ShipRocked 2020 kicked off with a parade through the French Quarter in New Orleans Friday night before setting sail Sat Feb 1. The five-day cruise took place on the Carnival Valor and cruised from the Port of New Orleans with stops in Key West and Cozumel.
Two full days at sea provided time for bands to play all day and fans to meet all of their favorite artists during the band meet and greets onboard the ship. Halestorm and Alter Bridge led an all-star line up on the ship playing two shows each on the boat.
Other bands rounded out the lineup like Living Colour, Ded, Asking Alexandria, HellYeah, Ra, Black Stone Cherry, Badflower, Ice Nine Kills, Dead Sara and many more. The Stowaways, an all-star band, also performed two shows onboard.
The first stop was in sunny Key West where there were lots to do and see in this vibrant quiet town. We went to the most southern tip of the continental United States. We also visited the Hemingway House, home to famed writer Ernest Hemingway and his six-clawed cats. Dozens of these cute felines roamed around the property.
The second stop included Cozumel Mexico, where a beach party was in full effect. Artists such as Joyous Wolf and Hyro the Hero performed as drinks from the open bar flowed and fans rocked out.
Back on board, there were also a few special first time events during the cruise. Clint Lowery of Sevendust played his first solo show and Maria Brink of In This Moment held a midnight mass solo show.
Halestorm closed out the Lido Deck stage as we entered the fog of the Mississippi River heading back to New Orleans.
Next year ShipRocked 2021 will be sailing aboard the Carnival Magic on January 18-23 from Miami Florida. Stops will include Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas and Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic.