Monsters of Rock Cruise 2026
Editors review: Lori Smerilson Carson | Photos: Larry Marano
Over fifty performances took place on this action-packed Monsters of Rock Cruise 2026, and they all were spotlight material, but since we are a magazine and not a book, here are a few highlights!
Y&T started the fun with a pre-party show, and then onboard which fans draw to and packed in to experience their timeless hits. They are still rocking and filled with energy that created another memorable show!
Vain started the rock party on the ship with their energetic rock show that drew people into the Atrium to catch their amazing performance with Davy in bare feet and Dylana’s amazing guitar riffs! Three shows in all with the second featuring guest guitarist Paul Taylor of Winger.
The Almighty fronted by Ricky Warwick, really blew the crowd of fans away with their hard rock rhythms which truly please the packed auditorium and thoroughly ran through my Scottish veins!
Loudness brought every world renown guitarist to the side stage to catch this mesmerizing metal show and their hero Akira Takisaki. Their catalogue pulled many fans favorites that seemed to really please both the packed pool and auditorium audiences.
Queensryche also packed the pool stage and auditorium with their high energy, incredible hard rock hits, and dove deep into their catalogue to play different fan favorites in each set.
Slaughter sealed the deal of bringing back memorable hits and fan favorites that span the test of time which ignited energy in both a packed pool show and auditorium. They even displayed a back in the day photo to live now of Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum.
Saigon Kick brought an overflow of fans into the Atrium show theater and put on a spectacular show that drew people to sing along. That’s our hometown guys!!
STEELHEART rocked the back pool stage with high energy, and frontman Miljenko Matijevic still has a vibrate that could power the ship! Fans were totally rocking out!
The Darkness had audiences jumping and dancing with an added display at the pool stage when frontman Justin Hawkins jumped in the pool – backflipped actually! Fans loved it!
British Lion is one not to miss as Bassist Steve Harris led his band in an outstanding metal show filled with high energy and amazing riffs which fans truly got into!
The Quireboys fulfilled the anticipation and excitement of drawing in audiences both at the pool and auditorium with incredible rock music! Fans really enjoyed as they sang along and interacted, especially with frontman Spike!
Great White packed fans to the Atrium to experience another time travel back to amazing hits and rock energy that people sang along to and were truly captivated!
Dangerous Toys brought back so many memories with their amazing timeless hits, displaying an outstanding energetic rock show that had both back pool stage and theater audiences head banging and singing along!
Vixen truly put on an amazing rock show that led fans to pack the pool stage and theater to experience incredible guitar licks and a beat that continues to rock steady and strong.
D-A-D (Disneyland After Dark) displayed incredible showmanship with their rock show that drew in packed audiences both at the theater and pool! Fans were mesmerized and enthusiastic!
Quiet Riot packed in a full house at their shows as well, bringing memorable eighties vibes to the present and sparking audience energy and a massive sing along! Rudy Sarzo’s bass riffs are still a driving force and legendary!
Heavens Edge brought their memorable hits to their shows and really infused energy and audience participation to rock out and sing along which people loved!
Black Label Society filled the pool area and the auditorium with such high energy, displaying Zakk Wylde’s world renown guitar riffs while sporting his signature kilt and drawing audiences in as they are bewildered by his playing! The entire band really rocked the ship!
