Review of the Alabama and Friends music festival at sea on the Norwegian Pearl
This was my first music festival at sea. I got to hang out in the midships pool with 2,000 new friends and watch Alabama perform on three different occasions. I enjoyed music from bands I’ve never heard of but won’t forget. My girlfriend and I linedanced in the atrium, played bingo with Randy Owen, and wore our flared pants to ’70s theme night.
The Pearl left Miami on 10/24/13 for a four-day cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, which is Norwegian’s private island. The spa offered discounts on services while in port. So, after a short ride to the straw market in Nassau, I went back on board for a facial and a relaxing afternoon in the thermal suite.
The mixed area of the thermal suite included a large mineral pool with lots of bubbles, a smaller whirlpool tub, and two walk-in showers with color-changing lights. There were heated tiled benches available to relax and nap. The sun loungers faced a large floor to ceiling window that looked out over the bow. The women-only side had a sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool. The spa charged $38 for a day pass to the thermal suite or $68 for a four day pass. Since I was in the thermal suite every day, the four day pass was a real value.
I have been to the Norwegian Pearl before. So, whenever she saw someone with a stunned look on her face, she would ask if she could help. It’s a great way to make new friends. Our room manager, Eric, made the best monkey I’ve ever seen out of a blue and white striped towel. He also kept our little balcony cabin clean and tidy. We ate breakfast and lunch at the garden buffet on the pool deck and dined at the Summer Palace at the rear of the ship. I could always find something good to eat. If you don’t like a dish, the servers will be happy to replace it.
Sixthman arranged the cruise and did a great job. Before the cruise, they sent me name tags and luggage tags. On the ship they had a representative at the front desk to answer questions. I told him that he had left my name tags at home and he immediately gave me new name tags. While on the ship, we also received Alabama and Friends beach towels, an autographed poster, and special Alabama pins. On top of that, everyone got to take a picture with Alabama at their assigned photo shoots. When I got home, I received an email with a web address where I could download my photo with Alabama. Other images of the cruise were also available for free download.
More than half of the people on the ship were over the age of 50 and married. It was a friendly crowd who shared a love of country music and left me with wonderful memories.