Click here to watch a video from the first few days of the 2009 Elvis Cruise.

Click here to read an Elvis Cruise blog from the Sixthman team.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the 2009 Elvis Cruise.

Also, if you are an Elvis Insider, visit the members only forum for additional photos.

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Day 5 - Monday, November 16, 2009

We woke up in Tampa this morning to sunny skies and seagulls on the Lido Deck, where most folks had a leisurely breakfast while Elvis music played on the loudspeakers. Others onboard made last minute efforts to pack their bags after staying up late to see the encore of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Showcase.

Some even found time to soak in more sunshine and one Elvis co-star, Celeste Yarnall, also managed to fit in a game of ping pong.

Again, BRAVO to the performers from last night’s show. They knocked our blue suede shoes off with some of Elvis’ biggest hits in the Elvis Presley: The Hits show in the main lounge. The TCB Band, Elvis' Imperials and The Sweet Inspirations did not disappoint along with Terry Mike Jeffrey, Ronnie McDowell and Andy Childs. Dempseys guitarist Brad Birkedhal also wowed the crowd with his all acoustic version of the Elvis Presley classic "Surrender."



It was all smiles from cruisers as they disembarked with luggage in hand from the Inspiration and cleared customs in Tampa from their fun filled Elvis Cruise to Cozumel. Folks are already looking forward to next year.

In case you missed this fun video that helped capture the excitement from the cruise during the first few days, be sure to check it out again. Click here to watch.

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Day 4 - Sunday, November 15, 2009

WOW! What a night Saturday was when the Elvis in Hollywood main show exceed the already high expectations set by previous shows. Fans were once again blown away by the fun and amazing show in the Paris Lounge as they heard some of the best Elvis movie tunes performed by Ronnie McDowell, Terry Mike Jeffery and Andy Childs along with a surprise performance of “The Lady Loves Me” from Viva Las Vegas by Ronnie McDowell’s son and daughter-in-law. Top notch entertainment - Elvis would have been proud for these folks to perform his songs on stage.

Everywhere you went on the ship last night, you saw folks dressed up in Hawaiian wear for the Paradise Hawaiian Style theme. Now we just can’t wait to see how folks will answer the challenge of the theme to tonight's show, dressing as your favorite Elvis hit song.

As you enter the breakfast room on the ship this morning, everyone seems to have a healthy glow after soaking up some sun in Cozumel the day prior. Excitement is building over tonight’s final show, Elvis Presley: The Hits. Tonight will also feature a repeat performance of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Showcase with 13 of the best ETAs from all over the world, including 4 countries. Here are some pictures from last night’s show.



Judging also commences today on the door decorating contest. Some very creative cabin doors on this ship - from a jumpsuit door made of fabric and jewels to one that features famous Elvis TV Guide covers.

A lot of activity is happening at the pool today as Elvis fans soak up more sun and splash in the water or soak in the hot tub.

The Ask EPE panel was well attended by fans who had questions on a variety of subjects from the Cirque show in Las Vegas called Viva ELVIS to when new DVDs will be available in stores to what fans can expect at the 2010 birthday festivities at Graceland for Elvis’ 75th birthday.

Another Elvis Wine tasting was back by popular demand, giving fans the chance to sample some of the best Elvis wine available in an afternoon session in the Mardi Gras dining room.

Right now rehearsals are underway for Elvis Presley: The Hits show which will feature all of the entertainers on board the ship including The TCB Band, Elvis' Imperials and The Sweet Inspirations. Excitement is building as fans line up outside the doors trying to get a sneak peak and listen of the closed rehearsal.

Folks are also packing up and preparing to go home tomorrow, but the mood is nobody wants to go home just yet. Great reviews from fans and alumni from previous Elvis Cruises who say this is the BEST yet thanks to more hands on involvement from EPE and their Elvis Cruise partner, Sixthman, which specializes in music themed cruises.

One more post with pictures tomorrow from Tampa as folks head home.

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Day 3 - Saturday, November 14, 2009

Day three on the Elvis cruise is one of the most exciting. We woke up in Mexico! After breakfast, fans disembarked from the ship and headed into Cozumel for some fun and culture in Mexico. Once in the town’s central shopping district, you could even hear “It’s Now or Never” played by the occasional mariachi band strolling the streets of the port city. From swimming with dolphins to visiting Mayan ruins, Elvis fans had a variety of ways to spend their day in Mexico, some even stayed on the ship and enjoyed a full day at the spa.



Looking forward to tonight - it is Paradise Hawaiian Style Hollywood night as guests will wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt and enjoy an entertaining show in the main lounge of Elvis movie tunes. Following the main show, 13 of the most talented Elvis tribute artists on the planet will take fans back in time through the Elvis Presley songbook with the help of video time capsules that set the scene of the world events surrounding the days in which these songs were performed and recorded.

Check back tomorrow for more details and fun photos of the cruise.

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Day 2 - Friday, November 13, 2009

Hello again from The 2009 Elvis Cruise in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.

Last night we saw the first show in the Paris Lounge, Memphis, which captured the essence of the city that gave Elvis such great musical inspiration. Songs that were recorded in Memphis at Sun, Stax and American Studios were part of the shows as well as those recorded at Graceland in the Jungle Room. It was an amazing show with great performers Andy Childs, Terry Mike Jeffrey and Ronnie McDowell.



Today is our first full day at sea, in addition to all the fun in the sun offered up on the lido deck with live music from the EAS Band and several ETA shows, Elvis fans also had plenty of on board events to entertain them during the full day of sailing.

Fan favorite Elvis Bingo was packed and offered up big bucks and prizes for those playing. Perhaps some of the most popular events of the day included question and answer session with famed photographer Al Wertheimer in addition to sessions with Elvis’ personal jeweler Lowell Hays and Elvis movie co-stars Celeste Yarnall, Chris Noel and Cynthia Pepper.

A great way to relax before dinner and another night of great entertainment was the Elvis wine tasting in the Mardi Gras dinning room aboard the Carnival Inspiration.

While this cruise has a theme, all Elvis, each night also has a theme and Friday it was the “High Stakes Formal Night” that brought out the best in fashion from Elvis fans. The two onboard dinning rooms were packed with well dressed folks and fine food. Lobster was on the menu for this night at sea and it did not disappoint. Dinner was followed up by “Elvis 1969: A Concert Celebration” in the Paris Lounge, a re-incarnation of the popular show performed during Elvis Week in Memphis that celebrated the 40th anniversary of Elvis’ record breaking return to Las Vegas in 1969.

Well after the main shows ended, Ronnie McDowell and his band kept guests entertained in the atrium into the wee hours of the morning singing favorites from the Elvis Presley songbook.

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Day 1 - Thursday, November 12, 2009

Hello from The 2009 Elvis Cruise!!!

The much anticipated Elvis Cruise has finally arrived and guests have now boarded the Carnival Inspiration in Tampa, bound for Cozumel.

Formalities like check in and the lifeboat drill are out of the way and we have just pulled out of port and it is smooth sailing here in the Gulf of Mexico. Fans have already gathered on the lido deck wearing their favorite Elvis shirts, and some even sported their own special creations.

The 2,400 passengers entered the ship to the sounds of Elvis and Elvis sightings were frequent. In the atrium of the ship, a two story Elvis banner greeted fans along with the sounds of Elvis’ #1 hits.



In addition to Elvis sightings, artists who were close friends and performed and recorded with Elvis such as Estelle Brown of The Sweet Inspirations were also spotted on board as they have joined the cruise for night time entertainment in the 1,200 seat Paris Lounge. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more pictures of the evening entertainment, the Thursday night show is themed “Memphis” and will feature Elvis’ hits from Sun Studio in addition to songs recorded at Stax and American Sound. 

 
By now, as it is on any cruise, there are plenty of drinks with little umbrellas in the hands of passengers who are looking forward to several days of fun in the sun to the sound of Elvis Presley.

 

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