We are a little over a month away from peak cruising season in South Florida, and themed music cruises continue to be all the rage. There are boats leaving our ports stacked with artists spanning from smooth jazz to heavy metal. All the cruises below take place on the Norwegian Gem, except for Monsters of Rock, which sails on the Norwegian Joy, and the ‘80s Cruise, which rocks Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas. Many are technically sold out, but cabins may be available—and if you like these lineups, most of these sailings are taking reservations for their 2026 iterations.
Jan. 26-31
Miami to Harvest Cave, Belize, and Roatan, Honduras
Billed as “the world’s greatest floating music festival” and presented as always by Sister Hazel, the Rock Boat boasts another strong lineup of melodic and catchy artists on the pop-rock spectrum, drawing heavily from the ‘90s and aughts: Expect to see Walk the Moon, American Authors, Tonic, Echosmith, the Strumbellas, the Verve Pipe, Will Hoge and many more.
Feb. 4-8
Miami to Nassau
Contrary to accepted opinion, emo—the emotionally naked punk-rock splinter genre whose popularity peaked in the mid-aughts—is still alive, as proven by this voyage of legacy acts and newer bands claiming the emo mantle. The Used headlines, and the strong undercard includes Boys Like Girls, Hawthorne Heights, State Champs and Saosin.
Feb. 8-13
Miami to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay
Modern country takes to the high seas, where cowboy hats and palm trees sway in the breeze together. Big & Rich (featuring Gretchen Wilson), Craig Morgan, Joe Dee Messina and Lonestar are among the top names on a boat that also offers an immersive country experience through activities such as line dancing, whiskey tastings and live-band karaoke.
Feb. 22-28
Miami to Nassau and St. Thomas
The durable Americana string band Old Crow Medicine Show headlines this celebration of the rougher, rawer, rule-breaking side of country music, where folk and rock idioms join the steel guitars and cowboy boots. Three of the genre’s undisputed giants—John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle—continue the first-rate lineup.
Feb. 28-March 7
Miami to St. Croix and St. John’s
For what it’s worth, dear reader, Cayamo would be my personal pick for the best music to hear on the open water. The 17th-annual sailing celebrates the American song in its many contours, and encompasses artists from the folk, rock, Americana and alternative country traditions. The boldest-faced names on the lineup are beyond impressive, including Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Emmylou Harris, Nickel Creek, Grace Potter, Ani DiFranco and Little Feat.
March 2-9
Miami to Nassau, San Juan and Puerto Plata
Synthpop, new wave, hair metal, R&B and the early rumblings of hip-hop share stages at this decade-defining jaunt. The headliners are sure to bring back memories of the era: They include Squeeze, Adam Ant, Christopher Cross, Sheila E., Men at Work, Erasure’s Andy Bell and Warrant, with hosting duties from familiar MTV VJs.
March 10-15
Miami to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau
Do rock the boat at this absolutely stacked lineup of metal and metal-adjacent artists that were big in the ‘80s. Prepare to bang your head to Tesla, Extreme, Winger, Michael Schenker, Krokus, Stephen Pearcy, Night Ranger, LA Guns and Queensrÿche and many, many more.
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea
March 21-26
Miami to Harvest Caye, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico
Like emo, reports of the death of the blues have been greatly exaggerated; it’s just migrated to more niche corners of the music industry, which is fine for its still-rabid fan base. Electric blues takes the forefront in a lineup that includes Joe Bonamassa, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Larkin Poe, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, Jimmy Vivino, Judith Hill and many more.
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