Cruising for Change

Giving Back

QUIETLY MAKING NOISE ON THE HIGH SEAS

Every sailing of the International Parrothead Day Cruise supports Singing for Change, a foundation built on the belief that doing good doesn't require a spotlight. We raise funds through our onboard Silent Auction and donate directly to a charity that puts money back into communities at the grassroots level through grant applications.

How It Started

Why Cruising for Change?

A rejected pitch, two determined friends, and a wave that keeps building

It began as a simple pitch. In December 2025, aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, a group of travel advisors floated a fun idea to company executives: turn a Parrothead sailing into a force for good. The idea was politely turned down. Lori and Dawn were disappointed, but they never let it go. Some day, some way, they knew it would become something.

Lori and Dawn in Cruising for Change shirts making the first pitch aboard Margaritaville at Sea Islander, December 2025 — Lori and Dawn making the very first pitch, December 2025, aboard Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Then in walked Sherri and Carla. The moment Lori learned that Nadirah Shakoor would headline the 2026 sailing, she reached out to Sherri with the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning: "We need you to come!" With her sisterly bond with Nadirah, Sherri said absolutely, talked it over with Carla, and the two set off with us for Parrothead 2026. That put the Parrothead Drifters on a path none of us saw coming. Except, maybe, Sherri and Carla.

What they brought was extraordinary. Soul Circle bracelets handmade by Nadirah Shakoor. A custom guitar strap from the artisan behind Jimmy's own straps. A collection of books written by Jimmy Buffett, donated by a fellow Drifter. Our onboard Silent Auction raised over $2,000 in one-of-a-kind treasures. Add surprise gifts from the Margaritaville at Sea team, a free cruise donated by the casino, and the efforts of VP of Atmosphere and Entertainment Joe Ginel, and the Drifters raised a total of $5,050. Every penny went to Singing for Change, the foundation Jimmy Buffett and Executive Director Judith Ranger Smith created in July 1995.

Miss "Nobody from Nowhere," aka Sherri, and Carla, plus the Parrothead Drifters, add up to the most passionate, colorful, determined group of people you will ever meet. We honor Jimmy by partying with purpose every time we sail. Come shake a tailfeather and help us take it to the next level.

Our Charity Partner

Why Singing for Change?

Singing for Change was founded on a simple idea: $1 from every Jimmy Buffett concert ticket goes to fund community grants. No big fundraising galas. No self-promotion. Just quietly making noise. Their staff of one reached out when our donation arrived because it was larger than what they typically receive, a reminder of how much a passionate group of Parrotheads can accomplish.

"Have fun, make money, and leave the world a better place."Jimmy Buffett

Visit Singing for Change

The Impact

A Letter of Thanks

Our 2026 sailing's donation, put to work

"Your generosity at the International Parrothead Day event truly made a difference. Because of your incredible support, we were able to raise $5,050, funds that directly help provide music education to children who might otherwise never have the chance to experience it."

Judy Smith, Executive Director, Singing for Change

$5,050 raised for children's music education

Thank-you letter from Singing for Change acknowledging a $5,050 donation raised at the International Parrothead Day cruise

In Her Own Words

Keep the Party Going

Sherri's Parrothead story

My Parrothead journey started in 1992, and I had no idea then just how much Jimmy Buffett and his music would become a part of my life. What started with loving the music grew into something so much bigger: friendships, concerts, travel, adventures, charity work, and memories I never could have imagined.

In 2013, I joined the PHINdy Parrothead Club of Indianapolis, and that opened an entirely new chapter. PHINdy gave me the chance to spread my wings, to go from simply enjoying the music to helping create experiences that bring people together. Most importantly, it showed me the charitable side of being a Parrothead and what "party with a purpose" truly means.

Then, in 2015, my journey gave me something even more special. I met Carla Moore, my amazing love and partner. Together we have jumped headfirst into more crazy adventures than I ever could have imagined, and I wouldn't want to share this journey with anyone else.

Then we lost Jimmy. There was suddenly a hole that couldn't be filled, but Jimmy left us something incredibly important: each other.

That's why "Keep the Party Going" means so much to me. It isn't about pretending Jimmy is still here. It's about making sure what he created continues. We keep playing the music. We keep telling the stories. We keep helping others. We keep traveling, making memories, and bringing people together.

I've learned that Margaritaville isn't really a place on a map. It's the people you meet along the way. Jimmy gave us the soundtrack, but he also gave us a community that celebrates life, friendship, music, adventure, and giving back.

So we'll keep traveling, keep helping, keep making memories, keep bringing people together, and keep the music playing. And most importantly: Keep the Party Going.

Fins Up & Bubbles Up! Sherri

2027 Silent Auction Coming Soon

Raising Phins & Phunds

Our onboard Silent Auction returns in 2027 with one-of-a-kind items, and every dollar raised supports Singing for Change. Featured items and details will be announced soon.

The Spirit Behind It

Quietly Making Noise

"Singing for Change does not fundraise. They are dependent upon the Parrothead Chapters and groups like us that just do this type of thing."

Judith Ranger Smith, Singing for Change

"She just bought a T-shirt at the Atlanta CRB concert that has Singing for Change on the front and Quietly Making Noise on the back. The spirit is alive and well."

Sherri, Parrothead & Cruising for Change Supporter

Looking Ahead

Growing the Giving

🎟️

Pre-Cruise Bidding

We're working toward opening the Silent Auction to all Parrotheads, even those not sailing with us, so the whole community can participate and give back.

🛍️