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Have you ever imagined a metal festival at sea, departing from Santos and heading to Buenos Aires, with stops in Punta del Este and Montevideo, or even on to Bahia?.
By Gilberto Morais
Given the discussion surrounding several articles published about festivals in Europe, I decided to write an article about a new trend that has been gaining momentum in the Northern Hemisphere for at least two years and is expanding rapidly, with new and exciting options emerging at an impressive rate for those seeking a festival experience that differs somewhat from the traditional model.
These are themed cruises, which, to be honest, have existed for quite some time, and only recently has the metal niche been properly explored.
It's important to emphasize that the Swedish magazine Sweden Rock, which organizes the traditional Sweden Rock Festival, has long been promoting short cruises in early October featuring metal and classic rock concerts, sailing from Stockholm, Sweden to Turku, Finland, and returning to the Swedish capital. They even recently used this occasion to announce a name and promote the following year's land-based festival. Therefore, unless I'm mistaken, let's not deny the Scandinavians' merit as pioneers of this type of event.
In mid-2010, Ultimate Metal Cruise, a Canadian company created for this purpose, launched the already acclaimed 70,000 Tons of Metal, which is going into its 3rd edition in 2013 and has sold out in both previous editions. The lineup for the first edition was excellent, and the second was beyond compare. I'd even venture to say it was the best festival of 2012, without a doubt.
Due to the success of the inaugural 2011 edition on the other side of the Atlantic, which had worldwide repercussions due to the massive participation not only from North Americans but from people all over the world, North Americans realized a new market niche to be properly exploited, and there was certainly pent-up demand.
And a cruise ship featuring Kiss (Gene Simmons doesn't sleep on the job) has already been planned for the end of 2011, and this one is going into its second edition at the end of October (Kisskruize2), followed by one featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd.
To give you an idea of the boom in this type of event, in February the Monsters of Rock Cruise was launched, with none other than Eddie Trunk as master of ceremonies, and its scope is to feature hard rock bands, mainly American from the 80s. This cruise is confirmed and will have its edition in 2013.
And don't think there's something for everyone; the same creators of 70,000 Tons of Metal have launched Barge to Hell this year, which I affectionately call the "cruise to hell," and it features a respectable cast of extreme metal artists.
In short, there's something for everyone within the world of metal.
Due to the buzz on the other side of the Atlantic, the organizers of Wacken Open Air launched the Full Metal Cruise, which, even with only the initial confirmation from Doro, has already obtained an exceptional response in terms of initial sales. The advent of this venture on the European side of the Atlantic will be responsible for the emergence of other competitors, and this will be very good, because, just as on land, we will be able to choose the best festivals on the water as well.
In conclusion, it's clear that there are advantages and disadvantages to themed festivals on cruises, and although I'm about to have my first experience, I'm basing my opinion on logic and common sense, as well as testimonials from those who have already had the pleasure of this adventure.
The already established 70,000 Tons of Metal festival, which is going into its 3rd edition in 2013, has sold out its two previous editions.
Advantages:
– Contact with the bands: perhaps except on the Kiss and Lynyrd Skynyrd cruises where the aforementioned bands may not be freely circulating among the crowd, this is very common on other cruises, and the organizers themselves encourage you to bring memorabilia for autographs and attend Meet and Greets. You will have the opportunity to see an artist having fun at karaoke and sometimes singing something unexpected or not.
– Tourism: it's not just about shows, the idea is to take them to exceptional tourist destinations, like a regular cruise. And perhaps it's the only opportunity. It's combining hunger with the desire to eat. And besides, nothing prevents you from extending your stay elsewhere to make your money and investment worthwhile.
– Shows: generally, bands do 2 sets, which means that some may play different songs or even 2 completely different shows.
– Infrastructure and other entertainment options: there's nothing better than enjoying facilities and amenities for recreation, sports, relaxation, games, etc. A cruise isn't just about a cabin with a bed and bathroom, restaurants, and a deck with a solarium. There's much more involved: swimming pools, sports courts, casinos, spas, bars, shops, and duty-free shopping. And nothing is better or more convenient than going to bed whenever you want or using your own bathroom. You're not tied down and at the mercy of a traditional festival all day, only able to go to the comfort of your hotel or accommodation after the program ends or when you leave. Oh, and don't forget that everything is so well planned that you can even bring small children who will have plenty to do and places to play.
– Accessibility: Most cruises depart from Miami and some from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airports in these cities are not far from the adjacent city and port. In other words, you can easily take a cruise departing from Miami and arrive by flight at Fort Lauderdale airport, which is 24 miles from the port, and vice versa, which is also a reasonable distance. Similarly, European cruises currently depart from Hamburg and Stockholm, and even though there are no direct flights from Brazil, you can reach these cities with just one connection, provided you depart from a city with a direct flight to Europe. Very easy!
– Shopping: I know this doesn't apply to everyone, but for the most consumerist, Miami cruises allow a stop in the city to shop for all sorts of things, after all, the place is known for a long time due to the massive presence of Brazilians eager for the prices of the products offered.
Disadvantages:
– Price: Yes, I know very well how expensive it is. American cruises usually offer cabins without windows, inside the ship, which are the cheapest, starting at around $950 per person. The Wacken cruise costs from €1298 per cabin for double occupancy, per person. This can be mitigated, as some allow payments in up to 4 installments, without interest, or a 5% discount for those who pay in cash.
– Costs to reach the cruise departure point: there are also intercontinental flights involved that are added to the cost of the cruise itself, in addition to taxis, car rentals or shared vans to get to and from the port.
– Other costs on the cruise: although the packages are "All Inclusive," American ships restrict even more things than European ones, and even soft drinks are charged separately, as are alcoholic beverages. Only coffee, tea, and juices are included in the package. Internet and phone calls, even with your own cell phone, are also charged separately. Needless to say, gambling in the casino, some restaurants described in the program, purchasing event merchandise, and medical expenses are also at the passenger's expense. Occasionally there are gratuities and room service after a certain time that may be extra and charged additionally; read the contract and pay attention to these details so you are not caught off guard and have a heart attack when you see the bill.
– Limited and restricted spaces: besides the costs involved, there's another struggle, the race to secure either the cheapest or the most luxurious cabins, depending on the client's taste. Keep in mind one thing they all have in common: first come, first served! It's a "first come, first served" system. Besides, a boat's capacity is generally limited to 2000 passengers, but this number can decrease significantly. Let me explain: prices are always quoted based on double cabins, and if you want one for individual use (which you can afford, you have every right to choose), you pay twice for it, and in return, one less passenger will have a place on the boat. Another aggravating factor, although fair: Festivals like 70,000 Tons give preferential pre-sale rights to those who have previously attended the event, so it's not surprising to find cabins in the desired category already sold out.
– Health: Going on a cruise for at least 4 days, the stipulated duration, is not recommended for those who suffer from seasickness or claustrophobia, as the smaller cabins are small, around 11 square meters in total area, including the bathroom. Medical services are charged separately if needed, and travelers must be in good health.
Visas and Bureaucracy: This applies to the USA. To enter, all Brazilians need visas, the process for which is far from quick and currently requires two visits: one to the newly created center to initiate the process, and then an interview at the consulate. Furthermore, there aren't consulates near all locations, and the same offices serve specific jurisdictions that must be respected; you can't choose where to apply for the visa, i.e., which consulate. Besides the two trips for those coming from abroad, there's a cost for issuing the American visa. This can discourage and inhibit some from undertaking these processes due to the bureaucracy. This doesn't apply in Europe, as there are no visa requirements for Brazilians traveling for tourism.
To conclude, what do you, the reader, think about this? Wouldn't it be more than time for a cruise of this magnitude to leave Brazil, even though there has already been an edition by a motorcycle club with a lineup focused on rock? Have you ever imagined a metal festival at sea departing from Santos, heading to Buenos Aires with stops in Punta del Este and Montevideo, or even towards Bahia (Ilhéus or Porto Seguro)? If done right, I think it's possible; there's an audience and the financial resources for it. Do it with 10 relevant national acts and 10 international acts, involving a big name, and you can't expect less than 2000 people willing to pay for this opportunity.
Until next time!
*This text was written by a Wikimate and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the site's authors.
Click here to see other texts by WikiBrother Gilberto Morais.