Photo credit: Sam Kerrigan/StarVista LIVE
Guests aboard the sold-out Country Music Cruise 2026, affectionately known as Cruisers, raised nearly $58,000 to support the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s nonprofit mission. The funds will help preserve the history of country music and expand access to its legacy for audiences around the world.
Autographed Guitars Headline Onboard Charity Auction
Two acoustic guitars signed by artists performing on this year’s cruise were auctioned live before Josh Turner’s two headline performances aboard Holland America’s m/s Eurodam. The guitars featured signatures from Country Music Hall of Fame members Randy Owen of Alabama, Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers, and Patty Loveless, along with Turner, T. Graham Brown, Linda Davis, David Frizzell, Wade Hays, The Malpass Brothers, Neal McCoy, Chuck Mead, Shenandoah, and others.
Winning bidders also received a complimentary Honor Society membership to the Museum, which includes an invitation to the exclusive Medallion Ceremony, the annual induction of new Country Music Hall of Fame members.
A Week of Performances and Exclusive Experiences
The Country Music Cruise featured more than 100 live performances across seven venues during the week. Cruisers had the opportunity to attend meet-and-greets and interact with artists in an intimate setting. The Grand Ole Opry at Sea returned for 2026, while Nan Kelley hosted interviews and artist introductions throughout the voyage. Acclaimed chef Kevin Belton made his cruise debut, presenting signature dishes and desserts for guests on board.
Reservations for next year’s seven-day cruise will open on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at countrymusiccruise.com.
About StarVista LIVE
StarVista LIVE produces entertainment experiences designed to bring fans together and provide unique access to their favorite artists. Its cruise events include the Malt Shop Memories Cruise, the Soul Train Cruise, the Country Music Cruise, the Flower Power Cruise, the 70s Rock and Romance Cruise, the Sandy Beaches Cruise, the Ultimate Disco Cruise, the Big Easy Cruise, and the Abbey Road on the River festival. Additional information is available at StarVistaLIVE.com, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the history of country music through exhibitions, publications, digital media, and educational programs. One of the most-visited history museums in the United States, it received the National Medal of Arts in 2024. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the institution is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a nonprofit educational organization chartered in Tennessee in 1964. The Foundation also operates Historic RCA Studio B, Hatch Show Print, Haley Gallery, CMA Theater, CMF Records, the Frist Library and Archive, and CMF Press.
