Alabama and Friends at Sea Music Festival Review on 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 see Alabama perform three different times. I enjoyed the music of bands that I had never heard of but will not forget. My girlfriend and I line danced in the atrium, played bingo with Randy Owen, and wore our bell bottoms to the 70’s themed night.
The Pearl departed 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 was 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 shower stalls with color-changing lights. There were heated tiled benches available to relax and take a nap. The loungers faced a large floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the bow. The ladies-only side had a sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool. The spa charged $38 for a one-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 real value.
I have been on the Norwegian Pearl before. So, whenever she saw someone with a dazed look on her face, she would ask if she could help. It’s a great way to make new friends. Our room attendant, Eric, made the best onesie 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 organized 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 was able to take a photo with Alabama at assigned photo shoots. When I got home, I received an email with a web address where I could download my photo with Alabama. Other cruise ship images were also available for free download.
More than half of the people on the ship were over 50 years old and married. It was a friendly crowd that shared a love of country music and left me with wonderful memories.