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November date for party cruise to Jamaica

Published:Friday | June 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Jamaica's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Anthony Johnson, signs his autograph for 17-year-old Mark Braun, who was abandoned as a child in Ocho Rios, St Ann, before being adopted and relocating to the United States in 2001.
Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte, minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade with responsibility for diaspora affairs, speaks with Esroy Bernard, engineering supervisor for Con Edison NY, during yesterday's session.
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Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

On November 2, more than 2,500 members of the Caribbean diaspora from across the United States are expected to sail into Ocho Rios, St Ann, on a party cruise arranged by Four Seasons Party Cruise which is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

The trip to Jamaica will be part of a four-day, fun-filled excursion aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Imagination that will originate out of Miami on October 31.

The cruise into Ocho Rios is expected to pump some US$500,000 (approximately J$43 million) into the economy of the resort town.

President and CEO of Four Seasons Party Cruise, Audley Atkinson, said in a release that plans for the cruise resulted after informal discussions with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and Jamaica's honorary consul in Atlanta, Vin Martin, who encouraged him to make Jamaica the port of call this year.

Atkinson said the cruise was the 15th annual and the second time the group would be visiting Jamaica, having sailed to Ocho Rios previously in 2007.

At that time, some 500 Jamaicans and Caribbean partygoers were on board.

Atkinson said what was special about the cruise was the non-stop entertainment to be provided by some of the Caribbean's top entertainers.

Entertainment line-up

This year, the line-up of entertainers is expected to include acts such as Luciano, Marcia Griffiths, Wayne Wonder, Alison Hinds, Oscar B, Richie Stephens, Singing Melody, Dwight Pinkney, Fabulous Five and comedian Lemon.

Music will be provided by Florida-based DJ Waggy T, DJ Roy from Road International and Irie Jam radio, DJ Spex from King Turbo in Toronto, DJ Courtney C from Atlanta and DJs Richie Poo and Carlton from New York.

Over the years, Four Seasons Party Cruise has given back to the Atlanta-Caribbean communities by providing necessities to the less fortunate and by providing scholarships to some of Atlanta's deserving students.

Atkinson said he would like to expand efforts by providing assistance to deserving students in Jamaica as well.