Perhaps LL Cool J was feeling personally inspired by Kodak Black’s ‘Lemme drive the boat’ video. Or perhaps, after on-shore success, he wanted to continue his Rock the Bells celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of hip hop. Either way, he’s taking his rap festival to sea this November with the Rock the Bells Cruise.
LL Cool J’s iteration of “Rock the Bells” shares its name with a touring hip hop festival of the early 2000s as well as his guitar riff-filled 1985 rap hit. The festival will set sail from Miami on November 13 for a four-day round trip cruise that stops in Nassau and Grand Bahama aboard the sprawling Norwegian Pearl cruise ship. You get to wander the white sand beaches with conch ceviche all day, potentially paying a visit to the feral stranded pigs of Eleuthera, and then return to the pool deck for live shows from hip hop’s biggest stars. Five stages onboard will host numerous prominent DJs, MCs, and producers, including Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Ghostface Killah, Nick Cannon and others. The boat has 10 restaurants, a casino, basketball court, spa, gym, bowling alley and more. For those who wish to put the booze in their cruise, the ship also has eight bars, and unlimited drink packages are available.
For those who can’t snag tickets this time around, fear not, as LL Cool J has announced an Afrobeats cruise for late March along a similar route.
The Specs
- The Norwegian Pearl has a capacity of 2,394 passengers.
- The cheapest room costs $1,999, and the most expensive room, the Owner’s Suite, costs $5,899
- The festival does not have an app. However, Norwegian Cruise Lines does, where guests can do everything from check trip information to manage restaurant reservations. Download the app here.
- Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to Miami here.
FAQs
What is the closest airport to where the boat departs?
Passengers can fly into Miami International Airport.
Do I need a passport?
Passports are highly recommended, but not required for United States citizens who depart and arrive back through the same U.S. port. However, photo IDs for guests 16 and up are required, and passports for non U.S. citizens are required.
Can I bring booze aboard?
Liquor and beer are not allowed to be brought aboard. Only fine wine and champagne are permitted.
Which artists are on the Rock the Bells cruise lineup?
Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Big Boi, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Ghostface Killah, Trina, Trick Daddy, Just Blaze, Big Daddy Kane, Too $hort, Slick Rick, DJ Spinderella, Mannie Fresh, Pete Rock, DJ Quik, Rah Digga, EPMD, Bun B, Bahamadia, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Scratch, The Finisher Mr Cee, DJ Epps, DJ Nina 9, Grandmaster Dee, Technician the DJ, DJ Critical Hype.
