Tag Archives: Westerdam

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.

Smooth transition: Iconic jazz cruise creates West Coast version

Posted on by alanwhitt

The “Greatest Party at Sea” is heading West.

Entertainment Cruise Productions, the largest private music ship charter company in the world, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of it perennially sold-out Smooth Jazz Cruises by adding a West Coast addition for the fall of 2013 out of San Diego.

Alan Whitt

If you’ve never heard of The Smooth Jazz Cruise … WAKE UP! It provides the best in jazz with spectacular artists in an environment perfectly suited for the occasion – smooth sailing on a luxurious cruise ship.

“As we enter the second decade of The Smooth Jazz Cruise, we want to keep things fresh for our loyal family of cruisers that comes back year after year,” says Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of St. Louis-based Entertainment Cruise Productions. “Thanks in part to their suggestions, we decided to spread the love by creating a sensational West Coast cruise.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise West – hosted by Brian Culbertson and Boney James – will set sail on the Holland America’s m/s Westerdam October 12-19, 2013 from San Diego and visit Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Baja Coast.  Joining Culbertson, and James will be David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Richard Elliot, Euge Groove, Kenny Lattimore, Earl Klugh, Oleta Adams, Brian Simpson, DW3, comedian Alonzo Bodden and special guest Tower of Power.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2014 will cruise on the m/s Eurodam from Fort Lauderdale January 11-18 with stops in Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Maarten and Half Moon Cay.  The parade of performers will consist of Sanborn, Miller, Culbertson, James, Butler, Dulfer, Simpson, Kirk Whalum, Peter White, Sheila E, Keb Mo, Keiko Matsui, Maysa Leak, Mindi Abair, DW3, Bodden and special guest Jeffrey Osborne.

To book either of these cruises or any Entertainment Cruise Productions voyage, contact Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 or email Alan Whitt at alan@allurequest.com.

Visit 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.

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.

No Soul Train, but jazz cruises will have plenty of soulful sounds

Posted on by alanwhitt

Now that you’ve missed your chance to sail on Soul Train Cruise 2013, it may be music to your ears to learn that Entertainment Cruise Productions’ jazz cruises are still available for next year.

Alan Whitt

Cabins on The Jazz Cruise 2013 and both sailings on The Smooth Jazz Cruise 2013 are about 75 percent sold.

Balcony cabins and some suites remain for all cruises. The Jazz Cruise and the first week of he Smooth Jazz cruise have both outside and inside cabins remaining.

All three cruises will sail on Holland America’s Westerdam, the same ship that will host The Soul Train Cruise in February 2013.

The Jazz Cruise features legendary performers such as Kurt Elling, Arturo Sandoval, Ann Hampton Callaway, Phil Woods, Byron Stripling, Freddy Cole, Gary Burton, Eddie Palmieri and Roy Haynes.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise is particularly exciting with George Benson leading the way. He headlines a roster that includes David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Bob James, Angie Stone, along with Smooth Jazz Cruises regulars Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson and Candy Dulfer.

For three consecutive weeks ECP will take over Westerdam with an itinerary that begins in Ft. Lauderdale, with stops at Cozumel, Belize and Key West.

The Smooth Jazz Cruise goes back to back the weeks of January 13-20 and January 20-27, before The Jazz Cruise takes over January 27-February 3.

Then the ECP staff catches its collective breath for two weeks before the inaugural Soul Train Cruise sails on February 17 to 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.

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.


Soul Train Cruise 2013 is almost a sellout; book now or forget it

Posted on by alanwhitt

I know people who are notorious procrastinators and it drives me crazy.

I could never figure out why people wait until the last minute to do anything. When you do that it reduces your margin for error significantly.

Alan Whitt

So I’m equally disturbed by those folks who have expressed an interest in Soul Train Cruise 2013 and sat around waiting to make a decision

Even when Entertainment Cruise Productions extended the early booking deadline and categories evaporated like steam from an iron, some folks still did nothing, and now may have priced themselves out of one of the signature music events of 2013.

There remains just three of the original 27 categories available, and none are cheap.

The high end penthouse suites were the first to go, followed by mid-priced oceanview cabins and then the interior cabins.

What’s left is one balcony category – for $3,025 per person – and two small suites for $3,625 and $3,675.

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.

But chances are that if you don’t book now you’ll just have to read about it in my blog from the cruise.  Give me a call at 615-818-8241 … forever regret it.

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

Back to the future! Soul Train Cruise early booking extended

Posted on by alanwhitt

UPDATE: I have a 53-year-old woman looking for a roommate for Soul Train Cruise 2013. If interested call Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 or email alan@allurequest.com and we will attempt to get the women together to discuss compatibility.

The Soul Train folks know a good deal when they see one.

That’s why they’ve extended the Soul Train Cruise 2013 early booking period by a month. Today was the final day to book this soulful music cruise and get up to $200 off the cruise rate.

Alan Whitt

But I still wouldn’t wait too long  …. there remains only seven categories from the original 27 onboard Holland America’s Westerdam.

Those include two suites, two balcony, two oceanview and one interior cabin categories. Just want to sail on this fantastic music cruise?

The interior cabin (no window) goes for $2,150 per person based on double occupancy.

The most expensive is a small suite that goes for $3,675 per person.

In case you’ve been out of the loop, the Soul Train Cruise is scheduled for February 17-24 out of Ft. Lauderdale with stops at San Juan, St. Thomas, Turks & Caicos and Half Moon Cay (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.

Call Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 or email alan@allurequest.com to book this cruise.

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

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.