When it comes to having a rock n roll party, it doesn’t get much better than embracing the music of the King himself, Elvis. That is the concept behind the 2018 Cruise N Groove music festival at sea – Elvis Meets The Legends. In an extravaganza that features no less than 30 music acts, including many of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Acts, music fans are in for a treat on the seven-night cruise, departing Sydney in November.
The theme for Elvis Meets The Legends has been a long time coming and was flagged for the 2018 cruise by popular demand. This year marks the fourth for the Cruise N Groove event, and each year creates a massive party atmosphere. As part of four music cruises departing Australia, Elvis Tribute Artists have been a well-loved part of the voyages, so when it came time to organise this year’s festival, the promoters from Choose Your Cruise, the company responsible for bringing the best music acts to the ocean for almost a decade, thought a team of award-winning Elvis’ and other classic rock n roll acts would create a party to remember.
Choose Your Cruise’s Caitlin Manov says the crew are really excited about the 2018 line-up. “Elvis is such a legend in rock n roll and has influenced musicians that transcends genres for the past 60 years,” she says. “We have always payed homage to The King on board Rock The Boat, having at least one Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA) on board and seeing how much our passengers love the energy and sense of nostalgia that comes with someone performing his songs, it was always a dream we could honour him on a whole cruise. This is where Cruise N Groove gave us that exact opportunity. We had an overwhelming number of requests passengers who love 50s and 60s rock n roll for more Elvis, so after all these years we have listened to their wishes and this cruise is just for them!”
Picking Elvis as the ‘headliner’ for the cruise was an easy choice. “When it came to creating the theme for Cruise N Groove 2018, the idea of bringing 2,000 Elvis lovers was something we had wanted to do for so long and we felt the timing was just right,” says Caitlin. “Being able to bring together six international headliners renowned for their tributes to The King is something we are incredibly proud of and looking forward to seeing our dream come to fruition this November. We have had the pleasure of having Shawn Klush and Elvis to the Max (Max Pellicano) performing on board Rock the Boat in 2012, so being able to have them back to perform on a cruise tailored to Elvis was a no brainer. We also had a selection of artists we knew we had to have on board for a cruise like this, so being able to have the crème of Elvis Tribute Artists performing on the same bill is such an honour.”
The 2018 line-up includes the likes of BBC TV’s World’s Greatest Elvis winner Shaun Klush (USA), Justin Shandor (USA), Elvis To The Max (USA), Dean Z (USA), Bill Cherry (USA), Ben Thompson (UK) as well as a host of other performers including Scott ‘Buddy’ Cameron, Johnny Cash The Concert featuring Damien Thompson, Roy Orbison Show with Aaron Mansfield and the highly anticipated The Life Of Elvis All-Star Finale Spectacular. With artists from the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia, there is a wealth of rock n roll knowledge and experience heading onboard.
It is not just about the live music either, there are also a variety of experiences onboard such as the Viva Las Vegas Glitz and Glamour Theme Party, Blue Hawaii Luau Theme Party, Vegas Renewal of Vows Ceremony, Young Elvis Rising Star Contest, Elvis and Priscilla Look-A-Like Contests, and even Elvis Cooking Shows. Everything music lovers could want in rock n roll is all on the one luxury ship – there is no doubt this is a once in a life experience.
“While our cruises are a music festival at sea, we strive to create a whole experience for our passengers that goes right from the theme of the cruise to the music and the on-board activities,” says Caitlin. “Cruise N Groove offers a variety of immersive experiences on board which passengers can enjoy from themed parties to Elvis dress-ups, trivia, movies, look-a-like contests and cooking shows right up to a signing session where you can meet the stars in person. Passengers who have not cruised with us before can expect to have a holiday experience like no other and will want to come back again as a week just isn’t long enough!”
The first Cruise N Groove party departed Sydney in 2013 featuring The Village People. The subsequent cruises in 2016 (headlined by John Farnham) and 2017 (headlined by KC & The Sunshine Band and Boney M) have been heralded as the best fun at sea, by both cruise-goers and artists alike.
Cruise N Groove departs Sydney on November 6 for seven-nights on the luxury Radiance Of The Seas, visiting South Pacific ports such as Noumea and Mare in New Caledonia. Passengers onboard enjoy exceptional service with all entertainment, dining and activities catered for. Offering acres of glass enclosing the nine-storey central atrium, lifts facing the sea and floor to ceiling windows throughout, cruise-goers will be treated to incredible views on this luxury vessel. There are eight new dining experiences, ranging from casual eats to premium dining, and other family-friendly features include a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, VIP guest lounges, and a poolside cinema screen.
Tickets for the 2018 Cruise N Groove music festival at sea [6th-13th November 2018] are on sale now, departing from Sydney. Prices start from $2805 per person twin share (interior stateroom). 
“I’m so excited to be part of this legendary cruise and looking forward to meeting all the Elvis fans who have supported his memory for so many years. Let’s rock the boat and have a great time. Elvis to the Max has left the building but will be on the cruise in 2018” – Elvis To The Max
For more information, contact your local Cruiseco agent or visit www.chooseyourcruise.com.au or call 1300 247 371.
