frank turner salty dog cruise

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5 Insane Things You Might See On Flogging Molly's Salty Dog Cruise

Members of Flogging Molly name the five calamities you might encounter on their Fifth Annual Salty Dog Cruise.

Sometimes, music festival cruises feel a little random; for Celtic punks Flogging Molly , the format makes perfect sense. The band's high-flying, brine-drunk songs seem right at home on the high seas, where never-ending bars and deckside shenanigans make for blur of raised glasses, good times, and foolhhardy ideas. So it's unsurprising that their Salty Dog Cruise is now entering its fifth year, and has become the annual highlight of the lives of their fans.

"There’s this group of people who call themselves 'shipmates' -- they meet up in the city and come to our shows, and they all converge and migrate to the boat," says guitarist and vocalist Dennis Casey." It’s this level of love and passion. I have to admit, I was very skeptical in the beginning -- I’d never been on a cruise, and I didn’t really understand how to make it work. But I gotta tell you, the second I got on the boat, I met two people from Belgium, and thought, ‘Oh my God, this could be great.’"

Besides the sheer level of dedication shown by annual attendees, this year's Salty Dog Cruise boasts plenty to make it a bucket list experience. There's also a line-up that includes Pennywise , Stiff Little Fingers , Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, The Bronx , and more; stops at Key West and CocoKay, Bahamas; and a professional-grade skate ramp on the roof deck for doing kickflips beneath the stars. And of course, being on a boat in the middle of the ocean, there's nothing to do but party -- all the time.

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"At another festival, when it’s time to go, it’s time to go," says accordion player Matt Hensley. "There is no stopping here -- I’ve been walking around at nine in the morning, and there are still people getting after it, walking around with bottles of whiskey or dancing with DJs."

Having heard the rumors, and curious to learn what the voyage has in store, we asked Dennis and Matt to tell us about the most insane things your average sailor will see on the Salty Dog Cruise. Here's what they told us...

Over a hundred Jameson shots, consumed in a single moment

Dennis: The first year, the shipmates did this toast in the front bar of the boat. There were hundreds of people at this thing, and there were hundreds of shots on the bar. It was staggering when you walked by -- just the fumes from the alcohol. And they passed them all out! And every year, they pick a reason to toast -- to be there is one, sure, but let’s say everyone pitched in to give someone a little extra money, like let's say [someone was] struggling with some health issues. They do a huge cheers. I’ve never seen so many shots of Jameson consumed in one instant!

Jacuzzi-side rock star performances

Dennis: The first year, Frank Turner was on he cruise. I was walking around, and I thought I heard people singing. I couldn’t tell what was going on. I went to the jacuzzi at the top of the boat, and I followed [the noise], there’s a bunch of people singing along -- and there’s Frank Turner, sitting there with his guitar next to the jacuzzi, doing a whole acoustic set for whoever was there. And I was like, ‘There’s not many places in the world you can experience this.’

Punk rock dance parties during tropical storms

Matt: There was a moment last year, where we did a northern soul dance part. We were DJ-ing at midnight, and a storm was hitting, and everyone -- including the Buzzcocks -- were dancing on the deck of the ship. It was pouring, and people were just dancing in the rain while the ship got beat up by the waves. Dennis's poor, beautiful wife was getting seasick...

Dennis: Yeah, she was getting seasick...and I was no help. I just ran out on the balcony, and was howling at the moon. You could see the storm from a distance -- the lightning and everything. It was so beautiful.

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Night skating while your favorite punk legends play under the stars

Matt: One of the many stories that always sticks with me is that I was skateboarding on the deck with a bunch of professionals. We’re skating this ramp, and 30 feet away from me, English Beat were playing. And then you look up, and and you look at the stars, and you’re looking over the Caribbean. If you would’ve told me back in 1985 that I’d be on a ramp listening to English Beat over the Caribbean, I would’ve called you crazy.

Straight-up baby makin'

Dennis: We've had marriages on board, and kids being conceived. People have come up to us and said, ‘We’re going to have a baby, and we figured it out -- we conceived on the cruise!’ They just went on our cruise, and...this beautfiul thing happened! People have also gotten married on it -- our old banjo player got his marriage license, and he married a few people. Last year, our friend Rob had his...did he have his wedding there? Or his bachelor party? Or both?

For more information about Flogging Molly's Salty Dog cruise, visit the event's website .

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Salty Dog Cruise announces 2022 dates, first wave of bands

Flogging Molly have announced a new date and the first round of bands for their Salty Dog Cruise. The cruise will now take place March 28 - April 1, 2022 and will depart from the Port of Miami. The cruise will go to Nassau, Bahamas and Grand Bahama Island. Descendents , The Distillers , Frank Turner , and Me First and The Gimme Gimmes are among the bands announced. Check out the full list of bands below.

Salty Dog Cruise 2022 Lineup

Flogging Molly

Descendents

The Distillers

Frank Turner (duo)

Me First and The Gimme Gimmes

Mongol Horde

Authority Zero

Dave Hause and The Mermaid

The Cherry Coke$

Punk Rock Karaoke

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The briefs re-release 'singles only', will tour with fanclub and me first, koo koo are fearlessly committed to the bit, lost evenings day 4 at great canadian casino and resort in toronto, on 09/22, frank turner announces lost evenings viii, descendents with guests jesse michaels, skiba, linh le, frank turner, hetson to play october 5, thunder queens cover the breeders, in conversation with frank turner, frank turner releases video for "somewhere inbetween", me first and the gimme gimmes and dwarves announce australia tour, old city to release debut lp, share "prey" video.

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Salty Dog Cruise 2025: The Ultimate Punk Caribbean Booze Cruise Set sail aboard the Norwegian Pearl for the ultimate booze cruise filled with live music, open bars and life long nautical memories. The th Salty Dog Cruise will start its epic adventure in Miami, United States stop in the breathtaking Nassau and Grand Bahama Live […]

Salty Dog Cruise 2025

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Salty dog cruise 2025: the ultimate punk caribbean booze cruise.

Set sail aboard the Norwegian Pearl for the ultimate booze cruise filled with live music, open bars and life long nautical memories. The th Salty Dog Cruise will start its epic adventure in Miami, United States stop in the breathtaking Nassau and Grand Bahama

Live performances will be made by an action-packed lineup from Friday night through Monday morning. Access to all Salty Dog concerts are general admission so you and your fellow seamen can come and go as you wish.

Salty Dog Cruise 2025 Lineup

Previous lineups included Flogging Molly, Descendents, The Distillers, Frank Turner (duo), Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Broilers.

Stay tuned for the 2025 lineup to be announced soon.

As if the music stage wasn’t enough, the Norwegian Pearl offers a bountiful amount of other fun activities while on-board. Be sure to check out the dozens of delicious dining options, hot tubs, pools and spas, fitness center, as well as its state-of-the-art casino.

Each ticket provides an all-inclusive experience from the modern-looking cabins to the all-you-can eat buffet and open bars. Full use of the ship’s amenities are open to all ticket holders looking to relax at the pristine salon or rage at the day-time pool parties.

“Booze and cruise your way through the Caribbean as the Norwegian Pearl sets sail for a three-day aquatic rager.”

Where to view the Salty Dog Cruise

The majority of your Salty Dog experience will take place on board the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship. Hopefully not much time will be spent in your cabin, but instead on one of the TWELVE decks. Mosey around the ship’s quarters and explore loads of entertainment from casino fun to endless shopping.

Take to the crowd for the live music concert experience or relax by the spa. Whichever your choice, just remember to relax and enjoy the Caribbean ride.

How to get around the Norwegian Pearl

Make sure to check out the official deck plan to get an idea of the hottest spots on the cruise ship. Most of your time will be spent on deck 11 and 12 where pools, spas, bars and clubs will be awaiting your enjoyment.

The Great Outdoor Cafe will provide an endless amount of gourmet pleasures while specialty restaurants are open to those willing to go extend their guilty cuisine pleasures.

Take part in basketball, volleyball and a golf driving range on the top deck under the Caribbean sun.

Where to stay for the Salty Dog Cruise

Housing is fully provided with each ticket for the Salty Dog Cruise. Make sure to check out a variety of rooming options to best suit you your party’s needs. Staterooms vary in size and location so booking sooner rather than later is a must!

Each room ranges from 120 square feet to 200 square feet. If you’re feelin’ extra fancy, be sure to look into the Penthouse Balcony Suite to truly live life like a captain. 

Things to do on the Salty Dog Cruise

Vibing out to your favorite bands isn’t the only thing to do aboard the Norwegian Sky. Endless nightlife awaits at multiple nautical-themed bars and lounges. Pig out at the variety of dining options from buffet style to five-star eateries. Get your fitness on inside the ship’s world-class gym then relax at the massive spa or hot tubs. Practice your golf game on the upper deck driving range or take a shot at aquatic hoops on the full-sized basketball hoop.

All in all, the Salty Dog Cruise provides the ultimate all-inclusive booze cruise weekend getaway. Featuring over 20 bands and open bars throughout, the Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise will not disappoint!

Salty Dog Cruise 2025 Dates

Depart Port of Miami at 3.30pm on Feb 17 2025 and return to Port of Miami on Feb 22, 2025. 

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• Turner, Frank
• November 11, 2019 Setlist

Frank Turner Setlist at Royal Caribbean, Serenade of the Seas, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

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• Jinny Bingham's Ghost Play Video
• The Graveyard of the Outcast Dead Play Video
• Nica Play Video
• Rescue Annie Play Video
• The Hymn of Kassiani Play Video
• The Death of Dora Hand Play Video
• Sister Rosetta Play Video
• Rosemary Jane Play Video
• There She Is Play Video
• The Lioness Play Video

Note: first show @ Atrium

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4 activities (last edit by Curry , 21 Mar 2020, 16:00 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

• Jinny Bingham's Ghost
• Rescue Annie
• Rosemary Jane
• Sister Rosetta
• The Death of Dora Hand
• The Graveyard of the Outcast Dead
• The Hymn of Kassiani
• The Lioness
• There She Is

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Frank Turner

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Salty Dog Cruise 2019 setlists

Frank Turner Gig Timeline

• Nov 07 2019 Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA Add time Add time
• Nov 10 2019 Salty Dog Cruise 2019 Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA Add time Add time
• Nov 11 2019 Salty Dog Cruise 2019 This Setlist Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA Add time Add time
• Nov 11 2019 Salty Dog Cruise 2019 Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA Add time Add time
• Nov 14 2019 Old Street Records London, England Add time Add time
• Nov 22 2019 Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline, Scotland Add time Add time

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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