Whether you prefer line dancing, swing, rock, salsa or simply relaxing and listening, there’s a music-themed cruise for you. These voyages combine the best elements of a music festival with the convenience, amenities and excursion opportunities of a cruise, which is why music lovers are increasingly eager to set sail. Over the past two decades, music cruises have grown in popularity and now cover nearly every genre.
One of the largest producers of music cruises, Sixthman Productions, runs events such as the Rock Boat, KISS Kruise, Outlaw Country Cruise and Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea, alongside themed sailings focused on Broadway, disco, soul and specific decades.
Beyond the performances, many music cruises offer a relaxed, informal atmosphere. “All rules are relaxed and changed,” said Scott Burnett, marketing director of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. “There is no formal dining and no dress code. Even the ship personnel are in a different vibe and mood.”
PHOTO: © TROY A. WALSH
Some cruises even encourage playful dress with theme nights like Pajama Night, Mardi Gras or Wig Night, creating a festive, communal atmosphere.
Laura and Tom Calk of Atlanta took a week-long Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise to celebrate their anniversary and to see Tom’s favorite band, Tedeschi Trucks. “We had a blast. There was a theme night every night. One night we dressed as Gumby and Pokey. And we rode the elevator with members of Tedeschi Trucks!” they recalled.
Many fans also sail to get closer to musicians in ways rarely possible at a land-based concert or festival. Scheduled meet-and-greets and autograph sessions are common, and artists frequently mingle with passengers throughout the ship.
Onboard, you are literally in the same boat with the performers you came to see — they hang out by the pool, attend concerts, dine in the same restaurants and join excursions with guests.
Robert Levy of Glen Allen, Virginia, has sailed on three music-themed cruises. “I like the chance to see so many acts back-to-back-to-back and to meet the musicians and talk to them like normal people, one cruiser to another,” he said. “I met John Lodge of the Moody Blues at Ernest Hemingway’s house in Key West, Florida, and we just hung out and talked, one tourist to another.”
“We loved sitting in the audience with members of other bands,” Laura Calk added. “You may find yourself sitting next to a musician you had just seen play.”
Some cruises invite guests to participate directly in music-making. The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise hosts nightly jam sessions where passengers can play or sing alongside artists. It’s common to see guests arrive with a guitar or other instrument, ready to join in.
Those jam sessions are often highlights for the artists as well. “Sometimes musicians get on the stage with other musicians they have never played with before, and you can hear combinations of artists you’ve never heard,” Burnett said. “Some of the magic happens with these open jam sessions.”
While music cruises provide a platform for emerging performers, they also attract well-known artists. Big names such as Melissa Etheridge, KISS, Yes, The Moody Blues and Peter Frampton have headlined at sea. After performing on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Johnny Winter reportedly said, “This blues cruise was better than Woodstock!”
Burnett noted that a week-long Legendary cruise can feature more than 100 acts, creating an intense schedule. “Some people go to bed right after dinner and set an alarm to wake up later for their favorite acts,” he said.
There’s also time to unwind. “We loved hanging by the pool and seeing so many different acts. But I needed a break sometimes,” Laura Calk said. “I could always find a quiet place to escape and read three novels on my cruise.”
Repeat attendance is common, with many fans returning year after year to see favorite bands and maintain friendships formed onboard.
“We have about a 70 percent repeat rate,” Burnett said. “We typically have guests from 15 to 20 countries on board. I’ve seen many of them make lasting friendships, then stay in touch through our chat room or on social media.”
© TROY A. WALSH
FESTIVALS AT SEA
Discover a music-themed voyage that matches your taste. Cruises often fill quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.
1940s Transatlantic Crossing with the Glenn Miller Band
Jam Rock Reggae Cruise
The Jazz Cruise
Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
Outlaw Country Music
The Ultimate Disco Cruise