Photos by Joe Schaeffer
The On The Blue Cruise (OTBC), touted as “the world’s greatest classic rock experience at sea,” set sail August 22-29, 2025 aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Gem for its first and departed out of Boston, Massachusetts. The voyage, dubbed Forever Autumn, visited four ports: Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, Saint John, New Brunswick, and Portland, Maine.
Hosted and headlined by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist Justin Hayward, the voice of The Moody Blues, the seven-night cruise was the first music charter to depart out of the Northeast and visit the beautiful Canada and New England shoreline, making it an unprecedented experience for all attendees.
In addition to Hayward, OTBC 2025’s lineup featured Alan Parsons, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, The Orchestra feat. Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II former members, Colin Blunstone from The Zombies, Al Stewart, Leonid & Friends (the music of Chicago), Ambrosia, April Wine, Wishbone Ash, Honeymoon Suite, Michal Sadler of SAGA, Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and Poco, Fran Cosmo (former lead singer of Boston), The Weeklings, The Young Dubliners, Ricky Nelson Remembered, Pat Travers, Randy Hansen, Top of the World (the music of The Carpenters), Mellow Yellow, Marbin, Fernando Perdomo, The Bottom Feeders, The Empty Pockets, All Hat No Cattle, and Dueling Pianos.
Beyond band performances on multiple stages, the cruise featured other activities and events, such as artist photo experiences, themed-nights, Mellow Yellow Dance Party, Painting with Rock Stars, Exclusive Dance Club Experience with Instructors, and a wine tasting event.
Joe Schaeffer, a frequent VintageRock.com contributor and On The Blue staff photographer, took tons of photos, and generously offered to share a few shots here.
