MUSIC CRUISES TO SET SAIL ON THE HIGH SEAS IN 2024 AND 2025
Rocking and rolling is not how most people prefer their cruise ships. However, if you're sailing on a music-themed cruise, rock 'n' roll is the vibe you want as you soak up some sun and cruise the world with thousands of like-minded music fans.
Music-themed cruises cover a wide array of styles, including rock, metal, country, Broadway, disco and blues. They offer a complete immersion into the world of each genre. You'll enjoy close-up encounters with your favorite artists during performances and meet-and-greets and find a sense of community from being with other fans for multiple days at sea. (Not to mention, you'll get to visit beautiful destinations in the process.)
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Note that these specialty music cruises sell out — often as soon as cabins are made available. All sold-out cruises we're featuring offer a waitlist you can join. You'll be notified if someone cancels, as well as be among the first to be alerted of on-sale dates for future sailings.
Below are 11 music-themed cruises in 2024 and 2025 that are bound to create epic memories, whether your vibe is crowd-surfing during a rock show or belting out show tunes with Broadway's best.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, cruise fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and include cruise basics like meals, select nonalcoholic beverages (water, juice, coffee and tea) and use of the fitness center, hot tubs, pools and casino, among other onboard amenities.
Soft drink and alcohol packages are available for an extra fee. Theme cruise events, such as concerts, are included, though some limited-access special events often cost extra. Fares were valid as of writing but are subject to change based on availability.
Malt Shop Memories Cruise
Cruise ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Date: Oct. 27-Nov. 3, 2024
The good ol' days can now be found sailing the Caribbean on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise. Set to take over all decks of Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam, the '50s and '60s music cruise will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, with four days at sea.
Favorites set to perform on board include The Beach Boys, The Four Tops, Chubby Checker, The Coasters, Darlene Love and The Chantels. Highlights among the ship events range from a senior prom and a sock hop to game shows and karaoke.
The Malt Shop Memories Cruise is filling up fast. Rates for available cabins start at $2,349 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: Reserve a cabin for this cruise on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise website or by calling 844-855-6258. If your preferred cabin category is currently sold out, you can join the waitlist here.
Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise
Cruise ship: Independence of the Seas
Date: Dec. 9-14, 2024
Maybe one stop in Jamaica isn't enough, and reggae vibes are calling your name. If so, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise might appeal to you. This five-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, organized by Jamrock Productions and Rose Tours, will travel round trip from Miami to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.
The entire list of performers for the December 2024 voyage hasn't been released as of this writing but so far will include Stone Love, Steelie Basement, Westafa, Seani B and Spexdaboss.
You can also take part in themed parties, soccer and domino tournaments and Jamaica-themed film screenings when you're not enjoying ship amenities like a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, waterslides and a bar arcade.
Welcome to Jamrock's prices start at $1,359 per person for an inside cabin, not including $399 in additional fees and taxes.
How to book: Reserve a cabin for this cruise on the Rose Tours website or by calling 215-663-8800.
ShipRocked
Cruise ship: Carnival Magic
Date: Jan. 19-25, 2025
For fans of rock and metal music, ShipRocked is a popular sailing organized by Ask4 Entertainment. The 2025 edition aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Magic will start in Miami and include stops in St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay, the line's private island in the Bahamas.
There will be multiple stages for performances throughout the ship. The 2025 lineup will be announced soon, though top bands like Dead Poet Society, Black Stone Cherry, Highly Suspect and I Prevail performed during past cruises. Fans can enjoy one-on-one time with their favorite groups at scheduled meet-and-greets with all the bands.
Prices for ShipRocked's 2025 cruise start at $1,600 per person for an inside cabin. The fare includes access to all performances and meet-and-greets with artists.
How to book: Although this cruise is sold out, there is a waitlist. For future sailings, book through the Ask4 Entertainment Reservations portal or by calling 888-402-2754. A deposit is required to secure your spot. Ask4 Entertainment strongly suggests buying travel insurance.
Groove Cruise
Cruise ship: Allure of the Seas
Date: Jan. 23-27, 2025
Electronic dance music fans 21 and older can turn up on this early 2025 Whet Travel sailing from Miami aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. The cruise visits the line's private beach, Labadee, in Haiti.
The lineup for the EDM sailing hasn't been announced, but previous performers include major headlining acts Tiësto, Diplo and John Summit, plus a remarkable list of dance music stars, such as Aly & Fila, Boris, Craig Connelly, Disco Lines, Haliene and Joel Corry.
Along with multiple music sets, Groove Cruise hosts fun theme party nights focusing on everything from an '80s prom to fire and ice.
Cabins on Groove Cruise start at around $1,549 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: At the time of writing, the ship was mostly sold out, with fewer than 200 cabins available to book. To add your name to waitlists and be among the first to know about future sailings, head to Whet Travel's website or call 877-438-9438.
The Country Music Cruise
Cruise ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Date: Jan. 19-26, 2025
Adding more than a bit of boot-scootin' country to the cruise life, The Country Music Cruise takes over Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam for a weeklong jamboree at sea. The voyage leaves from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Key West, Florida, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
The artist lineup of country music favorites includes John Michael Montgomery, Deana Carter, The Bellamy Brothers, Neal McCoy and Lacy J. Dalton. This is your chance to meet and greet the country stars, join in on jam sessions and attend panel discussions. If you like to kick up your heels, you'll have plenty of opportunities for line dancing, Texas swing and two-stepping.
Cabins for The Country Music Cruise are sold out, but you can add your name to the waitlist. Rates start at $2,399, plus taxes and additional fees totaling $365, per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: To join the waitlist, head to StarVista Live's website or call 866-476-2879.
Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea
Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2025
Wrestling and rock fans will love this Sixthman cruise with wrestler and musician Chris Jericho. For the fifth installment of Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea, cruisers will sail on Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
The 2025 lineup hasn't been announced yet beyond two musical guests, Fozzy and Kuarantine. The sailing will offer autograph sessions and host four days of wrestling matches featuring wrestlers from All Elite Wrestling.
Rates for Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise start at $1,100, plus taxes, per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: Cruisers eager to jam and sit ringside can learn more on Sixthman's website or by calling 877-379-9174.
Outlaw Country Cruise 9
Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: Feb. 22-28, 2025
If you're a little more country than rock 'n' roll, maybe a cruise with a country twang is the right vacation for you. In February, Norwegian Gem will host the ninth installment of the popular Outlaw Country Cruise. This Sixthman voyage will sail from Miami and stop in Nassau, Bahamas, and St. Thomas.
The ship features five different venues where notable country acts like Old Crow Medicine Show, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Carlene Carter will perform. Along with endless concerts, passengers can enjoy activities like yoga classes and film screenings.
The cruise is sold out and is waitlist only. Rates start at $1,465 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: For more information or to join the waitlist, check out Sixthman's sign-up page or call 877-379-9189.
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X
Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: March 21-26, 2025
For blues and jazz fans, Sixthman also offers the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X cruise, which sails from Miami and stops in Harvest Caye, Belize, and Costa Maya, Mexico. Aboard Norwegian Gem, passengers will have access to ship amenities like pools and a casino in addition to special music events.
The lineup for the cruise features musicians like Joe Bonamassa, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Larkin Poe and Thunderstorm Artis. More artists will be announced closer to the sail date.
There will also be collaboration shows from some of the artists on board, as well as autograph sessions for fans to meet their favorite musicians.
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X is sold out and waitlist only. Join the waitlist, as cancellations do occur. You'll also be among the first to be alerted about future sailings. The rates for the 2025 cruise start at $1,630 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: To join the waitlist, visit Sixthman's sign-up page or call 877-379-9170.
The Broadway Cruise 3
Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: March 31-April 4, 2025
Tony Award-winning Broadway stars are coming aboard for Sixthman's third Broadway Cruise, which will sail round trip from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico. Aboard Norwegian Gem, passengers will have access to ship amenities like pools and a waterslide, a climbing wall and a casino, plus many special concerts, events and insider panels.
The lineup for the 2025 Broadway Cruise hasn't been announced yet, though last year's cruise featured Tony Award winners like Christian Borle, Matt Doyle and Santino Fontana, as well as Broadway A-listers Phillipa Soo, Norm Lewis and Daphne Rubin-Vega.
Expect plenty of fun Broadway-themed events, including a Broadway pub crawl and show tune singalongs, plus autograph sessions for fans to meet their favorite Broadway stars.
Prices are not published as of this writing, but expect them to hover around $1,600 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: To join the presale, visit Sixthman's sign-up page or call 877-379-9172.
'70s Rock & Romance Cruise
Cruise ship: Celebrity Summit
Date: March 15-22, 2025
The best of the '70s lives on as music icons from that rockin' era show they've still got it on the '70s Rock & Romance Cruise. This weeklong getaway on Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Summit, organized by StarVista Live, will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.
The lineup of '70s rock legends includes Air Supply, Kansas, The Guess Who, Melissa Manchester, The Family Stone and Dire Straits Legacy. They'll be performing, hosting events and attending special meet-and-greets.
The top-tier music acts join a long lineup of rock 'n' roll icons. The cruise will feature days filled with concerts, artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions and game shows.
Available rooms start at $2,449, plus taxes and additional fees of $365, per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: To book a cabin, head to StarVista Live's website or call 844-466-7625.
Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond
Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl
Date: Feb. 19-25, 2025
Jam out at sea to the greatest disco anthems as Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond returns for a fifth year in 2025. The six-night cruise is an immersive, nonstop music festival with legendary music acts performing and hosting events throughout Norwegian Pearl. The round-trip itinerary from Miami includes port stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
The 2025 lineup includes Kool & The Gang, Shalamar, Lisa Lisa, George McCrae, Boogie Wonder Band, Rose Royce and other classic disco acts. In addition to more than 40 live performances, entertainment will include dance and costume parties, theme nights, dance contests and game shows. Passengers will appreciate the opportunity to go behind the music as artists sit for intimate Q&A sessions, panel discussions and meet-and-greets.
Prices for Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond start at $1,799 per person for an inside cabin, not including $300 per person in taxes and port fees.
How to book: Head to Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond's website to reserve your cabin soon, as the ship is filling up fast.
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