BSB Cruise Memories: Volume 2
A Backstreet Boys cruise isn’t your normal cruise. For those who do not know much about it, well, they probably won’t get it. Sure, it could be considered a party or concert on water. But for most, a Backstreet Boys cruise is more like a family reunion.
Over the past four cruises (2010-11, 2013-14), we’ve met a lot of people who have graced the stages at events - whether it was being brought up to sing karaoke, to play a beach game, or for something so moving, it left a boat full of fans in tears.
In the first volume of BSB Cruise Memory Lane, we met Michelle, Stephanie, Christina and Sherri who all had big moments that other cruisers were able to take part in.
In volume two, we meet three more cruisers who all have three very different memories but all had the time of their life.
MELISSA
Melissa Gushnowski experienced her first cruise in 2014 and got to experience something that 99.9 percent of Backstreet Boys fans do not get to enjoy - having a Backstreet Boy between her legs.
Playing a beach game… mind out of the gutters.
“AJ picked me first for the game and I actually got pulled out,” Melissa said. “Was I mad? Yes, (but) then Nick realized the other team had less so back I went behind AJ and I sit in the sand and then he lays back and looks up and smile. Yeah, no biggie, AJ McLean is between my legs.”
Melissa’s team lost, but to her, she won.
“...It was so fun. I came out of my shell and didn’t care how I looked,” she said. “I had never done anything like that with the boys ever.”
While Melissa unfortunately won’t be attending the 2016 European cruise, she does hope that she’s on the next cruise that leaves out of the United States.
“I think the part I enjoyed about the cruise (was) getting to meet and connect with all my online friends,” Melissa said. “To see my best friend Medina and make amazing memories with her. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Melissa said that the cruise was about feeling confident in herself and the thing that topped off the cruise for her was the Halloween theme night where she was dressed as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” and got to take a picture with her sweet Tin Man, Howie.
“(It) was the icing on the cake,” she said.
SHANNON
For Shannon from Colorado, she has been one lucky Backstreet Boys fan over the years from being serenaded by Nick Carter during the NKOTBSB tour to being on the first three Backstreet Boys cruises.
“That was a dream come true and I never knew i would have more in the future and I don’t mind it because I feel every memory I get with any of the boys is something I can treasure forever,” she said.”
But something even bigger happened on the second Backstreet Boys cruise in 2011 - she was picked to sing karaoke.
“Howie picked the song, ‘Thong Song,’ which doesn’t surprise me there,” Shannon said. “I had no idea how to sing it as karaoke was different than the regular version. I had Brian at one point trying to help me because I was so lost.”
According to Shannon, the karaoke was a blash because it was fun to get to know the boys outside the usual Backstreet Boys world.
“It was a neat experience to be closer to the boys,” she said. “Those few minutes will be the best few minutes of your life.”
While she didn’t get to attend the 2014 cruise and won’t be attending the 2016 cruise, Shannon attended the first three cruises and can’t wait for the next cruise in the United States.
“It’s like a big party boat,” Shannon said. “I love the non-stop going of activities and fun events to do. You can do your own thing between the events with the boys. I love walking around the boat, chatting with friends, having fun and making memories. Nothing beats getting away from reality for a while and having a blast doing what you love to do which is being around the boys.
OLGA
For Olga Aguayo of California, she almost didn’t get her favorite cruise memory. The Disney lover who has been on every cruise except the first and will be attending the 2016 cruise, decided not to dress up for 2014’s ABC (Anything But Clothes) night.
“My friend actually convinced me to dress up,” Olga said. “Our original plan was to just chill inside the bar and drink.”
But after a few drinks and while her friend was gone to the restroom, a Rose Tours staff member stopped her.
“My mind went crazy thinking I had done something wrong, but turned out, she told me that she was walking around the lido deck for awesome ABC costumes and that she loved mine because it was unique and original and she wanted me to join Backstreet Boys on stage,” Olga said.
She went from almost not dressing up to being on stage for the ABC Night Fashion Show.
“I freaked out and said, ‘hell yeah!’” Olga said.
Two hours later, Olga joined Backstreet Boys on stage and was able to dance with Kevin on stage in her white and black trash bag dress.
“(It was) absolutely the best night of the entire cruise,” she said. “To quote Kevin from that night, ‘trash bags and duffle bags just hangin’ out.”
After the dance on stage, Kevin gave Olga a tight hug and it topped the cruise off for her. She hopes to be able to rewind back to that night or experience something even better on the 2016 Backstreet Boys cruise.
*************
Have you had a special or big experience on a Backstreet Boys cruise? Head over to the fan club forums and let us know!
And there are still cabins left for the 2016 Backstreet Boys cruise! Head over to backstreetboyscruise.com and book today! There is still six months until we board the ship!