The cruise I booked for June only has two “days at sea” where you just chill on the ship, but four straight days of ports where you can do as much/little as you want on shore.

Of course, I could just sit on the beach reading a book for a week

I like cruising because I get to see four different places in a week without having to check on or out of hotels, make dinner reservations, or find entertainment options. I get to hang in San Juan all day, go eat a great meal, watch some live music, go to bed, and when I wake up, I’m in the Dominican Republic

Zip City wrote:The cruise I booked for June only has two “days at sea” where you just chill on the ship, but four straight days of ports where you can do as much/little as you want on shore.

Of course, I could just sit on the beach reading a book for a week

I like cruising because I get to see four different places in a week without having to check on or out of hotels, make dinner reservations, or find entertainment options. I get to hang in San Juan all day, go eat a great meal, watch some live music, go to bed, and when I wake up, I’m in the Dominican Republic

For what it's worth, I am with you: cruising is fun. It's the truest "vacation" I have ever enjoyed. By that I mean that I was able to let go and simply enjoy. It took a few days to arrive at that point. But on subsequent cruises I have been able to arrive at that point earlier. But perhaps I have been fortunate. Who knows.

Nobody misunderstand, though -- I am not trying to convince anyone to reconsider. We like what we like. Period. All I will say is this: For those who have not cruised, perhaps give it a try before you dismiss it. I was certain I would hate it, but I was wrong. Badly. If what Zip City described sounds good to you then you might enjoy a cruise. To me, all of that, plus the ability to see DBT 2 or 3 times, plus other great acts sounds like a blast.

I can't believe it but I am in for this. Registered for the presale. I never would have gone on my own. I saw the lineup and then the prices and that was it for me. The next day I get a text from my sister telling me to register. I said I can't afford it and she said do as I say. You see lately my rocker sister has been going to see X, the blasters, john doe, nikki lane and a lot more americana type bands. She's an empty nester and has been spreading her wings going to a lot of shows. Something I have benefited from on a few occasions. So we are in and really excited.

I have never cruised or even wanted to. But this lineup and DBT alone has me pumped. I turn 50 next year so this is my celebration.

lajakesdad wrote:I can't believe it but I am in for this. Registered for the presale. I never would have gone on my own. I saw the lineup and then the prices and that was it for me. The next day I get a text from my sister telling me to register. I said I can't afford it and she said do as I say. You see lately my rocker sister has been going to see X, the blasters, john doe, nikki lane and a lot more americana type bands. She's an empty nester and has been spreading her wings going to a lot of shows. Something I have benefited from on a few occasions. So we are in and really excited.

I have never cruised or even wanted to. But this lineup and DBT alone has me pumped. I turn 50 next year so this is my celebration.

Excellent. I think I like your sister.

A cruise sounds like he'll to me for all the reasons Iowan mentioned.

Clams wrote:

lajakesdad wrote:I can't believe it but I am in for this. Registered for the presale. I never would have gone on my own. I saw the lineup and then the prices and that was it for me. The next day I get a text from my sister telling me to register. I said I can't afford it and she said do as I say. You see lately my rocker sister has been going to see X, the blasters, john doe, nikki lane and a lot more americana type bands. She's an empty nester and has been spreading her wings going to a lot of shows. Something I have benefited from on a few occasions. So we are in and really excited.

I have never cruised or even wanted to. But this lineup and DBT alone has me pumped. I turn 50 next year so this is my celebration.

Excellent. I think I like your sister.

Early leader for sister of the year. Nice!

beantownbubba wrote:

Clams wrote:

lajakesdad wrote:I can't believe it but I am in for this. Registered for the presale. I never would have gone on my own. I saw the lineup and then the prices and that was it for me. The next day I get a text from my sister telling me to register. I said I can't afford it and she said do as I say. You see lately my rocker sister has been going to see X, the blasters, john doe, nikki lane and a lot more americana type bands. She's an empty nester and has been spreading her wings going to a lot of shows. Something I have benefited from on a few occasions. So we are in and really excited.

I have never cruised or even wanted to. But this lineup and DBT alone has me pumped. I turn 50 next year so this is my celebration.

Excellent. I think I like your sister.

Early leader for sister of the year. Nice!

PS: Have you told her about Homecoming?

lajakesdad wrote:I can't believe it but I am in for this. Registered for the presale. I never would have gone on my own. I saw the lineup and then the prices and that was it for me. The next day I get a text from my sister telling me to register. I said I can't afford it and she said do as I say. You see lately my rocker sister has been going to see X, the blasters, john doe, nikki lane and a lot more americana type bands. She's an empty nester and has been spreading her wings going to a lot of shows. Something I have benefited from on a few occasions. So we are in and really excited.

I have never cruised or even wanted to. But this lineup and DBT alone has me pumped. I turn 50 next year so this is my celebration.

That is great! I'm contemplating asking to see if the band needs a volunteer crew member for the trip

As someone who's never been on a cruise, I assume weed is mostly limited to vaping, or
is it an exercise in creativity?

Smitty wrote:

lajakesdad wrote:I can't believe it but I am in for this. Registered for the presale. I never would have gone on my own. I saw the lineup and then the prices and that was it for me. The next day I get a text from my sister telling me to register. I said I can't afford it and she said do as I say. You see lately my rocker sister has been going to see X, the blasters, john doe, nikki lane and a lot more americana type bands. She's an empty nester and has been spreading her wings going to a lot of shows. Something I have benefited from on a few occasions. So we are in and really excited.

I have never cruised or even wanted to. But this lineup and DBT alone has me pumped. I turn 50 next year so this is my celebration.

That is great! I'm contemplating asking to see if the band needs a volunteer crew member for the trip

As someone who's never been on a cruise, I assume weed is mostly limited to vaping, or
is it an exercise in creativity?

I'm not a weed smoker, but I think it would be tough to smuggle onto the ship. You are separated from your bags when you board (they are delivered to your cabin) and carry-ons are X-Ray'd TSA-style.

Most ships are completely non-smoking outside of the casino and outdoor areas, and even some of those areas (the pools, for example) are no-smoking.

If you managed to get weed on board, and you had a cabin with a balcony, I think you could get away with it (as long as another passenger doesn't report you for the smell)

Zip City wrote:

Smitty wrote:

lajakesdad wrote:I can't believe it but I am in for this. Registered for the presale. I never would have gone on my own. I saw the lineup and then the prices and that was it for me. The next day I get a text from my sister telling me to register. I said I can't afford it and she said do as I say. You see lately my rocker sister has been going to see X, the blasters, john doe, nikki lane and a lot more americana type bands. She's an empty nester and has been spreading her wings going to a lot of shows. Something I have benefited from on a few occasions. So we are in and really excited.

I have never cruised or even wanted to. But this lineup and DBT alone has me pumped. I turn 50 next year so this is my celebration.

That is great! I'm contemplating asking to see if the band needs a volunteer crew member for the trip

As someone who's never been on a cruise, I assume weed is mostly limited to vaping, or
is it an exercise in creativity?

I'm not a weed smoker, but I think it would be tough to smuggle onto the ship. You are separated from your bags when you board (they are delivered to your cabin) and carry-ons are X-Ray'd TSA-style.

Most ships are completely non-smoking outside of the casino and outdoor areas, and even some of those areas (the pools, for example) are no-smoking.

If you managed to get weed on board, and you had a cabin with a balcony, I think you could get away with it (as long as another passenger doesn't report you for the smell)

I was thinking of taping it to my nuts, but drones would work too

Smitty wrote:I was thinking of taping it to my nuts, but drones would work too

You might find some useful tips here as well from these total pros.

Iowan wrote:

Zip City wrote:I want to hear some of your cruise stories, because I've been on 10 of them and have never had a bad time

I just like space to roam when I travel. I like to go to a place and check out its culture, learn about it, meet the locals, etc. I'm also into the outdoors and like to hike, bike, canoe, etc.

A cruise just puts a bunch of man made amenities out in the ocean, and the focus is so much more on passive entertainment that you have less choice in then you would otherwise. And you can't just take off if you want.

I don't like beach vacations all that much either for similar reasons. I would personally be open to a 2-3 day cruise just to see how it actually was, but that's the maximum.

They got you covered Iowan, port of calls during the day (so you can roam, sts) and rawk till you drop every night, and no driving involved.

Zip, We never did a regular cruise but if you emjoy those I'm sure you'd have s great time on this.
Smitty, we met some people from Minnasota on the first cruise thst had cracker jack boxes full of buds so yes be creative. They had weed on every cruise and a balcony.
By the third cruise I had dragged my matress out on the balcony and that's where I slept.
We did our last cruise in 2009 came home for 2 days and then went to our first homecoming. We never went on another cruise.

The wife and I are trying to organize our babysitter ducks in a row this week in order to do this. We have never done a cruise before in lieu of beach vacations instead, however we really like the lineup and possibilities involved wit this Outlaw Country Cruise.

That would mean that we would miss our unofficial planned return to homecoming, but this seems far too tempting for us to pass on.

With the way cruise ships are set up with one main theatre and a bunch of bars and lounges, I see the possibility of getting a DBT full band set, a Patterson solo show and even a Dimmer Twins set

Zip City wrote:With the way cruise ships are set up with one main theatre and a bunch of bars and lounges, I see the possibility of getting a DBT full band set, a Patterson solo show and even a Dimmer Twins set

For sure.

At the very worst case scenario, what sucks about drinking a mojito in a pool or hot tub while listening to Margo Price or Lucinda play a set? Absolutely nothing. Maybe bowl a couple frames while the Old 97's play in the background. Get to whatever is comfortably front a center for DBT related projects. Sit down on the black jack tables for a bit. Maybe do an excursion or two when stopping in the Bahamas.
It has almost everything that late 30's me could want in a vacation at this juncture.

I've always wanted to do the Jam Cruise, however have passed because of the Wookie factor. Tons of acts on this bill that I have wanted to see and have never seen and the perfect genre of music to drink cocktails on a boat too while relaxing.

Zip City wrote:With the way cruise ships are set up with one main theatre and a bunch of bars and lounges, I see the possibility of getting a DBT full band set, a Patterson solo show and even a Dimmer Twins set

On the cruises we did, the main theater is where the 3 main acts would perform together. Skynyrd did whole sets even if it weren't a full band. I had paid to see the original band twice but both times Ronnie was to drunk to sing.
About 2 weeks before the first cruise Gary Rossington fell down some stairs and broke his face, so it was Billy Powell and 6 other guys (story in Return of the tales thred) To make it up to us Skynyrd did an accustic set by the pool. Curtis Lowe from that set is Mrs Swamps most watched video. If you wanted to talk to Billy he would be sitting in front of a slot machine when he wasn't playing. There was a little piano bar just outside the casino where band members from all the bands would jam till the sun came up. We had seen Heather Latrail on tv when she tried out for INXS but who was this guy Zak Brown, never heard of him before. but he could sure jam. I heard he stole one of Marshal Tuckers guitar players from the third cruise and got himself famos.

Swamp or Mrs. Swamp,
Is this it?

Yes it is. Hard to believe it's been almost 10 years. The bass player in that video passed away after the second cruise, cancer. He had gave me one of his picks which had a image of Leon. the mad hatter, on it.

All Heathens who plan to take the cruise must read the following before embarking, one of my favorite essays of all time (full disclosure, Annie and I are huge David Foster Wallace fans):

A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again:

Essays and Arguments is a 1997 collection of nonfiction writing by David Foster Wallace (Infinite Jest).

In the title essay, originally published in Harper's as "Shipping Out", Wallace describes the excesses of his one-week trip in the Caribbean aboard the cruise ship MV Zenith, which he rechristens the Nadir. He is [displeased with the professional hospitality industry and the "fun" he should be having and explains how the indulgences of the cruise turn him into a spoiled brat, leading to overwhelming internal despair.

https://www.amazon.com/Supposedly-Fun-T ... 0316925284

I see there's Penthouse Romance Suite available. For 3 people, interestingly.

Got the pre-sale email for 5:15 today. Most of the mid-priced rooms were gone. Picked up a room for 2 @ 3,000 all in.

DBT is playing three shows . . . but the cruise is sold out.

I went way back on this board lopking for am old thread of mine and couldm't find it but since DBT is the reason we went on our first cruze and the guy in this story is always trying to sell me on xm spicificly outlaw country (he gits really upset when i tell him I used to could go to s gas station and get free air) so i"ll put it here. from time to time I like to play practical jokes onthis guy. He had picture of him and that guy who invented the internet on his wall. So when that guy ran for president I would put Bush signs in his yard at night. He knew it was me and he would always call me up the next day and tell me I was an asshole, which for some reason would always mwke me chuckle. He also has a plaqe on his wall from the DEA for turning over a couch full of cocaine and money he found.
We were on the last cruze we went on and I called him up and told him Doug Gray wanted to talk to him. Then I put Marina on the phone who inpersonated Doug. I guess she did a good job cause whe we got back he was so tickled. He had told all his friend and i just didn't have the heart to tell him any diffrrant. A year or so later we hsd gone up to Athens to see Patterdon and Redneck Greek. I called him amd let him talk to Shonna. When she handed the phone back to me she had a very strange look on her face. I never did that again but I did try to convince my fsvorite Mexican waiter to call him and tell him he was El Chopo.

So it turns out I am not going on this cruise. The offer was too good to be true. My sister's offer and excitement changed after she discussed with her husband. I wasn't able to afford the tickets so I had to pass. They are still going and keep telling me how excited they are. (not DBT fans) It made for some uncomfortable moments during the holidays but I can be a smart ass. Oh well it wasn't meant to be.

Anyone getting to Tampa the night before the cruise might want to check out the Alt country Hoedown @ Skippers Smokehouse (sorry I can’t do that link thing). We went to the one they had before the cruise left Tampa 2 years ago & it was a ton of fun. This show has OCC performers Reckless Kelly, Nikki Lane, Dale Watson & Jason Williams.

lajakesdad wrote:So it turns out I am not going on this cruise. The offer was too good to be true. My sister's offer and excitement changed after she discussed with her husband. I wasn't able to afford the tickets so I had to pass. They are still going and keep telling me how excited they are. (not DBT fans) It made for some uncomfortable moments during the holidays but I can be a smart ass. Oh well it wasn't meant to be.

Huh. Families. So sorry, LAJ.

The schedule is up. Wasn't expecting PH and Cooley solo. Plus Lucinda doing Dirt Wheels ... album. Sweet.

Vincent wrote:The schedule is up. Wasn't expecting PH and Cooley solo. Plus Lucinda doing Dirt Wheels ... album. Sweet.

Lu does ‘Car Wheels’ @ same time as DBT pool show. Another scheduling snafu.

Slipkid42 wrote:
Lu does ‘Car Wheels’ @ same time as DBT pool show. Another scheduling snafu.

You'd think, the cruise people, after doing these cruises for at least 12 years or so they'd figure this shit out. I remember leaving a Drivin n Cryin show at one end of the boat just to make it to the other end in time for FREEBIRD.