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Cayamo Cruise 2023

Since 2008, the Cayamo Cruise -- also known as the Journey Through Song -- has brought together musicians of diverse genres for one of the most eclectic festivals at sea -- and it's back for 2023. Cayamo draws many repeat cruisers, so if you're interested, it's best to sign up for the pre-sale, as cabins begin booking long before the lineup is announced.

General Info for Cayamo 2023

The weeklong full-charter cruise sails roundtrip from Miami, February 10 to 17, 2023. As part of the voyage, 2,394-passenger Norwegian Pearl will visit St. Maarten and Tortola.

Scoring a cabin on Cayamo is tough, especially if you're a newbie. Guests from Cayamo 2022 are automatically included in the pre-sale and get first priority to book. Then bookings open for Cayamo alumni, people who were placed on the most recent cruise waiting list and those who had to cancel. The last group to get pre-sale preference is new Cayamo guests. The cruise then opens to the general public for booking.

Lineup and Highlights for Cayamo 2023

The Cayamo lineup for 2023 includes a mix of folk rock, alternative country, bluegrass and blues artists that have made the at-sea festival a draw for more than a decade.

Listed artists include Jeff Tweedy, Andrew Bird, Trampled by Turtles, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Neko Case, Shovels & Rope and much more.

Cayamo is strong because of the sheer volume of performers -- many of which have small but dedicated followings -- as opposed to one star band. It's fairly common for musicians to drop in on each other's sets. Sixthman has also partnered with Black Opry to bring more diversity to the offerings.

Concerts are the main entertainment onboard, but the Cayamo cruise also has special experiences for passengers, such as beer tastings, songwriting sessions, open jams, live interviews, autograph signings and more.

Onboard Vibe of Cayamo 2023

The onboard vibe is mellow and fun. Cayamo draws mostly cruisers in the Baby Boomer age range who are past the hard-rocking stage of life. Expect to see people listening to music while lying down in their pool chairs, as opposed to crowding the stage. Midnight jam sessions are common, and they can go late, but after-parties aren't necessarily packed. You're almost sure to hear some Grateful Dead covers.

Who Would Like Cayamo 2023

This sailing is ideal for American music lovers and acoustic guitar fans who like a variety of genres and are also drawn to the idea of joining a "music family." Many cruisers cite the friends they've made over repeated Cayamo voyages as part of the draw.

How to Book Cayamo 2023

This cruise is run by Sixthman, a theme cruise operator owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Bookings are done via the Cayamo website . The 2023 cruise still seems to have space, as of August 2022, but act fast -- they won't last long.

Want even more info about music at sea? Check our page on  music theme cruises .

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Cayamo Cruise to Sail in 2022 With Punch Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Dawes

By Joseph Hudak

Joseph Hudak

After being dry-docked by the pandemic, the Cayamo Cruise is returning to the water in 2022. The concert-at-sea company Sixthman announced Cayamo’s lineup on Wednesday, a robust schedule with Punch Brothers , Emmylou Harris , and Grace Potter among the headliners.

Dawes , the Mavericks , Richard Thompson, Indigo Girls, and Ruthie Foster are also on the cruise, set for March 18th through 25th. This year’s theme is “A Journey Through Song.” Other artists include the Jayhawks, Kathleen Edwards, Shawn Mullins, John Paul White, the Secret Sisters, Sierra Hull, Allison Russell, Brittney Spencer, Ida Mae, and Tré Burt.

Cayamo will also pay tribute to the memory of John Prine, who died in April 2020 from Covid-19. Members of Prine’s band, along with the songwriter’s son Tommy Prine, will perform various sets under the banner “Souvenirs: Songs of John Prine.”

This marks the 14th installment of Cayamo, which first launched in 2008. The 2022 cruise sails from Miami to St. Thomas and St. Kitts. Presale packages are available at cayamo.com .

The Covid crisis sidelined the concert cruise industry since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, canceling cruises by artists like Kiss, Melissa Etheridge, and Kesha. In January, Sixthman announced the return of Outlaw Country Cruise , which, like Cayamo, will sail in 2022.

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Published: 2024/03/08

Cayamo Cruise Details 2025 Artist Lineup: Emmylou Harris, Little Feat, Nickel Creek and More

Cayamo: A Journey Through Song has revealed its 2025 artist lineup. The floating festival is scheduled to leave port in Miami on Feb. 28, 2025, making stops in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, and St. John’s, Antigua, before its March 7, 2025 return. The 17th annual event is slated to include a blend of Americana, country, indie, bluegrass and folk-leaning artists. 

This forthcoming event will feature performances from Emmylou Harris, Nickel Creek, Grace Potter, Ani DiFranco, Little Feat, Lucius, Black Opry Revue, Carsie Blanton, Devon Gilfillian, Hubby Jenkins, John Craigie, John Fullbright, John Moreland, Robert Ellis, Roberta Lea, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Steve Poltz, Trousdale, and more to be announced.

Once again, Cayamo will offer engaging programming harnessed to artist interactions and collaborations, creating once-in-a-lifetime opportunities comprised of multi-artist jams, team-ups, and unannounced sit-ins that touch on the core of the live music experience. 

Cayamo: A Journey Through Song takes place aboard the Norwegian Gem, which boasts five unique concert venues, a plethora of dining and beverage options, pools and hot tubs, the Gem Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Body Waves Fitness Center, Sports Court, and other amenities intended to fill the moments between musical performances. 

Ticker pre-sales run March 25 through 27. Public on-sale begins March 27 at 2:00 pm (ET), exclusively at www.cayamo.com .

Scroll down to view the artist lineup for the 2025 edition of Cayamo.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cayamo: A Journey Through Song (@journeythroughsong)

Emmylou Harris

Nickel Creek

Grace Potter

Ani DiFranco

Little Feat

Black Opry Revue

Carsie Blanton

Devon Gilfillian

Hubby Jenkins

John Craigie

John Fullbright

John Moreland

Robert Ellis

Roberta Lea

Simeon Hammond Dallas

Steve Poltz

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Little Feat, Emmylou Harris Confirmed For 2025 Cayamo Cruise

Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than two decades, has announced the 17th sailing of its renowned Cayamo: A Journey Through Song, a seven-night musical adventure traveling 28 February to 7 March 2025 from Miami, FL to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands and St. John’s, Antigua aboard the luxurious Norwegian Gem. First Round Pre-sale Signups are available now through to 20 March at 11:59 pm (ET).

Pre-sales for Cayamo Alumni will be available March 19-21; New Guest Pre-sales are available from 22 March. Final Round Pre-sale Signups will conclude on 25 March at 11:59 pm (ET). Pre-sales run March 25-27. Public On-Sales begin 27 March at 2:00 pm (ET), exclusively at the event’s official website .

Buy Little Feat vinyl from the Dig! store .

With inimitable performances, unprecedented collaborations, unique activities, and once-in-a-lifetime jams with a close-knit community of fellow music lovers, Cayamo: A Journey Through Song presents a magical musical adventure that has made the seven-day traveling festival a beloved fan favorite for almost two decades. As always, the 17th voyage of Cayamo will present an all-star bill of iconic artists spanning Americana, country, indie, bluegrass, and folk, this year including Emmylou Harris, Nickel Creek, Grace Potter, Ani DiFranco, Little Feat , Lucius, Black Opry Revue, Carsie Blanton, Devon Gilfillian, Hubby Jenkins, John Craigie, John Fullbright, John Moreland, Robert Ellis, Roberta Lea, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Steve Poltz, Trousdale, and more to be announced.

Cayamo’s preferred media partner, The Bluegrass Situation (BGS) will return, continuing with their previous contributions to thoughtful, one-of-a-kind programming, artist-focused integrations, presenting the Soundcheck Showcase (a beloved tradition), and hosting a multi-artist collaboration jam.

Cayamo: A Journey Through Song will also feature spectacular shore excursions in the US Virgin Island of St. Croix & Antigua’s St. John’s. Please note: Shore excursions will not be available until 4-6 weeks prior to sailing. Cayamo cruisers will be able to book excursions upon receipt of their official Norwegian booking number.

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THROUGH THE LENS: The 2024 Cayamo Cruise Presented Roots Music at Its Finest

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Lyle Lovett - Cayamo 2024 - Photo by Boom Baker

The 16th edition of the Cayamo cruise set sail from Miami on March 1 for a week of roots music at sea. Promoted by founder Sixthman as “A Journey Through Song,” the floating festival once again delivered on its promise of unforgettable sets and rare collaborative performances that can only occur on a self-contained ship. The comingling of the performers with one another, and with their fans, is not accidental nor merely encouraged, it’s a prerequisite.

With female artists almost in equal numbers with male artists, and Black and LGBTQ+ artists well represented, it was most likely the most diverse lineup in the festival’s history.

Cayamo was covered for Through the Lens by veteran cruisers Brenda Rosser and Boom Baker, with additional photos contributed by fellow ND photographers Brian Miller, Larry John Fowler, and Jean Van Devanter White.

Cayamo 2024 by Brenda Rosser

There is no one more revered or beloved in the roots music world than Buddy Miller. So it was fitting that he kicked things off before our Miami departure, telling passengers “It’s good to be home.” Backed by Phil Madeira, Brady Blade, and Dave Jacques, and with guests Steve Fishell, Shawn Colvin, The War and Treaty, and Eamon McLaughlin, Miller had us in tears of joy.  

As we we sailed out of port, The Mavericks had those of us at Pool Deck up and dancing. Lyle Lovett brought a top-notch version of his acoustic group for two fast-paced shows. Returning artists The Lone Bellow, Lake Street Dive, The War and Treaty, Rodney Crowell, The Mavericks, Billy Bragg, and Shawn Mullins all had packed shows all week. In addition to her solo shows and guest spots with Buddy Miller, Lovett and others, Shawn Colvin hosted a show with Crowell, Rachael Price, and Bragg. Nikki Lane put on a tight and fun set under the blazing Caribbean sun, filled with leaps into the audience and some sass for a cruiser who had accidentally absconded with her Starbucks coffee the day before.

Susan Werner gave a master class in performance. She did “Barbed Wire Boys” in the audience and sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the Atrium staircase. During Shawn Mullins’ variety show, she went onto the wheelchair platform for the “L’amour Est un oiseau rebelle” aria from the opera Carmen , adding, “I have a degree in opera, but I never use it, it’s just a good party trick.” She finished by sitting on audience members’ laps, sliding down the row one lap at a time.

KT Tunstall kept things lively. Kelly Willis brought a tight backing band and a satchel of songs. Brandy Clark hosted a lively songwriters   in the round with Dom Flemons and Willis. Clark’s smooth solo shows featured songs from her recent self-titled release ( ND review ) . Clark also highlighted her band members’ duo project, Tattletale Saints, for several songs in her sets.

In addition to the Cayamo performing veterans, some newer artists delighted the crowds as well. Voted onto the ship via the cruise’s Soundcheck competition, Kyshona’s powerful vocals had audiences calling her a force of nature.

Abe Partridge had me laughing and crying at his Great Outdoors show on the sun-drenched back deck. Do not miss this unique songwriter and folk artist if he comes to your town.

Adeem the Artist was a revelation. I loved Adeem’s songs and engaging and humorous look at life. A highlight was their new single, “One Night Stand,” which they termed “the gay ’90s country bop song you didn’t know you needed.”

Gabe Lee’s songs reminded me of early Jason Isbell and John Prine but with his own distinct voice. Lee and his terrific backing band found many new fans.

A special note of appreciation for some MVP side players. who appeared on many stages, alongside many artists: Kelly Halloran (violin), Bridget Kearney (bass), Rachel Coats (bass) and Luciana Costa (dobro).

Cayamo 2024  by  Boom Baker

This was my 12th Cayamo cruise and the best music vacation ever. In addition to the music, there are plenty of auxiliary activities involved, including wine tasting and jewelry making, plus excursions when the ship docked at ports in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Oranjestad, Aruba. It was another week of music, sun, and camaraderie with like-minded souls.

There were many young artists that were able to play with their heroes and held their own, such as Gabe Lee (another artist voted onto the cruise via the Soundcheck competition), who with his band backed Raul Malo in his solo show. I especially enjoyed Jenny Owen Youngs’ performances, Sunny War’s maturity, and Alexa Rose’s relatable themes.

As good as the individual sets were, showcases helmed by The Bluegrass Situation   and Black Opry Revue were the twin peaks of this year’s cruise. With BGS, Mipso hosted a nightcap set with Hiss Golden Messenger, Dom Flemons, Lizzie No, Rachel Price, and Taylor Ashton. Black Opry, a loose association of Black artists in country, Americana, blues, folk and roots music, presented numerous sets that were among my favorite Cayamo moments. The highlight for me was a writers-in-the-round set with performances from Leyla McCalla, Dom Flemons, Jon Muq, Sunny War, SistaStrings, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Brady Blade, Ping Rose, and The War and Treaty. To say it was inspirational is an understatement.

To top it off, BGS & Black Opry paired up to host a late-night Live Artist Karaoke, where guitarist Ping Rose’s cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain” went through the stratosphere. So did my heart and soul.

Click on any photo below to view the gallery as a full-size slideshow.

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About the festival headliner - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band performed and recorded as the Dirt Band. Constant members since the early times are singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna and drummer Jimmie Fadden. Multi-instrumentalist John McEuen was with the band from 1966 to 1986 and returned during 2001. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter joined the band in 1977. The band is often cited as instrumental to the progression of contemporary country and roots music. The band's successes include a cover version of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles". Albums include 1972's Will the Circle be Unbroken, featuring such traditional country artists as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Jimmy Martin. A follow-up album based on the same concept, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two was released in 1989, was certified gold, won two Grammy Awards and was named Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.

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Navigating the Waters of Folk Music: Community vs Capitalism, ep. 257 Basic Folk

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We're live at sea! lizzie and Cindy recorded this episode onboard Cayamo, which is a singer/songwriter cruise that's been sailing yearly since 2008 and is one of the best music festivals we've attended. AND it's another edition of FOLK DEBATE CLUB. This time it's Community vs Capitalism! Our panel features Jenny Owen Youngs (musician and co-host of Buffy the Vampire Slayer podcast, Buffering the Vampire Slayer), Amy Reitnouer Jacobs (Co-Founder / Executive Director of The Bluegrass Situation) and Natalie Dean (Director of Events at Sixthman, which presents Cayamo). We talk about both through the lens of folk music and the music industry at large. Community building amongst folk artists and fans in authentic and unique ways will help drive your passion. Organically finding community through event production, online presence or music promotion is at the core of folk culture. Community trust and cultural diversity are key in ensuring that folk music artists will thrive in our Capitalistic society. How do you build that trust among your audience in a way that allows them to build trust with each other? How do you stay true to your values while being able to pay for your life? How have musical community leaders cultivated their particular communities? Capitalism is our current reality, but it historically has not mixed well with Community. Clearly, one must be pursued vigorously more than the other! Or does it? Is there a way that these two can live side by side in folk music? If you are listening to this or reading this right now, I can make this assumption: You want to support music financially and with your heart. Music is something that sustains our lives, but it’s also a profession and something people consume. Don't worry, we figure it all out in this episode of FOLK DEBATE CLUB AT SEA! Follow Basic Folk on social media: https://basicfolk.bio.link/ Sign up for Basic Folk's newsletter: https://bit.ly/basicfolknews Help produce Basic Folk by contributing: https://basicfolk.com/donate/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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