News/Announcements: Rock The Bells Announces Rock The Bells Cruise 2026 Lineup

Founded back in 2018 by the legendary LL Cool J, Rock The Bells has firmly established itself as the preeminent voice of timeless and classic hip-hop while simultaneously standing firm as an anchor, trusted authority and generational bridge for the culture. As a guardian of all things hip-hop, Rock The Bells preserves the genre’s legacy while elevating its influence through storytelling, experiences and innovation that connects the genre’s pioneers with its rising voices.

Rock The Bells Festival serves as the company’s flagship live event, bringing the ultimate celebration of hip-hop music, art and culture to the stage.

Sixthman produces festivals that aim to tear down the walls between artists and their fans, by creating community-inspired vacation experiences at resorts and at sea. Since their formation back in 2001, Sixthman has set the stage for memorable moments, serving almost 500,000 guests on over 215 unforgettable vacations on sand and at sea with fans’ favorite artists, athletes, actors, comedians and brands.

These carefully curated, intimate events bring non-stop performances, artist collaborations, in-depth panels, Q&As, fan-artist activities, museums and truly immersive experiences that celebrate community and change expectations of what a vacation can be. Sixthman’s domestic homeport of Miami allows guests to make dream destination vacations in the Virgin Islands, Belize, Honduras, Mexico and The Bahamas. Back in 2019, they expanded their festivals at sea to Europe, sailing from Barcelona to multiple Mediterranean ports and then in 2022 from Athens through the Greek Islands.

In 2020, Sixthman Services was launched to support other event holders with a suite of on-site and virtual event management services and enhanced experiences.

In addition to festivals at sea, Sixthman took their innovative vacation concept to world-class, all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Back in 2022, Rock The Bells and Sixthman began collaborating on Rock The Bells Cruise. Fresh off a successful, sold-out 2025 cruise, which featured Juvenile, Da Brat, MC Lyte, Lupe Fiasco and more, Rock The Bells recently announced that Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience will be returning for 2026.

After three consecutive sold-out years and tens of thousands of fans on the waitlist, the 2026 edition of Rock The Bells Cruise will take place November 1, 2026 – November 6, 2026 and will be moving to new, state-of-the-art ship, the Norwegian Joy, which is twice the size of the previous edition’s ships. And for the first time in the cruise’s history, it’ll sail to Montego Bay, Jamaica, where guests can enjoy the day at local beaches with music, food, drinks and irie vibes.

As a state-of-the-art ship, the Norwegian Joy is equipped with everything needed for a luxurious vacation at sea, including a thermal space, an outdoor go-kart track, two water sliders, mini golf, a beauty salon, expanded pools and lounge areas and modernized staterooms. Guests will enjoy six complimentary dining options and over 20 speciality restaurants and bars, featuring elevated cuisine, helping to reimagine how hip-hop and its culture are celebrated at sea.

“The Rock The Bells Cruise keeps leveling up, and 2026 is our biggest year yet. The performances go crazy every year, but it’s the culture and connection that make this experience hit different. A concert can’t give you what this does,” Rock The Bells founder LL Cool J says. You’re bumping into artists at breakfast, hanging by the pool together, and having late-night talks while looking at views of the water. The energy out here hits different because it’s elevated and luxurious, but still feels like a Hip-Hop family reunion. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built.”

“Bigger and Deffer! The evolution of Rock The Bells continues by taking the event to the next level on Norwegian Joy. We are excited to offer the Rock The Bells community more days, more balconies, more amenities, more food options, and more Hip-Hop,” Sixthman CEO Jeff Cuellar says. “We even have go-karts! We are going big in 2026; don’t miss out.”

The 2026 edition’s lineup will feature T.I., E-40, Warren G, Jermaine Dupri, Too $hort, Rob Base, Rah Digga, Public Enemy, Bahamadia, Masta Ace and special guests to be announced. On the turntables, Jermaine Dupri, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Money, Mannie Fresh, DJ Quik, DJ Spinderella, DJ Scratch, DJ Diamond Kuts and DJ Epps will hit the 1s and 2s to keep the energy flowing the entire week.

“Some of my best memories from the Rock The Bells Cruise were the fellowship between legendary artists, DJ’s, and producers. Having the ability to connect with legends and fixtures like Scarface, Mannie Fresh, Rakim, Jadakiss, Kid Capri, and others from our culture in such an incredible setting was a memorable experience,” E-40 says. “From the live performances to the impromptu studio sessions to the artist meet-and-greets with fans, I was truly impressed with the overall experience. Rock The Bell’s Cruise serves as a great example of how Hip-Hop has grown and progressed.”

Comedians Bill Bellamy, Kym Whitley, Tacarra Williams, Alton Walker and more will also perform, creating a unique hip-hop and comedy experience that only Rock The Bells can offer.

“Hip Hop is the fabric of my life and America’s culture. I’m going to Rock The Bells in November 2026, with fun, laughter, and music!” Kym Whitley says.

Roxanne Shanté and Torae will be returning to host the entire affair.

Public On-Sales begin December 11 at 2:00PM ET, exclusively at rockthebellscruise.com. Guests who were able to book during the two resales will receive $100 off per cabin; but prices will increase for the public on-sale. Bookings are also available for just $100 down per person when guests enroll in Automatic Monthly Billing before March 1, 2026. 

To support relief and restoration efforts in our Port of Call for Rock The Bells Cruise 2026, a portion of the cost of each vacation will automatically be contributed to Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica via Jamaica’s Promise, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting recovery across the island following the devastating impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. Funds collected through this partnership will go directly to the Government of Jamaica, trusted partner organizations, and mutual aid coordinators, who are providing immediate support to those most affected, particularly across the western region of the island.

Additional opportunities to contribute to Jamaica’s Promise through donations and volunteer service initiatives will be announced in the coming months.

You can stop by Rock The Bells homepage, steam LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio, SiriusXM Channel 43 or follow @RockTheBells on Instagram, TikTok and X for more information on the cruise and their festival.

You can also stop by Sixthman’s homepage for more information on them, as well.

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