9 Things I Wished I Knew Before Cruising

After 4 Backstreet Boys cruises under my belt, I'd like to think I've honed my Backstreet cruising knowledge. Too bad that's not a skill I can put on my resume! The good news is, I can share my relatively useless knowledge with my lovely readers. So looking back, I put together a list of things that I wish I knew before I embarked on my first:

1. I think I was an hour into Cruise #1 when I realized my camera wasn't going to cut it. Many fans like to use their phones for pictures, in fact, I may be the oddball who still uses a point-and-shoot camera. But if you do like taking pictures and videos as much as I do, I'd suggest investing in a decent camera and LOTS of memory. You don't want to feel limited by not bringing enough, and its expensive on the ship (yes i learned the hard way)
   
   
2. It's going to be an emotional roller coaster. I went into my first cruise with super high spirits and tons of excitement. It's safe to say on every cruise I've shed tears in some capacity or another (Try not to judge me too much!) Sometimes its happy tears, sometimes its just out of sheer exhaustion, and other times it's because I set myself up for disappointment with unrealistic expectations. Overtime I've learned to just feel all feels!
   
   
   
   
   
3. One of the most exciting things I discovered going on a Backstreet cruise is that I'm not alone!! There are other fans just like me who still love the Backstreet Boys. That was super refreshing for me to experience.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Don't overdo it before or after the cruise. One year I went to Disney World before the cruise and while I had a blast, I will never do that again! I've learned to build in relaxation days before AND after the cruise. Whenever possible, I try to take an extra day off work on both ends of the cruise because I find before a Backstreet cruise I'm usually running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Having a day or two solely dedicated to taking care of those last minute things is so helpful! After the cruise, I also find I need a day to decompress and literally just process everything.
   
   
   
   
   
5. There are really not many downsides to a Backstreet cruise. One of the very few negatives of a BSB cruise is that they are addicting. Once you do it, it's hard to stop! At least I haven't been able to break the habit...not that I really want to ;)
   
   
   
   
   
6. If you thought post-concert depression is bad, post-cruise depression is waaaaay worse. Sitting in that airport terminal on the way home is such a weird feeling because you're still riding off the high of the trip, but also realizing that the trip of a lifetime has come to an end. What I've done to help ease the PCD is extend my trip and spend an extra couple of days with friends. It's so nice to have the support of each other and tell each all all the stories over and over (even though they were there with you for those stories!)
   
   
   
   
   
7. This one could just be me, but I almost have as much fun planning and talking about the cruise as I do on the cruise. I really enjoy chatting with other fans, speculating, getting costumes and door decorations ready. I really have learned to enjoy the build-up of getting ready for the cruise because lets face it, those 4 days with the boys go by a heck of a lot quicker than the 350+ we had to wait for it to get here.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Given the nature of a Backstreet cruise, the green-eyed monster can and will rear its ugly head. There's no doubt it's tough to watch other fans get picked for something you wanted so badly; or get special interactions that "should've been yours." Sometimes I just can't help but feel jealous. The reality is we all want to feel special when it comes to the boys and there's only so much Nick, Howie, Brian, Kevin and AJ to go around. I just try to remind myself that other fans' stories don't take away from my interactions in any way!
   
   
   
   
   
9. One thing that I never anticipated is that my perceptions of the boys changed as a result of cruising. I found that being with them 24/7 for a few days you saw different sides of their personalities come out. Things that are tougher to capture in a concert or on TV. For example, if you've been a long-time reader, you may know that after the first cruise I developed such a love for AJ! It was on that first cruise I really saw first hand how down to earth and genuine he is. I also came to really adore Howie and Kevin because I saw how much time and effort they put into mingling with fans and taking pictures. For me, things like that really went unnoticed and unappreciated until I started cruising. 
   
   
   

Cruise Wish List

Since we've been getting the themes announced, I imagine the Backstreet Boys and their team are currently putting together the itinerary for the cruise. That thought has me all sorts of giddy inside! Oh how I wish I could be a fly in that room.

I thought it would be fun to think through some fun, new activities I'd love to see on the next cruise.

Activities

• Pool Party Luau
  Since we're not doing a beach party this year, I think the timing on this would be wonderful. Essentially the beach party, but up on the lido pool deck. I envision fun poolside games like belly flop contests, wet T-Shirt relays, pool volleyball, etc. They can even still bring back some of our favorite back games like the coconut game.
  
  
• Intimate Events
  One of the best things about the cruise is the chance to get up close and personal with the Backstreet Boys but I'd love to see even more opportunities for this. Maybe they can have contests to eat brunch with the Backstreet Boys (They gotta eat anyway, right?) or perhaps allow some fans to attend the soundcheck. Even better if they select door decoration winners for this.
  
  I just like the idea if the crowd is limited, we can get some meaningful conversation/interaction and not act like crazy people. Win/win all around in my opinion.
  
  
• Deck Party Activities
  I look back to one of my personal favorite deck parties over the years and it was actually pajama night where the guys played Truth or Dare. It was so entertaining! I hope they continue to incorporate appropriate themed activities for the deck parties. My creative juices are stifled at the moment, but even things like the 'Heads Up' game from Ellen's TV show where topics coincide with the theme. Or for Night at the Cinema - they could do 5 Second Summaries (from Jimmy Fallon) where you have to guess movies based on a 5 second summary. There are also a ton of fun mini games from Hollywood Game Night that could be fun.
  
  
• Battle of the Sexes
  I've always liked this idea for a game show. Boys versus fans with fun (and by fun I mean raunchy) questions and activities.
  
  
• Solo Events
  I loved the scavenger hunts last year (of course I'm biased) but I also love the solo events. Each Backstreet Boy can use this opportunity to do things that suit their personality and interest them. I'd love, love, love if they bring solo events back in 2016.
  
  
• Town Hall
  This is an idea from the New Kids world and I think it would be interesting to try with BSB.  Similar to a Q&A, but its basically a forum where we, the fans, get the opportunity to give ideas/suggestions/feedback to the boys. I think it could be mutually beneficial...they can get firsthand feedback from us and we get to feel heard. I think the key here is pre-screening the feedback.
  
  

Other Ideas 

• Deck Party Interaction
  This really goes hand in hand with my point above. I've learned that there really is an art to the perfect deck party. They started off with very little interaction with the fans back in 2010. And now I think they've veered off into (dare I say) too much interaction with fans?? I know, I know. That sounds ridiculous. But please hold off on throwing tomatoes at me.
  
  I think there's a balance to be had. If all the boys are in the crowd taking selfies, it leaves us with not a whole lot of entertainment. Thus I find myself forced to stand in a crowd of girls trying to get my selfie. I think having some fun activities (see above) in conjunction with selfie time, is great. Or have 2-3 boys in the crowd and 2-3 on stage. Or dedicate the first 30 minutes to an activity and then go into selfie time.
  
  
• Final Goodbye
  I realize it's kinda hard to pull off, but at every concert the boys give us a final bow. It'd be nice if they did something at the end of the cruise towards the end of the last deck party where they just said something like "It's been a blast. Hope to see you all again real soon. Thanks for spending thousands of dollars coming out to see us" :P Okay, maybe not in those EXACT words, but you get the idea.
  
  
• Get the boys using the PA
  I'm stealing another idea from the New Kids. Our boys need to hop on that darn PA. It seems like so much fun to wake up to the boys goofing off on the PA system. If you put a mic in front of AJ, you know he's going to ham it up!
  
  
• Door Decoration
  I so enjoy decorating my cabin door and I know from experience that we all put a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and money into those things. While they currently have winners, it seems the prizes and recognition have declined from that first cruise. I love that they now have multiple winners and acknowledge more fans. But I'd love to see improved winner announcements as they did the first year. They brought the cabin on stage and they got a picture with the boys.
  

What else would you cruisers like to see? 

Top 12 Rookie Cruiser Mistakes

Some fans are BSB cruise pros. They've been on all 4 cruises and can navigate these ships without a map. They can tell you how each deck party works. They can even probably tell you what order the boys will be standing in for the photo group. Others are not nearly up to speed. For many cruisers, especially this year, this is their first time on the high seas with the Backstreet Boys. This is literally a once in a life-time experience and it's important to make the most of it. Here are some mistakes for rookie cruisers to avoid in order to make the most of your Backstreet cruise.

1. Not bringing comfortable clothes
   
   
   Yes, I know we all need to look cute for the boys at all times, but trust me when I say there is a lot of standing around. Pack comfortable shoes. You can still wear heels for the meet & greet, but I strongly encourage some flats too. I can't tell you how many girls I've seen at the deck parties in their 5'' heels who look utterly miserable.
   
   Also be prepared for all types of weather - hot, cold, rain. We've experienced them all. Take this into particular consideration when planning your theme outfits because we've had more than one deck party in the rain.
   
   
2. Flying in the same day
   Just don't do it. Not worth the stress. Plus I find the boys will often have pre-cruise events that would require you to get in a day or two early anyway.
   
   
3. Not meeting new people
   
   
   
   I can't encourage you enough to meet new fans both on board and before the cruise. Half the fun of the experience is being able to share it with other fans. Go out of your comfort zone and chat up your fellow cruisers.
   
   
4. Travel with compatible friends
   Just because she's your best friends in real life, doesn't mean she'll make a good BSB cruise companion. You and your friends should envision the same type of experience. For some its a cruise vacation where BSB happens to be there too. And for others its a BSB event that happens to take place on a cruise. Slight but important difference.
   
   For example - some fans prefer to sit outside the boys' cabins all day while others want to sit by the pool and couldn't be bothered as to Kevin's current whereabouts. Some fans need to be front row for every event and are willing to put in the time, while others are perfectly content hanging in the back at the bar during the sail away party.
   
   There's no right or wrong way to do it, but make sure on the same page as the people you're traveling with. You don't want to resent someone for holding you back from how you want to experience the cruise
   
   
5. Stalk the boys 24/7
   
   

   I suppose you can if you want....but I don't encourage it. It's all about striking a balance between enjoying the boys and enjoying your vacation. Plus you tend to run into one of them when you're not least expecting it.
   
   
6. Have a realistic budget
   
   
   Budgeting for this type of vacation is tricky because there are so many hidden expenses that you don't anticipate. Even though the cost of the cruise covers pretty much everything you need once you're on board - shopping, drinks, excursions, will all be an additional cost. I also find that you're inevitably going to want to buy new clothes, theme outfits, get your hair and nails done, and even buying things for your door decoration. Not to mention airfare, hotels, pre/post-cruise associated costs, and potentially a pre-cruise event. It adds up!
   
   
7. Over packing/ Under packing
   
    
   The reality is you're going to need a lot of different types of clothes due to the nature of a BSB cruise. You'll need swimwear, formal clothes, meet & greet outfits, theme night outfits, etc. It's not uncommon to change 4-5 times a day just given the schedule of events. Once we get the itinerary, I encourage you to plan your outfits and don't pack more than what is needed. Cabins are small and you don't have room for excess. Plus you'll likely want to go shopping so leave extra room in your suitcase.
   
   
8. Take care of yourself
   We all daydream about running into AJ at the buffet, hanging out with friends by the pool, and rocking out at the concert. But what we don't envision is lying in bed sick in the cabin. I've had many friends who have missed events because they were seasick or just under the weather. Unfortunately it happens. You're traveling, you won't be getting a lot of sleep, you'll be pushing your body a lot, and most importantly you'll be in vicinity of Nick Carter who is notorious for being sick.
    
   This may seem obvious but stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, bring medicine, and be prepared for potential seasickness.
   
   
9. Don't stress about the photo group
   Many fans like to have their photo groups pre-planned, and that's great if you found your perfect group and you're all set. However if you don't have a group planned before the cruise, that's 100% okay too. I personally think there's something to be said for staying flexible - you may meet new friends or if you're anything like me, you'll change your mind by the hour on who you want to stand next to in the photo. And if you don't have anyone to take a picture with, that's okay too. Rose Tours will pair you up with others who need a group.
   
   
10. Embrace the fandom
    
    
    This is the one time you can REALLY let your inner fangirl out. Embrace it. You can comfortably dork out over unreleased songs or how you used to have posters covering your walls in middle school (and perhaps still do have posters covering your walls). I love seeing people get super into the theme nights or door decations (myself included).
    
    
11. Strategize when to arrive early
    Here's my trick. I pick and choose the events I want to make the effort to get there early for. Anything with fan participation, it can pay to get there early (not always though). I don't think its realistic to be front row for everything, so I choose a couple of events to get there early to get a good spot. The rest of the time I try not to stress. I've also found that while other fans may be camped out up front for a deck party, if I'm running late I may see the guys headed to the deck party before anyone else gets to see their costumes. And that can be a lot of fun too!
    
    
12. Stay positive
    
    
    With an event like a BSB cruise, our expectations can be almost unreasonably high, to the point where things will not necessarily go as you planned. You will have an amazing time, but speaking for myself, I know that emotions will sometimes get the better of me. An event may get rained out. Another fan may cut you off in your attempt to get a picture with Howie. Your run-in with Brian may not go as amazingly as you had planned it out in your head. Maybe Nick didn't notice the outfit you spent weeks putting together.
    
    Whatever happens though...don't let it get to you. Plus no one wants to be around someone who's constantly complaining. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and remind yourself how incredibly fortunate you are to be on the cruise in the first place.

BSB Forever...But What About Those Other Guys?

In light of nsync and BSB joining forces for Dead7, I thought the timing of this blog was quite perfect. I have a very special guest blogger for you today. She is actually an Nsync fan… *ducks from flying objects*. Hear me (and her) out!! I’ve loved chatting with her and learning more about the Nsync fandom. For starters, just the fact that the nsync fandom still exists was a surprise for me. I’ve been learning so much from her, and the biggest thing I’ve actually taken away from our conversations is just how lucky the BSB army is to have all the opportunities we do. As easy as it is for us to complain the cruise is too much money, not the right region of the world, not the right cruise line, etc, etc, ….hearing from a fan in the nsync community has really put things into perspective for me and made me super appreciative of everything our boys do for us after all these years. Cruises, Concerts, VIPs, After Parties, books, TV shows, documentaries. The list goes on and on. 

I also thought this post was timely after 1D announced their hiatus. A lot of parallels were drawn to Nsync's 'hiatus'. So I’m thrilled to have my friend, TSL, shed some light on the nsync fandom. Her favorite Nsyncer is Chris and favorite Backstreet Boy is Brian. So without further ado…. 

First and foremost, I would like to thank Laura for being such a gracious blogger as to let this Nsync girl into her (and your) world and I am so honored that she asked me to be a guest on her beloved blog.  It’s been quite a fascinating experience to learn about each other’s fandom, and I think I can speak for both us when I say it has been a lot fun being each other's boy band tour guide! :)
Secondly, I'd like to thank you guys, the readers, for this opportunity to share some updates about my boys and my perspective on the Nsync fandom.  You may not have thought much about us since the heydays of TRL and would probably be surprised to know that yes, there are Nsyncer’s still going strong!

In truth, a lot of Nsync fans don’t even know what’s going on with the guys since each member has been doing his own thing for a long time now.  Plus, we don't have a formalized place to get official updates so it’s easy for the casual fan to miss out on what’s going on.  In all honesty, my own interest has waxed and waned over the years, but nostalgia and curiosity always pull me back in and I fall in love with them all over again!

So I thought I’d start off with an update on the individual guys, going in order of how their names appear in the band’s name:

JustiN 
The most visible of the members due to his successful musical career, movie roles, SNL appearances, and business ventures with Target and MasterCard, as well as his own clothing line and tequila brand (you might have seen his commercials; yes, that talking lime head is Justin).  He’s also well-known for his bromance with Jimmy Fallon (they even voiced those iPad/iPad mini commercials together). Oh, and did you know the McDonald’s catchphrase came from one of his songs? Youtube it and you’ll hear that familiar “bada ba ba baah - I’m loving it”

On the personal side of things, Justin has been married to actress Jessica Biel for almost 3 years and they recently had a baby boy, Silas, named after his maternal grandfather.

ChriS 
Happily married since November 2013 and lives in Florida where he runs a music studio, produces music for local artists, and is in a rock band called Nigel's 11. He has a charitable foundation and is involved in many local events benefitting underprivileged children.  Most recently, he had a small part in Sharknado 3 and I was surprised to learn he will be appearing in Dead 7 along with Joey.

While we sometimes wonder how each of the members feel about Justin, Chris seems to be the one that every member loves. I think it’s because he’s the most “normal” and unchanged by fame and they all have such an affinity for him. Case in point – his wife planned a surprise for his 40th birthday in which the other 4 guys showed up at his house and they just hung out until 6:00 in the morning. It was the first time they spent any alone time together in about 5 years, and I don’t think it would have happened for anyone else in the band.

JoeY 
Has become somewhat of a TV personality, having appeared in a few kid shows, a couple of cooking competitions on the Food Network, and Dancing with the Stars.  He also hosted some tv shows including NBC’s Celebrity Circus, The Singing Bee, and My Family Recipe Rocks (on the Live Well network).  Joey was on Broadway (in Rent, and Little Shop of Horrors) and earlier this year he was in Rock of Ages in Las Vegas.  Perhaps most famously, he was in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and in fact, recently finished filming the sequel in Canada.  Oh, and of course you guys know that Nick asked him to be a part of his SyFy movie, Dead 7.

On the personal side, Joey has been married to his high school girlfriend for about 11 years, and they have two daughters, ages 14 and 5.

LancetoN 
Hosts a radio show on Serius XM called "Dirty Pop" in which he plays a countdown of songs, talks about pop culture, and has celeb guests stop by. He’s currently broadcasting from New York while also working on the Meredith Vieira daytime talk show as one of her pop-culture panelist. Lance is probably most well-known for coming out as a gay man on the cover of People magazine in 2006. Since then, he has become a major advocate for the LGBT community, appearing in magazines, speaking at public and private events, and using his production company to create documentaries about LGBT issues.  Late last year, Lance got married which was documented in an E! special, Lance Loves Michael.

In 2007, Lance released a book, Out of Sync, which chronicles his struggle as a gay person growing up in conservative Mississippi and being in a world-famous band with a huge female fan base.  His book gave us a first-hand account of the band’s history but in doing so, caused a lot of heated discussion within our fandom as it exposed the circumstances that surrounded the band’s indefinite “hiatus.”

Oh, and if you’re wondering about his name, it isn’t actually “Lanceton.”  The band originally had a member named Jason (so the “N” came from his name) but he quit and was replaced by Lance, so the guys gave him this awkward nickname to fit in with the acronym.  Silly, I know, but hey it works.

JC
The only member who is still single. He released an album, Schizophrenic, in 2004 and appeared on many tv talk-shows to promote it and was even scheduled to do the half-time show for the NFL Pro-Bowl, but it got cancelled after the fall-out from Justin’s performance with Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl just one week prior.  In 2007, he was preparing to release a second album but his record deal fell through and it never got released.  JC considers himself a writer and producer more than a singer/performer and in fact invested in a music studio several years ago.  In 2013, he put together an all-girl group modeled after the popular “super groups” in Asia but it never amounted to much and disbanded.  JC appears happy to work behind the scenes with other artists and will occasionally perform with them, most recently with Smokey Robinson and the Blues Traveler.  He has done some light acting over the years and was getting ready for a huge cross-country tour of Andrew Lloyd-Weber’s Jesus Christ Superstar but it was abruptly cancelled last year.  He may be most known post-Nsync for being a judge on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew for 7 seasons.

Ok, so moving on…

Here’s a trivia question for you guys: When did Nsync officially break up?  …Don’t know? Well neither do we! Sadly, I’m not even kidding.  This may not be common knowledge, but Nsync never officially announced their break-up.  In 2002, they told us they would take a half-year hiatus to pursue individual projects then come back together to work on their fourth album.  Those 6 months eventually turned into 2 years and all the while they repeatedly said that they did NOT break up. But as time went on, with Justin’s career blowing up and no reunion in site, we were left to conclude on our own that Nsync was not getting back together and had indeed broken up.  As such we can, to a certain extent, empathize with the One Direction fans.  Our band’s break up is a touchy subject in our fandom, so we hope the 1D’ers don’t have to go through what we did.

While we don’t know the exact date that the Nsync broke up, we do know the last time they performed (prior to the VMA reunion) was at their sixth annual Challenge For The Children charity event in July 2004. It was a rather poignant moment because they had not sung together since their Bee Gees tribute at the Grammys in February 2003, which in itself was a pretty big deal since Justin had already made a name for himself with the release of his first solo album.  Following the CFTC event, the buzz about the band’s break-up was even louder and in fact MTV reported that the boys would be meeting to discuss the fate of the band after that weekend’s festivities.  Well, the days came and went and no press-release about their break-up.  The following year, in 2005, the band fulfilled their commitment to host the CFTC for one last time.  Fans who attended described it as bittersweet – they were happy to see the band together but the spirit and mood was noticeably different; supposedly the guys appeared to be somewhat distant and disjointed.

We only learned definitively what happened thanks to Lance’s book. In it, he revealed that the band did indeed meet after the 2004 CFTC to discuss the state of things and it was then that Justin said he would not be coming back to the band.  There were some fans who challenged the validity of Lance’s account as they found inaccuracies in his statements and timelines throughout the book. Regardless, he gave the fans who were already leery of Justin more fuel for their disdain and countless arguments about his actions and intentions ensued.  The mere uncertainty of what truly happened created tons of blame and speculation about who-did-what-to-whom-and-why and caused major in-fighting among the fans.

For those of us who remain active in the fandom, the lines are still drawn: On one side are those who have extreme hatred for Justin and see him as selfish and egotistical.  On the other side are fans that support Justin’s decision to take a golden opportunity which he adeptly parlayed into an incredible career.  In the middle are fans like me who have a love-hate relationship with Justin: we are upset by his actions that led to the untimely end to Nsync and may not like him, but do applaud his accomplishments and acknowledge his meteoric rise to fame.

To me, the most hurtful thing was not that Justin left – after all, you can’t deny someone with immense talent who is destined for stardom – but rather, the way it was handled by everyone involved and especially that no one told us what was going on.  How could they not give us the courtesy and respect that we deserved after all we’ve given to them?!  …Argh, even as I type this, I can feel my temperature rising!  Sigh…but what’s done is done and we’ve all accepted that our life is now basically this:

So as you can see, we’re a very fragmented fandom, one of many emotions and differing opinions about our very own boys. But what we can all agree on is the absolute joy they gave us as a band, and we are completely happy and certain in our choice that Nsync was the right boy band for us.

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading this as much I enjoyed writing it.  There’s so much more I would love to share, but maybe we can save that for another time.  For now, I will close by saying that Laura and I have had tons of fun talking about our boys and it’s been an incredibly enlightening experience! She is quite the ambassador for your fandom and I feel so fortunate to have met her.  I appreciate her taking an interest in my fandom and engaging in in-depth discussions with me.

At the end of the day, I am left with these final thoughts...

1. Your band loves you and that is SO awesome! I have always had the utmost respect for the way BSB treats your fandom; they have been open and honest with you guys all along the way and I envy your ability to get the answers and closure you deserve. On top of that, Laura has shared all the tremendous opportunities you have to meet and interact with the band and I’m genuinely happy for you guys.
2. No one band is “better” than the other. There are so many facets that make a band great and when it’s all said and done it's just a matter of personal liking. For example, why do some people like the color blue and others like the color red?  One is not innately better than the other and there is no right or wrong answer. Similarly, each of us likes one band more than the other for whatever reason; it’s just our preference…so no need to get upset about it! ;o)
3. After all these years our boys still give us the feels!  Yep, we still go crazy for them and obsess over everything, but we’re also a lot more mature now. We can actually acknowledge positive things about the other band (gasp!) and even be critical about our own band (gasp again!)  So yes, the passion is still there…we’re just not as blinded by it as we were before.  So YAY to us for being older and wiser and sticking by our boys’ side through thick and thin, and especially for still having fun and keeping the love!! 

“You asked for it…Let’s show these young boys how to do it.”
- Justin with Nsync, 2013 VMA

18 Signs You're Obssessed with the BSB Cruise

Since we have a lot of time to kill in between now and the cruise....

18 Signs You're Obsessed with the BSB Cruise

1. At any given moment you know exactly how many days we have left until the cruise (298 days...but who's counting?)
2. Your YouTube home screen is full of BSB cruise videos
   
3. You know the names of at least 2 Rose Tour employees
   
4. More and more of your facebook/twitter feed is filled with fellow cruisers and Backstreet related updates
   
5. You constantly stalk Backstreetboys.com and twitter praying for cruise-related updates
   
6. You already have your photo group planned for a picture that's 10 months away, but aren't concerned at all about planning that weekend getaway with your family that's in a week
7. Memes like this make you giggle uncontrollably

   

   Credit to @CarterClan

8. You have nightmares about missing the cruise, losing your passport, or the cruise being cancelled.
9. Or if you're lucky you have good dreams about the cruise like running into AJ outside your cabin or getting a selfie with Brian at the deck party.
   
10. Even though you have a big meeting/test the next day, you still find yourself up at 2am watching cruise videos.
    
11. People ask you what you want for your birthday/the holidays/etc the answer is always money to put towards the next cruise,
    
12. Anytime you meet someone else going on the cruise, they are instantly your new best friend.
    
13. Every conversation you have leads back to the cruise somehow...
    "Speaking of Game of Thrones...did you know Nick likes that show? Oh and have I mentioned I'm going on a cruise with him and the Backstreet Boys??"
14. Anytime you go clothes shopping you somehow end up buying something you "need" for the cruise instead.
15. All other vacations now seem so dull because the Backstreet Boys aren't there to party with you.
16. You've legit spent more time daydreaming about the cruise than you will actually be on board the cruise.
17. You're almost just as excited to see Justin and their security team as you are the boys.
18. Just the thinking about the cruise makes you want to stop everything and do this...
    
    
    

Please tell me I'm not alone, here.

21 Stages of Running into BSB at a Deck Party

Basically my experience at every deck party...

1. Strategically find a spot that will allow me the best access to the Backstreet Boys
2. Try and wait patiently for Brian, Howie, Nick, Kevin, or AJ to come towards me
3. Wonder why all the boys seem to be on the opposite end of the ship, all the while internally cursing my friends for picking the worst possible spot on the deck to wait
   
   

   

   Courtesy of Backstreetboys.com

4. Panic and run to the other end side of the deck
5. Immediately regret decision when I see my favorite Backstreet Boy go to where I was just standing and do something incredibly special with another fan
   
   

   

   Courtesy of Backstreetboys.com

6. Momentarily contemplate jumping overboard and cursing my horrible luck
7. Get incredibly anxious when one of the guys finally starts to head in my direction
8. Grab camera and frantically check to make sure its still functioning
9. Make a deal with a nearby fan or friend to take pictures of each other when the Backstreet Boy finally makes their way over
10. Have a mild panic attack as Backstreet Boy gets closer to me
    
    

    

    Courtesy of Backstreetboys.com

11. Brace myself for pushing fans
12. Have the fleeting thought, "What the hell am I doing with my life as a grown-ass woman at in a mob of people at 2am?"
    
    

    

    Courtesy of Backstreetboys.com

13. Make eye contact with Backstreet Boy, and completely throw previous thought out the window
14. Sputter out 10-15 seconds of small talk, trying not to sound like an idiot
15. Get picture with said Backstreet Boy
16. Maintain composure and thank him, all the while freaking out that a Backstreet Boy just had his hand on the small of my back and smells better than I ever could've dreamed
17. Escape crowd
18. Pray to the BSB gods that the picture came out okay, no one was blinking, and I didn't have anything stuck in my teeth
19. Show picture to all of my friends...and random fans I don't even know because of course I know they're dying to see my picture too
20. Make a list of all the social media sites I plan to post the picture on once I have an internet connection again, and eagerly anticipate how jealous everyone will undoubtedly be
21. Wash rinse and repeat with another Backstreet Boy

11 Things that Can Only Happen on a Backstreet Cruise

Because let's face it, anything goes on a Backstreet Boys cruise. Don't miss out on these once in a lifetime experiences. Make sure to book your cabin when they go on sale next week! Seriously, you gotta trust me on this one. Don't miss out.

1. Take selfies with shirtless Backstreet Boys in the ocean
   

   

2. Eat candy directly from Nick's mouth. NBD.
   
   
3. Witness AJ & Kevin fight with a giant inflatable penis
   (Well there's a sentence I never thought I'd say)
   
   
4. Play air hockey with Nick
   
   
5. Chat with Kevin in a bathrobe.
   (You know, just your Friday average evening)
   
6. See AJ wear assless chaps.
   (Actually... knowing AJ you probably could see him wear this outside of a Backstreet cruise. But I'm still including it.)
   
   
   
   
7. Hand pick chocolate kisses from Howie's body...and then eat them!
   
   
8. See Nick dressed up as Dorothy
   
9. Have AJ squirt alcohol into your mouth with a penis shaped water gun
   
10. Play Volleyball with Brian
    
    
11. Take shots with Kevin
    (Sorry I couldn't resist)
    
    
    
    Thanks to  my friends Nichole, Lucy, and Ashley for sharing their memories and pictures!

Inside Scoop for First Time BSB Cruisers

I'm anticipating many first time cruisers this year because we're headed across the pond to Europe. So while Rose Tours puts together a lovely FAQ page (which you should probably check out as it has a lot of logistical questions answered) many of you want to know the REAL deal about just exactly what goes down on a BSB cruise. You gotta know if it's worth the money. The short answer is yes. But just in case you're unsure, here's a quick rundown on some frequently asked questions from first timers.

What can I expect on a BSB cruise?
Expect to have the time of your life. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sing, you'll dance. You'll get to meet the Backstreet Boys. You'll meet some amazing fans from all over the world and hopefully walk away with many new best friends. You'll act like you're 13 the entire time. You'll make some wonderful memories. Seriously...it's awesome. You just gotta trust me on this one and then thank me later.

Will I get to meet the Backstreet Boys?
You WILL definitely get to meet the Backstreet Boys. I repeat... you will get to meet the Backstreet Boys and make a childhood dream officially come true. You can leave the ship and die happy. No but really, they have a meet & greet session where you are guaranteed to meet all 5 Backstreet Boys and get a group picture with them. And the meet & greet is included in the cost of the cruise, so not to fret!

Proof that you do in fact get to meet them AND get a picture AND they're in sailor outfits

Help! I really want to go but have no one to go with.
As my brother likes to tell me, "Track 3 - In a World Like This." You have a lot of options. Don't let not having a travel buddy stop you. If I let that stop me, I wouldn't have gone on that first cruise 5 glorious years ago and have this lovely blog. You have options. Rose Tours offers a roommate match program and they will pair you up with another cruiser in your situation. Its easy and it works. You can also scour twitter, facebook, the fanclub, or even let me know and I'll try to match you with someone. You're not alone. I guarantee there are others in the exact same situation and would love to room with you.

Also, its super easy to meet people on board. You can literally go up to anyone on that ship and start a conversation with, "So what is your favorite Nick hairstyle?" and proceed to have a 2 hour chat discussing the pros and cons of each of his dos. Any by 'anyone on that ship', I don't mean the Royal Caribbean staff. You might get yourself a few sideways glances.

The hair has come full circle.

Is it worth the money?
Yes, it's expensive. But it's worth every penny. Try not to think about the fact that you could go on a different cruise for half the price and twice as long. Think about how that cruise ship won't have this waiting for you when you board....

How much face time is realistic?
I wish I could tell you we all get to have an intimate lunch with Brian every day. But alas, there's simply not enough BSB to go around. The good news is it is very likely to run into them around the ship. They stay with us all 4 days and are often found roaming around the ship. It's not uncommon to see AJ grabbing lunch at the buffet or Howie shooting craps in the casino. 

Plus there are lots of opportunities to get a selfie, hug, autograph, picture, quick convo, or have Nick sign your body so you can get it tattooed when you get back home (yes this really happens and yes he'll actually do it). The boys really make themselves available during the cruise, especially the deck parties. And if you're patient, you'll hopefully go home with at least 1 or 2 pictures to make all of your friends back home super jealous. I mean, that is the ultimate goal, right?


What's the deal with the photo groups?

"Looking for a Kevin and Brian girl."

"Nick girl looking for a group."

"Need a Howie fan."

When you see these sorts of phrases, or any iteration thereof, it means people are looking to complete their photo group. And I'm sure some go-getters already have theirs figured out.

So as I said above, you'll get to meet the Backstreet Boys and part of that process means finding other fans to take a picture with. For the past 2 cruises they have done photo groups of 4-5 people. So if you're going to leave utterly devastated if you don't stand next to your favorite boy in the photo, you might want to think about getting a group together a month or two before sailing. Otherwise, don't worry about it. There will be other fans who need group members too and the staff will match you up the day of. There is NO need to start worrying about this now.

Is it worth it to get the more expensive cabins?
It's funny. My friends who have gotten the more expensive cabins insist it's absolutely worth it to get the front seats at the shows. Meanwhile my friends who have gotten the cheapo cabins insist it's not worth the extra money to get the better cabins. So what I've concluded - you can't go wrong. (Personally I fall in the latter category and have never felt like I missed out on anything.)

I do feel obliged to point out that this cruise is the first year that the better cabins come with an exclusive BSB event. I emailed Rose Tours trying to pry more info out of them, but sadly they don't have details yet. Color me crazy, but I would like slightly more info before shelling out an extra $1000+.

What sort of events do they have on board?
In typical Backstreet fashion, we won't get this information until 2 weeks before the cruise. So buckle up, you're in for a long wait. Though based on what has happened on past cruises, I expect that they will have some mix of the following events:

• Sailaway party- Basically BSB in sailor outfits
• Game show- An hour of watching Brian's competitive side come out
• Deck/Theme Parties (x3)- Evening of trying to get selfies with the boys in fun costumes
• Q&A- The boys answering actually decent questions that aren't the typical, "What advice do you have for the new generation of boybands?"
  (Its a tossup as to whether or not they'll have this event. But I really like the Q&A so I hope they do it!)
• Concert- Please, for the love of Nick Carter, they better do a unique cruise concert like they did last year. That was amazing!
• Meet & Greet-  Getting hugs from AJ, Brian, Kevin, Nick and Howie. Squeee!
• Solo events (if we're lucky)
• Beach Party- Shirtless Backstreet Boys. (Though in my personal opinion I'm doubtful we'll get one this year based on our 2 free port days.)
  
  
  

If you're a first timer and have any other questions, feel free to post below!

Fan Breakout Sessions

I don't talk much, or really at all, about my personal life. But when I'm not fangirling, I plan corporate events for a living. I realized that there is so much that can be translated from the corporate world of events I plan into the Backstreet cruise. In fact I feel like there's a huge missed opportunity by only having 1 track of activities. With the conferences I manage- they have so many things going on at any given time in various breakout sessions and I really wish BSB would do that too!

So I thought it would be fun to plan out a few hypothetical "Fan Breakout" sessions. All of these are just fun extra events where the boys wouldn't necessarily be present at all, but still super fun activities to bring us cruisers closer together because I still maintain one of the best parts of the cruise is meeting other fans.

• What It's Like to be Married to a Backstreet Boy
  Hosted by any/all of the lovely Backstreet wives on board (which of course would most likely just be Leighanne). The wive(s) dish about life on the road, what it's like to be married to a pop star, and of course spill some embarrassing secrets about their husbands. Q&A session to follow.
  
  
• Birds of  Feather Dinner
  Tonight for dinner meet some new fans local to your neck of the woods. Every table will be labeled with a different state/country so go find your table and meet a new friend or two.
  
  
• Struggles of a Fan Man
  Calling all male fans! This mixer is for you. Meet up with other male fans and share your Backstreet stories.
  
  
• The Business Behind BSB
  "Being in show business is just as much about the show as it is about the business" - Howie D.
  Hosted by Jen and any of the other management staff, you will learn all about the behind the scenes things that go into the business side of BSB. You'll hear about everything from putting together a touring schedule to BSB PR. Q&A session to follow.
  
• Protecting the Boys You Love
  Hosted by the infamous security guards that watch over the Backstreet Boys on a day to day basis. Hear some crazy fan stories and what it takes to keep BSB safe on the road. Q&A session to follow.
  
  
• Town Hall with Ground Ctrl
  Want to see another BSB BBQ or tell Ground Ctrl how much you love the new VIPs? Join this open forum to provide direct feedback to the ground ctrl staff and let them know your suggestions, feedback, or potential areas of improvement.
  
  
• Backstreet Taboo
  Challenge your fellow fans to this classic party game with a Backstreet twist.
  
  
• BSB Karaoke
  Come out and sing along to all of your favorite BSB hits
  
  
• Millennium Poolside at Sunset
  Long day in the sun? Come unwind poolside with a cocktail and the soothing music from the top-selling Millennium album
  
  
• Fanfic Forum
  Everything fanfic. Share your favorite stories, meet the authors, swap tips for writing the ultimate fanfic and much more!
  
  
• Memorabilia Auction
  Join us for an afternoon of autographed merchandise and classic BSB goodies as well as raffles and giveaways. Grab a glass of complementary champagne with one hand and cross your fingers with the other because you could win a rare BSB collectible.

I feel obliged to again point out that these are NOT actual events that will be on the cruise. But if I were in charge, most of these certainly would be ;)

100 More Reasons to go on a Backstreet Boys Cruise

So it appears that the cruise isn't sold out yet, which just amazes me!! So for anyone out there who needs further convincing, I expanded on my previous list of 101 Reasons to go on a Backstreet Boy Cruise and put together 100 MORE reasons why you should have no excuse not to cruise with the Backstreet Boys. 

100 More Reasons to go on a Backstreet Boys Cruise

1. It's the only place you can hear the boys sing 'If You Want it to be Good Girl' live
2. It costs as little as $13.50/hour which is way better than the price per hour at a concert. So if you think about it, you're really losing money if you don't go.... 
3. See if you can keep up with Howie's drinking
   
   
   
   
   
4. Admit defeat when you realize you can't even come close to keeping up with Howie
5. Get free drinks compliments of BSB (While its only for an hour, but hey, you can still say Nick Carter technically bought you a drink)
6. I swear there are more concert bloopers on the cruise than I've seen in a lifetime of land-based concerts (Nick Blooper, AJ Blooper, Another Nick Blooper,Yet another Nick Blooper). Maybe I should correct myself and say there are lot of Nick bloopers on board.
7. Witness Brian's super competitive side come out during the game shows and beach games as well (Note his game face below)
   
   
8. Challenge yourself to try and stay up later than Howie. (Many try, but few succeed...)
9. You'll get to Trick or Treat Backstreet style
10. See tons of creative costumes including a lot of costumes with Backstreet references
11. The fun of waiting in line with the rest of the ship at 2am after the deck parties for pizza
12. If you're lucky, perhaps catch one of AJs spontaneous chats
13. Test your black jack skills with AJ
14. Find out how AJs going to make up for the fact that his solo event was canceled last year (and he better!)
15. Don't have to drive home after the concert
16. Know that if you feel a tap on your shoulder it could be Brian surprising you (Seriously he pops up everywhere)
    
    
17. Watch the amazingness that is Kevin standing and taking pictures with fans for hours on end. The man has the patience of a saint.
18. That moment when you meet Kevin and he stares straight into your soul
19. Chocolate melting cake. Yum!
20. See Nicks awesome DJ skills
21. Find out if Howie tries to trick us again by swapping clothes with his brother
22. During down time play with Nick in the casino
    
    
23. Be there at the exact moment when the boys reveal their Halloween costumes. Can't wait!
24. See how AJ will manage to wear less with his Halloween costume this time around
25. Be in on the latest inside jokes Ex: Protect your tings!
26. Its the ultimate girls weekend
27. They get up close and personal with the fans
    
    
28. Experience Miami overrun with BSB fans 
29. The look on people's faces when you tell them you're going on a BSB cruise. Priceless.
30. Meet some of your new best friends
31. You can be in the background of a BSB selfie
    
    
32. You'll eat in the same dining room as BSB
33. Watch the boys perform their concert on rocky waters is hilarious. AJ is especially comical stumbling around on stage
34. Hours of entertainment just looking at the amazing decorations fans have on their doors
35. There's an entire channel devoted to BSB (Why can't this be a thing in real life?)
36. Hear their elusively sung solo songs
37. Be there every time Kevin gets choked up/cries (which is quite a lot over the span of 3 days. I lost count pretty quickly)
38. Kevin's impromptu piano sessions
    
    
39. Watch the Carnival staff sing & dance along
40. Bonus solo events with each of the Backstreet boys
41. Know every time the elevator door opens there could be a Backstreet Boy waiting for you on the other side
42. You're sleeping only a few cabins away from Nick, Howie, Brian, AJ, and Kevin
43. Every TV in the public areas plays BSB TV (Why is there no such thing as a BSB bar?)
    
    
44. So many chances to get a picture with one of the boys
45. Hear new stories and learn new dirt during the Q&A
46. Its a judge free zone to fully embrace your BSB-loving side
47. Spend 70 straight hours with BSB. If you do the math- that's like 20 times longer than anywhere else you can spend with them
48. Seriously that's like condensing 10 years of BSB interactions in 1 mega weekend
49. Get super cool BSB-themed goody bags
50. See Nick make faces like this...
    
51. Can get an infamous Howie D autograph, complete with smiley face of course
52. Literally watch the Backstreet Boys while floating in the beautiful Caribbean waters
53. See the exquisite Half Moon Cay
54. All the yummy food on board (yumminess level subjective of course, especially per Brian)
55. See the dirty side of BSB
56. Yes, even Brian's dirty side (I don't know where that Brian is the rest of the year!)
57. You can share your BSB stories with people who truly care
58. Unexpected goofy antics from Brian
    
    
59. Everything is included in price so no worrying about buying extra VIPs or after parties
60. That feeling of first stepping on the ship #Indescribable #PureBliss
61. The boys let loose more on the cruise than anywhere else
62. You never know what will come out of AJs mouth when he has a mic
63. A BSB Halloween party puts any other Halloween party to shame
64. Discover first-hand that Howie is the true party animal of the group
65. Get chocolates/candy from BSB during Halloween night
66. See how low the boys can go in limbo
    
    
67. Wet t-shirt contest hosted by BSB. Um, yes please!
68. Unparalleled photo ops with boys all dressed up in their costumes
69. Perfect place to wear all your old (and new) Backstreet shirts
70. Treat you inner 13 year old. She (or he) deserves it
71. Nick likes to hang out with us during the events
    
    
72. BSB decorations everywhere- even the freakin floor!
73. Can get bonus Nick time in Miami with Nick & Knight if you head down 2 days early
74. The months of anticipation leading to the cruise are almost as exciting as being on board
75. Its the only time you'll get Brian at an after party
76. Seeing the boys take selfies with each other is super adorable
    
    
77. Enjoy seeing Brian sipping fruity drinks
78. Appreciate Howie's quiet but awesome sense of humor
79. Literally trapped on a ship with the Backstreet Boys
80. Chuckle at the fact that AJ gets seasick
81. Its the best Q&A above any sound check party because questions are pre-screened and only good questions are asked
82. Hear them re-tell the same jokes they always tell, but somehow they're funnier on the cruise
83. Find out what the Backstreet Boys eat for lunch, as they eat in the lido buffet with us...
    
    
84. Smaller group photos
85. Party with the Backstreet Boys til the wee hours of the morning
86. If you're lucky, Nick's new thing on the cruises seems to be feeding fans from the stage
87. Even waiting in the cruise terminal is a fun experience with the roar of the BSB fans
88. You WILL definitely get to meet the Backstreet Boys at least once on board 
89. Witness Brian and his cheating first hand
    
    
90. This is the only cruise you'll lose weight on. Too much to do and barely any time to eat
91. Only place where the Backstreet Boys go crowd-surfing
92. Learn how they're going to top Bachelorette night (not even sure how that's possible)
    
    
93. We'll be on a new ship this year- the lovely Carnival Ecstasy
94. Mummy wrapping with BSB
95. Best place to Keep the Backstreet Pride Alive
96. Tons of viewings of Kevin's cheesy but awesome dance moves
    
    
97. Won't have a heart-attack figuring out your seats for the concert because they're assigned
98. Its the experience of a lifetime
99. More chances than ever to interact and/or get on stage with the boys
100. Nick, Howie, Brian, AJ & Kevin in sailor outfits. Enough said.