Groove Cruise Orlando 2022 was the 33rd cruise in 18 years and, once again, raised the bar with performances from over 85 of the leading names in the dance music industry, across nine custom-built stages, artist-fan activities, and more. The cruise departed from Orlando and headed to the Bahamas. With nearly 3,000 people sailing at embarkation, there were no onboard Covid cases reported.
Says Jason Beukema “Royal laid up four ships due to COVID right before our sailing, other music cruises before and after us canceled and It didn’t make financial sense to continue but I KNEW that we all NEEDED this SO BAD. As long as it was safe, we were going to make this happen no matter what. Against seemingly insurmountable odds with daggers thrown at us on a daily basis by the media, govt, destinations, contract disputes, venues, cruise line, artists, staff, Omicron, masks, vaccines, policy changes, literally the kitchen sink was thrown at us but we rose up and accomplished what was the most memorable, emotional and best GC in 18 years. I also want to acknowledge the stress that all the captains had to go through just to get to Port Canaveral. Even I was on edge getting tested. We planned ‘what if’s’ but in a time like this you can’t plan for what you don’t know may happen and things were changing drastically every single day right up until we sailed.”
On the way to the Bahamas, Jeffrey Sutorius & Ferry Corsten headlined the sail away party, followed by Ferry’s exclusive unveiling of his deeper side on Kristina Sky’s “United We Groove” Stage. Sofi Tukker was our sunset siren on the beach in the Bahamas on Saturday. It was a magical event with fire shows and fire breathing performances, Junkanoo parade, LED fire-fly boarding, and flame-throwing all making it an unforgettable occasion. Can we also talk about the most insane B2B to ever happen from John Summit and Dombresky!? What!? Yes, it happened and it was the perfect sunset party that left everyone asking for more!
Other highlights include David Penn at Deep House Brunch, Claude Vonstroke, and the Dirtybird team making their inaugural debut on Groove Cruise, full of surprise sets and wild times. Walker & Royce brought the “Rule’s Don’t Apply” Afterhours to the next level, full of high energy featuring the likes of John Summit, J.Worra, David Penn, LP Giobbi, and more. Speaking of inaugural debuts, Groove Cruise added new genres to this year’s sailing. We saw CloZee’s Odyzey stage in Studio B, she was joined with Maddy O’Neal and Wreckno.
We, also, saw Melodic Dubstep make its debut when Mitis kicked it off with his Born Stage Takeover, including Amidy, Haliene, Rico & Miella, and Trivecta. Anthony Attalla’s marathon’s set on the pool deck provided hours of sun-kissed sounds, there was real and raw Chicago house from native Gene Farris who played an eight-hour marathon set into the early hours on Sunday, and Gorgon City closed out the event with a pop-up renegade set that sent everyone home with memories for a lifetime.
Artist activities included a highly talked about Hot Wing Challenge with Trivecta, Whisky Tasting with Haliene, Red light/Green light with Deepfake, Mitis Bar Crawl, and much more!
As if the music wasn’t enough, more onboard debauchery derailed into infamous costume theme parties, dual racer water slides, an escape room, a surf simulator, laser tag, ice skating, a fitness center, and multiple world-class dining experiences from a choice of more than 12 restaurants and bars with food from around the globe.
Like a Vegas buffet, the fun doesn’t stop. Next up is Groove Cruise Cabo from October 19th – 24th on the Norwegian Jewel. Expect another mouth-watering array of world-class DJs from across the musical spectrum, endless hours of onboard fun, and plenty of extra-special sultry sights.
There really is no other music festival and holiday experience to compare to the standards set by Groove Cruise each and every time.
