Zac Brown’s Same Boat music venue at sea reveals artist lineup

Beginning in January 2027, country music fans get a new reason to "gig trip" as Margaritaville at Sea launches its third cruise ship, Beachcomber, with Same Boat, a Zac Brown-designed live music venue that will showcase emerging Nashville artists.

Following a nationwide talent search and live showcase held earlier this year in Nashville, Margaritaville at Sea released the inaugural lineup for Same Boat, revealing six up-and-coming artists who will bring Music City energy to sea in a rotating roster during Beachcomber's first season.

After bringing the spirit of Jimmy Buffett's music to cruising, Margaritaville at Sea is set to increase its appeal to country music fans as well as younger travelers who are driving a major live music tourism boom. Today, nearly half of U.S. travelers aged 18–34 say an event — like a concert or sports game — drives their travel decisions, according to The Event-Driven Traveler report released by Arival in 2025.

What is Same Boat on Margaritaville at Sea?

Same Boat is a live music venue developed in partnership with three-time GRAMMY Award winner Zac Brown and named for his hit song of the same title, which Zac Brown Band released in a duet version with Jimmy Buffett in 2022. Margaritaville at Sea calls it the world's first artist-designed live music venue at sea, and it was built to lean into Nashville's singer-songwriter tradition and build connections between artists and fans in a way that enhances vacations.

Same Boat features a fishing-boat-inspired bar, a handcrafted stage, and round booths meant for swapping stories with the people next to you, all wrapped in gallery walls lined with song lyrics. Zac Brown was involved in the details, down to the acoustics and the drink menu, aiming for a space that feels like a Zac Brown Band show shrunk down and set afloat.

I recently sailed on Margaritaville at Sea's Islander cruise ship and was impressed by the live music performances in lounges that were creatively themed to Jimmy Buffett songs. With Zac Brown's influence and the major talent search that went into developing Same Boat, this unique music venue at sea is sure to make Beachcomber a big draw for music lovers.

The partnership "shows that the brand can deliver Buffett's spirit through other artists," said TravelHost's Come Cruise With Me Editor in Chief Dan Kline, who you'll often find listening to live music in a cruise ship bar.

The inaugural Same Boat artists will rotate through Beachcomber's first season, performing on select sailings alongside a broader lineup of additional performers highlighting various music genres.

Meet the first Same Boat artists performing on Beachcomber

The first headlining artists set to take the stage at Same Boat include:

• Kevin MaC (@kevinmacmusic) – A Nashville-based singer-songwriter and producer known for high-energy sets with a Southern edge. He's shared stages with Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, and Kip Moore. He's currently scheduled for the most Same Boat dates of the announced lineup, including Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Feb. 13, Feb. 19, April 24, and May 1 sailings.

• Jessica Rose – A country-rock-style vocalist who plays more than 240 shows each year. She's performed with Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and Lainey Wilson. She's booked for Jan. 9 and Jan. 23 sailings.

• Jacob Rice – A Nashville singer-songwriter with a contemporary country sound. He's racked up more than one million streams and earned recognition from Spotify editorial playlists, BMI's Next Big Wave, and Tennessee Songwriters Week. He's scheduled for Feb. 5, Feb. 9, March 20, and March 27 sailings.

• Ben Chase – A "Tiki Tonk" artist who blends country storytelling with coastal vibes. Originally from Prince Edward Island, he's earned more than eight million global streams, multiple No. 1 Canadian country hits, and shared stages with Dan + Shay, Zach Bryan, and Scotty McCreery. He's on the Same Boat schedule for March 11 and March 15 sailings.

• Anthony Billups – An artist with classic country roots and a modern edge. He appeared on A&E's Crazy Hearts: Nashville and has performed with Luke Bryan and Jo Dee Messina. He'll play Same Boat during Feb. 27 and March 6 sailings.

• Breanna Faith – A multi-instrumentalist and award-winning singer-songwriter who pairs traditional country storytelling with contemporary sound. She'll take the Same Boat stage during April 6, April 10, and April 16 sailings.

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Same Boat artists will connect music, storytelling, and travel

"These artists are the real deal," Zac Brown said in a press release. "They're great musicians; they know how to connect and move the audience to create memories. That's what Same Boat is all about, and I'm excited for people to experience what they bring to the stage."

Margaritaville at Sea CEO Christopher Ivy echoed that sentiment, saying the lineup represents exactly what the brand envisioned when it set out to build the venue with Zac Brown and that guests will discover these performers in a setting unlike anything else at sea.

Same Boat is just one piece of what Beachcomber is bringing to the Margaritaville at Sea lineup. The ship launches from PortMiami in January 2027 with four- to eight-night itineraries to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Same Boat is one of more than 15 all-new venues debuting on the ship, alongside favorites from the line's first two ships.

Related: Zac Brown Band to rock Margaritaville at Sea's first 3-ship meetup

Shortly after Beachcomber's debut, Margaritaville at Sea will also bring live music and travel together with a three-ship meetup on Jan. 28 in Nassau, Bahamas headlined by an exclusive Zac Brown Band show at the Nassau Cruise Port Amphitheatre.

If you want to experience how the music meets the ocean on a Beachcomber cruise, now is a good time to book. Margaritaville at Sea is currently running its America's Summer Sale , which includes 50% off cruise fares and, on select sailings, perks like free third and fourth guests, complimentary stateroom upgrades, free stateroom selection, and deposits starting at just $50. Kids sail free offers are also available on select sailings.

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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel , or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.

This story was originally published by TravelHost on Aug 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.