Travel
Come alive: set sail to the sounds of Jamaica on the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae cruise
My favorite collection of essays takes its title from a chapter referring to luxury cruises as “a supposedly cool thing I’ll never do again.” But the eighth annual Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise turned out to be so much of fun that I might definitely do again, a Jamaica-focused float that featured live performances by Sean Paul, Stephen Marley, Third World, Beenie Man and lots of more. Sold out months upfront, Jamrock offers nightly performances by veteran and young reggae and dancehall enthusiasts, sound battles and screenings of iconic Jamaican classics resembling “Shottas” as vacation cruise ships sail to the Caribbean.
Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite cruise — a ’90s R&B-themed cruise to the Bahamas with Maxwell, Ledisi, Musiq Soulchild and more — sent notifications to my social media timeline as I packed for Jamrock; the number of musical cruises catering to black vacationers is on the rise. Taking advantage of this 12 months’s fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop, the Rock the Bells Cruise had a fun launch in Nassau in November with De La Soul, MC Lyte, Rakim and other great rappers from the golden era. But Jamrock has spiritual reggae vibes on board, as I learned on my first cruise last December.
Someone once said that guests, like fish, start to stink after three days. The same could apply to spending almost per week with lots of of other passengers on our floating hotel, a large cruise ship called the Independent of the Seas. Fortunately, the experience of jostling amongst reggae lovers for five consecutive days of concert events was a positive one. On the 14-deck ship, everyone could enjoy a hot tub, slot machines, (relatively) advantageous dining, mini golf, movies, spa massages and morning yoga. Our swim itinerary included stops in the Jamaican towns of Falmouth and Ocho Rios before returning to Miami, with options for excursions that included ziplining, horseback riding, waterfall wading, etc.
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On the second day of “Whiteout Night,” we were all ordered to wear head-to-toe white for concert events by Wayne Wonder, Sean Paul, Stephen Marley and others. Sitting front and center behind a conga drum in the green, yellow and red of the Ethiopian flag, Marley delivered an acoustic set full of material from his latest album, “Old Soul.” His younger brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, who founded Jamrock Reggae Cruise in 2014, later joined him for a 2010 duet of “Jah Army.” Bob Marley covers are inevitable at Jamrock, and Stephen Marley didn’t disappoint, adding rousing new arrangements of “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Trenchtown Rock” to his setlist.
Jamrock’s fans included Rastafarians with long curls, middle-aged and retired couples, young women sunbathing BBL in thong bikinis with their muscular boyfriends – and, of course, the occasional white reggae fan. Looking for impressions from each a typical beginner reggae fan and an experienced expert of this scene, during “Blackout Night” on the third day (everyone wearing black), I contacted a young graduate of St. John’s University, which looked prefer it might have been the first Jamrock.
Chanel Mayers, a 25-year-old Afrobeats fan from Trinidad, got here on the cruise to spend time along with her parents. “They have been to Jamrock five times and loved it,” she said. “When I was performing, I thought, ‘Oh, I know more reggae than I thought!’ (With) Sean Paul, I knew most of the songs. Beenie Man was pretty cool.” Before Lady G took the stage, Mayers’ mother added that she loved the reggae theme most of all. “These are really conscious lyrics and we don’t hear them anymore because people are just singing about random things that aren’t really important,” she said. “I think reggae is more about life. It’s old school and I love it.”
For my seasoned expert, I turned to music journalist and reggae specialist Rob Kenner. Known as the voice of Vibe Magazine’s “Boomshots” column (Kenner was a founding editor), he has been on the cruise since its inception, interviewing artists on Jamrock Radio. I approached him about several personal events.
“The performance in the Third World will be a legendary attraction,” he says. “This year they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first recording. (guitarist and co-founder) Cat Coore played cello; singer AJ Brown sang opera-type vocals. It was just another level of musicality that you don’t see every day. Damian Marley produced Third World’s last album, More Work to Be Done, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. So it’s a family atmosphere.”
As each Kenner and Mayers’ mother noted, even during the great escape, music also reflects life on land. “(F)or the latest, Jahshii has been through a lot of really intense things over the last year,” Kenner explained of the rising dancehall artist, who began his set by singing a canopy of Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come.” “If you know the movie, it’s about an artist who gets caught up in street life and his music begins to reflect what he experiences in real life. Jahshii definitely has a similar experience … a lot of drama happened,” he continued. “I have never heard such a raw performance, with (Jahshii)’s voice bursting with emotion as he sang ‘Born Fighter.’ It was a big deal.”
Providing rest and pampering, whether you are an informal reggae listener or a rudebwoy fan, the Jamrock Reggae Cruise guarantees sunshine, positivity and righteous vibrations to revitalize you. Dates for 2024 are December 9-14; tickets are already on sale.
Miles Marshall Lewis (@MMLunlimited) is a Harlem-based author and cultural critic whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Rolling Stone, and lots of other magazines. Lewis is currently completing a cultural biography of comedian Dave Chappelle, the sequel to Promise That You Will Sing About Me: The Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar.
Travel
Why a fall beach trip was just the reset I needed
The beach is my comfortable place. Something about the smell of the salty water floating in the breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, and the warmth of the sun on my skin just melts my stress away. And searching at the vast horizon stops me from every part else occurring in the world, giving me time to reflect and shift my perspective that offers me clarity and focus.
Since I live in New York, the end of summer normally means the end of the beach – at the very least until mid-winter, when I’ll inevitably hop on a plane to a sandy tropical destination with the remainder of the sun-seekers . But this 12 months I decided to try something different: a fall beach trip.
I took advantage of the warmer than usual weather in the Northeast and planned a weekend trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey for one last likelihood to be a beach bum, courtesy of Ocean casino resort.
Here are three the explanation why fall is the perfect time to go to the beach:
1. To stave off the seasonal blues
As soon as Labor Day weekend involves an end, I begin to dread the impending reality of sunsets getting earlier and earlier. That first day while you leave the office and it’s already dark outside is at all times a shock for me. And for people affected by seasonal affective disorder, the change of seasons is even tougher.
A trip to the beach is the antidote to shorter, gray days. You could also be wrapped in a sweater as a substitute of wearing a bikini, but the extra vitamin D is real. Even when I stayed in the room, not only did I have amazing views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but I had hours of fantastic sunlight.
Planning a time change escape is one other smart travel move since it gives you something to sit up for quite than “rolling back.” In addition to the casino, Ocean Resort after all offers a variety of bars and restaurants, HQ2 nightclub, Topgolf Swing Suite and the best live entertainment venue, Ovation Hall, which hosted Lenny Kravitz the weekend I was there. How are you able to be indignant while you spend the last hours of summer singing together with Lenny?
2. To prepare for a productive fourth quarter
Have you heard of the “winter bow”? The TikTok trend could also be recent, but the idea behind it shouldn’t be. It’s a strategy to commit to self-improvement during the colder months by specializing in recent, healthier activities. It’s also a strategy to kickstart your “new year, new you” resolutions because, despite the frosty name, it normally starts in October. A fall trip to the beach may be the perfect begin to your winter fun, because it’s the perfect place to read, journal, and meditate. If physical well-being is a priority for you, you’ll be able to visit the recently renovated MUSSELS fitness center at Ocean, with a yoga area and Peloton offerings.
Even should you don’t intentionally work in your winter glow, research has shown a link between travel and mindfulness, creativity and private growth. Fall has traditionally been a time of reflection, change and rediscovery, so it’s the perfect time to flee.
Increasing your activity can enable you to achieve your Q4 goals upon your return.
3. To enjoy the peace before the summer storm
Before you recognize it, your calendar – and to-do list – will probably be stuffed with holiday shopping, travel, hosting and parties. It could also be the most wonderful time of the 12 months, however it’s probably the most hectic. Spending time with just myself and the ocean helped me feel able to face the difficult months ahead. And while dipping your toes in the icy waters of the Atlantic wasn’t an option, if water is what you discover soothing, Ocean Casino Resort has a year-round indoor/outdoor pool overlooking the coast, and a whirlpool and jacuzzi at the award-winning Exhale Spa + Bathhouse.
On the other hand, should you began watching Christmas movies in July and may’t wait for the season to begin, the end of fall is a great time to experience the magical touches that many hotels offer. Ocean Casino Resort transforms into a seaside winter wonderland with 30 holiday-themed rooms and suites, complete with Christmas trees; festive Jingle Bell Bar and pop-up Christmas marketplace for adults; and an adventure at Santa’s Hideout if you desire to make your trip to the beach a family affair.
Travel
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy amid surge in holiday travel
Spirit Airlines, recognized for influencing cost-effective travel and reworking the market, has filed for bankruptcy protection amid consecutive years of losses, a failed merger, growing competition and changing customer demands.
This week, the airline announced that an “orderly” petition has been filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York as a part of a “restructuring support agreement” as a part of the statement. Spirit says that while the corporate is working to restructure its debt, it should proceed operations through the holiday season and into 2025.
“Spirit expects to continue its operations in the normal course throughout the planned and streamlined Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) process,” the airline said in an announcement. “Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption and use all tickets, points and loyalty points as normal.”
Additionally, the brand new filing won’t impact worker salaries and advantages.
While this term may sound scary, Spirit isn’t the one US airline to declare bankruptcy. Major competitors corresponding to American Airlines, United and Delta Airlines have filed for bankruptcy over the past 25 years. Just as other carriers have emerged stronger since filing for bankruptcy, Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie hopes to do the identical. The airline’s CEO asserts that restocking the airline and negotiating with creditors will allow Spirit to enter the brand new yr with less debt and greater financial flexibility, which can position “Spirit for long-term success and accelerate investment, providing guests with a better travel experience and greater value.” .
In open letter to Spirit gueststhe corporate assured travelers of what was to come back.
“We’re still flying, so no need for FOMO! You can continue to rely on Spirit for great quality and excellent service,” the airline wrote on Xwith a link to the open letter that read: “The most important thing to know is that you (customers) can continue to book and fly now and in the future. We also want to assure you that you can use all tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal. You can continue to take advantage of our Free Spirit loyalty program, Saver$ Club bonuses and credit card terms and conditions. Our amazing team members are here to offer you excellent service and an exceptional experience. We expect to complete this process in the first quarter of 2025 and be even better positioned to deliver the best value in the sky.”
Travel
Green Book Global launches road trip planner to provide inclusive options for Black travelers
Building on the success of the primary and only Black travel booking and review platform, Green Book Global is expanding its services with the brand new Road Trip Planner app feature.
WITH Global Green Paper already recognized as a contemporary interactive guide for black travelers, the corporate has now added a feature to help plan safer and more enjoyable trips across the US. Launched on a redesigned mobile app (available on iOS and Android) and accessible via an internet app, this recent Road Trip Planner tool is powered by community insights and data.
“Our mission has always been to provide Black travelers with information that fosters a safer and more inclusive travel environment,” Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global, he said . “With Road Trip Planner, we turn our community’s collective experience into a robust tool that maps the most effective routes and areas to avoid based on historical and up to date data.
“It’s greater than only a planning tool. This is a brand new level of safety for our community,” he added.
Named after , which provided travel suggestions for African Americans traveling in Jim Crow America from 1936 to 1966, Green Book Global is a contemporary app and interactive guide designed to help Black travelers within the twenty first century. Using hundreds of reviews generated by Black users, the app will help users plan safer trips by identifying optimal routes and avoiding areas known to be inhospitable or potentially dangerous.
“Our goal is to provide information so that Black travelers can make a very personal decision about where they want to go,” Phillips said.
According to Green Book Global, the friendliest U.S. destinations for black travelers include Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte and Chicago. The platform also offers a world destination search tool, with recommendations for various destinations similar to Kenya, Slovenia and Argentina.
Phillips points out that the brand new Planner tool allows drivers to select the “Avoid City” option to avoid cities at sunset and robotically re-route them.
“Our community rates cities on a five-star scale for traveling as a black person, and cities receive an overall rating,” he explains. “Green means the safest and friendliest destination, yellow means average and red means needs improvement. The color red signifies a city where black travelers generally didn’t feel protected or welcome, and should even signify a former sunset city.
The study also revealed some unexpected findings about cities which may be predominantly white but have small but powerful black populations.
“Portland, Maine was a big surprise,” Phillips says. “Although Maine is one of the whitest states in America, with a Black population of almost 2%, the city of Portland is almost 10% Black. It was amazing. Delicious food, lots of attractions and a nice atmosphere.”
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