Fresh off the boat, I can honestly say that, without a doubt, cruise festivals are the way to go! Aside from going to exotic locations and being on the water for a few days, cruise festivals offer a one of a kind, immersive experience you can only get on a boat! For x amount of days, you’re immersed into a family with like-minded people where you can truly be yourself and party from sunrise to sunset and vice versa. Not to mention, it’s your best chance of meeting and hanging out with your favorite artists as everyone is on the same boat, eating the same food and partying in the same places!
If you’ve never had the chance to party on a cruise ship, here are the top six EDM cruises every fan should experience!
Holy Ship!
Board the MSC Divina in Miami and set sail to the Bahamas on Holy Ship! For three nights, you can party with some of the top Electronic music artists in the world. Each day, Holy Ship! hosts specific parties, curated by some of their favorite labels and tastemakers. They also feature a variety of diverse activities around the ship, most of which are hosted by the artists. Activities in the past have included yoga, a poker tournament, beach volleyball, cigar hour and more. With your room and all the comforts of a luxurious cruise ship only steps away from the dance floor, you’re guaranteed to have one hell of a time!
Due to popular demand, Holy Ship! offered two sailings in 2016 – one in January and one in February – both of which are sold out. Holy Ship! sells out extremely quickly, so join the wait list early and be the first to know when and how to purchase tickets for next year’s sailing!
The Groove Cruise Miami
Over 23,000 lives have been changed forever (including my own) by an oceanic experience unlike anything on Earth. Comprised of four straight days of beach and pool parties, as well as themed extravaganza’s and onboard events, The Groove Cruise Miami is a 96 hour, non-stop experience that rivals the best dance music festivals in the world. What started off as a group of 125 friends going on a cruise together in 2004, is now (over a decade later), the World’s largest floating dance music festival.
With as many as 50 plus world renown artists setting sail at any given time, you’re bound to run into your favorite DJ right around the corner and maybe even discover the next big dance superstar as well. The 2016 lineup included Dash Berlin, Darude, Kristina Sky, Markus Schulz, New World Sound, Dzeko and Torres and more!
The Groove Cruise is always trying to one up itself from the year before, which is why the 2016 cruise opted to go to Jamaica for the first time. In addition, the cruise had seven wild, crazy theme parties and unparalleled onboard activities such as, Deep House Yoga, a very intense celebrity Soccer match, and the world’s largest floating pillow fight with Dada Life.
The truly spectacular thing about The Groove Cruise Miami is the unprecedented family atmosphere that exists onboard. With a 70 percent retention rate, you’re bound to meet and run into the same people, year after year, immersing and welcoming you into a one-of-a-kind family, you simply can’t find anywhere else.
The Groove Cruise L.A.
The Groove Cruise is the only music cruise that sails yearly from both coasts of the United States. If you think The Groove Cruise Miami and The Groove Cruise L.A. are pretty much the same, then you’re wrong.
When The Groove Cruise L.A. pulled out of the Port of Long Beach in Sept. 2013, it became the first ever, fully chartered dance music cruise in West Coast history. Since then, GCLA has become a staple within the West Coast festival circuit.
Consisting of 72 hours of non-stop dance music, private island beach parties on Catalina Island, Mexican fiestas, and themed extravaganza’s, GCLA is an experience that truly differentiates from its sister cruise in Miami. Exciting changes are on the horizon for GCLA., like upgraded world-class production, more outrageous theme parties and an entirely new VIP experience called the Admirals Club. Back onboard the Carnival Inspiration, The GCLA is planning an over-the-top takeover, which includes the now infamous Catalina Island beach party (Catalina Wine Mixer), and a full takeover of Papas and Beer in Mexico that never disappoints. With all these exciting changes and upgrades, GCLA never looked so good!
Inception At Sea!
It may be the newest of cruises, but it’s brought to you by the best in business. StudentCity, Whet Travel and The Groove Cruise have joined forces to bring you Inception At Sea- the first ever Spring Break Cruise. Embark on the first-ever fully chartered, all-inclusive, Spring Break cruise, including a premium open bar and more inclusions than you’d ever receive anywhere else. Themed parties, private island events and every party on board is included in your travel package!
Set sail from Miami and venture to a private island in the Bahamas with world-renowned artist, over 2,000 partiers and a ship filled with young professionals. Inception at Sea will feature non-stop music from the likes of The Chainsmokers, Cash Cash, Tyga, Sidney Samson, Otto Knows, Cazzette, The Bassjackers and more! During every minute of every day aboard Inception at Sea, there will be some kind of party going on somewhere on the boat or at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
Nothing like this has ever been done before so take the first step and become a part of history!
Shipsomnia
Dance to the electric rhythms of the sea and enter an aquatic wonderland where marine animals and mythical sea creatures come to life in an ocean experience like no other. Coined “The Tomorrowland of the seas,” Shipsomnia is a five day roundtrip cruise from Singapore to Phuket, with a stopover in Langkawi.
Party with over 40 Djs and partake in one of the many onboard activities Shipsomnia has to offer like, a Treasure Hunt, dodgeball tournament, poker, bingo, beer pong and foosball with the Djs, plus more!
A unique aspect of Shipsomnia is that some of the proceeds from each ticket are donated to a non-profit organization supporting ocean conservation and preservation projects. The private “Save Our Seas” beach festival also intends to raise awareness on environmental issues surrounding our oceans today. On the beach, feel free to grab a sun lounger and get a foot massage, go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters or just sit back and enjoy life while listening to an amazing DJ lineup.
Board the Costa Victoria and watch as legends of the sea come to life in the biggest theme party to hit the high seas – The Shipsomnia Ball. On the final night of the cruise, expect to have a night where beautiful mermaids flirt with drunken sailors in the only place where marine animals and mythical sea creatures come to life and unite with steam punk pirates and explorers.
Don’t miss this one of a kind experience as it’s the only music and arts festival meeting the high seas in an aquatic mythical adventure. Join the waiting list today to find out when you can purchase tickets for next year.
It’s The Ship
Asia’s largest floating music festival at sea, It’s The Ship is a three day cruise that sails from Singapore to Langkawi island in Malaysia. Embark on the Mariner of the Seas and endure live music across multiple stages as well as complimentary cruise facilities including an ice skating rink, a mini golf course, a poolside, see outdoor movie experience and more.
Organized by The Livescape Group, It’s The Ship offers a unique blend of vacation and music festival in a 5-star luxury environment with performances by international and regional headlining acts. Last year’s lineup included, Kaskade, Showtek, Adventure Club, Carnage, Will Sparks, Ferry Corsten, Headhunterz, plus more.
Don’t miss Asia’s version of The Groove Cruise and mark your calendars for November. Join the wait list and be the first to purchase tickets to Asia’s largest floating music festival.
You may notice some similarities among these cruises like themed extravaganza’s, beach parties and on board activities, but each cruise is vastly different from the next. Each provides its own unique, immersive experience, with different lineups, onboard amenities and activities, and each welcomes you with open arms into its own exclusive family. But just like in the real world, no two families are the same, so it’s definite that no two cruise experiences will be the same either.
Which cruise festival are you most likely to attend?
Tell us in the comments below!
