Rock Boat

Last updated
The Rock Boat
Genre Indie rock, jam bands, pop music, Americana, bluegrass, country, folk, alternative rock
DatesVarious
Location(s)Various; Norwegian Cruise Line; Carnival Cruise Lines
Years active2001–present
Website rockboat.com

The Rock Boat is an annual rock music-themed "floating music festival at sea" aboard a cruise ship. It takes place in different locations each cruise, with several dozen bands performing in each cruise. [1]

Contents

History and description

The Rock Boat concept was born in 2001 with a joint venture from Gainesville, Florida alternative rock band Sister Hazel and Atlanta, Georgia travel company Sixthman in a partial charter aboard the Carnival Jubilee. Sister Hazel was joined by the band Dexter Freebish and approximately 400 of their fans. The bands performed once on the ship, which sailed from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico.

The concept has grown to become an annual event. Destinations have included locations such as Mexico, Nassau, Bahamas, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos. The event is always hosted by Sister Hazel and includes musicians from all over the nation. [1] Past performers include: Tonic, Red Wanting Blue, Carbon Leaf, Gaelic Storm, Collective Soul, Cowboy Mouth, Pat McGee Band, Zac Brown Band, Michael Tolcher, Vertical Horizon, David Ryan Harris, Ingram Hill, Better Than Ezra, Marc Broussard, Wideawake, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, NEEDTOBREATHE,Matt Nathanson, and many more. There are generally four or five performing stages constructed on the venue, and performances are scheduled from noon until 3 AM. [1] However, many bands have been known to continue performing well beyond their scheduled set times and often collaborate on stage with other artists until dawn.

The cruise has been described by Ken Block (lead singer and guitarist for Sister Hazel) as "Spring Break for people with jobs."

Event details

The Rock Boat XXIV

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Gem
Sail Date: January 26, 2025
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Harvest Caye, Belize and Roatán, Honduras
Announced Artists: [2] [1]

The Rock Boat XXIII

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: January 30, 2024
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Key West, Florida and Costa Maya, Mexico
(Original Destinations: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Costa Maya, Mexico)
Performing Artists: [2] [1]

* stowaway artists
soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XXII

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: January 23, 2023
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Nassau, Bahamas
Performing Artists: [3]

* stowaway artists
soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XXI

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Gem
Sail Date: November 7, 2021
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Ocho Rios, Jamaica
(Original sailing was postponed due to Covid-19)
(Original Sail Date: January 27, 2021)
(Original Destinations: Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman)
Performing Artists: [3]

Artists who were announced but withdrew for any reason:

* stowaway artists
soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XX

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: January 24, 2020
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Harvest Caye, Belize and Roatán, Honduras
Performing Artists: [3]

* stowaway artists
The Kin departed early due to family bereavement
on board with Amy Gerhartz but did one solo show
$ soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XIX

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: February 1, 2019
Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Key West and Nassau, Bahamas
Performing Artists: [3]

* stowaway artists
dropped out due to illness
soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XVIII

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: January 30, 2018
Ports: Leaving from New Orleans, Louisiana to Progreso, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico
Performing Artists: [3]

* stowaway artists
soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XVII

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Jade
Sail Date: February 10, 2017
Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Harvest Caye, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico
Performing Artists: [3]

* married couple, dropped out due to pregnancy
** replaced Andy Grammer - but also dropped out due to pregnancy
on board with Amy Gerhartz but did one solo show
last minute replacement for Walk off the Earth
$ soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XVI

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: January 26, 2016
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico and Grand Cayman
Performing Artists: [3] [4]

soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XV

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: January 24, 2015
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico
Performing Artists: [3]

soundcheck artist winners

The Rock Boat XIV

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: February 22, 2014
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Performing Artists: [2] [1]

not officially in the lineup but did one solo show

The Rock Boat XIII

Ship:Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl
Sail Date: February 24, 2013
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Performing Artists: [2]

The Rock Boat XII

Ship:Carnival Elation
Sail Date: March 1, 2012
Ports: Leaving from New Orleans, Louisiana to Cozumel, Mexico
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat XI

Ship:Carnival Inspiration
Sail Date: January 6, 2011
Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico (port unknown prior to sailing)
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat X

Ship:Carnival Inspiration
Sail Date: January 7, 2010
Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat IX

Ship:Carnival Destiny
Sail Date: January 17, 2009
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas and Half Moon Cay
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat VIII

Ship:Carnival Imagination
Sail Date: January 19, 2008
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Performing Artists:

* Un-announced artists who played at least one show

The Rock Boat VII

Ship: Carnival Legend
Sail Date: January 11, 2007
Ports: Leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat VI

Ship:Carnival Elation
Sail Date: January 14, 2006
Ports: Leaving from Galveston, Texas to Playa del Carmen and Progresso, Mexico

Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat V

Canceled due to Hurricane Katrina *
Ship:Carnival Sensation
Scheduled Performers:

* Guests and artists were invited to Atlanta during the weekend they were supposed to be on the cruise. Around 500 guests and most of the scheduled bands attended the shows, dubbed "Rock For Relief", raising $55,000 for Hurricane Katrina Relief.

The Rock Boat IV

Ship:Carnival Imagination
Sail Date: October 7, 2004
Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat III

Ship:Carnival Sensation
Sail Date: August 28, 2003
Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat II

Ship:Carnival Sensation
Sail Date: August 29, 2002
Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Key West, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas
Performing Artists:

The Rock Boat I (officially called Rock 'N Roll At Sea)

Ship:Carnival Jubilee
Sail Date: August 30, 2001
Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico
Performing Artists:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carnival Cruise Line</span> International cruise line

Carnival Cruise Line is an international cruise line with headquarters in Doral, Florida. The company is a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc. Its logo is a funnel shaped like a whale's tail, with a red, white, and blue color scheme. This trademark funnel design is built onto the line's ships. Carnival is ranked first on the list of largest cruise lines based on passengers carried annually.

<i>Carnival Glory</i> Cruise ship built in 2003

Carnival Glory is a Conquest-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. She is the second of five Conquest-class cruise ships. As of March 2023, she operates out of New Orleans.

<i>Carnival Legend</i> Spirit-class cruise ship

Carnival Legend is a Spirit-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Built by Kværner Masa-Yards at its Helsinki New Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland, she was floated out on December 17, 2001, and christened by English actress and author Dame Judi Dench in Harwich, Essex, UK, on August 21, 2002. Her maiden voyage, Carnival's first cruise in Europe, was a three-night journey from Harwich to Amsterdam and return.

<i>Carnival Sunrise</i> Destiny-class cruise ship

Carnival Sunrise is a Destiny-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. As she and her three younger sisters are each a redesigned version of the lead ship in the class, she is sometimes referred to as the first of the Triumph class of cruise ships. Carnival Sunrise is homeported in Miami, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Hoge</span> American singer-songwriter

Will Hoge is an American Americana country music singer, songwriter, and musician from Nashville, Tennessee, United States.

<i>Carnival Valor</i> Conquest-class cruise ship

Carnival Valor is a post-Panamax Conquest-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. The vessel was built by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in Friuli Venezia Giulia. She was floated out on March 27, 2004, and christened by American journalist Katie Couric in Miami on December 17, 2004.

<i>Carnival Freedom</i> Conquest-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Freedom is a Conquest-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. She is the 22nd operating vessel in the fleet, and the last of the Conquest-class ships. The ship was built as part of a four-ship deal with Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and was launched in Venice, Italy on April 28, 2006. She was delivered to Carnival on February 28, 2007.

<i>Carnival Ecstasy</i> Cruise ship

Carnival Ecstasy was a Fantasy-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. Built by Kværner Masa-Yards at its Helsinki New Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland, she was floated out on January 6, 1991, and christened by television hostess, entertainer and long time Carnival spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford. Her inaugural voyage began on April 2, 1991. During 2007, in common with all of her Fantasy-class sisters, she had the prefix Carnival added to her name. With the departure of the Carnival Fantasy in 2020, the Carnival Ecstasy became the oldest ship in the fleet until her retirement in October 2022. She was replaced by Carnival Spirit out of Mobile, Alabama in October 2023.

MS <i>Holiday</i>

MS Holiday was a Holiday-class cruise ship, which was formerly owned by Carnival Cruise Line as the Holiday and Ibero Cruises as the Grand Holiday. She last sailed for Cruise & Maritime Voyages from Spring 2015 to 2020 as the Magellan until Cruise & Maritime Voyages ceased operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was then sold at auction and was scrapped at Alang, India in early 2021.

<i>Margaritaville at Sea Islander</i> Cruise ship, launched 1999

Margaritaville at Sea Islander is a Spirit-class cruise ship previously owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. She was built in 2000 by the Kvaerner Masa-Yards Helsinki New Shipyard in Helsinki, Finland as Costa Atlantica for Costa Cruises.

MS <i>Jubilee</i> Scrapped cruise ship

MS Jubilee was a cruise ship that was originally built for Carnival Cruise Line. She was the second of three ships to be built for Carnival's Holiday class. She was last owned by the Chinese company HNA Cruise Company, Limited, for service in the West Pacific region. The ship was retired and scrapped in 2017.

<i>Carnival Splendor</i> Concordia-class cruise ship

Carnival Splendor is a Concordia-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. As she is the only Concordia-class ship in the Carnival fleet, she is also referred to as a Splendor-class ship. Her other sister ships are part of the Costa Crociere fleet. The ship was originally designed and ordered for Costa Cruises but she was transferred to Carnival Cruise Line during construction.

<i>Live in the X Lounge</i> Series of compilation albums

Live in the X Lounge is a series of albums released by Birmingham, Alabama's former alternative rock radio station, WRAX.

The JAXPORT Cruise Terminal is a 63,000 sq ft (5,900 m2) "temporary" cruise ship terminal in Jacksonville, Florida. The facility located at the northwest corner of the Dames Point Marine Terminal, beside the Dames Point Bridge. It was completed in six months during 2003 and is a facility at the Port of Jacksonville, administered by the Jacksonville Port Authority. The baggage handling area is 28,000 sq ft (2,600 m2); and a passenger embarkation section has 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m2). Vehicle access to the site is via Hecksher Drive and there is paved parking for about 600 cars.

<i>Carnival Dream</i> Cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Dream is a cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. She is the lead ship of her namesake class, which includes Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze, and Costa Diadema. Built by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in Friuli Venezia Giulia, northern Italy, she was floated out on October 24, 2008, and christened by Marcia Gay Harden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Monea!</span>

Hey Monea is a Canton, Ohio-based rock band that has been together since 2005. The band consists of Dan Monea on lead vocals/guitar/piano, Nate Monea on drums/vocals, Adam Orin on bass.

<i>Carnival Vista</i> Cruise ship

Carnival Vista is a cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. She is the lead ship of her namesake class, which includes two additional Carnival ships, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama, as well as two Costa ships, Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze.

MS <i>Celebration</i> Cruise ship

The Celebration was a cruise ship originally built for Carnival Cruise Line. She was the last of three ships to be built in Carnival's Holiday Class of cruise ships. She last sailed for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line between 2015 and 2020.

<i>Carnival Horizon</i> 2018 Vista-class cruise ship

Carnival Horizon is a Vista-class cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. She is the 26th vessel in the Carnival fleet and is the second of Carnival's Vista class, which includes Carnival Vista and Carnival Panorama.

<i>Enchantment of the Seas</i> Royal Caribbean cruise ship having Baltimore, Maryland as home port

Enchantment of the Seas is a Vision-class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Rock Boat: Booze, Battles and 32 Bands NY Times, 14/03/14
  2. 1 2 3 4 Artist Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine - The Rock Boat
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lineup - The Rock Boat - Music Festival at Sea
  4. Rock Boat 16 AXS, 21/04/15