michael w smith cruises

2016 CRUISE SCHEDULE & “DAY ONE” SHIRT ANNOUNCED…

We are very excited to officially announce the Michael W. Smith & Friends Caribbean Cruise “Exclusives” schedule.  All of the listed devotions, bible studies, concerts, and special activities are EXCLUSIVE to MWS Cruise guests next July 2nd through 9th.

Also,all of you who are joining us need to know about one of our FAVORITE cruise traditions.  We have a tradition on Michael W. Smith Cruises, we always create a DAY ONE T-Shirt that we sell in advance of the cruise so that our guests can wear it as they travel to the port city, Ft. Lauderdale, and meet people as they travel together.   CLICK HERE for more information on ordering your “DAY ONE” shirt now.  We have a detailed explanation of the shirt in the online store .

The Oasis of the Seas has many other activities that you’ll also be able to enjoy, including Broadway, diving, ice-skating, and many, many, many more that will be open to our cruisers throughout the cruise.f

What?  You haven’t booked your cabin yet?  You have more questions?  Go to:  www.MichaelWSmithCruise.com to have most of your questions answered.

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The below schedule can be considered nearly locked.  Some changes may occur, but most of our activities will happen during these time windows so you’ll be able to plan your excursions, special dinner reservations, or other on-ship activities.  We will do everything we can to make sure that we don’t interfere with your “in-port” times, so you can plan what/where/when you’re doing excursions.  Please pay special attention in Labadee as our concert that evening does begin at the end of our time in port, so if you’re worried about missing any MWS activities, you may need to plan to be back on the ship before that event starts (more details below).

Saturday, July 2nd – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

• 11:00 am to 3:00 pm:   Boarding the Ship at OASIS OF THE SEAS Terminal
• 3:15 pm:   Muster Station / Life Boat Safety Drill
• 4:30 pm:  Ship Sail-Away Party (All Decks)
• With MWS, Dr. Jack Graham, Laura Story, Mark Lowry, and Oliver North
• 8:15 pm:  Dinner in the Opus Dining Room (Deck is tbd)*
• 10:30 pm:   Late Night Youth Activity / Games**

Sunday, July 3rd – Caribbean Sea Day

• 8:00 am:   Women’s Bible Study with Laura Story
• 9:00 am:  Youth Meet-up at the Flowriders
• Led by Dr. Jack Graham, Laura Story, and others
• 10:30 am:   Meet & Photos with MWS & Cruise Guests (Group 1)
• 2:00 pm:  Meet & Photos with MWS & Cruise Guests (Group 2)
• 4:00 pm:  A Chat with Debbie Smith
• 6:00 pm:   Evening Concert with Laura Story & Oliver North
• 8:15 pm:  Dinner in the Opus Dining Room (FORMAL NIGHT)
• 10:30 pm:  Late Night Youth Activity / Games**

Monday, July 4th – Caribbean Sea Day / Celebrating July 4th At Sea!

• 8:00 am:  Women’s Bible Study with Laura Story
• 9:30 am:  Morning Devotion with All MWS Cruisers
• 11:30 am:  Youth Activity / Games**
• 1:30 pm:   Michael W. Smith Concert
• 3:30 to 5:00 pm:  Choir Rehearsal :: Conference Center
• 10:30 pm: Comedy Night with Mark Lowry – Studio B
• 11:00 pm:   Late Night Youth Activity / Games**

Tuesday, July 5th – Philipsburg, St. Maarten

• 8:00 am:  Arrive in St. Maarten
• 11:30 am:  Choir meet will be given instructions / directions where to meet for performance in Phillipsburg.
• Concert is still tentative and being coordinated with a local St. Maarten ministry team.
• All guests welcome to attend.  More details will be released as they become available.
• 4:30 pm:   All aboard in St. Maarten (Ship departs at 5:00 pm)
• 5:00 pm:  Evening Concert with Dr. Jack Graham and Mark Lowry
• 8:15 pm:   Dinner in the Opus Dining Room (Deck is tbd)*
• 11:00 pm:  Late Night Youth Activity / Games**

Wednesday, July 6th – San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Enjoy San Juan…  we highly recommend the fortress tours.  Absolutely awesome.
• 1:30 pm:  All Aboard in San Juan, PR (ship departs at 2:00 pm)
• 2:00 pm:  SMINGO
• 4:00 pm:   Youth Meet-up at the Flowriders
• 6:00 pm:   Worship with MWS and The Cruise Choir
• 8:15 pm:   Dinner in the Opus Dining Room (FORMAL NIGHT)

Thursday, July 7th – Labadee

• 7:30 am:  Women’s Bible Study with Laura Story
• 9:00 am to 5:00 pm:  Labadee Port  / Activities
• Doors open at 4:10 pm to the Opal Theater

Friday, July 8th – Caribbean Sea

• 7:30 am:   Morning Devotion with Dr. Jack Graham
• 8:45 am:   SMITTYOKE
• 2:00 pm:   Youth Meet-up at the Flowriders
• 6:30 pm:  FAREWELL CONCERT
• 8:15 pm:  Dinner in the Opus Dining Room (Deck is tbd)
• 10:00 pm:   Late Night Youth Activity / Games**

Saturday, July 9th – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

• Walk off with your luggage instead of having the ship take your bags off the ship.
• TAKE A TAXI to the airport – it’s very affordable and much faster than taking a bus.

*Guests are welcome to eat with the group or make their own dining reservations at one of Oasis of the Seas over 20 restaurants – some restaurants do cost extra on the ship, but all meals in the Opus Dining room are included. **We will have a Youth director with our group planning specific activities exclusive to MWS Cruisers that are youth group aged cruisers throughout the cruise.

Please know that this is NOT final and while we hope that it is mostly correct, changes may occur at any time without notice.  We will do everything we can to make sure that we don’t interfere with your “in-port” times, so you can plan what/where/when you’re doing excursions.

OK, now that you’ve read the ENTIRE schedule we know that you are ready to book your cabin and join Michael W. Smith and all of his guests on the cruise… right?  Go here to get all of the details .

You want more info before you go there?  How ’bout this video…

Want to read EVEN more?  We had one of our staff members take the ship this past July to “review” things.  Here’s what he reported back daily:

DAY 1: First Impressions of the Ship

DAY 2: The Big Boat… I mean SHIP!

DAY 3: There’s a “FEW” (hundred) things to do.

DAY 4: FOOOOOOD

Day 5: St. Maarten

Day 6: Somewhere East of Cuba

Day 7: The Final Wrap-up From The Ship

Thinking about booking the cruise? Get details and reserve your cabin today: http://www.michaelwsmithcruise.com

[email protected]

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Michael W. Smith on Faith, Music & Travel

Inspiration Travel

Beloved singer and songwriter, Michael W. Smith, travels around the world performing to sold-out crowds. Despite his busy schedule, we were able to catch up with him for an exclusive interview. He shared how travel impacts his music and faith, as well as his favorite memories exploring the world.

What’s the best travel experience you’ve had?

Flying on a private 767 to Greece with former President George Bush Sr. and his family on multiple family vacations. Greece is by far one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, and the company was pretty spectacular too.

In the past few years, one of the most “exotic” trips I can recall is participating in Andrea Bocelli’s “Celebrity Fight Night” in Italy. It’s a week of benefit concerts in some of the most beautiful and elaborate settings you can imagine. The travel was memorable. First, on a chartered 767 from the U.S. to Europe and then on private trains. The experience was beyond belief, but most importantly, the event raised a tremendous amount of money for very worthwhile charities.

  Although it is not as glamorous as the first two, I love traveling by bus with my band. The busses themselves are great and have all the amenities I could need. But it’s the camaraderie and fun that happens on overnight drives from city to city that make it pretty special. From celebrating someone’s birthday to watching a movie or just hanging together, there’s no better way to travel as a musician. 

What is one of your most memorable or funniest moments while traveling?

Probably when an airline’s (which I won’t mention) flight attendants went on strike, and the day we flew, they sent in their tech people from all across the country to fill in. I was laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe.

Another time, I was left behind—ON MY OWN TOUR. Fortunately, it was leaving Nashville. I drove to where we were supposed to meet and the bus was gone. They thought I was on board. I wasn’t. Plus, this was before cell phones. I had to roar down the interstate until I caught up with the bus and motioned for them to pull over.  

What places are still on your travel bucket list?

Russia and China.

What’s the best reason to travel?

Well, I love going to places that I’ve never been to and I certainly love the job that I have: traveling and singing for people all around the world.

Are there certain seasons or times of year you most love to travel, or most want to be home? Why?

Summer is a good season to fly and be overseas. I enjoy traveling to places like South Africa, the Netherlands and Europe during those months. I certainly do not want to be away during Christmas. That is family time, with all the kids and grandkids. I never want to miss that. However, of all the places in the world, I would say my favorite place to be in the summer is our place in Beavercreek, Colorado. It is simply spectacular!  

What does travel do for you that you can’t get anywhere else?

Experiencing culture in different parts of the world, I enjoy learning about others' ways of life and seeing the similarities and differences from ours.

How has travel impacted your faith and your worldview?

It certainly makes me think out of the box and how everything doesn’t revolve around Western culture. I have learned a lot, especially being in Eastern Bloc countries.

How has traveling inspired worship?

Well, when you get to travel to a place like Latvia or Romania—just to mention a few––the way they respond to worship is simply off the charts. It never gets old.

Do you experience God uniquely in different places?

I honestly experience God in so many places. Especially when I’m in nature or outside of major cities. Ireland and Scotland come to mind for some reason.

How does touring and travel impact your connection to your audience?

You’re singing to a different audience every night, and you never know what to expect. I have traveled all over the world for years and years, and every night is different and special. There is nothing better than when the audience is all in and responds. 

A few years back, I invited my fans to come to Nashville and see why I love Middle Tennessee so much. Several hundred fans came for an amazing weekend. We did a huge cookout at my farm, complete with a hot air balloon, games, music and, of course, Tennessee BBQ.

Do you and your team have any fun or “we can’t believe that happened” moments from a tour you want to share?

I remember when we were in South Africa, close to the sea. We were in the middle of singing my song “Healing Rain,” and during the chorus it rained. There were no clouds in the sky. When the song ended, it stopped raining. It is still astonishing when I think about it.

Your music changes lives. Is there an audience member’s story or interaction that stands out to you or has stuck with you through the years? 

The one that always comes to mind is a girl who sent me a letter. She was in a desperate situation and was driving down the 5 freeway in Southern California on her way to commit suicide. She had the pop radio station on in her car and my song “Place in This World” came on the radio. She pulled off on the side of the road and had a complete meltdown, but God met her in her pain. She was completely changed. I am forever grateful for that story.

Have you ever been to a place that made you want to write a song?

Ireland. Oh, and of course Colorado.

Have you written songs inspired by specific places or people? We would love to hear a story or two. 

I will never forget writing a song about a young girl named Cassie Bernall who lost her life in the Columbine High School massacre back in 1999. My song “This Is Your Time” was inspired by the events that unfolded that day. I still sing it in concerts to this day.   

What are your favorite places to be when composing?

The mountains and my studio in Franklin, Tennessee. For whatever reason––maybe because of its location, which is on a historic site––I’m inspired when I’m there. Creativity seems to flow there. I love it. I also have a farm outside of Franklin that is very calm and peaceful. I’ve written a lot there too.

Where have some of your favorite/best concerts been? What do you think contributed to their awesomeness? 

In the fall of 2018, I performed a concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a free concert, dedicated to praying over our city and asking for an Awakening in our faith. The arena was packed to the rafters and it was an incredibly moving night of music and prayer. I’ll never forget it. It was so powerful that we ended up releasing it as a record––which originally we did not plan to do.

Worship musician Michael W. Smith to bring Grammy-award winning music to the Fox

On Monday , April 29 , Michael W. Smith will bring his discography of countless Christian and worship classics to the Fox Theater.

Smith will arrive in Spokane on the final stop of his spring “Forever” tour that has taken the contemporary artist across the United States in recent months.

Smith is one of the most critically acclaimed Christian contemporary artists within the modern history of the genre with three Grammys, an American Music Award and 45 Dove Awards to his name. He was also inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2008.

Smith’s biggest project to date is “Worship,” his double platinum album released in 2001 and featuring hits like “Awesome God,” “Open The Eyes Of My Heart,” and “Above All.” Smith re-recorded the album in 2021 in honor of its 20th anniversary.

His latest release is a March EP titled “Worthy is the Lamb” featuring five live songs, but Smith also has decades of music to design a playlist for his upcoming performance. Since 1983, he has released 16 studio albums, six live albums and multiple EPs, 14 of which have gone gold and another five certified platinum. Overall, he has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide and has over 36 No. 1 songs.

The 66-year-old from West Virginia is also known for his humanitarian efforts, including raising money to fight AIDS and as a spokesperson of Compassion International.

I didn’t think I would ever need WA Cares: I was wrong

I never thought I would need someone to care for me.