70000 Tons of Metal

70000 Tons of Metal is an annual heavy metal music festival held aboard a cruise ship, departing from Florida to a Caribbean destination and back. Over five days in January or February, fans and dozens of bands from many countries come together for concerts, community, and a unique festival experience at sea.

• Held entirely on a cruise ship sailing from Florida to the Caribbean
• Features 60+ metal bands, each performing twice
• Four stages, including a large open-air pool deck stage
• Attendees from nearly 50 countries join each year
• One shore day at a Caribbean destination is included

What it is

70000 Tons of Metal is a five-day heavy metal festival that takes place entirely on a cruise ship sailing from Florida to a Caribbean port and back. Each year, thousands of fans from dozens of countries board the ship to enjoy performances by 60 or more metal bands, each playing twice across several stages, including a dramatic open-air pool deck stage. The festival is known for its international crowd, friendly atmosphere, and the rare chance to see artists and fans mingling freely in a floating community dedicated to metal music.

Where it comes from

The idea for 70000 Tons of Metal came from Swiss concert promoter Andy Piller, who was inspired in 2006 by watching cruise ships from his balcony. After years of planning and securing investment, the first festival set sail in 2011 from Miami, Florida, on the Majesty of the Seas. Since then, the event has grown in scale and reputation, moving to larger ships and drawing attendees from nearly 50 countries each year. The festival has become a fixture in the global metal scene, covered by international media and spawning similar events.

How it is celebrated

Celebration on 70000 Tons of Metal centers on music, with up to 60 bands from all metal genres performing two sets each on four stages, including a large pool deck stage built over a drained swimming pool. Fans can attend any show, enjoy the ship's amenities like pools, hot tubs, restaurants, and a casino, and take part in a shore day at a Caribbean destination. The festival's all-inclusive approach means meals and non-alcoholic drinks are provided, and the atmosphere is relaxed, with artists and fans sharing the same spaces. The event is known for its sense of camaraderie, with people from many countries coming together for a shared love of metal.

Joining in

To join the festival, visitors book a cabin on the cruise ship, which includes access to all concerts and most onboard amenities. The ship departs from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and sails to a different Caribbean port each year before returning. Expect a lively, international crowd, a packed schedule of concerts, and opportunities to meet both musicians and fellow fans in a unique setting at sea. The festival is open to anyone who books a ticket, and newcomers are welcomed into the community.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article 70000 Tons of Metal, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• 70000 Tons of Metal on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources listed above, and checked automatically before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.