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I’m On a Boat – with Weezer, KISS and Ernest Borgnine!

Written by Holly Aguirre
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Hit the high seas with Weezer and other rockers.

Pack your swimsuit, the earplugs and throw your preconceived notions of cruises overboard and get on a Sixth Man luxury liner. This is not your grandmother’s cruise with Kathy Lee and Captain Stubing nowhere in sight, though we wouldn’t mind running into Issac the Bartender or Ginger and Mary Ann. Yes, there’s shuffleboard, an all-you-can-eat buffet, a disco and casino, but these trips include rock stars, lots of them -- John Mayer, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Zac Brown, the Indigo Girls, Lyle Lovett and Kid Rock, to name a few. Think of them as floating music festivals with no mud, no tents and no DUIs, just plenty of sun, adult beverages and rock star elbow-rubbing.

The Atlanta-based company was created by Adam Levine in 2001 as The Rock Boat featuring Sister Hazel, a band he managed. Levine wanted a unique to thank the group’s fan base and figured that loading everyone up on a cruise ship was a good way. The idea proved so successful that he built his company around the concept of fans interacting with musicians on four-day themed cruises. So far, he’s booked 35 excursions, and showing no signs of dry docking anytime soon.

The newest cruise, called Rombello, features Slightly Stoopid, Michael Franti and Spearhead, G. Love & Special Sauce and Citizen Cope, along with many others on the bill and will depart later this month. In October, fans are invited to sail away with legendary rock gods KISS. Shipmates can pose for photos with the band, see numerous shows and participate in costume contests, so get out the waterproof eyeliner. The band will also perform rare acoustic sets sans make-up and sign your KISS lunchbox or thong bikini. Tickets are still available.

Somewhat of a departure from the music is The Turner Classic Movies cruise. When Dennis Adamovich, senior vice president of brand activation for TCM, TBS and TNT (all also based in Atlanta) wanted a way for his viewers to interact socially, he chose a cruise and tickets sold out in record time. This December, TCM hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz set sail with legendary director/producer Norman Jewison (The Thomas Crowne Affair, Rollerball) and movie stars Ernest Borgnine (The Poseidon Adventure), Tippi Hedren (The Birds) and Eva Marie Saint (On the Waterfront). Scheduled activities include screenings of “North by Northwest,” “The Birds” and “Key Largo,” trivia nights and old school dance lessons.

Lastly, Levine is hoping for the hipster set to step away from the flannel, get out the sunscreen and hop on the board the Weezer boat. Set for January 19-23, 2012, the lineup features Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Gene Ween and Dave Dreiwitz, Wavves, The Antlers, Lou Barlow, Sleeper Agent, the zany Yacht Rock Revue and more.

The Weezer boat is perhaps the most interactive cruise to date with Rivers Cuomo doing a reading from the Pinkerton Diaries, Brian Bell hosting a pajama party, and Scott Shriner leading couples through wedding vow renewals. There’s an "Ugly Sweater Night," "Weezer Karaoke," bingo, "Weezer Team Trivia," and a cannonball and belly-flop contest. Based on fan feedback, special pricing is available.