The bronze stage has shifted its bearings. Organisers of 70000 Tons of Metal, the world’s foremost heavy metal cruise festival, have declared a change in their 2026 voyage. Scheduled to sail from Miami to Labadee, Haiti, the cruise will now reroute to Nassau, the Bahamas, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, from January 29 to February 2, 2026.
The decision reflects ongoing instability in Haiti. Festival skipper Andy Piller emphasised that the change was made out of a duty of care; he explained that ensuring the safety and comfort of the nearly 3,000 “Survivors”—as attendees are called—was paramount. Nassau will now serve as a viable substitute, offering reliable docking conditions and a welcoming environment for the festival’s signature 4-day programme.
Despite the port change, the festival’s essence remains intact: four days of heavy metal across 60 bands on four stages—including the famed open-air pool deck stage—plus artist interactions, the All-Star Jam, and extensive fan-band engagement. The first wave of 27 bands has already been confirmed, featuring acts such as Amorphis, Dark Tranquillity, Eluveitie, Insomnium, and Kamelot.
This marks the event’s return to Nassau after years of routing elsewhere. Since its inception in 2011, the festival crossover has often sailed Caribbean waters, but with rising concerns in the original destination, this course adjustment ensures continuity without compromise. Nassau's historic charm, tropical scenery, and ties to music history—such as Iron Maiden’s recordings at Compass Point Studios—provide a fitting backdrop to the high-energy maritime gathering.
With routing secured and the Freedom of the Seas set to transport metal fans to Bahamian shores, Sailors can anticipate the full immersive experience that has defined 70000 Tons of Metal—uninterrupted performances and community at sea, anchored within a secure and culturally rich port.