The volendam

The Volendam is a premium mid-sized cruise ship from the fleet of Holland America Line ships. Designed to be large enough to offer all the amenities while preserving an elegant and refined ambience. The beautiful garden theme of the Volendam is reflected throughout the ship’s spacious public rooms and elegant staterooms. The interior of the ship has a soaring three-story atrium and a multi-million dollar collection of artwork and antiques. There are four restaurants and cafés, three pools, two whirlpool spas, fitness centre and spa. The ship’s Crow’s Nest offers sweeping 270 degree views during the day and is a fashionable nightclub bar each evening. Enjoy our exclusive Rock’n Roll performances in the afternoons and evenings in the Show Lounge and the Crows Nest. A voyage on the Volendam is an experience to be enjoyed and remembered!

Dragon
Dragon are back, fronted by the legendary kiwi singer Mark Williams. This legendary band rocks its way through a long list of iconic songs that are part of the national estate. Bass player, Todd Hunter reformed the band in 2007 after a much needed break of 10 years and Dragon has done 250 shows since then. Todd and Mark are joined by Canadian guitar slinger, Bruce Reid and drum wizard Pete Drummond. The band is known for anthems like April Sun In Cuba, Are You Old Enough, Rain, Speak No Evil, Young Years, This Time, Sunshine, Celebrate and Dreams of Ordinary Men. Todd and Marc Hunter started the band in 1973 and Dragon have sold over 2 million records and enjoyed many hits over the years. In 2008 Dragon were inducted into the Australian Hall Of Fame and this year brings the first album of new songs in 20 years. Happy I Am is out now and selling well. The current live show evolves from an intimate acoustic beginning to a spirited, electric, uplifting finale. Mark Williams sings each song in a way that is familiar to the audience but completely his own and strong playing and vocal harmonies have the crowd singing along as if everyone in the room is in the band. Dragon manages to focus 30 years of Australasian musical history into one coherent picture and do justice to a great collection of timeless songs.

The Playboys
The Playboys are, Bass - Neil McArthur, Lead Guitar - Billy Billings, Rhythm Guitar - John Cartwright, Drums - Graham Trottman, and on Keyboards Steve Kelson. They were Normie Rowe’s orginal backing band in the 60’s. They also played with Marcie Jones.

Normie Rowe
Australia’s biggest pop star of the sixties, was born on February 1, 1947. By the time he released his first single Normie already had several years of experience behind him, in the traditional dance circuit. His first single, on a suggestion from mentor Stan Rofe was a version of the ‘Porgie And Bess’ stage musical song ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’. It became a top ten hit. His second, ‘I Who Have Nothing’, was another top ten. The third single took the nation by storm. On one side the pop singer revived and energized Doris Day’s ‘Que Sera Sera’; on the other side he recorded English rock’s only pre-Beatles classic, ‘Shakin All Over’. Both sides received massive airplay and carried the single to No.1 nationally, accompanied by the constant “Normie Rowe riot” headlines generated by the singer’s live performances. The biggest challenge to his career came at the hands of the Australian Government. The nation was involved in the Vietnam War, and 20 year olds were liable for conscription into the military. Normie Rowe’s name came up in the first 1968 intake. He served time in Vietnam, and was one of the lucky ones to return and is now a leading advocate for veterans. In 2005 he was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.

Marcie Jones
Marcie started her singing career in 1960 at the age of fifteen with the Thunderbirds at Canterbury Ballroom and Preston Town Hall. She then joined up with Normie Rowe and The Playboys. In 1963 she joined the cast of ‘The GO Show’ , the television show which was to make her a household name throughout Australia. Marcie appeared on every national TV variety show in Australia over four decades. In 1967 Marcie, together with the Cook sisters Margaret, Beverley and Wendy formed ‘Marcie and the Cookies’ which became the top female singing group in Australia. During 1969 and 1970, ‘Marcie and the Cookies’ performed extensively throughout Asia and Europe and toured the United Kingdom with Cliff Richard and the Shadows. They are still performing as a world class act and celebrated thirty years of performing together in November 1997. Marcie has toured with The Seekers, The Monkeys, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones and supported Gene Pitney on five national tours. Additionaly, Marcie was presented with an award from WEA Records in 1987 for her contribution to Australian music.

Pink Flamingos
In 1980 the band Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos formed out of the ashes of two hugely successful Kiwi Bands Dragon and Hello Sailor. The bands debut Album in 1981 took out every major award at the NZ music awards and became a big summer hit later that year. The Flamingos tour over that summer was a box office triumph. After 2 more albums, an EP and a switch from Polygram to CBS with ‘The Catch’ album in 1984 the band went their separate ways, when Dave decided to pursue a solo career in the UK and Europe. Dave is probably best known for his solo career as one of the country’s most prominent singer-songwriters throughout the eighties with the Pink Flamingos, formed with the late Paul Hewson of Dragon fame – and as guitarist and co-songwriter with Graham Brazier in the legendary Ponsonby band Hello Sailor, this band, with all original members, is still active in the music industry and is currently writing and recording material for a new album. Dave, twice nominated for the APRA Silver Scroll (1981 & 1995) and 5 awards at the 1981 Recording Industry Awards, for the album Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos, including Group of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Male vocalist. The Pink Famingos with Dave McArtney back in the frontline have now reformed.

Great cruise inclusions

• Departs Australia Sunday 30 January 2011
• 15 days/14 nights on the luxurious Holland America Cruise Liner, Volendam
• Private on board concerts featuring Dragon, Normie Rowe, The Playboys, Marcie Jones and the Pink Flamingos
• Sightseeing tours of Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Rotorua, Auckland and the Bay of Islands
• Special Travelrite events - Welcome Cocktail Party and Trivial Pursuit
• Fully escorted by a Travelrite Tour Manager
• Cruise taxes and port and handling charges
• All meals on-board Volendam

Clothing on board Volendam
During the day casual clothing is typical, although shorts and swimwear are not permitted in the formal restaurants. There are four nights at sea classified as formal for dress purposes. Nights in port are classified as informal. During the evening on formal nights, a suit for gentlemen and eveningwear for ladies is required for the main restaurants. Smart casual attire is required in the public lounges and restaurants.

Don’t worry about coming alone
About a third of people on the cruise travel alone. We will match people up in twin-share cabins when available, saving you the single supplement. Travelrite will be looking after you and there will be group activities almost every day.

The advantages of the Rock ‘n Roll Music Volendam Cruise
The cruise is fully escorted and will be a great fun holiday, with exclusive performances from fabulous bands and artists. All performances are limited only to those who have booked on this fabulous package. All sightseeing tours are included in the price. Each evening you will eat with the group on our reserved group tables. You will meet a fun group of people and have a fabulous time.