All aboard for a post-Valentine’s weekend musical cruise.
A cruise trip featuring the top reggae, dancehall, and soca musicians is set to depart on Feb. 27 for a five-day and four-night trip from Miami, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Organizers of the Love and Harmony cruise say the non-stop party provides fans with a close-up of their favorite artists at an event not commonly offered.
“A lot of these artists perform at these big major stage shows but fans never get to see them up close personal,” said Jabba, organizer and representative for Rockers Island. “People will pay $200 to see their favorite artist but whether their front row or back row — that’s the closest they’ll get to the artist.”
Artists such as Beres Hammond, Elephant Man, Allison Hinds, Shabba Ranks, and Dexta Daps, are a few of the many confirmed acts for the Love and Harmony cruise. Fans will board a 2500 passenger Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, and get a chance to be up close and personal with the musicians in a much more and intimate space, Jabba said.
The highlight of the cruise, however, is the interaction that will follow after performances, said Jabba. With the ship equipped with a casino, four pool decks, a gym, and surprise events like a contests and pajama party, guests will get to actually party, meet, and talk with their favorite artists even when they are not performing — an opportunity many will ever get to experience.
“You’re going to be living on the same ship as the artists you love for five days,” he said. “It’s going to be the greatest experience. You can be in the same elevator with Dexta Daps, or see Elephant Man by the pool deck, and you’ll get to finally be close and have a conversation with them.”
Not only will it be an experience for passengers, it will be one for the artists too, many who have never performed on a cruise or experienced one. Jabba said a chat with Beres Hammond never having been on a cruise, was partially the reason he was pushed to do this cruise.
“He told me he had never been on cruise, but he told if I showed him a contract to perform on a cruise he would do it,” he said. “It’s going to be the first time for a lot of these artists — Shabba Ranks has also never been on cruise.”
Jabba said planning the cruise was four years in the making and he hopes that the trip is a an extended getaway for people and the artists who are just as excited to be a part of it.
“It’s going to be lovers rock music — the atmosphere and music will overall be very nice,” he said. “A lot of these artists are working very hard and rehearsing for months.”
“Love and Harmony Cruise” on Norwegian Pearl from Miami, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Feb. 27–March 3, 2017.
