Ubersoca Cruise 2018 | Two Ships, One Destination and a Bigger Soca Experience
Chandelle “Chandy” De Riggs with Kes at the 2018 Ubersoca Cruise
By 2018, UberSoca Cruise had reached a new stage in its growth.
The third edition moved aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, sailing from Miami to Labadee, Haiti. Demand was strong enough for UberSoca to add a second back-to-back voyage, creating Ship I from November 1–5 and Ship II from November 5–9, 2018.
For Julianspromos, it was the third consecutive year of the partnership with UberSoca Cruise. The 2018 trip also marked a first for the coverage: Chandelle “Chandy” De Riggs traveled onboard with Julian C. Hackett, becoming the first of Julianspromos’ main hosts to join him on an UberSoca sailing.
Chandy hosted the Julianspromos coverage aboard Ship I. All videos were filmed and edited by Julian C. Hackett.
UberSoca Expands to Two Sailings
The move to two ships was the clearest sign yet of how quickly UberSoca Cruise had grown.
Ship I left Miami on November 1, sailed to Labadee and returned November 5. Mariner of the Seas then departed again for Ship II from November 5–9, following the same destination and entertainment format.
The second sailing was added due to demand.
Only two years after the inaugural voyage, UberSoca was now operating two consecutive cruises around a program that stretched from daytime sports and fitness to concerts, Carnival events and parties running into the early morning.
Chandy Takes the Host Role at Sea
The 2018 sailing brought a familiar Julianspromos face onto UberSoca Cruise.
Chandy had already spent years hosting Julianspromos coverage at Caribbean events, but this was the first time one of the platform’s main hosts traveled onboard with Julian for UberSoca.
With Chandy in front of the camera and Julian filming, the pair covered Ship I as it moved from Miami to Haiti.
Her presence connected the cruise coverage to the style viewers had already seen across Julianspromos event videos on land — only this time, the backdrop was Mariner of the Seas.
Halloween Pre-Party in Miami
The 2018 weekend started before anyone boarded the ship.
On Wednesday, October 31, passengers arriving in Miami could attend an optional Halloween Pre-Party, running from 10 PM to 3 AM.
It gave the first group of cruisers a head start before embarkation the following morning.
Opening Day Aboard Mariner of the Seas
Ship I left Miami on Thursday, November 1.
The afternoon opened with the Sail Away Party, followed by a full opening-night schedule that included a pub crawl, VIP Cocktail Party, Liming on D’Avenue and Throw Back Thursday.
Ubersoca Cruise 2018 Ship I highlights.
Later that night, the pool deck became the setting for the Opening Night White Party, running from 10 PM to 2 AM.
The published schedule listed DJ Spice, Giselle, Riggo Suave, Star-AKSI, Sekon Sta, Hypasounds, Pretty, Pumpa, Marzville, Mr Killa, Iwer George, Oldis and DJ Avalanche among the night’s entertainment.
Once Mariner of the Seas cleared Miami, the first night already showed the pace of the 2018 sailing, with events continuing across the ship into the early morning.
Friday Across Mariner of the Seas
Friday showed just how much could be packed into a single day aboard UberSoca.
The morning schedule included the Bed & Breakfast Fete, Socacize and the Destination St. Maarten presentation. Elsewhere on the ship were Soca DJ 101, the USC Football Tournament and USC Netball Tournament.
Later came rum tasting, UberSingles and even UberSoca on Ice.
The pool deck had its own attraction.
Rum & Water Pool Party
The Rum & Water Pool Party ran through Friday afternoon with performers and DJs surrounding the pool deck.
The published schedule included Crowd Prince, D Bandit, Lyrikal, Sons of Steel, Kerwin Du Bois, Peter Ram and V’ghn, among others.
By evening, passengers were already moving into another round of events.
Game of Thrones Night
Friday night carried a Game of Thrones theme across several events.
Theatre Turn Up ran two editions during the evening before the schedule moved into Game of Thrones Night, with artists including Ravi B, Fadda Fox, Farmer Nappy, Motto, Lyrikal and Kerwin Du Bois listed among the entertainment.
Elsewhere aboard Mariner of the Seas, Small Island Turn Up, Free Up Friday, UberAfro Beats and other late-night parties continued into Saturday morning.
With several events running at once, passengers were building their own schedule as they moved around the ship.
J’Ouvert in Labadee, Haiti
Saturday brought UberSoca ashore at Labadee, Haiti.
J’Ouvert was held at Adrenaline Beach, running from late morning through the afternoon.
The advertised lineup included Lil Rick, Lavaman, Iwer George, Lil Natty & Thunda and Kes The Band, with music from DJ Stakz, Patrick the Hypeman, DJ Puffy, Back 2 Basics and Tony X.
After several hours of J’Ouvert, passengers returned to Mariner of the Seas.
That night, Carnival continued onboard with Midnight Mas, while Cabin Fever, Funky Business and Waaaay Up Hip Hop filled other parts of the ship.
Sports at Sea
Sports had become a substantial part of the UberSoca schedule by 2018.
The weekend included football, basketball, netball and cricket tournaments, giving passengers another way to take part in the cruise beyond parties and concerts.
There were also dance classes, Socacize and Soca Yoga alongside the sporting competitions.
It was now perfectly normal aboard UberSoca to see passengers at a fete one hour and competing on a sports court the next.
Food, Fitness and Caribbean Culture
The 2018 program reached into almost every part of the day.
A Passenger Chef Competition brought food into the mix, while the Natural Hair Linkup, rum tasting, Destination St. Maarten presentation and Soca DJ 101 added their own spaces to the schedule.
Fitness programming included Socacize, dance classes and Soca Yoga.
Even the official packing guide told the story of the cruise: passengers were preparing for J’Ouvert, Midnight Mas, pool parties, sports, formal dinners, themed nights and Carnival costumes during the same five-day trip.
Talking Soca
Sunday included another edition of Talking Soca, presented as an industry panel discussion.
The afternoon session put conversation about Soca and its industry alongside events such as the 50 Shades of Pink Brunch, UberChef Competition, basketball tournament and Natural Hair Linkup.
Talking Soca had become another part of the UberSoca schedule, giving artists and industry figures room to discuss the music away from the stage.
Bacchanal Ball
Sunday evening changed the dress code.
The Bacchanal Ball was presented with a Wakanda Forever theme, with two formal dinner seatings scheduled aboard Mariner of the Seas.
After days of swimwear, J’Ouvert paint and Carnival costumes, passengers switched into formal African-inspired attire before heading back into the final night of Soca.
The Uber Finale
The Uber Finale began late Sunday night.
The published lineup included Voice, Alison Hinds, Bunji Garlin, Ricardo Drue, Stephen and King Bubba, alongside DJs.
Breaking Soca, Nocturnal Vibes and Last Lap continued elsewhere aboard the ship into Monday morning.
Bunji Garlin Live
Bunji Garlin was among the artists captured by Julianspromos aboard Ship I.
Bunji Garlin aboard Ubersoca Cruise 2018.
The 2018 Artist & DJ Lineup
UberSoca Cruise 2018 brought together a deep artist lineup across the two sailings.
Artists included Kes The Band, Bunji Garlin, Kerwin Du Bois, Destra, Lyrikal, Skinny Fabulous, Shal Marshall, Alison Hinds, Ricardo Drue, Lavaman, Patrice Roberts, Iwer George, Teddyson John, Farmer Nappy, Lil Rick, Rupee, Ravi B, Nisha B, King Bubba, 5 Star Akil, Peter Ram, Asa Bantan, Hypasounds, Fadda Fox, Marzville, Mr Killa, Motto, Pternsky, Marvay, Sekon Sta, Pumpa, Tian Winter, Kerry D Drummer and Sons Of Steel.
The DJ roster included Private Ryan, DJ Puffy, Hype Man, Barrie Hype, Intl Stephen, Dr Jay, Kevin Crown, Tony X, Young Chow, Back To Basics, Riggo Suave, Giselle, Freeze Intl, Jester, Crown Prince, Avalanche, Jus-Jay, DeejBlaze, DJ Tate, D Bandit, Majestic, Ryan Sayeed, DJ Spice, Skorch Bunit, Mr Pank, D Enforcas, D General, DJ Ana, DJ Dankers, Dr Esan and LL Cool Blaze.
With events running from morning into the early hours, the lineup was spread throughout the ship rather than built around one traditional concert stage.
Three Years of Growth
The first three UberSoca Cruise editions tell the story quickly.
2016 introduced the cruise.
2017 took the event to Cozumel and broadened the programming.
By 2018, one sailing had become two.
Mariner of the Seas carried the event to Haiti with a schedule that mixed concerts and fetes with J’Ouvert, Midnight Mas, sports, fitness, food, industry discussions and formal events.
Ubersoca Cruise 2018 Photo Gallery
The gallery captures moments from Ubersoca Cruise 2018 Ship I, including Chandy, artists, passengers, parties and scenes throughout the voyage from Miami to Labadee.
From the Julianspromos Archives
Ubersoca Cruise 2018 marked the third year of the Julianspromos and UberSoca Cruise partnership.
It was also the first year Chandy traveled onboard as the Julianspromos host, joining Julian for Ship I aboard Mariner of the Seas.
At the same time, UberSoca itself was reaching a milestone. One cruise had become two, with back-to-back sailings carrying the event to Labadee, Haiti.
The Julianspromos videos from Ship I capture the voyage from different angles — leaving Miami, the daytime energy of Rum & Water and Bunji Garlin performing aboard the ship.
Hosted by Chandelle “Chandy” De Riggs. Filmed by Julian C. Hackett. Edited by Julian C. Hackett.
