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, 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. 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 XXV

Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl

Sail Date: January 29, 2026 '

Ports: Leaving from Miami, Florida to Sint Maarten and San Juan, Puerto Rico

Performing Artists:
* stowaway artists

** replaced Judah & the Lion

† soundcheck artist winners

‡ collaboration between the Meaghan Farrell and Megan Slankard

§ on board with Stephen Kellogg but did one solo show

Artists who were announced but withdrew for any reason:'''
  • Judah & the Lion
  • The Paradox

    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

Performing Artists:
* stowaway artists

† soundcheck artist winners

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



Performing Artists:
* 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:
* 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







Performing Artists:
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:
  • Allen Mack Myers Moore
  • The Alternate Routes
  • Amy Gerhartz
  • Animal Years
  • The Bones of J.R. Jones
  • Brett Newski & The No Tomorrow
  • The Brevet
  • Brian Fechino
  • Carbon Leaf
  • Carly Burruss
  • Emily Wolfe
  • Gaelic Storm
  • Hero The Band
  • J.R. Moore
  • Lawrence
  • Meaghan Farrell ‡
  • Melodime
  • Motherfolk$
  • Needtobreathe
  • Red Wanting Blue
  • Sammy Rae & The Friends
  • SCR
  • Sister Hazel
  • Stephen Kellogg*
  • Switchfoot
  • Tall Heights
  • Tonic
  • Tony Lucca
  • The Unlikely Candidates$
  • Welshly Arms
  • The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow$
  • Wideawake featuring The Kin†
  • Will Hoge*
* 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:
* 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:
* stowaway artists

† soundcheck artist winners