Fantastic Voyage Diary 2018: Day 4

Jamaica, Jamaica! The Fantastic Voyage docked in Montego Bay, Jamaica for its first stop on land. And some folks took full advantage, heading out to partake in the sights, sounds and souvenirs that Jamaica offers. Cruisers headed to the beaches, the mountains and Margaritaville, the restaurant chain made famous by singer Jimmy Buffett. The Wolf Pack – a group of friends around the country who organize both each year’s cruise travel and events and parties during the cruise – hosted a party at Margaritaville. It was good, festive fun for the many members and cruisers who headed there off the ship.

Jamaica was too short but it was surely sweet. Once back on the ship, it was time to get ready for the night’s events, which included the Big Event: “An Evening With Anita Baker,” presented by Denny’s. But before you could get to the Lido Deck to see the show, you had to break out your best White Night outfit. If you know about Black folks and a White Party, then you know you had to have it right and tight. And we must say, some of you know how to do white right. There is a rare Black men who looks bad in white and a rare Black woman who can’t find a way to make a white outfit accentuate all their best features.

On to Anita Baker. Let us just say, Ms. Baker is beloved by her fans. She went through all of her many hits and left people wanting for more – even deep album cuts. When the appreciative crowd heard the intros to her song, they started singing Baker’s verses before she could even begin the songs, surprising Anita herself.

While she certainly had the Detroit faithful on her side, anyone who’s a fan of real singing and real music could appreciate her hour plus long set with musical director Ray Chew. And there were surprises – Taj and Lelee of SWV came up onstage to pay homage to Ms. Baker, but didn’t sing. Baker acknowledged Lalah Hathaway who did sing, at Baker’s request, showcasing her jazz scatting skills.

After the Baker show, there were an array of things to do, of course, because this is the Fantastic Voyage! The night’s Comedy Show, hosted by the busiest man on the ship (aside from TJ himself) Guy Torry, showcased the talents of the up and coming comic Miss Pretty Ricki (remember that name) and Steven Brown, who were among the funny folks in the Limelight, where the jokes and the drinks were high-quality.

Comedian Steven Brown

Tired yet? There’s more to go. It’s White Night, don’t forget so there’s a party going on in Liquid Nightclub and in the Atrium, and then there’s an Eric Roberson performance as well. Yup, right after jazz singer Toni Redd, there’s an Eric Roberson show. I can’t say enough about this talented singer, songwriter and all around performer but last night I saw something pretty rare in R&B. I saw an R&B artist freestyle a song. Roberson took topics from audience members and created a song on the spot, using almost every topic people threw at him, including ‘gerrymandering” “going down to Cub” and more. (The only one he missed was ‘fan the flames of love’ which admittedly sounds like a song all by itself.

And on to the 2 a.m. show: “Kings Of Crunk” with Trillville, Scarface, Eastside Boyz, Mia X and Bonecrusher was the most trill event of the night. If you can imagine an energetic crowd at 2 a.m., and I don’t mean, just a little energetic I mean fully hyped up despite the time. Even the late night elevator ride was hype.I don’t know where they were headed but 3 a.m. was a wrap for me.

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