Sailing the High Seas with the Steelers

WHERE: Steelers cruises leave from Florida.

WHEN: This is a relatively new event and it was held in late February in 2016.

HOW TO DO IT: Go to www.legendsofpittsburghcruise.com for information, including dates and how to register.

COST FACTOR: $$$–$$$$ The base cost is well under $1,000 but add-ons can be purchased and airfare is not included.

DIFFICULTY FACTOR: red-orange-green-traffic-lights.jpg If you are willing to pay there is probably going to be a spot for you since cruise ships aren’t getting any smaller. Like with the fantasy camps, though, keep an eye on registration for this and sign up sooner rather than later.

BUCKET RANK: HMBK8-9L-Plastic-Bucket.psdHMBK8-9L-Plastic-Bucket.psdHMBK8-9L-Plastic-Bucket.psdHMBK8-9L-Plastic-Bucket.psdHMBK8-9L-Plastic-Bucket.psd

Taking a vacation with former and current Steelers players is a dream for Black and Gold fans who don’t get seasick, and Leadership League in Pittsburgh provides that opportunity.

Leadership League handles all commercial travel for the Steelers and also manages Tunch Ilkin’s speaking engagements and social media endeavors. When Ilkin brought up the idea of starting a Steelers cruise, Leadership League was a natural to put it together.

The first one launched in 2014 and fans and current and former Steelers such as Antonio Brown, Franco Harris, James Harrison, Greg Lloyd, Dermontti Dawson, and Donnie Shell, to name a few, sailed to the Bahamas.

“A lot of people do it as a gift or an anniversary or the celebration of a special birthday,” Leadership League co-owner Anne Williams said. “The players are very interactive with the fans and you bump into them everywhere you go. They’re dining with them, they’re swimming with them, they’re playing basketball with them.”

There are events too that bring together the Steelers and fans such as viewings of past Super Bowls in a theater and talent shows that have featured Hines Ward dancing (go figure), J.T. Thomas playing the piano, and Chris Hoke performing the “Hokey Pokey” with his kids.

In addition, extras can be purchased on the cruise such as a private dinner with one of the Steelers or a workout with players such as Brown and Harrison. A workout with Brown and/or Harrison has to come with this caveat: these are two of the hardest workers in Steelers history and they may only know one speed. If you opt to work out with one of them be prepared to pass out or not be able to walk real well if at all the next day—or both.

“It’s definitely a fun thing,” Williams said of the cruise, not grinding through a workout with Brown or Harrison. “A lot of the passengers are displaced Pittsburghers or people who just follow the team and this is the vacation of a lifetime.”