Article Contributed by Big Hassle Media
Published on 2026-09-25
Five-time GRAMMY Award-nominated guitar legend Joe Bonamassa and Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than 25 years, have announced a second northern edition of their world-famous blues-rock celebration, Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II.
The cruise will sail September 14–21, 2027, from Seattle, Washington, to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Victoria, British Columbia, aboard the Norwegian Jade. Fans are urged to sign up for the presale now at bluesaliveatseaalaska.com to secure a cabin on the highly anticipated Alaska return.
Hosted and personally curated as always by Joe Bonamassa, Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II will present a celebration of music and community with headline performances, exclusive collaborations, intimate jams and sets from some of the best in blues rock.
The all-star lineup includes Joe Bonamassa, Grace Potter, Larkin Poe, JJ Grey & Mofro, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ruthie Foster, Eric Gales, Jimmy Vivino, Robert Jon & The Wreck, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Danielle Nicole Band and D.K. Harrell, with many more artists to be announced.
The voyage will also present an array of immersive activities and experiences, including autograph sessions, contests and more.
Beyond the music, Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II will sail through some of the region’s most iconic destinations, from the vibrant waterfronts and rich cultural attractions of Juneau to the Gold Rush history and mountain scenery of Skagway and the awe-inspiring wonder of Glacier Bay National Park, with its towering glaciers, pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife.
The journey also includes a visit to Victoria, British Columbia, where picturesque harbor views, gardens and a vibrant culinary scene await. From breathtaking landscapes to watching whales from the deck amid the beauty of Alaska’s wild frontier, Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II offers a new way to experience Alaska while reveling in the timeless power of live music and the camaraderie of the blues community.
The Norwegian Jade will provide everything needed for the cruise adventure, including unique bars and lounges, specialty and complimentary dining options, a pool deck with multiple hot tubs, the Jade Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Pulse Fitness Center, basketball and pickleball courts, and more.
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II follows next year’s sold-out Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea XII, sailing March 15–19, 2027, from Miami, Florida, to Grand Cayman aboard the Norwegian Jewel.
Though fully booked, Sixthman’s First Available Program releases staterooms in the months leading up to sailing that become available through cancellations or changes in operational needs every Friday. For more information, visit bluesaliveatsea.com/firstavailable.
Supporting the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II will once again benefit the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, Joe Bonamassa’s nonprofit dedicated to supporting music education by providing students, teachers and musicians with essential resources and opportunities.
While on board, guests will have the chance to take part in fundraising experiences, raffles featuring signed memorabilia and other meaningful ways to support the foundation—all while enjoying the blues adventure of a lifetime.
Founded by Bonamassa in 2011, the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fuel a passion for music in younger generations by funding projects and scholarships that provide students and teachers with the resources and tools needed to further music education.
Since its inception, KTBA has funded music programs and initiatives that have impacted the lives of more than 147,000 students in all 50 states. KTBA accomplishes this by making weekly donations to music projects in schools, as well as funding merit-based scholarships and extracurricular programs across the country.
In 2020, KTBA took its mission a step further by forming the Fueling Musicians Program. Created as an emergency relief plan for touring musicians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program provides financial assistance for essential living expenses. To date, it has helped more than 475 musicians with immediate cash payments of $1,500.
KTBA has made the Fueling Musicians Program a permanent part of the organization to help struggling musicians get back on their feet and on the road. With almost $3 million in total donations from fundraisers, merchandise sales and more, the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation has helped keep music education thriving. For more information, visit keepingthebluesalive.org.
About Joe Bonamassa
Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians of today. In 2026, he extended his own record with his 31st No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with The Spirit of Rory Live From Cork, a live album and concert film celebrating Rory Gallagher’s enduring legacy.
Earlier that year, he earned his landmark 30th No. 1 with B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, a 32-song tribute honoring one of his earliest mentors. Produced alongside Josh Smith in collaboration with the B.B. King Estate, the collection features Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Slash, Keb’ Mo’, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Gary Clark Jr., Chaka Khan, Paul Rodgers, Warren Haynes, Michael McDonald and many others. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart while reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart.
With more than 50 albums to his name, Bonamassa has built one of modern blues’ most celebrated catalogs, spanning studio recordings, live releases, collaborative projects with Beth Hart, and work with Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party. A prolific songwriter, producer and performer, he continues to push the genre forward while honoring its traditions.
Working closely with Josh Smith, Bonamassa has produced releases for Joanne Shaw Taylor, Marc Broussard, Larry McCray, Jimmy Hall, Eric Gales, Dion and others through Journeyman Records and KTBA Records. He also curates and headlines the sold-out Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea concert vacations and Sound Wave Beach Weekend.
Through the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, with more than $3 million in donations raised, Bonamassa has funded more than 850 music education projects impacting over 147,000 students nationwide while continuing to support musicians and music programs in need.
He has been featured in Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and Parade, and has appeared on the covers of Guitar World, Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, Guitarist and Classic Rock. Learn more at jbonamassa.com and ktba.org.
About Sixthman
Currently celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary, Sixthman continues to tear down walls between artists and fans by creating community-inspired festival vacation experiences at resorts and at sea.
Since 2001, Sixthman has served more than 515,000 guests on over 225 vacations on sand and at sea with their favorite artists, athletes, actors, comedians and brands. These carefully curated events feature performances, artist collaborations, in-depth panels, Q&As, fan-artist activities, museums and immersive experiences that celebrate community and change expectations of what a vacation can be.
Sixthman sails from domestic homeports including Miami, Tampa, Boston, New York and Alaska to destinations in the Virgin Islands, Belize, Honduras, Mexico and The Bahamas. In 2019, Sixthman expanded its festivals at sea to Europe, with voyages from Barcelona, Spain, to Mediterranean ports and from Athens through the Greek Isles.
In addition to festivals at sea, Sixthman has taken its vacation concept to all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Recently named among Billboard’s “Touring Power Players 2025,” Sixthman is poised for a record 2026 in terms of the number of events and expansion into new verticals. Learn more at sixthman.net.
Cruise Details
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Alaska II
September 14–21, 2027
Norwegian Jade
Seattle, WA
Juneau, AK
Skagway, AK
Glacier Bay, AK
Victoria, BC
Presale registration and cruise information
