SPILL LIVE REVIEW: THE ‘80s CRUISE: FOR ‘80s LOVERS ONLY!

THE ‘80s CRUISE: FOR ‘80s LOVERS ONLY!

A FUN & FRENZIED CELEBRATION OF FRIENDS, MUSIC AND BOOZE

MARCH 2 – MARCH 9, 2025

I’m sitting with several shipmates when one mentions—almost in rapture–that she just saw Tiffany down the ship’s corridor.  “Tiffany who?” I ask.  In moments, the woman—visibly shocked by my ignorance– hands me her phone, a YouTube video clip now on screen.  I listen for five seconds, hand it back and say “THAT, my dear, is “I Think We’re Alone Now,” and it’s Tommy James and the Shondells, NOT Tiffany.”

If you’re a fan of the 80s, next year you can celebrate the decade at sea aboard The 80s Cruise, a 7-day Caribbean sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Of The Seas featuring Bret Michaels, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Gary Numan, Billy Ocean, Berlin, OMD, Taylor Dayne, The Sugar Hill Gang, Men Without Hats, Quiet Riot and more.

Just make sure you’re a fan of the 80s.

I, a devoted fan of 60s and 70s music, recently returned from this year’s The 80s Cruise and realized almost immediately what a difference 10 years can make.  Sure, there is some musical crossover between the decades—I was delighted to hear Bruce Springsteen, Dire Straits, The Pretenders, Robert Palmer and other favorites wafting through the sound system as I explored Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas—but sometimes music seems oddly peripheral aboard this rollicking party at sea.

Concerts by artists like Men at Work, Sheila E, Andy Bell of Erasure, Adam Ant, Christoper Cross, Warrant, the song-stealing Tiffany and more are certainly well attended but the live 90-minute performances can’t hold a candle to the enthusiasm the crowd of nearly 3,000 has for the traditional shipboard “events” of the cruise.  Unlike my contemporaries who pretty much have enthusiasm for nothing, these 80s fans absolutely salivate at the thought of dressing in elaborate costumes for theme nights like The Golden Girls (lots of curly gray “Sofia” wigs), Pop Icon (multiple Gene Simmons wannabes), Prom Night (lavish gowns) and Mardi Gras (feathers and masks in a sea of purple, green and gold).  As a fan of carry-on travel, I am dazzled that these people schlep multiple suitcases filled not only with these costumes but materials to lavishly decorate their cabin doors (a The 80s Cruise tradition) and supplies of “Swag,” giveaway trinkets like bracelets, 80s candies, coasters, buttons and more to share with shipmates.

The only thing older music lovers like me seem to have in common with the 80s set is booze.  The sailing includes an open bar and, oh yeah, this is a drinking crowd–though, I’m happy to say, not a sloppy or belligerent one.  A few margaritas with your buffet breakfast?  Bring it on.  A daily drink consumption of 20 cocktails or more?  Commonplace.  And maybe because this is such an intoxicating experience, you won’t find yourself in deep, life-altering conversation or spirited political debate with your newfound friends.  There’s no talk of Trump, tariffs or Trudeau aboard The 80s Cruise—in fact, the only political commentary I saw all week was a guy in a Reagan/Bush ’84 t-shirt.

In a curious practice, The 80s Cruise features artists of that decade but combines genres to a point that makes my head spin.  Christoper Cross and Men at Work?  Sheila E and Adam Ant??  Next year, guests may enjoy the hip-hop of The Sugar Hill Gang, the pop of Taylor Dayne, and the heavy synthesizer hooks of electronic music whiz Gary Numan.  WTF??

Even if you’ve experienced a traditional holiday at sea, The 80s Cruise will hit you like a bolt from the blue.  The party begins at embarkation as guests arrive at the ship’s terminal decked out in their finest ‘80s regalia:  think black and white checks, big hair, oversized day-glo sunglasses, t-shirts bearing the image of rock bands of yesteryear, stuffed animals pinned to shirts, fingernails painted with The 80s Cruise logo and men with the MTV logo shaved into their scalps.

For those completely unfamiliar with a cruise holiday, picture a vacation resort at sea that will deliver you to Nassau, San Juan, and Puerto Plata with two sea days between.  (On The 80s Cruise, not many guests care—or even know—where they’ll be sailing and many don’t even leave the ship during the calls, preferring to lounge at the pool, cocktail in hand.)  Your hotel room is called a cabin and all but a few restaurants are included in your fare.  A lavish two-level theater is the site of concerts featuring the cruise headliners and guests are divided into two groups, determined by the colour of their room key.  Headliners perform two 90-min shows each, one for those holding red room keys; the other, for those holding blue.  Apart from guests who booked the cruise during the previous The 80s Cruise and scored reserved seats by doing so, theater seating is general admission. Unlike other music theme cruises, however, theater doors are left open prior to a performance allowing guest to simply stroll in and claim their seat rather than standing in line for an hour or more.  Smaller onboard venues feature non-headlining acts, ‘80s Music Trivia, karaoke, Name That ‘80s TV Tune and more, and are general admission for all.

2026 will mark the 10^th Anniversary of The 80s Cruise and, yes, you’ll find many guests have experienced each and every one (and have the t-shirts to prove it).  In fact, dedication is rewarded with a lavish (and rather bizarre) traditional “graduation” ceremony for those who’ve experienced four sailings—cap and gown included.  In the high school tradition, newbies are labeled “Freshmen” while sophomore, junior and senior status follows with each cruise.

Thanks to the fans’ enthusiasm and organizer Entertainment Cruise Productions’ meticulous attention to detail, The 80s Cruise transports fans back to the best time of their lives.

I only wish the organizer would do the same for us ‘60s and ‘70s music lovers.

The 80s Cruise 2026 (Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas; February 27-March 6, 2026):  Next year’s The 80s Cruise, the 10^th anniversary sailing, will feature Bret Michaels, Gary Numan, Taylor Dayne, Berlin, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Billy Ocean and more.  Special 10^th anniversary events are planned, including “The 80s Cruise Rocks The Dock,” a special party/concert at the Nassau Amphitheater.  For additional information, visit the80scruise.com

(Photography by Judi Cuervo)

Photos

The ’80s Cruise Links