Top acts, gospel segment ignite Love and Harmony Cruise

From the moment the Norwegian Jewel ship fired up her 100,000 horsepower engines and left port in Miami, Florida last Wednesday afternoon for the ninth annual Love and Harmony Easter voyage 2026, it was clear this wasn’t just another cruise. For many, the music peaked on Saturday night during the All White Night concert. Headlined by Beres Hammond, excitement surged when the Harmony House band backed by five vocalists and a full rhythm section struck the opening note, sending waves of anticipation through the crowd. Hammond was in a no nonsense mood, delivering from his rich catalogue of love ballads including Rockaway, In Love With You, What One Dance Can Do, She Loves Me Now, No Disturb Sign and Step Aside.

Always in tune with his audience, Hammond shared candid moments between songs. At one point he joked, “Sometimes I wonder if I am getting too old for this,” only to be met with a thunderous ‘No!’ from loyal ‘Harmonizers’.

The one-song cameo appearance by Hammond’s teenage grandson, Kingston Pauyo, fired up the crowd, as he crooned, There For You, plucked from his grandfather’s Love Has No Boundaries album.

Reggae balladeer Maxi Priest opened powerfully with Set the Night to Music, and kept the momentum with Believe in Love, Should I (Put My Trust in You), Wild World, and House Call, performing alongside DJ New Kidz. His 1990 global hit Close to You, reminded fans of the power of his vocals. His set – one of the best of the musical performances – peaked with an interactive ‘Work it’ exercise segment.

Dancehall Night raised the temperature a few notches with performers Tanya Stephens, Agent Sasco, and Busy Signal in tow. Busy delivered a high-energy set filled with storytelling and reflection. From Step Out to Smoke Weed, he connected with fans while reflecting on past struggles, declaring, Nah Go a Jail Again. He balanced grit with romance on Bedroom Bully and paid homage with Gal Yuh Good.

Agent Sasco, celebrating 25 years in the business, eased into his set before building momentum with Winning Right Now, Change, and Ruffest & Toughest. His performance peaked with Fade Away, alongside Romain Virgo, followed by a well-crafted medley including the Dennis Brown classic Your Love Got a Hold on Me and his own Banks of the Hope.

Romain Virgo, proved why he is regarded as one of reggae’s leading voices of the next generation. The ‘Love Doctor’ delivered a soulful performance that had the entire ship dancing and singing along to classics hits Mi Caan Sleep and Leave People Business Alone.

“I am thrilled to be back on the cruise for my second time,” Virgo told The Gleaner prior to his performance. “The first time Beres joined me on stage – that was special,” he added.

Pinchers, who opened the Singers in Action concert, took fans on a nostalgic journey with ’80s and ’90s hits including I’m a Don, Sit Down Pon it, Bandelero, Request to Denise and Champion Bubbler. Despite battling strong Atlantic Ocean winds during his set – gusting close to 30 knots at times – that threatened to carry off his hat into the sea, he kept his composure, joking, “The wind playing with my outfit,” to the amusement of the crowd.

Beyond the music, the cruise offered something deeper – a true sense of community.

“This felt like a reunion of friends who just love reggae and each other,” said Marsha Blake from Atlanta. “Everywhere you turned, it was good vibes, good food, and great music.”

First-time cruiser, David Ellis from Toronto, added, “This is the best vacation I’ve ever taken. You’re literally living inside a concert bubble for five days.”

The experience extended beyond the stage. Authentic Jamaican cuisine made the cruise memorable – from oxtail and mannish water to a sprinkling of ackee and saltfish and jerk chicken, prepared by celebrity Chef Basil Jones and his team.

GOSPEL AT SEA

The addition of gospel programming added depth to the 2026 Love and Harmony experience. Returning guest Dagery Grant, a Jamaican living in the DMV area, praised the decision, noting the “powerful and uplifting dimension” it brought, thanks to Minister Marion Hall (formerly Lady Saw), who delivered an Easter Sunday Resurrection sermon at sea – a first for the cruise and one of its most profound moments.

This was followed by a full house, praise and worship gospel concert alongside Dr Carlene Davis-Cowan. The moment brought a moving close to the journey, and later that day, after her riveting concert performance, Hall baptised several individuals who committed their lives to the Lord.

Jamaican born, South Florida retiree Colin ‘Mitty’ Beckford bragged about the comedy show, saying he never had a dull moment.

“It was good to see the contrast and the dichotomy between the two comedians Trixx and Fancy Cat at the comedy show,” he exclaimed.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com