Photo by Roger Gupta
Written by Maria Ekaterina
Photos by Roger Gupta
Miraculous experience of music out in the open sea elevates the festival experience to a new height here on Jam Cruise. Having comfortable accommodations for all, such as clean cabins with shower access and any time food access changes the live music event experience. There is so much to see and do aboard and offshore that there is almost no time for sleep. Having a few hours offshore is all that it takes to attain a moderate tan or burn in places like Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. These last few days on Jam Cruise have flown by and each moment spent on board felt like it connected us to this music family more than ever before. We’re so grateful to have had this experience aboard the Norwegian Jade, seeing Sister Sparrow, The Nth Power, TAUK, Galactic, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe perform throughout the ship and then seeing them chilling on the beach in Mexico is a pretty wild experience to feel.
Lyle Divinsky (vocals) from Motet playing at the Atrium on Jam Cruise 17
Photo by Roger Gupta
This year Jam Cruise added an extra day while keeping the amount of artists the same which raised the questions – can we have more music? Yes, yes we can. With music throughout the night, special moments included the 3 am Andy Frasco crowd surf with stitches in his ear and wearing only pink boxing shorts. The schedule is only a guide throughout the week as sit ins happen on every single stage. Taz showed up at multiple stages throughout each day rocking a song or two with The Porter Trio on Sunday and many others throughout the weekend. Experiencing Jam Cruise for the first or tenth time is just as excellent of an experience. It’s clear to see how Jam Cruise dissipates borders between artists and fans. There is a natural close vibe that cultivates itself when listening to ALO play in the Atrium. There is a feeling of intimacy and comfort that rises within each set, especially done in the Atrium and that’s something that’s only available here on Jam Cruise. The natural rock and sway of the boat on Sunday evening has everyone swaying side to side as the pool deck is filled with “Repeat Offenders” who have made Jam Cruise their once a year place to be.
Jam Cruise 17 Norwegian Jade Photo by Roger Gupta
While we make our way back home, we will soon look back on all the memories we’ve made and the friends who helped us accomplish these high experiences this week with new perspectives and a higher love for the Jam bands we love. Cloud 9 Events have created a heaven on earth for those of us who love Jam bands and all that Jam band family has cultivated in our lives. In less than 12 hours we will be back in Miami heading our separate ways while always remembering the funkadelic weekend we all shard here on Jam Cruise 17.
You will be able to see our last night on board the Norwegian Jade tonight on our Instagram story. Head on over there to see Turkuaz, Spafford, Galactic and more play in real time.
