There are the usual heavy metal festivals – and there are 70000TONS OF METAL. Picture this: You’ve just returned from a picturesque island after spending hours relaxing on the pristine white sands of a Caribbean beach, soaking up the sun. You feel the warm wind on your face and now you’re sitting in one of six hot tubs on a huge luxury cruise ship, right next to a big stage, headbanging to your favorite band. You have a clear view of the Pool Deck Stage – the largest open-air stage construction on the high seas. It’s a kaleidoscope of diverse sounds and a meeting place for metal fans from all over the world. Does that sound perfect? Well, it is. Get ready for 70000TONS OF METAL 2025!
The thirteenth edition of 70000TONS OF METAL will take place from January 30 to February 3, traveling from Miami, Florida – the cruise capital of the world – to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and back aboard the Independence of the Seas.
At this unique festival, 60 heavy metal bands from various sub-genres will once again take over the four stages on board, while 3000 metalheads from all over the world will be in attendance. Each band will play twice during the festival, resulting in an impressive total of 120 concerts! 70000TONS OF METAL has announced 12 of the 60 bands for the 2025 line-up:
BENIGHTED
(2 special sets with the „Carnivore Sublime“ album and a „Best Of“ set)
CANDLEMASS
(to celebrate „40 years of Doom“)
DELAIN
EMPEROR
(2 special sets: „In the Nightside Eclipse“ and „Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk“)
FLOTSAM & JETSAM
(2 special sets: „Doomsday for the Deceiver“ and „No Place for Disgrace“)
IN EXTREMO
(2 special „Best Of“ sets as part of their 30th anniversary)
KALMAH
(2 special sets with the albums „They Will Return“ and „Swampsong“)
MAJESTICA
SAMAEL
(2 special sets with the albums „Ceremony of Opposites“ and „Passage“)
SEPTICFLESH
STRATOVARIUS
(2 special sets with the „Visions“ album and a „Best Of“ set)
TANKARD
THE KOVENANT
(2 special sets with the „Nexus Polaris“ album and a „Best Of“ set)
Ocho Rios, the Caribbean dream destination of our trip, is located on the north coast of Jamaica and is known for its picturesque white sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery – including the famous and spectacular Dunn’s River Falls, located west of the city center. After two days of heavy metal experiences on board, it’s time to enjoy the day ashore with bamboo raft, off-roader and 30-meter yacht excursions, floating down the White River on tires while relaxing in the warm sun or embarking on an adrenaline-pumping downhill bike ride through picturesque limestone valleys. And that’s not all: as a 70000TONS OF METAL Sailor, you also have the opportunity to visit Bob Marley’s grave and be guided through his childhood home by one of his family members – it’s entirely up to you! To top it all off, there are shore excursions escorted by band members where you can share unique experiences with your favorite stars before returning on board to enjoy complimentary elegant dining, bars that never close, 24-hour room service and the ship’s many other amenities.
In an ongoing effort to improve the Heavy Metal Festival experience for guests and the environment, travelers will once again have the opportunity to purchase a carbon offset when booking a private stateroom or one-way ticket for 70000TONS OF METAL 2025. Funds raised through the Carbon Offset Program will go to the Greentrippers Improved Cookstoves in Ghana Project.
Stay tuned for updates and announcements, including sales dates, by visiting 70000tons.com and the @70000tons social media channels.
About 70000TONS OF METAL
70000TONS OF METAL is The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise. This extraordinary and unique floating festival, which has sold out ten times in a row since the first cruise in 2011, now takes place on board one of the largest luxury passenger ships in the world. With 60 international heavy metal bands performing on four stages, 70000TONS OF METAL hosts the world’s largest open-air stage construction on the high seas.
Travelers can enjoy the heavy metal festival experience of a lifetime with all the benefits a cruise has to offer: complimentary fine dining, bars that never close, 24-hour room service and many other onboard amenities.
All 60 bands on board play twice – there are a total of four concert venues on board: one concert hall, the Royal Theater, spans five floors. The Star Lounge offers a more personal and local club atmosphere. Studio B, the third indoor stage on board, creates an arena-like atmosphere. Finally, the Pool Deck Stage is undoubtedly the most remarkable: the world’s largest open-air stage construction on the high seas. This massive stage is lined with bars, pools and even hot tubs built into the stage itself, allowing travelers to watch their favorite metal bands while relaxing in a hot tub.
This four-day combination of heavy metal music festival and Caribbean vacation offers 3,000 metalheads the incredible opportunity to experience the event side-by-side with all the bands on board. As there are no VIP areas, it’s literally like everyone has a backstage pass. Not only do fellow travelers have unlimited access to more than 120 live performances (all bands play twice), but each ticket also includes meet & greets with each band, intimate masterclasses with selected artists and exclusive live and audio premieres of unreleased material. In addition, attendees will have full access to the „Jamming in International Waters All Star Jam“ – a unique jam session where a number of musical virtuosos perform classic metal songs together on stage.
Fellow travelers will also have the special opportunity to explore a Caribbean dream destination with their favorite musicians on an „Artist Escorted Shore Excursion“ – another 70000TONS OF METAL exclusive.
For more information about 70000TONS OF METAL 2025, including FAQs, ship details and contact information, visit 70000tons.com
Fellow travelers and fans are also invited to join the 70000TONS OF METAL community on The 70000TONS OF METAL Official Forum, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify: @70000tons