Alaska Bluegrass Cruise 
with John Reischman & the Jaybirds and Lost Highway
by Carla Hosner

Our Alaska Cruise was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable vacations I have ever taken. So last year when I was in the middle of the “Bluegrass Festival Season Haze”, the idea came to me. “Wouldn’t all this music be awesome on a cruise ship in Alaska?” I asked myself, “Why do we go to Bluegrass festivals?” For the music of course! To enjoy seeing some of the best groups in Bluegrass. But it’s more than that. It’s really all about the people. It’s great when performers you admire sit and chat with you. But it’s not just the performers, it’s all the people. We meet new friends everywhere and we often see them again and again at different Bluegrass events.
What if you had about 200 happy bluegrassers, some outstanding performers and put them in a perfect environment (like a Holland America cruise ship) where all their needs were tended to and all they had to do was pick and eat? My vision of the perfect Bluegrass cruise began to grow and soon became a quest. However, I am a non-picking spouse of a mandolin/guitar playing “Bluegrass is my life” kind of guy. Greg’s vision has been somewhat different than mine. He sees great performers who entertain by night and lead workshops by day. I see dining on perfectly prepared gourmet meals with great performers. He sees jamming till the sun goes down...and in Alaska that is really late. I see a spa experience where rest, relaxation and entertainment are the prime objectives.

After being married some thirty years, we are pretty good at putting our heads together. The result will be an unforgettable holiday for both pickers and non pickers. We are thrilled to be hosting an Alaska Bluegrass Cruise in June 2004 with John Reischman & the Jaybirds along with Lost Highway and some very happy bluegrass fans and pickers.

It will be a dream come true. Greg will be at a workshop or taking private lesson with John Reischman. I will be in the Crows Nest watching whales breech, eagles fly & bears roam the shores. He will be jamming. After I listen a bit, I will stroll to the Explorer Lounge for tea or wine, strawberries dipped in chocolate and pastries ...or ...swimming... or ...just spending time with new friends. The list of possibilities goes on and on. I already have plans for the visits to the charming towns of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. There are so many shore excursions to choose from. I can’t wait to experience the majesty of Glacier Bay once more. It is unforgettable!
Early evening bluegrass concerts are followed by gourmet dinners. Afterward, we can enjoy the Holland America's main stage shows or Jam. Perhaps we’ll do a little late night dancing to end each perfect day. Of course, Greg’s day won’t end till the jamming stops.

We will be about 200 bluegrassers on a ship of 1,400. I'm sure the other 1,200 passengers on the ship will wish they were part of our group because we will obviously be having the most fun! Trust me, if you take your non-picking spouse on this Bluegrass cruise they will be good for another five or ten years of the camping/RV bluegrass festival thing. (OOPS sorry honey. I love the camping/RV thing... I really do.)

Visit Holland America's On-Board Experience Site for more thoughts on the cruise!