Themes, Door Decoration Contest, and Q&A Annouced

Lots of excitement going on today! Here are all of the announcements in case you didn't get the email (like myself)...my commentary at the end.

Theme Nights

BACKSTREET’S BACK HALLOWEEN PARTY

There ain't no party like a Backstreet Halloween party! In honor of Halloween, we're throwing a massive costume party. BSB related or not, get creative! After all, what's Halloween without an epic costume?

DON’T PUT OUT THE GLOW NEON PARTY

"Stay here don't put out the glow…" Join the party in your favorite neon clothes and accessories. The brighter the clothes the better! And don't forget your glow sticks!

BACKSTREET'S BACHELORETTE PARTY NIGHT

It's Ladies night and it's guaranteed to get wild. Think club attire. Sexy, chic and ready for a good time. You be the bachelorette, we'll be your eye candy! P.S. - Fellas are still invited too!

Get your costumes ready, this year's cruise is going to be the best one yet.

Q&A
Submit your Questions to the Boys for the QA Session   

You know those burning questions you have always wanted to ask the Boys?  Here is your chance!  We are having a Q & A session with the BSB on-Board, so bring em on!   We will be randomly selecting among your questions, please get them in by Wednesday, September 24th.

Submit your questions now!


OFFICIAL BSB CRUISE CABIN DOOR DECORATING CONTEST
   
Want a chance to prove you are the most creative BSB fan aboard? All you have to do is have the best decorated door on the cruise! Get together with your cabin mates and keep that BSB Pride alive! You can use photos, letters, poems, keepsakes, banners, streamers, lights, music....whatever fits on the door to make yours stand out! Use your imagination and design the door that everyone wants to see! Best-decorated door will win an prize.

*The cabin door is 22" x 6’8"

My Take

So I am most excited for the return of the Q&A! I really loved that event the first time around and am so happy they're doing it again this year. The fact that we can submit our questions in advance weeds out the crummy questions you might get at a soundcheck party for example. I like that someone will pre-screen them. So now I just have to brainstorm a good question to submit and hope I get picked.

No major surprises with the door decoration contest announcement. Glad to see they actually announced something this year. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with and what the prize will be.

The long-anticipated themes.....well neon night is interesting. Wonder if Brian would let me borrow a pair of his shoes? So I know a lot of fans seemed to want this one, but definitely not in my top 5. I think I'm not very excited by it because I can't imagine what sort of activities they'll do for it; nor can I picture anything exciting that the boys themselves would wear. Hopefully I'm proved wrong. As for bachelorette night, im half excited and half scared to see what the night brings. Definitely not my sort of thing on the surface, but I am interested to see what they do with it. Probably most excited to actually see poor Brian's face throughout the whole night. I think in terms of the themes I'm just most excited to know what they are so I can start planning!

39 More Days

Hello readers. I apologize the updates have been far and few between. Partially due to a lack of new  information, but also largely due to life catching up with me. So here's just a random mishmash of items that I've been meaning to get around to.

In a World Like This Tour
One thing keeping me busy over the past month or so has been the In a World Like This tour. I was fortunate I got to see the show a couple of times- here locally and out in Vegas. Oh my goodness, soooo sooo good! I really loved what they did with the show. Great mix of the oldies and the new stuff, though I'd certainly love some more new stuff. I love that they brought back a lot of their old classic dances like the AIHTG hat dance. I love that it was just them- no dancers or even band. I love all the lighting and production. I love the videos they incorporated during their wardrobe changes... 'Maybe its me' Gets me every time!

I thought having the after parties on site at the venue was a great new addition to this tour. I hope they continue that concept. The VIP packages have also changed a bit from last year- both in scope of what you get and the prices. So no platinum for me this time around! Fortunately I wasn't even tempted, and my bank account thanks me immensely. Though from what I heard from friends who did the platinum experience, they seemed to enjoy it.

On a personal note, one of the highlights for me this tour was that I finally was able to go to a show with my mom. She had never seen them live nor had come to a show with me before and she finally decided to "see what all the fuss is about." Well she left the show a huge fan- even asked me to burn her a CD of their music. She said she "finally gets it." It was just nice to be able to share this part of my life with her.

And here are a few pics I took for your viewing pleasure...

 

 

 
Still waiting...

Shifting gears back to the cruise, I feel like things are so much more disorganized this time around. Maybe its just me?? We still don't have our themes (minus Halloween night) though the boys tweeted we should be seeing them this week; I'll believe it when I see it. No word on any pre-cruise event nor any possible activities they're having on board. I feel like the tweets/info have been quite minimal. No door decoration contest announcement, though in all fairness I suppose they technically didn't email us anything last year.

Though in all honesty I feel so behind myself. We've barely started our door decoration, and I feel like last year at this time I was all done. This year I'm mentally all over the place this year and I've barely had time to get excited. I can't believe we're already almost a month out! 


Well I suppose that's all for now. Hopefully you'll be hearing from me again soon with theme announcements.

Theme Night Poll

FINALLY some updates, and what an update at that- a poll to pick our theme nights! Make sure you cast your votes here if you already haven't.

Theme Choices

• Millennium '90s Party - Celebrate the original decade of the Backstreet Boys! Bring your best '90s attire or even take it a step further and go all white like the Millennium album cover.
• Don't Put Out The GLOW PARTY - "Stay here don't put out the glow…" Join the party in your favorite neon clothes and accessories. Don't forget your glow sticks!
• Platinum Party - You guys are the ones who helped us go Platinum, now we want to go Platinum with YOU! Let's celebrate 20 years together! We'll be having a silver and white only party - so make sure you're ready!
• Titanic Formal Night - We'll be the Kings and Queens of the world! Wear your best formal attire for this theme night. Maybe we'll even have a little high class dining ;)
• Bachelorette Party - It's Ladies night! Leave your man at home and we'll be your boys tonight. We promise to make this night lots of fun! P.S. - Fellas are still invited too!
• Cowboys and Indians - We know you all remember the infamous TRL showdown between "Don't Want You Back" & "The One"… Now it's time to deliver Cowboys & Indians style! We'll hit you faster than a shark attack!
• Pirates of the Caribbean - It's not sailing the high seas without pirates right? Bring all the pirate necessities for this theme night. Don't forget your parrot!
• Drowning - "Girl you leave me breathless, but it's okay cause you are my survival…" You guys keep us drowning in your love by keeping the Backstreet pride alive! Make sure you pack your floaties and ocean attire for this theme night.

Make sure to not only think about what you want to wear, think about what you want to see the boys dress up as, and potential corresponding activities for that theme. For example even though I don't personally want to dress up as a pirate, I think it would be pretty cool to see AJ dressed as one. Or the Drowning night might include water themed games, which could also be fun.

The other important thing to note is that we will definitely be having a BACKSTREETS BACK HALLOWEEN PARTY!! This doesn't come as a huge surprise, but it's great to finally get it confirmed. I do foresee a lot of slutty outfits in our future with this theme, though I hope to see a lot of creative outfits as well. The possibilities are really endless so I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with, myself included.

Who's starting to get excited and who's voting for what? Let me know what you're thinking because I'm still up in the air!

Unofficial 2013 Cruise Gear

Hi all! As we close in on the 3 month mark from our sail date, a couple of our fellow cruisers have graciously organized some unofficial cruise merchandise. Big thank you to Leslie G. (@gadawgs71) and Morgan D! I'm seriously so impressed, they even have their own website. There are tons of great styles, designs, and colors to choose from so be sure to check out all the options! Visit Cruising with the Boys 2013 for all the details.

***New Info-Updated 9.21.13***
Leslie has some great new features/designs added to her already amazing bsb gear! And rather than have me misspeak, I'll let her explain all the neat things she's able to do for you...

"We added a few new items to our site.  Now cruisers can order NAME SPECIFIC shirts to show who their favorite is!  We can also personalize them a bit more if necessary, and/or if someone wants something that they don't see readily available in a design they like, they can message me and we'll get it added.  Like a hat - if someone likes the "Cruising with Brian" design but I don't currently show it offered on a hat, but that is what they want, then I can modify the items available and send them a link to order the hat with that design on it.  When you go to the main page, you'll see the new specific BSB designs available." - Leslie

 So definitely go check out her site if you already haven't, only a few more weeks left until we cruise!

Lots of Cruise Talk

With all the promo that's been going on recently- there's been lots of mention of the cruise. It's reminding me quickly the cruise is approaching!

The Daily Beast

Cruise talk starts at 3.12

I hear there are these Backstreet Boys cruises. What goes down?

Brian: Bring your floaties! [Laughs]

A.J.: It’s fun, man! We do games with the fans and a performance. There’s a different-themed deck party every night. Last year, we did a prom night, an ‘80s night, and a world night.

When’s the next one, and what’s the craziest thing that’s gone down on a BSB cruise?

A.J.: It’s in October. And we did a costume party on this last one where everyone had Halloween costumes, and we were doing a truth-or-dare thing and it got a little crazy with dancing on top of the bar, and singing and doing crazy stuff. For the guys that actually drink, doing crazy shots or whatever.


KC101

Cruise talk starts at 1.10

How was that cruise by the way?

Nick: They get crazy and we say what happens on the cruise stays on the cruise.

Howie: We're still recovering from it.

Are you going to do it again.

Howie: Yes, we have a full boat.

When is it?

Howie: I think its October....right? Where's management?

So what kind of shenanigans, I know you're supposed to stay on the boat. But how does it all work? Do you guys perform each night? Do you perform spontaneously? How does the whole cruise thing work?

Howie: Since we have a whole boat, we can't fit everybody in the theater for 1 night so we'll end up doing 2 shows. But pretty much the whole cruise is just a performance. I mean its us just acting crazy, silly, doing games, drinking with our fans. You know, I pretty much tell people to start sleeping now because there's no sleeping on the boat and you'll have to recover a couple months afterwards.

96.5-Backstreet Boys Talk Tour & Concert Cruises 

Listen here! (Cruise talks starts at 7.10)

Along with hitting the road later this year to support their new release, In a World Like This, the Backstreet Boys will also take to the sea for the third Backstreet Boys Cruise. Fans who wish to join BSB in the Bahamas will only be able to sign up to a waiting list—the cruise sold out in just 45 minutes.

“It’s great,” said Nick Carter of the seagoing experience. “We have a great time with our fans. They get to see us in a different light than just normally performing up on stage.”

The concert cruise is a growing trend, with bands from Matchbox Twenty to Weezer taking to the high seas on a boat filled with some of their biggest fans this year, but Nick and Howie Dorough believe the cruise’s greatest appeal is offering a closer connection between the band and their fans.  That… and, of course, the partying!

“The last cruise we had, we did this game… We got crazy and did some stuff with the fans,” Howie recalled.  “We get interactive with the fans.  We did Twister with them, so you’ve got Backstreet Boys intermingled in between girls’ legs, trying to find a red… whatever!  It was pretty funny.”

“It’s one big party,” he continued. “We are constantly doing games, excursions, beach parties, we perform on stage, autograph sessions… It’s just a big booze cruise!  It’s a lot of fun!”

Good Morning America

There really hasn't been much news in the cruise world but I did get a chance to see the boys not too long ago.

This was really a last minute adventure as the TV appearance was probably only announced a week or so beforehand. I was going back and forth on whether or not it was worth the trip up, but just less than 2 days before the big event I shockingly got an email through the fanclub that I had won tickets. Eek! Well now I had to go.... So I frantically informed work I wouldn't be there on Wednesday and made my travel plans.

The major downside of these shows are that they tape so freakin early in the morning. My friend, Anne Marie, headed into the city super early and got in line. We got there probably an hour earlier than we were told, already to find 100 people or so in line. These Backstreet fans never cease to amaze me; supposedly some girls got there the night before.

Anyway, the line eventually starts moving and I'm getting super excited. I had been to the Good Morning America concert series last August to see them, but this event was indoors so I really had no idea what to expect. We inched closer and closer to the front of the line and we finally made it to the front to be checked in. Quite literally as they were checking my ID I noticed out of the corner of my eye a big security officer come outside and announce, "We're full. No more." Oh my gosh, my heart sank! I had a million thoughts running through my head. But the bottom line- they HAD to let me in. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, they did eventually let my friend and I in. And probably two girls behind us. Meanwhile there were still so many fans waiting outside. I think what had happened is that a lot of people who worked at ABC seemed to get in before the fanclub winners, which just broke my heart for those people who couldn't get in. Just one more unfair thing in the BSB world.

We made it!

Once inside, I got really excited once I saw the set. There were probably 80 fans or so inside; it was really quite a small studio. While we were waiting the guys would pop in and out, just enough to tease us. But we all know Backstreet time...so we waited a little while before they all finally came out and sang Permanent Stain, a capella. Followed by a full version of Permanent Stain and Everybody.

The boys belting out Permanent Stain

The performances were great, but I was not so secretly hoping for more songs. I'll certainly take what I can get, and I thought it was really special to hear the full version of Permanent Stain live. Not too much exciting to comment on about the main event; I'm sure most of you were able to see it on TV. I just find it neat to be there live and see the behind the scenes things- how they get the crowd going, the guys getting their last minute makeup touches, the producers scurrying around, etc.

AJ singing to the camera

After the show we weren't sure what the deal was. But fortunately my friend spotted Kevin mouthing to the other guys, "Hey are we doing autographs/pictures?" Yess! I knew I missed Kevin for a reason! So after the cameras stopped rolling all 5 of the guys stayed in the studio for a good 20 minutes or so taking pictures and signing autographs with the fans. I thought it was so nice that they did this and I also thought the fans behaved pretty well, which is probably why they were able to stay for as long as they did. I managed to get a picture with 4 of the 5 guys- didn't get one with Nick. He always has the most fans around him so he's usually the toughest. The pictures went so quick but I thanked each of them and wished them a happy 20th anniversary.

After Good Morning America it felt like it was 3 in the afternoon but really it was around 9:30 in the morning. The rest of the day wasn't nearly as exciting as the morning. We knew that the Backstreet Boys were still in the city to do press and radio interviews, so there was always a small chance of running into them. But Anne Marie and I decided to grab some lunch and try to see if we could get into a taping of Jimmy Fallon or David Letterman. Unfortunately both of those didn't pan out, but we did see Ben Stiller and Kristen Wiig filming a new movie, which was really neat.

Ben Stiller filming The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Before the day ended, I did have one last bit of excitement. My friend and I were walking down the street to head to NBC Studios and we noticed a familiar looking woman walking towards us. At the same time we both said under our breath, "Is that Lauren?" And it most certainly was! If I couldn't run into a Backstreet Boy, running into Lauren was sadly probably the next best thing. I wasn't brave enough to stop her, but fortunately for me Anne Marie was a bit braver and said hi. So we stopped and chatted with her for about 5 minutes or so. I congratulated her on their engagement and saw the huge rock on her finger. We also chatted about Kitt Fit, shopping, and the fact that she didn't go to the show that morning because it was too early. And I almost don't even blame her. I have to say she was very nice and friendly to us, I don't understand why she gets so much hate.

So there you have it, my Good Morning America adventure.

Scavenger Hunt

So I had an idea that I thought might be fun on the cruise during some down time. A scavenger hunt! I decided to come up with a fun list of things to search for if you and your friends want to play. Note that most of these just require a picture :)

BSB Cruise Scavenger Hunt

• A crew member from Africa
• AJ smoking 
• Fans wearing matching T-shirts.
• Fun Times in a foreign language
• A receipt from the merch store worth over $200
• A bread or fruit sculpture
• Howie with a drink in his hand
• 5 Empty deck chairs in a row
• Someone camping out outside the boys' cabins
• An ice cream cone with ice cream (extra point for non soft-serve)
• A backstreet boy looking at door decorations
• Four people in a cabin bathroom (extra points for any person above 4)
• The cruise director's autograph
• Brian playing a sport
• Towel animal shaped like a monkey
• The name of the ship
• Burger King action figures
• Picture of another Carnival ship
• Fans waiting for a backstreet boy who has gone to the bathroom
• Picture of you wearing a life jacket
•  Kevin in the lido restaurant
• Winning bingo card
• Nick DJing
• Seashell
• As many backstreet fans in one photo
• A stuffed animal
• Picture of you with a backstreet boy. (Additional point for each each unique picture of you with a bsb)
• Full shot glass

Please comment below if you can think of any other fun items to try and find on board!