If you’re planning to come to Trinidad Carnival in 2023 and haven’t booked accommodation or flights, it may be too late.
Epic Experience is offering a solution.
From February 16 to 22, the week of Carnival, you can sail aboard Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Sea from Barbados to Trinidad and stay on board while you experience Carnival on land.
Billed as an all-inclusive hotel with drinks and food available to everyone on board, the Epic Experience aims to address the issue of accommodation in light of the expected high influx of visitors for Carnival, which has not been held for two years due to pandemic.
The concept is the brainchild of Trinidadian Jonathan Mack who resides in Hawaii.
Mack told Loop News he had the idea after his wedding four years ago.
“I brought 50 people from all over the world, USA, Israel, Europe, the whole world to experience the carnival. I got married on the Saturday after Carnival in Tobago. Trying to accommodate 50 people in hotels, Airbnb’s and nothing else was a nightmare, managing transport for 50 people was also horrendous, on top of which maneuvering through the carnival to get party tickets, events and costumes was a nightmare its logistical, so i said hell. we have to find a way to accommodate that,” he said.
Jonathan Mack
Mack said the Jamrock Reggae cruise, which he attended several times, inspired him. The event is held aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, and Mack thought a similar vessel would be perfect to act as a hotel for Trinidad’s largest and world-famous festival.
He assembled a committee to make the voyage a reality. Burning Boss Kwesi “Hoppy” Hodgkinson, Caesar’s Army’s Jules Sobion, DJ Private Ryan and Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire are in what Mack refers to as the super team to bring the next evolution of carnival culture to the fore. Angel Magix and the producers of Dream Weekend Hawaii are also on board.
The Epic Experience includes extras like tickets to parties like Scorch Duck Work, Ambush, Soca Brainwash, Cocoa Devils J’ouvert, and band parade costumes.
For those who have already booked a flight but do not have accommodation, they can stay at the Floatel during the Carnival weekend.
Mack, who was born on Carnival Monday, 1980, said he is a true carnival kid and is dedicated to promoting the culture internationally. The St Mary’s College alum has worked as an event producer as well as music producer with many reggae and dancehall artists, including Usher, Cardi B, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Marshmello.
The Epic Experience will officially launch on August 5th at 12pm. Follow @myepiccarnival on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tik Tok and visit the website for registration information.
