REVIEW: VH1 Best Cruise Ever II – April 28, 2011 - Carnival Inspiration

[echo]

One EskimO is one of my favorite bands. I really thought about this cruise. I would have been disappionted that the lead singer didnt make it. Even though the entire band is really talented. Glad someone had a review of the cruise.

[dacsmom]

I loved your review, thanks for the memories. It was indeed the best cruise ever. I enjoyed all the bands. They mingled with all the guests and seemed to enjoy meeting their fans. I was happy to see that most fans were respectful and nothing I saw really got out of hand. I was also surprised to see all the blue cards of first time cruisers, maybe they will be hooked on cruising as I am. FYI the group of seniors were from a retirement community. I was sitting by one of their tables at breakfast and overheard one person saying she liked the music, but it was so loud. They were out and about early in the morning, but not seen much at night.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... FYI the group of seniors were from a retirement community. I was sitting by one of their tables at breakfast and overheard one person saying she liked the music, but it was so loud. They were out and about early in the morning, but not seen much at night.

 

Interesting!

 

The only time I felt it was too loud was during part of Mat Kearney's show in the main lounge... OUCH!! I actually somewhat blocked my ears (trying not to be obvious)!! :o

 

Tom

[kte28]

Just wanted to share this. One of the VH1 hosts of the cruise put together this little slide show. My favorite picture of all MIGHT be the last one. ;)

 

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2011-05-14/for-your-consideration-the-2011-vh1-best-cruise-ever/

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just wanted to share this. One of the VH1 hosts of the cruise put together this little slide show. My favorite picture of all MIGHT be the last one. ;)

 

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2011-05-14/for-your-consideration-the-2011-vh1-best-cruise-ever/

 

 

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR... :D

 

Tom

[DarthGrady]

Wow Tom, awesome review and pics!!! That cruise sounds sweet!

[Ace33]

This is a little late, but I love that you were down the hall from me, at the same shows and I am even in some of your pictures, yet I don't remember seeing you :)

I'm glad you enjoyed Ryan Star, he is a sweetheart and part of the reason we booked. My brother in law was the tambourine guy up on stage with him that first night :)Glad you had the best cruise ever, I did too!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

This is a little late, but I love that you were down the hall from me, at the same shows and I am even in some of your pictures, yet I don't remember seeing you :)

...

 

I try not to stand out too much! :D

 

...

I'm glad you enjoyed Ryan Star, he is a sweetheart and part of the reason we booked. My brother in law was the tambourine guy up on stage with him that first night :)Glad you had the best cruise ever, I did too!

 

I recall the tambourine guy (he did a great job)! I've never see Ryan before, and was looking forward to hearing "Right Now", though I don't know why I never hear it on The Pulse (Sirius)... oh well! Loved that intimate setting/show!

 

Tom

[OHS81]

Tom & Cheryl...have your ears been burning? :p I've been talking about you two to several crusin' people that are just taking like their 2nd or 3rd cruise. I told them to check out if on their cruise with Carnival if the could do the Chef's Dinner (thats what it was called right?) I was so disappointed I hadn't heard of it sooner. Loved it. I suggest it to everyone :D. Eating in that Galley was such a great experience.

 

I see Don & Colleen have posted on here ~ did they go on this too? What an AMAZING FUN FUN time ~ Count us in for the next VH1!!! Keep me posted :) No cabins with falling panels though okay? ;)

 

I'll of course be sharing this thread ~ wonderful job.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Tom & Cheryl...have your ears been burning? :p I've been talking about you two to several crusin' people that are just taking like their 2nd or 3rd cruise. I told them to check out if on their cruise with Carnival if the could do the Chef's Dinner (thats what it was called right?) I was so disappointed I hadn't heard of it sooner. Loved it. I suggest it to everyone :D. Eating in that Galley was such a great experience.

 

I see Don & Colleen have posted on here ~ did they go on this too? What an AMAZING FUN FUN time ~ Count us in for the next VH1!!! Keep me posted :) No cabins with falling panels though okay? ;)

 

I'll of course be sharing this thread ~ wonderful job.

 

:D Yep - no falling panels! :D

 

Colleen and Brian were not on this one - in fact we met ZERO CC'ers on this sailing.

 

As soon as Sixthman posts the info (or sends me an email) I will post it on this thread... next couple of months I suppose.

 

Someone, somewhere out there has a cruise booked - but will be KICKED OFF when Sixthman makes its final plans!!!

 

Tom

[Silverman]

I have to look into one of these! Im old and I dont care!! I love live music! Anything but rap! I draw the line with that. Dont get me started with KR. Dont like him never will. Anyway Sixthman is putting a cruise on with KISS!!!!! I am dying over this! My favorite band of all time and I cant go! Really disappointing!! You think all the music you heard was loud? Wait till KISS brings down the walls!! Not sure if anyone will have any hearing left after they hit the stage! Thanks for the report! Wish I could have been there! Now if they ever book Volbeat I will beg, borrow or steal to be there!!!!! 4 days of Volbeat! I would be in heaven!!!!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

 

Being a Platinum guest brings with it certain perks. All were in place for this sailing, save one. Since Sixthman essentially gets to dictate all entertainment (and associated) activities for the full 4 days, the casino did not have any tournaments (BJ or Slots). Of course who could find the time for that anyway! Nonetheless, it was stated on the (Platinum) letter in our stateroom upon embarkation that a free entry was part of the deal. It was not until the last day of the cruise that I was finally able to learn that for our trip later this month on the Valor we would each be receiving TWO tournament entry cards. That works for me… perfectly!

...

 

 

I would like to add in a follow-up:

 

On the Valor they had two BJ tournaments. Since we had four entry cards, I was planning on using TWO to attempt to qualify for the first one, and the last two for the second. It worked out perfectly! For the first tournament, it was the second card which locked in my seat in the finals. I was chip leader through the 5th hand, then a couple of lucky blackjacks (which pay double) to other players left me in 3rd place.

 

For the second tournament, it was again the second card which locked in my appearance in the finals. It was a closer chip game, but a double in the end which gave me 21 did the trick. I now have 4 (or is it 5?) Ships-on-a-Stick thanks to BJ!!! :cool:

 

To top that I had huge success at the non-tournament tables, making this cruise quite profitable (I wish they all were like that)!!

 

WOO HOO!! :D

 

Tom

[sjn911]

Late to this review..WOW..and thanks..what a great time!!!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Late to this review..WOW..and thanks..what a great time!!!

 

My pleasure!

 

I see that Sixthman has their Kid Rock cruise next year in the same time frame where the last two VH1 sailings have been. I hope that it's just a matter of shifted dates, rather than no option for a VH1 BCE III !!! :eek:

 

I received this email from them a couple of weeks ago. Not sure what they mean with the "to see where we go from here" comment... :confused:

 

 

FINGERS CROSSED!

 

Tom

[OHS81]

Just snoopin.....checking if there were any updates :)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just snoopin.....checking if there were any updates :)

 

Unfortunately, no updates yet... fingers REALLY crossed now! :eek:

 

Tom

[kte28]

I hate to say it, but I don't think BCE 2012 is happening. Of course I hope I am completely and terribly wrong, but it doesn't look good. Last year we had a Save the Date email by now. Also, I had a friend who's been on the last two with me, and people have been emailing Sixthman asking for info and the response has been: "No immediate plan are in the works. We'll let you know." :( I'm SO sad. Both cruises were amazing.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I hate to say it, but I don't think BCE 2012 is happening. Of course I hope I am completely and terribly wrong, but it doesn't look good. Last year we had a Save the Date email by now. Also, I had a friend who's been on the last two with me, and people have been emailing Sixthman asking for info and the response has been: "No immediate plan are in the works. We'll let you know." :( I'm SO sad. Both cruises were amazing.

 

I tend to agree - I have been in touch with them a couple of times over the last several weeks and heard little that encouraged me. Their choice of words leads me to believe that either it won't be happening, or perhaps it won't be associated with VH1.

 

Looking at ALL their other types of charted sailings, I will say that NONE of them are of sufficient interest to me to pay the kind of premium that is being charged. The line-up they had for 2011 was very strong. Perhaps they should team up with SIRIUS radio and have a PULSE cruise!!

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

HERE is the final answer for 2012... (wiping eyes): :(

 

 

 

Tom

[kte28]

I know. :( While I had a feeling, it was still tough to hear.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I know. :( While I had a feeling, it was still tough to hear.

 

Well - at least you had the opportunity to enjoy TWO BCE's, were we only walked in that river once!

 

Tom

[bguppies]

Stinks that the VH1 Cruise got cancelled......

There was a few bands on the last two cruises that I liked.

 

Anybody know anything about the MSC Poesia????

 

I'm looking at this music cruise......

 

http://monstersofrockcruise.com/

 

This is a solid lineup, if 80's metal is still your taste.

 

http://monstersofrockcruise.com/monsters-of-rock-cruise-artists/

 

For someone who was in High School and College in the 80's this looks like an amazing cruise.:D

 

Bill

[Caliber1]

That looks pretty interesting. Never sailed MSC either.

 

Stinks that the VH1 Cruise got cancelled......

There was a few bands on the last two cruises that I liked.

 

Anybody know anything about the MSC Poesia????

 

I'm looking at this music cruise......

 

http://monstersofrockcruise.com/

 

This is a solid lineup, if 80's metal is still your taste.

 

http://monstersofrockcruise.com/monsters-of-rock-cruise-artists/

 

For someone who was in High School and College in the 80's this looks like an amazing cruise.:D

 

Bill

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Stinks that the VH1 Cruise got cancelled......

There was a few bands on the last two cruises that I liked.

 

Anybody know anything about the MSC Poesia????

 

I'm looking at this music cruise......

 

http://monstersofrockcruise.com/

 

This is a solid lineup, if 80's metal is still your taste.

 

http://monstersofrockcruise.com/monsters-of-rock-cruise-artists/

 

For someone who was in High School and College in the 80's this looks like an amazing cruise.:D

 

Bill

 

I took a look at the lineup - I only recognize 3 of those bands. I graduated HS in 1980 and enjoy a wide range of music. Couldn't see going on a metal cruise - nor the KISS cruise that Sixthman is putting together. My guess is that the $$ it takes to hire CURRENT and POPULAR acts played a role in their profits (or lack thereof). They can likely get a lot of the artists they have on their other chartered sailings for a song and a dance - comparatively!!

 

I did not mind ONE BIT paying quite the premium to sail with the talent they had on this last one - but some of these others, they would have to PAY ME to go! :eek:

 

OH WELL!

 

Tom

[Cruize Crazy]

Tom,

 

I agree that it may be expensive to hire Train, Lifehouse and the Script. However, I am willing to pay a few hundred more per person as compared to their other sailings (Rock Boat) with the lesser named artists. Perhaps we are in the minority.

 

I believe Train is planning their own cruise this spring. Maybe they will book similar artists to join them.

 

Herb