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32 Black Meetings & Tourism December 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Dynamic Partnership Between Carnival Cruise Lines and Sixthman Offers Guests a Unique Entertainment Experience Inspired by Time Life's Malt Shop Memories Collection Carnival Cruise Lines and Sixthman are proud to announce the launch of the Malt Shop Memories Cruise – a five-day, four-night cruise offering guests a unique travel experience as they journey back to the birth of rock n' roll via live perform- ances and themed events. The cruise will set sail May 13-17, 2010 aboard the Carnival Inspiration, traveling from Tampa, Florida, and calling at Cozumel, Mexico. On board, guests will enjoy live performances from the era's top artists in an intimate and personal setting. Those appear- ing include Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Lesley Gore, The Original Drifters, The Platters, and Lou Christie. Renowned DJ Jerry Blavat, also known as the "Geator with the Heater," serves as host of the cruise and emcee of special events. The Malt Shop Memories Cruise was inspired by Time Life's Malt Shop Memories collection – a box set containing 150 songs epitomizing the birth of rock n' roll. "People love this era, love this music and love these artists. Seeing them per- form live on this cruise is a unique and exciting vacation expe- rience" says Patricia K. Boos, senior VP for Time Life. In addition to non-stop music and artist interactions, guests will enjoy other activities reminiscent of the era, including sock-hops, beach parties, dance contests, bingo and more. "We are so excited for Malt Shop Memories to come to life," says Andy Levine, owner of Sixthman. "This music is the sound- track for generations of peoples' lives, and we're excited for the opportunity to bring them together." The Malt Shop Memories Cruise sets sail aboard the Carnival Inspiration, a 2,000-passenger floating resort boast- ing two pools, jacuzzis, a miniature golf course, state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, casino and multiple bars and restaurants. Guests will combine fine dining with themed leisure activities, while enjoying first-class service that is synonymous with the Carnival name. BLACK BOATERS SUMMIT AND FESTIVAL AT SEA On August 11, 2009, the Carnival Cruise Ship Victory docked with 3,400 African-American passengers participating in the 18th Annual Festival at Sea. It was the event's first time in the region. Captain Paul Mixon's Black Boaters Summit Sailors, sailing their 12th annual summit in the BVI, knew about the event and invited the FAS cruisers to join them on Cane Garden Bay Beach. Valerie Rhymer at Myatt's Hotel & Restaurant hired MJBLUES to perform for the group and get the party started. "I must admit the I was a little concerned at 11 AM with the smaller than expected turnout" said Rhymer, "but then at noon taxi after taxi began to arrive. It was the most people we had on our beach since the music festival. We could hardly keep up with food and drink sales." Cap'n Paul, who had arrived a few days early before his Black Boaters Summit event met with several taxi drivers and suggested that they meet the ship with signs welcoming Festival At Sea participants and invite them to the Black Boaters Summit "Party On The Beach." And it worked. BBS participants showed off their Moorings and Voyage charter yachts and Voyage Yacht Charter even had one of their Voyage 580 Crewed yachts available for viewing. "We must have shown more than three hundred FAS guests our chartered yachts" claims Cap'n Paul, " and BBSers tell me they had enough interest to fill 10 boats for next year's BBS. My goal was to let Black Americans know about Cane Garden Bay where vacationing is affordable, friendly, and fun. Everyone I talked to on the beach said they had a wonder- ful time including members of my snow ski club from Oakland California. "Festival On The Beach was a great 'bump' to our sagging tourist economy," said Sandman, a Myetts partner." I look for- ward to working with Cap'n Paul again in the years ahead.