Embarking on its inaugural journey this past Saturday from the vibrant Port of Miami, EDSea 2023 set sail with an enthusiastic and sold-out crowd of festival goers. From November 4-8, Insomniac, Vibee and Sixthman took over Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy for a premium cruise experience, bringing the essence of the world’s largest electronic dance music festival, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), to the high seas. The setting sun and fireworks send off over the Miami coast provided a picturesque backdrop as DJ sets from TOKiMONSTA and Louis The Child at the sail away kickoff party marked the start of an unforgettable voyage at sea.
Inspired by pulsating energy and colorful creativity, EDSea meticulously incorporated EDC festival elements into the maritime experience through its eight stages, on-board activities, art installations, and communal atmosphere. The Kinetic Ocean stage, set on the main pool deck, came alive with electrifying performances from artists like Afrojack, DJ Snake, SLANDER, SIDEPIECE, Deorro b2b Valentino Khan, and more, creating a rhythmic wave of music beneath the sun and stars. Inspired by EDC’s kineticFIELD, Kinetic Ocean captured the essence of the festival’s main stage grandeur. Techno took center stage at Neon Splash while the party continued in the Cosmic Coral stage, nestled within the Manhattan Dining Room. The balcony and iconic light feature of the dining room transformed the space into EDSea‘s main indoor club. The Pearl served as the beating heart of EDSea, located in the ship’s atrium area. This multifaceted stage functioned as a DJ booth and a captivating photo opportunity, drawing everyone together in a collective celebration of music and community. In Deep Dive Disco, Q’s Smokehouse restaurant was transformed into a haven for disco enthusiasts. The groovy decor transported attendees through a musical journey of all genres. The energy took an underground turn at Rave Cave, located deep within The Cavern. Attendees delved into the depths of EDM, surrounded by the raw, gritty ambiance. The immersive visuals and intense beats created a subterranean paradise, where the most dedicated ravers lost themselves in the music, embracing the underground spirit. The Nest, inspired by the iconic social club area at Hotel EDC, provided a cozy yet vibrant space for festival-goers to unwind and connect. Attendees enjoyed DJ sets while lounging in comfortable seating, forging new friendships and cherishing the sense of community that EDSea fostered. Bringing a slice of Las Vegas to the high seas, Kandi Casino added a touch of glamor to the festival with the casino atmosphere reminiscent of the vibrant energy of Downtown EDC.
The Nassau, Bahamas cruise-port amphitheater served as the perfect setting for EDSea’s unforgettable island party. Baggi, with a surprise appearance from DJ Minx, kicked off the day before It’s Murph put his euphoric melodies and gritty baselines on full display. A surprise house music set from Galantis followed by a thrilling Noizu b2b Westend set brought all of today’s hottest house music heaters to the Nassau stage. As the evening drew to a close, the legendary Junkanoo cultural celebration took center stage, captivating everyone with its vibrant colors and infectious rhythms. This extraordinary day culminated in a crescendo of music, dance, and culture, creating more unforgettable memories for the EDSea community before heading back to the ship.
Surprise sets and unique collaborations also took center stage. Pop up performances included Kayzo b2b Cray, DJ Snake’s journey into hip hop, Benny Benassi’s disco set, and the high octane Slander b2b Dimension set for drum n’ bass enthusiasts. So many other back-to-back and extended sets brough the spirit of musical innovation and experience to life.
Onboard EDSea, attendees immersed themselves in a vibrant array of daily and nightly wardrobe themes, showcasing their creativity and colorful attire. The themes included ‘Electric Disco Fever,’ ‘Baewatch,’ ‘Ravers Of The Caribbean,’ ‘Hip-Hop Hoorave,’ ‘Pajama Jam,’ ‘Vice in Paradise,’ and ‘Masquerave.’ The excitement also extended far beyond the music, offering a diverse range of special activities for a variety of interests and passions. The LGBTQIA+ meet-up and the ‘Blooming Buds’ meet-up provided new opportunities for friendships and love, while kandi making and ‘tailor your sailor’ activities allowed attendees to enhance their wardrobe with style and shimmer. Yoga sessions provided a serene retreat while the high-energy festivities continued with ‘rave bingo’, adding a musical twist to the classic game with EDC trivia. Beyond these activities, so many other surprises and memorable moments were in store for EDSea cruisers.
As the first incredible EDSea journey has concluded, unforgettable experiences over the four days and nights defined the cruise – from the pulsating beats of world-class DJs, to the creative fervor of themed nights and the warmth of newfound friendships. The laughter, the music, the dance, and the shared moments complemented the inclusive community. The spirit of EDSea – a celebration of music, diversity, and the boundless energy of rave culture – brought an unparalleled adventure to life.
Docking in Bimini, Bahamas for two days, the second sailing of EDSea will take place November 2-6, 2024. Those that sailed on the inaugural EDSea voyage now have priority access to book cabins during the alumni presale. The general public may also sign up now for future pre-sales, which begin November 15, online at www.edsea.com.
For more information on EDSea, including future 2024 sailing news, please visit www.edsea.com or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
