S.S. Coachella Launching In December

S.S. Coachella (Dec 16-19, Dec 19-23)
S.S. Coachella

Reflecting a growing trend of youth-focused music cruises, Coachella will introduce the S.S. Coachella in December, with two trips through the Caribbean featuring Pulp, Hot Chip, Girl Talk, Yeasayer, Sleigh Bells, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and about 15 other acts.

Goldenvoice, the Los Angeles concert promoter behind Coachella, resisted jumping on the bandwagon until it found what Paul Tollett, its president, described as the perfect vessel: the Celebrity Silhouette, a 1,000-foot, 122,000-ton ship with room for 2,800 fans, cabana-style alcoves and a small theater that Mr. Tollett called a “mini Royal Albert Hall.”

Both voyages leave from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with a three-day tour going to the Bahamas on Dec. 16 and a four-day journey to Jamaica starting on Dec. 19. For fans willing to pile four to a cabin — the closest thing to camping when it comes to high-seas travel — prices start at $500 a person, and there are nine other price levels, going up to $9,000 a person for a “sky suite” with veranda.

Prices include lodging, food and entertainment, but not transportation to Florida or bar tabs. [NYTimes.com]