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• Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise 2024
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• Independence of the Seas
• December 9, 2024 - December 14, 2024

Jamrock Productions invites you to take a Journey to Jamaica on the 9th Annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. We are sailing December 9, 2024, out of Miami, Fl to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica on a 5-night cruise on board Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas! Come experience some of the World’s top tier Reggae artists as they perform in multiple venues on the ship. In addition to the multiple live concerts there will be numerous Sound Systems blazing the vibes all day and all night throughout the cruise.

If you have already booked a reservation and are returning to pay a balance, please use the link below.

• Jamrock Reggae Cruise

Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise 2024

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9TH ANNUAL WELCOME TO JAMROCK REGGAE CRUISE

Jamrock Productions invites you to take a Journey to Jamaica on the 9th Annual Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. We are sailing December 9, 2024, out of Miami, Fl to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica on a 5-night cruise on board Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas! Come experience some of the World’s top tier Reggae artists as they perform in multiple venues on the ship. In addition to the multiple live concerts there will be numerous Sound Systems blazing the vibes all day and all night throughout the cruise.

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After an unexpected two year hiatus, Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise returns in 2022 for its 7th annual musical excursion across the Caribbean Sea and announces its artist lineup. The new dates will be December 7-12, 2022, sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas. The six-day, five-night cruise will depart from Miami, Florida’s cruise port with stops in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica before its return.

2022 will be nothing short of extraordinary. Visit  www. welcometojamrockreggaecruise. com  for cabins and more information.

Watch 2022 WTJRC welcome video.

WELCOME TO JAMROCK REGGAE CRUISE

Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise has become one of the most in-demand reggae gatherings in the world, selling out every year since its inception in 2014. Each year, fans spanning from over 40 countries converge for their love of reggae and Jamaican culture. From the hottest concerts and soundclashes to morning Nyabinghi meditations, the musical performances, entertainment, food, fitness and wellness activities all give cruise-goers a slice of Jamaica before they dock. Founders Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and his manager Dan Dalton have made it his mission for the cruise to embody the island’s rich culture through and through.

See Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s critical praise over the years.

“hottest concert party ticket on the seven seas.”  – Essence

“JamRock Is The Coolest Cruise You’ve Never Been On”  – Huffington Post

“…five nights of performances by the biggest names in Jamaican music and helmed by one of today’s most exhilarating artists, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley…” – Forbes

“With its comprehensive presentation of Jamaican music…developed from an untested concept for reggae into, arguably, the genre’s premier event” – Billboard

“A supposedly Irie thing I’ll most certainly do again..a five-night pilgrimage from Miami to Jamaica featuring pretty much every big name in contemporary Jamaican music, from dancehall to dub, singer to sound system.” – NPR

“A rare opportunity for fans outside of Jamaica to catch their favorite artists.”

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Damian Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise Reveals Full Lineup: Exclusive

When asked to share their fondest memories from the past four years of the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, Damian “Junior Gong” Marley and his manager, Dan Dalton, each began their…

By Patricia Meschino

Patricia Meschino

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When asked to share their fondest memories from the past four years of the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, Damian “Junior Gong” Marley and his manager, Dan Dalton, each began their recollections by citing the initial moments of Jamrock’s 2014 maiden voyage.

As the Norwegian Pearl pulled away from the Port of Miami en route to Jamaica, seemingly all of the ship’s approximately 2,400 passengers gathered on the open-air top deck to experience the Sail Away party, the first event aboard this previously untried venture for reggae music. As the Miami skyline faded in the distance and reggae bass lines reverberated on the open seas, Marley got on the mic, greeted the crowd in the name of Jah Rastafari and thanked them for being a part of this historic occasion. “Let’s start this the right way,” Marley said, motioning to the selector to drop his father’s immortal “Redemption Song” as the crowd sang along, phones held aloft to capture the scenario.

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Dalton, who manages Marley through his Dalton Entertainment Group (in partnership with Roc Nation since 2016), recalled what happened next. “Damian and I went up to his room on the 10th floor and from there we could see all of the people on the deck; this was different than a music festival because these were the people who bought into our idea and for the next five days, these were our people. So, we had a champagne toast and said, ‘we don’t know what this is going to be, but here goes something.'”

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That something turned out to be a phenomenal five-night celebration of reggae on the high seas, which included primetime concerts by some of the genre’s biggest names, after-hour sound system sessions with unannounced special guests, early morning Rastafarian drumming and chanting circles and unexpected encounters/photo ops with artists in elevators, on staircases and at meals. The response to the cruise also provided further evidence of reggae’s far-reaching impact and audience — achievements, inexplicably, that aren’t reflected in the music’s sales. Without any advertising, except for a few posts on Damian’s Facebook page, the introductory Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise sold out all of the Norwegian Pearl ‘s 1200 available cabins almost a year in advance of its October sail date; nearly half of the cabins were purchased by reggae fans from outside North America, representing 40 countries, with an age range evenly split among 25-50 years old.

It’s an impressive feat that’s been repeated with each Jamrock expedition, including back-to-back cruises in 2015. In 2016, Jamrock found a new, larger home aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas , a 15-deck vessel sailing from Fort Lauderdale, FL, which can accommodate 4,370 passengers. The fifth anniversary cruise, Dec. 1-6, 2018, which will dock in Ocho Rios and Falmouth, Jamaica, sold out within 2-3 months after its dates were announced; the Dec. 9-14, 2019 voyage is currently 50 percent sold out, even without the disclosure of its artist lineup.

“The response to the Jamrock cruise has definitely surpassed my expectations, especially when it comes to the promotions; I expected we would have to purchase advertising and do much more promotion than we ended up doing, so that’s been a blessing,” Damian Marley told Billboard in a recent interview in Jamaica. The cruise is named for Marley’s 2006 Grammy Award-winning album Welcome to Jamrock (Universal Motown/Tuff Gong), which reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200; its blockbuster title track won the Best Urban/Alternative Performance Grammy, with Marley the sole Jamaican artist to have ever received that honor. “The cruise’s success makes a big statement for reggae,” Marley continued. “Reggae is listened to and enjoyed by people all over the world, but it doesn’t have the profile of other genres, which might be because we don’t sell units. One of reggae’s missing links is in building up the business side. We’ve always been creators of great music, but we haven’t always been great entrepreneurs, so the cruise shows us how successful the music can be when the business is properly put together.”

Marley and Dalton’s Jamrock Productions presented the 2014-2017 cruises with California based Flying Dutchmen Travel; this year they are partnering with Rose Tours, who are headquartered in Pennsylvania and, like their predecessor, specialize in music-themed cruises and will handle Jamrock’s ticketing. According to the Jamrock website, tiered pricing (per person, based on double occupancy) for the 2018 cruise begins at $899.00 for an interior cabin and increases to $3,299.00 for an ocean view owners’ suite, with an additional $279.00 per person to cover booking and administration fees, taxes and gratuities. Meals and entertainment are included; alcoholic beverages are not.

As the Jamrock price points indicate, cruising is an expensive activity, and some people Dalton initially approached assumed reggae fans couldn’t financially support the endeavor. “Prior to Flying Dutchmen, who believed in the idea from the outset, some of the people we reached out to told us the cruise won’t work; they suggested reggae was a poor people’s music and the audience has no money. It was very offensive, a stigma that puts the genre in a hole,” Dalton told Billboard. “But I have traveled the world with Damian, we’ve seen how passionate the fans are, supporting the shows, buying the merchandise, so we knew it would work. People who are considering investing in reggae need success stories to look at and we pride ourselves on contributing new ways to keep the music alive and exciting; when the traditional markers don’t reflect reggae’s success, events like this cruise do.”

Welcome to Jamrock has proven so successful it has spawned two competitor reggae cruises. The Love and Harmony Cruise, a lovers’ rock affair headlined by beloved Jamaican singer Beres Hammond, will celebrate its third anniversary April 13-18, 2019; the inaugural Dream Weekend cruise, the at-sea extension of the popular series of dancehall parties held the first weekend in August in Negril, Jamaica, sails March 10-15, 2019. Dalton acknowledges imitation as the sincerest form of flattery, but nonetheless he is concerned about an oversaturated marketplace. “The objective is to see reggae music grow so bless them all, my only fear is that we could cannibalize each other because I am not sure what the market can bear,” he said. “Still, Jamrock appeals to a different audience because we encompass all music that falls under the reggae umbrella: ska, dancehall, dub, roots, and sound system clashes. No one does what we do and as we go into our fifth year, we have established a brand that people trust.”

The Jamrock cruise’s dependable, all-encompassing musical brand has yielded an impressive roster for their fifth anniversary celebration. Ziggy Marley joins his younger siblings Stephen, Julian, Ky-mani, and Damian, the first time the five Marley brothers have performed together on the cruise. A third generation of Marley talent, Stephen Marley’s son Jo Mersa Marley, will be performing too. Making their Jamrock debut, seminal ska outfit The Skatalites will back veteran singers Horace Andy, Ken Boothe and Leroy Sibbles. Mykal Rose, former lead singer of vocal trio Black Uhuru will be onboard for the first time backed by the renowned drum and bass/production duo who were essential to Black Uhuru’s international success in the early 1980s, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Singer Tarrus Riley, who has put down spectacular sets on every Jamrock cruise, returns this year, as does vocalist Jah Cure, stalwart band Third World (whose forthcoming album is produced by Junior Gong), the much in demand millennial roots star Chronixx, who was outstanding in his 2016 Jamrock debut, and his contemporaries sing-jays Kabaka Pyramid and Jesse Royal.

Dancehall reggae is well represented by Aidonia, Agent Sasco, Dexta Daps, Konshens, seasoned crowd pleaser Elephant Man and the poor people’s governor Bounty Killer. Rising dancehall star Shenseea is one of three females on the lineup, alongside Rastafarian sing-jays Queen Ifrica and Jah9. Dancehall’s 1990s golden era is celebrated with a set by four of the decade’s most popular deejays (Jamaican rappers) Buccaneer, General Degree, Red Rat and Spragga Benz.

Legendary producer/sound system owner King Jammys returns with live dubbing of his productions, this time featuring artists with whom he worked closely in the late 80s-early 90s: deejay Admiral Bailey, and singers Pad Anthony, Bunny General, Johnny Osbourne and Pinchers. The Jamrock sound clash, perhaps the cruise’s most popular event, features four sound systems in a heated competition: Heavy Hammer from Italy, Jamaica’s Bass Odyssey, Renaissance and Tony Matterhorn. Japan’s Mighty Crown, who’ve won the clash each year since its 2015 inception, aren’t competing this time but they’ll be playing a special 1990s themed set on the ship’s promenade. Providing further insights into the life of Bob Marley, his former art director Neville Garrick and Damian’s mother Cindy Breakspeare will each give presentations about the years they spent with the reggae legend.

“We try to keep our lineup fresh, make sure we have credible acts to uphold the genre and as much as we can, share the culture of reggae and Jamaica within this environment,” notes Marley, who will perform a full set with his band, in addition to the Marley brothers’ set. “All of the artists involved are proud to see reggae presented on this platform and that shows in the caliber of their performances. From the participation of the fans, to the production to the people who run the boat, you can feel reggae’s positive vibrations.”

Here’s the complete lineup for the Welcome to Jamrock 5th Anniversary cruise:

Marley Brothers (Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Ky-Mani, Damian) Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley Mykal Rose with Sly & Robbie Bounty Killer Jah Cure Chronixx Tarrus Riley Third World Konshens Elephant Man Aidonia Queen Ifrica Agent Sasco Kabaka Pyramid Shenseea Skatalites Ken Boothe Leroy Sibbles Horace Andy Jo Mersa Marley Jesse Royal Dexta Daps Spragga Benz General Degree Red Rat Buccaneer Jah 9 King Jammys Johnny Osbourne Admiral Bailey Pinchers Bunny General Pad Anthony

 Sound Systems

Stone Love Renaissance Mighty Crown Tony Matterhorn Kingston 12 Hi-Fi Bass Odyssey Heavy Hammer Black Scorpio

Selectors / Hosts

DJ Rory Mutabaruka Bambino Big A Nikki Z Colin Hines ZJ Liquid DJ Roy Spex Robbo Ranz Rassarella GT Taylor Ron Muschette Seani B Westafa Steelie Bashment Shacia Payne Foota Hype Shortcut DJ Gringo Yaadcore Mad Out Mixmaster J Supa Hype Hotta Rice

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Lively up yourself: Set sail to the sounds of Jamaica on the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise

From Bob Marley tributes to dancehall's finest, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise brings Jamaica's signature sounds to the water.

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A favorite essay collection of mine gets its title from a chapter referring to luxury cruises as “a supposedly fun thing I’ll never do again.” But the eighth annual Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise turned out to be an absolutely fun thing I’ll definitely do again, a Jamaica-bound platform for live performances by Sean Paul, Stephen Marley, Third World, Beenie Man and many more. Sold out months in advance, Jamrock features nightly shows by veterans and young guns of reggae and dancehall, sound clash battles and screenings of Jamaica-based cult classics like “Shottas” while vacationing cruisers sail down to the Caribbean.

Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite Cruise — a ’90s R&B-flavored sail to the Bahamas with Maxwell, Ledisi, Musiq Soulchild and others — sent notices through my social media timeline as I packed for Jamrock; musical cruises catering to Black vacationers are on the rise. Benefitting from this year’s 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the Rock the Bells Cruise had a fun-tastic inaugural run down to Nassau in November with De La Soul, MC Lyte, Rakim, and other golden-age rap greats. But Jamrock has spiritual reggae vibrations onboard, a lesson I learned on my first cruise last December.

Someone once said that guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days. The same might have applied to spending nearly a week with the hundreds of other passengers on our floating hotel, a mammoth cruise ship named “Independence of the Seas.” Thankfully, the experience of jostling amongst reggae lovers for five straight days of concerts felt nothing but positive. The 14-deck ship allowed plenty of room for everyone to enjoy jacuzzis, slot machines, (relatively) fine dining, mini golf, movies, spa massages and morning yoga. Our float plan included stops in the Jamaican towns of Falmouth and Ocho Rios before circling back to Miami, with excursions available for ziplining, horseback riding, waterfall wading, etc.

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Day 2’s “Whiteout Night” directed all of us to outfit ourselves in head-to-toe white for concerts by Wayne Wonder, Sean Paul, Stephen Marley and others. Sitting front and center behind a conga drum colored with the green, yellow and red of the Ethiopian flag, Marley launched an acoustic set full of material from his latest album, “Old Soul.” His younger brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley — who founded the Jamrock Reggae Cruise in 2014 — later joined him to perform their 2010 duet, “Jah Army.” Bob Marley covers are inevitable at Jamrock, and Stephen Marley didn’t disappoint, adding spirited new arrangements of “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Trenchtown Rock” to his setlist.

The Jamrock crowd included Rastafarians in long locs, middle- and retirement-aged couples, younger women tanning their BBLs in string bikinis alongside their muscled boyfriends — and, of course, sporadic white reggae fans. Searching for impressions from both the typical newbie reggae aficionado and a seasoned expert of the scene, on Day 3’s “Blackout Night” (everyone wearing all-black everything), I approached a young St. John’s University grad who seemed like this might be her first Jamrock.

Chanel Mayers, a 25-year-old Afrobeats fan of Trinidadian descent, came on the cruise to spend time with her parents. “They’ve been to Jamrock five times, and they rave about it,” she said. “While the performances were happening, I thought, ‘Oh, I know more reggae than I thought!’ [With] Sean Paul, I knew most of the songs. Beenie Man was pretty cool.” Before Lady G hit the stage, Mayers’ mom added that she loves reggae’s subject matter most of all. “It’s really conscious lyrics, and we don’t get those anymore because people just sing about random things that aren’t really important,” she said. “I think reggae is more relatable to life. It’s old school and I love it.”

For my seasoned expert, I approached music journalist and reggae specialist Rob Kenner. Known as the voice of Vibe magazine’s “Boomshots” column (Kenner was a founding editor), he’s been involved with the cruise since its beginning, interviewing performers on Jamrock Radio. I approached him for some personal highlights.

“The legendary highlight would be Third World performing,” he says. “They’re celebrating their 50th anniversary of their first recording this year. [Guitarist and co-founder] Cat Coore was playing the cello; singer A.J. Brown was singing opera-type vocals. It was just another level of musicianship you don’t see every day. And Damian Marley produced Third World’s last album, ‘More Work to Be Done,’ which was nominated for a Grammy. So it’s like a family vibe.” 

As both Kenner and Mayers’ mother noted, even amid a great escape, the music is also reflective of life on land. “[F]or the newest of the new, Jahshii has been going through a lot of really intense stuff over the past year,” Kenner explained of the up-and-coming dancehall artist, who opened his set singing a cover of “The Harder They Come” by Jimmy Cliff. “If you know that movie, it’s about an artist who gets caught up in the street life and his music begins to reflect the things that he’s experiencing in real life. Jahshii’s definitely having a parallel experience … there’s been a lot of drama,” he continued. “I’ve never heard such a raw performance, with emotion pouring out of [Jahshii’s] voice singing ‘Born Fighter.’ That was a big deal.”

Providing relaxation and release, whether you’re a casual reggae listener or a rudebwoy fan, the Jamrock Reggae Cruise has all the sunshine, positivity and righteous vibes to lively up yourself, guaranteed. Dates for 2024 are Dec. 9-14; tickets are on sale now . 

The Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise provided complimentary onboard accommodations for the writer of this article.

Miles Marshall Lewis (@MMLunlimited) is an author and Harlem-based cultural critic whose work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Rolling Stone and many other outlets. Lewis is currently finishing a cultural biography of comedian Dave Chappelle, his follow-up to Promise That You Will Sing About Me: The Power and Poetry of Kendrick Lamar.

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The (One) Love Boat: Inside The Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise

There were plenty of parties poppin’ in 2019 but, as we reflect on the best of all the revelry, there are a few that stand out above the rest. The “Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise” is one of those annual events that tops the charts year after year — and 2019 was no different. You’ve had a chance to glance at this seafaring celebration, but now let’s go in for a closer look.

Now heading into its seventh year, the “Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise” has grown gargantuan. So much so, that the founder, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, had to upgrade to a bigger ship on a different cruise line (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line) to accommodate the rapid expansion of the “bashment.” What was built on the foundation of his fan base has taken on a life of its own. The regulars have even become one big loving family . Every day and night a constant reminder that despite the “fuss and fight” of daily life, there are spaces like these where beautiful Black people can “get together and feel alright.”

Many made their first maiden voyage on the 2019 cruise, but the majority had three, four, five or more trips under their belt. A true testament to the sexy of this concert party experience. ( Pro-tip for first-timers: Pack an all-white outfit and be prepared to rep your country for the themed evenings! )

Because food is a super important feature of any cruise, you’ll be glad to know that there was enough all-you-can-eat fare from staple West Indian dishes to ballpark favorites. Vegan buffets, gluten-free spreads, deli counters teeming with cold cuts and cheeses, pastas, soups, pan-fried red snapper, curry goat, chicken and lamb, sliced slow-roasted roast beef, jerk chicken, assorted breads and pastries; beef and curry chicken patties (with coco bread) were on point like darts.

Every day on the Independence of the Seas was also packed with activities, from Nyahbinghi drums in the morning, to Yoga sessions and spa treatments, an onboard casino. Every night was filled with superstar performances on a massive sound stage system on the top deck (outdoors, the way Reggae is supposed to be heard), movie screenings and three simultaneous after-parties. “Gongzilla” and his team pulled out all the stops.

DAY ONE – SAIL AWAY

A “Sail Away Party” featured heavy-weight selectors such as Irie Jam’s Steelie Bashment and DJ Gringo. The showtime line-up featured the Mighty Diamonds, Everton Blender and the sultry superstar singer, Tarrus Riley. And yes, love was in the air, with a partygoer taking bended knee to propose during Riley’s performance of “She’s Royal.”

After the show, the parties jumped off for “Bubble and Whine.” Couples snuggled and sipped drinks. “Modeling” big time in flashy fashions, gentlemen and “Rude Bwoys” mingled with the bountiful and beautiful Black Women as authentic Dancehall culture was displayed. Sounds included Shinehead’s Kingston 12 Hi-Fi, DJ Norie and the all mighty Stone Love.

DAY TWO – “ALL WHITE NIGHT”

Tournaments galore! Dominoes, 3 on 3 Basketball and Football (not that one!). Artist meet and greets, designated areas for the children and a concert line-up stretching from the afternoon until the wee hours of the morning. Johnny Osbourne, Sister Nancy (BAM BAM!) and Pinchers graced the stage.

Top bill included Ghost, Marcia Griffiths, and headliner Stephen “Ragga” Marley. Can’t forget to mention his daughter, Shacia Payne putting down the sounds. The day also featured an in-depth Q&A with “Jr. Gong.”

DAY THREE – OCHO RIOS

Arriving in “yaad,” the ship made its first stop at Ocho Rios. The crown jewel was the talent assembled for the cruise’s midpoint concert. Skip Marley, Christopher Martin, Popcaan, a commanding performance by the veteran “Warlord,” Bounty Killer and the headliner, performing for the first time on the “Welcome to Jamrock” stage, was Buju Banton.

One couldn’t help but to be touched by the evening’s highlight of Banton kneeling before Stephen Marley and singing a song of heartfelt gratitude for his friendship as he revealed that it was “Ragga” who posted the bail that secured his release during the great tribulations of his US federal trial.

DAY FOUR – FALMOUTH/”REP YOUR COUNTRY” NIGHT

Red, gold and green everywhere the eye may land, supplemented by the flags and clothing of what appears to be the whole of Africa and its diaspora.

Rising star Koffee gave a “Toast” and brought us all to the “Rapture.” Morgan Heritage performed classic catalog cuts from their Grammy-Award-winning career and the night was capped off by Busy Signal followed by a four-way “Soundclash at Sea” that saw defending champion Tony Matterhorn make a “duppy” by Warrior Sound.

DAY FIVE – THE PARTY’S NOT OVER

A day full of top talent such as “Party Animal” Charly Black, Wayne Marshall and an exceptionally entertaining and energetic set by current dancehall dance king, Ding Dong and his Ravers Clavers. The night featured performances by Professor Nuts, a set by Julian “Juju” Marley that had to be taken into the Royal Theater due to rain, and “The Prophet” Capleton closing out the concert as Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise’s final act.

If you are looking for an ultimate concert/party experience, then this is the cruise for you for true. But you may have to “hold yuh corner” a bit. The 2020 “Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise” is already sold out. But give thanks, the waitlist is now open!

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5 Night Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise

Find out how crowded are ports - cruise ship traffic during this voyage. Click on each port for more details.

Miami, Florida

Falmouth, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

• Royal Caribbean International

Jamrock Reggae Cruise -- a supposedly irie thing that really wasn't

By Jonny44 , November 21, 2016 in Royal Caribbean International

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First off, let me say that I am a huge reggae fan and loved the band selection. But it was the execution in 2016 that was horrible. In the previous years, they used a 2,000 passenger capacity ship on a different cruise line (Norwegian). It got so popular that they did it twice in 2015. But you then have to pay the musicians twice so I suspect some profit gouging was the motivation to change to the 4,000+ passenger Independence of the Seas. I am not going to review that ship, it has been done zillions of times so I will just comment that the ship is now middle-aged and could use some rehab.

But you don't take the Jamrock cruise for the ship amenities. You take it for the music, of course. But that is my chief complaint: the Independence of the Seas has no venue, not one, that can adequately accommodate 4,000 people. They tried with the main pool deck but even there, you cannot cram 4,000 people. Having said that, they do use the Independence of the Seas successfully for other music cruises such as the Legends of Rock cruise. But in that case, they would split the venues such that you could either see band A at the main stage or band B in the Alhambra theater. That way 4,000 people are spread about so that everybody gets a place to see a show. But Damien Marley (or whoever called the shots) didn't go that route. Instead, they planned each and every concert (but for some minor DJs) for the main stage.

That is problematic in that November is still the rainy season in Jamaica. So guess what: it poured rain 3 out of the 5 nights. Horrible. But Marley had no adequate back-up plan. Indeed, nothing was announced the first rain-out night. So I asked a guard: what's up, where will the music be? The fellow misinforms me that it will be in the Promenade. Now if you have seen the Promenade, it is conceivable that you could possibly cram 4,000 people into it. So we waited in the Champagne bar (great bar BTW) for the festivities to begin. But after about 9PM, we got suspicious and started looking. By pure chance, we come upon the Alhambra, which is where the concerts had been re-scheduled. Now realize that the seating capacity in the Alhambra is around 1300. Then illegally pack another 800 or so into the aisles. What a fire disaster waiting to happen, particularly as there was lot of smoking go on. I was surprised that Royal Caribbean would allow such overcrowding of a venue given the obvious fire hazards. But even packed beyond packed, that left 1/2 the boat SOL. Those poor souls had to just grin and bear it: no music for you!

In any case, we attempt to get into the theater. My sister-in-law is charming so the crowd stepped asidet and let her and my wife in. But then everybody joined shoulders again and blocked me. So I was allowed in only by indicating I was with the two women who just got in. By a miracle, there was still room for 3 at the extreme front left corner of the back aisle, I got to watch the back of Tarrus Riley's head for my $5,000. But we missed the other acts I wanted to see.

The same garbage continued for the next two days of torrential rain. Just one-half of the cruise ship got to see what they wanted. What an unmitigated disaster -- listen, I get it, the "Island way" of management is different from the US way. But you charged me US prices, not Island prices. So at least deliver on what was promised by doing what the other music cruises do and splitting the venues so that everybody gets to see a show.

Even if they hadn't had the rain problem, the upper balcony around the main stage was dominated by a group of loafers who arranged loungers all around the balcony. So where hundreds could have seen the show, just the layabouts who parked their loungers got to see (they would stand in front of their loungers and thus dominate about 8 feet of space each). Reminded me of the folks who don't pick up after their dogs, that sort of lack of consideration for others. Yet the cruise did nothing to police the situation, total hands off. If they had kicked the layabouts off the loungers, so many paying customers would be able to enjoy the shows they paid for. But they didn't. The same situation would occur in the Alhambra: a single person would claim 6 or 7 seats for their buddies. But what made it worse in the Alhambra is that, inevitably, only 2/3 of their friends would show up, the others being too partied out I suppose. But that left so many seats empty, despite the lack of space for everybody else. And again, zero was done to mitigate this BS.

So carefully consider what I am telling you before forking out thousands like I did. To sum up the lack of management, Damien tells a story during his final show (which was tough to follow because the pool deck had a hurricane-like wind blowing the whole time, note that the outdoor pool deck was never designed to be concert venue). So Damien indicates that Bruno Mars was backstage with him at a gig and was talking to him about some problems he had. And Damien's advice was to go out and get the best marijuana money could buy, that it would solve all his problems. It is that kind of thinking that lead to this disorganized, chaotic, and disappointing experience. Now don't get me wrong, his story was indeed amusing to me but it also points to a certain Jamaican laissez-faire that simply doesn't align when you are charging me $4900 for a balcony room for three. For that kind of money, you need more than weed to solve problems. You need professional management, which was nowhere to be found on the Jamrock cruise. Instead, you just got the top dog blazing the best stuff he could find while half the cruise missed out on what they paid for.

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First of all Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Second, you do realize that JamRock chartered the cruise and your complaints should be directed at them, not at RCI.

I have been on many Rock Boats, and a few other music cruises and have had a great time. Sixthman runs a great music cruise, maybe you should look at them for your next one.

thanks for the welcome - I am aware that Jamrock chartered the cruise. But Jamrock just supplied the musicians and theme for the charter. The rest of the cruise including security was all Royal Caribbean. They did nothing about the overcrowding of the Alhambra. Nor did they police the upper deck of the main stage.

pineappleexpress

I have to agree with you in regards to the poor planning. Hours behind schedule is ridiculous not to mention the lack of an appropriate venue. November hi weather sucked..

Doesn't sound like fun to me.

And I'm sure it's been true for a long long time (my mom was a hippie; I was born in San Francisco in 1969, and i have heard some stories that go back further than that) that the organizers of events should be clean and sober, even if their musicians and audiences aren't.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

• 2 weeks later...

First off, let me say that I am a huge reggae fan and loved the band selection. But it was the execution in 2016 that was horrible. In the previous years, they used a 2,000 passenger capacity ship on a different cruise line (Norwegian). It got so popular that they did it twice in 2015. But you then have to pay the musicians twice so I suspect some profit gouging was the motivation to change to the 4,000+ passenger Independence of the Seas. I am not going to review that ship, it has been done zillions of times so I will just comment that the ship is now middle-aged and could use some rehab.   But you don't take the Jamrock cruise for the ship amenities. You take it for the music, of course. But that is my chief complaint: the Independence of the Seas has no venue, not one, that can adequately accommodate 4,000 people. They tried with the main pool deck but even there, you cannot cram 4,000 people. Having said that, they do use the Independence of the Seas successfully for other music cruises such as the Legends of Rock cruise. But in that case, they would split the venues such that you could either see band A at the main stage or band B in the Alhambra theater. That way 4,000 people are spread about so that everybody gets a place to see a show. But Damien Marley (or whoever called the shots) didn't go that route. Instead, they planned each and every concert (but for some minor DJs) for the main stage.   That is problematic in that November is still the rainy season in Jamaica. So guess what: it poured rain 3 out of the 5 nights. Horrible. But Marley had no adequate back-up plan. Indeed, nothing was announced the first rain-out night. So I asked a guard: what's up, where will the music be? The fellow misinforms me that it will be in the Promenade. Now if you have seen the Promenade, it is conceivable that you could possibly cram 4,000 people into it. So we waited in the Champagne bar (great bar BTW) for the festivities to begin. But after about 9PM, we got suspicious and started looking. By pure chance, we come upon the Alhambra, which is where the concerts had been re-scheduled. Now realize that the seating capacity in the Alhambra is around 1300. Then illegally pack another 800 or so into the aisles. What a fire disaster waiting to happen, particularly as there was lot of smoking go on. I was surprised that Royal Caribbean would allow such overcrowding of a venue given the obvious fire hazards. But even packed beyond packed, that left 1/2 the boat SOL. Those poor souls had to just grin and bear it: no music for you!   In any case, we attempt to get into the theater. My sister-in-law is charming so the crowd stepped asidet and let her and my wife in. But then everybody joined shoulders again and blocked me. So I was allowed in only by indicating I was with the two women who just got in. By a miracle, there was still room for 3 at the extreme front left corner of the back aisle, I got to watch the back of Tarrus Riley's head for my $5,000. But we missed the other acts I wanted to see.   The same garbage continued for the next two days of torrential rain. Just one-half of the cruise ship got to see what they wanted. What an unmitigated disaster -- listen, I get it, the "Island way" of management is different from the US way. But you charged me US prices, not Island prices. So at least deliver on what was promised by doing what the other music cruises do and splitting the venues so that everybody gets to see a show.   Even if they hadn't had the rain problem, the upper balcony around the main stage was dominated by a group of loafers who arranged loungers all around the balcony. So where hundreds could have seen the show, just the layabouts who parked their loungers got to see (they would stand in front of their loungers and thus dominate about 8 feet of space each). Reminded me of the folks who don't pick up after their dogs, that sort of lack of consideration for others. Yet the cruise did nothing to police the situation, total hands off. If they had kicked the layabouts off the loungers, so many paying customers would be able to enjoy the shows they paid for. But they didn't. The same situation would occur in the Alhambra: a single person would claim 6 or 7 seats for their buddies. But what made it worse in the Alhambra is that, inevitably, only 2/3 of their friends would show up, the others being too partied out I suppose. But that left so many seats empty, despite the lack of space for everybody else. And again, zero was done to mitigate this BS.   So carefully consider what I am telling you before forking out thousands like I did. To sum up the lack of management, Damien tells a story during his final show (which was tough to follow because the pool deck had a hurricane-like wind blowing the whole time, note that the outdoor pool deck was never designed to be concert venue). So Damien indicates that Bruno Mars was backstage with him at a gig and was talking to him about some problems he had. And Damien's advice was to go out and get the best marijuana money could buy, that it would solve all his problems. It is that kind of thinking that lead to this disorganized, chaotic, and disappointing experience. Now don't get me wrong, his story was indeed amusing to me but it also points to a certain Jamaican laissez-faire that simply doesn't align when you are charging me $4900 for a balcony room for three. For that kind of money, you need more than weed to solve problems. You need professional management, which was nowhere to be found on the Jamrock cruise. Instead, you just got the top dog blazing the best stuff he could find while half the cruise missed out on what they paid for.

sorry to hear that you didn't get to see some of the bands you wanted. I really wanted to go on this cruise to see some of the bands, mainly to see the likes of Toots and Steele Pulse. I would be pissed if we missed them. Hopefully they will take some of this feed back to heart and clean up their act for future cruises. This is a great concept, but may not be practical as you suggest. The other problem I see is the lack of reviews. It is actually hard to find reviews like yours. Thanks for posting.

I wanted to see Toots also, but didn't because the deck was too mobbed. Trust me, you will see that there is no venue on the boat that can accommodate 4,000 people.

if you go to the Jamrock reggae cruise facebook page, there are plenty of "reviews" to the extent that comments along the lines of "best time ever" can be construed as reviews. In fairness, both my wife and sister-in-law had those sorts of comments. But they didn't toil away to pay for the cruise -- I did. It is not an insignificant amount of cash if you want a balcony room (the only way to go in my opinion), it will run you $4000 for two tickets. And more if you go for the junior suite. So that is the issue I have, they are charging real money but not following through on value.

The travel agency responds on the Facebook page that "they cannot control the weather," and that they are sorry if you missed the act you wanted to see. But it has rained at least one night for all of these Jamrock cruises from what I can read. So it wasn't like they couldn't have foreseen this problem.

• 3 weeks later...

MermaidMary

Great review, Jonny. This was our 3rd Jamrock cruise. On the first cruise, the last night was partially rained out, although there was the now-legendary impromptu atrium show to compensate. We were on the 1st of the 2 ships in 2015, and our last night got completely rained out. The headliner, Capleton, did eventually perform indoors in the atrium, with no band, but the communication was so terrible we had no way of knowing that, so at about 3 am we decided to get some sleep, and were very bummed when it turned out we missed Capleton.

The Alhambra Theatre is a better option than the atrium on the Pearl since it does accommodate a band, but it still leaves out over half of the paying customers, as you pointed out, and in addition to the dangerous overcrowding of the aisles there also was a very dangerous situation entering the theatre on Thursday night since there was no policing (or roping) of lines so it was a scary mob coming from all directions when they unlocked the doors. Many of us were afraid we were going to be trampled, but at that point we had no choice, since there was no way to exit the mob.

The chair-saving in the theatre was maddening - there is no reason any one person should be allowed to save so many chairs, either in the theatre or on the deck. Either the ship or the Jamrock management needs to come up with a policy on this and enforce it! Or maybe send out some pre-cruise emails in an attempt to channel everyone's "One Love" vibes. Why not SHARE chairs on the deck and in the theatre so that everyone can sit for a few minutes when their feet need a break?

Before the cruise we got several emails saying it was a nonsmoking ship, and that we really, really would not be allowed to smoke, other than in the designated smoking areas. Apparently for the cruise the designated smoking area was the ENTIRE SHIP. I was very concerned about fire danger. People were dropping cigarettes on the deck without even putting them out. The only concern for safety I saw from the ship's crew was at the muster drill (which was horrible due to some passengers who thought they could skip it - we had to stand the entire time in straight lines - while on Norwegian at least there was a place to sit while we waited for the latecomers!)

The music was excellent, and the lineup spectacular. We skipped dinner 2 nights so that we could get into the theatre for the music, and we did not regret our choice. The sound clash was great also, and the ice skating rink turned out to be a good venue for that. The afternoon concerts on the deck were a blast, and Kabaka Pyramid's early evening concert on the deck was one of the best shows on the cruise.

I agree they should use 2 venues each night, and I think it would be perfect in many ways. They could have one schedule for the deck and one for the theatre, with the ice skating rink as a rainout option. I heard many people say they prefer the deck, and others loved the theatre, so on nice nights everyone would be happy! And on rainy nights, at least everyone could get some music. They could also split the concerts based on the genre - roots in one venue, dancehall in the other. Those who like both (like me) could see both, but those who hate dancehall could avoid it entirely.

But it does not appear they are going to make any changes to the format for 2017, other than reducing the number of acts per night from 4 down to 3. And the lineup for 2017 is nowhere near as amazing as the first 3 years (still great, but not many true headliners like we've had in the past, and that troubling 25% reduction in the number of artists). So although we put our deposit down back in April, we probably won't go this year - not until they either fix the format or make the lineup great again - preferably both!

Hi MermaidMary: I wanted to see Kabaka Pyramid's show also but the schedule was so unpredictable that we missed it. We also missed Toots, Junior Reid, Beenie Man, most of Chakademus, Shinehead, and Bounty Killer. So I suppose it doesn't really matter whether they offer 3 acts or 5 acts every day for the 2017 Jamrock cruise since you inevitably miss so many of the acts given the rainouts and unpredictable scheduling.

But I would have to believe that the pool deck on the Norwegian Jamrock cruises was roughly the same size so that it could more adequately accommodate 2,000 instead of trying to cram 4,000 into the Independence of the Seas pool deck. So I wish they had not moved it to the bigger ship, things got lost in the translation. I should have known about Jamrock back then, the earlier cruises must have been better.

Despite my complaints, my wife wants to go again so if I have the budget I may even sign up once more since I did love Jamaica, it was really nice. So tropical and different. And the reggae on the Jamrock cruise was outstanding, to the extent that I got to hear it.

Jamaica is indeed wonderful - we went to Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay, and had a great time. It is such a beautiful place to swim! And we did get off the ship in Ocho Rios despite the downpour - we took a cab to Evita's and had a delicious, relaxing lunch. We didn't book any excursions because we have been to Jamaica many times on land vacations, mostly for Sumfest, and we have seen all the sights (some twice!)

I hope things will go better on the cruise next year. We still have our deposit down, and are waiting until the first payment is due to make the final decision. Hopefully by then they will have announced the 2 additional daytime performers.

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Music cruises to set sail on the high seas in 2023 and 2024

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.)

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

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.

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.

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.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Additional reporting by Liz Ramanand.

Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise 2023 ADD

12/04 - 12/09 2023.

SOLD OUT! WAITLIST HERE! ITINERARY 12/4/2023 Miami, FL         12/5/2023 Day at Sea         12/6/2023 Falmouth, Jamaica     12/7/2023 Ocho Rios, ...

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