Themed Cruises - Legends of Rock on Indy of the Seas

[Thoodt]

Has anyone done one of these before?  We're booked - but a little confused on booking other items...Goes through NAHA (Native American Heritage Assn.).  

Curious for those that have been on these cruises with multiple bands - what's it like (are you constantly moving around between bands?  Mornings off I assume - so when do they start - like 2pm?  The bands that are more headliners - that will play in the Royal Theater - I have to assume there's a huge queue to get in and it starts forming pretty early...

 

The NAHA website says nothing opens up to book until like 6 weeks out, which sounds a bit odd to me.

Any other tips / advice is appreciated.  We've done multiple RC cruises but this is our first non-RC cruise on a RC ship.

[mac66]

We did a Rock & Romance cruise on X a few years ago. Met a couple who had just got off the Rock Legends cruise. I think RL was 5 days, R&R was 7 days. 

Anyway...

Typically the bands start at noonish around the pool, then at various locations around the ship @ 2 ish, 4 ish, 5 ish, 6ish, those are usually the cover bands.   Usually the headliner bands play in the main theater at different times/days to give the different dinner times a chance to see the shows. There are usually shows later in the evening as well.  Of course different cruises have different itineraries so check the website.

Also be aware that on private charters your status level doesn't apply so if you're diamond or above you don't get drinks or other perks. 

 

 

[VeraStarkey]

Thank you for replying, I am so curious to know more about it. 

[Darsh]

On 10/10/2023 at 3:43 AM, mac66 said:

We did a Rock & Romance cruise on X a few years ago. Met a couple who had just got off the Rock Legends cruise. I think RL was 5 days, R&R was 7 days. 

Anyway...

Typically the bands start at noonish around the pool, then at various locations around the ship @ 2 ish, 4 ish, 5 ish, 6ish, those are usually the cover bands.   Usually the headliner bands play in the main theater at different times/days to give the different dinner times a chance to see the shows. There are usually shows later in the evening as well.  Of course different cruises have different itineraries so check the website.

Also be aware that on private charters your status level doesn't apply so if you're diamond or above you don't get drinks or other perks. 

Thanks for sharing your experience on the Rock & Romance cruise and the insights about band performances throughout the day on the ship. It's helpful to know about headliner schedules in the main theater. Good advice on checking the specific cruise itinerary and clarifying the status level perks on private charters.GB whatsapp Apk

 

 

[craftycruiselady]

Bumping up for you. We went on Monsters of Rock, it is fast paced trying to fit it all in, the bands play in port so you have to decide which bands you want vs time in port or staying on the ship. It was 5 days, we were exhausted when we got off but it was a great time!

You still get your C and A points but no other special perks related to status apply, the dining room was super relaxed, nothing formal at all. There is usually a schedule of what is going on when but it can change due to winds on the pool deck or something happens. They did allow drink packages and internet purchases for ours but IDK about yours. There is usually a long line to get into the shows, MORC allows you to pay for vip to get in lines sooner but IDK about the other charters doing that. We always were able to see what we wanted or get a seat somewhere even if it wasn't ideal seating. Star lounge is a nightmare because it is not big enough but we could always at least hear in the hallway the show or event going on in there. You could still book port excursions through royal. 

There is usually one pool out of commission because they cover it for a stage on the smaller ships. We did it on Freedom and it has also been done on Mariner and other smaller ships. On indy maybe they won't have to do that. There are often facebook groups for the sailing to help you figure things out if you use social media. Have fun!

[RCVoyager]

On 10/8/2023 at 10:14 AM, Thoodt said:

Has anyone done one of these before?  We're booked - but a little confused on booking other items...Goes through NAHA (Native American Heritage Assn.).  

Curious for those that have been on these cruises with multiple bands - what's it like (are you constantly moving around between bands?  Mornings off I assume - so when do they start - like 2pm?  The bands that are more headliners - that will play in the Royal Theater - I have to assume there's a huge queue to get in and it starts forming pretty early...

 

The NAHA website says nothing opens up to book until like 6 weeks out, which sounds a bit odd to me.

Any other tips / advice is appreciated.  We've done multiple RC cruises but this is our first non-RC cruise on a RC ship.

My brothers and I did the Barenaked Ladies 1 & 3.  Most of the ship's regular entertainment was given the week off.  There was about 25 bands on board.  They started as early as 10AM around the pool and went until about 3 AM.  They played everywhere a stage could be set-up including the casino.  These were not cover bands, but regional lesser known bands with BNL being the headliner.

Upon embarkation, there was a long line... we did not know why.  When we finally got to the end of it, a pair of double doors opened.  We walked in.  There, set in pose  was BNL. A photo was taken, and every passenger received an 8x10 photo of their party with the band.  It was a very nice touch.  That was also the cruise where the now famous Barenaked at Sea photo took place.  700 people posed naked for a photo on the Lido Deck.  You can look it up.

At the sail away show by the pool, the band mentioned they were on board with their families.  Their request was if we see them about the ship alone or with other band members to approach to say hello.  When with their families, please give privacy.  And that's exactly what happened.  The bands we accessible, and would sign stuff if you wanted.

That's where we met our now favorite band: Gaelic Storm. One afternoon at lunch by the pool, a member of GS asked if he could sit with us for lunch.  He said, "I saw you at our show last night.  Thanks for coming out."  We had a nice 30 minutes with him.

This was the  best cruise experience I've had.

[Thoodt]

This is awesome feedback from all.  Thx for responding - and for bumping this up again.

[Thoodt]

Quick ? As we prep for this party cruise this week…for those that were on other rock-type cruises, do they empty out the venues after a show before the next one starts?  Example - one show starts 7:30pm this Thursday night in Royal Theater, then the next one hits at 10:30pm.  Curious if they push everyone out or we can keep our seats…

[AshleyDillo]

16 hours ago, Thoodt said:

Quick ? As we prep for this party cruise this week…for those that were on other rock-type cruises, do they empty out the venues after a show before the next one starts?  

I haven't done this particular cruise. Different charters may handle them differently. But the ones I have been on all cleared out the theater venue after shows. Then they opened the doors 30 mins before the shows for people to take seats. Shows on the pool decks they didn't clear out, but on my cruises those are GA standing venues anyways.

[Waapks]

If you want to enhance your communication experience, JT WhatsApp is the best app for this. Thank You!!

[felixharri]

On 3/15/2024 at 4:05 PM, Waapks said:

If you want to enhance your communication experience, 툰코2 s the best app for this. Thank You!!

 

[alishakihn]

Usually the headliner bands play in the main theater at different times/days to give the different dinner times a chance to see the shows. There are usually shows later in the evening as well.  Of course different cruises have different itineraries so check Drift Boss website.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

I looked at the acts lined up and found that I apparently have a completely different definition of who the Legends Of Rock are.

[edwardflora]

Need to know more...

[stts]

Theres a bunch of different kinds of these cruises, but I been on all 11 of the Rock Legends Cruises. They are charity run so they seem to attract more of the big names on each cruise. I don't go for the cruise amenities. I go because the aging big names are performing 3 to 20 feet in front of me. That is a thousand plus dollar ticket to any shows on land. And theres over 20 bands per cruise. And if that is not enough, I run my video cameras in their face with 300x zoom. I can count their nose hairs if I want. On land you go thru metal detectors and no video cameras allowed. Only cell phones get a pass any more and those are only now getting better. Then you get meet and greet on elevators and toilets and buffet lines. It's like the legends are just like us. They get pestered abit, but it's not like what happened to the Beatles 50 years ago. So I dont book balconies and opt for a port hole room, since Im not in the room much. I played golf on only one of the 11 cruises and only because a lady asked me really nice to join her there. I rarely do the formal dinning because its small portions and way too slow. I heap it on at the Buffet and wolf it down as I look over the schedule for the rest of the days bands. It's almost impossible to see ALL of the bands so Im always running around to all the venues to see as many as possible. To get up to the front rows you have to wait for over an hour and even longer. 2 hour waits for the theater. I rarely watch at the theator. The Deck stage and the Studio stage is standing room in front of the stage. So that is where I mostly go. It's loud, but they perform right in front of you. It's so amazing. Sammy Hagar pouring his rum into my drink mug. Same with Rick Springfield. They both partnered to make their own rum brand after Sammy sold his Tequila brand. The access to this kind of rock and roll is matched by no other venue. I am so tired when its over in 5 days, but then I play with pics and videos all the rest of the year, and I am floored by what I did. Some people complain about service compared to regular cruises. But Im glad staff stays out of my way. On the first cruise staff came out and sold drinks at the theator all thru the shows. That has never happened again. Fabulous. Room service is as friendly as any other cruise and I leave them a tip. Rock Legends Cruise 2025 will be different. The woman that created this cruise passed away. A young lady has replaced her, and she seems too young for the job. I have not bought an advance ticket and may finally miss a Rock Legends Cruise. They started booking bands much too late and I think most big names have their schedules already finalized. But it has been 11 fabulous cruises. I stand all day every day, but there is plenty of seating for those that sit until everybody has to stand, hah.

[AshleyDillo]

Some of the crew get really excited about these cruises.  I'm on Independence of the Seas right now and my room steward was telling me all about one that just happened where Quiet Riot played. It's his favorite band and he was able to work his schedule to catch them play.

[Baked Alaska]

Where do we find these cruises? Can our regular TA book them?

[AshleyDillo]

1 hour ago, Baked Alaska said:

Where do we find these cruises? Can our regular TA book them?

The full ship charters are usually booked through outside companies. The charters I have done have all been on NCL through Sixthman.

Royal has a list of some here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/plan-a-cruise/themed-cruises

[Baked Alaska]

44 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

The full ship charters are usually booked through outside companies. The charters I have done have all been on NCL through Sixthman.

Royal has a list of some here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/plan-a-cruise/themed-cruises

Darn! That Feb 2024 Indy sailing looked great!

[teddy]

1 hour ago, Baked Alaska said:

Darn! That Feb 2024 Indy sailing looked great!

A friend of mine was on it. He had a blast.  
 

He’s done a bunch of them. 

[stts]

10 hours ago, Baked Alaska said:

Darn! That Feb 2024 Indy sailing looked great!

OMG the Feb 2024 cruise was spectacular. Bret Michaels was so close to me and my video that it's clear he was singing along to a track when his lips stopped moving. He always keeps his mic to his face so you have to be close to see that detail. Some people complain but these are aging stars and they do what they do to make the show work. Roger Daultry had an unknown ear infection issue that frustrated him and he started songs again. I was front row and going crazy with enthusiasm. He did spectacular and then did it again. Rick Springfield was very annoyed at the ship schedule that allowed him only 30 minutes to setup his whole band. And his annoyance was on full display. But he belted out his whole show anyway and even jumped into the crowd in front of me. I got pics and videos 3 feet away from him as he crowd surfed. Despite his anger venting. I could have done without the anger, but the show was way greater than I was expecting. Im not a big Rick Springfield fan. But he did warm me up to him. I saw Quiet Riot with the original drummer Banali on a pre Covid cruise. And I got lots of pics and videos up close. Then Banali died of cancer. Over the years many of these performers passed away and I got to see them before they did. I got selfies with Phil and Dave from Molly Hatchet and now they both are gone. Phil was kicked out of the same grade school I went to long ago. He was crazy as a kid all hyper and stuff. I never met him back then but others in my class did. They filled me in and I talked to Phil about it on another trip. Phil remembered it like it was yesterday and said he deserved to be kicked out and he was only there for less than one year.  It's amazing the access and friendliness.

NAHAs RLC has only word of mouth advertising. I accidentally found out about the first cruise after it was sold out and was sailing in 2 months. I got on forums and begged anyone to let me sleep on the floor. Finally I was contacted by a lady whose roomie had to bail for health reasons. Wow, I can say this has changed my life. All the things I do now because I went on 11 of these cruises. The stories I got are just endless. Alice Cooper pausing to decide who to toss his baton too. I was videoing him, so he tossed it to the guy next to me. Like in spite. You can see it in his face, hah. Brad Gillis of Night Ranger handing me his pic because I had a video and could not join the scrum to chase one. I so love Gillis because he did his best to save Ozzy when Randy Rhoads was killed. It takes a god to replace Randy and Brad had a lot of god in him even as a kid. People complain that most bands have few original members. But the members they now have were members of other great bands. So 20 bands on a cruise is like 40 bands on the cruise. I don't know if any other music cruise is as great as NAHAs RLC, but with less bands, you may not get worn out like I always am. I book a hotel day after to beach and sleep just to spin down from what I just experienced. I do get off at the port sometimes, but only if I already saw the bands that perform while at the port of call. 2025 goes to Haiti, but Haiti is a mess and the cruise is looking for another destination. Cozumel is also in crisis, so all the ships stranded are trying to find empty spaces to park. These ships are big. There are now less than 100 people that have been on all 11 cruises. I got my special shirts that lists all the bands that was on all the cruises at the time. I ran into Billy Gibbons of ZZtop on Porto Plato and he looked skinny and frail. He didn;t want me to snap a pic and I didnt. But he was all dressed up for his show. But there is always long lines to scheduled meet and greets, if you don't mind missing shows. Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad got Noro Virus on one cruise, as did I, and I videoed 2 songs before he had to quit and vomit some more. I finally got sick as I was disembarking. Then had to stay 2 days to contaminate a Lauderdale hotel room. Noro Virus is terrible. Obviously the cleanliness process has changed ever since. I was on the 2020 RLC cruise when Covid started to go nuclear. We got to our port of call and "anchored" next to another cruise ship and the island would not let us park. And nobody was telling us anything. But the rock and roll continued. I took pics of the island from anchor and the other ship. Later it came out the other ship had Covid and somebody had already died. Our Captain kept everybody on his ship away from all that. The other ship was marooned at sea for months trying to find a place to park. We were so very lucky that year. America went on lock down very shortly after we came home. You see how these stories are simply endless? I used to go to Vegas every year, but it simply doesn't compare.