been a Pajama Party - it was sooooo comfortable! On our way dinner, we ran into Ed and asked him for a picture. He kindly obliged and I died a little. We meet our new friends in line for dinner and sat with them. We were again treated to our waiters dancing to a loud dance remix of something.
I watched another Brothers Creegan show, this time in the Atrium on the smallest stage on the ship. They managed to cram a baby grand, stand up bass, small drum kit and 5 musicians on it! It was a great show - better than the first one I saw earlier. To wrap up the night, I watched Steve's solo gig, Vanity Project, which was much better than I expected. Unfortunately, after 4 days of jamming with every group on the ship, Steve was losing his voice - not a good sign for our big concert the next night!
Some more pics:
Welcome to Ocho Rios! Or as BNL say, Welcome Tochorios!
Getting the dolphins ready for us
Oakhurst, before the rain. For once we had a good spot on the deck, too!!
Kim, Ed and Jenn
Brothers Creegan
Vanity Project
Another towel creature - we have no idea what this was!
Pictures are working!
OK - looks like I can get pics to post here. Here's some more:
Jenn and Kim in the elevator.
Jenn and Kim being blown away on the Lido deck watching a concert at night.
Jenn and Kim going to see the sting rays.
Tyler and Ed discussing the songs on their upcoming children's CD.
Towel creature made by our room steward - we think it's a pig??
Guster in concert
Jenn and Kim having beer (in our S&D III) coozies) and pizza at midnight - because we could!
Arriving in Grand Cayman
Kim driving the boat to the stingrays.
Oooooh! Stingrays in the water! Freaky!
Kissing a stingray
Holding a stingray - the guide was telling me to relax, and I'm, like, buddy - I am as relaxed as I will be with a STINGRAY IN MY ARMS!!
Kim and Jenn and the boat. There were 7 ships in Grand Cayman that day.
The Carnival Victory from our tender back to the boat.
Great Big Sea in concert sailing from Grand Cayman.
Ed on the stage with Great Big Sea in his speedo.
Jenn and Kim in the elevator.
Jenn and Kim being blown away on the Lido deck watching a concert at night.
Jenn and Kim going to see the sting rays.
Tyler and Ed discussing the songs on their upcoming children's CD.
Towel creature made by our room steward - we think it's a pig??
Guster in concert
Jenn and Kim having beer (in our S&D III) coozies) and pizza at midnight - because we could!
Arriving in Grand Cayman
Kim driving the boat to the stingrays.
Oooooh! Stingrays in the water! Freaky!
Kissing a stingray
Holding a stingray - the guide was telling me to relax, and I'm, like, buddy - I am as relaxed as I will be with a STINGRAY IN MY ARMS!!
Kim and Jenn and the boat. There were 7 ships in Grand Cayman that day.
The Carnival Victory from our tender back to the boat.
Great Big Sea in concert sailing from Grand Cayman.
Ed on the stage with Great Big Sea in his speedo.
Back on Land
Well, sorry for the silence the past few days. We have just been waaaaay too busy to find time to post! We have debarked the ship and are in Miami airport waiting for our flights, which are 4 hours from now... I am hoping that the airport has a better internet connection than the ship and will try to catch up the blog.
It was a bit of a rushed morning - I didn't get to bed until 4:30 AM after watching the major jam session of every band member on the cruise up on the Lido deck. It was a bit of a hoot as they basically sang a chorus or verse or two to every song from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's to a steady backbeat of percussion and guitar strumming. From the Who to Duran Duran to Sesame Street - every one had the opportunity to be "honored". They were still going strong after 2 hours when I decided I really needed to get to bed.
The fine plan Kim and I laid out for the morning went down the drain when we were awakened by the woman over the loudspeaker at 7 AM telling us to begin debarkation. I was just half-packed and needed to shower. Kim was more packed, but still - the plan was to get up at 8, eat breakfast at 9 and leave the boat around 10 to get to the airport in time for our 2 PM flights. We scrambled out - and weren't the only ones confused about the rush to debark - and here we sit.
I am going to try to upload some old pictures here - hopefully this will work this time!
Ed doing a fan photo before we left Miami. Yup, it was pretty much this way the whole cruise - see 'em in the halls, on the stairs, say "hi", get your picture taken, totally normal...
The reason for the delay in leaving Miami? Loading the equipment for 20 bands from the dock to the upper deck of the ship using one crane...
Getting ready for the opening concert. I was able to move up a bit when the opened up another section.
The opening concert.
Sunset in Miami as we leave the port - finally!
It was a bit of a rushed morning - I didn't get to bed until 4:30 AM after watching the major jam session of every band member on the cruise up on the Lido deck. It was a bit of a hoot as they basically sang a chorus or verse or two to every song from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's to a steady backbeat of percussion and guitar strumming. From the Who to Duran Duran to Sesame Street - every one had the opportunity to be "honored". They were still going strong after 2 hours when I decided I really needed to get to bed.
The fine plan Kim and I laid out for the morning went down the drain when we were awakened by the woman over the loudspeaker at 7 AM telling us to begin debarkation. I was just half-packed and needed to shower. Kim was more packed, but still - the plan was to get up at 8, eat breakfast at 9 and leave the boat around 10 to get to the airport in time for our 2 PM flights. We scrambled out - and weren't the only ones confused about the rush to debark - and here we sit.
I am going to try to upload some old pictures here - hopefully this will work this time!
Ed doing a fan photo before we left Miami. Yup, it was pretty much this way the whole cruise - see 'em in the halls, on the stairs, say "hi", get your picture taken, totally normal...
The reason for the delay in leaving Miami? Loading the equipment for 20 bands from the dock to the upper deck of the ship using one crane...
Getting ready for the opening concert. I was able to move up a bit when the opened up another section.
The opening concert.
Sunset in Miami as we leave the port - finally!
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