Rock The Boats!
Porthole Cruise Magazine|August 2019

Two music-themed sailings hit all the right notes.

John Roberts
Rock The Boats!

It’s late night on the dimly lit dance floor, and music feeds the festive atmosphere.

Two ladies wearing black dresses and Mardi Gras masks adorned with peacock feathers glide over and catch my attention. We form a little dance circle, and several others join in as the energy rises at the masquerade ball.

It’s close to midnight. But instead of winding down, things are just getting started on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. We’re having a blast, and I quickly realize the two rules for this theme cruise:

1. A stranger is just a friend who you haven’t met yet. 2. The party never stops. This masquerade ball is one of several options available, as bars, lounges and theaters are filled with cruisers determined to ensure the fun never ends on this night.

It’s the second leg of my back-to-back Floating Festivals theme cruises — 3- and 4-day sailings — that span a week and sail roundtrip from Southampton. These inaugural voyages are unlike anything I have experienced on a cruise ship.

Can’t Stop the Music

During my week aboard, I joined thousands of people — most of them Brits and most on their very first cruise — who are here because of a shared passion for their favorite styles of entertainment. Our first sailing visited Bruges, Belgium, while celebrating 1980s British pop and rock music. The second voyage stopped in Amsterdam and carries aficionados of musical theater.

Blackburn International, an entertainment agency from the U.K., launched its Floating Festivals events in 2018 as it noted a rising enthusiasm for theme cruises.

During Throwback: The 80s Festival at Sea, I was partying all day long and into the night (OK, I was doing my best to keep up) with nearly 3,000 young-at-heart wannabe rockers seeking to rekindle memories of our youth.

This story is from the August 2019 edition of Porthole Cruise Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2019 edition of Porthole Cruise Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PORTHOLE CRUISE MAGAZINEView All
GALAPAGOS OF THE EAST
Porthole Cruise and Travel

GALAPAGOS OF THE EAST

Koalas are just the beginning on Australia’s fauna-rich Kangaroo Island.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2021
PLUG IN AND POWER UP!
Porthole Cruise and Travel

PLUG IN AND POWER UP!

More and more, ports and cruise lines are working together to keep the lights on and keep the pollution down

time-read
4 mins  |
July/August 2021
Making Up For Lost Time
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Making Up For Lost Time

After everything we’ve been through, who’s saying no to a postpandemic world cruise or grand voyage offering months at sea?

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2021
MEXICO'S COASTAL ESCAPES
Porthole Cruise and Travel

MEXICO'S COASTAL ESCAPES

With Mexico rolling out the red carpet and opening flight borders to Americans, now is the time to redeem the pent-up wanderlust of the last year.

time-read
4 mins  |
July/August 2021
Countess In!
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Countess In!

Porthole Cruise and Travel enjoys slice after slice of Americana while sailing the new American Countess.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2021
The Joy of St. Croix
Porthole Cruise and Travel

The Joy of St. Croix

Of all the Caribbean vibes, St. Croix’s is unique.

time-read
4 mins  |
July/August 2021
Unique Hotel Boutiques
Porthole Cruise and Travel

Unique Hotel Boutiques

Gone are the days of sad hotel gift shops that sold little but after thoughts. Today’s hotel shopping is varied and eclectic, offering status items and one-of-a-kind finds alike.

time-read
3 mins  |
July/August 2021
Sipping on the Sand
Porthole Cruise Magazine

Sipping on the Sand

The unique beach bars near South Florida’s cruise ports are a perfect reflection of the shorelines they represent.

time-read
1 min  |
March/April 2021
St. Thomas, Sophisticated
Porthole Cruise Magazine

St. Thomas, Sophisticated

A former cruise director revisits the tiny, charming paradise he adored...only to find even more to love.

time-read
4 mins  |
March/April 2021
Traditional Tlingit Tastes
Porthole Cruise Magazine

Traditional Tlingit Tastes

In Hoonah, Alaska, food is about much more than just what's on the plate.

time-read
5 mins  |
March/April 2021