As I’d mentioned in a recent article about Norwegian Sky, my first cruise ever was in January 2022. That cruise was Groove Cruise, a cruise focusing on Electronic Dance Music (EDM), and which is quite different from your average cruise. In this article I’ll jump into the details and explain what makes Groove Cruise such a fun experience!

Groove Cruise: What to Expect on the Ultimate EDM Vacation

1. What is Groove Cruise?
2. Demographics and Social Atmosphere on Groove Cruise
3. How is Groove Cruise Different from Other Cruises?
4. Itinerary on Groove Cruise
5. Planned Activities on Groove Cruise
6. Food and Beverage on Groove Cruise
7. Groove Cruise 20th Anniversary
8. Groove Cruise Discount Code
9. Insider Info on Groove Cruise

What is Groove Cruise?

Groove Cruise (GC) is, in short, an EDM festival on a cruise. Whet Travel, the company that owns Groove Cruise, charters a cruise on a major line (e.g. Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity) twice a year, usually in January and October. In January, GC generally leaves from Florida, and in October, it generally leaves from Los Angeles.

To give a few examples, the January 2022 cruise did a Orlando-Bahamas route on Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas; the January 2023 cruise did a Miami-Haiti (Labadee) route on Celebrity Summit; and the January 2024 cruise traveled the Miami-Great Stirrup Cay (Bahamas) route on Norwegian Encore. In January 2025, Groove Cruise will sail on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas and operate what they’re describing as the largest music cruise in history!

DJs on GC play music in different venues of the ship round the clock, 24 hours a day. Costume themes are also announced in advance – some people take the costumes to a really high level!

Demographics and Social Atmosphere on Groove Cruise

Based on the above description, one might think this is a cruise for folks in their early to mid 20s; in fact, I thought this was true for a long time as well. Admittedly, this misconception kept me from trying GC for a long time. In reality, the median age is probably around 35-40.

Groove Cruisers are primarily American but come from all over the world. I have met people from Canada, Mexico, Peru, the UK, Norway, Sweden, and even as far as South Africa!

Perhaps most importantly though, is the social atmosphere that pervades GC. I have seldom (if ever) been in an environment where everyone is friendly and open to talking to anyone next to them. In my opinion, this is a huge contrast to other music festivals which don’t seem to have the same social openness that is present on GC.

How is Groove Cruise Different from Other Cruises?

This is far from a “regular” cruise!

• Groove Cruise is mostly about the music and social atmosphere, unlike other cruises which can oftentimes be focused on families or honeymooners.
  • On a related note, Groove Cruise is strictly 21+ only.
• Most cruises close access to food and drink by (for example) 10 pm or midnight. On GC, the buffet operates 24 hours a day. Other restaurants around the ship will operate during their normal hours.
• Alcohol is also available 24 hours a day on Groove Cruise, though there will only be one bar available the last night after approximately 1 am.
• The focus of the destination is (you guessed it) more EDM.
  • Standard ship excursions offered by the cruise operator are still available as well. Whet Travel chooses a different operator for every GC, so the excursions will naturally differ every time. Check with the cruise operator if you wish to try their excursions!

Itinerary on Groove Cruise

Specific itineraries will of course differ on each cruise, but will generally follow the same pattern:

Day 1

Depart origin at approximately 4 pm. The “Sail Away” party will happen on the pool deck at this time, and most passengers will be present.

Day 2

Sailing day.

Day 3

Ship will dock early morning at the destination. Passengers who would like to disembark are welcome to do so. The cruise operator will offer excursions standard for the destination. Many passengers prefer to hang out near the DJs who will be playing at the destination.

Day 4

Sailing day.

This is the last day of the trip, and passengers will try to squeeze every last drop of fun out of the rest of the trip. Many will stay up all night!

Day 5

Back at port by early morning.

Planned Activities on Groove Cruise

Since Groove Cruisers are primarily present for the music, fewer planned activities are there compared to a regular cruise. Here are some highlights from the events on the January 2023 trip aboard Celebrity Summit:

Stand-up Comedian

Exactly what you think it was. I intended to watch but unfortunately, a scheduling mishap on my end prevented me from doing so.

Spelling Bee

Yes, you heard this right! In fact, I participated. January 2023 had the first-ever spelling bee on GC. The nerd in me couldn’t resist! This wasn’t your standard spelling bee; words ranged from boating terms to real names of well-known celebrities. Audience participation was strongly encouraged!

Beer Olympics

Teams of 4 competed in time trials across multiple different events, drinking beer:

• One teammate has to drink an ice tray filled with beer out of a straw.
• Two teammates play Flip Cup over 4 flips.
• One teammate plays Corn Hole till he or she scores.
• All four teammates have to sequentially finish a can of beer.

Food and Beverage on Groove Cruise

Food on GC is standard per the cruise ship, with one notable difference: the buffet is open 24 hours for the entirety of the itinerary. This is a crucial feature since many folks are up listening to live music till late hours of the night.

As is standard on cruise ships, other restaurants on the ship are available for those looking for a more formal sit-down meal. Some restaurants are complimentary, while others may charge an additional fee. I usually prefer to grab dinner in a sit-down restaurant to socialize with others and meet new people.

Much like the 24-hour food policy, alcohol is also available 24 hours a day, with the exception of the last night, when all but one bar will shut down. You would be wise to bring your own alcohol on board the ship (within the cruise operator’s allowance) so that you are not waiting in long lines on the last night.

Groove Cruise 20th Anniversary

From January 23-27, 2025, GC will be holding what they’re describing as the largest music cruise in history! Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, the ship has a capacity of 6,780 passengers!

If you are celebrating something special around that time, this may be a perfect opportunity to try something off the beaten path. A birthday, promotion, engagement, bachelor/bachelorette party, marriage, even a breakup or divorce – all great reasons to let loose for a weekend!

Groove Cruise Discount Code

Are you interested in booking Groove Cruise? Use the discount code JETSETTINGWITHUS (all one word) for a $50 discount per person. That means if you and a friend or partner are splitting a room, you’ll get $100 off the room; if you’re splitting a quad with 3 friends, you’ll get $200 off the room!

This discount code will be valid as long as this blog post is up!

Insider Info on Groove Cruise

• If you are considering going, GC tends to sell out quickly. Try to book early if possible. Early bookings also offer the most flexible payment plans.
• Groove Cruisers take the costume themes seriously. Don’t be shy to dress up! Fewer folks are dressed up during the day, so if you are looking for a good way to focus your energy on costumes, focus that energy on the nighttime themes.
  • On a related note, if you are traveling with others, many groups do group themes. One group for example, does a doctor-patient theme every year handing out syringe shots of Jello!
• While most folks will spend the majority of their waking hours partying, don’t be shy to pace yourself. I make it a point to hit the gym every day, for example.
• Only one bar will remain open on the last night after approximately 1 am, and the line will move quite slowly. If the cruise operator permits, bring some alcohol on board with you so you don’t have to spend your last night waiting in a long line.

Have you been on Groove Cruise? What did you think? Are you considering going on Groove Cruise? What are you most looking forward to? Leave a reply below!