Masqueraders during an Epic Carnival Experience tour.
Photo courtesy Epic Carnival Experience
With the 2026 Carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago anticipated to attract more than 50,000 international travelers, Epic Carnival Experience is set to launch its highly anticipated Caribbean voyage.
Departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Feb. 11, Paul Thom, of the New Jersey-based The Thom Brand, an entertainment promotion company, said on Tuesday, Jan. 6, that “this nine-day premier journey will dock in Trinidad for five days and aims to establish a new benchmark for luxury Carnival experiences during the renowned Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.”
Jonathan “Jonny” Mack, CEO and founder of Epic Carnival Experience, in a 2025 interview with Black Enterprise, said that “the goal of EPIC is to expose Pop America and Pop Europe to our culture and make them feel at one with us.
“Carnival isn’t just an event for us, it’s who we are,” he said. “Now, we’ve found a way to share that with the world.”
Thom said Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is widely recognized as “one of the most significant Carnival celebrations in the world, celebrated as a full-on explosion of culture, color, and energy.
“Rooted in generations of tradition, the festival transforms the streets with nonstop Soca music, elaborate masquerade, and iconic events such as J’ouvert, when participants gather at dawn ready to celebrate, free up themselves, and fully embrace the spirit of Carnival,” he said.
“More than a festival, Carnival is a powerful expression of identity, freedom, and heritage,” he added. “For many, experiencing Trinidad Carnival is a rare and unforgettable moment that leaves a lasting impression long after the celebrations end.”
Thom said Epic Carnival Experience “elevates the tradition as the first-ever floating luxury hotel designed exclusively for Trinidad Carnival, addressing limited local accommodations amid rising global demand.”
With approximately 2,500 hotel rooms available, he said Epic transforms cruise ships into “all-inclusive cultural hubs, expanding access while preserving authenticity.
“Guests enjoy premium accommodations, gourmet dining, top-shelf beverages, 24-hour room service, immersive cultural activations, access to the highly revered exclusive Beach Day Party in Tobago and more,” he said.
In addition, Thom said the 2026 Epic Carnival Experience will feature special guest appearances from cultural icons, including Machel Montano, Alison Hinds, Olatunji Yearwood, Mr. Vegas, Notch (Born Jamericans), Walshy Fire (Major Lazer), Majah Hype, and Freetown Collective, among others, “creating a once-in-a-lifetime Carnival experience both on board and on land.”
Thom urged readers to follow Epic Carnival Experience on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for “real-time updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive announcements leading into Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2026.”