Heather McMahan’s Comedy Cruise: What Happened When She Set Sail for Laughter?

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Growing up, I was no stranger to cruises, as they were a regular part of our family vacations. One of my fondest memories from these maritime adventures is the time we spent on a Disney cruise when I was lost. Apparently, I was enjoying a soak in the hot tub with new friends I’d made at the kids club. When my dad finally found me, I had charmed the waiter into serving us all virgin piña coladas. He must have thought I’d be alright!

It’s not unexpected that the comedian, renowned for her “Absolutely Not” podcast and stand-up specials available on Netflix and Hulu, eventually embarked upon a weeklong comedy tour aboard a cruise ship. The Absolutely Knot event was inspired by both her predecessors in celebrity cruising (such as Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, the Olsen Twins, etc.) and her unique female-focused content. As McMahan explained to THR over Zoom from Miami, “It’s like a sorority meets an adult spring break.” Norwegian Cruise Lines reported they had never witnessed anything similar. The white wine ran out by 8 p.m. on the final night, with the crew informing that there was no more left on board.

In this piece, the comedian shares thoughts about her latest project, discusses how contemporary politics are influencing her comedy acts, and hints at what audiences might see of her on the big screen in future.

Let me start by mentioning that I noticed on your Instagram account you’ve just achieved the Million Miler status with Delta Airlines…

Isn’t it amazing? As you might guess, I’m quite fond of Delta Airlines, and they really went above and beyond for me when they made their latest announcement. Many people messaged me saying things like, “I’m a Million Miler with them and barely got a bag tag,” but I’ve always been quite loyal to Delta. It was almost dreamlike; when I arrived at the Sky Club in Phoenix to catch my flight home for my performance, someone brought me a cocktail – not uncommon, as people often send drinks. But then the manager came over with a gift bag! They wanted to take photos, but I had just woken up feeling quite groggy, so I needed a moment to freshen up and apply some makeup first.

What sparked the thought of launching your own cruise? Do you recall the time when the Olsen Twins embarked on a similar journey back in the ’90s as a millennial?

It came as a surprise to me that event took place. What an incredible experience! If only I had been informed earlier, I would have joined that voyage without hesitation. However, it seems my mother didn’t pay close attention to the details. Funny enough, my mother and I shared a similar role on that ship, much like Mary-Kate and Ashley. In fact, my representatives themselves suggested the idea to me! People often ask if I’d help plan their trips, and I enjoy passing along my lifestyle insights to my followers. Hearing their proposal, I eagerly agreed – I thought, let’s gather everyone on a ship for four days of unavoidable fun!

Did the attendees seem similar to the crowds that attend your shows stateside?

Approximately 80% of attendees were women, while 20% were men. Among the male attendees, about 10% identified as gay and another 10% were husbands. Interestingly, many women brought their single brothers along, who seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. The unique aspect was that cell service wasn’t great, so everyone was open to having fun without distractions. It was heartwarming to witness women prioritizing self-care and fostering a strong sense of sisterhood. The event was characterized by its non-judgmental, uninhibited atmosphere. There were also numerous solo travelers who formed a Facebook group this week, making new friends as a result. Many women attend my shows alone too, creating what I like to call the “sisterhood of the traveling Spanx.

How did you go about programming the lineup?

My team and I took inspiration from what Chelcie Lynn had done, and decided to investigate that approach. The audience was distinctly different from ours, but it looked like a blast. We meticulously planned this event for over a year. Tina Tompkins, who manages all our operations, led the charge. We collaborated with Six Man, a well-known production company based in Atlanta. First, we brainstormed about the kind of atmosphere we wanted to create. It was themed parties, braiding stations, DJs who mainly spun tunes from 2005, with the 50 Cent “P.I.M.P.” album as our constant soundtrack.

I carefully selected every comic and talent joining us because I knew my fellow fans would appreciate their work. Plus, this project had a unique aspect – there was no harmful masculinity on board. That was a refreshing change — everyone involved was genuinely fantastic people who enjoyed socializing together after shows, creating a fun atmosphere. Surprisingly, everyone we asked to join said yes immediately, which I found impressive. However, my girlfriend, who has a fear of birds, declined the invitation. She joked that if a bird landed on her out in the wild, she’d leap off the ship! That was Jackie Schimmel.

How did the experience of performing your stand-up routine on the cruise differ from that during your tours or while making your specials?

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What made running your stand-up set on the cruise unique compared to doing it during your tours or filming your specials?

While on tour, you often find yourself playing for audiences not familiar with your work, requiring a broader approach. However, aboard this ship, I had the luxury of incorporating personal, inside jokes. To my delight, I could even poke fun at individuals in the crowd, teasing them about running into each other at the morning buffet!

Will you do it again, and would you do anything differently?

Definitely, we’ll carry out the project in the year 2027. We require some time to regroup first. In about a month, I believe an idea will strike me regarding what adjustments I want to make, but currently, it seems like a small idealistic dream world. I need to work on finding a balance and taking care of my voice. It’s not feasible for me to belt out “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette at karaoke one moment and then perform for four consecutive days the next.

You’re on a new tour at the moment, right?

This is the Bamboozled Tour. During this show, I’ll be discussing some significant transformations in my life. I’ll be focusing on the issue of women who are overwhelmed and overworked in today’s society. It’s an introspective hour. I’ll also delve into political subjects that I haven’t tackled before. I view it as a necessary step. Essentially, the tour encompasses what matters most to me currently, along with some self-reflection on my past mistakes.

Were you deliberate about including political matters during your show at this particular moment?

As a gamer, let me put it this way: I wouldn’t usually start my day thinking, “You know what? Today’s the day for Trump humor.” Instead, I find myself discussing the impact on women and how we might have contributed to some of these issues ourselves – that’s where my focus lies. Living in Atlanta, a vibrant mix of cultures, it’s hard to believe Marjorie Taylor Greene is also a Georgia representative. She’s not exactly who I’d want representing me if I ever ran for office here. Just thinking about potential debates with her gives me the jitters.

However, I was taken aback when I kicked off my tour in Huntsville and Birmingham, expecting conservative audiences. To my surprise, I found many people sharing similar views as mine.

Could you provide some recent news or updates regarding the status of the television projects that you’ve secured development deals for, but have yet to move into production?

Recently, I sealed a deal for a performance. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose its location, but I hope it will attract attention. Stand-up comedy is my passion because it allows me creative freedom, but I also aspire to act and appear in television shows and films. I yearn to embody different characters. It can be challenging, awaiting the judgment of strangers after submitting a self-tape from my mother’s basement. I often quip that at my funeral, they’ll play a montage of every self-tape I’ve ever made. Auditioning is exhilarating, but I haven’t landed a role yet. Crafting these shows – each one involves me as the main character – serves as another means to bring my visions to life. Additionally, writing a book is on my bucket list. This summer, I plan to take a break from touring and dedicate time to working on that project. Perhaps I’ll include some revealing photographs to boost its chances of making it onto the New York Times bestseller list.

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2025-05-02 18:55