The Soca on the Seas cruise has sold out.
Despite several challenges faced by the cruise, the Soca on the Seas has weathered the storm and is ready to set sail tomorrow, businesswoman Juliana Fermin has said.
Earlier this year, the Soca on the Seas cruise, which is Fermin's brainchild, received some criticism from the public when it was reported that the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism would each be pumping $225,000 into the venture.
The Tourism Ministry's sponsorship of the cruise was eventually cut to $65,000 and only covered the media launch for the project.
Despite all those issues, however, the Soca on the Seas cruise will set sail tomorrow aboard the Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas, Fermin said.
She said she did not buy into the "bacchanal" but saw the vision she had to promote Trinidad and Tobago culture.
All the cabins for the Soca on the Seas are sold out. The prices range from US$700 to US$900, excluding airfare to Miami, United States.
"The ship is sailing full. Royal Caribbean is embracing everything that we are about to put on. All cabins are sold out and for this particular sailing, there are no cabins left at all," Fermin said.
Those who were unable to be on the cruise would be able to live the experience through social media, Fermin said.
Fermin said the cruise would be broadcast on Facebook Live.
She said she felt "incredible" to be able to succeed amid all the obstacles faced.
"This is incredible, it is a great feeling to know that everyone is embracing all that we put out.
"We are still able to deliver what we intended from day one. It is all about Caribbean culture and most importantly we all say we are Trini to the bone but I have gone a step further," she added.
Fermin said during the cruise plans for next year's edition of the Soca on the Seas would be unveiled.
She said she already had a date set and a ship booked for next year.
Among those who will be onboard the cruise are "a huge posse from Canada" and a "lot of people from the United States," Japan and England, Fermin said.
The passengers have all formed part of a WhatsApp group and have become friends, she added.
Carnival Band Yuma will unveil its Carnival 2017 presentation on the cruise.
Fermin said the artistes who would be performing on the cruise would also be sailing on the Enchantment of the Seas.
Performers booked for the event include Chutney Soca Monarch Kris "KI" Persad, soca artistes Ian Alvarez, Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez and comedienne Nikki Crosby.
The cruise is set to sail from Miami tomorrow, sail to the Bahamas and return to Miami on October 31.
Fermin said Hurricane Matthew which hit Miami earlier this month had not altered the plans put in place for the cruise.