MSC Cruises releases reggae-inspired album

March 14, 2025

MSC Cruises has dropped a Spotify album of reggae remixes featuring artists including Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and The Beatles, in order to capitalise on Brits' love for the Caribbean. Olivia Palamountain reports

MSC Cruises has launched a new Caribbean-inspired album on Spotify featuring reggae-style covers of Britain's favourite holiday songs.

The album, titled Bbean Beats reimagines popular feel-good hits with a sun-soaked twist, including reggae versions of Taylor Swift's Shake It Off, Harry Styles' Watermelon Sugar and Pharrell Williams' Happy.

The move comes after research revealed the Caribbean tops UK travellers' wish lists – with reggae music being a key influence.

According to new research commissioned by the cruise line, more than three-quarters (76%) of Britons say listening to music from another country has inspired their holiday destinations, with the Caribbean taking the top spot in travel preferences. Could this signal the start of "sound-jetting"?

The study also found that 28% of Brits always listen to music before heading on holiday, with pop (55%), holiday anthems (33%), and chill-out tunes (22%) being the most popular genres for pre-holiday playlists.

Katrina and The Waves' 1983 Eurovision-winning hit Walking on Sunshine topped the list of Britons' happiest holiday songs, followed by The Beatles' Here Comes the Sun (24%) and Pharrell Williams' Happy (23%).

Antonio Paradiso, VP of international sales at MSC Cruises, says: "Music is pure magic—it has the power to transport you to your dream destination, just like an MSC Cruises Caribbean cruise. It lifts your spirits, sets the tone for adventure and gets you into that summer mindset. Our new reggae-inspired playlist is the perfect way to kickstart the holiday excitement, and we hope it gets guests in the mood for their Caribbean adventure while celebrating the vibrant culture that makes this region so special."

The research highlights music's significant role in holiday planning and enjoyment, with 40% of respondents saying music instantly gets them in the holiday spirit. More than 63% find that music lifts their spirits, and over half (53%) tune into sounds from their destination before they even start packing.

For many Britons, music serves as a cultural gateway, with 75% saying music brings a place to life before they arrive, while 84% see it as a powerful way to connect with other cultures. The study found that 40% of Britons have been inspired to visit the Caribbean specifically through reggae music.

Pre-holiday playlists are a popular tradition, with 68% of music lovers saying they fuel excitement for upcoming trips. Fifty-three percent blast their favourite songs a few weeks before departure, and 43% use music to power through packing. Nearly a third (29%) create a brand-new playlist for every holiday.

Music accompanies various stages of trip planning, with 26% listening while trying on holiday outfits, 25% while mapping out their itinerary, and 15% while booking excursions.

MSC Cruises offers numerous Caribbean itineraries starting from £635 per person for seven nights. Their Caribbean sailings visit diverse destinations including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, San Juan, St. Lucia, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company's private island in the Bahamas.

Once aboard, guests can enjoy a variety of musical experiences, including live bands, Broadway-style theatre shows, piano bar singalongs and rock tribute nights.