Vybz Kartel Tapped To Headline Vybz Island Xperience Cruise In Bahamas

Promoters have unveiled Vybz Island Xperience, a dancehall-themed cruise set for April 9 to 12, 2027, with Vybz Kartel billed as the headline act and the Royal Caribbean vessel Wonder of the Seas named as the ship for the trip.

The announcement follows renewed online chatter around Kartel, described in the segment as drawing attention with a recent social media post showing him dancing in underwear and dressed in pink.

According to the organisers, the cruise is being pitched as a luxury dancehall getaway, with the ship heading to a private island in The Bahamas. The event is expected to feature more than 40 entertainers, continuous parties and scheduled activity throughout the voyage.

The launch comes during a sensitive moment for cruise travel, after reports earlier this month that hantavirus carried by rats had killed at least three passengers aboard a Dutch-flagged cruise ship in the Atlantic. Still, the promoters said there is time before the 2027 sailing and framed the event as a new lane for dancehall entertainment.

One speaker said the aim was to bring “dancehall and luxury” into the same experience. Another described Kartel as the main reason patrons would attend, saying he is the “main attraction” for the festival.

The plans also include a major performance in Nassau, Bahamas, where Kartel is expected to appear before a stadium crowd described as 20,000 people, including 7,000 from the ship and 13,000 from The Bahamas and overseas.

Scott Dunn of the Dream Weekend team and Jamie McGregor of Spectra Entertainment were named in the segment as being involved in the promotion. They also addressed Kartel’s online presence, saying publicity around the artiste helps keep attention on the event.

For this summer, Dream Weekend is also shifting from Negril to Montego Bay, with Alkaline, Dexta Daps and Tommy Lee among the acts named for its dancehall lineup. The promoters said they expect to stage a major event in Montego Bay before returning next year with Vybz Island Xperience.