Groove Cruise and Whet Travel recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with a monumental event, hosting nearly 5,000 passionate Groove Cruise "Captains" aboard the Norwegian Encore for the festival's largest edition yet. Sailing from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, the festival featured headliners like Tiësto, John Summit, and Diplo, making it the largest floating dance music event in history.
The four-night voyage was packed with 96 hours of nonstop dance music across 11 stages, over 60 artist-hosted activities, workshops, interactive art, gaming, and much more. Attendees fully embraced daily themes such as 'U Are The Universe,' 'Dancing Through The Decades,' '50 Shades of Nintendo,' 'Naughty Nautical,' and others, adding a vibrant touch to the experience.
The Sail Away party kicked off the event with performances from Markus Schulz, Joel Corry, Blastoyz, and Adam Scott on the Pool Deck. Diplo also hosted Groove Cruise's first-ever Higher Ground stage takeover with a lineup including VNSSA, LP Giobbi, Gene Farris, Biscuits, and Casmalia.
Throughout the voyage, various stages hosted a plethora of artists and themes, including Coldharbour, Carnival, Taking Back Emo, Decades, Future Sound of Egypt, and more. The final day featured a beach party on Great Stirrup Cay headlined by Tiësto, with John Summit and Friends closing out the Pool Deck performances.
The festival also prioritized community involvement and mental health awareness. The Whet Foundation nonprofit organized charity initiatives in the Bahamas, providing essential items and supporting local communities. Additionally, mental health panels, workshops, and a Celebration of Life event were held onboard to address important issues within the dance music community.
Looking ahead, Groove Cruise 2025 is set to sail from Miami to Labadee aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, promising to be the largest and most innovative Groove Cruise yet. With its expansive amenities and immersive experience, Groove Cruise continues to captivate attendees year after year, solidifying its position as a leading music festival at sea.
Images Credit: JSloane Creative Press
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