EC Un-Plugged:

Baltimore – 30 & Over Moonlight Party & Jazz Cruise – August 28th
If you’re out of your twenties and would rather party than sleep, put on your dancing shoes and head down to the Inner Harbor. The Spirit of Baltimore is offering a moon-lit affair of dining, dancing, jazz and views of the city beneath the stars.

Boston – Spend an Afternoon with 96.9 WTKK’s Michael Graham – July 30th Odyssey is hosting an afternoon of cocktails and conversation with WTKK’s Michael Graham. Boston’s talk evolution radio personality is dishing out conversation, his “Natural Truth” stand-up comedy act and fun.

Chicago – Venetian Night Fireworks Cruises July 25th It’s the 52nd Annual Venetian Night and the theme is “Hollywood on the Lake.” Watch a special fireworks illumination synchronized to music as you dine, dance and mingle out on the water. Join the fun with Mystic Blue, Spirit of Chicago or Odyssey.

Norfolk – 27th Annual Norfolk Jazz Festival July 24th – 25th Compliment your experience at the region’s longest running outdoor Jazz festival with a lunch or dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Norfolk. The city’s starlit event features performances by Joyce Cooling, Ramsey Lewis, The Rippingtons, Euge Groove, Kim Waters, Pieces of a Dream, Spyro Gyra and many others.

New York – The Smooth Cruise Series July 22nd and 29th On July 22nd, the Spirit of New York’s Smooth Jazz Cruise features The Rippingtons of “Moonlighting,” named number one most influential contemporary jazz albums of all time by Jazziz magazine.

On July 29th, there’s Jonathan Butler, a two-time Grammy nominee for his soulful singing, songwriting and guitar playing.

Philadelphia – WDAS 105.3 Moonlight Cruise – July 31st The Spirit of Philadelphia and WDAS Radio 105.3 are coming together to give you a late-night party at Penn’s Landing. Filled with moonlight and Philly’s Best R&B and Classic Soul music, boarding is at 11:30pm and cruising is from Midnight ‘til 2:00am. Stay up late. You can sleep tomorrow.

Washington D.C. – Saturday Gospel Lunch – July 18th It’s coming up. In like, two days. Why not try something new out on the Potomac with the Spirit of Washington? There’s live gospel entertainment, a lunch buffet, views that might take your breath away and inspiration galore.

Hey readers, go out and do something different this month! And hey, smooth sailin’!

See you next week.

Recently, our HQ Marketing and Revenue Teams were able to grace the hip and cool Mystic Blue with their presence. Unfortunately I was in Florida gracing the beach and warm Atlantic Ocean with mine.

I did however, collect several tidbits about the fabulous time that was had. Read on, dear readers…

1. Do group outings like this occur often at the Entertainment Cruises Headquarters or was this a special occasion?

• Employee “N”: We get out on the boats as a group at least a couple of times a year. We do sell boat rides after all! And boat rides are fun! All work and no fun would make Entertainment Cruises just some lame office people. We party with an aim at WOW!
• Employee “A”: Oh, we party on the regular, however, this was more of a special occasion outing than just your average, run-of-the-mill dinner cruise.
• Employee “HK”: This was a special occasion to send off a former employee, but group outings do occur…although probably not as often as I would like!
• Employee “S”: We are very lucky shipmates in that we do these group outings every once in a while…
• Employee “RZ”: A little of both – this particular outing was a special occasion – a farewell party for one of our shipmates.
• Employee “RS”: We do group outings on our cruises a few times a year. This was a going away party for one of our employees.
• Employee “HA”: It was a special occasion but we try to get together for fun outings as much as we can.

2. What was the name of the cruise you went on?

• Employee “N”: Shipmate Farewell Mystic Blue Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge Cruise.
• Employee “A”: Mystic Blue Lake Breeze Dinner Lounge (I think).
• Employee “HK”: Our Shipmate’s Farewell Extravaganza aka Lake Breeze Dinner Lounge.
• Employee “S”: Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge.
• Employee “RZ”: Lake Breeze Lounge cruise.
• Employee “RS”: Mystic Blue Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge
• Employee “HA”: Lake-breeze Dinner Lounge

3. What was your favorite part about the cruise?

• Employee “N”: Drinks on the observation deck with the sun setting behind a beautiful skyline always makes me feel like the King of Chicago!
• Employee “A”: Drinking champagne out on the deck whilst jamming to the musical stylings of the live guitarist.
• Employee “HK”: Sitting on the outer decks gazing at the skyline….and each other.
• Employee “S”: Everything.
• Employee “RZ”: Hanging out on the outer deck (in good company of course) listening to the guitarist.
• Employee “RS”: Can’t say I had a favorite part.
• Employee “HA”: Sitting on the observation deck with a glass of champagne as the beautiful skyline passed by.

4. What is the best employee perk you got while sailing?

• Employee “N”: I once got a front row seat to see one of our shipmates do The Hustle on the Mystic Blue dance floor.
• Employee “A”: Free drinks.
• Employee “HK”: While I really enjoyed my free dirty martinis, the huge platter of appetizers we got was great – I recommend the crabcakes.
• Employee “S”: When we we’re quickly whisked away to the observation deck!
• Employee “RZ”: Free champagne of course.
• Employee “RS”: Free drinks and the appetizer plate.

5. Did anyone say/do something embarrassing worth writing about now?

• Employee “N”: I wish.
• Employee “HK”: Ashley put on a sailor hat and did a rousing performance of “I’m On A Boat”
• Employee “S”: We did have some funny conversations about towels—you would have had to have been there.
• Employee “RZ”: No.
• Employee “RS”: Unfortunately no.
• Employee “HA”: What happens on Mystic Blue stays on Mystic Blue!

6. What did you like most about Mystic Blue?

• Employee “N”: I started with the company as a ticket booth supervisor for Mystic Blue so I’m kind of biased but I think it’s the coolest ship in the EC fleet.
• Employee “A”: The vibe. The place settings were simple, attractive and contemporary. The outdoor deck has fun furniture and was perfect for listening to the live music.
• Employee “HK”: The atmosphere is very casual and relaxed…it’s the perfect environment to wind down after a day at work.
• Employee “S”: I enjoyed the eye-catching new trendy blue-hued table settings, the new gray deck furniture in fun shapes, but the views of Chicago always wins.
• Employee “RZ”: Casual hip atmosphere.
• Employee “RS”: The atmosphere on the cruise.

7. What is the funniest thing that happened on your cruise?

• Employee “A”: Sharing funny stories around the table. I’d love to provide details, but I operate under a strict don’t-kiss-and-tell policy.
• Employee “HK”: See #5.
• Employee “S”: Seeing pictures of our old shipmate’s new house with the most kitschy lawn ornaments ever—it would make regular old gnomes jealous!

8. How was the service?

• Employee “N”: The service bordered on rock star treatment.
• Employee “A”: Great. I think our server was named Vanity (maybe). She’s awesome.
• Employee “HK”: Vanity and the other shipmates were wonderful as always.
• Employee “S”: Excellent, of course.
• Employee “RZ”: The service was fantastic of course, although Ashley did end up wearing a little champagne.
• Employee “RS”: Excellent.
• Employee “HA”: The service was great. The staff is energetic, and enthusiastic. They seem to have fun with the guests.

9. What was your favorite menu item?

• Employee “N”: I could eat a dozen mini éclairs in a heartbeat.
• Employee “A”: Dirty martini. And the chocolate covered banana. slices.
• Employee “HZ”: I’m not normally a big sweets person, but the dessert selection was fantastic.
• Employee “S”: The fish and chips were superb!
• Employee “RS”: I liked the fish and chips.
• Employee “HA”: Always dessert…and there is much to choose from!

10. Why didn’t you want the cruise to end?

• Employee “N”: There was still some sunlight left when we docked and we can shut the place down.
• Employee “A”: See answer to #9
• Employee “HK”: We needed more time to get Bob on the dance floor.
• Employee “S”: Because everyone was clapping and high-fiving us as we departed the cruise. Makes you feel like…oh, Kanye West I suppose.
• Employee “RZ”: Having too much fun
• Employee “RS”: Umm … no more free drinks.

And now, a question for you:
Which employee do you think should win for “most enjoyable responses?”
Email your vote to blog@entertainmentcruises.com.

Thank you.
Bon Voyage ‘til next week!