Band voyage! Music stars board cruise ships for fun in key of sea
Sunday, November 1, 2009 -
Scrreeeeech!
For your listening pleasure, the soundtrack aboard Carnival Destiny next May will be industrial-metal rock.
It’s courtesy of the Genitorturers, stars of the five-night Devils & Dolls Cruise from Miami on May 8.
“Interaction with fans will be on a daily basis. One just might end up in the pool with the Genitorturers,” says cruise promoter Zaida Brown of All Genre Travel in Hilliard, Ohio.
But that’s not all.
In the next few months, Kid Rock and his rowdy legions will set sail on Carnival Inspiration. Gospel will boom to the heavens on Norwegian Sky. Bluegrass will twang on Oasis of the Seas. New Kids on the Block will croon on Carnival Imagination. Smooth jazz will soothe on Holland America Noordam.
What kind of music goes with cruising?
All kinds.
“The fact that album sales aren’t what they used to be means that bands and promoters are looking for different ways for the bands and fans to connect,” says Cherie Weinstein, vice president of group business development for Carnival Cruise Lines.
She sees bigger and bigger acts willing to set sail with fans.
Kristen Gregory of Ann Arbor, Mich., has been on a trio of cruises since 2007 featuring the group Barenaked Ladies.
“Even with BNL headlining all three cruises, there were tons of different bands on board and concerts running all day and all night,” says Gregory, 30. “The great perk of music cruises is discovering new bands that I like.”
The only downside?
“I was exhausted when I got back.”
Irish. Jam band. Blues. Bluegrass. Goth. Rock. Pop. Classical. Urban gospel. Jazz. Christian. Gay country-western.
Even fish in the sea have to feel the beat with all the music pulsing above.


