Rock the Boat: 7 Cruises For Music Lovers

PHOTO: Jennifer Hudson is among the performers in the new Carnival LIVE concert series. (Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)

Music cruises are one of the hottest trends in the travel industry right now. Charters or group cruises with big-name performers and bands are being organized by major companies — think Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line partner Sixthman — as well as entrepreneurial travel agents and charitable organizations. They’re popular because fans get to see favorite musicians perform at least once during the cruise and most likely will get their autograph and a snapshot with them.

Here are seven upcoming rockin’ cruises and concert series.

KISS Kruise IV 

PHOTO: Kiss during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction. (Courtesy of www.splashnews.com)

Wanna rock and roll all nite? The fourth voyage with the flamboyant rock quartet will set sail from Miami on Oct. 31 — that means a Halloween party! — through Nov. 4 aboard the Norwegian Pearl from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau. Fares start at $1,100, double occupancy, which includes admission an indoor KISS rock show, a KISS acoustic and unmasked concert on the private island, a Q&A with the band, a pre-autographed commemorative item, and a photo with the band. Organized by Sixthman.

The Country Music Cruise

PHOTO: Martina McBride. (Courtesy of www.splashnews.com)

The Country Music Cruise, Jan. 18-25 on Holland America Line’s Eurodam, will feature big names such as Martina McBride, Charley Pride, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Lorrie Morgan, John Anderson and more. The cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale and visit Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and the private Bahamian island Half Moon Cay, with two days at sea. Fares start at $2,150 per person, double occupancy, according to the website. The cruise will include nightly performances, panel discussions, autograph sessions and more. The Country Music Cruise is produced by StarVista Entertainment/Time Life in association with Entertainment Cruise Productions.

Carnival LIVE concert series

PHOTO: Styx. (Courtesy of www.splashnews.com)

Carnival Cruise Lines turned up the entertainment volume with its new Carnival LIVE program, which features live performances by big-name musicians on eight ships. Among those scheduled to perform in 2014 are Chicago, Daughtry, Foreigner, Gavin DeGraw, Jennifer Hudson, Jewel, Kansas, Lady Antebellum, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, Olivia Newton-John, REO Speedwagon, STYX and Trace Adkins.

The performances are scheduled for cruises sailing out of six homeports and will take place in the main show lounges when the ships are docked in Cozumel, Mexico; Catalina, Calif.; or Nassau, the Bahamas. The artists will join the ship at the port of call and do not sail.

Tickets cost just $20-40 each, and a limited number of VIP tickets are also available for $100-$150 each. The VIP experience includes an artist meet-and-greet, photo opportunity, seating in the first three rows and a laminated concert pass. All tickets can be purchased through Carnival’s online shore excursion system after booking the cruise and before sailing or onboard participating ships at the shore excursion desk, based on availability.

Grammy Festival at Sea: Women Who Rock!

PHOTO: The Indigo Girls. (Courtesy of www.splashnews.com)

Sixthman partnered with The Recording Academy on the first-ever “Grammy Festival at Sea: Women Who Rock!” to celebrate female musicians who have won or been nominated for Grammys. The lineup includes Heart, Emmylou Harris, Indigo Girls, Shawn Colvin, Estelle and Skylar Grey. The Nov. 4-8 cruise on the Norwegian Pearl will sail from Miami to Grand Stirrup Cay and Nassau. The voyage will feature performances, Q&As, panels and other activities hosted by the bands. Fares start at $550 for a quad occupancy.

Where the Action Is Oldies Cruise

PHOTO: Paul Revere and The Raiders. (Public domain photo)

This voyage, organized by Colleen Hawke Gaier and her Ohio travel agency Excellence in Travel, will take place Jan. 17-24, 2015, on the Ruby Princess from Fort Lauderdale. Scheduled performers include Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Guess Who, The Lettermen and The Buckinghams. Prices start at $1,299 per person.

Florida Georgia Line This is How We Cruise

PHOTO: Florida Georgia Line at this year's CMA Awards. (Courtesy of www.splashnews.com)

The “Florida Georgia Line This is How We Cruise” voyage will take place Nov. 8-12 on Norwegian Pearl from Miami to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. In addition to Florida Georgia Line, the lineup includes Nelly, Thomas Rhett, Colt Ford, the Cadillac Three and more. It will include two outdoor shows by Florida Georgia Line, a Q&A on deck, and other activities hosted by the bands. Available fares start at $700 for double occupancy and $500 for quad occupancy. Organized by Sixthman.

Malt Shop Memories

PHOTO: The Temptations performing at Royal Albert Hall in 2005. (Public domain photo)

The Malt Shop Memories cruise is scheduled to feature Dion, The Temptations, Brenda Lee, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Jan & Dean’s Beach Party, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, and more. It will take place Nov. 2-9 on the Eurodam from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Key West and Falmouth, Jamaica. Priced from $1,875 although many room categories are sold out and on waitlist. Activities include artist-led events and themed activities including a sock hop, T-shirt party at the pool, dance classes and contests, prom night extravaganza and more. It is organized by Entertainment Cruise Productions.