DUMEY AND HOSP TO SING FOR THEIR SUPPER ABOARD CRUISE SHIP

Mike Dumey and Robyn Hosp never expected to book passage on a cruise ship for a song.

But the local duo will be doing just that in March when they perform on the world's largest cruise ship.

Dumey and Hosp will perform on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas ship on a week-long cruise that runs from March 19-26.

The ship will depart from Miami, Fla., and cruise the western Caribbean with stops in Hispaniola, Jamaica and Mexico.

Mark Hill, owner of Destinations Unlimited travel agency in Cape Girardeau, came up with the idea of booking Dumey and Hosp on the cruise ship.

"They have a pretty good following," said Hill, who convinced the cruise line to let the singers perform.

Thirty cabins on the ship have been allocated to accommodate area residents who might want to take the trip. Those cabins can house 70 people, Hill said.

Hosp and Dumey don't know how many shows they will perform on the cruise.

But Hill said the singers may do only one performance.

Hosp thought it was a joke when the cruise was first pitched to her.

This will be Hosp's first cruise. "I've never been on the water," she said.

Both Dumey and Hosp are looking forward to the cruise. They plan to take their families with them.

Dumey and Hosp have been singing professionally together since 1985.

The recently built cruise ship is undergoing sea trials. It is set to start carrying passengers on Nov. 1.

By the time Dumey and Hosp board the ship, it will be five months old.

Hill said the ship is the biggest cruise ship ever built.

"Most ships weigh 72,000 tons. This is 142,000 tons," he said. "This is twice as big."

The ship boasts the first rock-climbing wall and ice skating rink at sea. It also houses an in-line skating track and a street-fair shopping area that is longer than a football field and wide enough to accommodate three lanes of traffic.

Hosp and Dumey have plenty to keep them busy until the cruise.

They plan an encore of their popular dinner show.

The fall shows will be presented Oct. 8, 9, 22, 23, 29 and 30, as well as Nov. 5 and 6 at the Route 25 Banquet Hall in Jackson.

After that, Hosp and Dumey will prepare for their Christmas show.