If you have been cruising for a number of years like me, you may have stumbled across the occasional marketing piece for music-themed cruises?
What is a music-themed cruise? It’s basically a cruise that has been chartered by an outside organisation to effectively run a music festival at sea.
Now, I’m a bit of a fan of classic rock, so I’m used to seeing adverts for the Rock Legends cruise. Some of my favorite artists like Sammy Hagar and Pat Travers have performed on the cruise in the past, so it’s no surprise they pop up in my Facebook advertising (Facebook knows what we like!).
But it’s not just fans of classic rock who are catered for on these themed cruises. After a bit of digging around I discovered there are themed cruise for fans of Disco, Jazz, Blues, Broadway, 80’s music and more….
So I decided to compile a list of some of the diverse music-themed cruises you could be sailing on in 2025.
These cruises give you an opportunity to enjoy incredible entertainment and literally rub shoulders with some of your favorite artists.
I’d love to do one of these – the closest I got was sitting next to Wayne Osmond at the Internet Cafe on Majesty of the Seas when they performed on the ship in the 90’s. By the end of that cruise I couldn’t get Crazy Horses out of my mind LOL.
Here’s my personal top 10:-
1. Sail Across The Sun (With Train and KT Tunstall)
Dates: February 13-17, 2025
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Itinerary: Miami to Cozumel, Mexico
Status: Sold Out – You can sign up to be notified if any cabins are release
Join hit band “Train” for their 8th edition of the Sail Across the Sun music cruise. Departing from Miami and sailing to Cozumel, this four-day festival at sea features a great lineup including Matt Nathanson, Yacht Rock Revue, K T Tunstall, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, and The Dan Band.
This cruise promises an immersive music experience with live performances, wine tastings, and various onboard activities.
Whether you’re a Train fan or just love great music, this cruise combines the adventure of a tropical getaway with the excitement of a music festival, ensuring a memorable vacation for all attendees.
This themed cruise is on NCL’s Gem is sold out, but is held annually, so it might be worth signing up to there mailing list to be notified of their next cruise.
FIND OUT MORE2. The 80s Cruise (Squeeze, Adam Ant and Christopher Cross)
Dates: March 2-9, 2025
Ship: Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas
Itinerary: Miami to Nassau, San Juan, and Labadee
Status: Cabins are still available – book here
Step back into the 80s on this seven-day cruise featuring nightly themed parties, celebrity interactions, and over 50 live performances.
Artists like Squeeze, Adam Ant, Christopher Cross, Sheila E., and Men at Work will bring the decade’s greatest hits to life. Departing from Miami, guests will visit Nassau, San Juan, and Labadee while enjoying all-inclusive amenities, including drinks.
There are still staterooms available for this 80’s themed cruise with prices starting from $3,020 per person.
FIND OUT MORE3. The Smooth Jazz Cruise (With Candy Dulfer)
Dates: January 25 – February 1, 2025
Ship: Celebrity Summit
Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Turks and Caicos, Nassau
Status: Fully Booked – Waiting only
The Smooth Jazz Cruise offers a week-long journey filled with soulful music and relaxation.
Departing from Fort Lauderdale, this cruise sails to Key West, Turks and Caicos and Nassau, featuring top jazz musicians and over 225 hours of live performances.
Guests can enjoy intimate concerts, themed parties, and engaging activities such as wine tastings and music seminars. This cruise is perfect for jazz enthusiasts looking to enjoy great music in a laid-back and luxurious setting.
No in its third decade it’s no surprise this popular cruise is already sold out and on waitlist only.
FIND OUT MORE4. Concerts At Sea Rock And Roll Cruise (Wiht Chubby Checker)
Dates: January 26 – February 2, 2025
Ship: Sky Princess
Itinerary: Ft. Lauderdale, Princess Cay, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Status: Cabins are available
Celebrate the golden era of rock and roll with the Concerts At Sea Oldies Cruise. Featuring performances by Chubby Checker, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Chris Montez, The Platters, and more.
This cruise promises a nostalgic journey through the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
Departing from Ft. Lauderdale, the itinerary includes stops at Princess Cay, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.
FIND OUT MORE5. Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea (Joe Bonamassa)
Dates: March 21-26, 2025
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Itinerary: Miami to Harvest Caye, Belize, and Costa Maya, Mexico
Status: Sold Out – Standby only
Hosted by blues legend Joe Bonamassa, the Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea X celebrates its 10th anniversary with a five-day cruise filled with blues rock performances.
This music-filled voyage departs from Miami and visits Harvest Caye and Costa Maya. Attendees will enjoy live shows, rare collaborations, and unique activities, all while experiencing the exceptional amenities of the Norwegian Gem.
This one is on my bucket list! Note that we expect that there will another European sailing for this themed cruise being announced soon.
FIND OUT MORE6. Outlaw Country Cruise (With Steve Earle)
Dates: February 22-28, 2025
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Itinerary: Miami to Nassau and St. Thomas
Status: Sold Out – Standby only
The Outlaw Country Cruise offers a unique blend of country music and tropical adventure. This six-night cruise features live performances, tribute shows, and SiriusXM sessions hosted by Outlaw Country DJs.
Sailing from Miami to Nassau and St. Thomas, guests can enjoy engaging artist activities and explore beautiful destinations.
With a lineup of top country artists, this cruise promises an unforgettable experience for country music fans.
FIND OUT MORE7. Emo’s Not Dead Cruise (The Used and Boyslike Girls)
Dates: February 4-8, 2025
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Itinerary: Miami to Nassau, Bahamas
Status: Sold Out – Standby only
Embrace your inner emo on the Emo’s Not Dead Cruise, featuring bands like The Used, Boys Like Girls, Hawthorne Heights, and Saosin.
Departing from Miami, this four-day cruise to Nassau offers themed parties, live performances, and interactive activities.
Perfect for emo music enthusiasts, this cruise combines nostalgic music with a fun and engaging sea adventure (Islands).
(Okay I have to confess and had to look up Emo to find out exacly what genre it was – I’m an old git, what can I say!)
FIND OUT MORE8. The Broadway Cruise (Shoshana Bean and Laura Benanti)
Dates: March 31 – April 4, 2025
Ship: Norwegian Gem
Itinerary: Miami to Cozumel, Mexico
Status: Cabins available from $983 per person
Broadway fans, get ready for an unforgettable sea adventure with The Broadway Cruise. Sailing from Miami to Cozumel, this cruise offers intimate performances by Broadway’s top talent, immersive workshops, and Q&A sessions.
Guests can participate in Broadway Karaoke, dance parties, and panel discussions with industry creatives.
This four-night cruise is perfect for theater enthusiasts looking to combine their love for Broadway with a luxurious tropical getaway.
FIND OUT MORE9. Ultimate Disco Cruise And Beyond (Kool & The Gang and The O’Jays)
Dates: February 19-24, 2025
Ship: Norwegian Pearl
Itinerary: Miami to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico
Status: Only Interior Cabins available from $1799
Relive the glory days of disco on the Ultimate Disco Cruise, celebrating its 5th anniversary in 2025.
This five-night voyage features over 40 live performances from disco legends such as The O’Jays, Kool & the Gang, The Spinners, Shalamar, and more.
Departing from Miami, the Norwegian Pearl transforms into a floating dance club, offering non-stop music, themed parties, and nostalgic fun.
FND OUT MORE10. Rock Legends Cruise XII (Alice Cooper, Styx, Don Felder and Jason Bonham)
Dates: February 13-17, 2025
Ship: Independence of the Seas
Itinerary: Miami to CocoCay, Bahamas
Status: Cabins available from $971
Rock Legends Cruise XII is a rock festival at sea, featuring a stellar lineup including Alice Cooper, Styx, Blackberry Smoke, The Zombies, Don Felder, Robin Trower and Jason Bonham.
Departing from Miami, this four-day cruise heads to the private island of CocoCay in the Bahamas. Guests will enjoy non-stop rock performances, artist meet-and-greets, and themed events.
The cruise supports the Native American Heritage Association, combining great music with a noble cause. Rock out with legendary artists while enjoying the amenities of Independence of the Seas.
Have You Ever Done A Themed Music Cruise?
As we look ahead to 2025, music fans have some exciting themed cruises to consider. Whether you’re into rock, disco, blues, country, or Broadway, there’s a cruise for you.
Enjoy live performances, fun activities, and beautiful destinations. Some highlights include Rock Legends Cruise XII with Alice Cooper, Ultimate Disco Cruise with Kool & the Gang, and The Broadway Cruise 3.
These trips offer a chance to combine travel with your favorite music, creating unforgettable experiences at sea.
However, it’s clear to see that these events sell out very quickly. So if you ever want to treat yourself to that music festival at seas, you should start planning now for 2026 and 2027. Sign up to the various operators mailings lists, so that you are informed as soon as the following year’s cruise itinerary and lineup is published.
Hopefully I might see you on one of these some day!
