Rock Boat

{{short description|Annual rock festival on a cruise ship}}

{{Primary sources|date=October 2016}}

{{Infobox music festival

| native_name =

| location = Various; Norwegian Cruise Line; Carnival Cruise Lines

| years_active= 2001–present

| dates = Various

| genre = Indie rock, jam bands, pop music, Americana, bluegrass, country, folk, alternative rock

| website = {{URL|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.[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/travel/the-rock-boat-booze-battles-and-32-bands.html The Rock Boat: Booze, Battles and 32 Bands] NY Times, 14/03/14

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 (lead singer and guitarist for Sister Hazel) as "Spring Break for people with jobs".

Event details

=The Rock Boat XXV=

Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line Pearl

Sail Date: January 29, 2026 (for 7 days)

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

Performing Artists: [http://www.therockboat.com/lineup/ Lineup] - The Rock Boat - Music Festival at Sea

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* stowaway artists

soundcheck artist winners

=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:

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* 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

(Original Destinations: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas and Costa Maya, Mexico)

Performing Artists:

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* 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:

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* 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:

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Artists who were announced but withdrew for any reason:

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* 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:

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* 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:

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* 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:

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* 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:

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* 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:

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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:

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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:

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not officially in the lineup but did one solo show

=The Rock Boat XIII=

=The Rock Boat XII=

Ship: Carnival Elation

Sail Date: March 1, 2012

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

Performing Artists:

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=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:

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=The Rock Boat X=

Ship: Carnival Inspiration

Sail Date: January 7, 2010

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico

Performing Artists:

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=The Rock Boat IX=

=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:

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* 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:

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=The Rock Boat VI=

Ship: Carnival Elation

Sail Date: January 14, 2006

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

  • Originally scheduled to leave from the Port of New Orleans

Performing Artists:

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=The Rock Boat V=

Canceled due to Hurricane Katrina*

Ship: Carnival Sensation

Scheduled Performers:

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* 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:

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=The Rock Boat III=

Ship: Carnival Sensation

Sail Date: August 28, 2003

Ports: Leaving from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico

Performing Artists:

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=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:

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=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:

References

{{Reflist}}