Photo By Kyle Finlan
Packing for 70000tons of Metal can be a bit challenging, as the packing needs differ from both a standard cruise and a standard metal festival, landing somewhere in between. Hopefully, this guide will help you gather everything you need to have a comfortable, safe, and fun trip on 70K!
When it comes to clothing, there are not many restrictions on your style at 70K. Unlike traditional cruises, the dress codes are relaxed everywhere (even the dining room), so there is no need to pack any formal attire. You’ll find that sailors on the boat will be dressed anywhere from extremely casual (shorts/band shirt/flip flops) to black metal Star Trek costumes and everything in between. You’ll likely want at least one swimsuit for the pools/hot tubs on the ship or for the beach on shore day, but aside from that, pack what you’ll be comfortable in for long days of standing and walking all over the ship. Just be careful not to overpack, especially if your room has three or more people in it, the cabins can get very cramped with everyone’s stuff!
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Clothing
- Shoes
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Sneakers (if planning to work out)
- Boots
- Bottoms
- Shorts x 2-3
- Jeans x 1
- Tops
- Tank tops or short sleeves (1+ per day)
- Hoodie
- Raincoat or poncho
- Costume for costume day (day 4)
- Pajamas
- Accessories
- Sun hat
- Battle vest(s)
- Fanny pack
- Sunglasses
- Beanie / toque (for windy nights)
- Underwear x 8
- Socks x 8
- Compression socks (if your ankles are prone to swelling when standing for days straight)
- Workout clothes x 1
- Swim suit x 2-3
- Shoes
Speaking of the cramped cabins, there are a number of ways to try to maximize the use of the small space. The ship walls are metal, so strong magnetic hooks can attach to the walls and be used to hang some items. This can be especially useful in the bathroom, where space is at a premium. You’ll also want some kind of power strip or outlet splitter, but be sure it is NOT a surge protector, as those can be a fire hazard due to the ship’s wiring and won’t be allowed onboard. You may also want some kind of decorative magnet to place on your cabin door to help you find your room in the long hallway of identical doors.
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Cabin items (work these out between your cabinmates so you don’t have duplicates)
- Hangers for the closet
- Magnetic hooks to hang things on the wall
- Hanging organizers to create space
- White noise machine for cabin
- Extra blanket for cold rooms
- Deodorizer spray for bathroom
- A magnet for your room door so you can find it easily while exhausted and/or drunk
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Electronics
- Outlet adapter (RC has 110V North American outlets and 220/230V EU outlets, anything else you need an adapter)
- Portable power brick
- Power strip or outlet splitter for room to ensure everyone can charge (no surge protectors are allowed)
- Phone (label with your name and/or stateroom number in case you lose it)
- 70K Bands app
- RC app (for chatting onboard without internet)
Royal Caribbean cruise ships do have a basic 3-in-1 shampoo/condition/body wash in the shower, but everyone I know prefers to take the extra bit of space to bring their own mini bottles of better products. You’ll also definitely want deodorant and blister care, since there’s a lot of walking across the ship the whole day. Sunscreen is highly advisable as the main stage is on the top deck of the ship and gets a lot of sun, and no one wants to get in a mosh pit with a raging sunburn!
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Toiletries
- Toothbrush + toothpaste + floss
- Shampoo / conditioner
- Soap / body wash
- Cleanser / moisturizer
- Deodorant
- Comb / brush
- Sunscreen (reef safe if going to the beach on shore day)
- Eye mask + ear plugs (for sleeping at 1pm)
- Hand sanitizer
- Basic first aid supplies (antiseptic cream, band-aids, pain reliever, motion sickness pills, etc)
- Extra pair of contacts / glasses (accidents happen)
- Other things you might want:
- Makeup or hair products
- Feminine hygiene products
- Condoms (not available on board)
- Moleskin or other blister care
Some additional items you might want to make yourself more comfortable are things like a lanyard to hold your SeaPass (which serves as everything from your credit card to your room key on board), merch you want bands to sign during their meet and greet, and cash for tips. While your 70K booking fee does include some portion of gratuity, the bartenders will typically serve you faster and pour a bit more heavily if you tip them regularly. Additionally, it’s nice to tip the cabin attendants/cleaning crew, because they’re dealing with the sweaty pit musk of thousands of metalheads all week.
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Other:
- Towel (RC will issue you one on shore day, but some people prefer their own)
- Electrolyte or energy drink packets to mix in water bottles
- Waterproof phone case for pool (a ziploc bag can also work)
- Lanyard for your sea pass (you can get it punched or put it in a plastic lanyard case)
- Water bottle lanyard
- A water bottle if you aren’t getting the water package but want to take water to go
- Poster tube (there aren’t always posters, but just in case)
- Any merch you want signed by bands that are onboard during the M&G
- Extra bag or space in your bag if planning to buy merch/souvenirs
- Cash for tips
While you’re packing, keep in mind that checked bags don’t always make it to the cabins straight away; you may be waiting for your bag for up to a day after boarding. If you can pack everything in a carryon, you won’t need to worry about this, but you may need to carry the carryon around with you until your room is ready. If you are checking a bag, make sure you have the essentials packed in your carryon/backpack to get you by until your bag shows up.
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Carry-on
- Travel Documents
- Passport
- Any necessary visas
- Insurance card
- Medications
- Ear plugs for shows (+ extra for friends, if so inclined)
- 1 change of clothes
- Basic toiletries (toothbrush, deodorant, etc)
- Travel Documents
The list above should cover all of your needs, but be aware there are some things you shouldn’t bring. It’s not a good idea to bring valuables, especially small things that are easy to lose (including wedding rings), because many people have lost things on the ship or during the shore excursions over the years. Some sailors recommend getting a silicone or other stand-in wedding band that you can use for the boat if you don’t want to be without for a whole week. Typical Royal Caribbean cruises have some allowances for food/drink (like the bottle of wine) that do not apply to 70K. Previous years’ sailors have had mixed results with trying to bring those things on board, so just know that if you chance it you may be out the wine and delay the arrival of your baggage.
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Don’t bring:
- Too much stuff, space is a premium in the cabins
- Important valuables (accidents happen)
- Alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks, food
- The standard Royal Caribbean allowances do not apply to 70K, so you can only bring food/drinks that are medically required
- Illegal substances, weapons, or pets (all banned by RC)
- Bad vibes
If you have any follow up questions about the event, packing, or anything else; there are a number of resources available on the main website or on any of the fan forums. Most people on the boat are excited for new faces and happy to help answer any questions you may have about your first time, so don’t be shy!
Additional resources:
Want to see what it’s like to experience all sixty bands? Check out Metal Insider’s Artist Spotlight. With eighteen days left to go, we have nineteen artists left to explore from the 2023 experience. You can see the latest here.
Editor’s Note:
Curious about the experience of all sixty bands? Explore Metal Insider’s Artist Spotlight highlighting each band from 2023. With eighteen days remaining, we have nineteen artists left to share from the 2023 voyage.
In other 70000tons news, the band announcements are back! The organizers surprised everyone by including Katatonia and April Art while removing Thyrfing from the lineup. Thyrfing had canceled their appearance on November 30th when it seemed like 70000tons lineup updates had paused.
38 out 0f 60 bands announced, 18 days to go:
2024 70000tons of Metal artists:
Aborted
Angra
April Art
Blind Guardian
Blood Red Throne
Crypta
Dalriada
Depressive Age
Draconian
Dynazty
Epica
Equilibrium
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Grave Digger
Heidevolk
Infected Rain
Iotunn
Kataklysm
Katatonia
Legion of the Damned
Lord of the Lost
Marduk
My Dying Bride
Mystic Prophecy
Nanowar of Steel
Nervosa
Nile
Omnium Gatherum
Saor
Scar Symmetry
Serenity
Sodom
The Halo Effect
Tygers of Pan Tang
Unleashed
Victory
Warkings
Wind Rose
