The 2016 Monsters Of Rock Cruise, fittingly titled Shredders From The Deep, has announced the talent for its official two-day pre-cruise festival (complimentary for all cruise attendees) which will begin this year’s four-day, four-night voyage out of Miami this February 22nd-26th aboard the NCL Pearl.
As if this year’s cruise lineup of 40-plus bands–led by headliners Tesla, Steve Vai, Extreme, Sebastian Bach, Queensryche,Helloween and Y&T–wasn’t enough, this year’s official two-day pre-cruise festival will really amp things up and feature band performances, guitar giveaways, artist meet & greets and a “Monster” beer tasting event at Magic City Casino’s Club 305 (450 NW 37th Ave. / Miami, FL 33125) on Saturday, February 20th and Sunday, February 21st.
Day 1 (2/20) of the pre-cruise festival will be highlighted by a performance from Lynch Mob with special guests Killer Dwarfs and Kickin Valentina. The following day (2/21), cruisers will be invited to “Shredder’s Ball,” featuring performances from Sebastian Bach, Steve Vai, Winger, Saigon, D-A-D, Paradise Kitty and a special all-star jam from Hurry, an all-star Rush tribute featuring bassist James LoMenzo (John Fogerty, Megadeth, Black Label Society), guitarist Brent Woods (Sebastian Bach, Vince Neil), drummer Brian Tichy (Bonzo Bash, Whitesnake, Foreigner) and keyboardist Stephen Le Blanc (Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience). The official two-day pre-cruise festival is open to the public (non-cruisers) and tickets can be purchased at the door.
Confirmed line-up for the 2016 Monsters Of Rock Cruise–visiting the private island of Great Stirrup Cay and the cosmopolitan resort meccas of Nassau and Paradise Island in the Bahamas, plus a full day of Metal mayhem at sea–includes headliners Tesla, Steve Vai, Extreme, Sebastian Bach, Queensryche, Helloween and Y&T. Joining the MOR headliners is an epic Metal lineup featuring Gotthard, Doro, Lynch Mob, Vixen, Dangerous Toys, Michael Monroe, Kingdom Come, Armored Saint, Saigon Kick, XYZ, Killer Dwarfs, Metal Church, Hardcore Superstar, Michael Angelo Battio, Akira Takasaki (Loudness), Jeff Scott Soto, Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne), Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake), Helix, Michael Angelo Batio, Vinnie Moore, Madam X, Tyketto, Anvil, Hellion, Dio Disciples, Lilian Axe, Soto, D-A-D, Heavy Mellow, Brandon Gibbs, Paradise Kitty, The Kix and fan-favorite Winger.Plus, Eddie Trunk and comedian Don Jamieson (VH1’s That Metal Show),San Francisco bay area radio host Nikki Blakk and Luc Carl (SiriusXM’s Hair Nation) are the official cruise hosts and will moderate Q&A’s.
New to this year’s cruise are the complimentary Rock Star Dream Shredder Clinics–available to all passengers aboard the cruise. Clinics will be led by instructors Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore (UFO), George Lynch (Dokken and Lynch Mob), Gus G. (Ozzy Osbourne), Michael Angelo Battio, Akira Takasaki (Loudness), and Jerry Finn and Gina Stile (Killer Dwarfs and Vixen). According to cruise spokesman, Larry Morand, “The guitar clinics are designed to give our passengers the opportunity to hone their guitar skills in an up close and personal experience with some of rock’s greatest shredders. Fans don’t just watch the artist perform, they make music with the artists.” Artists in each clinic will also give away an autographed guitar to one lucky fan in attendance.
In addition to the performances and clinics, the cruise will feature over-the-top special events only experienced on this voyage, including: Artist Meet & Greets, Monsters Rock & Roll Prom 1987,Shotgun Wedding Vow Renewal, Monster Passenger Talent Contests, 80’s Hair Style Contest, Tattoo Contest, Rock Star Dating and much more.
Cabins are still available, starting at $999 per person (double occupancy), with Special EZ Pay financing options available for as little as $499 USD per person down (double occupancy), with the remaining balance payable over 12 equal monthly installments beginning the month after the initial reservation is completed. For booking and more info, visit monstersofrockcruise.com/east/ and connect on Facebook and Twitter.