One of the first CDs I ever bought as a kid was the first, self-titled Weezer album in 1994. I memorized all the melodies, all the lyrics, I even recorded all of their videos off MTV. So to find myself 20 years later, sharing a cab with the guitarist Brian Bell as we travel through the Bahamian island of Freeport during a stopover on the Weezer Cruise is something the fan boy in me can barely believe. By the time we reach our destination of Port Lucaya, the taxi driver can't change my bill and I find myself having to borrow my fare from a teenage hero. He is, thankfully, happy to help out.
Such close encounters with rock idols are commonplace on the Weezer Cruise, one of many music-themed cruises that are becoming popular with fans and artists alike. The experience is essentially like that of going on vacation with your favorite bands. There's little semblance of separation; you eat together, you socialize together and if you're very lucky, you may even end up sleeping together.
Rivers Cuomo, center, of Weezer performs on the band's themed cruise.Photo: Hardeep Phull
The concept of music-themed cruises has been building up steam for the last ten years and has now got the point where it's not just washed up B-list stars looking for a cushy gig. "With album sales not driving profits any longer, current artists are looking for more places to tour," explains Michelle Moore, an event coordinator for Rose Tours who organized the 2014 Weezer Cruise.
"It's a concept that I could imagine expanding beyond music to events like Comic Con."
The Weezer Cruise (now in its second year) lasts for four days, leaving from Jacksonville, Florida and docking in Freeport and Nassau for daytrips and excursions before returning to Jacksonville. The prices are notably higher than a bog-standard cruise with full board and amenities; a solo cabin with ocean view will set you back $1799 plus taxes (although sharing helps reduce cost). However, the fee pays for what is essentially a floating festival.
Weezer play two shows on the actual boat as well as a show on a private desert island. Also on board are a slew of indie rock bands picked by Weezer which this year included the British outfits Palma Violets and the Cribs, New York art-rockers DIIV (whose singer Zachary Cole is Sky Ferreira's boyfriend), L.A. girl group Bleached and the brilliantly named electronic quartet Holy F**k.
Ryan Jarman Of The Cribs performs.Photo: Hardeep Phull
But it's that sense of intimacy, which for most fans, is more than worth the money. During the day, the bands are also on hand to host competitions and events such as belly flop contests, bingo, beer pong and even coffee tasting sessions. "I was thinking that I would see some of the groups and maybe get an autograph, but I didn't think I'd get to eat with them," says Ani Ceto, a 24-year-old Brazilian who is clearly elated at having members of the Northern Irish band Ash sit with her in one of the cruise liner's many eateries. "I'm having the best birthday of my life – so far!"
The close contact can also be beneficial for the bands too, as Ash bassist Mark Hamilton found during the trip. "I was sitting at the casino and this guy came up to me. He was a super fan and had original copies of our first single from 1994 and he started giving me his chips. Over the course of the trip, he gave me almost $300 to gamble with!"
Although the opportunities for relaxation and recuperation are abundant on the Weezer Cruise, the spa and gym are generally underused. The vast majority of people that go on music-themed cruises want to live the rock 'n' roll lifestyle while they can. The straights turn in around 12 or 1am, the mid-level partiers hit the hay around 4am, the hardcore ragers keep going until 6am and a select few iron-livered revellers can often be found clutching contraband alcohol and falling asleep in their pancakes at breakfast.
'Flying Jesus' participates in the belly flop contest aboard the Weezer cruise.Photo: Hardeep Phull
"This actually isn't a very rowdy cruise," says one stage technician who prefers not to be named. "We had a heavy metal themed cruise a few weeks ago and people were pouring vodka off the top deck into the mouths of their friends on the decks below. That one got a little wild."
Themed music cruises are getting so popular that almost every genre of music is catered for. R. Kelly hosted one in 2013, The Moody Blues Cruise in April will feature Roger Daltrey of the Who and in June, you can even set sail with New Kids On The Block. Or at least you could if it hadn't sold out almost instantly. "The boy band cruises are the ones to be on," adds my new technician friend. "It's 95% women and a lot of them are single. You do the math!"
The lowdown
- Rose Tours operates the Backstreet Boys Cruise (Oct. 24-27). Prices start at $999 (plus tax) per person for a double cabin. rosetours.com
- Sixthman operate a range of cruises including: The Kiss Kruise (Oct. 31 to Nov. 4). Prices start at $1050 (plus tax) per person for a double cabin. thekisscruise.com
- The Grammy Festival At Sea, featuring Heart, Emmylou Harris, Indigo Girls and more (Nov. 4-8). Prices start at $800 (plus tax) per person for a double cabin. grammyfestivalatsea.com
- The Florida Georgia Line Cruise (Nov. 8-12). Prices start from $700 (plus tax) per person for a double cabin. fglcruise.com
- The Mad Decent Boat Party featuring Major Lazer, Flosstradamus, Dillion Francis and more (Nov. 12-16). Prices start from $800 (plus tax) per person for a double cabin. maddecentboatparty.com
All listed cruises depart and return from Miami, FL. Prices include admission to on board concerts and all meals. Carbonated and alcoholic drinks not included.
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