Groove Cruise Announces 2026 Artist-Hosted Experiences & Philanthropic Initiatives

More information & sign-ups for Artist-Hosted Experiences HERE

More information on Whet Foundation initiatives HERE

Groove Cruise, the world’s largest music cruise, has revealed the highly anticipated lineup of artist-hosted activities, dinners, and excursions for its 2026 sailing. The cruise will set sail from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, from Thursday, January 22, through Monday, January 26, 2026, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

One of the most beloved aspects of Groove Cruise is the chance to connect with artists in unforgettable, personal ways. Whether it’s a playful game, a creative workshop, or an inspiring wellness session, artist-hosted experiences bring fans and artists together in an epic setting at sea. We are thrilled to offer a stacked lineup of artist-hosted activities on board Groove Cruise Miami 2026. Sign up here!

This year’s lineup includes:

Artist-Hosted Activities: This year’s sailing boasts 64 Artist-Hosted Activities including; Dodgeball with Ayybo, Mario Kart with Linska, Angel Card Reading with Sarah De Warren, HIIT the Decks Workout Class with Blossom, Sushi Making with Blanke, Soccer with Joshwa, Yoga with Amy Wiles, and so much more. Most activities are free to join, with optional donations benefiting the Whet Foundation.

Artist-Hosted Dinners: Share cocktails and conversation with favorites like DJ Susan, Gene Farris, Lilly Palmer, Markus Schulz, Sam Blacky, Trivecta, and more. These 16 exclusive dinners offer elevated dining experiences in specialty restaurants onboard.

Artist-Hosted Excursions: Take the party ashore with unique adventures such as Swimming Pigs & Pearl Island Beach Escape with Blossom, a Rum Runners Pub Crawl with Luci, Nassau Sail & Reef Snorkeling with The Sponges & Last Heroes, and more. Excursions have limited capacity.

Captain Connections: The Captain Connections experiences are all about bringing the community together. From dance classes to drag shows, wellness sessions, and creative workshops hosted by our Experience Navigators, there’s something for everyone. 2026’s official meetups include: LGBTQIA+ Meetup, Military Meetup, Sober Captains, Speed Friending and Virgin Meetup.

There’s also Groove Games, where decks form teams to compete in various games, and the beloved Experience Navigators, who throw fan favorite events including Crusher Camp, Drag Brunch, Flow Class, Whet Oasis, and more.

At the heart of Groove Cruise is a commitment to community. All artist-hosted activities support the Whet Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit uplifting underserved communities in cruise destinations through its Destination Donation initiative. Every dollar raised helps make a real impact for children in The Bahamas.

Making an Impact Beyond the Music

For Groove Cruise Miami 2026, the Whet Foundation will support Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Boys & Girls Club of The Bahamas. They will provide essentials like toiletries, clothing, school supplies, and food. Captains are invited to bring requested donations aboard. The volunteers will deliver them directly to local children through hands-on activities in Nassau. Many volunteers share that the Destination Donation volunteer experience is a highlight of their trip. Groove Cruise Miami 2026 attendees can sign up to volunteer for Destination Donation through their Whet Travel account. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please click HERE.

Beyond Destination Donation, the Whet Foundation drives initiatives in mental health awareness, ocean conservation, Community Captains (youth leadership), creating long-lasting impact across South Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico. More information HERE. A standout event for the Whet Foundation is the Celebration of Life, where participants have the opportunity to share their story of a loved one who has passed, write a message to their loved ones and put their message in the biodegradable wreath to be thrown overboard.In many cultures the ocean is one of the primary factors that made life possible on earth. Sending off the departed into the ocean symbolizes the end of physical life and the beginning of spiritual rebirth.

Setting Sail for an Unforgettable Experience

Groove Cruise isn’t just any music festival; it’s a transformative journey that blends the serenity of the open sea with the powerful influences of music, community, and connection. When you embark on Groove Cruise, it feels like one big family reunion. Groove Cruise unites people from around the world, creating a second family affectionately known as the #GCFAM. The #GCFAM is connected by shared values, a love for music, and an inclusive spirit. This close-knit community fosters a sense of belonging, where captains form lifelong friendships and connections.

Groove Cruise 2026 will take place aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship (by staterooms). This elevates the festival to new heights with unparalleled luxury, adventure, and world-class entertainment. Featuring 96 hours of non-stop dance music across 13 stages, over 100 world-class DJs and producers, and much more. Making her debut in 2022, the Wonder of the Seas showcases eight unique neighborhoods. Each of these offers a distinctive vibe, and is home to more than 40 bar and dining experiences.

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About Groove Cruise

The Groove Cruise is known as the world’s first and largest premier floating dance music festival. It is the only music cruise that has sailed regularly from both the East and West coasts. It offers a non-stop, life-changing experience comprising four days of beach, pool, and theme parties, numerous delectable restaurants, 24/7 electronic dance music, art installations, and exotic destination experiences. In addition to the standard cruise amenities, there are artist activities, the Whet Oasis Zen Experience, world-class production, and various onboard events that rival the best dance music festivals in the world.

Groove Cruise has won numerous awards since its inception in 2004, including Best Music Cruise and Best Fan Community (affectionately known as the GCFam), and it has been rated the number 80 festival in the World by DJ Mag this year – a truly remarkable feat to be named alongside festivals that boast 100 times the capacity of even the biggest cruise ships. Groove Cruise is produced by Whet Travel.

About Whet Travel

For over 20 years, Whet Travel has curated and produced more music cruises than any other independent company. Partnering with some of the cruise industry’s most recognized and trusted brands, this revolutionary company has executed over 60 wildly successful events, including Groove Cruise, Motorboat, Zen Cruise, Salsa Cruise, and Groove Island. Innovators since their launch in 2004, Whet Travel was named Inc. Magazine’s No. 4 fastest-growing travel company in the country, has won the prestigious “Charter Partner of the Year” award from both Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines, has been featured in USA Today, Billboard, Forbes, and was most recently awarded the Inc. 5000 America’s number 16 fastest-growing travel and hospitality company.

About Whet Foundation

The Whet Foundation is a Florida-based 501 (c) (3) organization that offers grassroots disaster relief for those experiencing hardships, mental health programming year-round, onboard ocean clean-ups, and conservation efforts in partnership with 4Ocean. It has built homes for single mothers in Mexico and the Bahamas. The foundation creates impactful experiences for underprivileged children in South Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Through the Community Captains and Destination Donation programs, Whet Foundation strives to help those less fortunate in a meaningful and engaging manner while positively impacting an entire generation. The foundation gives back to local communities by supplying clothing, food, school supplies, donations, beach and community cleanups, painting and art programs, providing facility repairs, and assisting with home and school structural improvement costs.