Rock Boat


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.

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. 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, and many more. There are generally four or five performing stages constructed on the venue, and performances are scheduled from noon until 3 AM. 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 as "Spring Break for people with jobs."

Event details

The Rock Boat XXI

Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl

Sail Date: January 27, 2021

Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman

Announced Artists:
Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl

Sail Date: January 24, 2020

Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Harvest Caye, Belize and Roatán, Honduras

Performing Artists:
* onboard with Amy Gerhartz but did one solo show

† The Kin departed early due to family bereavement

The Rock Boat XIX

Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl

Sail Date: February 01, 2019

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Key West and Nassau, Bahamas

Performing Artists:
* dropped out due to illness

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:
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:
* married couple, dropped out due to pregnancy

** replaced Andy Grammer - but also dropped out due to pregnancy

† onboard with Amy Gerhartz but did one solo show

‡ last minute replacement for Walk off the Earth

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:
Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl

Sail Date: January 24, 2015

Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico

Performing Artists:
Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl

Sail Date: February 22, 2014

Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Performing Artists:
† 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:
Ship: Carnival Elation

Sail Date: March 1, 2012

Ports: Leaving from New Orleans, Louisiana to Cozumel, Mexico

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Inspiration

Sail Date: January 6, 2011

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Costa Maya, Mexico

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Inspiration

Sail Date: January 7, 2010

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Destiny

Sail Date: January 17, 2009

Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Nassau, Bahamas and Half Moon Cay

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Imagination

Sail Date: January 19, 2008

Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Georgetown, Grand Cayman

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Legend

Sail Date: January 11, 2007

Ports: Leaving from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Elation

Sail Date: January 14, 2006

Ports: Leaving from Galveston, Texas to Playa del Carmen and Progresso, Mexico

Performing Artists:
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:
Ship: Carnival Sensation

Sail Date: August 28, 2003

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Sensation

Sail Date: August 29, 2002

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Key West, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas

Performing Artists:
Ship: Carnival Jubilee

Sail Date: August 30, 2001

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico

Performing Artists: