DAY three on Cruisin’ Country and the music continues. We’ve been in Noumea for the day, but that hasn’t stopped the entertainment on board.
Last night Amber Lawrence lit up the main theatre with her show where she was joined by Amber Joy Poulton and Aleyce Simmonds for Cheers To The Girls. That was a special moment among so many special moments on this cruise so far. Amber is the ambassador for Cruisin’ Country and her love for the role shines through as she introduces the main acts each night. Monday night demonstrated why she’s a Golden Guitar winner and at the top of the country music game in Australia. As well as Cheers To The Girls, The Man Across the Street was an absolute highlight of the night for me and left few dry eyes in the theatre as she told the story of the war veteran who suffered PTSD and was forgotten by society, but saved her life.
Prior to Amber’s performance, I caught singer-songwriter and musician, Matt Cornell, in the Schooner Bar. It was packed to the rafters by an appreciative audience who hung on hi every word and soaked up Matt’s stories and songs.
I finished off the night with something a little different in the form of The Hillbilly Goats. If you have not seen this group perform, you must. Their shows are a little trip to the mountains of Tennessee through bluegrass and Appalachian music.
Today, most people got a taste of dry land again for a few hours, but back on the Legend of the Seas, it was all about the country music. We had Aleyce Simmonds on the pool deck until her show was rained out and I caught up with Jasmine Rae who is also on her first Cruisin’ Country and loving it as much as the rest of us. Aleyce wowed the outdoor audience with her powerhouse vocals and showed what talent Tamworth and Australian country music produces.
Inside, out of the elements, Bob Corbett and band were whipping the crowd into a frenzy with their music and a certain other country music artist was spotted ripping up the dance floor… she looked a lot like Felicity Urquhart, sources claimed.

Tonight’s main show was Drew McAlister and Luke O’Shea, which I followed with Travis Collins, but more on them tomorrow. We are headed to Mare tomorrow and I’m just getting this blog published before the ship’s clocks strike midnight.

IT’S only day two on Cruisin’ Country and the music is heating up, along with the weather as we sail towards Noumea. The itinerary has been changed and we are hitting up Noumea for our first island visit followed by the smaller islands of New Caledonia and Mystery Island, Vanuatu.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was encouraged to book on Cruisin’ Country 6, except I knew it would be good. Well, for me, this cruise has been like a small taste of the Tamworth Country Music Festival without the dry heat (it’s so humid outside, although not too hot today) and the frantic busy-ness.
It was a damp sail away party as a massive storm ripped through Brisbane on our departure, bringing the Hillbilly Goats’ performance to an early close. And, yes, the goat is on board with us much to my children’s delight.
Last night I caught the ever lovely and amazingly talented Felicity Urquhart whose voice continues to amaze. I have been watching her perform since she was… well, in school (which was only a few years ago, of course) and she just keeps getting better. Felicity headlined the first ‘Showtime’ performance in the That’s Entertainment Theatre with the Cruisin’ Country Orchestra comprised of Brendan Radford, Glen Hannah, Clare O’Meara, Jeff McCormack, Steve Fearnley, and Vaughan Jones. She even performed a few new songs that we might just see on her next album… I’ve been pushing her for years for a new offering, but her BBU album is still hitting all the right notes.
Felicity wrapped up a wonderful first day on the Legend of the Sea.
Today, Monday, November 14, has brought with it bush ballads from Dean Perrett and Jeff Brown, and a songwriting workshop with Lyn Bowtell, her BBU colleague, Felicity Urquhart, Drew McAlister and Shane Nicholson (who was a little late due to the time change between Brisbane and now, as we are back on Sydney time, which is Noumea time).
Those enjoying the pool in the windy weather had Libby O’Donovan to entertain them, along with Aleyce Simmonds and we’ve still got Amber Joy Poulton and the Holy Men, Matt Cornell and Amber Lawrence in the main theatre to come.
Exhausted yet? Yeah, me too, but no time to stop as there is much to enjoy. And a tip for those families thinking of coming in the form of two words – Kids Club. Best thing ever and my children are getting to know the children of my musical mates which is just a wonderful thing to witness.
Until tomorrow, enjoy and I hope you can live through these photos and feel like you’re on board with us.