Welcome to Groove Cruise 2025
Groove Cruise is a 96-hour journey of nonstop music, fun, and adventure. It’s a festival like no other, where you truly get to choose your own experience and let the weekend unfold however you desire. Whether you want to dance until sunrise, explore the ship, or immerse yourself in unique activities, Groove Cruise gives you the freedom to craft your own unforgettable escape at sea.
This year, I was thrilled to return for my second Groove Cruise, this time with an even bigger crew and new opportunities. Not only was I excited to reunite with my rave fam—15+ deep this year!—but I also had the chance to host two activities: launching my first human design workshop and creating content for Groove Cruise. The lineup was stacked with artists I love, as well as some new ones I couldn’t wait to experience. Plus, the cruise stop in Labadee, Haiti, promised an epic island party, and I was eager to revisit this beautiful destination.
Going into the weekend, I didn’t set specific expectations, just intentions. My focus was to step into my leadership as a life coach, fully enjoy time with my friends, and stay present while taking care of myself throughout the experience. And let me tell you, Groove Cruise delivered. It was a magical weekend at sea, the best way to kick off 2025, where I got to step up as a leader, push my creativity as a content creator, and explore a massive ship, the Allure of the Seas, transformed into a vibrant festival playground. With an incredible lineup soundtracking every moment, this was a journey I won’t forget.
Pre-Cruise Expectations and Preparation
Once you’ve booked your room, preparing for Groove Cruise is pretty straightforward. Since the festival departs from Miami, we booked our flights to arrive a day before embarkation and planned to stay an extra night after disembarkation to make travel smooth and stress-free. We stayed at The Kent Hotel in South Beach, which was a great way to kick off and wind down from the trip.
Packing and Outfit Planning
Packing for Groove Cruise is part cruise essentials and part music festival survival kit. Themed days and nights add an extra layer of fun, and this year, my friend Emma and I decided to go all in on the themes. It was months in the making: planning, ordering outfits and matching gifts, and making sure everything came together perfectly. Having attended Groove Cruise before, packing was a breeze this time around. I already knew what to expect, and honestly, there wasn’t anything I wished I had brought. If you’re curious about what I packed, I have a packing video on my YouTube channel where I break it all down!
Pre-Boarding Process
Boarding a cruise festival comes with a few logistical steps. Before you even set foot on the ship, you’ll need to check in and present either a passport or a birth certificate + ID to confirm your citizenship. This year, Groove Cruise was on a Royal Caribbean ship, so I was curious how the check-in process would go compared to my past experiences. The flow was simple: first, they check you in, then you go through security, and finally, they board groups one by one.
Tips for Preparing for a Festival at Sea
- Room Key Pickup: Unlike other cruises where you get your room key before boarding, on Allure of the Seas, you’ll find your key waiting for you at your stateroom.
- Checked Luggage & Tipping: If you’re bringing a large suitcase, I highly recommend checking your bag and tipping the porter in cash. It makes the process so much easier. Having cash to tip your housekeeper is also a great thing to have on hand too.
- Carry-On Essentials: Since checked bags might not arrive right away (ours didn’t show up until after sail away at 7 PM), bring a small carry-on with essentials and any immediate necessities.
With everything packed and ready to go, it was time to board and embark on an unforgettable journey at sea!
The Ship and Atmosphere
Boarding Allure of the Seas immediately felt familiar, having been on Wonder of the Seas in 2023. The moment I stepped onto the ship, I could feel the excitement in the air. We entered through the promenade on Deck 5, where performers welcomed us with music already pumping through the speakers—setting the perfect tone for the adventure ahead.
The Vibe & Energy on Board
One of the things that makes Groove Cruise stand out is its incredible energy. With the ship nearly doubling in attendees this year, there was a bit of curiosity (and concern) about whether the signature Groove Cruise spirit would hold up. Some attendees mentioned feeling a slight shift and reported a few negative interactions, but I personally had an overall positive experience. What’s great about Groove Cruise is that they take action when attendees don’t uphold the community’s standards of respect and safety, ensuring the festival remains a welcoming space.
Whenever a festival scales up, there’s always a risk of the culture shifting, but I believe it’s also on veteran attendees to continue embodying the original Groove Cruise spirit—keeping it authentic, inclusive, and fun.
Crowd, Decorations & Immersion
Groove Cruise attendees go all out from participating in themes, decorating their cabin doors, and engaging in the gifting culture. It’s a beautiful part of the experience that adds to the sense of community on board.
The festival team also transforms the ship based on the day’s themes, turning a standard cruise into an immersive, well-rounded festival experience. What really impressed me was how many spaces they converted into fully produced stages, each with top-tier sound and visuals, making every set feel like a high-production event.
Food, Drinks, and Accommodations
Room accommodations on Groove Cruise vary depending on the type of cabin you book, but overall, they offer a comfortable experience similar to a hotel stay. There’s ample space for luggage and personal items, and housekeeping services are provided throughout the weekend to keep your room tidy.
As for food, the ship offers a variety of dining options, including complimentary meals as well as specialty restaurants available for an additional cost. Groove Cruise provides details in advance about what’s included, and you can use the Royal Caribbean app to book specialty dining experiences if you choose.
When it comes to drinks, you have the option to purchase beverages individually or opt for the drink package, which costs around $500 per person and includes unlimited drinks. With easy access to your room, diverse food choices, and plenty of drink options, Groove Cruise provides a seamless and comfortable festival experience.
How Groove Cruise Compares to Land-Based Festivals
Groove Cruise is truly one-of-a-kind compared to traditional festivals. You’re in your own little world, eating, sleeping, dancing, and partying in the same space. Unlike land festivals where you might have long walks, transportation, or campsite logistics to deal with, here you can seamlessly move between music, activities, and relaxation without ever leaving the ship.
What also makes it unique is the sheer number of activities available beyond the music. On top of pool parties and dance floors and programming Groove Cruise plans, there’s also ziplining, rock climbing, paddleboarding, mini golf, surfing, a gym, and a spa. Whether you want to go all-in on partying or balance it with wellness and adventure, Groove Cruise has something for everyone.
Music and Performances
The music on Groove Cruise is always a major highlight, and this year was no exception. From unforgettable B2Bs to surprise sets, the lineup delivered an incredible variety of house, techno, bass, and beyond, making it easy to find the perfect vibe at any moment.
Top 3 Standout Sets
1. James Hype B2B Meduza – Aquatheater (Thursday, Sailaway Set)
- This was my second time seeing James Hype and Meduza go B2B, and they absolutely set the tone for the weekend.
- Their high-energy mixing and unique flairs made this a perfect sailaway set, bringing the crowd together right from the start.
- Both artists are known for their signature sounds, but together, they created an experience filled with massive drops and hands-in-the-air moments.
2. Anabel Englund – Ice Rink (Friday)
- Finally seeing Anabel Englund live was a dream come true.
- She played a clubby, vibey set while seamlessly incorporating her own vocals, which made the performance extra special.
- Dancing and singing along to some of my favorite songs in such an intimate setting was pure magic.
3. Ranger Trucco B2B Joshwa – Ice Rink (Friday, 5-Hour Set)
- Originally scheduled as two separate sets + a big B2B, this turned into a spontaneous 5-hour B2B between Joshwa and Ranger Trucco.
- It ended up being a groovy, minimal tech-house masterclass that had everyone vibing and shaking their booties.
- The energy and flow between the two artists was effortless, making it one of the most unexpected but legendary sets of the weekend.
Honorable Mention:
- Yotto into Maddix – Amber Theater (Saturday): Melodic house into progressive techno into euro techno was just chef’s kiss.
Artists That Surprised Me
- Tita Lau – The part of her set I caught was super fun and high energy.
- Sarah de Warren – She threw down a solid techno set that I wasn’t expecting.
- It’s Murph – Played a sunset set that was so vibey and perfect for the moment.
- Anthony Attala – A 4 AM house set that kept the energy high when most people were winding down.
- Odd Mob – His ability to blend genres kept the crowd engaged the entire time.
Unique Musical Experiences
- Gem & Tauri’s Final Set – It was a nostalgic and emotional moment to witness their last time playing together.
- The Island Party in Labadee – With Anabel Englund and BUNT., this beachside rave felt dreamlike.
- Seven Lions Throwback Set – Brought all the feels, and then he surprised attendees with an unexpected Abraxis set alongside Dimibo and Blastoyz.
- Massive B2Bs: Seeing these top-tier artists blend their styles was so cool and unique to the Groove Cruise experience.
- Joshwa B2B Odd Mob
- Nicole Moudaber B2B Layton Giordani
- Yotto B2B Cristoph
Music Flow & Genre Variety
The scheduling was easy to navigate, and I let myself follow the vibes rather than over-plan my days. Compared to last year, there was way more variety, which I loved. Last year, I saw so much house music that by the end, I was over it, whereas this year, I got a perfect mix of house, techno, bass, and more.
Beyond the Music: Activities & Connections on Groove Cruise
While the music is a huge part of Groove Cruise, there’s so much more to do beyond the dance floors. From workshops and games to artist experiences and spontaneous connections, this year’s non-music activities made the festival even more special.
Hosting Workshops & Human Design Readings
This year, I had the amazing opportunity to lead two workshops: Intention Setting Workshop and Intro to Human Design Workshop. My intention-setting workshop kicked off the weekend, helping attendees set powerful intentions for their Groove Cruise experience. I love holding space for people to pause, reflect, and create a vision for their journey. For the first time, I held an Intro to Human Design Workshop. It was incredible to introduce attendees to Human Design, a tool that helps people understand their unique energy and decision-making style. Beyond the workshop, I also did personalized Human Design chart readings, which was such a cool way to connect with people on a deeper level and help them learn more about themselves.
Artist Dinner with Ranger Trucco
One of the highlights of my trip was attending an artist dinner with Ranger Trucco at the sushi restaurant on the ship. It was such a fun and intimate experience where we got to meet Ranger and have some casual, real conversations, connected with other fans in a more personal setting and enjoyed espresso martinis and sushi, which was a perfect vibe.
Hosting Family Feud & Other Fun Programming
I also helped my friend Emma Kapotes host Family Feud, which was a total blast. Seeing everyone get so into the game (and a little competitive) made for a hilarious and entertaining experience.
This year, Groove Cruise had more onboard programming than ever before, showing how intentional they are about creating a well-rounded experience beyond just the music. Compared to other festival cruises, Groove Cruise really goes the extra mile to provide interactive, engaging activities for attendees.
The Groove Cruise Community & Vibes
One of the most special aspects of Groove Cruise is the community. The vibes are always high, and the people who attend are some of the most welcoming, friendly, and fun festival-goers I’ve ever met.
Hosting my workshops allowed me to connect with attendees in a meaningful way, and I loved seeing how open people were to deep conversations, self-discovery, and new experiences. Whether it was through my sessions, random interactions on the ship, or dancing next to someone at a set, the connections made on Groove Cruise feel genuine and special.
Favorite Moments Outside of the Music
There were so many unforgettable memories beyond the sets and dance floors. I share a lot of the behind-the-scenes stories, funny moments, and special highlights in my vlogs on YouTube, so be sure to check them out for a more in-depth, personal look at the experience!
Highlights and Challenges
One of the standout highlights was the island party in Labadee, Haiti—a stunning setting that made for an unforgettable experience. Dancing on the beach with breathtaking views, enjoying the music, and soaking in the atmosphere created the perfect tropical escape. Beyond that, the true magic of Groove Cruise came from sharing moments with my Groove Cruise family—laughing, dancing, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Hosting my workshops was another deeply rewarding experience, as I had the opportunity to connect with attendees, share insights, and build meaningful new relationships.
If there was one thing I could change, it would be having more time on the island. The brief stop in Labadee felt too short, and I hope future sailings allow for an extended stay. Some attendees did report negative experiences with fellow cruisers, which can happen as an event scales. While I personally had a positive experience, Groove Cruise has been receptive to feedback and continues to prioritize the community’s well-being.
Overall, the energy, music, and connections made the weekend an incredible experience. Any minor challenges were overshadowed by the overall magic of Groove Cruise, and knowing that the team is dedicated to evolving and improving each year only adds to my excitement for future sailings.
Tips for Future Groove Cruisers
Immerse yourself into the experience and don’t overwhelm yourself too much with your schedule. Definitely take it at your pace and do what you can to take care of yourself throughout the experience. The magic is allowing your experience to unfold as it does. You can do your best to be prepared ahead of time and let the rest be taken care of.
I do recommend getting to Miami a day before and staying a day after just for any travel delays and allowing yourself to rest before you travel home after the experience. A carry-on bag to getting on the ship is clutch. Take part in the group theme outfits and explore the ship, see different artists you wouldn’t usually see, and do some of the activities. Be along for the journey that Groove Cruise takes you on and ride those waves.
Completion & Continuation of the Waves
I will forever be a Groove Cruiser and am already planning my return for 2026. It’s one of my favorite festival experiences, and I’m excited to be part of its continued growth. I recommend Groove Cruise to any new or experienced festival-goer who’s ready to have a good time, listen to amazing music, and spend a weekend letting go, dancing, and having fun. Overall, I’d give the experience a 10/10. This year’s Groove Cruise was a powerful reminder that I am exactly where I need to be. It was a testament to my growth as a festival-goer, life coach, and workshop host. The entire journey was much-needed, both personally and professionally. I encourage you to stay connected with me on Instagram, watch the vlogs on YouTube, and feel free to drop any questions or thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your Groove Cruise experiences too!
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