Margaritaville at Sea has announced the first artists who will take the stage at Same Boat, the new live music venue created by Zac Brown aboard Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber. The performers were selected through a nationwide talent search and a series of live auditions held earlier this year in Nashville.
Created in collaboration with Zac Brown, a three-time GRAMMY Award winner, and inspired by his hit song Same Boat, the project was conceived as the world’s first live music venue aboard a ship designed by an artist. Its goal is to bring together live performances, Nashville’s singer-songwriter storytelling tradition, and a strong connection between artists and audiences, giving guests a distinctive musical experience while cruising to some of the Caribbean’s most iconic destinations.
The artists were selected following Margaritaville at Sea’s nationwide casting process and subsequent live auditions in Nashville. During Beachcomber’s inaugural season, they will perform on select sailings, joining a broader roster of internationally acclaimed artists and ensuring a diverse musical offering throughout the season.
Zac Brown described the selected artists as “truly extraordinary,” highlighting their musical abilities and, above all, their capacity to connect with and engage audiences, turning every performance into an experience capable of creating lasting memories. According to Brown, this is precisely the spirit of Same Boat, and he expressed his excitement at the prospect of audiences discovering and experiencing these artists’ talent on stage.
The first artists selected for Same Boat represent a diverse group of musicians, singer-songwriters, and performers, united by extensive live experience and a direct connection with audiences. Among them is Kevin MaC, a singer-songwriter and producer deeply connected to Nashville’s music scene, known for his high-energy performances and strong appreciation for the musical traditions of the American South. Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with artists including Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, and Kip Moore, while also building a significant career as a songwriter.
Joining him will be Jessica Rose, a charismatic performer with country-rock influences who brings particularly intense energy to the stage. With more than 240 shows per year, Rose has built extensive experience on the live music circuit and has shared the stage with artists such as Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and Lainey Wilson, standing out for her commanding stage presence and ability to engage audiences. The group also includes Jacob Rice, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter whose music has surpassed one million streams and received recognition from Spotify editorial playlists, BMI’s Next Big Wave, and Tennessee Songwriters Week. His style combines contemporary country sounds with an authentic songwriting approach, qualities that have helped establish him as one of the most promising emerging artists in Music City.
Originally from Prince Edward Island and now based in Nashville, Ben Chase brings his distinctive sound to Same Boat, which he describes as “Tiki Tonk,” a combination of traditional country storytelling and an energy inspired by the coastal atmosphere. His career has generated more than 8 million streams worldwide, several Canadian country songs that reached No. 1 on the charts, and live collaborations with artists including Dan + Shay, Zach Bryan, and Scotty McCreery.
Also joining the lineup is Anthony Billups, an artist who combines classic country roots with a more contemporary sensibility. His music is characterized by powerful songwriting and energetic live performances. The Nashville singer-songwriter, who appeared on A&E’s Crazy Hearts: Nashville, has shared the stage with Luke Bryan and Jo Dee Messina.
Completing the first group of announced artists is Breanna Faith, an award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who draws on the storytelling tradition of country music through a contemporary perspective. Her interpretive ability and musical talent have enabled her to build a steadily growing following among fans of the genre, bringing to the Same Boat project a sensibility that combines storytelling, vocals, and artistic personality.
Christopher Ivy, Chief Executive Officer of Margaritaville at Sea, emphasized that Same Boat was conceived to celebrate the connection between music, storytelling, and travel — elements that are fully expressed through the artists selected for the project. Ivy also highlighted how rewarding it has been to collaborate with Zac Brown in turning the concept into reality, expressing his enthusiasm about giving guests the opportunity to discover these talented performers in a unique setting at sea.
Same Boat will debut aboard Beachcomber in January 2027. The artists will perform during select cruises sailing to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, San Juan, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Nassau, pairing the sounds of Music City with Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries. Departing from PortMiami in 2027, Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber will offer four- to eight-night itineraries to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean and introduce more than 15 new venues and entertainment spaces, including Same Boat, alongside the established experiences already offered by Margaritaville at Sea.
With Same Boat, Margaritaville at Sea is bringing a project on board that places music at the heart of the travel experience, creating a direct connection between Nashville’s musical heritage and Beachcomber’s Caribbean itineraries. The new venue will become an integral part of the ship’s entertainment offering and, through a continually rotating lineup of artists, will give guests the opportunity to discover different performers and live performances throughout the inaugural season.
Friederich Rolstad
