Page 48 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2024 Digital Edition

Bluesin’ to Delbert McClinton & Friends on the Sandy Beaches Cruise. Photo by Ÿ Marilyn Stringer

Those of us that have been on this cruise since the beginning to this one, but it was a first for myself and Beth Rudolph. We
(or close to it) have become family. We travel to other concerts have known Nancy for years, but from afar. On this cruise, we
and music festivals together. We bring each other gifts and really got to connect and spend fun times together, because,
decorate our cabin doors with pictures of each other. We visit unlike land festivals where you go your separate ways each
our cruise family members in their hometowns and meet their day, we were all on the boat together for a whole week –
families. We check in on each other, support one another dancing, loving the music, sharing meals and traveling together.
and when we lose one, we grieve together. Last year, we Nancy recounts why she goes on this cruise: “I
lost our dear friend, John House, and loved each other and discovered floating music festivals in 2008 thanks to Delbert
his wife through it, then celebrated his life and memory as McClinton. He would come through my city at venues and
big and loud and colorful as we could, because we are “the promote ‘1-800-Delbert.’ I took a leap of faith and can
blues chaser” family. We would not have become the tight-knit honestly say it opened many doors for me! Through the
group of friends from all over the world without our Keeping connections you make, you learn of other floating festivals
The Blues Alive at Sea connection. www.bluesaliveatsea.com and try them depending on your music preference. The
Editor’s Note: Joe Bonamassa has been known to beauty of a festival cruise is everything is at your fingertips.
expand his Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise to the Musical talent (on multiple stages!), friendships, dining,
Mediterranean region – stay tuned for more details from Joe bar, exercise and adventure – all in one package. Music
and Sixthman! www.bluesaliveatseaeurope.com cruises are much more intimate – you can interact with the
artists and have conversations, versus attending a concert
Sandy Beaches Cruise where you see them from afar. Whether cruising solo or
By Marilyn Stringer, with Beth Rudolph and Nancy Winner with others, you are among cruisers with the same like-
We cruised on the 28 Sandy Beaches Cruise in January minded interests! I have met some of my closest friends over
th
2024. One of us, Nancy Winner, has returned year after year the years on my music cruises.”

46 Blues Festival Guide 2024