Editor’s note: This guide has been updated with the latest information.
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 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 together with other fans for multiple days at sea. (Not to mention, you’ll get to visit a country or two 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 in case someone cancels. Definitely join it, both for a chance to get on board and to be among the first to be alerted of on-sale dates for future sailings.
Which 2023 or 2024 music cruises should you consider? Below are some of the best upcoming music-themed cruises that are bound to create epic memories, whether your vibe is crowd surfing during a rock show or belting 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 may cost extra. Fares were valid as of writing but are subject to change based on availability.
Malt Shop Memories Cruise
Cruise ship: Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam.
Date: Oct. 28-Nov. 4, 2023.
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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 Oranjestad, Aruba, and Willemstad, Curacao, with four days at sea.
Favorites from the bygone era set to perform on board include Paul Anka, The Temptations, Little Anthony, Jay and the Americans, The Lettermen, Al Jardine (founding member of The Beach Boys), Darlene Love, The Bronx Wanderers and many more. 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 $2,699 per person for an oceanview stateroom.
How to book: You can 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: Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas.
Date: Dec. 4-9, 2023.
Maybe one stop in Jamaica isn’t enough and reggae vibes are calling your name. If so, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise may appeal to you. This five-night cruise on Royal Caribbean‘s Freedom of the Seas, organized by Jamrock Productions and Rose Tours, will travel from Miami to Jamaican destinations like Falmouth and Ocho Rios.
For the December 2023 voyage, you can expect performances by several reggae icons, including host Damian Marley, along with an extensive roster of artists such as Leroy Sibbles, Nadine Sutherland, Busy Signal, Third World, Capleton, Shinehead and Max Romeo.
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 $1,154 per person for an inside cabin, not including $349 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: Feb. 4-10, 2024.
For fans of rock and metal music, ShipRocked is a popular sailing organized by Ask4 Entertainment. The 2024 edition aboard Carnival Cruise Line‘s Carnival Magic will start in Miami and include stops in Bimini in the Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.
There will be multiple stages for performances throughout the ship. The 2024 lineup will be announced soon, though top bands like Nothing More, Dropout Kings, Skillet, Motionless in White, Wargasm and Bad Omens 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 2024 cruise start at $1,520 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: Norwegian Encore.
Date: Jan. 24-28, 2024.
Electronic dance music fans 21 and older can turn up on this early 2024 Whet Travel sailing to Norwegian Cruise Line‘s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas. Groove Cruise departs from Miami aboard Norwegian Encore, the newest and largest ship chartered by Groove Cruise in its 20-year history.
The lineup for the EDM sailing includes 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 $1,500 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: While the ship is sold out, there is a priority waitlist available for a $200 fee, along with a no-fee waitlist. To get your name on one of the 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: Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam.
Date: Jan. 20-27, 2024.
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 and stops in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Key West, Florida; and Half Moon Cay, the Bahamas.
The artist lineup of country music favorites includes Clint Black, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, Joe Nichols, Moe Bandy, Wade Hayes and Darryl Worley. 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 $2,249, plus taxes and additional fees totaling $325, 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 Pearl.
Date: Jan. 26-30, 2024.
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 Pearl from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico.
The 2024 lineup hasn’t been announced yet beyond special guest of honor Paul Wright. 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 $945, plus taxes, per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: This cruise is sold out. Cruisers eager to jam and sit ringside can join the waitlist for a cabin through Sixthman’s website or by calling 877-379-9174.
Outlaw Country Cruise 8
Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl.
Date: Feb. 4-10, 2024.
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 Pearl will host the eighth installment of the popular Outlaw Country Cruise. This Sixthman voyage will sail from Miami and stop in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The ship features five different venues where notable country acts like Blackberry Smoke, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Nikki Lane, 49 Winchester, Shinyribs, Kaitlin Butts and Jim Lauderdale 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 $1,409 per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: Join the waitlist, as cancellations do occasionally occur. For more information, check out Sixthman’s sign-up page or call 877-379-9189.
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea IX
Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl.
Date: March 18-22, 2024.
For blues and jazz fans, Sixthman also offers the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea IX cruise, which sails from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico. Aboard Norwegian Pearl, 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, Grace Potter, Black Country Communion, The Marshall Tucker Band, John Oates, Jimmy Vivino, King King, Jackie Venson, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Daddy Long Legs, Jack Barksdale and more to be announced.
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 IX 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 2024 cruise start at $1,325 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 2
Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl.
Date: March 13-18, 2024.
Tony Award-winning Broadway stars are coming aboard for Sixthman’s second Broadway Cruise, which will sail round trip from Miami to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. Aboard Norwegian Pearl, 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 2024 Broadway Cruise hasn’t been announced yet, though last year’s cruise featured Broadway A-listers like Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Sierra Boggess, Joshua Henry and Jeremy Jordan.
Expect plenty of fun Broadway-themed events, including a Broadway pub crawl and show tune singalongs, as well as 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 book a cabin, visit Sixthman’s sign-up page or call 877-379-9172.
‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise
Cruise ship: Celebrity Summit.
Date: March 14-21, 2024.
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 Miami to Aruba and Curacao.
The lineup of ‘70s rock legends includes Foreigner, Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Dave Mason. They’ll be performing, hosting events and attending special meet-and-greets.
The top-tier music acts join a long lineup that will include War, Don McLean, Melissa Manchester and many more rock ‘n’ roll icons. The cruise will feature days filled with concerts, artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions and game shows.
Available cabins start at $2,249, plus taxes and additional fees of $325, per person for an inside cabin.
How to book: To book a stateroom, head to StarVista Live’s website or call 844-466-7625.
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise
Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl.
Date: April 5-10, 2024.
Jam out at sea to the greatest classic rock as On The Blue Cruise returns in 2024. The five-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 the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.
The 2024 lineup includes Justin Hayward, The Zombies, Alan Parsons, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Little River Band and many more classic rock acts. Fans will appreciate the opportunity to go behind the music as artists, including Justin Hayward, sit for an intimate Q&A along with other meet-and-greet opportunities.
Prices for the first available cabins for On The Blue: New Horizons Cruise start at $1,449 per person for an inside cabin, not including $315 per person in taxes and port fees. The fare covers access to all performances and meet-and-greets with artists.
How to book: Head to On The Blue’s website to reserve your cabin soon, as the ship is filling up fast.
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Additional reporting by Liz Ramanand.
