The most recent Groove Cruise Miami sailing featured fantastic performances and an atmosphere that’s difficult to find in today’s festival scene.
If you’re looking for a festival off the beaten path that will change how you look at the scene, Groove Cruise should be among those you’re thinking about attending. For two decades, Whet Travel has curated epic experiences on the high seas with each passing edition of this floating festival, and it’s only grown and become more refined. Last year, I embarked on my first-ever Groove Cruise Miami voyage, which made me fall deeper in love with the scene, and there was no doubt that I needed to be on board for the 2026 sailing.
Although the lineup was stacked with artists who would provide 96 hours of straight music during the four-day experience, it took a back seat when it came to deciding to return. I had fallen in love with the experience—from the non-stop party and the fun sidequests to the intimate crowd size and overall positive vibes. The hype grew as the sailing drew near, and suddenly I was in Miami, ready for the weekend extravaganza ahead.
The Wednesday night preparty shifted from M2 Miami to the Toe Jam Backlot this year, which was unfortunate given the rain that was falling across the city. We opted to skip the show and rest up for the adventure ahead instead. The following day, the ship’s boarding process was fairly seamless. After all, you need to have a streamlined process when there are thousands of dance music lovers raring to get on board to start the party.
Music was already bumping from the moment we set foot on the Wonder of the Seas. The Promenade itself was a pretty close carbon copy of last year’s Allure of the Seas, offering a sense of familiarity. I hoped that some of the issues from that sailing wouldn’t present themselves this time around, and soon enough, I would discover that this ship would feel like even more of a dream.
While much of Groove Cruise Miami felt the same in terms of layout, this year’s modifications felt like a blessing.
The Promenade, Aquatheater, Studio B, and Royal Theatre stages were practically the same as last year, though it felt like some upgrades were made to the production at each in various ways. The Casino stage was moved to a different area of the casino, which was fine overall, but it limited the number of people who could dance to the DJs, as the card tables were in the way. The Attic, formerly called Blaze, felt like it had a better layout overall, though it became a massive sweatbox during the drum and bass night.
Three of the biggest changes weren’t necessarily by Groove Cruise’s design, but rather the ship’s layout.
The Solarium was the perfect place to catch stripped-back performances in a spacious area, with far more room to dance in front of the decks than last year and plenty of jacuzzis for anyone wanting to take a dip. The Pool stage also underwent a change, shifting from one side of the ship to face the whole deck. While a giant hole with Central Park below it was where the dancefloor typically would be, it allowed more people to splash around on both sides of the ship during daytime sets. Finally, The Ultimate Abyss drew its name from the slide it sat next to, offering open-air sets that went deep into the night. Its only downside was the journey to get there, because it was certainly the most isolated of the bunch.
My favorite stage ended up being Music Hall, which was previously called Dazzles. This two-story layout provided more space on the second floor for dancing or chilling, and the bar lines upstairs or downstairs never seemed to get too busy. It was cool to get a bird’s-eye view of the dancefloor or to hop into the crowd at a moment’s notice and vibe out during a set.
True to the nature of Groove Cruise, there were also plenty of pop-ups happening all over the ship as well. This included DJs spinning in the elevators, special sets that happened in Social 100 or the Crown Lounge, and DEEPFAKE’s secret rave that turned the card room into a trippy environment.
Beyond the stages, Groove Cruise and the Wonder of the Seas featured other amenities that felt more polished.
Drinks were aplenty, as was food, for most of the day at least. Sorrento’s became a hub for late-night pizza, while you could grab a hot dog at the Dog House pretty late at night over by the Aquatheater stage. It felt as if the Windjammer buffet had grown in size, and it was great to see seemingly far more options available to try, especially for those with dietary restrictions, than last year’s edition on the Allure of the Seas.
While we didn’t opt for the paid restaurants, it seemed others frequented them. The main dining hall sufficed when we wanted a sit-down meal instead. And although I don’t expect the finest quality of food on cruise ships, it was good enough to keep me full. And if you were dying for a Starbucks coffee, the pop-up on the Promenade would give you your fix.
The onboard gym was available for those who wanted to keep their workout schedule while on the sailing. The spa offered massages and IVs for anyone who needed a quick refresh before getting back into the action. Playmakers, the ship’s sports bar, was the place to be for anyone who wanted to catch NFL action on Sunday, and boy, were there loads of Patriots fans on board. I also enjoyed Neon Owl’s panels at the Aquatheater, which featured artists like Blanke, Linney, Hoang, and more who shared their takes on their careers and the scene as a whole.
Additionally, if you plan to drink on Groove Cruise Miami, you might consider getting the drink package. The decision to buy the drink package is common, but I’m here to tell you that unless you’re drinking more than eight drinks a day, you probably don’t need it. A few drinks here and there aren’t going to break the bank; just make sure you specify the liquor you want when ordering. For instance, instead of a “vodka soda,” order a “Tito’s and soda,” so they don’t pour you the upcharge Grey Goose, which was about $5 more than Tito’s. It also isn’t difficult to make some friends along the way who will pass you a drink or two, saving you some extra dough.
Nassau, the sole stop for Groove Cruise Miami, left a bit to be desired.
I didn’t enjoy the Nassau stop when EDSea went there on its inaugural sailing, and the same could be said for this edition of Groove Cruise Miami. I went in with an open mind, hoping the experience would be different, but I ended up facing the same situation I had before. Limited shade, long bar lines, and pricing that felt inconsistent, at best. Unlike on EDSea, the ship’s WiFi didn’t cover the area, and the WiFi from the port was practically unusable.
The biggest downer for Nassau is that you’re not actually in a “destination,” since the amphitheater is right next to the port. Of course, you could go to the beach or explore the tourist trap area of town, but for those of us there for the music, it was a bit of a miss if you wanted to do more. That said, the stage’s audio was fine, and it was the only place to catch John Summit, so it drew a large crowd. But if it wasn’t for him, I probably would’ve stayed on board to catch the music there.
Last year in Labadee was exponentially better, with two stages, activities, and the sand in your toes while you danced to DJs. I’m hopeful this was just a small hiccup, as next year’s destination is Royal Beach Club, Royal Caribbean’s new private island that appears to offer expansive offerings for a better overall experience.
Let’s talk about the music on Groove Cruise Miami.
I genuinely loved the lineup for Groove Cruise Miami this year, as it featured a solid blend of house, techno, trance, and a dash of drum and bass. Standouts included John Summit, Layton Giordani, Blanke, Markus Schulz, Chris Lorenzo, Ranger Trucco, Joshwa, Kyle Watson, GAWP, Wakyin, and the late-added Gorgon City.
That said, I was even more impressed by the women on the lineup. Blossom, Lilly Palmer, Sarah de Warren, Linney, Linska, Azzecca, Airrica, Bella Renee, Jackie Hollander, and Girl Math (VNSSA and Nala) threw down wicked sets of their own, and I soaked up every minute.
The level of where the artist was on the billing didn’t matter to me at all, either, because some of my favorite sets were from rising artists and GC Fam. Catching acts like DEEPFAKE, Nikita Page, Kyliente, Max Low, Doc Brown, Adam Scott, Alley Kay, and Devon James stick out as special moments because of how intimate those experiences were. Artists like these make up the core of what Groove Cruise is all about, shining a light on the community.
The Groove Cruise community continued to leave a lasting impression.
Last year, many within the Groove Cruise Family welcomed me with open arms, and this year, they showed the same vibes. It was so great to see dance music lovers from all walks of life enjoying their experience and living life to the fullest. Trinkets, kandi, and conversations were abundant throughout the entire ship, and it was difficult not make a new friend or two while catching a set.
I will say this sailing seemed to draw a bit younger a demographic, mostly due to the lineup, but as a whole, it was mature raving at its finest. It was also fun seeing people bring their parents along to Groove Cruise, which is far rarer at land-based festivals. After all, Jason Beukema, Groove Cruise’s founder, pointed out how easy the experience can be with all the amenities just a short walk or elevator ride away.
My experience was filled with meeting new friends I’m already planning to hang out with throughout the year, connecting with artists and industry members I hadn’t met before, and soaking in as many PLUR vibes as possible. I also can’t forget the games of Twister or gambling away trinkets during Frick Frack Blackjack, both of which took place in random elevators.
Whether you’re a longtime raver or a fresh face in the scene, Groove Cruise is for you.
There are truly few experiences in the festival scene that are like Groove Cruise. While the price tag might feel steep at first glance, it’s comparable to an experience like EDC Las Vegas or another major festival that draws a much larger crowd when you account for lodging, transportation, and other expenses. The difference is what you receive in return: a fun, free-spirited, fairly intimate experience that will open doors to new friendships and deepen your love for dance music culture.
Groove Cruise Miami will sail again in 2027, and I can’t wait to see what Jason Beukema and the Whet Travel crew have in store this time around. Don’t sleep on grabbing a cabin if you haven’t already, because once the lineup drops, it’s sure to sell out quickly.
Follow Groove Cruise:
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | SoundCloud | YouTube | TikTok
