Cruising goes country

Carnival Cruise Lines is shedding its hip Miami threads for a great big cowboy hat. Its “Country Cruise Getaway” sets sail on January 28, 2007, aboard the Carnival Liberty, and the featured entertainer will be none other than Tim McGraw.

The three-night Bahamas cruise departs from Ft. Lauderdale and journeys to Nassau. McGraw will come onboard in the Bahamas for a performance and Q&A session. Carnival has not yet announced names of the other country performers and songwriters who will be aboard, but does promise live concerts during sea days.

Other special attractions include a bon voyage deck party and a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament. If you want to go country with Carnival, tickets for this one-time-only voyage go on sale Monday, August 28. I’d guess that like any big-name concert, you’ll want to be on the phone the instant the books are opened, and perhaps enlist a few friends to call as well. I don’t think camping outside Carnival’s headquarters will get you first dibs on cabins.

For more information, visit the Country Cruise Getaway website.