In a previous post I mentioned that when on a Cruise, I would question the international crew and staff from South Africa about their knowledge of Jim Reeves.

Just returned from an 11 day Cruise on the Royal Caribbean Odyssey sailing from Bayonne NJ. Turns out that the port is only 3 hours driving time from our house and traveling to and from there is a piece of cake.

I found no one from South Africa on this cruise although there must have been some.

I discovered that the Karaoke library on board contained much of Jim's work, but I was not brave enough, or drunk enough, to try a song.

My wife allowed me to wear my Jim Reeves T-shirt a couple times on deck but it was a little busy and the only reaction I got was from the saleswoman in the ship's store. Will wear a more obvious one next time.

In casual conversation with passengers I found a number of Jim Reeves fans. The cruise was filled with seniors, and the Captain stated that out of about 4,000 passengers only about 120 were under the age of 17. It was the lowest number of youth on a cruise he could remember. Very aged passenger list. One woman had to helicoptered off the ship, with one of the ships 3 doctors, to a medical facility on land on the way back to NJ.

One crew member in the Windjammer Restaurant was from St. Vincent, a Caribbean Island. He was very familiar with Jim's music especially his Christian Music. He was very concerned that Jim was Christian

It reminded me of the interviews in the Jim Reeves Legend DVD where it was noted that Jim's religious songs were especially popular in the Caribbean.

All in all, I was expecting more, but each cruise is different, and I expect to show the flag on future outings. It was one of our best cruises otherwise.

I trust all three or four of us find this little ditty informative.

Bob