Amazing Highlights from 2015
Jay and the Americans
Well, we’re all back home now…we’ve unpacked our bags and dusted off our winter coats, taken the powder blue tuxedo to the cleaners and boxed up the saddle shoes…but the amazing week of fun, sun and unforgettable music that filled the 2015 Malt Shop Memories Cruise is still fresh in our minds. The cruise gets bigger and better each year, and this year’s voyage took us to fantastic new heights.
The Four Tops
We’re still reliving all of the once-in-a-lifetime moments that captivated us throughout the cruise: Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell doing comedy sketches together during the Tribute to Dick Clark and American Bandstand. Neil Sedaka debuting two new songs onboard exclusively for cruise guests – it was the very first time he had performed either of them in public. Frankie Avalon showing us how to make his famous Crab Marinara! An intimate lunch with Little Anthony and again with Chubby Checker. And, of course, wine tasting with Lou Christie and Jerry Blavat.
Dancin' the Night Away at the Sock Hop
It all started with a bang. No sooner had the majestic Holland America Line m/s Eurodam pulled out of port in Fort Lauderdale than the fun began. We kicked things off with a giant sail away dance party on the deck led by our emcee extraordinaire Jerry Blavat, followed by Chubby Checker taking the stage with the first of many unbelievable performances by all of the Malt Shop superstars. One of the greatest showmen in the business, Chubby Checker’s opening night performances on The Malt Shop Memories Cruise are still the talk of the Caribbean. Fans jumped up onstage to twist the night away and show off their very best Hucklebuck during the concerts. What a sight to behold, as everyone danced and sang their way into the night.
The greatest Elvis Tribute Artists in the world held court at the Ocean Bar’s Karaoke microphone before heading up to kick off their own show later that same night in the Crow’s Nest - the first of many Elvis sightings in the Crow’s Nest that week. Neil Sedaka was interviewed for All Access Live in front of - you guessed it – a live audience. The Emotions took us back with some good ol’ acapella, George Trullinger and Tim Stamper were amazing as The Buddy Holly and Big Bopper Show and Gary U.S. Bonds rocked and rolled into the night. Did we mention that was only the first day?
More, more and even more followed. Sha Na Na headlined the best Sock Hop in Malt Shop Memories Cruise history and Bobby Rydell hosted a blackjack tournament. We danced under the stars, visited Aruba, Curacao, and Half Moon Cay, hula hooped and got all dolled up for the prom. Days and nights were filled with concerts so unbelievably fun, even the artists had a ball. Can you believe we got to see Neil Sedaka, Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell all on one ship? We also had Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Coasters and Barbara Harris & The Toys, Lou Christie, Darlene Love and The Four Tops, Jay and the Americans, The Brooklyn Reunion, Little Anthony and Sonny Turner…it seemed like every time we turned around, we ran into a superstar and saw another fantastic show by one of them.
There were new additions to the fun and activities this year such as comedians Tom Dreesen and Stewie Stone who were hilarious. Stewie had everybody in stitches, including the other Going, Going, Gonged show celebrity judges Little Anthony and Jerry Blavat, with his one-liners. More game shows and challenging music trivia by Hitmakers. Fans got to play Family Feud (which got a little bit racy but still fun for all) with Cher and Bill Medley and the Marriage Game with The Coasters.
You never knew who would show up to the late night Piano Bar sing-a-longs with Jimmy Maddox and the Elvis Tribute Artists. There was non-stop motion at the Lido Pool on sea days - dance classes led by the man himself Jerry Blavat, a hula hoop contest, celebrity-led ping pong tournaments, the most music we have ever offered and don’t forget the dancing! If you were sun-soaked, you could step inside and play a round of bingo, participate in a Q&A, play in 2 celebrity blackjack tournaments or compete against the Blues Brothers speed at the slot tournament, enjoy a happy hour or catch a matinee concert in the Mainstage.
But the multiple autograph sessions were the undisputed fan favorites of the entire cruise. Guests shared memories, photos and laughs with the artists, who spent hours happily signing away.
Jason Venner interviews Frankie Avalon
The 2015 Malt Shop Memories Cruise also reinvented our live TV show, All Access Pass, introducing Jason Venner as the new host. A veteran Cruise Director, Jason’s interviews were fascinating and, for the first time, this show allowed the audience to ask questions. The interviews took on a life of their own when audience questions were presented to Neil Sedaka, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Little Anthony, Darlene Love, Lou Christie and Chubby Checker about their lives and careers.
Even the amazing Holland America Line staff got into the spirit of the Malt Shop era by dressing up in their finest poodle skirts and leather jackets to greet you for the Mainstage shows every night.
Are we the only ones counting down the days until the next Malt Shop Memories Cruise? (11 months for those keeping track!)