VH1 Best Cruise Ever
Onboard the Carnival Inspiration
Tampa, FL
April 28 – May 2, 2011
Article and Photos by Anthony Cave
On a cruise ship, there are numerous yet predefined sets of possibilities — until the band Lifehouse walks by in the hallway.
Mat Kearney
Lifehouse was among the headlining artists on VH1’s Best Cruise Ever, a five-day music cruise from Tampa to Cozumel, Mexico.
Also in attendance were VH1’s Underground artists, up and coming musicians including Alpha Rev, Ben Rector, Civil Twilight, Crowfield, The Daylights, Deck-of-Jack, Hope, Mat Kearney, Matt Wertz, Nikki Jean, One eskimO, Ryan Star, SAFETYSUIT, Thriving Ivory, Trailer Park Ninjas and Yacht Rock Revue.
Colbie Caillat
On board to provide smooth transitions between acts was VH1 Top 20 Countdown host Jim Shearer and VH1 Best Week Ever host Michelle Collins.
From Lifehouse’s opening sail away party, featuring songs like “You and Me,” “Hanging by a Moment” and “Take Me Away,” to Colbie Caillat’s love-filled finale of “I Do” and “Bubbly,” there was never a dull moment.
There were even a few covers—Yacht Rock Revue sang Bon Jovi's “You Give Love a Bad Name” and Mat Kearney sang Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.”
Fans lived among the artists, eating, partying and even playing poker with their favorite musicians. Ample autograph and picture sessions were scheduled to ensure all cruise goers took home some personal memorabilia.
Yacht Rock Revue
Concerts took place on the poolside Lido Deck, as fans rocked out in hot tubs under the moving night sky. Indoor concerts were in a series of themed lounges which showed little signs of wear despite the ship being almost 15 years old.
Fans lived among the artists, eating, partying and even playing poker with their favorite musicians. Ample autograph and picture sessions were scheduled to ensure all cruise goers took home some personal memorabilia.
Train
Concert interaction as well, was no rarity -- during one of Train’s performances, lead singer Pat Monahan called volunteers to the stage to become his “Trainettes.” These fans received T-shirts and sang along to the band's numerous hits. Colbie Caillat even gave away several guitar picks she used during her performances.
On the last day, the four main artists performed acoustic versions of their hit songs and explained the origin of each.
With all the artists and interaction, the VH1 Best Cruise Ever was a cross between a perfect vacation and an extended concert.
Learn more at www.vh1bestcruiseever.com
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Train
Colbie Caillat
Colbie Caillat
Daylights
The Script