What Halloween Means To This English Transplant

I am not predisposed to reminisce. Professionally the primary reason I look back is to review the what, the why and the how we did something, to work out improvements for next time we do that ‘thing’. In my personal life, I rarely yearn to return anywhere, I much prefer to break new ground, visit new places, experience new things, taste new dishes.

So as an aside, this might be a good moment to apologize to most of the people around me for being a change junkie and probably driving each of you a little crazy, at least some of the time… status quo is not for me.

Today however is different, and I do find myself looking back for an unusual moment. On October 31st 1999 I signed on to my first contract on a cruise ship at the age of 33. My great career master plan was lodged in the idea of getting away from anther cold English winter, which probably would have entailed working backstage in a draughty theater for 12 shows a week, costuming a Pantomime (my American friends are going to have to google that on their own time, it’s way too complicated to explain here.)

Little did I know that might have been my ‘sliding doors’ moment, because the decision to fly to Miami to join the legendary SS Norway for one 6-month contract literally changed the course of my life, and as usual it is a change I have thoroughly embraced.

I met the man who would become my husband, within 6 weeks of being onboard, and it’s been an adventure in largely unchartered waters ever since. Within a year I switched onboard careers from Costume Manager to Concierge, then by 2003 moved into a Norwegian Cruise Line shoreside role in the Onboard Revenue Team. Projects in IT and Entertainment followed until I found my tribe in Hotel Operations leading the Guest Services teams from 2007. By 2011 I started to support charter operations, including for Sixthman, and on October 31st 2012 I sailed on my (and NCL’s) first KISS Kruise. What a way for an English girl, who grew up only associating Halloween with Scooby-Doo cartoons, to celebrate this strange holiday.  

Spooky Fact #468026 I have spent Halloween on the KISS Kruise every year since. But now I find myself at home in Atlanta, having celebrated my 5-year milestone as a permanent member of the Sixthman team this year, but still somewhat puzzled by this holiday, and wondering what the evening will bring. Had we been able to sail this Halloween I would have notched up my 9th KISS Kruise, which in the KISS Navy ranks me as an Elite Fleet Lieutenant, not bad career progress after all from no stripes when I first signed on to the cruise line on October 31st 1999…

Find Your Tribe With Sixthman

What comes to mind when you think of Kesha’s Weird & Wonderful Rainbow Ride? Is it colorful hair, crazy outfits, and lots of glitter? If so, you’re on the right track! But the Kesha Cruise is more than that, it’s a safe space for people of all walks of life, all sexual orientations, and all races to come together and let their freak flags fly!

Our time at sea on the inaugural Rainbow Ride last February consisted of epic dance parties, the most creative theme night outfits, and have I mentioned the glitter?! One activity in particular stands out from the rest because it brought everyone on the ship together. It gave 10 guests their moment to absolutely shine as they lip synced for their life(boat)!

We took inspiration from Ru Paul’s Lip Sync For Your Life and had guests submit videos of themselves lip syncing to a song of their choice. We narrowed those down to our Top 10 and let me tell you, the attitude and personality that these folks possess is unmatched! We asked them to prepare 2 songs to perform on board. Round 1 was a Kesha song and round 2 could be anything of their choosing! I was the lucky one who got to communicate with everyone prior to getting on the boat, which included conversations like “Is it okay to take a bloody fake heart on stage?” (And the answer was yes, in case you were wondering!)

Once we got on board, I could feel how excited guests were to be in the spotlight! Did I mention that it was on the main Pool Deck stage AND Kesha and some of our drag queens were sitting on stage as judges?! *cue the nerves*

When showtime finally came, the energy was palpable. There was nothing scheduled against it, as this was the main show of the evening! We gathered all of the contestants and their +1s (they had to have someone to film for them!). The costumes they put together were incredible and it was so very apparent that these kids were born to perform. There aren’t many places where you can feel 100% comfortable to be yourself, but the Kesha Cruise, it’s one of them! Each performer went up there and shook what their mama gave them without a care in the world, I honestly didn’t stop smiling for the entire hour. Ultimately, there was only one winner, but I can easily say that experience was special for every person who participated!

Moments like these are why we do what we do. The tropical destinations are nice and the A-list talent is cool, but bringing together like-minded people and seeing them find their tribe, that’s what it’s all about! If you’re looking to expand your bubble, give a Sixthman cruise a try. I guarantee you’ll come home with a few (or a few hundred) new friends!

XOXO,

Sixthman Carlee

Who Says You Can’t Live Loud at Home?

2020: It was the year with schedules chock-full of festivals, concerts, and themed music cruises – for many, it was shaping up to be the best year yet. Then, in a matter of weeks our schedules were wiped clean, going out attire was swapped for sweats, and the closest thing to live music was clicking through your favorite Spotify playlist from the couch.

When you work at Sixthman, a typical year is filled with over 40,000 fans, about 450 bands, and countless magical weeks at sea and on land. I have to admit, the idea of an empty calendar was a little bit jarring, but, if I’ve learned anything working at Sixthman, it’s that this team is full of innovators.

To no one’s surprise, it didn’t take many Zoom calls, or long hours of brainstorming for the ideas to start flowing.  Truthfully, there wasn’t even a conversation that included “now what?” Instead, a team of people who missed live music got a little creative, and within a week the calendar was full of Mi Casa, Su Casa sessions – live mini-concerts streamed from the artists home straight to your living room, car, backyard or anywhere in between! It was the first step in connecting bands and fans while everyone was still at home.  

Five months and over 100 Mi Casa, Su Casa Sessions later, we were quickly approaching our first postponed sail away date. August 14th would have been the day we set sail out of Barcelona, Spain on Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean II, and though we couldn’t be on board together, we knew just the thing to celebrate these days! We kicked off the week with a virtual show from Joe Bonamassa and special guest Peter Frampton, complete with a Sixthman tradition – our ship wide Sail Away toast. The week’s second show included video performances from artists on the lineup like Walter Trout, Marc Broussard, The Suffers and more!

I’ll be the first to admit, nothing beats live music. There is no better feeling than a room full of friends supporting an artist you love. Since we have to make the most of it, I guess enjoying a few dozen shows from home, in your favorite pajamas, with an open bar will do for now. Don’t worry, we’ll be back together on land and at sea before you know it! But until then, you can look forward to virtual concerts, the Sixthman community you know and love, and a few surprises along the way - all from the comfort of your home!  Afterall, who says that you can’t Live Loud at home?

From our couch to yours,
-Victoria Newman

Joe bonamassa + Peter frampton playing an unreal collaboration!

MarC broussard delivering an amazing performance on the Keeping the blues alive at sea virtual experience

A sail away toast from our very own Sixthman Lauraine and bobblehead Joe

How Green Is My Garden

I made this embroidery for a Textiles/Needlework college course, a decade or two ago, and it’s travelled with me ever since, from my original home in Manchester UK, to London, then Miami, Florida and now Stone Mountain, Georgia. It hangs above my desk in my now remote office.

So, to answer the question literally, I can say my garden is very green right now, thanks to April’s sunshine and showers. When I’m not out to sea my favorite place to be is tending to my plants, herbs, roses and vegetables. (Note that for an English person a garden is not just for vegetables, it encompasses all aspects of an American ‘yard’) but let’s be honest ‘How Green is My Yard’ just doesn’t have the same whimsy now does it?!

Out in my garden I am truly energized, I do my best thinking and problem solving, and I’ve learned so much about life and about myself while I’ve been out there. The analogies are endless, but perhaps more importantly for me I’ve learned skills which I think everyone in a leadership role needs. Not least patience, nurturing, a willingness to try things that may or may not work, hope for the future, and the perseverance to ‘dig in,’ (pardon the pun) understand the why, and adapt accordingly.

Fortunately for me, my role at Sixthman affords me the chance to balance both my great loves of sailing the world’s oceans and then coming home to my garden. The climate in Georgia is not so different to Manchester so I can grow some old favorites from my childhood. You already know if you’ve sailed with us, that the Sixthman team is an awe-inspiring group of individuals, who together can weather any storm. So yes, I can definitely say my actual, and my proverbial gardens are both green with hope for a rosy future.

-Sarah Rio

5 Ways Music Is Bringing The World Together Right Now

At Sixthman, we’re no stranger to the effects that music has on the world. We’ve seen music build communities across all of our events, drive some to tears while they watch their favorite artists perform the song that changed their life and transform the most introverted of people into social butterflies. With all of that being said, it wasn’t surprising at all when we saw how music has drawn the world together in today’s current climate. We gathered some of today’s top stories where music allowed others to forget the world for a minute and immerse themselves in a melody of happiness. Read on to see some of our favorite stories of how music is bringing us together!

1.     While quarantined inside their homes, we witnessed Italians make the most of their distancing through song. Singing loud and proud from their balconies, they started a movement.

Source: https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/videos/quarantined-italy-musicians-play-sing-balconies/

2.     Sixthman has teamed up with artists from all of our festivals to be able to offer live music to everyone in our Sixthman family and beyond! Our Sixthman Sessions: Mi Casa, Su Casa series features amazing talents on our Facebook page each week. From Drew Holcomb to The Mastersons we’ve been honored to showcase these amazing talents during this time of isolation. You can check out the full schedule of shows at https://www.sixthmansessions.com/sessions/micasasucasa/

Source: https://www.sixthmansessions.com/sessions/micasasucasa/

3.     Inspired by the inspirational videos of those quarantined in Italy, Chicago found common ground in a singalong of Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer – that caught Bon Jovi’s attention!

Source: https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/03/21/chicago-singalong-of-livin-on-a-prayer-unites-thousands-in-covid-19-seclusion-including-jon-bon-jovi/?fbclid=IwAR1ZilWEOMW8ZUHBdYZu1Vno61p1wCfVfjj5B-kyKLtUygDYHwVfWK9r_nI

4.     From Florida, to New York, to Michigan, people across the nation are providing entertainment and performing shows for neighbors during times of social distancing.

Source: https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kent/walker-musician-holds-backyard-quarantine-concert

5.     Despite cancelled tours, artists such as Backstreet Boys, Nathaniel Rateliff and Miley Cyrus and so many more are providing Live Streams and Virtual Concerts for their fans.

Source: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9335531/coronavirus-quarantine-music-events-online-streams