Malt Shop Memories Cruise: Back to the 60s
The author with one of her music heroes from her high school days, Chubby Checker, who took part in the Malt Shop Memories Cruise
My friends called me brave and said it was a bold move they wouldn't have the guts to do, but I knew I did.
I booked a Malt Shop Memories Cruise last spring and was going solo. My husband didn't dance and was too ill to travel. But he was excited for me and wanted to see the itinerary. While he was in the hospital, I sent him pictures of me modeling my poodle skirt. I was looking forward to telling him all about the cruise when I returned. Sadly, he passed away, and I boldly went single. My friends thought I would "twist the night away," into some strangers's arms, but I just wanted to have fun.
I packed my pink poodle skirt, my Frankie Avalon 45 of "Gingerbread," and a few others, (to wear as a necklace), crazy '60s glasses, and a mindset of "I'm going to have a blast."
Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Neil Sedaka. Oh, my!
It was a rock and roll cruise hosted by Jerry Blavat, with a lineup of celebrities that would make anyone's head spin, and I was thrilled to join the festivities. This was the music from my days at Northeast High School in Philadelphia (Class of '68) and the songs brought back memories of dates, proms, circle pins, ladybug pins in our Weejuns, and broken hearts.
Waiting at the Philadelphia airport for my flight to Florida, I saw Chubby Checker sitting quietly in the waiting area. My heart began to pound, because I had always wanted to do the Twist with C.C. - and told my husband I was going to on this cruise. He was sweet and we chatted for a while.
I didn't know a soul on the cruise, or so I thought. I met new friends from Colorado, Canada, and Australia, and ran into old friends from 30 years ago who recognized me, they said, because "you look the same." What an ego boost!
The first morning brought a surprise. I did not get off the ship to see the stars' private island. I put on my bathing suit and, with my fresh spray tan, went out to the pool. I looked down at my very orange legs. Ooops. I went into the pool, where the "tan" ran down my legs and into the water. I was laughing too hard to be embarrassed. Floating in the pool was one of my high school idols, Neil Sedaka. I hope he didn't turn orange.
It was a trip to remember. I had dinner with Bobby Rydell and his wife, and he can still sing very well. I had lunch with Little Anthony, who also has great pipes, like he did in the '60s. Wine-tasting with Blavat and Lou Christie was another treat. Dancing with "Screaming Scott Simon" from Sha Na Na was fabulous and fun. Going backstage to meet the stars . . . I was feeling like a groupie.
During the cruise, the stars mingled with passengers. There were photo ops and autograph signings all throughout the ship during those memorable seven days.
The Holland America cruise ship, which sailed from Fort Lauderdale, stopped in Aruba and Curacao.
I brought books to read and didn't have the time to read one. There were shows, interviews, and cooking classes with the celebrities daily. It was a nonstop delight.
As we were waiting to board the plane home, I looked around and Bobby, Frankie, and Chubby were on my flight chatting, as they have been friends for 60 years. I was surrounded by talent, thrilled to have gone, but glad to get home.
This trip came at the perfect time. While standing in my cabin, something - or someone - said, "Turn around." I did, and although there was no rain or clouds, I looked out from my balcony, and there, in the middle of the ocean, was a double rainbow.
"Thank you, dear."