carnival heavy metal cruise

70000 Tons Of Metal announce 2024 dates and destinations

Official press release:

GET READY SAILORS!

70000TONS OF METAL 2024 , the twelfth edition of The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise will sail from January 29th to February 2nd from Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and back.

We will once again host 60 Heavy Metal bands spanning all subgenres and welcome 3000 headbangers from around the world on board Freedom of the Seas.

Together you will sail to Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic's oldest city in the north and the pioneer of tourism in the country. The city is famous for Parque Independencia, the "Central Park" of Puerto Plata and a popular meeting point. Take a cable car to the top of "Monte Isabel de Torres", a peak rising 2,600 feet above sea level. Swim and snorkel at Sosua beach and then grab some lunch or a beverage at one of the many nearby restaurants and bars. Try some local fare with a bowl of la Bandera: a meat stew with rice, beans, and fried plantains or a saucy Pescado con coco (fish in coconut sauce).

La Casa de la Cultura is a three-story Victorian house that features local arts exhibits, a contemporary art gallery, library and store with local goods for sale. Find yourself some of the oldest, most translucent amber in the world, which Puerto Plata is famous for.

For those of you that have recently sailed with us, you know that Freedom of the Seas offers a host of amenities and complimentary dining options. Sailors will also once again enjoy unrestricted festival access to all 120+ performances across four stages: The Royal Theater - a five-storied concert hall. The more intimate Star Lounge offers the local club vibe. A third indoor stage, Studio B, provides an arena-like atmosphere. Lastly, but most notable, the Pool Deck Stage: The World's Biggest Open Air Stage structure to sail the Open Seas, surrounded by several bars, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the stage itself. Watch your favorite metal bands from the comfort of a hot tub under the warm Caribbean sun!

As we continually strive to innovate and improve the Heavy Metal festival experience for you and our surroundings, Sailors will once again have the option to purchase a Carbon Offset when booking their Private Cabin or Single Ticket for 70000TONS OF METAL 2024. For the eleventh voyage of 70000TONS OF METAL in 2023, nearly 15% of Sailors chose to purchase the additional Carbon Offset. Thank you! The funds contributed through the Carbon Offset Program went to Greentrippers Improved Cookstoves in Ghana project.

Stay tuned for more information including 70000TONS OF METAL 2024 Sales Dates … SOON!

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70000 TONS OF METAL Announces 2024 Cruise Dates, Destination And Ship

The 70000 Tons Of Metal festival organizers have announced that the twelfth edition of the floating festival will sail on January 29 to February 2, 2024 from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and back, on board the luxury passenger vessel Freedom Of The Seas.

The festival will once again host 60 heavy metal bands spanning all subgenres and welcome 3000 metalheads from around the world.

Freedom Of The Seas, a Freedom-class cruise ship, offers a host of amenities and complimentary dining options. Guests will also enjoy unrestricted festival access to all 120-plus performances across four stages. The Royal Theater is a five-storied concert hall. The more intimate Star Lounge offers the local club vibe. A third indoor stage, Studio B, provides an arena-like atmosphere. Lastly, but most notable, the Pool Deck Stage: the world's biggest open air stage structure to sail the open seas. This colossal stage is surrounded by bars, plenty of room to sunbathe and even hot tubs incorporated into the stage itself, offering guests the unique opportunity to watch their favorite metal bands from the comfort of a hot tub.

The ship will sail to Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic's oldest city in the north and the pioneer of tourism in the country. The city is famous for Parque Independencia, the "Central Park" of Puerto Plata and a popular meeting point. Take a cable car to the top of "Monte Isabel de Torres", a peak rising 2,600 feet above sea level. Swim and snorkel at Sosua beach and then grab some lunch or a beverage at one of the many nearby restaurants and bars. Try some local fare with a bowl of la Bandera: a meat stew with rice, beans, and fried plantains or a saucy Pescado con coco (fish in coconut sauce).

La Casa de la Cultura is a three-story Victorian house that features local arts exhibits, a contemporary art gallery, library and store with local goods for sale. Find yourself some of the oldest, most translucent amber in the world, which Puerto Plata is famous for.

As the festival organizers continually strive to innovate and improve the heavy metal festival experience for their guests and their surroundings, festivalgoers will once again have the option to purchase a Carbon Offset when booking their private cabin or single ticket for 70000 Tons Of Metal 2024. For the eleventh voyage of 70000 Tons Of Metal in 2023, nearly 15% of their customers chose to purchase the additional Carbon Offset. The funds contributed through the Carbon Offset Program went to Greentripper 's Improved Cookstoves in Ghana project.

70000 Tons Of Metal has been one of the more unique and/or ingenious ideas to infiltrate the live music scene in the last decade and a half.

"You have to see it took me from the point I had that quite insane idea," 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise creator, Swiss concert promoter Andy Piller , told FixionMedia.com in a 2014 interview. "It took me almost four years to get the ship in the water, so to speak. It was from the beginning that my thought was to make the ship as an annual event, given the fact it would work. When you start a new business, you never know if it will work or not. Isn't this what you're aiming for? Otherwise I wouldn't have put four years of my life into it. I wanted to establish it as an annual thing, and not spend four years of my life as a one-off."

Piller 's extensive background in the European live industry gave him an up-close and personal look at the workings of the venerable open-air festivals that dominate the summer landscape. Seeing how successful these festivals are, coupled with a few drinks and some friends during a warm summer night at his apartment in Vancouver, helped spawn the idea for 70000 Tons .

"I have never organized big festivals," he noted. "I started as a local promoter in Europe, then switched to a touring role. Then I was working for a tour/production/road manager for 15 years, and that eventually brought me to Vancouver. It wasn't something far off. It's not like I'm a banker or dentist coming up with this. I totally had the idea and connections on how this could work, and I had been to most of the big European open-air festivals. That was the idea — just condense that and put it on a cruise ship.

"People thought I was nuts to have a metal fest on a cruise ship," he continued. "They thought it was nuts to have put 40 bands on there, and now we have 60. The idea is like, the average band has five musicians, and if you have 40 bands, that's 200 guests. It's a 1-to-10 ratio, and that actually created such a special atmosphere because there are so many musicians around. I'm sure it would have worked with less bands, but the question is, where's the breaking point? A lot of people are concerned we're going to make it bigger and lose the intimacy factor and so on. I think it won't, but just to keep the principles of the event the same, so okay, we add 1,000 people and we have to add 20 more bands. Now there are 3,000 guests and 60 bands."

Visit 70000tons.com for more information and watch the 70000 Tons Of Metal social media pages for more announcements, including sales dates.

Sailors! Are you ready to experience the Ultimate Heavy Metal Vacation next year on board #70000TONS OF METAL 2024? The... Posted by 70000tons on  Thursday, March 23, 2023

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Headbangers Boat

HEADBANGERS BOAT RETURNS IN 2024

Get ready to rock your days and nights away! See 2 unique headlining Lamb of God sets and brace yourself for even more mind-blowing shows from Dethklok, Chimaira, Poison The Well, Carcass, and more.

NEW SHIP AND PORT

Metal meets majesty aboard the beautiful Norwegian Gem sailing to your brand new port - Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic!

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Dates, Destination & Ship Announced for 70000TONS OF METAL 2024

March 25, 2023

Tags: Royal Caribbean International

The festival will once again host 60 Heavy Metal bands spanning all subgenres and welcome 3000 metalheads from around the world.

Freedom of the Seas , a Freedom class cruise ship, offers a host of amenities and complimentary dining options. Guests will also enjoy unrestricted festival access to all 120+ performances across four stages:

The Royal Theater is a five-storied concert hall. The more intimate Star Lounge offers the local club vibe. A third indoor stage, Studio B, provides an arena-like atmosphere. Lastly, but most notable, the Pool Deck Stage: The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage structure to sail the Open Seas. This colossal stage is surrounded by bars, plenty of room to sunbathe and even hot tubs incorporated into the stage itself, offering guests the unique opportunity to watch their favorite metal bands from the comfort of a hot tub.

The ship will sail to Puerto Plata – the Dominican Republic’s oldest city in the north and the pioneer of tourism in the country.

The city is famous for Parque Independencia, the “Central Park” of Puerto Plata and a popular meeting point. Take a cable car to the top of “Monte Isabel de Torres”, a peak rising 2,600 feet above sea level. Swim and snorkel at Sosua beach and then grab some lunch or a beverage at one of the many nearby restaurants and bars. Try some local fare with a bowl of la Bandera: a meat stew with rice, beans, and fried plantains or a saucy Pescado con coco (fish in coconut sauce).

La Casa de la Cultura is a three-story Victorian house that features local arts exhibits, a contemporary art gallery, library and store with local goods for sale. Find yourself some of the oldest, most translucent amber in the world, which Puerto Plata is famous for.

As the festival organizers continually strive to innovate and improve the Heavy Metal Festival Experience for their guests and their surroundings, festivalgoers will once again have the option to purchase a Carbon Offset when booking their Private Cabin or Single Ticket for 70000TONS OF METAL 2024.

For the eleventh voyage of 70000TONS OF METAL in 2023, nearly 15% of their customers chose to purchase the additional Carbon Offset. The funds contributed through the Carbon Offset Program went to Greentripper’s Improved Cookstoves in Ghana project.

( 70000TONS OF METAL )

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70000 Tons of Metal 2024

THE SHORT VERSION

Dubbed “The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise,” 70000 Tons of Metal begs the question, are there other heavy metal cruises? (The answer is maybe, depending on how you classify these festivals , but the competition isn’t stiff.) For its twelfth year, this week-long party at sea sets sail in Miami and takes hundreds of metal heads to Puerto Plata , a city in the Dominican Republic best known for its beaches. A hoard of music lovers in black swimsuits will descend on the city for a single day, but it’s what takes place at sea that really matters.

Aboard the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise, one finds, well, tons of metal. Metal bands perform throughout the week — each with scheduled meet-and-greets — and freely roam the ship with 3000 heavy metal fans. Sixty bands will take over four different stages — varying in scale and vibe from concert hall to pool deck— and artists lead clinics on topics like “extreme singing” and “tambourine.” Scared of the ocean? No one will know that’s why you’re screaming.

In between totally metal activities are typical un-metal activities like karaoke nights, belly flop contests (belly flops are rated in direct relation to pain caused) and, of course, an unlimited supply of alcohol. 

If you like to travel solo, 70,000 Tons of Metal will pair you with another solo traveler. It’ll be just like going back to college with a duffel bag full of Hot Topic graphic tees and a few feet between your twin-sized beds. Whether you come with friends or make them on board, there will be plenty of people to yell with when you see Aborted, Sodomized, My Dying Bride, and dozens of other unfortunately named artists in international waters. 

• Three thousand metal heads board the cruise ship every year.
• Tickets for the metal festival range from $1199-$5999 and include a variety of different room combinations and packages. Tickets can be purchased for solo or group travelers. Several ticket tiers are already sold out. Solo travelers agree to share a cabin with other travelers.
• Time to kill on shore? Here’s Fifty Grande’s guide to Miami .

Where is the nearest airport?

Miami International Airport (MIA) is the closest airport to the festival, located about 9 miles from Port Miami where the ship departs from. 

None of my friends will board a heavy metal cruise, can I go alone?

Yes, however, there are no single cabins. All solo passengers will be paired with another passenger of the same sex. 

It’s my first time attending. What can I expect?

Over the four days there will be roughly 60 heavy metal bands (American and beyond) jamming for roughly 3,000 fans. Those are good numbers if you’re into metal. In the past there’s also been exclusive premieres and special sets. You’ll be on board the Freedom of the Seas shop and it will take your from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and back. There will be no VIP areas on the boat, so you have a shot at running into your fave heavy metal artists on deck. Watch full videos below to get the vibe.

What’s the deal with the pool deck stage?

The pool deck stage is of the four stages on the Freedom of the Seas and it’s touted as the “biggest open air stage on the open seas.” (We’re not sure how official that is.) What’s cool is the stage has bars, hot tubs and sunbathing.

I thought it went to Bimini?

Last year the cruise went to Bimini in the Bahamas and back.

How many days are spent in the Caribbean port?

The ship will dock in Puerto Plata for one full day. Two full days are spent at sea. 

Are Destruction, Dragonforce, Insomnium, Kamelot, Kreator, Napalm, Nightwish or Rotting Christ playing again this year?

They are not on the 2024 roster.

Who started 70000 Tons?

The cruise creator, organizer and promoter is Andy Piller.

Who’s playing 70000 Tons of Metal this year?

The 2024 lineup that has been announced so far includes Aborted, Angra, Blind Guardian, Blood Red Throne, Crypta, Dalriada, Depressive Age, Draconian, Epica, Equilibrium, Grave Digger, Infected Rain, Iotunn, Legion Of The Damned, Lord Of The Lost, My Dying Bride, Mystic Prophecy, Nanowar of Steel, Nervosa, Nile, Omnium Gatherum, Saor, Serenity, Sodomized, The Halo Effect, THYRFING, Unleashed, Victory, and Warkings. 

2024 Poster

Official videos and recaps

BY Emily Frantz

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Miami, FL (July 12, 2023)─The annual  Monsters of Rock Cruise (MORC) , the world’s premier hard rock and heavy metal fan immersive music cruise, is  returning for its twelfth year . Promoter  On the Blue Cruises  has announced the five-day/five-night full-ship music charter will set sail  March 2 – 7, 2024   aboard  Royal Caribbean ’s  Independence of the Seas®  and depart from the  Port of Miami, Florida .

Monsters of Rock Cruise 2024

Dubbed  The Dirty Dozen , next year’s voyage will include two days at sea full of music and events, performances from over 30 artists on multiple stages, two unforgettable ports of call (Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas), photo experiences with artists, theme nights, and special events with the world’s best rock community.

Cabins are on-sale now starting at $1,899.00 per person  (double occupancy, not including mandatory taxes and fee supplement). For more info and booking, visit   MonstersOfRockCruise.com  and follow  @MonstersOfRockCruise  on  Facebook  and  Instagram , and  @MonstersCruise  on  Twitter .

The Incredible Line Up

The lineup for MORC ‘24 includes  Joe Satriani ,  Extreme ,  The Darkness ,  Winger ,  Ace Frehley ,  KK’s Priest ,  Accept ,  Queensrÿche ,  Quiet Riot ,  Y&T ,  Glenn Hughes (performing Deep Purple Live) ,  April Wine ,  TNT ,  Crazy Lixx ,  Slaughter ,  British Lion ,  FireHouse ,  Vixen ,  H.E.A.T. ,  Armored Saint ,  Richie Kotzen ,  Faster Pussycat ,  SOTO/Bieler ,  Dangerous Toys ,  Lizzy Borden ,  Enuff Z’Nuff ,  Spread Eagle ,  Black ‘N Blue ,  Joe Hoekstra ,  Pat Travers Band ,  Crashdiet ,  Bang Tango ,  Tuff ,  Heavens Edge ,  Treat ,  Paradise Kitty , and  KALEIDO . Plus, official cruise host  Eddie Trunk  (VH1, SiriusXM) and a cast of other hosts who will be moderating Q&A’s and a bevy of activities onboard.

In addition to performances, MORC ‘24 will host interactive events between artists and cruisers, including   Artist/Cruiser Q&A sessions ,  Gong Show Karaoke ,  “So You Think You Can Shred , ”   Cooking with Rock Stars , a new cast of  Painting with Rock Stars ,  Rockers vs Average Joe ’s TBA sporting event,  Comedy Punchlines and Backlines , with more to be announced. 

Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas

The award-winning   Independence of the Seas ®  is giving the Caribbean an injection of new adventures. This is the third of Royal Caribbean’s  Freedom -class vessels and it recently received a massive makeover as part of the cruise liners “Royal Amplified” program, which includes the addition of new bars and restaurants. Spanning the length of Deck 5, the  four-story boardwalk  allows guests to stroll into restaurants and cafés, stop in to do some shopping, and grab a drink before the next show.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Masters Of Shred™️ (@mastersofshred)

Not to mention, this vibrant and exciting hub will connect cruisers to two fantastic indoor main concert venues: Royal Theater and Studio B. Plus, as always, the legendary massive Pool Stage will not disappoint. With so much to do on the ship, you will never find yourself bored. Get your blood pumping as you speed to the bottom of the dual racing water slides, pamper yourself in the world-class Vitality at Sea Spa, hang ten on our Flowrider® surf simulator, or score an awesome time and game-changing grub at Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade.  Click here  for a full list of things to do on the ship, as well as check out photos, deck plans, and even a virtual tour.

Located on the north coast of Jamaica,   the town of  Ocho Rios  is adorned with beautiful golden beaches juxtaposed against its jungle-covered mountains. This backdrop allows for a myriad of unique excursions for guests to enjoy (including river rafting and tubing, swimming with dolphins, or exploring the Green Grotto Caves), relaxing on the beach, or a day enjoying Jamaican rum and local cuisine. Ocho Rios is famous for Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica’s national treasure, where guests can spend the day scaling this spectacular waterfall or exploring its limestone rocks while relishing in the refreshing pools along the way.

The second stop on MORC ‘24 is  Nassau , who’s port just got an extensive $300 million makeover ‒ taking almost four years to complete. The upgrades include a complete revamp of the waterfront area including repairing and expanding Prince George Wharf, additional berths, and a brand-new terminal. Not to mention, there will be event and entertainment spaces, an amphitheater hosting up 3,500 people, a living coral exhibit, as well as local food vendors and shops for guests to peruse. Nassau’s best attractions are walking distance from where the ship docks. From  Atlantis Aquaventure  and  Dolphin Encounter tours  to relaxing at  Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day , the Bahama Islands are magnificent and Nassau is their crown jewel ‒ guaranteed to make MORC ‘24 a vacation experience to remember. From historic hotspots to local delicacies and incredible beaches,  click here  for how to make the most of your time in The Bahamas’ capital, and watch a video tour of Nassau  here .

With a myriad of events, activities, and music to keep fans entertained day and night, MORC ’24 promises to be a fantasy camp, personal paradise, and the vacation of a lifetime for hard rockin’ music enthusiasts.  Click here  to watch a video recap of MORC 2023.

About the Monsters of Rock Cruise

A leader in cruise charter innovation, Monsters of Rock Cruise (MORC) has sailed over 30,000 passengers in the last ten years. The principals of MORC have deep roots in the music industry, providing world-class cruise ship production management for celebrities and musical artists for decades. MORC has set the industry standard for themed music cruises and fan experiences and has played a key role in the development of ground-breaking theme cruise concepts.  Click here  for exclusive MORC merch (including T-shirts, hoodies, patches, and more). For more info, visit  MonstersofRockCruise.com  and follow on  Facebook ,  Instagram , and  Twitter .

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70000 Tons Of Metal 2024: Pre-Cruise Parties Recap Video Released

February 14, 2024, 4 months ago

news heavy metal 70000 tons of metal 2024

The 2024 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal festival sailed January 29 to February 2 from Miami, Florida to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and back, on board the luxury passenger vessel Freedom Of The Seas.

Organizers have released the video below, stating: "Sailors from across the globe make their way to Miami, known as the Cruise Capital of the World, in anticipation of 70000 Tons Of Metal 2024. Miami Beach entices visitors with its vibrant nightlife, offering a myriad of nightclubs, upscale hotels, exceptional dining options, and, of course, one of America's most iconic beaches.

"Sailors and Survivors from 71 nations have made a remarkable comeback at our event this year, completely taking over Miami Beach in a sea of black t-shirts.

"The beach party and other pre-cruise events span the entire day, extending well into the night. With Embarkation Day just around the corner, Sailors are busy getting themselves ready for the start of 70000 Tons Of Metal 2024. Excitement fills the air as spirits soar, the anticipation builds as everyone eagerly awaits the start of the Ultimate Heavy Metal Vacation at sea."

With the recent completion of the 2024 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal festival, details of next year's cruise have emerged.

Sailors, brace yourselves for another epic voyage! The 2025 edition of 70000 Tons Of Metal, The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, will take us back to an absolute fan-favorite port that hasn't been visited in a decade - Ocho Rios, Jamaica! Taking place January 30 – February 3, 2025.

60 Bands, 4 Days, 1 Cruise Ship, and only 3000 Tickets. This is 70000 Tons Of Metal, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise!

On 70000 Tons Of Metal you get unrestricted festival access to all 120 live shows on board, 70000 Tons Of Karaoke until sunrise, Jamming In International Waters – the Official 70000 Tons Of Metal All Star Jam which writes heavy metal history every year, clinics and work-shops with the musicians, our infamous belly flop contest, shore excursions with your favorite artists, and much more!

Everyone on board is a VIP, we don’t have assigned seating (this is a heavy metal cruise after all), and most importantly the bars on our ship never close – you heard us, bars that never close!

On this life changing adventure you will spend five days and four nights at sea mingling side-by-side with your favorite artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It’s like having an All-Access backstage pass!

Visit 70000Tons.com  or the official 70000 Tons Of Metal Facebook page for further details.

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I tried to spend as little as possible on Carnival's newest cruise ship. I recommend shelling out for better food and more fun.

Posted: June 27, 2024 | Last updated: June 27, 2024

• I turned down almost all upcharged amenities during my four-day Carnival Firenze cruise .
• The new ship has more complimentary family-friendly activities than some of its competitor's latest vessels.
• But snubbing the up-charged food made for a less-than-amazing cruise.

Looking for a vacation that lets you ball on a budget? You'll certainly hit your "budget" requirement on Carnival's new Firenze ship — so long as you don't expect to truly ball out.

Cruises are an economical vacation option . After all, what other ticket includes unlimited food, a hotel room, activities, and the opportunity to see several destinations in one trip — all for less than $80 a day like Carnival is offering in 2024?

But if you're unwilling to spend more than the base fare, you could have a pretty different vacation experience from your peers who are ready to pay-to-play. At least, that's how I felt during my first Carnival cruise in mid-May on the new Firenze.

My stubborn stance against upcharged services resulted in a less-than-amazing experience.

Josh Weinstein, president and CEO of Carnival Corp, the cruise line's parent company, told investors in late June that the company wants to continue to be known as a "cost leader" in the industry.

Its new ship is a great example of this. Carnival says it's seeing strong demand from its US market. But instead of building a new vessel, the company acquired Firenze and its sister ship from Costa Cruises, another Carnival Corp brand, in 2022.

Besides WiFi, I refused to front for Firenze's up-charged activities and services.

I went on Carnival Firenze for work, which meant I had to cave on the ship's premium WiFi at $85 for all four nights.

Internet connectivity, specialty dining, and drinks packages are always extra on mass market ships . But over the last few years, cruise giants have added more irresistible pay-to-play amenities to their vessels, all while still luring travelers in with affordable base fares.

On Norwegian's newer ships , for example, this means paying $10 for a round of mini-golf or $29 for an hour at the VR arcade.

Not bad compared to Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas , where travelers have to pay $200 for the fanciest restaurant or $49 for a ropes course that could be completed in less than a minute.

To Carnival’s credit, Frienze had more complimentary family-friendly amenities than some of its competitors’ newer ships.

The mini-golf course wasn't nearly as flashy as Norwegian's. But mini-golf is mini-golf, no matter the number of bright lights and animated courses.

The same was true for Firenze's ropes course. While it didn't have the same thrilling floor drop as Icon of the Seas', the multi-part walkway was longer, more diverse, and, more importantly, free.

I much preferred it to the one on Icon.

Families could spend their afternoons shooting hoops, going on the waterslides, and competing over board games — all without spending a cent.

The arcade was one of the few activities that wasn't free. Then again, they rarely are.

But don't book Firenze if you're seeking a quiet, relaxing ship. I struggled to find a peaceful public space where I could churn out some work without being distracted by the loud music and guests.

The only truly quiet space could've been the spa. But again, I wasn't going to pay for a massage.

In the eveing, I passed the time by catching the nightly movies and attending the theater's shows.

Just know that the latter isn't a must-do. Some singers in the cheesy song-and-dance production "Dear Future Husband" were painfully off-key.

And if you want to munch on a bag of popcorn during the movie, you'll have to pay $4. Smelling the buttery snack without having one in my hands was a torturous tease.

Several of Firenze’s bars — like Piano Bar 88 — featured live musicians, too.

Moda Bar and Lounge also had singers, if you count karaoke night.

But if you want a drink to accompany the entertainment, you'll have to spend about $13 for cocktails and $9 for beers and seltzers.

So, late-night foosball it was — for four nights in a row. At least it was free.

Activities like live music and board games are almost always free on cruise ships.

But that doesn't exempt Carnival Firenze from the industry-wide push for more pay-to-play amenities . There's a reason the company saw a spike in onboard spending in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same time last year — despite rising ticket prices.

I doubt it's solely because of increased participation at Firenze's live "Deal or No Deal" game show, which starts at $25 to play. Or the $4 shuttle from the port at Ensenada, Mexico on day three to downtown (which I regret not paying for).

In retrospect, I wish I had fallen for Firenze's upcharged foods.

Norwegian and Royal Caribbean's newer ships had complimentary dining that was as good as, if not better, than the premium options. I still crave Norwegian Prima's free food hall .

I can't say the same for my no-fee dining experience on Firenze.

The ship had six specialty restaurants ranging from teppanyaki to steaks.

The cruiseliner has a kitschy Italian theme, as its name might suggest. But if I had wanted to continue the Italian tune with some shrimp scampi and burrata at the Il Viaggio restaurant, I would've had to drop more than $40.

So, instead, I had my nightly meals in the mediocre main dining room, which served the same dinner dishes as the buffet.

None of my Carnival Firenze dinners were stellar, and finding a piece of plastic in my pasta didn't help, either.

I always have juice with my breakfast at home.

But continuing my ritual on Firenze would've meant coughing up $5 per glass. It was tempting, especially as the main dining room server stopped by every table with a tray of the colorful concoctions.

For lunch, I bounced around options like the Guy Fieri-branded burger shack and the pizza, Italian-Mexican fusion, and Italian sandwich stands.

My no-spend requirement meant I had to snub the almost $40 teppanyaki lunch, $1.50-a-piece empanada, and $6 Korean barbecue steak pizza (the pizza stand had free and upcharged pies).

That meant none of my lunches were standouts. The burgers were too heavy (mine came with a slab of fried mozzarella), the salsa verde at the sandwich stand was inedible, and the buffet was forgettable.

Even worse, the chicken wings at the buffet cost extra. Oh, Carnival.

The only craveable lunch was at La Strada Grill, a tucked-away buffet with sandwiches and fresh vegetables.

It was the only light and fresh meal I had on the ship. I couldn't understand why it and another salad stand were closed until the last day of the cruise.

At that point, I had already grown tired of all the heavy foods.

But a quick pick-me-up at the coffee shop would have required me to break my no-spend rule, too.

The buffet had free coffee, Lipton, and Bigelow's green tea bags. But if you want something closer to your neighborhood coffee shop, the onboard café charges $4.50 for a latte and $4 for a doughnut.

I don't remember the last time I drank that much Lipton tea.

Activities like the afternoon 'Tea Time' also had a cost barrier.

Tea bags at the program were $1.50, unbeknownst to me until I was seated. After expressing disinterest in paying, I was later offered the buffet's teas.

Caffeine might be mandatory if you stay in the cheapest windowless cabin.

Like any mass-market cruise ship, the most affordable option was a windowless interior stateroom and letting Carnival assign me my cabin.

Traveling alone for work meant I had to eat the solo supplement . My interior cabin, booked fairly last minute, cost $735, including $64 in optional gratuities.

But in 2024, the cheapest itinerary starts shy of $360 per person, including taxes and fees, for the same four-night sailing — from Long Beach, California, to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico — as the one I went on.

Carnival put me in one of Firenze’s accessible, wheelchair-friendly rooms.

This meant the shower — a curtain surrounding floor drains — was one of the largest I've had at sea. And all the furniture came pushed against the wall, making the cabin feel spacious for someone without physical disabilities.

But where the stateroom excels in size, it fails in design.

It was one of the ugliest rooms I've ever stayed in. The furniture looked dated, the bathroom had almost no storage, and there were no bedside outlets.

That said, the starting price of $90 a day is hard to beat. At least it encouraged me to spend more time around the ship than inside my windowless dungeon.

Overall, my no-spend Carnival Firenze cruise was fine. Not amazing. Not life-changing. Just fine.

The surplus of complimentary onboard activities rivaled that of more expensive ships. But if my meals weren't lackluster, they were bad.

I'm sure I would have a different review if I had spent an additional $50 on the steakhouse or $100 on the chef's table . But the less-than-desirable complimentary food ultimately plagued my four nights at sea.

If you're considering cruising on Carnival Firenze , I'd recommend paying for at least one of the specialty restaurants. The money will be worth skipping the buffet and uninspiring dining room.

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Carnival cruise ship rocked by rough seas, severe weather, shaking some passengers

Carnival says stormy weather delayed cruise ship sunshine's return from the bahamas to charleston, south carolina.

Carnival Sunshine navigates rough seas from Bahamas to South Carolina

The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship sailed through rough seas May 27 on a return trip from the Bahamas to Charleston, South Carolina. (Brad Morrell via Storyful)

Passengers aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship experienced a rough return to port in South Carolina as stormy weather brought heavy seas to the region.

Videos posted to social media showed high waves and large white caps rocking the cruise ship Carnival Sunshine as it returned to port in Charleston, South Carolina. 

The ship’s return from a the Bahamas had been delayed by the storm, but the dark skies and rough seas remained when the ship approached the port of Charleston.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES HAS RECORD FUTURE BOOKINGS, DEMAND REBOUNDS

The Carnival Sunshine cruise ship sailed through rough seas May 27 while returning from the Bahamas to Charleston, South Carolina. (Brad Morrell via Storyful / Fox News)

Several individuals aboard the ship took to social media to share photos and videos of the ordeal, a number of which showed broken glass, doors knocked out of their frames, and water damage in certain corridors of the ship.

A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line provided the following statement to FOX Business on Monday regarding the incident: 

"Carnival Sunshine’s return to Charleston was impacted by the weather and rough seas on Saturday. The weather’s prolonged impact on the Charleston area delayed the ship’s arrival and as a result, the next voyage’s embarkation was also delayed. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all our guests. Carnival Sunshine is now sailing on its next cruise."

MAN’S BODY STORED IN DRINK COOLER AFTER HE DIES ON CELEBRITY CRUISE: LAWSUIT

Carnival added in a statement to FOX Weather , "The weather and rough surf led to some crew cabins being temporarily taken out of service while we clean up water damage. All the public areas of the ship are open and in service and Carnival Sunshine is currently operating its next cruise, a five-day Bahamas sailing."

The Carnival Destiny is docked at the Black Falcon Terminal in Boston, May 23, 2000. The Destiny was renamed Sunshine in 2013. (Boston Herald/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Two ladies take pictures in front of the Carnival cruise ship Elation in Nassau, Bahamas on April 29, 2019.  (DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

FOX Weather reported that the low-pressure system responsible for the stormy weather in the mid-Atlantic region has now moved inland over North Carolina and will gradually weaken — but not until it dampens plans for holiday beachgoers in the area.

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FOX Weather’s Brian Donegan contributed to this report.

Monsters of Rock Cruise to Sail Aboard Norwegian Joy in 2025

• June 23, 2024

The annual Monsters of Rock Cruise (MORC) is returning for its thirteenth year, sailing for the first time aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Joy, on March 10, 2025.

Departing from the Port of Miami, Florida, the five-day voyage will include performances from over 35 artists on multiple stages, ports of call in Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, photo experiences with artists, theme nights, and special events with the rock community.

The lineup for the hard rock and heavy metal fan music cruise includes Tesla, Michael Schenker, Krokus, Extreme, Winger, Stephen Pearcy of RATT, Queensrÿche, Michael Monroe, LA Guns, Pretty Maids, Slaughter, Vandenberg, Faster Pussycat, Wig Wam, Lynch Mob, Vixen, Eclipse, Hardcore Superstar, Chris Holmes, Rose Tattoo, Tyketto, The Answer, Aldo Nova, Rhino Bucket, Cold Sweat, The Cruel Intentions, Hurricane, Shiraz Lane, Massive Wagons, Jared James Nichols, Wildstreet, Sisters Doll, Midnight City, Burning Witches, Liliac, The Bites, The Iron Maidens, and Hoekstra & Gibbs, with more to be announced. Official cruise host Eddie Trunk and co-hosts will be moderating Q&A’s and onboard activities.

MORC ‘25 will host interactive events between artists and cruisers, including Artist/Cruiser Q&A sessions, Gong Show Karaoke, “So You Think You Can Shred,” Cooking with Rock Stars, a new cast of Painting with Rock Stars, Rockers vs Average Joe’s TBA sporting event, Comedy Punchlines and Backlines and more.

Cabins are available starting from $2,699 per person.

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'I just felt so helpless': Carnival Sunrise cruise ship faces flooding

A Carnival Cruise Line ship faced flooding on its way back to Miami over the weekend.

Carnival Sunrise was returning from a five-day Caribbean cruise at the time. Passenger Rachel Cox woke up to pounding on her cabin door around 2 a.m. on Saturday.

As she and her family got out of bed, they stepped into what she estimated was 2 to 4 inches of water. “We opened the door and people are yelling and screaming ‘Hey, we're taking on water. We're flooding,’ ” she told USA TODAY.

Cox, 38, was staying in an inside cabin on Deck 10 with her partner and son, and her mother and daughter stayed in the adjacent room.

After a man wearing what looked like a security uniform told them to go to their muster station, they gathered their belongings and scrambled down the stairs – in part because water was pooling around the elevator bank.

“We're literally running down the stairwells, and as we are, (on) every single floor water's just coming out of the ceilings, it’s coming up through the floor, we see water on the sides of the walls,” said the Arkansas-based nonprofit executive director.

The captain came to speak with Cox and other guests holed up in the ship’s Liquid Lounge. He informed them that the vessel had taken on water and that bad weather had changed their route, though Cox said the captain did not get specific. Cox and her family did not hear any other official updates from the line, but the crew distributed bottled water and a small number of blankets to passengers.

They stayed there until they got off the ship shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday (though Cox and her partner did go back upstairs briefly to retrieve their life jackets).

Story continues below.

“Carnival Sunrise encountered heavy rain while the ship was returning to Miami overnight Friday into Saturday,” Carnival spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in an emailed statement. “Some staterooms were taken out of service for Saturday's departure as our team completed clean up and replaced carpet. Those guests who were not able to sail were provided full refunds, a future cruise credit and received overnight accommodations if they needed them.”

Cox said the cruise line did not initially offer her a refund or other compensation, despite her belongings getting wet, including large suitcases the crew had stored ahead of disembarkation. She contacted Carnival when she got home and said she didn’t hear back until Wednesday morning, when a guest services representative asked to set up a call.

A couple of hours later, the cruise line also sent her a note signed by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, offering a 25% future cruise credit and inviting guests to submit documentation for review of damage to personal belongings.

“On behalf of the entire Carnival family, I am writing to express our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience you experienced as a result of the water intrusion incident that occurred the final night of the voyage,” Duffy said in the email, which Cox shared with USA TODAY. “We understand that being moved from your stateroom during those late hours must have been frustrating, and we deeply regret the disruption to your plans and comfort.”

Lupoli said in a separate statement that passengers "affected by the flooding incident on Carnival Sunrise were directed to the main lounge, not their muster stations, where our team worked to make them as comfortable as possible."

"The captain apologized for what occurred on board, a burst pipe due to a large amount of rainwater, and our Guest Care team has followed up as well, sending a letter and issuing a credit for those inconvenienced," he said. "We appreciate their understanding and support."

What is the best time to take a cruise?: We broke it down by region

Cox, who has been on over a dozen Carnival cruises, said the experience soured her on taking another – at least for now. “I had several pleasant experiences before this one, but at this moment in time, I can't imagine ever getting on another ship because I just felt so helpless.”

The news comes after Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas, which is now operating the nine-month Ultimate World Cruise, also experienced flooding after rough weather off the coast of South America in January.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

70000TONS OF METAL – The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise

The world's biggest heavy metal cruise.

Hosting 70000TONS OF METAL on The Independence of the Seas exemplifies our continued dedication to next-level onboard innovation. This cruise liner offers everything you could dream of having on your floating Heavy Metal Paradise including our 4 Stages: The ROYAL THEATER is a five-storied concert hall in which we remove part of the (very comfortable) seating; The more intimate STAR LOUNGE offers the local club atmosphere; The third indoor stage is in STUDIO B, the ice skating rink and last but not least our jewel: The POOL DECK stage: The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage structure to sail the Open Seas, surrounded by several bars and pools, plenty of room to sunbathe on several decks and even hot tubs incorporated into the POOL DECK stage to soak in while you watch the shows!

No matter what you’re in the mood for, there’s always something exciting happening on board. Have a drink at one of the many bars, clubs, and lounges that never charge cover, including the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Dog & Badger English style pub. Play poker, slots, or black jack at Casino Royale®. Pamper yourself at the day spa which features more than 100 treatments or get your blood pumping at the all-inclusive fitness center which features cardio machines that look out to the beautiful Caribbean sea, free weights, and specialized exercise equipment. Try one of the many sports facilities that include a surf simulator, full sized basketball court, rock-climbing wall, golf simulator, mini-golf course and a full-sized boxing ring!

There is variety of name-brand, duty-free shopping on the Royal Promenade including jewelry, perfumes, apparel and much more. A large choice of food in several restaurants, ranging from formal à la carte dining rooms, endless buffets at the Windjammer, 24h pizza at Sorrento’s, a sushi-bar, grills, a steak-house, fine Italian dining and even 24h room service in your private cabin!

Ship Facts :

• Name: Independence of the Seas
• Operator:  Royal Caribbean International
• Port of registry: Nassau, Bahamas
• Godmother: Elizabeth Hill
• Maiden Voyage: May 2, 2008

General Characteristics :

• Gross Tonnage: 155,889 tons
• Length: 1,112.0 ft (338.95 m)
• Beam: 127 ft (38.6 m)
• Draft: 29 ft (8.8 m)
• Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots
• Passengers: 3648 (double occupancy)
• Ship Crew: 1,300 (average)

To see the deck plans, please  click here .

The Independence of the Seas

The Royal Promenade

Open Air Stage On The Pool Deck

Golfing On The Sports Deck

Independence of the Seas® and Royal Caribbean International are registered Trademarks of Royal Caribbean Group.

Carnival Freedom's next two sailings canceled after funnel fire, second within 2 years

A fire in the exhaust funnel of the Carnival Freedom this weekend has disrupted a cruise for the second time in less than two years — and will mean that the Florida-based ship's next two sailings are canceled.

Damage to the funnel will require the cancellation of Carnival's next two cruises out of Port Canaveral, which were scheduled to depart Monday and Friday.

There were about 3,700 passengers onboard the ship when the fire occured. And the two upcoming sailings, which were canceled, likely would have had a similar passenger count amid the busy Spring Break season.

Carnival initially had said it expected no changes in its upcoming cruises, but on Sunday afternoon said the cancellations would be required.

"Regrettably, the damage is more than we first thought, and will require an immediate repair to stabilize the funnel, resulting in the cancellation of the March 25 and March 29 cruises from Port Canaveral," according to a statement issued by Matt Lupoli, Carnival Cruise Line's senior manager of public relations. "The funnel has been stabilized for the ship’s return to Port Canaveral overnight to disembark guests, and then it will go to the Freeport shipyard on Monday afternoon to begin the required repairs."

Carnival said it made the decision after "our technical team completed a thorough assessment" during the ship’s visit Sunday to Freeport in the Bahamas.

In the statement, Carnival said: "We sincerely regret the impact to our embarking guests, as we know they have been looking forward to their spring break vacation. We are providing all guests on both canceled cruises a full refund and a 100% future cruise credit, so they can come back and enjoy a future cruise with us. We also greatly appreciate the terrific guests who are currently sailing with us, for their outstanding cooperation and support."

In a Facebook post, Carnival's widely followed brand ambassador, John Heald, conceded that many people who booked one of the canceled cruises are "feeling very disappointed," and he apologized for the turn of events.

But, Heald added that he wanted to assure affected passengers that, "when you rebook, using your full refund and your 100% future cruise credit, that the crew will be standing by to give you all the fun you deserve."

More than 500 people responded to the post, with many saying they thought Carnival was generous with the compensation offer. But some people who said they were on the cruise that experienced the fire said they thought Carnival should have done more for the people who were on the ship.

Carnival said the fire was confined to the funnel area. The cruise line said there are no reports of injuries to passengers. Two firefighting crew members were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Carnival said that, at about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, the Carnival Freedom reported a fire on the port side of the ship’s exhaust funnel. The ship was 20 miles off Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, heading to Freeport after a canceled call to the Carnival private island of Princess Cays due to adverse weather.

"The ship’s fire response team was quickly activated, and the ship’s captain also turned the vessel towards the heavy rain in the area to maximize the efforts to put out the flames," an earlier Carnival statement said. "Eyewitnesses reported the possibility of a lightning strike, and that is being investigated, but cannot yet be confirmed."

By 5:20 p.m. Saturday, the fire was extinguished. 

How safe are cruise stops? Travel advisories are only one marker for destinations

Carnival said the ship's captain made multiple announcements to passengers and crew, and advised all but essential safety personnel to stay away from balconies and all open decks. 

The port-side portion of the funnel had fallen onto Deck 10, and the firefighting response put out any flames. 

The U.S. Coast Guard has been notified of the fire, and Carnival activated its incident response team to support the ship’s crew. 

Carnival said there were no other operational issues with the ship’s systems, and the ship, which was on a four-night cruise, was visiting Freeport on Sunday.

A cruise ship funnel generally serves as a smokestack to lift emissions above the deck, thus away from passengers and crew.

On Saturday evening, "Carnival Freedom guests enjoyed the Elegant Night dinner as planned, and, with the exception of the open decks, all areas of the ship are fully functioning," Carnival said in its statement. 

The Carnival Freedom's next voyage was scheduled to depart from Port Canaveral on Monday afternoon on a five-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. That cruise had port-of-call stops scheduled at Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and at Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

But that sailing and a Friday sailing both have been canceled. Friday's five-night sailing also was scheduled to stop at those two ports of call, but in reverse order.

In May 2022 , a fire broke out in the funnel area of the Carnival Freedom while it was docked in Grand Turk. Carnival then canceled three scheduled sailings of the Carnival Freedom out of Port Canaveral because of the need to repair the ship's fire damage at a shipyard in Grand Bahama.

More recently, in October 2023, the Carnival Freedom debuted a new iconic winged funnel after returning from a 16-day dry-dock refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain.

Dave Berman is business editor at  FLORIDA TODAY.  Contact Berman at  [email protected] .