Written By: Samantha Vazquez

A Floating Festival, A Final Chapter

I stepped onto the FriendShip Cruise, my first festival cruise, and left with one of the most memorable weekends of my life. Picture a four-night floating festival sailing from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, anchored by world-class electronic music, unique themed parties, and an unforgettable community. FriendShip truly blends the freedom of a festival with the excitement of travel and connection. 

Stepping onto the ship for the last ever FriendShip Cruise, The Final Transmission, felt like walking into both a party and a piece of history. What made this journey truly unforgettable wasn’t just the lineup or the location, it was that sense of being part of a culmination of years of love, music, and community all converging on one magical four-night voyage from Miami to the Bahamas. As a first-time Shipper, I felt the thrill of discovery paired with the emotional weight of knowing this marked the end of one of the most creative and beloved festival concepts in EDM culture.

The Vibe: A Festival on the High Seas

FriendShip isn’t just “a festival on a boat”. It was a fully immersive musical experience built into every corner of the ship. The ship became our playground, with stages and party spots scattered across multiple decks that kept energy flowing all day and night. The main pool deck transformed into the high-energy FriendZone, where headliners played under open skies as the crowd danced from afternoon into night. Spice H₂O delivered an iconic outdoor stage and bar experience that effortlessly shifted from sun-soaked daytime sets to golden-hour sunset sessions. Inside, venues like the Joy Theater blended burlesque performances with late-night dance sets, creating a kaleidoscope of sound, lights, and unforgettable moments that carried us to the early hours of each morning. From deep house and melodic techno, to high-energy EDM bangers that carried into the early hours, the music never stopped. There truly was something for everyone, at any hour, on any deck.

Late-Night Bites, Iconic Outfits & Electric Moments

One of the highlights of the ship, beyond the music itself, was how FriendShip embraced the festival lifestyle even in its dining and social spaces. With eleven unique restaurants and bars onboard, refueling between sets was never an issue. The Garden Café buffet became legendary among Shippers because it was open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late-night snacks into the wee hours, with food available until three in the morning! 

For sit-down dining, staples like Savor and Taste offered elevated, full-service meals that felt like a reset between the endless FriendShip activities. Specialty restaurants such as Cagney’s Steakhouse and the American Diner added variety and comfort, while bars like the Sugarcane Mojito Bar and Cellars Wine Bar created perfect spaces to sip, unwind, and connect. And when the night called for something more low-key, 24-hour room service made private cabin hangs just as satisfying.

The creativity onboard extended far beyond food. For anyone new on board, the Mustache Mixer activation was a can’t-miss moment to meet fellow Shippers, and it was the perfect way to break the ice and spark instant connections. Cabin doors were transformed into mini art installations, handmade trinkets were shared freely, and every interaction felt rooted in genuine community. The themed nights  “Interstellar Hair Affair, Gods & Goddesses Final Ascension, and Take Me To Your Dealer” weren’t just dress codes, they were invitations to transform, to express, and to connect. I wore a wig for the very first time and ended up unlocking a version of myself that felt confident, expressive, and way more fun than expected, an alter ego I’m already excited to revisit at future festivals. 

Speaking of bringing the party to you, the Dial-A-DJ cabin sets were among the most playful and memorable activations of the entire experience. The concept was simple yet brilliant: call a DJ directly to your cabin for a private set. In moments, personal spaces transformed into intimate dance floors, blurring the line between artist and audience. It was spontaneous, fun, and uniquely FriendShip. It was the kind of moment you couldn’t recreate anywhere else.

Bahamas, Beach Parties & Sunrise Sermons

On the morning of day two, we docked at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, where the experience expanded beyond the ship and onto the sand. Even though the island weather was blowin’, seriously some gusty winds, it didn’t dampen the vibes. In fact, the wind just added to the beauty of dancing on sandy shores with music that thumped against the backdrop of ocean waves and palm trees. There was something so grounding about experiencing a sunrise sermon on the beach. Friends were gathered, music was vibing in the background, and serene moments were present which created the perfect blend of festival energy and soulful calm. It was a reminder that FriendShip wasn’t just about partying, it was about being fully present in the moment.

Roommate Serendipity & Sisterhood

Some of the most personal highlights of the cruise came from small, unexpected moments. I had been paired with a random roommate and by the time we docked at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas we were inseparable! We were laughing and dancing on cruise decks while exploring each sunset and sunrise moment together. From outfit planning, late-night talks, and group meetups, it reinforced that FriendShip is more than a festival. FriendShip is where strangers turn into friends without even realizing it.

We also had the pleasure of trying out some of the Astrobabe eyeshadow kits. They’re the cutest press and peel eyeshadow designs and we’re such a great fit to have on FriendShip. The cruise is all about showing up exactly as you are, bold, playful, and a little unhinged in the best way, and that is something Astrobabe embodies so well. From getting ready in the cabins to dancing until sunrise, the brand added an extra layer of confidence and fun to the experience, reminding everyone that self expression and self care can be part of the party.

Final Thoughts

Looking back on my time aboard FriendShip, what stands out most isn’t just the music or the destinations, it’s the people who made every moment feel intentional.The spontaneous dance battles with fellow Shippers, the laughter over late-night bites, and the ease of forming real connections made the experience feel so much bigger than a standard cruise or festival. Being onboard for the final FriendShip sail added an extra layer of meaning, like we were all part of something special, together, one last time. I’m so grateful to have sailed, danced, and connected in ways I’ll carry with me long after returning to shore, from the first beat to the final goodbye.

We also had the pleasure of trying out some of the Astrobabe eyeshadow kits. They’re the cutest press and peel eyeshadow designs and we’re such a great fit to have on FriendShip. The cruise is all about showing up exactly as you are, bold, playful, and a little unhinged in the best way, and that is something Astrobabe embodies so well. From getting ready in the cabins to dancing until sunrise, the brand added an extra layer of confidence and fun to the experience, reminding everyone that self expression and self care can be part of the party.