Jam Cruise 21 Leaves Reality Behind: 6 Highlights From Day 1

By Scott Bernstein Feb 15, 2025 • 10:49 am PST

Jam Cruise is all about the love, so it was serendipitous to have the 21st installment of the event pull away from the Port of Miami aboard the MSC Divina on Valentine’s Day for the first time. Getting on the ship was never easier and within 20 minutes I was reuniting with old friends, enjoying the sunny 82-degree weather after a brutal winter in the Northeast and exploring my home for the next five days.

Organizers Cloud 9 Adventures charters the entire ship which means everyone aboard the Divina outside the staff are Jam Cruise attendees. I struck up conversations with over a dozen people I had never met before but we had so much in common as huge music fans. I think I’ve made some new friends for life.

It’s also so nice to get away from “reality” for a week. These are turbulent times, and now more than ever, I’m appreciative to “go see live music” in such a special setting.

Club d’elf Makes Jam Cruise Debut

Boston’s best-kept secret finally took to the high seas as Club d’Elf slayed the Brews At Sea Stage, an outdoor performance area where the ensemble performed in between main stage sets. Bassist Mike Rivard was joined by longtime collaborators Dean Johnston on drums, turntablist Mister Rourke and keyboardist Amy Bellamy along with lespecial guitarist Johnny G., Dopapod drummer Neal “Fro” Evans on percussion and Will Bernard on guitar.

Bernard’s sound fit d’Elf like a glove and he did his homework leading into the set. Will was on top of every change as the group worked elements of rock, funk and jazz into trancey gnawa music. The talented musicians blended together so perfectly, it would’ve been hard for the uninitiated to pick out who were the Club d’Elf regulars and those who were relatively new to project.