As a kid, I used to listen to James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” and “How Sweet It Is” over and over…as a young man working for Golden Bear Travel, I used to listen to James Taylor’s “Greatest Hits” and two of my favorite songs were “Mexico” and “You’ve Got A Friend”…now as a much older “young man,” I am amazed and delighted to see James Taylor headlining the entertainment aboard a Cunard Line Queen Mary 2 Trans-Atlantic Voyage! As Bob Dylan says, “The Times They Are A-Changin’”….

When I first started in the cruise and travel industry, Trans-Atlantic voyages were inextricably connected to images and memories of Hollywood stars such as Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe….more so, sailing across the pond meant you were undoubtedly going to be tapping your feet to the sounds and beat of Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey and a host of other Big Band era musicians.

While Big Band, Swing music and Ballroom dancing have made a popular comeback in recent years, they have also been joined by contemporary artists and musicians, which both attract new customers to cruising as well as create new and interesting programming for repeat guests. Now more than ever, cruise lines are adapting and diversifying their product offering both onboard and ashore to meet the ever-growing interests of the cruising populace. I find it refreshing!

To highlight this point of creating and orchestrating innovative styles of entertainment on board, President and Managing Director of Cunard Line, Carol Marlow, has sent out this video highlight where the Taylor family embarks and sails from New York. As soon as the second part is finished (where Taylor and his band actually rehearse and perform!), I will certainly post that as well…All the best, Greg

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7s4XBYSnRs