Friendship Cruise to End With 2026 Sailings; Full Lineup Released
Photo: Rukes
Organizers have confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Friendship dance-music cruise will be its farewell voyage. Founder Gary Richards announced that the upcoming sailing will serve as the event’s final chapter.
The lineup, revealed alongside the announcement, features a wide-ranging roster of electronic and dance talent, including:
- Bob Moses
- Boys Noize
- Polo & Pan
- Mary Droppinz
- Jason Bentley
- Nina Las Vegas
- Dita Von Teese
- Mikey Lion
- Justin Martin & Christian Martin
- Gary Richards (performing as Destructo)
Additional acts are expected to be announced in the months ahead.
Branded as “Friendship: The Final Transmission,” the fourth annual Friendship cruise will run Jan. 18–22, 2026. The voyage departs from Miami, calls at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, and returns to Miami aboard the Norwegian Joy — a ship that carries roughly 3,800 guests plus crew. Tickets and cabin packages are currently available for purchase.
Richards, who helped pioneer the modern rave-cruise format with Holy Ship in 2012, said the project grew out of a long-held vision to create something extraordinary. That original endeavor cultivated a devoted community known as “Shipfam,” many of whom later embraced Friendship when it launched in 2023. Richards described the event’s voyagers as a tight-knit group whose shared experiences feel timeless, and suggested that while this will be the last Friendship as it’s known, it could also open the door to whatever comes next.
See the full announced lineup above; organizers will reveal more performers in the coming months.
