Local radio stations 91.9 and 106.9 promote family events and positive family music, and when I heard about the annual even The Music Boat featuring many of the artists on the stations, I had to check it out. Searching for information online revealed, "For the past 10 years, Premier Productions has been promoting the best, brightest and newest artists in the industry. It only made sense that in 2003, they would begin promoting the best idea in family vacations a Christian music cruise.

Bringing onboard top artists in the industry that Premier already had promoted on stages across the nation, Premier co-owners Roy Morgan and Gary Gentry already knew the bands, the music and the ministry. Longtime friend John Sanders, a band member with Brothers Keeper, had a brainstorm that would launch Premier into a new venture, Premier Christian Cruises."

Further search of The Music Boat revealed the dates of the sailing, last May. My husband and I signed up and eagerly packed to travel down to Miami, Florida for departure.

Boarding the ship was an easy process, and all around us were familes and individuals with a look of joyous expectation on their face. Also onboard were representatives from 91.9 who greeted us.

The first night featured Dallas Holmes and Todd Agnew in a wonderful small-venue setting on-board the ship. Later that night we watched favorite artists perform outdoors on the Lido deck beneath the stars. The Katinas, Newsong and Leeland delighted us with their positive praise message and music that we normally heard on the radio stations back home.

Other days and nights featured performances by Rush Of Fools, Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Toby Mac, Britt Nicole, Mark Harris, Joy Williams, The Afters, and many more artists, comedians and speakers.

Walking around the ship, we observed the artists with their families as they ate in the same dining areas as us, or strolled on the deck or took in a game of putt-putt.

It was a delight to stand just feet away from Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns, as he happily sang along with us to Newsong and other artists performing on a night that he had off.