Cruise Connection
Setting sail with Oprah is the ultimate fan experience.
BOARDING EURODAM IN SEATTLE THAT DAY
appeared unexceptional — until I approached the gangway to the ship. There, staff members were giving each boarding passenger a beautiful long-sleeved T-shirt showing off the “O” logo of O, The
Oprah Magazine. The stage was being set for the week. Certainly passengers aboard Holland America Line’s first O,
The Oprah Magazine Share the Adventure Cruise boarded full of excitement and anticipation at the prospect of rubbing shoulders with the Queen herself. It quickly became evident to me why: Oprah Winfrey is a phenomenon.
The Week at a Glance
Choosing this special cruise was not just to sail with Oprah, but to engage with an entire program designed and catered to individuals who share her ideas and philosophy. Most impressive was the lineup of featured speakers for the week.
THIS CRUISE WAS NOT JUST TO SAIL WITH OPRAH, BUT TO ENGAGE WITH AN ENTIRE PROGRAM DESIGNED AND CATERED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARE HER IDEAS AND PHILOSOPHY. MOST IMPRESSIVE WAS THE LINEUP OF FEATURED SPEAKERS FOR THE WEEK.
Every day the stage was set with half an hour of meditation by the pool, led by yoga and meditation guru Sara Ivanhoe. Other onboard activities were a well-orchestrated mix of readings, lectures, music, games, and physical activity. Much of it was interactive and we had the opportunity to meet and converse with these amazing people, including singing artist India. Arie, authors Glennon Doyle and Elizabeth Strout, and food evangelist Elettra Wiedemann, just to name a few.
Each evening, passengers returned to their staterooms to find a gift waiting for them. This wonderful extra touch included a visor, water bottle, a book, a pair of gloves, and a journal.
Shore excursions should always be taken advantage of, as Alaska is an absolute must see with scenery to die for, especially Glacier Bay National Park. Eurodam spent a few hours facing Margerie Glacier, for example, where we were so close we could hear the ice breaking apart and applaud the large pieces calving off the glacier. Every day brought something exciting, from wildlife spotting on shore to whales making frequent appearances.
On board, I very much enjoyed “The Making of O,” The Oprah Magazine presentation at which editor-in-chief, Lucy Kaylin, and editor-at-large, Gayle King, did an amazing job informing and entertaining the audience with interesting facts and stories. Producing a magazine of this magnitude is not an easy task, and I was impressed with their degree of professionalism.
The magazine’s creative director, Adam Glassman, also took the stage and captured the audience with his ability to advise anyone — regardless of age, size, or appearance — on how to dress. As a man, I was walking backward into the theater, dragging my feet and feeling like a fish out of water in a room full of women attending a style presentation and fashion show. But I never judge a book by its cover and was impressed and delighted by the quality of each event.
Angela Davis, a fitness guru and former member of the USA Track and Field Team, put the 220 in the 110 plug when she came on stage for her presentation. I couldn’t believe my eyes as I witnessed such energy and excitement. The crowd was on fire, jumping and dancing to the rhythm of Angela motivating the audience.
Balancing the events was O’s Reading Room, as various best-selling authors filled up the room with their captivating talks. Even the “O” Shop, specifically set up for that week in the boutique area, was a wild success. The day the shop opened was comparable to an opening of a popular store on the busiest Black Friday. Almost everything sold out on the first day.
Highpoints and Praise
Among the highlights of the week were Oprah’s two main stage performances. With 600 passengers at each, seating was pre-assigned so that all participants could be efficiently accommodated in the theater. Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line, provided the introduction and the room became electric as Oprah approached the stage to a standing ovation.
Oprah is an amazing speaker who is so comfortable on stage that it’s a treat just to be in the same room with her. She began by sharing pieces of her life and experiences, spinning tales that easily flowed into the next. Through the course of her career and thousands of interviews, she is reported to be one of the best listeners as well. She has an uncanny ability to connect with her audience, and during the question-andanswer component of the event she was attentive, thoughtful, spontaneous, and funny.
Oprah also excels in seriously considering questions posed to her, answering them thoughtfully, and conveying her message to the recipients. She ends up where she wants to be with the audience, which is a display of her talent. Guests will remember this event for a long time to come.
It was no surprise that everything went so smoothly during the week. There was complete involvement of Holland America in this project, from the president to every staff member and crewmember on board. The partnership forged between the cruise line and O, The Oprah
Magazine was a match made in heaven. The theme cruise was obviously dedicated to Oprah fans and people who enjoy her philosophy. It’s a great concept and I realized during the course of the week that the mood and flow was quite different from any of the other more than 260 cruises I’ve been on. Having a majority of passengers sharing the same life perspective gave the feeling that everyone knew each other, but the reality is that it was just an impression.
So is a theme cruise worth looking at? Absolutely. Cruising with fellow travelers who share a common interest is the best of both worlds. It takes an excellent cruise and makes it even more memorable.
Additional O, The Oprah Magazine Adventure of Your Life sailings featuring O– inspired events, activities, and teachers are scheduled for March 3, August 11, and October 28, 2018.