The Boaty Weekender’s Unconventional Combination of Indie and Cruise Luxury

“😍😍Oh so in love with our #TheBoatyWeekender lineup! Come vacation with your favorite artists!” https://t.co/PihdIKOjwG pic.twitter.com/qbEUWNkGwb

— The Boaty Weekender (@BoatyWeekender) 9 February 2019

 

For a huge number of people across the globe, heading on a cruise is the perfect way to enjoy a break from the stresses of everyday life. However, the glitz and glamor of a long stay on a luxury liner is not something you would immediately associate with the world of indie music.

Saying that, fans of alternative rock who are keen to experience life at sea can now rejoice, as the Boaty Weekender could be about to change all of that. Not only is the event in Europe offering up a different kind of cruise, but it also looks set to bring a new form of indie concert experience to life in the process.

Celebrating an anniversary with style

The Boaty Weekender is the brainchild of much-loved Glasgow band Belle and Sebastian and has been created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Bowlie Weekender event. The latter saw indie fans descend on a holiday camp in Sussex in 2019 to enjoy an impressive line-up featuring everyone from The Flaming Lips to Teenage Fanclub.

However, rather than just trying to recreate past glories step by step, Belle and Sebastian have decided to create something a little bit special in 2019. The Boaty Weekender is taking place from August 8th to 12th and will give passengers a chance to enjoy a round trip from Barcelona to Cagliari on the Norwegian Pearl while taking in sets from a host of bands.

Belle and Sebastian will, of course, be playing at the festival, while the likes of Mogwai, Yo La Tengo, Camera Obscura and Teenage Fanclub have also been confirmed as being involved. Add in further sets from the likes of The Vaselines, Buzzcocks, Honeyblood and Japanese Breakfast and you have a real indie delight on your hands.

Much more than music

If the line-up of bands was not enough to tempt you, the fact that the Boaty Weekender will include a host of other activities may also prove to be a draw. From a purely lifestyle perspective, passengers on the Norwegian Pearl will be able to enjoy meditation and even take in a little bit of yoga with The Vaselines’ Frances McKee – rather incredibly – leading the sessions. Anyone who wants a taste of life at sea also has the chance to enjoy a class on the art of nautical knot tying.

However, if you’re seeking something a little bit more traditional from your cruise experience, you can rest assured that the Norwegian Pearl is set to have everything you might expect from a standard voyage.

There is a casino on board the ship, with Norwegian Cruise Line vessels being known to offer a range of gaming options from standard table and card classics to electronic games like video poker. While table poker options such as Texas Hold’em, Three-Card Poker, and Pai Gow are available, there are even more variations of the classic available electronically, from Jacks or Better to Spin Poker. As Betway online casino outlines, the video version of the game tends to be more fast-paced, with players winning when their hand meets the minimum requirements for a payout.

Finally, when it comes to food and dining options, the ship features a host of restaurants and bars from Cagney’s Steakhouse to the La Cucina Italian Restaurant. This means you should always be able to find something to suit your tastes.

A growing trend

All of this means that The Boaty Weekender undoubtedly looks set to be a fairly unique trip, although it is worth noting that it is just the latest in a number of cruises based around a specific theme to have emerged in recent years.

The concept has really taken off in the music industry, with emo-rockers-turned-pop-band Paramore embracing the idea with Parahoy! The event was last held on the Norwegian Jade in 2018 and involved a cruise from Miami to the Bahamas, with the likes of Local Natives and Judah & The Lion performing alongside the hosts themselves. Another event taking place this year is the Days of Summer Cruise, which will also be held on a ship headed from Miami to the Bahamas, with Post Malone and Cardi B on the line-up.

The idea has even taken off in the world of science fiction, with Star Trek: The Cruise taking the traditional fan convention to the high seas. The next event is taking place next year, with a host of actors from the franchise’s range of shows expected to make an appearance.

A new combination

However, while it is fair to say that themed cruises are nothing new, The Boaty Weekender is undoubtedly taking the indie credentials of the concept to significant heights. The event is clearly an intriguing prospect and it will be fascinating to see if it leads to further in the future.

If you’re an alternative music fan seeking a luxury holiday, it may well be time to grab your ticket and get on board.