by Howard Campbell
MIAMI – Beres Hammond has figured in some successful shows in recent months. The latest, his sixth Love And Harmony Cruise, also benefited from the lovers rock king’s midas touch.
Hammond was headliner for the star-studded voyage which sailed on the Norwegian Joy from Miami on March 3, then made stops in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica. The cruise ended on March 8 in Miami.
Louie Culture, Elephant Man, Cham and Capleton opened the live show segment on March 4, followed the next day by Sanchez, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man. Richie Stephens and Hammond closed the performances on March 6 in all-white affair.
Ronnie Tomlinson, publicist for the Love and Harmony Cruise, said its retro theme helped attract over 3,804 passengers.
“The cruise was packed with non-stop fun, and a newly added event, Sports Day, brought back nostalgic memories for many. Activities like the three-legged race, egg-and-spoon race, and sack race reminded everyone of the fun they had growing up in the Caribbean,” she told South Florida Caribbean News.
Most of the fans came from New York, Miami and Toronto, cities with large West Indian populations. Jamaicans accounted for the majority of patrons, complemented by pockets from The Bahamas, Bermuda, Guyana, Haiti, St. Lucia and the United Kingdom.
They clamored to see Hammond, who has performed on several high-profile events in the United States and Jamaica in the past six months.
“Beres was accompanied by his family on the cruise. His presence, both as an artist and as a family man, added a warm and personal touch to the experience for many fans, who appreciated the close-knit environment,” said Tomlinson.
First held in 2015, the Love And Harmony Cruise has showcased top dancehall-reggae acts as well as a spattering of soca artists.
