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Captain Basil Joseph has had success with the Treasure Queen Tour/Party Cruiser and has ventured to introduce to Trinidad, the country's newest hotel - The Ocean Pearl. This refurbished cruise liner, that once sailed the blue seas, has found its new home docked along side the Pier 2 jetty, Chaguaramas. Tonight was the grand opening for a venue with a difference that will surely set it aside from all other locations.

This massive vessel houses many attractions: The Aurora is a state of the art, high tech conference center which boast to be one of the biggest on the island. The fine dining seafood and steakhouse restaurant, High Tide offers both indoor and open air dinning as well as a one of a kind “Life Boat” dinning, yes, in a refurbished life boat. Seacrets Ocean Bar & Lounge offers exotic cocktails and exquisite martini service as well as Local and International spirits all indoors with an open air surrounding deck. Oh, what’s a hotel without rooms? Treasures Floatel provide cabin style rooms all equipped with flat panel LCD TV’s, digital cable and wireless internet access. We were informed that the cost to stay per night is US$110 (inboard rooms) and US$120 (outboard rooms), which includes complimentary breakfast.

We arrived as the car park was almost at maximum capacity, but we were able to squeeze ah park. This formal event had everyone decked out in their ‘Sunday best’ was geared to start around 6pm. Fashionable late as usual, we made our way to mingle with the rest of the crowd to await all the formalities. The usual protocol of the National Anthem, speeches and ribbon cutting, all made the anxiety of what was waiting beyond grow.

Specially invited guest included Minister Ken Valley, Minister Camille Robinson Regis, Senator Joan Yuille-Williams who delivered a powerful formal address, as well as, Rev. Cyril Paul who bestowed the blessings.

The décor was well suited with nautical themes with a local flair. The tour began with us entering via a jetty through massive glass door. We were lead to High Tide where we were offered appetite-teasers of fresh exotic fruit and “fancy” bread. We then made our way to view the scenery from the open air decks of the Seacrets Bar then to Aurora for the real party to start. Live entertainment, but best of all, TJJ favourite – Uncle Johnny was present and flowing. Of course, we still managed to properly cover the event, while doing our best at socialising.

We mingled, and out we were to the next event ... Shut Up & Wine and BakahanaliA’s 2k8 Section Launch.

Signing out ... Young Juice