There’s a reason so many people return to Jam Cruise year after year. From once-in-a-lifetime superjams and spontaneous collaborations, to the incomparable festival experience of being on a CRUISE SHIP sailing through the Caribbean, there’s truly nothing like Jam Cruise. But in case you needed more convincing, here are our top ten reasons to attend Jam Cruise 2016.

20 Things You Will Only See On Jam Cruise

1. Pool Deck Parties

Close your eyes. You’re laying out on the pool deck of a cruise ship in gorgeous 80 degree weather in January. Galactic is playing a funky daytime rager with George Porter Jr. and the Snarky Puppy Horns sitting in while you sip on your frozen mango margarita. Okay, now go back to your day job.

[Photo by Dave Vann]

2. Jam Room

The superjams of all superjams happen here. Musically, this is what sets Jam Cruise apart from any other festival. Anything is possible in the jam room. Throughout the course of the night, artists from at least ten different bands may take the stage, bringing together legends and staples of funk, bluegrass, electronic, jambands and more for a truly once in a lifetime experience. These guys will go for hours, keeping the party going well past sunrise. This year’s Jam Room hosts are Nick Daniels (Dumpstaphunk), Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green), Eric McFadden (Parliament Funkadelic), George Porter Jr. (The Meters) and Adam Smirnoff (Lettuce).

[Photo by Dave Vann]

3. Theme Nights and Other Activities

One of the coolest things about Jam Cruise is how spirited the crowd gets. I’ve never attended a festival where attendees took their costuming, and glitter, so seriously. This year’s theme nights are The Great Jamsby and Red Night, though attendees tend to go all out most of the days, and don’t necessarily abide by the designated costume themes. Beyond that, previous years have featured activities like a Jam Cruise wedding officiated by Charles Bradley, a drum workshop led by Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Weedie Braimah (The Nth Power), Mike Dillon, Jans Ingber (The Motet) and more, and a Jam Cruise Bar Mitzvah (in honor of its 13th year) ft. Marc Brownstein.

4. Island Life

The ship docks in Belize and Cozumel, giving you a day in each city to explore, go on excursions, or hang by the beach. Last year, there was even a spontaneous beach set by Ryan Montbleau featuring Jans Ingber (The Motet), Sasha Brown (Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds), Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth), and Paul Hoffman and Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass). There are also options to partake in community service.

[Photo by Tory Pittarelli]

5. The Once-In-A-Lifetime Collaborations

Jam Cruise brings together artists from all genres for spontaneous and planned collaborations throughout the day and night. Nothing is unlikely on the ship. Last year saw Pretty Lights sitting in with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, even playing the upright bass, while the New Orleans jazz legends later joined the electronic producer for his live band set alongside Lettuce members Eric “Benny” Bloom, Adam Deitch and Eric Krasno. Headliners Umphrey’s McGee were joined by Jason Hann (String Cheese Incident), Marc Brownstein (Disco Biscuits), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), members of Snarky Puppy, Mike Dillon and more to form the ultimate superjam. Ivan Neville performed the most stunning version of Dave Matthews Band’s “Crash Into Me” with Eric Krasno, Benny Bloom, Weedie Braimah, and Nikki Glaspie that had people in tears. The list of once-in-a-lifetime Jam Cruise collaborations is endless.

6. Spontaneous And Intimate Moments With Artists

The thing about playing a show on a boat is there’s nowhere to escape to after, so you’re bound to wind up spotting the artists around the ship all weekend, and chances are you’ll end up hanging or partying with some of them. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself sharing a beer with Karl Denson at 6 AM in a hot tub. This impromptu hallway jam with Lettuce’s Adam Deitch, The Revivalists’ Dave Shaw, Nth Power’s Weedie Braimah, members of The Motet and more banging on random objects was a memorable moment of Jam Cruise ’15.

7. You Might Find Love!

Marriage proposals are common on Jam Cruise, where lovebirds find themselves surrounded by friends old and new, in an environment filled with happy, loving vibes. We witnessed one tear-jerking proposal during Nigel Hall’s set in The Atrium, a gorgeous, crystal-covered room that seemed made for the occasion.

8. The Pickin’ Party – A Bluegrass Lover’s Dream

Taking place each year, the Pickin’ Party brings a ton of bluegrass staples together in a once-in-a-lifetime formation to tackle everything from The Beatles to Pink Floyd. Last year welcomed members of Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, The Shook Twins, Fruition, Elephant Revival and more.

[Photo by Tory Pittarelli]

9. Lessons From The Masters

Ever wanted to learn to play an instrument from one of the greats? Sign up for the Masters Camp at Sea program! The third annual Masters Camp will feature lessons from Melvin Seals (JGB), Karl Denson, Stanton Moore (Galactic), Eric Krasno (Lettuce/Soulive), Eddie Roberts (New Mastersounds), and Nigel Hall. Last year’s drum lesson from Adam Deitch and his father Bobby was really something special!

[Photo by Chad Smith]

10. “My favorite thing about Jam Cruise is the sense of overload.  I love the fact that in whatever direction I go, I am either gonna see the best music in the world, the best people in the world or one of the most spectacular views in the world.  I run from stage to stage trying to soak in as much of it as I can, and I start to get this feeling of what heaven must actually be like.  There has never been a day on the boat that wasn’t one of the best days of my life!” — Rex Thomson, L4LM Editorial Staffer and Veteran Jam Cruiser

Have we got you hooked? Book a cabin here! We’ll see you on the boat!

[Cover photo by Chris Monaghan]