Bluegrass .....Alaska .....Cruise
     Put them all together and it spells Experience of a Lifetime!

Our 2008 cruise is going to be absolutely amazing!  I Every year I think, "It doesn't get any better than this." And it's true. When you put wonderful Bluegrass people and awesome Bluegrass music on a cruise ship to Alaska it can only be the best experience ever! It is hard to pinpoint one element that makes this adventure so incredible.

First there is the stellar talent. Stellar = Stars. Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, plus more to be announced! All of our performers are stars with long pedigrees of awards and such, which is what makes it so amazing that they are so welcoming and comfortable to be with in workshops, hallways, or the Seven Seas dinning room. For an hour each day they amaze us with a phenomenal performance and then they include us in their personal experience.

Then there are the people who come from all over the country ... or should I say countries. Some have been involved with Bluegrass for a life time. Some are new to Bluegrass. About a third come with their instruments but the rest, like myself, are more than happy to remain the enthusiastic audience. These are the people of the Bluegrass community. Just like most Bluegrass events it is the people you meet that make it an extra special time. They have a common bond and a way of making you feel like you have known each other forever. Every year our group leaves having made new friends that they will meet again at other events. I treasure the new friendships created over meals, strolls on the deck and shore excursions. Many people come in groups of family & friends and discover they have unlimited time to enjoy each other's company.

The Norwegian Pearl's smiling staff takes care of your every need. The casual undemanding ship lifestyle allows you to relax and cast away the cares of the busy world. Norwegian has freestyle dinning with 12 restaurants to choose from. (No assigned dining times or tables) There are many daily ship activities or you can choose to do nothing ... my personal favorite.

Although the fabulous Bluegrass and the luxurious cruise experience are definitely a winning combination ..... the backdrop of the majestic Alaska Inside Passage takes this adventure to an awe inspiring level. When you see the narrows of Tracy Arm with its deep indescribable aqua blue ice, crystal clear waters, lush green forest, eagles flying overhead, bears playing on the shore, waterfalls tumbling from sheer drops ... I can hardly wait! Once you have seen a glacier up close and personal you will never be the same. These things do not exist anywhere else in the world and here we are. What an unbelievable privilege to be able to experience it along with the music we love and the company of great friends.

There are hundreds of great reasons that the Alaska Inside Passage is the most popular cruise in the world but when you add Bluegrass to the list it becomes the most PERFECT cruise. This year, our fourth annual, will be absolutely amazing !!

Carla Hosner    www.alaskabluegrasscruise.com

Only those booking with cottagemusic will be able to attend Bluegrass activities