If You Want A Fun And Lively Party Cruise, Tom Joyner's Cruise Is The One For You
Some parties are too big to contain in a single day — or even a single country. Iconic radio show host Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage, which brands itself as "the ultimate party with a purpose," is a prime example, as per its Facebook page. The cruise has been around for years and has become one of the most popular sailings for Black Americans and people of color, with its incredible line-up of soul, hip-hop, and R&B acts. In 2024, guests can catch performances by music legends Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Bobby Brown, Ashanti, and Method Man and Redman, among others. When not busy dancing, sailers can also participate in a comedy showdown between Myra J., George Wallace, and J. Anthony Brown.
The cruise departs from Miami, Florida, on April 27, and over the following seven days, passengers can visit Haiti's Labadee Beach, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, and San Juan in Puerto Rico. Between stops and live music, passengers can also partake in nightly parades, dips in the pool and jacuzzis, daily workout classes, and seminars on topics such as health and business.
From the water to the ports of call, the fun never stops, so don't expect a calm and quiet getaway when you book a spot on the Fantastic Voyage.
The festivities are all for a good cause
Booking a cruise can be an act of self-care, especially when you're in desperate need of a vacation, but joining the Fantastic Voyage also means giving back to others. The annual trip is in partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation, an organization that aims to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the students and communities they serve. The cruise was started as a way to fundraise money for these institutions, and people who sail on the voyage in 2024 can feel good knowing that a portion of their fare goes toward scholarships for HBCU students (part of the purchase may even be tax deductible, according to the cruise).
Tom Joyner discussed the impact of the Fantastic Voyage during an interview with BlackAmericaWeb: "It's a party with a purpose, and the purpose is helping kids stay in school at HBCUs. And we've raised more than $71 million for HBCUs since 1998." He added that over 29,000 scholarships have been awarded to young people throughout the years, largely thanks to the partygoers who board the Fantastic Voyage.
What to know before booking your cabin
Cabin fare for Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage is all-inclusive and covers a room, standard meals and beverages (alcohol and soda are extra), taxes and gratuities, on-board entertainment, and port charges. It also includes a complimentary shuttle from Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport, for passengers who will be flying into the area. Some additional amenities, such as phone calls and Wi-Fi, massages, and casino fees, are sold separately.
Fares vary depending on the suite and the number of people who will be bunking together — and gathering a few of your closest friends to accompany you during the week-long celebration typically results in lower prices. For a group of four, staterooms can range from $2,470 to $5,865 per person.
Note that Fantastic Voyage might not be the right cruise for you if you're looking for a family-centric trip. From the grown-up comedy shows to the bars and nightclubs, the party mostly caters to a mature audience. Fittingly, as of 2024, Fantastic Voyage requires passengers to be at least 21 years old.