Page 76 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2017

Many of the upscale niceties of the Koningsdam’s understated
elegance are exemplified in the service itself. Even the Lido
Restaurant felt less like a cafeteria, and more like an upscale
bistro market with stations. Instead of a salad bar, gourmet salads
are tossed to order in large personal bowls. We went back daily
for a bowl of fresh greens and a regal portion of seared ahi tuna.
Another great feature is the wide array of for-pay restaurants.
We tried two of Holland America’s signature eateries – lunch
at the Pinnacle Grill and dinner at Tamarind (on Pajama Night
where our luxurious Holland America bathrobes made the
perfect attire – even Taj Mahal gave us a nod of approval). What Judy and Geoff Alexander (far left, far right) honor Michael Burks’ widow Bobbie
(center) in his memory at the LRBC’s Virgin Party Photo by Ÿ Joseph A. Rosen
a lovely change of pace to relax and escape the crowd for a
moment! And for only $25 per person, well worth the price for From the editor: You see them on every Legendary Rhythm & Blues
a meal fit for a king. Cruise – behind the scenes, on stage hosting the Virgin Party and
For blues cruisers, more than anything else, Koningsdam the Awards Party, in the crowd… WHO ARE THEY? Geoff and Judy
means more venues with more cozy nooks to enjoy performances. Alexander are some of the original blues cruisers. These days, they help
The Queen’s Lounge was a two-story affair and had the to make each cruise the best ever.
atmosphere of an old theatre. Sister Sparrow fit right in with the Original Blues Cruisers As told by Geoff Alexander
retro vibe in an adorable vintage print dress and heels, as she
performed with her band, the Dirty Birds. In the early 1990s, George Myers and Roger Naber, partners in
The two-story Lido Pool Mid-Ship venue was a perfect place Kansas City’s premiere blues venue, the Grand Emporium, conceived
for an afternoon chill. We especially enjoyed shows such as the the idea for the Ultimate Rhythm & Blues Cruise (URBC). In 1994,
Phantom Blues Band with Tons of Brass and JJ Grey & Mofro Judy learned about the URBC from an ex-boyfriend (who was also my
from the comfy loungers of the upper deck. With the Dive-In fraternity brother). The third sailing was scheduled for January 1995,
burger joint on the lower deck and the New York Pizza & Deli and one day when I came home from work, Judy announced, “We’re
restaurant above, cruisers could really pick a spot and relax for going to go on a cruise.” I retorted, “Over my dead body.” Getting on
a show or two, complete with refreshments. Two wings of upper on a big ship full of my friends to visit foreign cultures seemed like such
level seating made the second story a great place to view the a wrong way to learn about other places and cultures.
entertainment, especially the Pro Jams on the Seaview Pool AFT But then, Judy discovered a newsletter from a professor at San
stage, with Tommy Castro and company. We even enjoyed a Jose State who had been on URBC2 and written an article about
few shows from the triple jacuzzi for a little “spa time” on a his experience, illustrated with a photo of Marcia Ball chatting with
peasant’s budget. cruisers around the swimming pool. I had been a big Marcia Ball fan
Even with all the venue action, we found time to luxuriate in for decades, and that was the seminal turning point for me. I finally got
our stateroom thoroughly, taking advantage of free room service it – the point of this cruise was not becoming one with the Caribbean
and live coverage on our television of the World Stage, Queen’s Islanders, it was immersing yourself in blues music with fellow blues
Lounge and Mid-Ship venues. For even more royal touches, fans and musicians.
our cabin steward left treats and presents from the LRBC team So, Judy was right. We went on URBC3 in 1995, became friends
nightly. On our last night, I felt especially honored to receive with George Myers and got involved in the URBC business. Sadly, in
a little commemorative pin and a note from Holland America 1998, the URBC went bankrupt and George passed away. But for
letting me know I had logged enough miles to be a Mariner Judy and I, our lives had already changed irreversibly. We stayed
Society member. in touch with Roger Naber, and when he resurrected the cruise as
The airport hustle-and-bustle was a rude awakening from the the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (LRBC), we became one of his
royal blues treatment we had grown accustomed to over our week partners. URBC had paved the way, and in the intervening years,
on the King’s Ship. The next chance to sail away with the LRBC the hunger among URBC cruisers for a new cruise reached a fever
aboard the ms Koningsdam is February 4–11, 2018, to Tortola, pitch. In 2001, we announced the first ever Legendary Rhythm and
San Juan, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. For more information on Blues Cruise at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival, and 17 days later,
upcoming LRBC cruises, visit www.bluescruise.com. tickets sold out.
October 2017 will be the 29 LRBC, and will be the 32 blues
nd
th
Katie Martin operates Ozcat Radio 89.5 FM of Vallejo, CA with cruise for Judy and me. The cruise has created an international family
her husband David. She uses her skills as a writer and graphic of blues cruisers. At any blues music event anywhere in the world,
designer on behalf of the station’s website and social media. You you will meet other folks wearing LRBC garb. It’s like meeting up with
can catch her radio show, The Sunny Mix, on the air Fridays from your cousins; there is a common shared experience that creates a real
9 a.m.–noon PST at www.ozcatradio.com. bond. After every cruise, folks ask, “How was the cruise?” I always
respond, “It was the best ever.” And it is always true.

74 Blues Festival Guide 2017