We'll be holding events specifically designed to make our first-time Sea Monkeys feel welcome and to help them ease into the swing of things. Make a particular effort on this day to seek out new Monkeys and help show them what a great decision they've made by joining us!
Saturday March 9, 2019 7:00am - Sunday March 10, 2019 12:00am EST
Whole Ship
Public boarding of the Oosterdam will begin at approximately 11 am. It might begin a little sooner or a little later (hence "approximately"), depending on when Customs and Holland America officially clear the ship for boarding.
Come here for any JoCo Cruise-related questions or issues you may have.
(If you have questions or problems relating to the ship—issues regarding your cabin, shore excursions, etc.—please go to the ship's Guest Services Desk, located on the opposite side of the Atrium on Deck 1.)
Saturday March 9, 2019 11:00am - 5:00pm EST
AtriumDeck 1, Midship
There's not really so much of an official ceremony, but the proverbial ducks will be in metaphorical rows by 2 pm, and the library will be officially open for "business."
The Game library is open 24 hours and is self-service. During Cardboard Concierge hours, members of the tabletop team will be there to provide assistance and advice on all things tabletop.
Back by popular demand! Join us for a facilitated and casually structured event where you will get to meet all sorts of people! In each 15 minute round you will have the opportunity to meet 3 new strangers and find out all about them. Nametags and prompt cards will be provided.
A basic walkthrough of the main logistics of JoCo Cruise, and we'll answer as many of your questions as we humanly can. Show up when you can, leave when you wish. Recommended for new Sea Monkeys, but open to everyone.
Saturday March 9, 2019 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
The Game library is open 24 hours and is self-service. During Cardboard Concierge hours, members of the tabletop team will be there to provide assistance and advice on all things tabletop.
Jonathan Coulton and Paul & Storm kick things off with an informal, freewheeling concert, sitting in on each other's songs, and bringing out some pals (including Molly Lewis, Jim Boggia and Aimee Mann).
Jonathan Coulton is from the Internet. While a struggling music industry fell to pieces over file sharing and shifting business models, he quietly and independently amassed a small army of techies, nerds, and dedicated superfans. Featured in the New York Times, NPR and slashdot, his... Read More →
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
Storm DiCostanzo is the latter half of the music/comedy duo Paul and Storm, and formerly (along with Paul) a member of a cappella band Da Vinci's Notebook. He's also a co-producer of JoCo Cruise, writer and producer for Mystery Science Theater 3000, and is a resident and Town Council... Read More →
For more than 20 years, Jim Boggia has been winning over fans, critics, contemporaries and luminaries alike with his uncompromising devotion to the sort of winsomely nostalgic, emotionally direct songcraft that’s impervious to age. His sonically intelligent retro-pop manifesto informs... Read More →
Aimee Mann began her career in the 1980s as the bassist and a vocalist for 'Til Tuesday. She released her debut solo album in 1993 and in 1999 recorded songs for the film Magnolia's soundtrack. She has won two Grammy Awards and was named one of the world's ten greatest living songwriters... Read More →
Saturday March 9, 2019 5:30pm - 7:30pm EST
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
Jonathan Coulton and Paul & Storm kick things off with an informal, freewheeling concert, sitting in on each other's songs, and bringing out some pals (including Molly Lewis, Jim Boggia and Aimee Mann).
Jonathan Coulton is from the Internet. While a struggling music industry fell to pieces over file sharing and shifting business models, he quietly and independently amassed a small army of techies, nerds, and dedicated superfans. Featured in the New York Times, NPR and slashdot, his... Read More →
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
Storm DiCostanzo is the latter half of the music/comedy duo Paul and Storm, and formerly (along with Paul) a member of a cappella band Da Vinci's Notebook. He's also a co-producer of JoCo Cruise, writer and producer for Mystery Science Theater 3000, and is a resident and Town Council... Read More →
For more than 20 years, Jim Boggia has been winning over fans, critics, contemporaries and luminaries alike with his uncompromising devotion to the sort of winsomely nostalgic, emotionally direct songcraft that’s impervious to age. His sonically intelligent retro-pop manifesto informs... Read More →
Aimee Mann began her career in the 1980s as the bassist and a vocalist for 'Til Tuesday. She released her debut solo album in 1993 and in 1999 recorded songs for the film Magnolia's soundtrack. She has won two Grammy Awards and was named one of the world's ten greatest living songwriters... Read More →
Saturday March 9, 2019 8:00pm - 10:00pm EST
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Saturday March 9, 2019 8:00pm - Sunday March 10, 2019 3:00am EDT
EXCDeck 10, Forward
The starboard side of the Lido Marketplace will be designated the "quiet side" after 9 pm. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises, please. Take yer noise over to the port side, where the late-night pizza is!
Saturday March 9, 2019 9:30pm - Sunday March 10, 2019 3:00am EDT
Lido MarketDeck 9, Aft
Want to provide readings? Bring your cards and your smile! Interested in what might be in store for the next week? Have a burning question you want some insight about? Come get a reading from one of our volunteer tarot or oracle readers! Want to learn more about this art of interpretation? Ask away! All ages, abilities, and interest welcome!
Saturday March 9, 2019 10:00pm - 11:00pm EST
Stuyvesant RoomDeck 3, Forward
Get your sing on in B.B. King's Blues Club with this JoCo Cruise tradition. For this intro session, everyone may (and should) attend, but only first-time Sea Monkeys may perform. Come cheer on our New Monkeys!
Saturday March 9, 2019 10:00pm - 11:30pm EST
B.B. King'sDeck 2, Midship
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Saturday March 9, 2019 10:00pm - 11:30pm EST
Board RoomDeck 2, Aft
Solve puzzles, petition mythical creatures, enchant magic relics, and perform a ritual to save the world! A low-tech portable "escape room" designed for groups of 6 to 10. Advance sign-up recommended (sheet posted by room), last-minute sign-ups accommodated as space permits. DO NOT BE LATE!
What a great time to air some grievances. If you have any land stress that you've carried with you onto the ship we can scream it into the void, or directly at the moon. However the spirit moves you is how you should holler. (We'll meet at the Sea View Bar and then head up to the Observation Deck.)
Excited to play music with new & old friends? Drop by TMBJ, meet other musicians, play some songs. Pro, enthusiast, novice -- all welcome. We'll have a contact sheet so if you can't stay you can at least sign up {share your cabin # & instrument(s) you play} so other jammers can let you know when & where jams are happening.
Saturday March 9, 2019 10:30pm - 11:30pm EST
Ocean BarDeck 3, Midship
Four drinks, four bars (Crow's Nest Bar, Lido Pool Bar, Seaview Pool Bar and Billboard Onboard), lots of people making friends. Hop, hop, hop, hop! Sign up via any bartender or bar server, or at the ship's Guest Services Desk. (This event is run by the ship's staff and costs a $22 surcharge plus bar service charges, which will be charged to your onboard account)
Kicking off Official Late Night Cruise, several of your celebrity guests will play this tense, fun computer game. One player can see the (ticking) bomb, but doesn't know how to defuse it; the other players have defusing instructions, but can't see the bomb. There may be some drinks involved, as well as probably some degree of yelling and explosions.
Saturday March 9, 2019 11:00pm - Sunday March 10, 2019 12:00am EST
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
Riz spins tunes for everyone, but we especially encourage our first-time Sea Monkeys to come and let your metaphorical (and/or actual) hair down and dance the night away!
' i want to give you the beats to make your pants itch'lynda barry. they been letting me help people dance for almost 3 decades. all ages, sizes, hues, and abilities ( please don't tell me ' i cain't dance'..just please don't. ) you don't hafta dance if you don't want to. we can just... Read More →
Saturday March 9, 2019 11:30pm - Sunday March 10, 2019 1:30am EST
B.B. King'sDeck 2, Midship
It’s a fact: science should be celebrated! Cosplay as your favorite alien/space pirate/researcher/theorem/astronaut/astronomer/etc.; take some time to stargaze tonight; and generally Get Excited About Science!
Sunday March 10, 2019 7:00am - Monday March 11, 2019 12:00am EDT
Whole Ship
No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 3 pm, please! (There may be some sound bleed from the console gaming area, coffee bar and/or events in the Holodeck; but it's a large enough space that it should accommodate everyone's needs.)
The Observation Deck (the large "sun deck" area on Deck 11, Forward—not to be confused with Deck 10, which is named the "Observation Deck", sorry this is so complicated) is designated a Quiet Zone during the days. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 6 pm, please!
Come here for any JoCo Cruise-related questions or issues you may have.
(If you have questions or problems relating to the ship—issues regarding your cabin, shore excursions, etc.—please go to the ship's Guest Services Desk, located on the opposite side of the Atrium on Deck 1.)
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Would you like to play a game? This hour-long event focuses on party games, like Telestrations, A Fake Artist Goes To New York, Codenames, Monikers, Action Cats!, and more! Guess words and draw pictures poolside. No experience is required, and all games will be taught.
Sunday March 10, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
JoustMania is a real life video game. Combining music, motion controllers, and a little skulduggery. Protect your controller from being jostled, while trying to jostle others. The music sets both the tempo and sensitivity of your controller. NOTE: While we insist on civility and courteousness while playing, this is a full contact game. Please plan accordingly.
The Game library is open 24 hours and is self-service. During Cardboard Concierge hours, members of the tabletop team will be there to provide assistance and advice on all things tabletop.
Would you like to play a game? Do you want to learn how to play in thirty second or less? This event focuses on games that provide a lot of fun without a lot of rules. Come play Actions Cats, Monikers, Cards Against Humanity, Superfight, Smack Talk Showdown and more! No experience is required, and all games will be taught.
Sunday March 10, 2019 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Super Battle Arcade is a tribute to 80s gaming. Two players go head to head for 5 minutes in six arcade challenges (Tetris, Asteroids, Invaders, 100m Dash, Tron and Pong) in random order. With the simplicity and familiarity of games, it takes little to no gaming experience to enjoy this challenge – and the console requires no instruction. Visuals are put at a super low rez 96x64 pixels to give the game a fun and retro feel, the bigger the screen the better!
When I think of promenading I think of the "Elegance" number in Hello Dolly. Wikipedia informs me that there are a WIDE variety of ways to promenade. Join me at the Ocean Bar on Deck 3, and we'll go promenade around the promenade deck. Your personal preference for promenading is just fine. We should all compliment each other heavily while taking this stroll.
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Sunday March 10, 2019 8:00pm - Monday March 11, 2019 2:00am EDT
EXCDeck 10, Forward
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Hypnosis is fun to watch and participate in. Depending on interest this will be a show/demonstration or a more directed class if people want to learn. Led by a (semi)professional hypnotist :)
The geekiest scavenger hunt of them all! Teams of 3-5 race the clock and each other to collect a unique list of items found in abundance only on board the JoCo vessel. A great way to meet new friends.
Do you have a podcast or are you interested in starting one? Let's get together, talk about our shows, and share questions and answers about podcasting.
The starboard side of the Lido Marketplace will be designated the "quiet side" after 9 pm. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises, please. Take yer noise over to the port side, where the late-night pizza is!
Sunday March 10, 2019 9:30pm - Monday March 11, 2019 3:00am EDT
Lido MarketDeck 9, Aft
We know you have, like, hundreds of questions about astrophysics. Well, you're in luck, because Katie Mack is an astrophysicist, and she's here to answer every single one of them! (time permitting)
We'll let Quelle describe this event himself: "I'm terrible at doing all modern dances and would like to learn a series of dances and attempt to create a full dance routine with a group of willing cruisers."
Having soaked up game all over the country, Quelle has a style with no obvious lineage and sounds like nobody else. Few other MC/producers can leap from humor to intense personal reflection, from hardcore rhyming to serious experimentation and make sense of it all. More succinctly... Read More →
Wanna give improv a try? It is a creative way for adults to play! This workshop will focus on basic exercises and the fundamentals of improvisational theater. Join us to have fun and expand your mind! All experience levels welcome!
Sunday March 10, 2019 10:00pm - Monday March 11, 2019 12:00am EDT
Hudson RoomDeck 3, Midship
Solve puzzles, petition mythical creatures, enchant magic relics, and perform a ritual to save the world! A low-tech portable "escape room" designed for groups of 6 to 10. Advance sign-up recommended (sheet posted by room), last-minute sign-ups accommodated as space permits. DO NOT BE LATE!
Sunday March 10, 2019 10:30pm - Monday March 11, 2019 12:00am EDT
Explorer's Lounge StageDeck 2, Aft
What a great time to air some grievances. Are you upset at the sun because you got burned on Half Moon Cay? Is the coffee the wrong temperature? Do you just really like yelling? (We'll meet at the Sea View Bar and then head up to the Observation Deck.)
The marital infidelities and breakups, the excessive booze and drug binges…were all things that happened during the making of Fleetwood Mac’s "Rumours". But Jim Boggia is sure that Jonathan Coulton and producer Christian Cassan will have some great stories about the making of his new album of '70s soft rock covers, "Some Guys", too.
For more than 20 years, Jim Boggia has been winning over fans, critics, contemporaries and luminaries alike with his uncompromising devotion to the sort of winsomely nostalgic, emotionally direct songcraft that’s impervious to age. His sonically intelligent retro-pop manifesto informs... Read More →
Jonathan Coulton is from the Internet. While a struggling music industry fell to pieces over file sharing and shifting business models, he quietly and independently amassed a small army of techies, nerds, and dedicated superfans. Featured in the New York Times, NPR and slashdot, his... Read More →
Sunday March 10, 2019 11:00pm - Monday March 11, 2019 12:00am EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
David Mackenzie shares lessons learned from searching for romantic and sexual connections while navigating a changing gender identity and presents a vision for online dating centered on honesty, diversity, and respect. Might not be suitable for parents who wish to shield their children from alternative lifestyles.
Sunday March 10, 2019 11:00pm - Monday March 11, 2019 12:00am EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Learn some astronomy from a veteran star-gazer! I've held star-gazing shadow events for the last several cruises and will provide maps, point at things in the sky, and describe them with mostly-accurate information. Going as far south as we are means you may be able to see some stars not visible from your home town, including Alpha Centauri and the Southern Cross! Lights will be dimmed to preserve night vision, so please do not use bright phone screens or flashlights around the event area.
Sunday March 10, 2019 11:00pm - Monday March 11, 2019 12:00am EDT
Observation DeckDeck 11, Forward
Did you know that there are a bunch of us polyamorous SeaMonkeys on board? Come say hi, have a drink, and do a social with some of your fellow Polymonkeys!
Sunday March 10, 2019 11:30pm - Monday March 11, 2019 1:00am EDT
Crow's Nest ("Ten Forward")Deck 10, Forward
Come swing out with us! We'll lead a 45 minute beginning swing dance lesson, followed by 45 minutes of open social dancing with nerd-inspired swing music. Bring your own music if you have some to share! No partner or experience necessary! Wear comfortable shoes (slip-on shoes/sandals NOT recommended.)
Electronic musician meetup and possible jam session. Come share your adventures in making music. Bring your synthesizer or laptop and show us your latest tracks. Maybe we'll even do a jam together. All skill levels welcome. Whether you're just learning what a LFO is or if you're a master of music theory and sound crafting, you're welcome to come and chat, hang out, and make some noise.
Watch a seasoned group of adventurers adventure their way through an adventure! A late night live role-playing game in the style of Critical Role, Force Grey, Dice, Camera, Action, or...I feel like there's another one I can't think of right now. It'll come to me. Our party includes writers, game designers, and comedians from cruises past! There will be dice, there will be laughter, there will be alcohol! (alcohol sold separately)
The late-night jam is back! Bring your instruments &/ singing voices. If you want, come ready with a few songs to lead. Call a song & the key -- blues, bluegrass, or otherwise. 3- & 4-chord songs encouraged.
We have a bunch of terrifically talented cosplayers every year, and today is your day to really pull out all the stops. Sky's the limit; show off your best!
Monday March 11, 2019 7:00am - Tuesday March 12, 2019 12:00am EDT
Whole Ship
Want to join other monkeys who do insane things like run when not being chased? Come speed-walk/jog/run at your own pace for your own distance. Ask questions. Get insight into what a half or full marathon training might look like. Very casual - drop in atmosphere.
Monday March 11, 2019 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Promenade DeckDeck 3, Forward, Port
No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 3pm, please! (There may be some sound bleed from the console gaming area, coffee bar and/or events in the Holodeck; but it's a large enough space that it should accommodate everyone's needs.)
The Observation Deck (the large "sun deck" area on Deck 11, Forward—not to be confused with Deck 10, which is named the "Observation Deck", sorry this is so complicated) is designated a Quiet Zone during the days. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 6 pm, please!
Join Mary Robinette Kowal and get words done on your work-in-progress through the magic of peer pressure. In these sessions, come up, grab a seat, and ignore your fellow writers while you write. If you procrastinate, they will silently judge you.
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
Monday March 11, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Sea View Pool AreaDeck 9, Aft
We'll have an informal discussion about photography and tips to make your photos better. All skill levels are welcome, and all devices from DSLRs to phones. Come with questions, share favorite subjects and moments.
Reasoning your way to happiness: using science and logic to help you understand and manage emotions and relationships.
Emotions and relationships. We all have them, but they can be scary and unpredictable. Sometimes things go well, but other times—seemingly randomly—they devolve into bad situations. We don’t feel in control ( a lack of agency as the psychologists call it) and so it’s often easier just to do more introverted nerd stuff like reading. You are not alone. We have all been there. There is nothing wrong with you, and it is ok. This is a safe space to explore what is going on, to learn some techniques on how to have healthy experiences around emotions and relationships, and to practice them. We are a couple of fellow nerds who finally got tired of the old ways and did a bunch of research, work, and practice to get to a place of fulfillment. Well, not all the time; we are still works in progress. But we at least have a solid understanding and framework, and we want to give you some shortcuts to get there too in ways that are more easily relatable to folks in the JoCo demographic. Please don’t be shy. Come and connect with your cruise mates and get more connected to yourself too!
JoCo Cruise does not vet, nor can they vouch for the qualifications of, anyone presenting health/therapy-related Shadow Cruise events. Please exercise your best judgment if/when attending.
Are you curious about Dungeons & Dragons? Do you want to play in, or are you signed up for, the big D&D night event, but you've never played before? No worries! D&D Eberron creator Keith Baker is here to explain the absolute basics of both Dungeons and Dragons, and to tell you everything you need to get ready to roll some dice!
I have many small toys (age 3 and up friendly). Bring me a poem, or a tell me a story, or draw me a picture in exchange for a toy (or two). Open to all ages—basically if you like small toys feel free to come trade me. (i.e. very child friendly).
Monday March 11, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
This meetup is for seamonkeys that have had, are going through, or are considering weight loss surgery. A meetup for support, put names and faces together, and discuss healthy food options while on the cruise.
Are you a good liar? Do you enjoy solving puzzles? Then join the tabletop team for two hours of social deduction games! We'll be playing Secret Hitler, Coup, Love Letter, Mascarade, and many more! No experience is necessary.
Come here for any JoCo Cruise-related questions or issues you may have.
(If you have questions or problems relating to the ship—issues regarding your cabin, shore excursions, etc.—please go to the ship's Guest Services Desk, located on the opposite side of the Atrium on Deck 1.)
The Game library is open 24 hours and is self-service. During Cardboard Concierge hours, members of the tabletop team will be there to provide assistance and advice on all things tabletop.
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
It's always an exciting time to write about science—so many discoveries and breakthroughs to explain and explore. But are there challenges in writing about science, in fiction and in journalism, in a time when the science has become a political and cultural football? Our panelists look at the joys and challenges of explaining science to contemporary audiences.
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of three novels: The Terraformers, The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are the author of Four Lost Cities: A Secret History... Read More →
Monday March 11, 2019 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
Do you like pushing buttons and shouting at your friends? Do you like discharging Clip-jawed Fluxtrunions? Come play Spaceteam, a cooperative shouting game for phones and tablets (as opposed to the Spaceteam card game) with other Sea-Monkeys. Never played? Doesn't matter!
Jim Crider talks about why he missed JCC 2018 and why he poops in a bag stuck to his stomach (the answer is the same for both), the importance of paying attention to your body and early screening, and what's happened since he was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Colon Cancer in December 2017.
Content warning: unfiltered language, frank discussion of the mental health impact of just about everything going sideways at once, poop.
Monday March 11, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Sea View Pool AreaDeck 9, Aft
Daryle Conners, author of the Gabby Duran children's book series published by Disney/Hyperion, will read from the 3 books, followed by a book signing. The Gabby Duran series are beginning chapter books for kids 7-11 years old. They tell the story of the world's greatest babysitter, 12-year old Gabby Duran, who is drafted by a secret government agency to babysit alien children living among us. The Disney Channel will release Gabby Duran, a live-action series, in Spring of 2019.
Ever wanted to learn one of the world's most popular trading card games? Here’s your chance! No cards or experience necessary--we'll have free intro decks and a crew of expert coaches to get you started on your Magic journey.
Informal meetup for those interested in the fiber arts, broadly defined. Bring your knitting, crocheting, spinning, cross stitch, or otherwise busy yourself with friendly fellow fiber folks of all skill levels. Bring your latest project and a beverage for casual communal crafting. This is very casual but there will likely be folks who are willing to help you learn new techniques if you're interested.
CircleSinging is like a drum circle—but for voices! Come sing with us as our facilitator, Ben Silver, leads us in an exhilarating improvised vocal music jam. No experience needed, all voices and experience levels are welcome! Ben is a professional singer, vocal improviser and teacher whose music slides through R&B, jazz, folk, funk, world music and more. Ben has been performing and teaching Vocal Improvisation, Ensemble Skills and other singing workshops for over 25 years. Ben has also been a frequent guest leader at Sing for Your Life, an annual CircleSinging marathon in the SF Bay area as well as having been a guest teacher at the week-long Circlesongs workshop headed up by Bobby McFerrin at Omega Institute.
Wanna give improv a try? We will play improv performance games and improv scenes. All experience levels welcome. It is a creative, fun way for adults to play! So, come and let your imagination expand on the high seas!
The democratic game of making up new rules and convincing the other players to vote them into play. This is a pull-our-chairs-into-a-circle, drink, and yakkety-yak game. Each player gets 2 chips to begin. Who wins and who loses is up for a vote. So is everything else.
Jean leads a panel discussion of women talking about their crafts. This is the one and only time we will mention being women. Tech. Nerding out. Passion. GREATNESS.
SAMMUS (Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo) is an Ithaca, NY based rap artist, producer, and PhD student in the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University. Known as much for her rousing stage presence as she is for her prowess as a beatmaker and lyricist, Sammus has spent... Read More →
Critically acclaimed lyricist, producer, writer, director, cinematographer and all around consummate entertainer Jean Grae has been challenging the boundaries of artistry since her debut in 1996. Whether creating music with imaginative narratives that immerse the listener in a dark... Read More →
Emily Nussbaum is the television critic at The New Yorker. Her book "I Like To Watch: Arguing My Way Through The TV Revolution" comes out May 25. She's happy to to about anything, especially Buffy The Vampire Slayer. She wrote this bio in the third person.
Director and writer for theater and film. Resident director for HAMILTON in Puerto Rico and San Francisco. Associate director and resident director for Moulin Rouge (Broadway summer 2019). Associate director and script supervisor for Oh Hello with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney on Broadway... Read More →
Monday March 11, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
This is part demonstration of how video puppetry works—you know, the stuff they do on Sesame Street—and part play time, where folks actually get to put a puppet on and try it. It's led by Mary Robinette Kowal, who can, yes, tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street.
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
Nerdfighters assemble! Come meet other Sea Monkeys with a shared goal of decreasing world suck. Make friends and discuss the community that has grown around Hank and John Green. New and veteran monkeys welcome! DFTBA
The cooperative card game Hanabi may be billed as a memory and logic puzzle, but repeat players discover the metagame of devising and fine-tuning an additional "language" of information-laden conventions. We invite veteran Hanabi masterminds and curious newbies alike to come learn, share, and play. This informal session will be tailored to attendees' interests and led by a software engineer and a learning scientist who have played Hanabi almost daily for four years.
A sequel to the 2018 shadow cruise event, and with the 2018 midterms behind us, this session will talk about how to set activism and advocacy goals for 2020 so that you can stay engaged, stay sane, and instigate the changes you want to see in your community, your country, and the world.
Come and meet people who are interested in tabletop role playing games! All levels of experience welcome, including the RPG-curious. Maybe arrange a game or two for later during the cruise.
Monday March 11, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Stop by the display area in the ship's Shopping Arcade (Deck 3 Forward) to check out Greater Than Games' products—and meet the friendly folks who make them. (No purchase necessary, but you'll probably want to!)
The Oosterdam's culinary staff are preparing this specialty meal of Thai cuisine as a one-time-only event for our passengers. Seating is limited, so sign up early if you are interested.
This event is run by the ship's staff and costs a $10 surcharge that will be charged to your onboard account. You can sign up in the Main Dining Room, or by calling 88 from any phone.
Learn to play partnership dominoes, a version of the game practiced in Latin America and the Caribbean. We'll be learning variants commonly played in Puerto Rico, specifically Quinentos and Doscientos.
A short adventure set during the time of Star Trek: TOS, using a modified Fate Core rules system. Players take the roles of junior officers aboard a Federation destroyer. New players welcome.
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Jenn Lyons will read an excerpt from her 2019 debut epic fantasy, The Ruin of Kings, about a street-wise orphan who discovers that a happily-ever-after as a long lost prince is anything but as he finds himself a pawn of terrible powers.
Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz will read from novels and stories, some of which may not even be published yet. Which means you are getting the piping hot beta versions that will be awesome but may crash your soul. Technicians will be on hand to reboot you. There might also be some non-fiction writing about ancient skulls or alien planets. And a Q&A! And banter! Plus they will literally sign anything.
Charlie Jane Anders is the author of the forthcoming Victories Greater Than Death, the first book in a young adult trilogy. Plus an upcoming short story collection, Even Greater Mistakes. And a collection of essays about how to make up stories during tough times, called Never Say You Can't Survive. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the Hugo Award-winning podc... Read More →
Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of three novels: The Terraformers, The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are the author of Four Lost Cities: A Secret History... Read More →
Monday March 11, 2019 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
Come play Trogdor!! The Board Game with co-creator Matt Chapman (Homestar Runner) and probably puppet Strong Bad. Work together in this cooperative area control game with up to 5 other players as you try to burninate the countryside, the peasants, and the thatched-roof cottages! 90 mins. BYOCHR (bring your own creepy hooded robe)
Which house will win the first ever JoCo Cruise Caribbean Rules Quidditch tournament? Drop in, get sorted, and play a five minute round of Caribbean Rules Quidditch on the sports deck. The games team will provide the Sorting Hat, Caribbean brooms, and coaching. Sorry Gryffindors, Caribbean Rules Quidditch is not played at Hogwarts and not recognized in the slightest bit by the US Quidditch Association. Here's the rules of play so those Slytherins can figure out their strategy.
A near-future, "intra-apocalyptic", sci-fi miniatures arena combat game played on a 2’x2’ hex board. Fight as rival factions trying to survive the deadly crisis affecting the city of San Lazaro.
Enjoy a flight of five high-quality scotches, because you're fancy and you like nice things. Hosted by Christopher Badell. This event is subject to a $49 surcharge, which will be charged to your onboard account; sign up via any bartender or bar server, or at the ship's Guest Services Desk. Seating is limited!
Christopher Badell is the designer and co-creator of the hit cooperative card game Sentinels of the Multiverse, the writer of all things Sentinel Comics, and the co-owner of Greater Than Games. He’s been a storyteller his whole life, and that storytelling has informed his attention... Read More →
Get together with like-minded musicians to sing sea chanteys and other folk music, play instruments and jam on Irish tunes! We will have sheet music available.
I spent the summer taking pictures of my dog with space artifacts (including 7 flown craft from Mercury, Gemini & Apollo.) I will present them in chronological order and tell some cool stories about how we got to the Moon and beyond.
One of the great unsung joys of roleplaying games is exploring and interacting with unique, dynamic worlds. What goes into good RPG worldbuilding, and how does it differ from worldbuilding for the page or the screen. Come listen to masters of this particular craft share the tricks of their trade. Also, Pat Rothfuss will be there, trying to look smart.
CLINT McELROY…Has fathered (an estimated) three childrenWas senior class president for Ironton High School Class of ’73 (1973, wise-ass, not 1873)Wrote Green Hornet comic books…for money.Is the most popular teacher at Marshall University because he is an easy A and never takes... Read More →
Diceborn Heroes is a 1-4 player cooperative fantasy dice game. Together you will go on 3 different quests then face the final boss. If you defeat the boss you have saved the kingdom of Dievalice. The choices you make in the game will change the deck and change your chances of success...
This is a chance for the participants of the Sea Monkey Fantasy Football League to put a face to a team name. We also welcome anyone who might be interested in joining next year and anyone who enjoys fantasy football in general.
Monday March 11, 2019 1:55pm - 2:55pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Join me for a drink and to verbalize something positive! Gin not required. You can show up and celebrate Whiskey and Wheeee! or Bourbon and Blessings, or Tequila and Terrific, or Club Soda and Current Smiles. You get the picture. Also, there will be Irish music and sea chanteys going on, so that'll be fun!
Curious about wigs but not sure where to start? Need help with a wig? Just want to have some fun and try on some wigs? Wigs 101 is for you! Learn the basics about wigs and try out some new looks. Bring your wig if it needs help!
Would you like to play a game? This hour-long event focuses on party games, like Telestrations, A Fake Artist Goes To New York, Anomia, Codenames, and more! Guess words and draw pictures poolside. No experience is required, and all games will be taught.
Monday March 11, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
Monday March 11, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
Ever wanted to learn how locks work? Want to have a fun hobby? Lock Picking is for you. We learn about the basics of how a lock works, and then use real picks to open some simple locks! All tools supplied.
Ever wondered about what happens when you get lost/injured in the forest, on a mountain top, or perhaps a volcano? We are the ones that 911 calls when that happens. We will talk about how SAR teams work in the U.S., how we train, how we respond, and how we are funded. We will also provide an on-the-ground perspective from the Camp Fire, the most destructive wildfire in California history. This will be mostly a Q&A format, plus bonus pictures of our search dogs at work.
Christopher Badell is the designer and co-creator of the hit cooperative card game Sentinels of the Multiverse, the writer of all things Sentinel Comics, and the co-owner of Greater Than Games. He’s been a storyteller his whole life, and that storytelling has informed his attention... Read More →
Talk to me about boutique game design, Cheapass Games, Phil & Kaja Foglio's "Girl Genius" webcomic, crowdfunding, small-business consulting, singing, writing, acting, ancient tales of Wizards of the Coast, anything at all! :)
Come test your mettle at this classic racing game!
Rules: 150cc, 4 player races. A total of four races will be played in each 4-person match. The top 2 players will advance to the next match. Tracks will be chosen by consensus, if a consensus can not be reached course will be chosen at random.
Acro Yoga is a fun way to balance and play with others. What could possibly go wrong trying to balance on a swaying boat? Jam session, so no particular curriculum, just getting acro folks together!
Back by popular demand! Join us for a facilitated and casually structured event where you will get to meet all sorts of people! In each 15 minute round you will have the opportunity to meet 3 new strangers and find out all about them. Nametags and prompt cards will be provided.
Everyone of all knowledge levels is welcome!!!! Last year's AI meetup was awesome. Welcome to the sequel, with supercomputers and Qubits. Please stop by and chitchat about anything from recognizing cats, to cryo electron microscopy (a real thing, I swear) to the insane temperatures that quantum computers run at. Hope to see you there!!
Monday March 11, 2019 3:10pm - 4:10pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Have you ever thought about exploring your family tree? Or do you want to share your genealogy knowledge with others? Come and talk to like minded people who can help get you started or break that brick wall, and share your expertise with others. Open to all who have an interest in genealogy, regardless of skill level.
If you've signed up to be a dungeon master for the D&D Event, this is your chance for final preparations and fist bumps. Keith and Jenn will answer any questions that you have about the event and discuss what's going to happen. And as a thank you for your time and efforts, we'll have a drawing for a host of prizes from Twogether Studios and Wizards of the Coast!
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Monday March 11, 2019 8:00pm - Tuesday March 12, 2019 2:00am EDT
EXCDeck 10, Forward
Phil and Angela are staples of the Open Mic scene in Vienna, Austria. Their ridiculous songs and fartasmic poetry put smiles and tears on all the faces in the kingdom. Phil sings songs about heartbreak, while Angela raps rhymes about fart-breaks. Phil thinks he‘s special because he‘s been on tour with antifolk legends while Angela knows she‘s special because she is a world record holder for an escape room in Vienna. Angela thinks you should know Phil was also stuck in the room. Phil thinks you should know Joey will be singing with Angela. Joey thinks you should know that Phil wrote this stupid description of the event.
A munch is an opportunity for adults with an interest in kink to get together and talk and meet one another in a no-pressure social situation. If you're such an individual, or interested, we'd love to meet with you!
Monday March 11, 2019 9:30pm - 11:00pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
A general music jam. A list of songs/songsheets from various Genres will be provided (and a projector to show them on, hopefully) There is a quick review of how we’re gonna play it, then we PLAY! Difficulty levels will vary but all will be encouraged to participate.
JoustMania is a real life video game. Combining music, motion controllers, and a little skulduggery. Protect your controller from being jostled, while trying to jostle others. The music sets both the tempo and sensitivity of your controller. NOTE: While we insist on civility and courteousness while playing, this is a full contact game. Please plan accordingly.
The starboard side of the Lido Marketplace will be designated the "quiet side" after 9 pm. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises, please. Take yer noise over to the port side, where the late-night pizza is!
Monday March 11, 2019 9:30pm - Tuesday March 12, 2019 3:00am EDT
Lido MarketDeck 9, Aft
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Alright folks, it's happening again so BE PREPARED! Last year, the Disney Sing Along went so well (YOU'RE WELCOME!) that were back with round 2! Don't be like those POOR UNFORTUNATE SOULS who miss out! Come sing along to some of your favorite Disney tunes led by some of your favorite performers! Get stage fright? LET IT GO! Everyone is singing along and it's gonna be great! So, be there and BE OUR GUEST!
Travis McElroy is a full-time Podcast Host/Producer who works on way more projects than he has time for. He started podcasting in 2010 with the comedy advice show My Brother, My Brother and Me. Since then, he has gone on to co-host The Adventure Zone, Shmanners, The Kind Rewind, Bunker... Read More →
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
CLINT McELROY…Has fathered (an estimated) three childrenWas senior class president for Ironton High School Class of ’73 (1973, wise-ass, not 1873)Wrote Green Hornet comic books…for money.Is the most popular teacher at Marshall University because he is an easy A and never takes... Read More →
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
The Open Mic for people who dare to be different. The Open Mic for people who showed up too late to sign up for the JoCo Open Mic. The Open Mic for people not named Mike. The Open Mic that made it‘s debut on Royal Caribbean years ago in the Presidential Suite. The Open Mic that dives in deep into the minds of those performing. The Open Mic with sea monkey veteran Phil Conrad as a host. THE renowned underground Open Mic from Vienna, Austria. All types of performance welcome.
Monday March 11, 2019 10:30pm - Tuesday March 12, 2019 12:00am EDT
Explorer's Lounge StageDeck 2, Aft
If you too bear emotional scars from watching Dead Poets Society at a young age this your chance to sound your BARBARIC YAWP. (We'll meet at the Sea View Bar and then head up to the Observation Deck.)
Join game designer Elisa Teague for the 2nd annual special auction-style team tournament of Geek Out! Come in teams of 3-4 (or we will put you with a team) and get ready to strut your geeky knowledge as you bid to list as many things of a given topic (say, JoCo song titles?) as you can! The winning team takes home prizes and bragging rights as the 2019 JoCo Geek Out! Team Tournament Champions!
End the day with stand up comedy performances from fellow Sea Monkeys (plus exciting, nerdy door prizes)! Our cadre of experienced comics will bookend open mic Monkeys, so if you always wanted to give stand up a shot, here’s a great opportunity!
If you’d like to perform a 3-5 minute spot, please use the signup sheet at the information desk or at one of the shows (first come, first served).
Watch a seasoned group of adventurers adventure their way through an adventure! A late night live role-playing game in the style of Critical Role, Force Grey, Dice, Camera, Action, or...I feel like there's another one I can't think of right now. It'll come to me. Our party includes writers, game designers, and comedians from cruises past! There will be dice, there will be laughter, there will be alcohol! (alcohol sold separately)
Solve puzzles, petition mythical creatures, enchant magic relics, and perform a ritual to save the world! A low-tech portable "escape room" designed for groups of 6 to 10. Advance sign-up recommended (sheet posted by room), last-minute sign-ups accommodated as space permits. DO NOT BE LATE!
No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 3pm, please! (There may be some sound bleed from the console gaming area, coffee bar and/or events in the Holodeck; but it's a large enough space that it should accommodate everyone's needs.)
The Observation Deck (the large "sun deck" area on Deck 11, Forward—not to be confused with Deck 10, which is named the "Observation Deck", sorry this is so complicated) is designated a Quiet Zone during the days. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 6 pm, please!
Come here for any JoCo Cruise-related questions or issues you may have.
(If you have questions or problems relating to the ship—issues regarding your cabin, shore excursions, etc.—please go to the ship's Guest Services Desk, located on the opposite side of the Atrium on Deck 1.)
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Taco, or not taco? That is the question at Talkin' Taco Tech™, a poolside symposium where seasoned taco tacticians swap shop talk & toss off top taco technical tips. Come with an empty stomach & an open mind!
It's a game we found in your grandfathers attic and we're here to teach you how to play. Designed in partnership with the band The Decemberists, Twogether Studios and fellow Society of Luminaries members teach you how to play this game that feels like a classic card game from another time. If you've every played Hearts or Cassino, Illimat will feel both familiar and like nothing you've played before!
Would you like to play a game? This hour-long event focuses on party games, like Telestrations, A Fake Artist Goes To New York, Anomia, Codenames, and more! Guess words and draw pictures poolside. No experience is required, and all games will be taught.
Tuesday March 12, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
The Game library is open 24 hours and is self-service. During Cardboard Concierge hours, members of the tabletop team will be there to provide assistance and advice on all things tabletop.
Begun on the ms Westerdam during JoCo Cruise 2012, the annual LGBTQ+ cocktail meetup celebrates its 8th year of hoping it has a long enough initialism and being a low key get together for Sea Monkeys of all persuasions. Music provided by Riz Rollins and his boo, DJ Lux, "fresh off the heels of decades of illegal, and now legal, matrimony—30 years total, love won!"
' i want to give you the beats to make your pants itch'lynda barry. they been letting me help people dance for almost 3 decades. all ages, sizes, hues, and abilities ( please don't tell me ' i cain't dance'..just please don't. ) you don't hafta dance if you don't want to. we can just... Read More →
Tuesday March 12, 2019 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Sea View Pool AreaDeck 9, Aft
Dinner on this evening is "Open Dining". We'll be at port in Tortola until 6 pm. Feel free to come to the dining room anytime between 5 pm and 9 pm. NOTE: Fixed Seating table assignments will still apply.
Ever wanted to learn how locks work? Want to have a fun hobby? Lock Picking is for you. We learn about the basics of how a lock works, and then use real picks to open some simple locks! All tools supplied.
Puzzled Pint is a monthly puzzle event that happens on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in scores of cities around the world -- and on Tuesday March 12th, it will also be aboard the Oosterdam! The event consists of five or so paper puzzles handed out for the enjoyment of solo or team solvers. It's meant as beginner event. Puzzled Pint is a registered non-profit company. There is never a charge for this event.
Tuesday March 12, 2019 6:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Let's not get dehydrated. It's time for some water and a sheet mask. I'll bring extra to share. We can all relax together before we continue on with our action-packed cruise!
A new event for 2019, a group of our guests perform publicly in a medium other than their main "area of expertise." Come watch folks take a risk and walk a highwire*!
Charlie Jane Anders is the author of the forthcoming Victories Greater Than Death, the first book in a young adult trilogy. Plus an upcoming short story collection, Even Greater Mistakes. And a collection of essays about how to make up stories during tough times, called Never Say You Can't Survive. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the Hugo Award-winning podc... Read More →
For more than 20 years, Jim Boggia has been winning over fans, critics, contemporaries and luminaries alike with his uncompromising devotion to the sort of winsomely nostalgic, emotionally direct songcraft that’s impervious to age. His sonically intelligent retro-pop manifesto informs... Read More →
CLINT McELROY…Has fathered (an estimated) three childrenWas senior class president for Ironton High School Class of ’73 (1973, wise-ass, not 1873)Wrote Green Hornet comic books…for money.Is the most popular teacher at Marshall University because he is an easy A and never takes... Read More →
Solve puzzles, petition mythical creatures, enchant magic relics, and perform a ritual to save the world! A low-tech portable "escape room" designed for groups of 6 to 10. Advance sign-up recommended (sheet posted by room), last-minute sign-ups accommodated as space permits. DO NOT BE LATE!
Don't throw away your shot to participate in this large-scale singalong of the Broadway musical, Hamilton! This inclusive event welcomes anyone who wants to participate. Not a singer? No worries! You can still belt your heart out and blend into the crowd. Tone deaf? Not a problem: much of the show is spoken in rhythm! Piano will be covered; feel free to bring another instrument.
Critically acclaimed lyricist, producer, writer, director, cinematographer and all around consummate entertainer Jean Grae has been challenging the boundaries of artistry since her debut in 1996. Whether creating music with imaginative narratives that immerse the listener in a dark... Read More →
Having soaked up game all over the country, Quelle has a style with no obvious lineage and sounds like nobody else. Few other MC/producers can leap from humor to intense personal reflection, from hardcore rhyming to serious experimentation and make sense of it all. More succinctly... Read More →
' i want to give you the beats to make your pants itch'lynda barry. they been letting me help people dance for almost 3 decades. all ages, sizes, hues, and abilities ( please don't tell me ' i cain't dance'..just please don't. ) you don't hafta dance if you don't want to. we can just... Read More →
SAMMUS (Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo) is an Ithaca, NY based rap artist, producer, and PhD student in the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University. Known as much for her rousing stage presence as she is for her prowess as a beatmaker and lyricist, Sammus has spent... Read More →
Tuesday March 12, 2019 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Tuesday March 12, 2019 8:00pm - Wednesday March 13, 2019 2:00am EDT
EXCDeck 10, Forward
In Four Sherlock Holmes and a Vampire (Who Is Also One of the Aforementioned Sherlock Holmes)—officially abbreviated Four Sherlock Holmes and a Vampire—four players play four Sherlock Holmes who team up to solve mysteries and one-up each other. Secretly, one or more Sherlock Holmes are vampires. Can the four Sherlock Holmes find out who among them is a creature of the night?
Please note that we have altered the rules of this game for one night only to allow for an unprecedented fifth vampire!
Travis McElroy is a full-time Podcast Host/Producer who works on way more projects than he has time for. He started podcasting in 2010 with the comedy advice show My Brother, My Brother and Me. Since then, he has gone on to co-host The Adventure Zone, Shmanners, The Kind Rewind, Bunker... Read More →
CLINT McELROY…Has fathered (an estimated) three childrenWas senior class president for Ironton High School Class of ’73 (1973, wise-ass, not 1873)Wrote Green Hornet comic books…for money.Is the most popular teacher at Marshall University because he is an easy A and never takes... Read More →
Enjoy light hypnosis and guided relaxation in this group session with Keridwyn Deller, Hypnotherapist. Leave with simple, effective techniques to use to help lower your anxiety and stress levels.
JoCo Cruise does not vet, nor can they vouch for the qualifications of, anyone presenting health/therapy-related Shadow Cruise events. Please exercise your best judgment if/when attending.
Solve puzzles, petition mythical creatures, enchant magic relics, and perform a ritual to save the world! A low-tech portable "escape room" designed for groups of 6 to 10. Advance sign-up recommended (sheet posted by room), last-minute sign-ups accommodated as space permits. DO NOT BE LATE!
JoustMania is a real life video game. Combining music, motion controllers, and a little skulduggery. Protect your controller from being jostled, while trying to jostle others. The music sets both the tempo and sensitivity of your controller. NOTE: While we insist on civility and courteousness while playing, this is a full contact game. Please plan accordingly.
The starboard side of the Lido Marketplace will be designated the "quiet side" after 9 pm. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises, please. Take yer noise over to the port side, where the late-night pizza is!
Tuesday March 12, 2019 9:30pm - Wednesday March 13, 2019 3:00am EDT
Lido MarketDeck 9, Aft
A roundtable discussion of the different ways to approach comedy and satire in different mediums, and the different challenges and advantages of each. Also, people will say a lot of funny stuff.
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Uh, hi, everybody. I'm Nubia. You know when I first met all of you, you were (trail off) (crumple up notes) (Ad-lib) I've been wanting to host a trivia gathering for a long time now, nerd boat, come play with me! It'll be first come first seated up to 60 people, groups can go be up to 4 max, if you want to wait for a teammate to show up, you all wait outside, otherwise a seamonkey will be assigned to fill in spaces as available.
Tuesday March 12, 2019 10:00pm - Wednesday March 13, 2019 12:00am EDT
Crow's Nest ("Ten Forward")Deck 10, Forward
We're coming out of the dungeon and taking over the dining room- It's D&D night! If you pre-reigsterd as a player via the google form you have a reserved seat at table. If you missed it- we'll have some walk-in seats available day of. Players will be led through a JoCo Cruise D&D adventure by a friendly Sea Monkey Dungeon Master. If you've never played D&D before or if you're an old school grognard with a Gygax tattoo this is an adventure to stay up late for. Pack your dice if you have them- if not we'll supply them. Note: If you have never played D&D before and want to attend we highly recommend attending the D&D 101 for players event
An audience interactive, old school detective “radio” show. Join Stacey on her journey to solve a crime, and join Stacey on her journey...to solve a crime.
Critically acclaimed lyricist, producer, writer, director, cinematographer and all around consummate entertainer Jean Grae has been challenging the boundaries of artistry since her debut in 1996. Whether creating music with imaginative narratives that immerse the listener in a dark... Read More →
Tuesday March 12, 2019 11:30pm - Wednesday March 13, 2019 12:30am EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 3pm, please! (There may be some sound bleed from the console gaming area, coffee bar and/or events in the Holodeck; but it's a large enough space that it should accommodate everyone's needs.)
The Observation Deck (the large "sun deck" area on Deck 11, Forward—not to be confused with Deck 10, which is named the "Observation Deck", sorry this is so complicated) is designated a Quiet Zone during the days. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 6 pm, please!
A visit to San Juan on a mission to find some PR Geocaches while making our way to an official Meet & Greet Geocaching event, where we will meet some local cachers. Meet up at the pier's street exit at 9:30 am; I'll be the guy named Mike wearing the "They Might Be Dead" shirt.
Come here for any JoCo Cruise-related questions or issues you may have.
(If you have questions or problems relating to the ship—issues regarding your cabin, shore excursions, etc.—please go to the ship's Guest Services Desk, located on the opposite side of the Atrium on Deck 1.)
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Meet in front of the pier (disembark and go through the gates then pause) for a walk into Old Town San Juan for a frozen treat from Senor Paleta. We will need to go up some hills. If it's easier for you to take a cab/Uber and meet us there that's fine too!
Storm DiCostanzo is the latter half of the music/comedy duo Paul and Storm, and formerly (along with Paul) a member of a cappella band Da Vinci's Notebook. He's also a co-producer of JoCo Cruise, writer and producer for Mystery Science Theater 3000, and is a resident and Town Council... Read More →
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
Wednesday March 13, 2019 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT
Bahia UrbanaSan Juan, Puerto Rico
Dinner on this evening is "Open Dining". While most of the ship will ostensibly be at the San Juan Land Concert, if you remain on board you can come to the dining room anytime between 5 pm and 9 pm. NOTE: Fixed Seating table assignments will still apply.
Jill Sobule is a Denver-born, critically acclaimed, singer/writer with over 11 albums and more than two decades of recording and performing. Jill’s self-titled 1995 self-titled album proved a major popular breakthrough and included the hit singles “Supermodel” (featured in Clueless... Read More →
Wednesday March 13, 2019 7:00pm - 7:45pm EDT
Bahia UrbanaSan Juan, Puerto Rico
Jonathan Coulton is from the Internet. While a struggling music industry fell to pieces over file sharing and shifting business models, he quietly and independently amassed a small army of techies, nerds, and dedicated superfans. Featured in the New York Times, NPR and slashdot, his... Read More →
Wednesday March 13, 2019 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Bahia UrbanaSan Juan, Puerto Rico
The starboard side of the Lido Marketplace will be designated the "quiet side" after 9 pm. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises, please. Take yer noise over to the port side, where the late-night pizza is!
Wednesday March 13, 2019 9:30pm - Thursday March 14, 2019 3:00am EDT
Lido MarketDeck 9, Aft
From Riz: "more music from 'shithole countries'—dance music from us to them and back, latin, afrobeat, bolly, caribbean, eastern. bring your own bongos, congas, tambourines, drums, rattlers, and sticks, percussion participation is encouraged."
' i want to give you the beats to make your pants itch'lynda barry. they been letting me help people dance for almost 3 decades. all ages, sizes, hues, and abilities ( please don't tell me ' i cain't dance'..just please don't. ) you don't hafta dance if you don't want to. we can just... Read More →
Wednesday March 13, 2019 11:15pm - Thursday March 14, 2019 1:00am EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Formal wear is encouraged, but not required, at dinner. "Formal wear" is defined VERY flexibly. Tuxedo and cocktail dress? Fine. Sport coat and slacks? Sure. Starfleet uniform? Awesome. Full Scottish regalia? Bonnie. You get the idea. Fezzes and tiaras are encouraged—but not required. (The wearing of fezzes and tiaras on Formal Night has become a sort of JCC tradition for many.)
Thursday March 14, 2019 7:00am - Friday March 15, 2019 12:00am EDT
Whole Ship
Want to join other monkeys who do insane things like run when not being chased? Come speed-walk/jog/run at your own pace for your own distance. Ask questions. Get insight into what a half or full marathon training might look like. Very casual - drop in atmosphere.
Thursday March 14, 2019 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Promenade DeckDeck 3, Forward, Port
No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 3 pm, please! (There may be some sound bleed from the console gaming area, coffee bar and/or events in the Holodeck; but it's a large enough space that it should accommodate everyone's needs.)
The Observation Deck (the large "sun deck" area on Deck 11, Forward—not to be confused with Deck 10, which is named the "Observation Deck", sorry this is so complicated) is designated a Quiet Zone during the days. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 6 pm, please!
Join Mary Robinette Kowal and get words done on your work-in-progress through the magic of peer pressure. In these sessions, come up, grab a seat, and ignore your fellow writers while you write. If you procrastinate, they will silently judge you.
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
Thursday March 14, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Sea View Pool AreaDeck 9, Aft
Ever wanted to learn how locks work? Want to have a fun hobby? Lock Picking is for you. We learn about the basics of how a lock works, and then use real picks to open some simple locks! All tools supplied.
Do you like food? Do you like food in the morning? Do you identify as trans, transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, gender non-conforming, or similar? Or are you an ally of such individuals? If yes, then come get breakfast with like minded folks!
Every week on MaximumFun.org, husband host and wife host Travis and Teresa McElroy walk you through the history of manners and their modern day application! Now they are taking the show on the road (ocean?) to bring you a very special episode! Wha makes it so special? Well, YOU are going to be there! What's more special than that? Also, they’ll be taking your questions and offering Shmannerly guidance! No audio/video recording permitted at this event.
Teresa McElroy is a lifeguard turned actress turned artist turned podcaster! When she’s not podcasting, she is keeping her daughter, the joy of her life, from terrorizing her dog and cat. Amidst all the changes, she has always loved writing thank-you notes and will never stop trying... Read More →
Travis McElroy is a full-time Podcast Host/Producer who works on way more projects than he has time for. He started podcasting in 2010 with the comedy advice show My Brother, My Brother and Me. Since then, he has gone on to co-host The Adventure Zone, Shmanners, The Kind Rewind, Bunker... Read More →
Perplexed by thank you notes? Baffled by black tie? Dismayed by dinner parties? Worry no more, Shmanners is the podcast for you! Shmanners is a guide to etiquette both past and present. The lessons of the past, with a little adjustment, can still help today! So join husband-host and... Read More →
Thursday March 14, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
I spent the summer taking pictures of my dog with space artifacts (including 7 flown craft from Mercury, Gemini & Apollo.) I will present them in chronological order and tell some cool stories about how we got to the Moon and beyond.
Everyone takes turns bringing up ideas that they want to explore, whether it be punching up stand-up, developing the plot of a story, or wondering what chord could come next in a song—anything at all, tell the group and we’ll help you come up new ideas for it. Any idea that you’re given is 100% YOURS, and any idea that you give to someone else is 100% THEIRS. Each turn is FIVE MINUTES and recording your turn(s) is allowed. Spectators welcome, but supportive vibes only. No winners, no losers, no judgement, and NO COPS. (JK, cops especially welcome because NO CRIMES.)
Folk dancing for all folks! Contra dancing is easy for beginners and fun for everyone. All dances will be taught and called (with gender-free roles!). Come alone or with your friends, we'll rotate partners and dance with neighbors and have a great time with some JoCo-and-TMBG-themed contra dance choreographies.
Come here for any JoCo Cruise-related questions or issues you may have.
(If you have questions or problems relating to the ship—issues regarding your cabin, shore excursions, etc.—please go to the ship's Guest Services Desk, located on the opposite side of the Atrium on Deck 1.)
The Game library is open 24 hours and is self-service. During Cardboard Concierge hours, members of the tabletop team will be there to provide assistance and advice on all things tabletop.
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Need the checks and balances of other people who want to write surrounding you? Need someone with similar goals to procrastinate with? Either way, this is your group! Come join us for some writing (be it poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or outlining of any of them with other wordy monkeys.
Explore the meaning of science fiction, and how it's relevant to real-life science and society. Your hosts are Annalee Newitz, a science journalist who writes science fiction, and Charlie Jane Anders, a science fiction writer who is obsessed with science. Every two weeks, we take deep dives into science fiction books, movies, television, and comics that will expand your mind—and maybe change your life. No audio/video recording permitted at this event.
Charlie Jane Anders is the author of the forthcoming Victories Greater Than Death, the first book in a young adult trilogy. Plus an upcoming short story collection, Even Greater Mistakes. And a collection of essays about how to make up stories during tough times, called Never Say You Can't Survive. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the Hugo Award-winning podc... Read More →
Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of three novels: The Terraformers, The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are the author of Four Lost Cities: A Secret History... Read More →
Informal meetup for those interested in the fiber arts, broadly defined. Bring your knitting, crocheting, spinning, cross stitch, or otherwise busy yourself with friendly fellow fiber folks of all skill levels. Bring your latest project and a beverage for casual communal crafting. This is very casual but there will likely be folks who are willing to help you learn new techniques if you're interested.
Join us for a free Magic: the Gathering draft, where you'll open booster packs and select cards to build a brand new deck. Thanks to some generous volunteers, you even get to keep the cards!
We want YOU to help make what will (probably) be the largest “Human Pi” formation at Sea! First 300 people who check in at the port-side entry to the Sea View Pool area will be part of the scene.
Thursday March 14, 2019 11:30am - 12:00pm EDT
Sea View Pool AreaDeck 9, Aft
Want a sneak peak at the sequel to The Ruin of Kings before just about anyone else? Jenn Lyons will read an excerpt from the upcoming epic fantasy novel (ETA Fall 2019). Please note this is going to be FULL OF SPOILERS for the first book.
Antsy about missing four hours of sweet, sweet D&D? Hang out with other Critters to talk about Critical Role, swap theories, praise actors, and bemoan character death.
Thursday March 14, 2019 12:00pm - 12:30pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin welcome you to Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine. Every Friday, they dig through the annals of medical history to uncover all the odd, weird, wrong, dumb and just gross ways we've tried to fix people over the years. Educational? You bet! Fun? We hope! No audio/video recording permitted at this event.
Family Physician & Podcast Host, Marshall Health & Sawbones
Sydnee McElroy, MD is a Family Physician who works with the Department of Family and Community Health at Marshall Health. She provides volunteer medical services for people experiencing homelessness at Harmony House and she provides advocacy and medical service for LGBTQ people in... Read More →
The cooperative card game Hanabi may be billed as a memory and logic puzzle, but repeat players discover the metagame of devising and fine-tuning an additional "language" of information-laden conventions. We invite veteran Hanabi masterminds and curious newbies alike to come learn, share, and play. This informal session will be tailored to attendees' interests and led by a software engineer and a learning scientist who have played Hanabi almost daily for four years.
Build your web-of-trust by having many people sign your public-key packet. Of course we probably won't be doing the signing on the boat, but we can verify each other's identity (since we should all have passports with us, 2 forms of ID should be relatively easy), and then sign those keys when we get back to boring old real-life. If you plan on attending, it would make things easier if you email your public key hash (or the public key packet itself) to patenaude@gmail.com (key hash 1CC876F10CAC9F89). I'll have a checklist to distribute for all the keys I receive ahead of time.
The Oosterdam's culinary staff are preparing this specialty meal of Korean cuisine as a one-time-only event for our passengers. Seating is limited, so sign up early if you are interested.
This event is run by the ship's staff and costs a $10 surcharge that will be charged to your onboard account. You can sign up in the Main Dining Room, or by calling 88 from any phone.
Solve puzzles, petition mythical creatures, enchant magic relics, and perform a ritual to save the world! A low-tech portable "escape room" designed for groups of 6 to 10. Advance sign-up recommended (sheet posted by room), last-minute sign-ups accommodated as space permits. DO NOT BE LATE!
A short adventure set during the time of Star Trek: TOS, using a modified Fate Core rules system. Players take the roles of junior officers aboard a Federation destroyer. New players welcome.
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
This is an event for first time VR users to try Beat Saber, and for experienced players to show off their skills! Active wear is recommended, and glasses often don't fit inside a VR headset, so wear contacts if that's an option for you!
Come play Trogdor!! The Board Game with co-creator Matt Chapman (Homestar Runner) and probably puppet Strong Bad. Work together in this cooperative area control game with up to 5 other players as you try to burninate the countryside, the peasants, and the thatched-roof cottages! 90 mins. BYOCHR (bring your own creepy hooded robe)
CircleSinging is like a drum circle—but for voices! Come sing with us as our facilitator, Ben Silver, leads us in an exhilarating improvised vocal music jam. No experience needed, all voices and experience levels are welcome! Ben is a professional singer, vocal improviser and teacher whose music slides through R&B, jazz, folk, funk, world music and more. Ben has been performing and teaching Vocal Improvisation, Ensemble Skills and other singing workshops for over 25 years. Ben has also been a frequent guest leader at Sing for Your Life, an annual CircleSinging marathon in the SF Bay area as well as having been a guest teacher at the week-long Circlesongs workshop headed up by Bobby McFerrin at Omega Institute.
Traditional data tells us that as many as one in four people suffers from some sort of mental illness, and new studies are indicating that the percentage might be higher than that, especially among creative communities. Come listen as panelists talk about how they came to discover that they weren't neuro-typical, as well as sharing tips, tricks, and personal coping mechanisms. We work toward busting the myth of the tortured genius while being honest about how mental illness is part of our lives. Moderated by Patrick Rothfuss.
Aimee Mann began her career in the 1980s as the bassist and a vocalist for 'Til Tuesday. She released her debut solo album in 1993 and in 1999 recorded songs for the film Magnolia's soundtrack. She has won two Grammy Awards and was named one of the world's ten greatest living songwriters... Read More →
SAMMUS (Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo) is an Ithaca, NY based rap artist, producer, and PhD student in the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University. Known as much for her rousing stage presence as she is for her prowess as a beatmaker and lyricist, Sammus has spent... Read More →
Thursday March 14, 2019 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
A near-future, "intra-apocalyptic", sci-fi miniatures arena combat game played on a 2’x2’ hex board. Fight as rival factions trying to survive the deadly crisis affecting the city of San Lazaro.
In this workshop, we look at tools to help you figure out where a story has gone wrong, and possible angles of attack to fix the problems. Plot structure, beta readers, and the dreaded writer's block can all help narrow down the weakness in a story and ultimately fix it.
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
An in person event where previously-signed-up participants will exchange items they've created! These can be hand painted/sculpted/draw/crocheted/knitted/etc, or they can be design objects that have been printed through a secondary source such as glasses/t-shirts/pins/stickers/temp tattoos/etc.
If you did not sign up previously, you're still welcome to come and see all the cool things other people have made. If by some chance you made cool things yourself that you'd like to exchange with others, you're welcome to come and chat, but likely will not be able to participate in this year's event!
Christopher Badell is the designer and co-creator of the hit cooperative card game Sentinels of the Multiverse, the writer of all things Sentinel Comics, and the co-owner of Greater Than Games. He’s been a storyteller his whole life, and that storytelling has informed his attention... Read More →
Talk to me about boutique game design, Cheapass Games, Phil & Kaja Foglio's "Girl Genius" webcomic, crowdfunding, small-business consulting, singing, writing, acting, ancient tales of Wizards of the Coast, anything at all! :)
Alexandra describes it thus: "Okay, so, for the past NUMEROUS moons now I have been working on an enormous Pepe-Sylvia-style hook-up chart of Almost All Famous Historical and Literary figures! I shall inflict the resulting Enormous PowerPoint of Centuries-Old Scurrilous Gossip (connecting Dorothy Parker to Ernest Hemingway to F. Scott Fitzgerald to Lord Byron to Socrates...) on the Sea Monkeys! Gather with me—drinks encouraged, and likely helpful—to listen to a somewhat unhinged but historically substantiated rant connecting Somerset Maugham to Percy Shelley to JFK..."
Diceborn Heroes is a 1-4 player cooperative fantasy dice game. Together you will go on 3 different quests then face the final boss. If you defeat the boss you have saved the kingdom of Dievalice. The choices you make in the game will change the deck and change your chances of success...
Hypnosis is fun to watch and participate in. Depending on interest this will be a show/demonstration or a more directed class if people want to learn. Led by a (semi)professional hypnotist :)
Stop by the display area in the ship's Shopping Arcade (Deck 3 Forward) to check out Twogether Studios' products—and meet the friendly folks who make them. (No purchase necessary, but you'll probably want to!)
Super Battle Arcade is a tribute to 80s gaming. Two players go head to head for 5 minutes in six arcade challenges (Tetris, Asteroids, Invaders, 100m Dash, Tron and Pong) in random order. With the simplicity and familiarity of games, it takes little to no gaming experience to enjoy this challenge – and the console requires no instruction. Visuals are put at a super low rez 96x64 pixels to give the game a fun and retro feel, the bigger the screen the better!
Would you like to play a game? This hour-long event focuses on party games, like Telestrations, A Fake Artist Goes To New York, Anomia, Codenames, and more! Guess words and draw pictures poolside. No experience is required, and all games will be taught.
Thursday March 14, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
JoustMania is a real life video game. Combining music, motion controllers, and a little skulduggery. Protect your controller from being jostled, while trying to jostle others. The music sets both the tempo and sensitivity of your controller. NOTE: While we insist on civility and courteousness while playing, this is a full contact game. Please plan accordingly.
Teresa McElroy is a lifeguard turned actress turned artist turned podcaster! When she’s not podcasting, she is keeping her daughter, the joy of her life, from terrorizing her dog and cat. Amidst all the changes, she has always loved writing thank-you notes and will never stop trying... Read More →
Travis McElroy is a full-time Podcast Host/Producer who works on way more projects than he has time for. He started podcasting in 2010 with the comedy advice show My Brother, My Brother and Me. Since then, he has gone on to co-host The Adventure Zone, Shmanners, The Kind Rewind, Bunker... Read More →
Fiber spinning workshop. We will make simple drop spindles for you to keep (I’ll provide all materials free of charge), and we will learn to hand-spin fiber into yarn. A large variety of fibers will be provided. I’ll also have a spinning wheel available for folks interested in a wheel experience. You come away a drop spindle of your own making, fiber to learn with, and access to me (I’ll be spinning discreetly and probably daily).
Are you looking for work, either because you are between jobs or just might want a change? Are you looking for awesome new hires? Each attendee will have a chance to say who they are, what they do, and what they're looking for. Let's match Monkeys with opportunities!
Thrid Annual BarCitizen @ Sea ! Fans of Chris Roberts games "Star Citizen" and "Squardron 42" get together for drinks and conversation about this groundbreaking space games.
Thursday March 14, 2019 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
It’s a music show. It’s a banter fest. It’s an elaborate game of “Yes, and…” It’s an excuse to drink cosmopolitans. It’s… Brian and Zoe Gray, back with another shadow concert before Zoe abandons us all for college! Original songs– new compositions and old favorites– and also other stuff. Clap along with holiday standard Pi Day, bathe yourself in Shark Week, get introduced to the Gleebleverse, and tantalize yourself with a taste of Zoe’s new musical. It’s guaranteed to be the best Graystravaganza you’ll attend all year.
A sequel to the 2018 shadow cruise event, and with the 2018 midterms behind us, this session will talk about how to set activism and advocacy goals for 2020 so that you can stay engaged, stay sane, and instigate the changes you want to see in your community, your country, and the world.
Come up to the Lido Deck in your Fancy Clothes (or whatever you feel like wearing) for the fanciest happy hour there ever was! Admire others' finery and be admired in turn. Fezzes, tiaras and/or moustaches encouraged, but not required. Moustaches available as needed. (Happy Hour ends at 4:30; your second drink is only $2 during happy hour!)
Fancy dance music will be provided by DJ Riz Rollins
' i want to give you the beats to make your pants itch'lynda barry. they been letting me help people dance for almost 3 decades. all ages, sizes, hues, and abilities ( please don't tell me ' i cain't dance'..just please don't. ) you don't hafta dance if you don't want to. we can just... Read More →
Thursday March 14, 2019 3:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Lido Bar (Midship)Deck 9, Midship
We look great! It's Happy Hour! It's Formal Day! Meet up next to the hot tub area closest to the buffet, and feel free to bring props, long arms, selfie sticks, and your fantastic faces!
Travis McElroy is a full-time Podcast Host/Producer who works on way more projects than he has time for. He started podcasting in 2010 with the comedy advice show My Brother, My Brother and Me. Since then, he has gone on to co-host The Adventure Zone, Shmanners, The Kind Rewind, Bunker... Read More →
SAMMUS (Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo) is an Ithaca, NY based rap artist, producer, and PhD student in the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University. Known as much for her rousing stage presence as she is for her prowess as a beatmaker and lyricist, Sammus has spent... Read More →
Travis McElroy is a full-time Podcast Host/Producer who works on way more projects than he has time for. He started podcasting in 2010 with the comedy advice show My Brother, My Brother and Me. Since then, he has gone on to co-host The Adventure Zone, Shmanners, The Kind Rewind, Bunker... Read More →
SAMMUS (Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo) is an Ithaca, NY based rap artist, producer, and PhD student in the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University. Known as much for her rousing stage presence as she is for her prowess as a beatmaker and lyricist, Sammus has spent... Read More →
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Thursday March 14, 2019 8:00pm - Friday March 15, 2019 2:00am EDT
EXCDeck 10, Forward
Are you a fan of puns? Come and watch our sea-punkeys do battle to decide who will take home the grand prize!
Want to take part? Arrive early to be sure to get a spot, and check out the format and rules that we'll be using: https://worldwidepuns.com/rules-format/
JoustMania is a real life video game. Combining music, motion controllers, and a little skulduggery. Protect your controller from being jostled, while trying to jostle others. The music sets both the tempo and sensitivity of your controller. NOTE: While we insist on civility and courteousness while playing, this is a full contact game. Please plan accordingly.
The starboard side of the Lido Marketplace will be designated the "quiet side" after 9 pm. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises, please. Take yer noise over to the port side, where the late-night pizza is!
Thursday March 14, 2019 9:30pm - Friday March 15, 2019 3:00am EDT
Lido MarketDeck 9, Aft
"Where do you get your ideas from? How do I make it in the music industry? Does anything rhyme with 'orange'?" Get answers to questions that are not these in a songwriter round table discussion, moderated by Molly Lewis.
Aimee Mann began her career in the 1980s as the bassist and a vocalist for 'Til Tuesday. She released her debut solo album in 1993 and in 1999 recorded songs for the film Magnolia's soundtrack. She has won two Grammy Awards and was named one of the world's ten greatest living songwriters... Read More →
SAMMUS (Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo) is an Ithaca, NY based rap artist, producer, and PhD student in the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University. Known as much for her rousing stage presence as she is for her prowess as a beatmaker and lyricist, Sammus has spent... Read More →
Jill Sobule is a Denver-born, critically acclaimed, singer/writer with over 11 albums and more than two decades of recording and performing. Jill’s self-titled 1995 self-titled album proved a major popular breakthrough and included the hit singles “Supermodel” (featured in Clueless... Read More →
Thursday March 14, 2019 9:45pm - 10:45pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Small teams compete for fabulous prizes by answering general geek themed trivia questions. Have your team assembled when you get in line, as attendance is expected to fill up quickly.
Thursday March 14, 2019 10:00pm - Friday March 15, 2019 12:00am EDT
Crow's Nest ("Ten Forward")Deck 10, Forward
Four drinks, four bars (Lido Pool Bar, Seaview Pool Bar, Ocean Bar and Billboard Onboard), lots of people making friends. Hop, hop, hop, hop! Sign up via any bartender or bar server, or at the ship's Guest Services Desk. (This event is run by the ship's staff and costs a $22 surcharge plus bar service charges, which will be charged to your onboard account)
Thursday March 14, 2019 10:30pm - 11:45pm EDT
Lido Bar (Midship)Deck 9, Midship
A general music jam. A list of songs/songsheets from various Genres will be provided (and a projector to show them on, hopefully) There is a quick review of how we’re gonna play it, then we PLAY! Difficulty levels will vary but all will be encouraged to participate.
Thursday March 14, 2019 10:30pm - Friday March 15, 2019 12:00am EDT
Stuyvesant RoomDeck 3, Forward
Learn some astronomy from a veteran star-gazer! I've held star-gazing shadow events for the last several cruises and will provide maps, point at things in the sky, and describe them with mostly-accurate information. Going as far south as we are means you may be able to see some stars not visible from your home town, including Alpha Centauri and the Southern Cross! Lights will be dimmed to preserve night vision, so please do not use bright phone screens or flashlights around the event area.
Thursday March 14, 2019 11:00pm - Friday March 15, 2019 12:00am EDT
Observation DeckDeck 11, Forward
More songs! More decades! More dancing! Scalzi spins your favorite dance songs from the '70s, '80s, '90s and even this very century. Wear a prom outfit, dress for your favorite decade or just come as you are—everybody's welcome to get down and dance the night away.
Critically acclaimed lyricist, producer, writer, director, cinematographer and all around consummate entertainer Jean Grae has been challenging the boundaries of artistry since her debut in 1996. Whether creating music with imaginative narratives that immerse the listener in a dark... Read More →
Thursday March 14, 2019 11:30pm - Friday March 15, 2019 12:30am EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
You've heard vague whispers of rumor and innuendo that somewhere on the ship lurks a team of people working behind the scenes to make a JoCoCruise. Who are they? What do they look like? Do they have any unique performable talents? This may be your only chance to find out, short of breaking into The Home Office. (Don't break into The Home Office).
End the day with stand up comedy performances from fellow Sea Monkeys (plus exciting, nerdy door prizes)! Our cadre of experienced comics will bookend open mic Monkeys, so if you always wanted to give stand up a shot, here’s a great opportunity!
If you’d like to perform a 3-5 minute spot, please use the signup sheet at the information desk or at one of the shows (first come, first served).
Electronic musician meetup and possible jam session. Come share your adventures in making music. Bring your synthesizer or laptop and show us your latest tracks. Maybe we'll even do a jam together. All skill levels welcome. Whether you're just learning what a LFO is or if you're a master of music theory and sound crafting, you're welcome to come and chat, hang out, and make some noise.
Watch a seasoned group of adventurers adventure their way through an adventure! A late night live role-playing game in the style of Critical Role, Force Grey, Dice, Camera, Action, or...I feel like there's another one I can't think of right now. It'll come to me. Our party includes writers, game designers, and comedians from cruises past! There will be dice, there will be laughter, there will be alcohol! (alcohol sold separately)
The late-night jam is back! Bring your instruments &/ singing voices. If you want, come ready with a few songs to lead. Call a song & the key -- blues, bluegrass, or otherwise. 3- & 4-chord songs encouraged.
Everyone's running out of clean clothes anyway, so today is one big day-long celebration of the fact that nobody can make us put on "real" clothes if we don't want to!
Friday March 15, 2019 7:00am - 11:59pm EDT
Whole Ship
Want to join other monkeys who do insane things like run when not being chased? Come speed-walk/jog/run at your own pace for your own distance. Ask questions. Get insight into what a half or full marathon training might look like. Very casual - drop in atmosphere.
Friday March 15, 2019 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Promenade DeckDeck 3, Forward, Port
No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 3 pm, please! (There may be some sound bleed from the console gaming area, coffee bar and/or events in the Holodeck; but it's a large enough space that it should accommodate everyone's needs.)
The Observation Deck (the large "sun deck" area on Deck 11, Forward—not to be confused with Deck 10, which is named the "Observation Deck", sorry this is so complicated) is designated a Quiet Zone during the days. No gaming, no meetings, no loud noises before 6 pm, please!
Join Mary Robinette Kowal and get words done on your work-in-progress through the magic of peer pressure. In these sessions, come up, grab a seat, and ignore your fellow writers while you write. If you procrastinate, they will silently judge you.
Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the Lady Astronaut series and historical fantasy novels: The Glamourist Histories and Ghost Talkers. She’s the president of SFWA, a member of the award-winning podcast Writing Excuses and has received the Astounding Award for Best New Writer... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Sea View Pool AreaDeck 9, Aft
A meet up for pin-collecting monkeys to get together and trade or simply admire each other's pin collections. What kind? Doesn't matter. Disney Pins, Festival Pins, Nerdy Pins, Historical pins, all pins are welcome. Buttons are fine, but will be appropriately regarded as vastly inferior to pins.
Drop in to play or just watch a low-key game of Civ VI. We'll set up a hot seat game so that you can play for a while then let another Monkey (or the AI) sub in to lead your civilization. Send SeaMail to @alioth to request a particular Civ/Leader to be included in the setup.
Due to the hosts' obsession with The Hot Ones, a YouTube show about interviews with celebrities while eating progressively hotter hot sauce, the season seven sauces have been brought along. Come to taste test in order, along with some general questions/discussion to keep you talking as you eat!
After only EIGHT years of recording kid-friendly-but-not-required comedy music, Mike Phirman finally has enough material to out on a kid-friendly-but-not-required show. If there’s a kid nearby, please sit them in the room and enjoy their being occupied for a solid 40 minutes. That’s Mike Phirman’s promise to you: if you come to this show, then all things being equal, it will last for around 40 minutes. Guaranteed.
Come swing out with us! We'll lead a 45 minute beginning swing dance lesson, followed by 45 minutes of open social dancing with nerd-inspired swing music. Bring your own music if you have some to share! No partner or experience necessary! Wear comfortable shoes (slip-on shoes/sandals NOT recommended.)
Are you a good liar? Do you enjoy solving puzzles? Then join the tabletop team for two hours of social deduction games! We'll be playing Secret Hitler, Coup, Love Letter, Mascarade, and many more! No experience is necessary.
The Game library is open 24 hours and is self-service. During Cardboard Concierge hours, members of the tabletop team will be there to provide assistance and advice on all things tabletop.
Come here for any JoCo Cruise-related questions or issues you may have.
(If you have questions or problems relating to the ship—issues regarding your cabin, shore excursions, etc.—please go to the ship's Guest Services Desk, located on the opposite side of the Atrium on Deck 1.)
The console game area staff will be on hand during these hours to help you check games in and out of the library, and to aid with any technical issues.
Ever wanted to learn how locks work? Want to have a fun hobby? Lock Picking is for you. We learn about the basics of how a lock works, and then use real picks to open some simple locks! All tools supplied.
Jill Sobule is a Denver-born, critically acclaimed, singer/writer with over 11 albums and more than two decades of recording and performing. Jill’s self-titled 1995 self-titled album proved a major popular breakthrough and included the hit singles “Supermodel” (featured in Clueless... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Lido Bar (Midship)Deck 9, Midship
Get together with like-minded musicians to sing sea chanteys and other folk music, play instruments and jam on Irish tunes! We will have sheet music available.
While every day is Brunch Day, today is JAMMIES BRUNCH DAY. Wear your pajamas and enjoy* "Dungeness and Dragons Crab Benedict", "Pile O' Pancake", "Befuddled Eggs", chicken and waffles, ice cream, mimosas and more with table service in the Main Dining Room. Bathrobes encouraged! Meet at the entrance to the MDR, Deck 2.
Hey, there's a dog on the ship! How'd she get here? Why can't I pet her? What are service dogs, anyway? Rachel and Marleigh (and Echo) will explain the exciting life and training of guide dogs, talk about their adventures, and highlight how service dogs can change lives (and not just by drooling on the mousepad while I type this; thanks, Echo). Want to raise guide dog puppies? Marleigh can tell you all about Merry, the puppy she's raising, and how that process works - plus we can hook you up. Fans of Salem, Poodle of Destiny (from JCC6) will also get an update as to his whereabouts!
Join us for a free Magic: the Gathering draft, where you'll open booster packs and select cards to build a brand new deck. Thanks to some generous volunteers, you even get to keep the cards!
Want to provide readings? Bring your cards and your smile! Interested in what might be in store for the next week? Have a burning question you want some insight about? Come get a reading from one of our volunteer tarot or oracle readers! Want to learn more about this art of interpretation? Ask away! All ages, abilities, and interest welcome!
All good things must come to an end; join us as we salute the LEGOosterdam and thank her for her service and then begin the process of separating her into smaller sections to go back into her packing crates.
Jonathan Coulton is from the Internet. While a struggling music industry fell to pieces over file sharing and shifting business models, he quietly and independently amassed a small army of techies, nerds, and dedicated superfans. Featured in the New York Times, NPR and slashdot, his... Read More →
Paul Sabourin is one half of comedy/music duo Paul and Storm. He is a co-founder of the geek-oriented variety show w00tstock (along with Storm, Wil Wheaton and Adam Savage), and a co-producer of the annual JoCo Cruise. He is a staff writer and co-producer on the past two seasons of... Read More →
Storm DiCostanzo is the latter half of the music/comedy duo Paul and Storm, and formerly (along with Paul) a member of a cappella band Da Vinci's Notebook. He's also a co-producer of JoCo Cruise, writer and producer for Mystery Science Theater 3000, and is a resident and Town Council... Read More →
Much like a mini-"Moth" event, bring your 5-minute personal story to the stage that revolves around the theme Lost At Sea, and whatever that means to you: a time when you lost your bearings, were forced to navigate uncharted waters, felt unmoored, or maybe even had to get three sheets to the wind in order to find your way to solid ground…
Everyone is invited to throw their name in the hat and tell a 5-minute max personal/true story around that theme. We’ll select randomly and fit as many tales as we can into the allotted time. No notes, no consequences, just great stories!
A short adventure set during the time of Star Trek: TOS, using a modified Fate Core rules system. Players take the roles of junior officers aboard a Federation destroyer. New players welcome.
Your last chance to buy JoCo Cruise and performer merch! A satellite store will be set up in the Lido Pool Area. Act now or forever hold your peace, or something like that!
Friday March 15, 2019 12:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Plug in, turn on & tune out in our VR Relaxatorium & Deagitation Chamber with relaxing VR from Virtual Therapeutics calibrated to your biometrics to help you chill out.
Come play Trogdor!! The Board Game with co-creator Matt Chapman (Homestar Runner) and probably puppet Strong Bad. Work together in this cooperative area control game with up to 5 other players as you try to burninate the countryside, the peasants, and the thatched-roof cottages! 90 mins. BYOCHR (bring your own creepy hooded robe)
A little time and space for Sea Monkeys with disabilities to meet up, chat, and discuss. Self-identification is fine; we won't check your credentials at the door.
Pretty much as advertised: Clint McElroy and Pat Rothfuss read the classic Dr. Seuss book. (Aloud, that is. It'd be a weird show if they just sat and read it silently to themselves.)
CLINT McELROY…Has fathered (an estimated) three childrenWas senior class president for Ironton High School Class of ’73 (1973, wise-ass, not 1873)Wrote Green Hornet comic books…for money.Is the most popular teacher at Marshall University because he is an easy A and never takes... Read More →
Christopher Badell is the designer and co-creator of the hit cooperative card game Sentinels of the Multiverse, the writer of all things Sentinel Comics, and the co-owner of Greater Than Games. He’s been a storyteller his whole life, and that storytelling has informed his attention... Read More →
Lone Shark Games's Keith Richmond brings a variety of Lone Shark board games which you can play—and then you can win! Learn to play our games The Ninth World, Thornwatch, and Betrayal at House on the Hill, among others. And then we're not taking them home—you are!
A near-future, "intra-apocalyptic", sci-fi miniatures arena combat game played on a 2’x2’ hex board. Fight as rival factions trying to survive the deadly crisis affecting the city of San Lazaro.
I don't really know how to play shuffleboard, and I'm not 100% sure where the court is, but there definitely is one. Meet me there and we'll try to figure it out. I absolutely will not win.
Diceborn Heroes is a 1-4 player cooperative fantasy dice game. Together you will go on 3 different quests then face the final boss. If you defeat the boss you have saved the kingdom of Dievalice. The choices you make in the game will change the deck and change your chances of success...
This is an event for first time VR users to try Beat Saber, and for experienced players to show off their skills! Active wear is recommended, and glasses often don't fit inside a VR headset, so wear contacts if that's an option for you!
Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of three novels: The Terraformers, The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are the author of Four Lost Cities: A Secret History... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Charlie Jane Anders is the author of the forthcoming Victories Greater Than Death, the first book in a young adult trilogy. Plus an upcoming short story collection, Even Greater Mistakes. And a collection of essays about how to make up stories during tough times, called Never Say You Can't Survive. With Annalee Newitz, she co-hosts the Hugo Award-winning podc... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
CLINT McELROY…Has fathered (an estimated) three childrenWas senior class president for Ironton High School Class of ’73 (1973, wise-ass, not 1873)Wrote Green Hornet comic books…for money.Is the most popular teacher at Marshall University because he is an easy A and never takes... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Family Physician & Podcast Host, Marshall Health & Sawbones
Sydnee McElroy, MD is a Family Physician who works with the Department of Family and Community Health at Marshall Health. She provides volunteer medical services for people experiencing homelessness at Harmony House and she provides advocacy and medical service for LGBTQ people in... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Travis McElroy is a full-time Podcast Host/Producer who works on way more projects than he has time for. He started podcasting in 2010 with the comedy advice show My Brother, My Brother and Me. Since then, he has gone on to co-host The Adventure Zone, Shmanners, The Kind Rewind, Bunker... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Jill Sobule is a Denver-born, critically acclaimed, singer/writer with over 11 albums and more than two decades of recording and performing. Jill’s self-titled 1995 self-titled album proved a major popular breakthrough and included the hit singles “Supermodel” (featured in Clueless... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
Would you like to play a game? This hour-long event focuses on party games, like Telestrations, A Fake Artist Goes To New York, Anomia, Codenames, and more! Guess words and draw pictures poolside. No experience is required, and all games will be taught.
Friday March 15, 2019 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Lido Pool AreaDeck 9, Midship
CircleSinging is like a drum circle—but for voices! Come sing with us as our facilitator, Ben Silver, leads us in an exhilarating improvised vocal music jam. No experience needed, all voices and experience levels are welcome! Ben is a professional singer, vocal improviser and teacher whose music slides through R&B, jazz, folk, funk, world music and more. Ben has been performing and teaching Vocal Improvisation, Ensemble Skills and other singing workshops for over 25 years. Ben has also been a frequent guest leader at Sing for Your Life, an annual CircleSinging marathon in the SF Bay area as well as having been a guest teacher at the week-long Circlesongs workshop headed up by Bobby McFerrin at Omega Institute.
Enjoy a flight of five high-quality scotches, because you're fancy and you like nice things. Hosted by Christopher Badell. This event is subject to a $49 surcharge, which will be charged to your onboard account; sign up via any bartender or bar server, or at the ship's Guest Services Desk. Seating is limited!
Christopher Badell is the designer and co-creator of the hit cooperative card game Sentinels of the Multiverse, the writer of all things Sentinel Comics, and the co-owner of Greater Than Games. He’s been a storyteller his whole life, and that storytelling has informed his attention... Read More →
Join us for a sing along with some favorite songs from seasons 1-3 (and maybe one or two from 4) of the TV series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. A limited number of song books will be provided at the event.
Solve puzzles, petition mythical creatures, enchant magic relics, and perform a ritual to save the world! A low-tech portable "escape room" designed for groups of 6 to 10. Advance sign-up recommended (sheet posted by room), last-minute sign-ups accommodated as space permits. DO NOT BE LATE!
Have you ever seen boudoir photography and wanted to try it? Then this Q&A is for you! Even if you're going to a pro the info given will help you get the most out of your session. Have you felt too shy to try boudoir photography? DIY may be just what you're looking for. Come join me for a quick Q&A. Bring pen and paper for notes if you like. NOTES: This event restricted to ages 21+. It is strictly a Q&A; no photos will be taken or viewed. It is also intended for those who identify as female. If any males are interested, please see the organizer at the end of the event.
Friday March 15, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Billboard OnboardDeck 2, Forward
Two years after its conception, Zoe Gray is back with Songs of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones Album. Ten spoiler-heavy original songs, each featuring an iconic character from Game of Thrones, to be fully enjoyed before the celebrated show comes to a close this summer. Featuring expanded (and even more explicit) lyrics to eternal resistance bop “Sansa Stark”.
Please join us for some prayers, some singing, and quiet reflection at a traditional Friday night service to welcome in Shabbat . Shabbat is a day of rest; a time to reflect on the week that you've had and to take some time to enjoy the people and experiences that surround you. People of all faiths and and denominations welcome!
Jonathan Coulton is from the Internet. While a struggling music industry fell to pieces over file sharing and shifting business models, he quietly and independently amassed a small army of techies, nerds, and dedicated superfans. Featured in the New York Times, NPR and slashdot, his... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
Jonathan Coulton is from the Internet. While a struggling music industry fell to pieces over file sharing and shifting business models, he quietly and independently amassed a small army of techies, nerds, and dedicated superfans. Featured in the New York Times, NPR and slashdot, his... Read More →
Friday March 15, 2019 7:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
The Main StageDeck 2, Forward
We will attempt (and possibly fail) to build a Rube Goldberg / Chain Reaction machine in only two hours. If you've got supplies or pre-built components, bring them with! (Nothing hot, sharp, heavy, or messy, please.) If not, you can still help, take videos, or just spectate.
