High Seas Rally 2024

World's Only Motorcycle Rally on a Cruise Ship. That's the trademarked tag line. When I first became aware of it over a decade ago, I looked into it a little bit. I kept searching around for the motorcycles they had ... but realized there were none. Lil more investigation, realized it was a 'biker' rally on a cruise ship.. so to speak. I snickered and moved on. Then it popped up again and I looked at it again. Looked like a great time. Still, I 'didn't get it' so moved on. But ... damned it intrigued me. I was thinking .. "hell, if we did go I'd just rent a Bike on an island stop. or at least a lil scooter." Never did any of it though. I moved on with all the other things I had going on.

Well, couple of years ago some CVMA ® folks were on it and ... now I was really looking at it. Back in '20 we did an actual motorcycle cruise and they kept comparing themselves to this one.. well, actually, talking smack about HSR which made me look closer. This was an apples and oranges situation I realized. HSR was about the party, ETA was about the riding on the islands. Well, now ... I'm really looking into it. If I was to sum it all up in one paragraph it might go like .....

Charter a cruise ship from a line like Royal Caribbean, put together a week long festivity of bands, crazy games, pool parties, evening parties, motorcycle celebrities, auctions, raffles, bike giveaways and god knows what else. Then pick a deserving charity or two to help out with the funds coming in. Modify the dress code from the norm to just .... well.... almost anything goes! In this case... Bikers dress like ... well .. Bikers! HD Shirts, tank tops, jeans, shorts, flip flops, lots of bathing suits everywhere ... and .. make it all adult. Hell, it's a biker thing; bring that leather! Don them Cuts and Colors if you have them. Dinner? Wear your tee shirt and shorts and flip flops. Special restaurant? Wear what you want. For those that are used to having to dress up on cruises, this is a huge deal. How about theme nights? Redneck night! Pirate Night! Halloween costume night! The list goes on ... there were five this year. Several ports to stop at so head out and party at the Beach and Bars! Then you have to figure in the cost. This is NOT a normal cruise; it all costs $$. When the smoke clears, it'll be about double what the cabin normally costs. For many, they get sticker shock. For thousands of folks though, they pony up for the good/great times on that ship. Every year, year after year, for upwards of two decades. Is it worth it? Well to most since they return year after year. Was for me. That's basically it. Well... not quite. The experience ... one has to attend to understand?

So, earlier this year I convinced Mama to go. Actually, I said .. "Lone Star Rally!" and she pushed back ... (we've been almost a dozen times) ... so I got smart and said ... "either that or HSR!"... I won... HSR it was. Booked it with a top of the line room, got some front row tickets to Tampa via points, top of the line Room at the Tampa JW Marriott via points .. and ... we wait. Finally late last month, off we went! It's been years since we traveled with big suitcases we had to check in, and had TWO of them this time, overpacking as always. Upon arrival at the hotel found myself wishing we'd come in a day early to enjoy downtown Tampa which looked pretty awesome (next time!). Nice evening in the hotel, skipped the party for HSR next door (should have gone!) and we're on the pier by 0930. Lesson learned here, should have waited. We wouldn't get in the 'door' until 1130 and another 20 or so minutes after that to head down the gang plank to get onboard. Then we headed to our Muster area at the Schooner bar and ... wait. Rooms aren't ready until after 1pm, so ... let the Rum Punches begin! Met a few couples, parked it there for a few hours and finally ...... off to the room. Got to admit, I knocked it out. More than we needed and tons of space. Mama's happy, I'm happy ... so we're unpacking and it's ...time to check out the ship.

The next seven days began to blend into each other. Found our fav' bars, Pool was always hopping with tunes, live music, orchestrated parties, and lots of sunshine. Restaurants knocked it out with the food and service. Hell, even the buffet rocked with great tasty options. Room Service a few times and our fav time was ... the balcony. We are believers in them utilizing ours every morning and every evening as a minimum. We arranged with our Concierge to have a bottle of Champagne and some juice (mimosas!) every day delivered to our room. During the cruise we had about five theme nights. Pirate, Redneck, Halloween, US colors (RWB), etc. Had a meeting with upwards of 100 CVMA ® folks for a 2-3 hour mixer and got the group pic. Due to our Suite, we had access to the concierge suite which we used daily, for awesome drinks and snacks; our quiet hideaway. In the mix were a few stops in the Bahamas and change in schedule due to weather, to Cozumel for our third. Funny part is .. we are headed there later this month, so this was a lil teaser. We spent minimal time off the boat at all three ports. Cozumel, we were parked literally next to the No Name Bar, so walked over there (1/3 mile) for some grub and drinks. Funny thing is we walked right into a Pride event. Foam party in the pool, guys everywhere in speedos and thongs. Few female couples in the mix. We were one of the few hetro's in the mix, but all good. Few hours later, back to the ship. Second humorous thing was we hit the pharmacy for some toothpaste. If you've been to these Pharmacia, they will sell you most anything without a prescription. Well, they also advertised steroids all over the front and inside. Guess the clerk thought that's' why I was there... she kept pushing them on me holding 2x3 sign listing on the cocktails. Funny Shit.... guess she assumed i was there for a refill? Sorry, wrong guy .. LOL. Anyways, back to the ship and we're soon sailing back to Tampa.

Can't believe we're in port; way too quickly! Well, our concierge has us herded and we're pretty much first off the ship. Luggage is right in front of us when we get through customs since we're priority #1 (literally what was on the luggage tags), and we're rolling off the ship. As when we arrived, we should have gotten that same hotel and hung out another day to decompress. I didn't arrange transportation , see a sign that says $10 person and we line up with the cattle ... and ... looks tight (how the hell are all these people going to fit in that bus?) ... notice taxis parked about 50' away and we divert. Standard $35 for the ride and we're rolling. Less than 20 minutes later.... we're there. Snacks and drinks at the Hard Rock, then move into the Admirals Club .. and ... I'm tired. It's finally hitting me. It'll be four hours before we board onto our AA flight to DFW. On this flight up in the front row again. The Steward provided the best service I've had in over a decade; he was on his game!

Back in Greenville .. time to decompress. Hard to believe not twelve hours earlier we were on a Cruise ship in Florida... We are booked and ready for HSR 2025!