The biggest and most authentic heavy metal festival at sea, 70000TONS OF METAL, has announced an important change in its route for the 2026 edition. The festival, which will take place from January 29 to February 2, 2026, will no longer dock in Labadee, Haiti, and instead, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas will sail from Miami to the colorful city of Nassau in the Bahamas. This decision was made by the organizers for safety reasons, in order to ensure maximum protection for all participants - passengers, musicians and crew.
The festival captain, Andy Piller, pointed out that although Labadee was a fantastic destination in previous editions, due to the changing circumstances in Haiti, the team decided to react predictably and ensure a safe and comfortable adventure for all "Survivors" (as festival participants are called).
Nassau offers a great alternative – the rich culture, historical charm and natural beauty of a tropical destination, with which the festival retains its recognizable quality and uniqueness, both on board and on shore. For this year's edition, as many as 60 bands have been provided with 4 stages, including the legendary Pool Deck Stage – the largest open stage ever set up at sea, located right on the deck with the pool and jacuzzis.
In addition to the performances, the audience can expect numerous additional activities such as artist-hosted gatherings, All Star Jam sessions, workshops with top musicians, premiere live performances of new songs, and opportunities for direct contact and photography with the performers. Among the first confirmed bands are the names of world-famous metal scenes such as Amorphis, Beast in Black, Dark Tranquility, Eluveitie, Kamelot, Rhapsody of Fire, Soilwork, Vader and many others, a total of 36 of the announced 60. All bands play twice, so the overall experience is too rich in music.
This four-day heavy metal festival on a luxury cruise ship offers more than a conventional concert – it's a true metal community on the water, a place where more than 3,000 fans of all genres and generations hang out in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere without VIP zones. In addition to all the concerts and gatherings, there are also exclusive excursions led by the band, known as "Artist Escorted Shore Excursions", which make the festival a unique combination of musical ecstasy and a Caribbean vacation.
In addition to top-notch music, passengers enjoy the luxury that the ship provides: free top-notch gastronomy, bars that never close, 24-hour room service and numerous other amenities. For new information about the festival, as well as the upcoming start of ticket sales, fans can follow the official 70000TONS OF METAL social media channels.
