A month after the crippled Carnival Triumph cruise ship spent days without power in the Gulf of Mexico due to an engine fire, cruise leaders and experts began meeting Monday in Miami for an annual conference.

Seven heads of leading cruise lines are set to discuss the industry's current trends & future direction at the State of the Industry session. The session is slated for Tuesday, March 12, at the 29th annual Cruise Shipping Miami Conference, the only plenary session of the four-day event.

R. Kelly, The Jacksons, the O’ Jays, Tito Puente, Jr. and Akon will share the stage with renowned international and Saint Lucian artists during the newly renamed Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, April 30 to May 12, 2013. The Caribbean's premier cultural event is expected to attract thousands to the iconic Pigeon Island National Landmark for the 13-day festival.