Tag Archives: Soul Train

2nd Soul Train Cruise soars to new heights with amazing lineup

Posted on by alanwhitt

Wow!

If you thought the first Soul Train Cruise musical lineup was spectacular, the second edition is even more amazing.

Alan Whitt

How about Earth Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight (the greatest female singer ever!), Jeffrey Osbourne, The Ohio Players, The Dazz Band, The Whispers, Freddie Jackson, The Bar-Kays, Jennifer Holliday, Billy Paul, Con Funk Shun,  Jody Watley, Regina Belle, Mary Jane Girls, A Taste of Honey, Lakeside & DW3!

The second Soul Train Cruise is scheduled for October 5-12, 2013 onboard Holland America’s Westerdam out of San Diego, with a stop at Cabo San Lucas and an overnight in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

You can book this September 25, at which time pricing will be announced. That’s the good news. The bad news is that there are 2,000 Soul Train fans ahead of you – people who where shut out of the inaugural cruise scheduled for February 17-24, 2013.

That cruise should out in an unheard of 75 days.

The fully sanctioned Soul Train Cruise is the latest brainstorm of Entertainment Cruise Productions, the world’s largest music cruise company and now in its 10th year.

Although pricing won’t be announced until September 25, pricing for those waitlisted are available. Cheapest rate is $2,250 per person for an inside cabin, based on double occupancy.

And you can’t book this cruise through just any travel agent. But you can book it through Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241. Or email your information to alan@allurequest.com, including names, addresses, phone numbers, dat e of birth, tee-shirt sizes.

Visit Allure Quest Travel Experience and We 2 R 1 Honeymoons on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Here’s your absolute last chance to book Soul Train Cruise 2013

Posted on by alanwhitt

The Soul Train 2013 Cruise has been a sellout for quite awhile, but Allure Quest Travel Experience has one inside cabin available to the first person who wants it.

Alan Whitt

The total cost of this February 17-23, 2013 cruise is $2,250 per person … or $4,500 for two. A deposit of $2,100 gets you on Holland America’s Westerdam for the “The Hippest Trip at Sea.”

The roster for this cruise reads like an All-Star musical team. It includes Patti Labelle, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders.

Soul Train Cruise 2013 will make stops at Turks & Caicos,  St. Thomas, San Juan and Half Moon Cay – Holland America’s private island.

Call us at 615-818-8241 for more information or to book this last available cabin.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Soul Train Cruise 2013 is an official sellout; try again in 2014

Posted on by alanwhitt

It’s official! Soul Train Cruise 2013 is sold out.

It’s more than eight months away but Holland America’s 1,848-passenger Westerdam will be packed when it sets sail on a seven night cruise Feb. 17-23 out of Ft. Lauderdale.

Alan Whitt

That’s amazing.

This is the first Soul Train Cruise, and it was pretty obvious when this music was announced last fall that it would be an easy sell. However, it took just more than six months to sell every cabin … with a wait list now exceeding 100 cabins.

And if this cruise is as goos as advertised, it may be next to impossible to get on the next one in 2014.

Entertainment Cruise Productions, the creators of the Soul Train Cruise, has a stellar track record with live music cruises, and many passengers book next year’s while onboard.

If you missed out on this year, my suggestion is to be ready to book 2014 on February 23 … or the day it becomes available.

Those who weren’t able to book this cruise will miss an musical hall of fame caliber lineup that includes Patti Labelle, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders.

Soul Train Cruise will make stops at Turks & Caicos,  St. Thomas, San Juan and Half Moon Cay – Holland America’s private island.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Waiting list grows to 100 cabins for inaugural Soul Train cruise

Posted on by alanwhitt

The inaugural Soul Train Cruise has a waiting list for 100 cabins even though it isn’t officially a sellout.

Alan Whitt

There remain seven SS category suites available priced at $3,875 per person. However, those wait listed are hoping someone drops out of one of the lower category cabins.

That’s a sweet deal for Entertainment Cruise Productions, the worldwide leader in live music full ship charters. Deposits and payments are non-refundable, so if someone drops out ECP can charge full fare to those on the wait list.

Soul Train Cruise 2013 sets sail on Holland America’s Westerdam out of Ft. Lauderdale, February 24, 2013 on a seven-night voyage to Turks & Caicos,  St. Thomas, San Juan and Half Moon Cay – a private island.

Performers include Patti Labelle, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.


All aboard! Soul Train Cruise 2013 early saver rate expires May 31

Posted on by alanwhitt

Tick … tick … tick.

Time is about to run out on the early saver rate for the few remaining cabins available for next year’s inaugural Soul Train Cruise.

Alan Whitt

In fact, there are no cabins available … only suites, and they aren’t cheap. But if you book ‘em by the end of business on Thursday you’ll save $200 per person – $400 per cabin.

All that’s left are two superior suites categories – going for $3,625 or $3,675 per person until Thursday … or $3,825 or $3,875 after.

In case you’ve been in a coma, Soul Train Cruise 2013 sets sail on Holland America’s Westerdam out of Ft. Lauderdale, February 24, 2013 on a seven-night voyage to Turks & Caicos,  St. Thomas, San Juan and Half Moon Cay – a private island.

Performers include Patti Labell, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders.

You can add comedian Alonzo Bodden for comic relief, and a host of surprises sure to bring back vivid memories from those Soul Train days.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and booking a variety of vacations.


My bags are packed and I’m ready to board the Soul Train Cruise

Posted on by alanwhitt

The Soouull Train! Here it comes rumbling down the track. Or in this case, sailing across the Caribbean Sea.

Alan Whitt

I’m talking about the inaugural Soul Train Cruise, scheduled for February 17-24, 2013 onboard Holland America’s Westerdam.

I’m having a ball with this amazing cruise and I can’t wait to set sail and bust a move down the Soul Train Line.

Yes, I’m going … and I’m dancing. These hips may not swivel like they used to, but I sold a cabin to myself anyway and I’m gonna shake it as best I can.

Unfortunately (or unfortunately) my 70s and 80s wardrobes are long gone

Wow, do I ever love this job!

Hey, I may be able to make more money doing other things, and I have. But this is passion … this is thrilling … this is fun.

In my former life as a journalist I made it to the top as a news editor for SportsCenter at ESPN – officially the Worldwide Leader in Sports. And I was paid handsomely for my skills.

But that’s nothing compared to my new life traveling, writing about it and sending people on amazing vacations like the Soul Train Cruise.

My new favorite question from people is … “You mean they pay you to do that.”

Yeah, they do.

And even if I wasn’t a travel specialist I would still sail on this amazing music cruise. I’m gonna be hanging with nearly 2,000 of my newest best friends. Everyone on that ship is there for the same reason – each has a passion for one of the greatest shows of all time.

Whether you’re a fan of any of the performers – Patti Labelle, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders – you were likely a fan of longest-running syndicated show in television history.

Many of the dance regulars were stars themselves … and I’m hoping that some of them will join us on the ship.

There are obviously many who feel the same way. The cruise is selling as a brisk pace, and I’m expecting that many people will be shut out before long when that final cabin is booked. Unfortunately, there are many out there who won’t hear about it until it’s too late.

If you know of anyone in that category, do them a favor and let them know.

Consider it a public service.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, videos and the latest travel news.

High rollers willing to shell out big bucks for Soul Train Cruise

Posted on by alanwhitt

I guess people who have money know a bargain when they see one and don’t like to procrastinate for fear of losing out.

That may explain why the $7,825 per person Penthouse Suites on next year’s Soul Train Cruise have sold out.

Alan Whitt

Don’t worry … if you want a suite you can fork over over as little as $3,625 each for a smaller suite, or $3,825 for a larger suite.

Seriously, each day more categories evaporate as people line up to save as much as $200 per person during the early booking period that ends on April 30.

There it is again … people who have money know how to save it.

Currently 10 of the 27 cabin categories have sold out.

In the last day alone three more oceanview categories have sold out, bringing to four the number that are gone.

At the moment – I said at the moment – the cheapest oceanview cabin is an obstructed view that sells for $2,325 per person. You can have an unobstructed oceanview for $2,475.

Four balcony categories remain available priced from $2,875 to $3,025.

All single person inside cabins are also gone, but all double inside cabin categories remain available – ranging from $2,125 to $2,175.

Unless you’ve resided in a cave in Afghanistan for the last several months, you probably know that the Soul Train cruise is scheduled for Feb. 17-24, 2013 on Holland America’s Westerdam out of Ft. Lauderdale, with stops at St. Thomas, San Juan, Turks & Caicos and the private island Half Moon Cay.

To regular cruisers these prices may seem a bit much. But for those in the know, the obvious selling point of this cruise is the musical lineup and a chance to celebrate an iconic television show with nearly 2,00o people with the same mindset.

The Hall of Fame-caliber lineup includes Patti Labell, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders.

You can’t book this cruise just anywhere, but you can through Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241, or email alan@allurequest.com for more information.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, videos and the latest travel news.

Hurry and get onboard! Soul Train Cruise 2013 is booking fast

Posted on by alanwhitt

You can bet your last money that there will be a Soul Train line on this cruise.

The Soul Train Cruise 2013 is a runaway freight train with people from all over the country – and beyond – coming onboard.

The three lowest-priced category balcony cabins are already filled as folks line up to beat the April 30 early deadline period to save up to $200 per person.

Alan Whitt

The cheapest balcony cabin remaining is $2,875 per person during the early signing and you can expect that to be the next to go. Other balcony cabin categories are priced at $2,925, $2,975 and $3,025.

Those prices include all taxes, fees and gratuities, and guarantee you a seat at each performance.

There remains an abundance of oceanview cabins priced from $2,225 to $2,625, but you can expect the inside cabins ($2,125-$2,175) to fill up before the end of the month.

Suites range from a small suite at $3,575 per person, to the penthouse suites for $7,825.

UPDATE: The lowest category oceanview and small suites are now sold out. The lowest priced oceanview cabin available runs $2,275, and cheapest suite is now $3,625 – both includes taxes, fees and gratuities.

Deposits are non-refundable at $650 per person for a suite, $550 for a balcony or $450 for an oceanview or inside cabin.

Call Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 to book this amazing concert at sea, the brainchild of Entertainment Cruise Productions – the same people who bring you the Jazz Cruise and two individual weeks of the Smooth Jazz Cruise every year.

By the way, we can book those cruises for you as well, including the Smooth Jazz Cruises headlined by George Benson.

The Soul Train Cruise is scheduled for February 17-24 out of Ft. Lauderdale on Holland America’s Westerdam, with stops at San Juan, St. Thomas, Turks & Caicos and Half Moon Cay (private island).

Performers include Patti Labell, Jeffrey Osborne, George Duke, The O’Jays, Kool & The Gang, War, The Spinners, Jody Watley, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins Jr. & The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of The Manhattans and The Intruders.

You can add comedian Alonzo Bodden for comic relief, and a host of surprises sure to bring back vivid memories from those Soul Train days.

Don Cornelius to be honored on inaugural Soul Train Cruise

Posted on by alanwhitt

It makes sense that on next year’s iconic Soul Train Cruise 2013, the originator  – the late great Don Cornelius – will be honored.

Alan Whitt

Cornelius passed away from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on February 1, a tragic end to a successful career that helped create life-long memories for anyone who watched the show during its heyday back in the 1970s and 80s.

When Holland America’s Westerdam sets sail on February 17, 2013, passengers can expect one evening dedicated solely to Cornelius. What that’s going to be hasn’t been decided yet.

On the debut of my Allure Quest Travel Report Show today on BlogTalkRadio, I interviewed  Michael Lazaroff, executive director at Entertainment Cruise Productions, about the company responsible for putting The Soul Train into a cruise, as well as other fantastic concerts at sea.

Lazaroff promises surprises on this cruise that he wasn’t prepared to reveal today.  He did reveal the Cornelius tribute.

Still, it all comes down to the music .. and the legend of Soul Train.

“We have gone through and we have looked at the DVDs of almost every single Soul Train Show during this era,” Lazaroff said. “ We are going to have all the events that you typically see on a Soul Train Show, on our particular cruise.

“Were going to take the show, this iconic show, and we are going to try to replicate it right on the ship.

“But obviously, part of it is the fact that we have such amazing performers,” he said. “And those people, the performers themselves, are going to do most of the heavy lifting to make sure we stay honest to the Soul Train television icon.”

Don Cornelius wouldn’t have it any other way.

Soul Train will be back in fashion with next year’s iconic cruise

Posted on by alanwhitt

I absolutely loved the 1970s and ‘80s.  I was in my prime with nothing but the future ahead of me. Who knew what was to come? But that’s what life is all about … the mystery of tomorrow.

Alan Whitt

However, some things are best left in the past … and I’m hoping that on the first Soul Train Cruise next year there isn’t a pair of hot pants in sight.

Passengers are being encouraged to break out the styles popularized during the show’s heyday, some of them best left in a time capsule.

Hot pants, platform shoes, bell bottom pants, psychedelic shirts and dresses were the wardrobe of the day … but thankfully not a single pair of pants hanging down past our butts. I completed the look with a massive afro that would put any of today’s retro versions to shame.

Hey, we were wonderfully stylish back then … but thank God I cleaned out my closet long ago.

Baggy or oversized clothing have been a blessing for many of us who need to camouflage the ravages of time. A twentysomething in hot pants is a thing of beauty, but I’m in no way interested in seeing grandmothers strutting their “stuff.”

Instead, I prefer to focus on some of the iconic Soul Train staples such as Soul By The Sea beach parties, a Solid Gold Theme Ball with the Soul Train Line and DJs spinning the smooth sounds of R&B, guaranteed to take us back to a sexier time … even if it’s just in our minds.

Those may be secondary to the All-Star musical lineup of George Duke, War, the Spinners and Gerald Alston of the Manhattans, Patti Labelle, the O’Jays, Jeffrey Osborne, Kool & the Gang, the Intruders, Russell Thompkins & the New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding Sr. & the Main Ingredient and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, along with comedian Alonzo Bodden.

But they’re just as important and will resonate with the Soul Train diehards on this full-charter cruise, folks who will have the ship rocking more from music than from waves.

Regardless of how we dress on Holland America’s Westerdam a year from now, you can bet your bottom dollar this Soul Train Cruise won’t be the last.

Entertainment Cruise Productions, the company producing this concert at sea, has a solid gold track record with music cruises.

They’ve been around for the last 11 years, building a small empire that is expanding with the Soul Train Cruise. Already successful for ECP are the signature Jazz Cruise, back to back weeks of the ever popular Smooth Jazz Cruise and the oldies but goodies Malt Shop Memories cruise.

I would imagine that the Soul Train Cruise will likely follow the same path of success and turn into an annual event.

The seven-night Caribbean cruise sails from Ft. Lauderdale, Feb. 17-24, 2013, with stops at Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.

“We are extending the Soul Train brand from the television tracks to the high seas,” said cruise organizer Kenard Gibbs, CEO of Soul Train Holdings, LLC, in a statement to USA Today. “The Soul Train brand is about the best in music, dance and fashion – a cruise on the high seas combined with an incredible music lineup, fun people and top-notch accommodations will make for another fun filled entertainment experience for folks who can’t get enough of our beloved brand.”

Let’s hope the folks wearing those fashions take into account the added pounds many have added since then. And grandpa, please hide grandma’s hot pants.

For more on the Soul Train Cruise and and other fun trips, visit Allure Quest Travel Experience, or call 615-818-8241 / 615-336-8580.