7 Best Music Cruises of 2017-2018

Whether you like pop, jazz, or rock and roll, chances are there’s a music cruise highlighting your favorite genre. Book one of these theme cruises, designed to immerse you in the music, and you can enjoy nightly concerts. During the day, you can take part in activities with the band, go to Q&A sessions, or listen to your favorite artist poolside. Check out these great upcoming options.

1. KISS Kruise

- Photo by KISS KRUISE

Lineup Highlights: KISS

Ship: Norwegian Pearl

Itinerary: 5 Night Caribbean, New Orleans Roundtrip

Sail Date: November 5, 2017

Sixthman and the rock group KISS are hosting their 7th annual KISS Kruise. The KISS Army (or is it the KISS Navy?) can look forward to activities with band members, a KISS show on the lido deck and in the ship’s main theater, and performances around the ship by some of the band’s favorite artists. The sailing will call in Costa Maya and Cozumel.

2. Carnival LIVE - Little Big Town

 

Lineup Highlights: Little Big Town

Ships: Carnival Dream and Carnival Liberty

Itineraries: 7 Day Eastern Caribbean, New Orleans Roundtrip and 3 Day Bahamas, Port Canaveral Roundtrip, respectively

Sail Date: Carnival Dream on May 7, 2017 and Carnival Liberty on May 11, 2017

Country music group Little Big Town will be performing Carnival LIVE shows on two cruises this year, both in Nassau. Carnival LIVE sailings give guests a unique opportunity to see their favorite artists in a more intimate setting in the ship’s main theater, where no seat has a bad view of the exciting performances. A few things to note: you must purchase a ticket to the show (the Little Big Town performances are $50 for general admission) and the band is only onboard the ship the day that they perform.

3. The Jazz Cruise

Photo by The Jazz Cruise

Lineup Highlights: Shelly Berg, John Clayton, Ann Hampton Callaway, and the Jeff Hamilton Trio

Ship: Celebrity Summit

Itinerary: 7 Night Western Caribbean, Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip

Sail Date: February 3, 2018

Since 2001, The Jazz Cruise has presented some of the best Jazz artists in the world. For 2018, guests will depart from Fort Lauderdale and stop in Cozumel and a new port for The Jazz Cruise; New Orleans. Fans will enjoy nearly 100 artists performing around the ship, as well as Q&A’s, Name That Tune games, and the chance to mingle with the musicians onboard.

4. Warped Rewind at Sea

Simple Plan

Lineup Highlights: Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, The Starting Line, and Bowling for Soup

Ship: Norwegian Pearl

Itinerary: 3 Night Western Caribbean, New Orleans Roundtrip

Sail Date: October 28, 2017

Sixthman and Warped have partnered together to bring the mega-popular rock festival to sea.  The voyage departs from New Orleans and stops in Cozumel, Mexico.  Five venues around the ship will feature performances, and the musicians will also host activities, autograph sessions, Q&A’s, and deck parties. 

5. The Groove Cruise

Photo by Groove Cruise

Lineup Highlights: To Be Announced

Ship: Carnival Inspiration

Itinerary: 3 Night Mexico, Los Angeles Roundtrip

Sail Date: October 6, 2017

The Groove Cruise electronic dance music festival experience will have both a west coast voyage and an east coast cruise to the Caribbean. The west coast sailing departs from Los Angeles and stops in Ensenada, Mexico. Guests will enjoy a private takeover of a clifftop estate overlooking the Mexican coastline, onboarddeck parties with EDM artists, and other activities. Last cruise, there was a giant twister game and tequila tasting, so expect similar (if not crazier antics) this year.

6. Concerts at Sea Rock and Roll Cruise

Photo by Rock and Roll Cruise

Lineup Highlights: Chubby Checker, The Box Tops, Paul Revere’s Raiders, and The Lettermen

Ship: Crown Princess

Itinerary: 8 Night Eastern Caribbean, Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip

Sail Date: January 20, 2018

Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of this rock and roll voyage. From Fort Lauderdale, guests will enjoy stops in Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic. Bands will perform in multiple venues on the Crown Princess, as well as other activities including Q&A’s with the artists, an All-Request dance party, jam session, and unique access to the stars both onboard and ashore.

7. The 80s Cruise

Photo by 80s Cruise

Lineup Highlights: Rick Springfield, Loverboy, Mike + The Mechanics, Billy Ocean, Katrina (of Katrina and the Waves), and Tommy Tutone

Ship: Celebrity Summit

Itinerary: 7 Night Eastern Caribbean, Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip

Sail Date: March 17, 2018

On March 17, music fans will be Walking on Sunshine when The 80s Cruise sets sail.  When The Going Gets Tough, the voyage will stop in Nassau, St. Thomas, Tortola, and the private island of CocoCay.  Musicians and bands will be performing in various venues across the ship, and there will be activities like a t-shirt pool party, game shows, 80s karaoke, 80s-themed aerobics classes on deck, and more. Want to book? Jenny, I've Got Your Number. It's 867-5309.