ROCK music will return to the Med next year as guitar hero Joe Bonamassa headlines the first European blues cruise since the pandemic brought the world to a standstill.

The triple-Grammy nominated bluesman will set sail with a stellar crew of rock and blues artists under the banner Keeping the Blues Alive At Sea Mediterranean III.

As the name suggests, it’ll be his third Med cruise with music-at-sea specialist Sixthman, and will sail from Athens, calling at Dubrovnik and Santorini between August 17 and 22.

Jon Bon Jovi on Sixthman’s last Med cruise

It will be the first Med rock cruise since Jon Bon Jovi’s Runaway to Paradise Mediterranean Edition special back in 2019, which also included the likes of Grace Potter, Johnny Rzeznik and Kris Barras.

Read more: my review of the Jon Bon Jovi Med cruise

Promoters have just confirmed more of the artists who will be sailing with Bonamassa next year on NCL’s Norwegian Jade, all of whom have been hand-picked by the guitarist himself.

Guests at the five-night festival are promised two unique sets from Joe Bonamassa and dozens of live performances including once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between the artists.

They include country-rockers Blackberry Smoke, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Jimmy Vivino, Kirk Fletcher, Ruthie Fletcher, King King and Vanessa Collier.

There’s also Henrik Freischlader, Cardinal Black, Bywater Call, Johnny A, Eddie 9V, Dom Martin, The Cinelli Brothers, True Strays, and Alice Armstrong, with more to be added.

In addition to the music, guests will enjoy an array of unique activities including interviews, wine tastings, exclusive raffles, and opportunities to interact with Bonamassa and other artists.

In between, the ship will dock at two of the most breathtaking ports in the world – medieval Dubrovnik and Santorini, known for its iconic whitewashed architecture and sea views.

Take a look at Bonamassa’s last Med cruise…

The cruise will once again benefit the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, which is dedicated to providing students and teachers the resources and tools needed to further music education. 

Founded by Bonamassa in 2011, it has reached more than 70,000 students, funding over 450 unique projects, and helped some 300 struggling musicians battling back from the pandemic blackout.

For full details of the Bonamassa cruise, or to book, set sail to bluesaliveatseaeurope.com. For news of the Foundation head to keepingthebluesalive.org.

Lead image of Joe Bonamassa by Robert Sutton.