Fantastic Voyage 2009 - Royal Caribbean International

		Goes to Hollywood

		It's a "Party with a Purpose" For the 9th consecutive year, and the 10th Anniversary of the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage, the Tom Joyner foundation has chartered one of Royal Caribbean's spectacular ships. This year's Fantastic Voyage "

Goes to Hollywood" for its 10th Anniversary celebration to be held onboard Mariner of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean's larger and more innovative cruise ships featuring everything from a bustling boulevard lined with shops to a rock-climbing wall and miniature golf courses. So why is it an "Ultimate Party with a Purpose?" Not only is it a 7-Night Mexican Riviera cruise onboard one of the most state-of-the-art cruise ships in the world, it's also a fundraiser for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. That's the reason it's the "Ultimate Party with a Purpose."

In addition to the wonderful amenities and features onboard ship, there's the sizzling array of entertainment for all to enjoy. You'll love the Fantastic Voyage-Royal Caribbean experience, especially with the added dazzle of some of music's brightest stars, including Grammy-Award wining singer, producer and song-writer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, the soulful Michael McDonald, Charlie Wilson and the legendary Gap Band and the incomparable Smokey Robinson. If hip-hop is more your flavor, lace up your Adidas sneakers, dust off your Kangol and jam to the sounds of Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick. There is truly something for everyone on the Royal Caribbean Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage 2009.

For more information on Royal Caribbean International cruises click here: www.royalcaribbean.com/gopack

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For more information on this year’s Fantastic Voyage click here: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/fv2009

For the next best thing to being there check out the Royal Spotlight and the Royal 411 for daily videos and pictures beginning May 19, 2009.

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Fantastic Voyage Day 7

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At Sea
Several guests chose to begin their last day of the Fantastic Voyage at 10:00 am with a panel of Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) discussing the current state of HBCU's. Topic: The need to implement technological advances into the university systems. In the Lotus Lounge, guests took advantage of their last chance to bid on exquisite and unique works of art by renowned artists such as Ted Ellis and Marcus Glenn. In the Savoy Theatre, Starr Jones hosted the "Fantastic View" and joining her on the panel was Cheryl "Salt" Wray, Jacque Reid, Kym Whitley and Donna Richardson Joyner discussing current events and other relevant topics of interest. The Mainstage entertainment in the Big Room, hosted by Royal Caribbean on this final evening of the Voyage was the "Might-As-Well" Comedy showcase hosted by, none other than J. Anthony Brown. Afterwards, guests traded their name-brand apparel for linens as they wrapped, tied and tucked sheets for the infamous Toga Night party on the Royal Promenade. Those who still had fuel in the tank took it to the Dragon's Lair night club for the last late night party where Mixx Master Mitch played the latest hits on the 1's and 2's. Just like all good things, the party with a purpose had to come to an end?til next year!


Royal 411 Archive

Fantastic Voyage Day 6

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At Sea
Guests had no shortage of activities to enjoy while at sea today. During the day in the Savoy theatre, Donna Richardson Joyner hosted the "Evolution of Fashion" Show, a truly star-studded affair as guests and celebrities alike worked the runway. In the Lotus Lounge, cruisers bid on fabulous pieces of art by renowned artists, during the art auction benefiting the Tom Joyner Foundation. In Boleros lounge former NBA Stars, Jimmy Jackson and Danny Griffin served as panelists for the discussion centering on creating partnerships to empower young people. Dragon's Lair, the onboard nightclub, was converted to a place where singles can look for love during Blackamericaweb.com's Speed Dating event. As early evening approached guests had the opportunity to pose questions to a panel of their favorite comedians during J. Anthony Brown's "Drink (not Think) Tank" in Studio B. After 7 featuring Kevon Edmonds kicked off the evening followed by the main attraction, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds who shut it down for a second night straight and was just as amazing as on Day 5. Afterwards guests donned their sleepwear, not to make it an early evening, but rather to celebrate tonight's theme night, Pajama night on the Royal Promenade...just imagine the lingerie fashion show.

Fantastic Voyage Day 5

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Victoria, British Columbia
In the beautiful, historic city of Victoria in British Columbia, guests enjoyed everything from afternoon tea in Butchart Gardens to city tours in horse drawn trolleys and even whale-watching in this picturesque port. In the morning in the Savoy theatre, the Black Gents of Hollywood presented the theatrical performance Black Angels over Tuskegee which tells the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Air Men. Tonight's theme night was Mardi Gras and the Mardi Gras parade featured costumes, beads and of course colorful masks. The Mainstage evening entertainment in the Royal Caribbean sponsored Big Room (Savoy Theatre) was Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds who performed chart-topping songs he has recorded himself, as well #1 hits he has written for other artists like Bobby Brown and Boys II Men. In Studio B, guests prepared to be "Gap-Tized" as they enjoyed the sounds of Charlie Wilson and the Gap Band.

Fantastic Voyage Day 4

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At Sea
Today guests got a chance to weigh in on issues affecting the African American community during CNN: Black in America; hosted by Soledad O'Brien. Performers and artists signed autographs for their adoring fans in the Royal Promenade. Single ladies and gents were looking to get lucky in love during BlackAmericaWeb.com's speed dating. In the evening there was no shortage of afros, bell bottoms, platform shoes and go-go boots as guests celebrated '70's night. Royal Caribbean gave away fabulous gifts for the best '70's costume, including $75 in casino chips. In the Lotus Lounge Chuck Brown and DJ Kool helped guests GoGo the night away. The party didn't stop there as guests boogied their way from the After Party in the onboard night club, Dragon's Lair to the "Make 'em Dance" Party in Studio B.

Fantastic Voyage Day 3

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San Francisco
The sounds of steel drums filled the air from the pool deck as the ship sailed away from beautiful San Francisco. Tonights theme night was white night and guests willingly obliged. The Royal Promenade was glowing from the effects of ultra violet "black lights" illuminating the guests' outfits. In the Royal Caribbean Sponsored Big Room (Savoy Theatre) guests enjoyed comedian Gary Owens and the smooth, soulful melodies of Michael McDonald was a real treat. In the Viking Crown lounge, KEM shared his beautiful, passionate vocals with guests. At 2 am, Luther Campbell, better known as Uncle Luke turned Studio B into South Beach, Florida as guests partied to the sounds of DJ Kool, Big Daddy Kane, and other hip-hop stars.

Fantastic Voyage Day 2

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At Sea
Today guests were at sea and were truly able to experience the array of activities onboard Mariner of the Seas. Those who wanted an invigorating work-out chose to check out our state of the art gym facilities or enjoy a class with Donna Richardson Joyner like The Gladiator Workout or Sweating in the Spirit. The ladies connected over coffee and couture at the annual Girlfriends Coffee Talk and Fashion Show. Guests who were sailing on their first cruise ever joined Royal Caribbean for Sea Legs- A first time cruiser orientation hosted by Tom Joyner Morning Show personality, Ms. Dupree. There they received valuable cruising tips from cruise director, Ken Rush, learned how to earn points and rewards by becoming a loyal Royal Caribbean cruiser through our Crown and Anchor Society Loyalty program and were left awe-struck as they were introduced to Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Oasis of the Seas, debuting December 2009. They even were given a chance to win a free cruise on Oasis of the Seas pre-inaugural sailing. In the evening ladies put on gorgeous gowns and guys looked dapper in their tuxedos as they enjoyed the second theme night, formal night. In the Royal Caribbean sponsored Big Room (Savoy Theatre), guests swayed to the sounds of R&B newcomer Laura Izidor and then enjoyed the comedy of a one of a kind funny man, DL Hughley. The party continued at 2:00 am; the Ladies of Hip-Hop, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo and Salt-N-Pepa performed some of their classic hits for fans.

Fantastic Voyage Day 1

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Embarkation Los Angeles
Guests said "Bon Voyage" and embarked upon the Tom Joyner 10th Anniversary Fantastic Voyage. The festivities began with the Sail Away party hosted by Doug E. Fresh on the Pool Deck of the beautiful Mariner of the Seas. After taking a group photo to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage, guests "got down" to great music as they prepared for the first theme night, Represent Night. Guests donned outfits repppin' their Greek-lettered organization, their home city, their college and any thing else you could think of while strutting their stuff down the "Soul Train" line. In the Big Room (Savoy Theatre) sponsored by Royal Caribbean, it was standing room only as guests enjoyed the incomparable Smokey Robinson sing his many chart-topping hits, including,"Tracks of my Tears" and of course "Cruisin'". Later that evening many guests said Why Not? to checking out the 2:00 am late night dance party with legendary hip-hop artists in Studio B. Guests jammed non-stop for 2 hours to the old school hip-hop flava.

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