It’s formally 2026, which implies it’s simply weeks away from Groove Cruise 2026. Not solely is it one of many first music festivals of the brand new 12 months annually, however it has develop into an annual retreat for hundreds that flock to Florida to flee to a magical fantasyland referred to as Groove Cruise. Whether or not you’re a first-timer virgin otherwise you’ve been on Groove Cruise earlier than, we compiled an inventory of issues to know earlier than you go, so that you might be prepared on January 22, 2026.
The theme costumes are not any joke
You might be a type of individuals who doesn’t actually get pleasure from costumes and doesn’t actually get into themed events. I get it, and I’m usually a type of individuals too. I actually hate Halloween, however I’ve grown to like Groove Cruise costumes! Simply know that on Groove Cruise individuals take the each day themes VERY critically, and this may be the one place the place you let go and take part on the enjoyable. Give it some thought, Groove Cruise is a fictional place that solely exists for a number of days a 12 months. It is a place the place you possibly can fully let go of any inhibitions and reside your greatest life. There’s no judgment in any respect, about whether or not your costume is simply too revealinging or half-assed or not humorous or not attractive sufficient. The one time your fellow cruisers will appear to be regular individuals is on the ultimate day while you’re getting off disembarking the ship. You don’t need to do all of them, however go on Amazon and purchase a number of $20-$35 costumes or go to your native thrift retailer and toss stuff collectively. You’ll be shocked at how far individuals go together with it. An ideal instance is that one time when there was a pajama theme, one group determined to go full on 1800s nightgown with candlesticks and all. Take the theme to no matter logical conclusion you need. Simply know that everyone is in on the joke with you! Begin planning it out and ordering now, and don’t fear about house in your baggage since you aren’t paying by the bag anyway. In case you’re not sure in regards to the symbolize theme….
Groove Cruise loves its Virgins!
So Groove Cruise is stuffed with lingo and inside jokes. At first, all of it appears tacky af, however by the top, you’ll be in on the joke and received’t care. If that is your first Groove Cruise, you’re a VIRGIN! That truly makes you crucial group of folks that day, as everyone else is charged with providing you with a proverbial bear hug and welcome you into this wonderful group. On Day 1, you’re anticipated to board the ship sporting a colour based mostly on the variety of Groove Cruises you’ve been on, your hometown, your house nation, or no matter you need. Virgins put on white, however you don’t need to really feel embarrassed. When Groove Cruisers see white for a Virgin they’ll instantly chat you up, fist bump you, ask you about your expertise to this point, provide suggestions & tips, inform you what number of Groove Cruises they’ve been on, and possibly even give you a trinket! Put on your white proudly and make a dozen new associates all through the primary afternoon! Even after the primary day, anyone you meet will ask you what number of groove cruises you’ve been on – so the nice vibes proceed for the entire journey. Congrats asyou’re formally now a part of the GCFAM.
Get to know the Artists
On Groove Cruise, your fellow attendees additionally occur to incorporate the DJs on the lineup! With solely a handful of exceptions, the DJs are out and about across the ship on the pool, within the fitness center, on the different units, consuming on the buffet, and simply dwelling their lives the best way you’re. First off, do not forget that that is their trip too. Once you see them round, be happy to introduce your self and discuss to them, however don’t harass them. Play it cool! Groove Cruise additionally affords numerous artist-hosted activities like excursions, dinners, wine tasting courses, zip traces, and extra! Take the chance to get to know these artists in a manner you possibly can’t wherever else.
GOOOOOOD Morning Groove Cruisers!!
It is a phrase that you’ll hate at 7am within the morning, however you’ll quickly develop to like in methods which can be exhausting to clarify. Groove Cruise is stuffed with ravers representing the complete spectrum of exercise ranges and ages, however it skews in direction of extra skilled ravers. That being stated, the celebration is on 24/7 if you’d like it to be. Some individuals might keep up till dawn every day, and others may hit the hay early. Groove Cruise doesn’t need you to sleep by means of all the enjoyable or be unaware of the actions for the day, so every morning you’re greeted with a “GOOOOOD MORNING GROOVE CRUISERS” over the ship’s PA system (which can also be piped into your cabins).
Groove Cruise’s fearless chief, Jason, will ensure you’re awake after which offer you a walkthrough of the day’s actions. Generally they’ll play music, even an annoying observe that tells you to “wake the f*** up” for a stable 5 minutes earlier than the bulletins start. It’s fairly actually the clarion name of GC, and it’ll annoy you and amuse you in equal components.
It’s a Marathon, Not a Dash
As talked about above, Groove Cruise is a 24/5 celebration, so you possibly can celebration all over and make it a 4.5-day bender. Don’t do that. Fortunately, most Groove Cruises are skilled partiers who know their limits, so that you received’t see hooliganism or unhealthy vibes. The events are omnipresent, very like the meals, drinks, and bogs. You’ll be able to dip out and in at your leisure, and GC is designed for individuals to bop round to all of the phases fairly often. It’s not your commonplace pageant the place everyone is crowding the principle stage, though there will probably be a number of units like that for positive.
The set instances will probably be dropping any day now, however don’t stress and plan as obsessively as you’d at a traditional pageant. You’ll be capable of take a look at each single set for a second if you wish to since you’re absolutely out there they usually’re all just some minutes away from eachother.
Don’t be shy, go seize a plate of pizza and convey it to the celebration with you. Plan for breaks, chill time, and sleep in your schedule. Get up and hit that breakfast buffet, get into your day theme and a swimsuit, and hit the higher decks. You’ll sometimes hit units on the Solarium (topic to vary?), pool deck and Promenade first every day, with the Aquatheater being the most important ampitheater stage at the back of the ship. After the Aquatheater shuts down round midnight then it’s off to the Studio 60 boiler room stage which was a breakout hit in 2025 and the theater. You should definitely verify all of them out! After the day rager, I at all times deliberate a pleasant 1-2 hour nap round sunset earlier than dinner. Then after dinner go stage hop for some time. In case you’re gonna make it a late night time or all night time then take a breather someplace in there.
Elevators are extra enjoyable than helpful, take the steps in a rush
Marvel of the Seas is a BIG ship, the 2nd largest ship class on the planet. Nonetheless, the GCFAM will now be greater than ever in 2026. Do your self a favor and discover the ship early on earlier than the celebration takes maintain so that you’ve a normal understanding of how you can navigate. With a lot happening in any respect areas of the ship always, it’s best to anticipate the elevators to be a madhouse more often than not. On most cruise ships you a number of decks within the decrease a part of the ship with leisure and meals choices, after which you could have a number of prime decks with extra venues. All of the decks in between are cabins. It is a roundabout manner of telling you that you’ll watch for elevators, they are going to be full, and they’re going to cease at nearly each deck on the best way up (or down). Until you’re touring greater than 5 decks, you’re in all probability higher off taking the steps.
Nonetheless, you’ll undoubtedly make a number of associates within the elevators as everyone will chat you up, ask about your expertise, ask you what set you’re headed to and hand out PLUR goodies. You’ll in all probability additionally take an elevator at the least as soon as the place someone is sporting a DJ controller and a speaker whereas mixing reside as they stroll from place to put on the ship. Yeah, it’s that type of place.
PLUR continues to be a factor right here
Keep in mind PLUR? Peace, love, unity, and respect was the EDM mantra when the golden period of EDM started in 2010. For a wide range of causes not value moving into right here, that just about went away. On Groove Cruise, PLUR is alive and properly, and never simply because most of the GCFAM have been raving in (or earlier than) the golden period of EDM. Individuals will come onboard with particular stickers or glowsticks or friendship bracelets or no matter and hand them out to individuals. Individuals will chat you up and befriend you wherever you’re. On 4 Groove Cruises to this point, I’ve but to have a unfavorable interplay with anyone. Everyone is in the perfect temper they’ll be in all 12 months and also you’ll really feel it.
Soak up a sundown and a dawn
On the Marvel of the Seas, it’s typically straightforward to overlook that you just’re at sea. It’s a large ship with some inside areas that appear to be you’re on land. That being stated, don’t cross up the chance to catch these attractive sea views. Be sure you’re out on deck throughout golden hour for some breathtaking views. Higher but, you’re on a cruise with DJ reveals going all night time, so keep up and catch a dawn that’s equally as attractive because the golden hour. You might be positive no different cruise offers you that chance except you’re waking up early for a morning jog. Catch a dawn set, go seize a plate of breakfast buffet, and are available again to complete the set or get some sleep earlier than the afternoon periods start.
Get Ready
In case you plan on consuming, get the drink package deal and get it now. It’s a lot nicer to seize a drink each single time you cross by a bar than worrying about how a lot you’re spending per drink. You’ll get your cash’s value, belief me. You’ll be able to repurchase these by means of Whet Journey till tomorrow, then you must buy them on day 1 of the cruise. If one individual within the cabin needs, everyone should buy (annoying we all know).
If you’d like web in any respect it’s good to buy the comparatively dear package deal from the ship. The ship does have an app with some degree of free messaging, however it’s only by means of the Royal app and it’s fairly wonky (not the perfect). Flip off roaming in your cellphone and possibly even disconnect your common cell service except it’s an emergency. Cellphone calls and texts will break the bank so simply let it go for a number of days. If it’s good to keep up a correspondence together with your individuals onboard strive walkie-talkies when you don’t need to shell out for the web packages. Lastly, Groove Cruise now has an app you possibly can obtain for iPhone and Android so you will get the ship structure, schedule, and extra all within the app. Pack your theme costumes, your sunscreen, your swimsuits, and your most constructive vibes. Prepare for a life-changing expertise!
