Rock the Boat Music Festival
Friends have recently been on Rock the Boat, “Australia’s biggest music festival at sea”. The music cruise event is held annually. If you’re a rock & roll fan then you won’t want to miss this extraordinarily UNIQUE experience.
Throughout this article I have included quotes from one of those friends, Darryl (DC), who was kind enough to share some of his Rock the Boat experiences with me.
DC: “When you have a ship full of star musicians and lovers of music it’s always going to be a recipe for the best week of your life!”
Whether you’re a seasoned cruisey, or just a “cruiseling”, Rock the Boat is going to set a precedent that you won’t want to change.
DC: “Who would’ve thought my first ever cruise would be so perfect?”
The Ship
Rock the Boat sails from Sydney to the South Pacific for 7-nights, typically in October or November each year.
In 2026, Rock the Boat will be hosted aboard the Carnival Splendor. The entire ship is chartered just for this event!
Enjoy a fun-filled cruise with plenty of entertainment, dining choices and spaces to unwind. Spend time in the adults-only retreat, brave the WaterWorks slides or relax in the Cloud 9 Spa. With comfortable staterooms, great shows, vibrant nightlife and activities for all ages, Carnival Splendor offers an easy mix of relaxation and excitement on every voyage.
Step into the heart of Carnival Splendor and find yourself in its vibrant atrium, a soaring multi-deck space filled with energy from morning to night. This central hub is home to live music, lively gatherings and the welcoming Lobby Bar.
Prefer to unwind instead? Head to the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, a peaceful space designed for quiet relaxation away from the buzz of the ship.
DC: “I found all the staff extremely respectful and helpful; your cabin steward will remember your name and make you feel not only important but at home away from home.”
The Entertainment
Did you know that Rock the Boat is a charter cruise? The entire ship has been chartered specifically for this music event. Therefore, the only folk that will be on this cruise will be people like you! Those who are interested in having a good time! It’ll be just like a rock music festival, only at sea!!
To give you a taste for what happens on Rock the Boat, here’s the Official After Cruise video for Rock the Boat 2018. I imagine this is just like the 2019 cruise!
Live music can be heard at a range of venues across the ship.
Music Themed Trivia, Air-Guitar Wars, Lip-Sync Battle & Artist Signings are just a taste of the activities you’ll share with like-minded travellers. It will be a party like no other that you’ll remember for years to come.
Take 2000+ passengers all with a similar love for music and you get a group of people who meet, mingle and party all with similar tastes in mind.
DC: “The experience brought out the teenager in all of us; the songs, the memories all flooded back the first time you heard that riff you air guitared to all those years ago.”
The Food
You’ll find plenty of ways to satisfy your appetite on Carnival Splendor. With more than ten included dining spots, there’s always something tempting on offer, from casual favourites to relaxed sit-down meals. You can also treat yourself to one of the ship’s specialty venues for a more elevated dining experience.
Tuck into burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and seafood favourites, or choose a beautifully cooked steak or a multi-course chef-led dinner for a memorable night at sea. Whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s a flavour and style to match.
When it is time for a drink, you’ll find plenty of inviting bars throughout the ship. Enjoy an easy afternoon with a cold beer, cool off with a frozen cocktail by the pool or settle in for handcrafted drinks mixed by talented bartenders. Whether you prefer something casual or closer to a classic cocktail lounge, there is a spot that suits your style.
DC: “Your choice of restaurants is vast, though you may find with following all the bands and possible consumption of fluids you will utilise the bistro as the easy choice.”
The Places
Not only do you get to watch and listen to your favourite rock performers you also get to have a holiday! Make sure you go ashore on port days. There’s the aquarium to see in Noumea as well as the markets. The hop-on-hop-off bus will take you there! You can also mingle with the locals as you learn more about the culture on the Isle of Pines!
You won’t want it to end! Maybe you can do it all again next year!
7 nights will NOT be enough! The time passes so quickly, you’ll think you entered a time warp! With great memories, you’ll bid farewell to your companions – until next time!
Meet Your Cruise Specialist, Philip
As a CLIA Top 100 Master Cruise Consultant in Australia, my accreditation provides me with specialist knowledge in the luxury cruise space, allowing me to offer expert guidance on selecting the perfect voyage. Read More
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