Cruise to the Edge 2018

Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends...

Cruise to the Edge has been one of the greatest musical experiences of my lifetime

If you were to ask me 30 years ago , if I would have wanted to spend my winter vacation on a cruise ship with 2,000 other middle-aged Progressive Rock fans, rocking out to bands that I started following in the early 1970s. My first thought was, nope, no freaking way. The thought of hanging with a bunch of old farts reliving glory days, sounded sort of desperate. However, after pulling my head out of my ass, realizing I am one of those old farts thinking, and how on earth could this be a bad thing?

Let's see? Great bands, cool like-minded people, exotic ports, and sunny 82 degree weather in the middle of February? It was a no brainer, and said, hell yeah!

Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Sea

YES has been the host band for the last 7 years, and with each passing year, the lineup keep getting better and better.

It's my first day on board, and we’re finally out of the freezing cold of Pennsylvania. I’m wearing my favorite concert tee, shorts and flip, flops. I have a cold drink in hand, my favorite band is playing on the pool stage, and we’re cruising the Gulf of Mexico.

It doesn't get much better than that.

The cruise is a 5 day event, starting with a pre-cruise show, this time round, it was in Tampa at Ferg's live. There were 3 bands, Baraka, The Dave Kerzner band (tribute to Pink Floyd) and Carl Palmer of ELP. It's a great way to catch up with old friends, make some new ones, have a drink, peruse the merchandise table and listen to some fantastic music.

When the cruise gets rolling, it's pretty much music around the clock. The top tier bands perform twice in the largest theater, for those shows, you have assigned seats (the earlier you book, the better the seats)! The lower tier bands will play 2 to 3 times in various venues around the ship. For this logistical nightmare, the sound and production on Cruise to the Edge has been excellent!

What is cool about those that attend, (for the most part), they get it. There is very little talking during the shows and there is great respect and appreciation for the performers.

PROG rock isn't hand-clapping, foot-stomping or music you boogie to. It requires your attention. 

After all the shows, The Cruise To The Edge Late Night Live is a really fun addition. It allows those passengers that are musicians to jam together on stage with a Pro setup, and on most nights some of the artists will come and join in. 

Remember back in the 1970's where bands were inaccessible, cloaked in mystery, and completely closed off to the average fan? I do. What has been refreshing about this festival is, the artists are accessible and very, very fan friendly. It's kind of cool seeing one of your favorites performers at breakfast and in passing saying, "Hey Michael Sadler (SAGA) great set last night, looking forward to the next show"!! 

Most artists will take time to sign Cd's, album covers etc. and if you are cool about it, they'll be happy to take a photo with you. Just like most folks, they don't want to be bothered while they are having dinner, so it's best to leave them be while they are eating.

Obviously, the bands are the draw but the people have been some of the coolest, nicest, most musically knowledgeable we have been fortunate to meet.

This is truly an international event and folks come from all over the world. The United States, Denmark, Britain, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, Auckland and a bunch of other countries I haven't mentioned. It's a great community and my wife and I have made some meaningful, long lasting friendships.

Gallery

If you love music, after covid please go out, and see your favorite bands.

For the love of God, buy their music they need our support!!

Grateful to have seen the following bands

YES, Marillion, Renaissance, UK, Steve Hackett, Allan Holdsworth, PFM, Caravan, Saga, Carl Palmer, Soft Machine, The Strawbs, Patrick Moraz, Three Friends, Focus, Tangerine Dream, Adrian Belew, Nektar, Mike Portnoy, Anathema, The Neal Morse band, Martin Barre, The Stickmen, Spock's beard, Queensryche, Moon Safari, Lifesigns, Haken, Dave Kerzner, Sons of Apollo, Bad Dreams, The McBroom Sisters, The Pineapple Thief, IO Earth, FROST, Barracuda Triangle, Glass Hammer, Gong, Knifeworld, Airbag, Sound of contact, Scale the Summit, Thank You Scientist, Presto Ballet, Enchant, Anglagard, Baraka, Electric Asturias and a host of others...

Looking forward to the next one!

* I am not affiliated with any artists, or Cruise to the Edge, nor do I profit in any way from this page. I do this for fun and for those who care...no animals were hurt during this review.