ShipRocked returns for its 16th voyage from January 25–31, 2026, charting a Bahamian course to Half Moon Cay, the brand‑new Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, and historic Nassau for six days of concerts, deck shows, theme nights, and artist‑hosted activities aboard Carnival Horizon. The “A Cruise For The Gods” edition leans into a Greek‑mythology theme with multiple stages, surprise collaborations, meet‑and‑greets, and late‑night parties, all wrapped around three sun‑soaked port calls in the islands of The Bahamas.
Headliners include Halestorm, Motionless In White, and Knocked Loose, with more than 25 bands across hard rock and alt heavy joining for stacked days and nights at sea and ashore, including a special Halestorm set on the final evening in Nassau before the ship returns to Miami. The full‑ship charter model means wall‑to‑wall programming designed only for ShipRockers, from blackjack and dodgeball tournaments to live‑band karaoke, trivia, yoga, and artist Q&A sessions that keep energy high between port stops and mainstage moments.
Dates, ship, and ports
- Dates: January 25–31, 2026 (Sunday–Saturday)
- Ship: Carnival Horizon (full‑ship charter)
- Embark: Miami, Jan 25 (depart ~4:00 PM)
- Ports: Half Moon Cay (Tue), Celebration Key (Wed), Nassau (Fri) with sea days, then return to Miami (Sat)
Carnival recommends booking return flights for after 1:00 PM ET on disembarkation day to allow for immigration, customs, and transfer time from PortMiami back to MIA or FLL.
Lineup highlights and how music flows each day
This edition brings a heavy, modern edge to ShipRocked’s legacy bill: Halestorm, Motionless In White, Knocked Loose, Wage War, AWOLNATION, Avatar, Suicidal Tendencies, Starset, Sleep Theory, From Ashes To New, Kittie, and more, with the all‑star Stowaways delivering once‑per‑sailing collabs you won’t see on land. Expect deck‑stage sunrise sets, theater headliners, pool‑deck takeovers, and pop‑up sessions that spill late into the night; the pacing alternates between large stage anchor slots and curated side events so you can catch core sets without sacrificing the deep‑cut collabs ShipRocked is known for.
Signature moments to circle:
- Final‑night Halestorm performance in Nassau before sail‑back to Miami.
- Beach‑stage programming on Half Moon Cay with turquoise‑water backdrops and sand‑in‑your‑toes pits.
- First call to Celebration Key, Carnival’s new private destination on Grand Bahama, spread across five themed “portals” with lagoons, dining, and new‑build venue space perfect for day concerts and activities.
What to expect on board
ShipRocked layers nonstop music with cruise‑only twists:
- Themed nights aligned to the Greek‑mythology concept for costumed deck parties and photo‑ready corridors.
- Artist‑hosted games, blackjack tourneys, dodgeball, trivia, game shows, and morning yoga that flip standard cruise programming on its head.
- Live‑band karaoke and acoustic lounges where surprise guests frequently jump in, creating the serendipity fans travel for.
The full‑ship buyout keeps venues fan‑first, with staggered set times, repeat performances by top acts, and few true conflicts thanks to careful grid planning by ASK4 Entertainment.
Port call playbook: Half Moon Cay, Celebration Key, Nassau
- Half Moon Cay (8 AM–4 PM): White‑sand crescent beach, island BBQs, water sports, and beach‑stage performances; simple tender operations and short transfers mean maximum time in the water and at the stage.
- Celebration Key (7 AM–4 PM): Brand‑new, purpose‑built private destination on Grand Bahama with 65 acres of attractions across five “portals,” lagoons with swim‑up bars, local retail, and multiple venues suited to ShipRocked programming.
- Nassau (8 AM–4 PM): Cultural and shopping hub—Bay Street, the Straw Market, Queen’s Staircase, and waterfront bars in easy walking reach; ShipRocked keeps music going on board around port time plus that special final‑night show.
Tip: Pre‑book ship excursions that fit the concert grid; ShipRocked typically schedules day sets to let you dip on/off without missing anchors, but popular activities sell fast.
Booking, pricing pointers, and cabins
ShipRocked sells via presale tokens and public on‑sale, with prices varying by cabin category and occupancy; interior cabins are most affordable, while balconies and suites carry premiums and sell out first. Consider:
- Cost sharing: Four‑berth cabins lower per‑person cost and are easiest for friend groups.
- Deposit windows: Locking in early secures placement before lineup additions push demand.
- Insurance: Add travel insurance that covers charter events and weather diversions for peace of mind.
The 2026 sailing is a full‑ship charter; dining, basic non‑alcoholic beverages, and most onboard programming are included, while alcohol, specialty dining, Wi‑Fi, and select excursions are extra—budget accordingly.
Packing and theme‑night prep
- Day gear: Reef‑safe sunscreen, hat, quick‑dry layers, water shoes for beach entries, compact dry bag.
- Night gear: Greek‑myth themed looks, black‑on‑black pit‑friendly fits, and something weather‑proof for windy decks.
- Essentials: Earplugs for late sets, backup phone battery, and labeled refillable bottle.
- Merch strategy: Hit the merch shop early for limited artist drops; restocks aren’t guaranteed at sea.
Food, flow, and downtime
Leverage main dining and specialty outlets by offsetting peak times—late‑night bites between shows keep you fueled without long queues. Horizon’s layout makes venue to venue flow simple: theater, pool deck, atrium, and lounges stack logically, and ShipRocked stewards help route traffic quickly between turnarounds. On sea days, pencil recovery blocks—deck chairs in the shade, spa soaks, or yoga—so you hit headliners with energy to spare.
Smart travel planning
- Arrivals: Fly into Miami the day before; embark is Jan 25 with a 4 PM sail‑away target—cushion for delays and baggage.
- Departures: Book return flights after 1:00 PM ET on Jan 31; customs, luggage, and rideshare queues add time.
- Docs: Valid passport with 6‑month validity buffer recommended for Bahamas calls and re‑entry peace of mind.
Why ShipRocked + Bahamas works
The itinerary pairs ship‑only experiences with three distinct Bahamian flavors: a private‑island beach day, a cutting‑edge new destination debut, and a classic Caribbean capital. Short port hops mean more time for music and less time crossing water, and calm winter seas make January prime for a loud, sunny reset between the holidays and spring tours.
Ready to rock hard and vacation harder? Grab your cabin, craft your theme‑night fits, and meet your band fam under the Bahamian sun as ShipRocked 2026 turns the Carnival Horizon into the loudest venue at sea.
Verified Information at a Glance
- Event: ShipRocked 2026 (16th edition)
- Dates: January 25–31, 2026 (Sun–Sat)
- Ship: Carnival Horizon (full‑ship charter)
- Route/Ports: Miami → Half Moon Cay (Tue) → Celebration Key (Wed) → Nassau (Fri) → Miami (Sat)
- Headliners/Lineup: Halestorm, Motionless In White, Knocked Loose, Wage War, AWOLNATION, Suicidal Tendencies, Avatar, Starset, Kittie, Sleep Theory, From Ashes To New, and more; The Stowaways all‑star set
- Special Moment: Halestorm final‑night performance in Nassau before sail‑back
- Daily Timing (highlights): Depart Miami 4:00 PM Jan 25; Half Moon Cay 8:00 AM–4:00 PM Jan 27; Celebration Key 7:00 AM–4:00 PM Jan 28; Nassau 8:00 AM–4:00 PM Jan 30; return Miami 8:00 AM Jan 31
- Flight Advice: Book departures after 1:00 PM ET on Jan 31
- Produced by: ASK4 Entertainment
