In the second major announcement to hit the local entertainment scene on Friday, the organizers of Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival (UCCF) have rolled out a convenient way for patrons to make the process of purchasing cruise tickets a little easier.

Uplift is a “buy now, pay later” financial solution that works with hundreds of partners in the hospitality, entertainment and travel space to help smooth out cash flow logistics for buyers. Transactions facilitated by Uplift secure bookings on cruises, airlines, and at hotels upfront while allowing the buyer to spread the cost of the activity over several months, paying for the purchase in what Uplift refers to as “bite-sized portions.”

Ensuring patrons had this option was important to the organizers of Utopia, Glowbal Citizens Entertainment. According to CEO Ernice Gilbert, “We wanted to make Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival as accessible and as low-stress as possible for the party going public. We know that booking a cabin on a cruise ship can be pricey, so Uplift will help patrons access this premium fete experience without too much disruption to their daily finances.”

The Uplift option to pay is integrated into the booking process on Utopia’s website, so there’s nothing patrons have to do other than choose their cabin and select the “pay monthly” option at checkout. Providers such as Air Canada, Divi Resorts, and Universal Studios already use the service to help their guests access products and services. Thus Mr. Gilbert believes that UCCF is in good company. “I couldn’t be happier to partner with Uplift; they understand what we are trying to do and have committed to providing that flexibility for as many of our Utopia guests that may require it,” he said.

As preparations for the 10-day entertainment extravaganza that is Utopia continues, the Consortium will remain the platform to stay informed of developments and updates from the event organizers.

The Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship

With high demand for the Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival following the announcement of Burna Boy and the overall UCCF plan on Friday, a document that provides an overview of the groundbreaking cruise and festival event has been published.

Overview: Embark on a unique journey with the Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival, a one-of-a-kind cruise and festival experience that takes you right into the heart of Caribbean Carnival seasons. Be prepared for nonstop entertainment, top-tier artists, and the beauty of the Caribbean.

Itinerary:

• Departure: Set sail from Port of Miami at the brand new Norwegian Cruise Line Pier, aboard the Breakaway Cruise Ship on April 28, 2024.
• Destinations: Quick stop in Punta Cana before anchoring at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on May 1, 2024.
• Return: The ship departs from St. Thomas on May 5, 2024, and docks back in Miami on May 8, 2024.

Onboard Entertainment: The journey to St. Thomas promises nonstop entertainment. Highlights include:

• Sail to St. Thomas All White Glow Party: A late-night party to kickstart the festivities.
• Wet Me Down Pool Fete: Sun, pool, and fun.
• Global Citizen: Cosplay EDM Carnival: Dress as your favorite global character for a chance to win $1,000.
• Ship Loot: An exciting treasure hunt with a pirate theme.
• You, too, Young: Dive into nostalgia with this 80s/90s throwback party.

And for the return journey:

• The bottom of de Ship Carnival Costume Fete: Don your best carnival attire and get ready for a party at sea.
• Calm Me Down | The Ocean Breeze Reggae Jamfest: Ease into the Miami vibe with reggae beats.

Events on Land in St. Thomas, USVI:

• Dock Deeds: Utopia’s premier all-inclusive festival, showcasing the best of USVI’s culinary delights with renowned DJ Puffy.
• Fete Like a Beach: Experience paradise at a yet-to-be-revealed beach location for a foam-filled, high-energy beach party featuring R. City and more.
• Dancehall Dynasty: A music festival headlined by Spice and Monea, with many more artists yet to be announced.
• Utopia: The Unity Festival: The climax of the festival, featuring Burna Boy, Morgan Heritage, DJ Puffy, and more.

Booking Details:

• Event Tickets: All ship-based and land-based events comes complimentary as part of your cabin booking.
• Food & Beverages: Package includes food and non-alcoholic beverages, with exceptions at specialty outlets.
• Ticket Purchase for Land Events: Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival Events
• Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival Website: For cabin details, videos, booking, and more, visit UtopiaCCF
• Cost Competitiveness: Experience a 10-day cruise for the price of a 4-day cruise elsewhere.
• Payment Options: Flexible payment options are available, including the Uplift program, which offers bite-sized installments.

Planning Your Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival Vacation:

The Utopia Carnival Cruise embarks on its thrilling ten-day voyage on Sunday, April 28. Here’s a strategic tip for those planning their time off: Since the cruise begins on the weekend, and if weekends are your usual off days, consider scheduling an 8-day vacation leave starting from Monday, April 29. This allows you to utilize the preceding weekend to make your way to Miami and be on board by April 28. In doing so, you’ll find that by the time our adventure concludes, and you’re back in Miami on the early morning of May 8, you’ve only used up those 8 working days. As for heading back home, we recommend making travel arrangements for the afternoon of May 8. This ensures Utopia Carnival cruisers have ample time to catch their flights without any rush.

In a move geared towards maximizing attendee experience, organizers of the Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival (UCCF) have announced that all land events will now be included in the cabin package. This enhancement ensures that cruise-goers can indulge in the complete on-land experience without any additional financial outlay.

Those who had previously purchased both a cabin and land festival tickets separately are in for a treat. The UCCF team has guaranteed full refunds, ensuring attendees enjoy the revamped offerings without any additional burden.

To facilitate seamless participation, attendees will find four wristbands in their cabins upon arrival. Each wristband, differentiated by a unique color, corresponds to a specific festival scheduled on different days. This system promises an organized and immersive experience for everyone on board.

Highlighting the event’s allure, the internationally acclaimed “African Giant”, Burna Boy, is set to headline at Utopia: The Unity Festival. The ten-day festival extravaganza will also feature a host of global talents, including the likes of DJ Puffy, dancehall sensation Spice, and legendary reggae band Morgan Heritage.

Blending both sea and shore experiences, UCCF promises a ten-day adventure where attendees can revel in onboard festivities and on-land cultural immersion. The synchronization of events ensures that attendees can partake in a balanced mix of relaxation and revelry.

For attendees who’ve opted for the plush surroundings of the Haven Suite cabins, luxury just got an upgrade. In addition to the regular amenities, they will now be graced with VIP tickets to all land events, ensuring an elite festival experience that matches their upscale accommodations.

Attendees or those with queries can reach out for further details via email at [email protected] or by calling #689-280-5081. The UCCF team encourages early communication to ensure smooth logistics and an unparalleled carnival experience.

The Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival continues to redefine carnival luxury, setting new benchmarks for festive getaways. Book your experience today and be part of this revolution in entertainment and tourism.

Members of the V.I. Port Authority Board of Governors on Wednesday were given a better understanding of the major new event series scheduled for Crown Bay during St. Thomas Carnival 2024 – a visit from the Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival (UCCF).

A hybrid land and sea entertainment extravaganza, UCCF is set to dock at Crown Bay on May 1, 2024 after three fun-filled days at sea. Responding to a query from board member Celestino White, VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe explained that the Norwegian Breakaway would dock on St. Thomas for 5 nights, during which promoters Glowbal Citizens Entertainment will host four themed parties, each night except for Saturday May 4. “All events that are going to be held at Crown Bay should be finished by about 8:30 p.m. so that these same people have the opportunity then to…go up to participate in our village, our carnival,” explained Mr. Dowe.

“The ship can hold about 4000 people,” Mr. Dowe continued, “and that’s what they’re trying to sell out and bring these 4000 additional people here.” The reason why Utopia has received the blessings of Governor Albert Bryan himself is that the promoters, a Virgin Islands company, “look at it as augmenting the entire carnival product,” Mr. Dowe noted.

He also reassured board members that VIPA would not have to sustain any costs in relation to the venture. “We don’t have no request to waive any port fees,” Mr. Dowe declared. “They asked us what those fees are, we submitted those fees, and we expect to be compensated for that.” Apart from the usual collection of fees, VIPA is also off the hook for any additional security costs. “What they have to submit to us is the amount of officers that they are going to be hiring privately. We would not be bearing the cost of the security property for that event.