Fan Fest Cruise – The ’26 Cruise to the Bahamas is a four night fandom getaway sailing February 2 to February 6, 2026, round trip from Fort Lauderdale with stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau in the Bahamas. It blends a classic Caribbean island cruise with curated Fan Fest Society programming like panels, meet ups, games, and themed entertainment designed for passionate fans who want a vacation that feels like a friendly, floating convention.
What Is the Fan Fest ’26 Cruise?
The Fan Fest Cruise – The ’26 Cruise is a specialty fan event hosted by The Fan Fest Society on board the Celebrity Reflection, a Celebrity Cruises ship known for modern amenities, comfortable staterooms, and polished service. The itinerary runs Monday February 2 to Friday February 6, 2026, giving guests four nights and five days of cruising, community, and island time in the Bahamas.
This sailing is designed as a hybrid experience that pairs a typical Caribbean cruise with convention style programming, including panels, meet ups, trivia, karaoke, costume contests, and social activities from morning to night. All guests booked through the event organizers receive an official Fan Fest cruise wristband, event swag items, and access to extra programming that layers over the ship’s entertainment schedule.
Dates, Itinerary, and Island Highlights
The ’26 Cruise departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday February 2, 2026, spends Tuesday at sea, visits Perfect Day at CocoCay on Wednesday, and sails into Nassau, Bahamas on Thursday before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning February 6. This routing offers a mix of relaxed sea time, a curated private island experience, and a day in one of the most iconic island capitals in the Caribbean region.
Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas is Royal Caribbean Group’s private island destination, known for clear turquoise water, soft white sand, water slides, cabanas, and quiet beach zones for guests who prefer to relax instead of chase thrills. Nassau provides a contrasting taste of local Bahamian island life, with its pastel downtown buildings, straw markets, historic forts, Junkanoo traditions, and easy access to famous resort areas like Paradise Island.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Stateroom Options
Pricing for the 2026 Fan Fest Cruise is set as an all inclusive event rate that covers lodging, taxes, fees, gratuities, basic Wi Fi, meals at standard onboard venues, ship entertainment, and Fan Fest Society programming. Per person prices listed by the organizers range from 1,184.15 dollars for an inside stateroom up to 1,934.15 dollars for a Sky Suite, with options in between such as ocean view, veranda, and Aqua Class categories.
The listed prices are non refundable and are based on double occupancy, which is typical for themed cruises and festival at sea events. While the core fare is designed to be as complete as possible, guests can still customize their vacation by adding spa treatments, shore excursions, premium dining, or upgraded beverage and Wi Fi packages through Celebrity’s systems ahead of sailing.
What Makes This Cruise Unique for Island Fans
Unlike a standard Bahamas cruise that focuses only on beaches and bars, the Fan Fest Cruise layers a fan community experience on top of the island itinerary. Guests can attend panels with invited guests, participate in themed games and trivia, join costume contests or cosplay meet ups, and enjoy late night karaoke and dancing with fellow fans rather than anonymous fellow travelers.
Because the cruise is curated by The Fan Fest Society, many attendees already share similar interests centered around fandom culture, creative storytelling, and pop culture appreciation. That makes the cruise feel like an intimate island festival at sea where it is easy to meet people, make friends, and spend the day exploring Caribbean islands and the evening sharing stories over group dinners or shipboard lounges.
Onboard Experience on Celebrity Reflection
Celebrity Reflection is a modern Celebrity Cruises ship offering a mix of casual and upscale spaces, including multiple dining rooms, specialty restaurants, lounges, theatre venues, pool decks, fitness facilities, and spa areas. The Fan Fest programming is scheduled to complement the ship’s entertainment so guests can enjoy both the regular cruise offerings and the dedicated activities for the Fan Fest community.
Basic Wi Fi, regular dining, and standard onboard activities are included in the Fan Fest fare, giving travelers peace of mind about most core expenses. Guests in higher end categories such as suites can also receive perks like complimentary premium Wi Fi and beverage packages, adding an extra layer of comfort to long evenings under the island sky.
Bahamian Island Culture and Local Flavor
While the Fan Fest Cruise is centered on community and fandom, the itinerary still highlights Bahamian island culture through its port calls. Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, showcases a blend of British colonial heritage and Afro Caribbean traditions, visible in landmarks like Fort Fincastle, the Queen’s Staircase, and the vibrant Bay Street district.
Food lovers can taste local favorites such as conch salad, fried fish, peas and rice, and sweet baked treats sold in markets and small eateries around the harbor, offering a flavor profile that reflects the wider island region. Visitors interested in island arts can explore local crafts at straw markets or visit small galleries that feature Bahamian painting, music, and handcrafted souvenirs.
Activities and Excursions in Port
In Nassau, guests can choose to wander through downtown, visit nearby beaches, book catamaran snorkel trips, or explore resort zones that offer waterparks, aquariums, and day passes for travelers who want more structured activities. History enthusiasts can walk to historic forts or take guided tours that explain the island’s role in maritime trade, colonial history, and regional culture.
At Perfect Day at CocoCay, options range from lounging on Chill Island style beaches to riding water slides, floating in large pools, or renting cabanas and overwater spaces that overlook the shallow turquoise lagoon. Adrenaline seekers can pay for extra charge attractions, while travelers who want a classic island day can simply relax by the sea, sip a drink, and enjoy the warm Bahamian sun.
Practical Travel Tips for the ’26 Cruise
Because the Fan Fest Cruise sails round trip from Fort Lauderdale, international visitors and island based travelers alike should plan flights that arrive at least one day early to reduce stress and avoid missing the ship due to delays. The event fare does not include air or ground transportation, so guests should budget separately for flights, hotels, and transfers to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port.
Travelers should also confirm passport requirements, as cruises that call in the Bahamas typically require valid travel documents even for short itineraries. Since February is a popular time for Caribbean and island travel, early booking of flights and pre cruise accommodation is recommended, particularly for those coming from other islands or from colder mainland regions.
Who Should Consider Booking
The Fan Fest Cruise – The ’26 Cruise is a natural fit for travelers who enjoy both island vacations and fan culture, including those who have attended previous Fan Fest Society gatherings on land. It works well for solo travelers, couples, or small groups who want a built in community and shared interests, which can make the cruise feel less intimidating than a typical mainstream sailing.
It can also be appealing to island residents who want to experience a different perspective on the region by sailing to Nassau and CocoCay while still remaining in familiar Caribbean waters. For fans who missed earlier Fan Fest events or could not travel to past locations, the ’26 Cruise provides a fresh chance to connect while enjoying beaches, sun, and warm island nights.
How to Prepare and Make the Most of It
To get the most out of the Fan Fest Cruise, guests should keep an eye on official Fan Fest Society channels where guest announcements, price change deadlines, and booking updates are shared. Organizers have highlighted that prices can increase after specific dates, so early commitment often secures better rates and preferred stateroom categories.
Packing should balance typical Caribbean cruise essentials such as light clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes with fandom friendly items like costumes, themed outfits, or merch for photos and meet ups. Because the cruise offers a full day at sea and lively evenings, it helps to plan for both relaxed daytime wear and slightly dressier looks for dinners, parties, and nighttime activities under the island sky.
Ready to Sail on the Fan Fest Cruise – The ’26 Cruise?
For travelers who dream of combining a Bahamas island escape with a lively fan community, the Fan Fest Cruise – The ’26 Cruise offers a rare chance to turn a typical winter getaway into an immersive five day celebration at sea. With an all inclusive event fare, curated programming, and a route that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau between February 2 and February 6, 2026, this sailing is designed to be both easy to book and memorable to experience.
If the idea of sharing Caribbean sunsets, island ports, and late night fandom fun with like minded travelers sounds appealing, visit the official Fan Fest Society booking page and secure a stateroom before prices rise or categories sell out. Bring your curiosity, your love of stories, and your sense of adventure, then step aboard Celebrity Reflection to be part of the Fan Fest Cruise – The ’26 Cruise in the Bahamas.
Verified Information at a Glance
Event Name: Fan Fest Cruise – The ’26 Cruise
Event Category: Themed fan festival cruise / fandom event at sea
Organizer: The Fan Fest Society
Dates: February 2 to February 6, 2026
Duration: 4 nights, 5 days
Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Cruise Line and Ship: Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Reflection
Itinerary: Day at sea, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau, return to Fort Lauderdale
Ports of Call: CocoCay, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas
Price Range (per person): Approximately 1,184.15 dollars to 1,934.15 dollars, non refundable, depending on stateroom type
Sample Inside Stateroom Rate: 1,184.15 dollars per person
Sample Ocean View Rate: 1,284.15 dollars per person
Sample Veranda Rate: 1,314.15 dollars per person
Sample Aqua Class Rate: 1,568.15 dollars per person
Sample Sky Suite Rate: 1,934.15 dollars per person
Inclusions: Lodging, taxes, fees, gratuities, basic Wi Fi, standard dining, ship entertainment, Fan Fest programming, wristband, event swag
Not Included: Airfare, ground transfers, spa treatments, premium dining, excursions, premium Wi Fi and beverage upgrades
Target Guests: Fan Fest Society community and fandom focused travelers seeking a Bahamas cruise with built in fan programming
