KISS Kruise: Day Two

The second day of the KISS Kruise II kicked off with several fan events. A t-shirt swap quickly turned into a swap-everything event, with fans trading memorabilia and guitar picks too, especially the new KISS Kruise II picks. It was fun to see how many different shirts fans made and brought from around the world.

As we continued sailing toward Cozumel, many KISS Kruisers spent the day relaxing on the many lounge chairs, couches and daybeds all around the ship, like the fans from Australia shown in this photo! The ship's bowling alley and lounge features 24-hour live KISS concerts playing on the TVs.

A tattoo artist applied permanent tattoos to fans in one of the lounges, including KISS Kruise-themed tattoo designs.

Last night, KISS also played the first of two indoor live shows in the ship's Stardust Theater. KISS opened the show with "Psycho Circus," launching into a setlist heavy on hits, classics, and many selections from the new Monster album! The band treated fans to the first-ever live performances of "Wall of Sound," "All For the Love of Rock and Roll," "Out of This World," and "Long Way Down," as well as "Hell or Hallelujah." After rocking the Kruisers all evening, KISS left the stage, then returned and encored with "Lick it Up" and "Rock And Roll All Nite."Confetti flew, the lights went down again, and the show was over. Or was it? KISS came back again and played even more songs, including "Nothin' To Lose" and "Deuce!" The guys were in fine form, happily interacting with fans and enjoying themselves onstage.

The day wrapped up with entertainment from a variety of bands around the ship, and an enthusiastic round of KISS Karaoke in the ship's lounge.

Tomorrow, the KISS Navy is scheduled to port at Cozumel.

Photos by Jill Cataldo and Keith Leroux for KISSonline.

Check out this KISS Kruise dessert display table that was created for the band's hospitality area! The main display is made from chocolate, and the band members' heads are carved from squash.

Photo by Keith Leroux for KISSonline.

Here are some of the many great KISS tattoos spotted on the KISS Kruise II!

Photos by Keith Leroux for KISSonline.

Here's more than 2200 KISS fans standing on the pool deck of the Norwegian Pearl waiting for KISS to take the stage for yesterday's acoustic set!

Photo by Keith Leroux for KISSonline.

The KISS Kruise II kicked off to an amazing start yesterday! As the day began, the Port of Miami was invaded by thousands of fans in KISS shirts and costumes. Our ship, the Norwegian Pearl, remained in port for an extra hour to allow fans affected by Hurricane Sandy more time to board.

KISS played a sailaway concert as the Pearl left the Port of Miami. More than 2200 members of the KISS Navy sang along as the band played classics, lesser-heard tracks and many instant requests from fans. Some highlights: "Comin' Home," "A Million to One," "All Hell's Breakin' Loose," "Nothin' to Lose," and "Only You." Paul also announced during the show that there will be a KISS Kruise III!

As yesterday was Halloween, many Kruisers embraced the holiday, showing off their best scary, creative or sexy Halloween costumes! (The guy dressed as the "Elder Door" got lots of cheers!) Young KISS Kruisers enjoyed a Trick-or-Treat treasure hunt around the ship, and hundreds of people competed in a poolside costume party. Tommy judged the costume contest, which got lots of laughs from fans when Eric Singer took the stage during the "child" costume division... on his knees. In addition to "child-sized Eric Singer," there were many great KISS-themed costumes! Other Kruisers got into the Halloween spirit decorating their cabin doors for the event.

The guys have been out and about quite a bit already on the Kruise - Paul was strolling the pool deck during the costume contest, making one young boy's day when he noted that the little, makeup-clad Starchild was portraying "Small Stanley." He later joined the stage on the costume contest judging platform. Eric dined in one of the ship's restaurants, delighting fans at adjacent tables.

Just as with the first KISS Kruise, there's an amazing sense of community when you're surrounded by thousands of like-minded KISS fans! Fans from more than 30 countries are represented on board, and it's a lot of fun to see custom t-shirts, flags, and signs carried by KISS fans from so many different nations. Fans from KISS Army Norway surprised diners in the buffet by placing Viking-horn helmets on their heads, then waving the Norwegian flag behind them for a photo!

Tomorrow's schedule of events features a KISS-themed wedding vow renewal, a KISS t-shirt swap, and the first of two indoor KISS shows at sea!

Photos by Jill Cataldo and Steve Sils for KISSonline

Here's Paul, Eric, Gene and Tommy rocking the KISS Kruise crowd on Halloween with an acoustic sailaway show!

Photos by Steve Sils for KISSonline.

Check out these members of the KISS Navy dressed to kill on Halloween night!

Photos by Steve Sils and Keith Leroux for KISSonline.