Pop-punk nostalgia will set sail on Groove Cruise Miami 2026 as Yellowcard’s Ryan Key headlines the first full-scale Taking Back Emo takeover at sea. Running this coming January from the 22nd to the 26th, the cruise will transform Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas into a floating festival heading to Nassau, Bahamas, blending the emotional energy of emo anthems with the cruise’s signature mix of electronic music, themed events, and nonstop performances.
Taking Back Emo began as a small idea during Groove Cruise’s virtual editions in the pandemic era and quickly grew into one of the ship’s most anticipated events. After making its live debut on Groove Cruise Cabo 2022, the concept has evolved into a community favorite, with the 2026 edition marking its most ambitious chapter yet.
Ryan Key brings more than two decades of influence to the stage. Known for defining a generation with hits like “Ocean Avenue” and leading Yellowcard through global tours and multiple platinum albums, Key continues to balance nostalgia with new music, including the band’s latest single “Better Days” and an album arriving this fall. “Performing at sea is something totally different,” Key shared. “The idea of thousands of fans singing along to emo classics in the middle of the ocean? I am all in.”
The takeover will feature sets from Luci, Nikita Page, and The Brothers Grim alongside Key, delivering a soundtrack of emo classics, pop-punk favorites, and creative remixes. Groove Cruise Managing Director John “Skeeter” Porrata explained, “Taking Back Emo has turned into one of the most talked-about moments on Groove Cruise, and bringing Ryan on board is the perfect next step for the community we have built.”
Beyond the emo stage, Groove Cruise Miami 2026 boasts a lineup spanning house, techno, trance, bass, and the debut of the country-dance fusion concept YEEDM, along with a record number of female performers across its 13 stages. With the event already sold out, fans can join the waitlist for a chance to be part of this unique experience blending music, community, and adventure on the open sea.
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