Thrash metal legends Anthrax have been announced as the latest band to join the lineup for the 2026 edition of the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise. The nautical metal festival is set to sail from Miami, Florida, to Nassau in the Bahamas and back, from January 29 to February 2.
Tickets for the 2026 voyage will go on sale on August 19 at 12:00 PM EDT. Fans are encouraged to book early to secure their spot on the Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas cruise ship, which will host 3,000 metalheads and 60 bands over the course of the five-day excursion.
With the addition of Anthrax, the lineup for 2026 now features 38 confirmed artists, with more still to be announced. Other notable acts already on the bill include Soilwork, Amorphis, Insomnium, Kamelot, Gama Bomb, and Vio-lence. The full list of announced bands so far is:
- Amorphis
- Anthrax
- Beast In Black
- Dark Tranquility
- Dødheimsgard
- Dust Bolt
- Eluveitie
- Ereb Altor
- Firewind
- Gama Bomb
- Groza
- Haggard
- Harakiri For The Sky
- Heathen
- Hiraes
- Hirax
- Hour of Penance
- Illdisposed
- In Mourning
- Insomnium
- Kamelot
- Orden Ogan
- Persefone
- Rhapsody of Fire
- Satan
- Saturnus
- Seven Spires
- Skeletal Remains
- Skyclad
- Soen
- Soilwork
- Suidakra
- TÝR
- Vader
- Vio-lence
- Wind Rose
- Wolf
- Xandria
The 70000 Tons of Metal cruise is a unique, round-the-clock event that offers more than just concerts. Attendees can enjoy a fully immersive experience that includes artist-hosted activities, exclusive meet-and-greets, and the chance to interact with their favorite musicians in a relaxed and intimate setting. The festival-at-sea is known for its no-VIP-area policy, ensuring that every fan has the opportunity to connect with the artists. The cruise features multiple stages, including a massive open-air stage on the pool deck, as well as amenities like bars, pools, and hot tubs.
60 bands perform on board, with each group playing two sets across four different venues: the Royal Theater, the Star Lounge, Studio B, and the Pool Deck Stage. The Pool Deck Stage is touted as “The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to Ever Sail the Open Seas.”
This expansive stage is fully integrated with bars, pools, and hot tubs, offering guests the unique experience of enjoying live metal bands while relaxing in the water. The cruise is a haven for 3,000 metalheads, providing them with the chance to mingle directly with all the bands on board, as there are no VIP areas—every guest has what is essentially a backstage pass.
Beyond the 120+ live performances, every ticket includes meet & greets with each band, intimate masterclasses from select musicians, world live premieres, and exclusive listening sessions for unreleased material. Guests also get full access to the “Jamming in International Waters All Star Jam,” where a variety of musical virtuosos team up on stage to perform classic metal songs. Additionally, attendees can opt to explore a Caribbean destination on a special “Artist Escorted Shore Excursion” with their favorite band members.
