S.S. Coachella Cruise Announced

Goldenvoice, the promoters of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, are launching a music-themed cruise: the S.S. Coachella.

The cruise will sail twice through the Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., the first going to the Bahamas from Dec. 16-18, and the second going to Jamaica from Dec. 19-22. The major acts on the bill will be Pulp, Sleigh Bells, LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, Yeasayer, Girl Talk and Hot Chip, with 15 other artists who have yet to be announced.

The ship, the S.S. Coachella, was previously the Celebrity Silhouette. With room for 2,800 fans, the 1,000-foot liner contains a small theater and cabana-style alcoves. In a nod to Coachella's beginnings at the Empire Polo Club, there is a half-acre field of grass.

Prices start at $500 (with four to a cabin), with nine other packages available that go as high as $9,000. The price includes food, entertainment and lodging, but not alcohol or transportation to or from Florida.

Cruises have become a lucrative business in the music industry lately. Weezer and Dinosaur Jr. recently sailed together, and the first few months of 2013 will see cruises to appeal to fans of metal, jam bands and classic rock.

The news comes shortly after Goldenvoice decided to remain at their current location at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. The corporation was considering leaving the site if a tax was imposed on big events in Indio. Following the threat to leave, the city councilman who proposed the tax withdrew the proposal.