421 - Pipers of the Caribbean: An Insider's Guide to a Bagpiping Cruise (Dojo Conversations Episode 91)
One of the mainstay in-person events for us at Dojo University is our semi-annual bagpiping cruise – and in 2024 we joined forces with Jack Lee and Piping Hot Summer Drummer to launch our first co-hosted cruise in Alaska! This week, Andrew and Jim recap the realities, the itineraries and the logistics of running a bagpiping cruise, and paint a picture of what a piping school on the high seas looks like. Want to join in on the action? We'll be back in the Caribbean next April for our next cruise - visit pipersdojo.com/cruise for more info! This week, we cover: 00:00 Warm-Up Shenanigans 00:45 Crush Confessions 01:26 Segway to Segues 02:16 Recording Breaks and Travel Plans 03:17 Cruise Recap: Piping in Alaska 04:55 Cruise Logistics and Experiences 06:34 Piping Classes and Activities 10:35 Playing Pipes on Land 14:49 Beginner Pipers on the Cruise 17:51 Piping School Styles 20:22 Group Activities and Instruction Methods 21:03 Exploring Alaska's Natural Wonders 21:21 Cruise Memories and Whale Watching 22:19 Port Excursions and Car Rentals 24:15 Social Dynamics and Friendships on Cruises 28:23 Upcoming Cruise Announcement 28:32 Details of the 2025 Caribbean Cruise 31:24 Piping Enthusiasm and Community Building 38:06 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks