More than 3,000 heavy metal fans take to the high seas on a cruise that boasts four days of live music, pool bombing competitions and 5am parties

By Georgia Diebelius For MAILONLINE

The Independence of the Seas cruise, which is known as 70,000 Tons of Metal, travelled from Florida to Jamaica
Event photographed by New York rock-enthusiast Giacomo Fortunato who boarded the ship in February
Around 60 bands performed at various parts of the ship, starting around 10am and playing until sunrise the next day

This cruise ship really is the Boat that Rocked – taking thousands of heavy metal fans to the seas.

There are only 3,000 tickets for each cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship. Pool girls (right) pose for the camera wearing their uniforms

Fortunato, a fan of metal music since he was eight years old, shared a tiny room with another rocker, partying until 5am with the 3,000 fans who attended.

His project, To Hell and Back, captures the raw energy of the event – as well as rockers relaxing when they took a break from partying.

In total, around 60 bands performed at various parts of the ship, starting around 10am and playing until sunrise the next day.
The cruise’s inaugural voyage took place in 2011 and has been running annually ever since. It also claims to boast ‘The World’s Largest Open Air Stage to Sail the Seas.’

Fortunato, 31, said: ‘It seemed like a funny juxtaposition of 3,000 people wearing black in the Caribbean sun listening to what some might consider the least relaxing music ever.
‘We drank; we sang; we partied in jacuzzis until 5am, watching bands perform on the pool deck of the ship.

‘Bands played from 10am to sunrise the next day, every day, throughout several venues scattered across the ship.

‘There was very little time to fuel up with food or rest.’

IMAGES:
Iron Maiden voyage: A man jumps into one of the Independence of the Seas’ swimming pools in front of an eager crowd during the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise
A group of women and men pose for a photograph in one of the swimming pools during their four-day long cruise from Florida
There are only 3,000 tickets for each cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship
Pool girls pose for the camera wearing their uniforms
In total, around 60 bands performed at various parts of the ship, starting around 10am and playing until sunrise the next day
Two party-goers pose for the camera
The ship hosts contests including ‘The Bellyflop’, which challenges holidaymakers to make the biggest splash when entering the pool
The event was photographed by New York resident Giacomo Fortunato, who travelled from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Jamaica. Pictured: Two rock and roll fans pose for a snap
Two men grimace as a tattooed friend jumps from the railings of one of the ships indoor hot tubs and bombs into the water
The cruise’s inaugural voyage took place in 2011 and has been running annually ever since. It also claims to boast ‘The World’s Largest Open Air Stage to Sail the Seas’
Bands played from 10am to sunrise the next day, every day, throughout several venues scattered across the ship. Pictured: Party-goers in the water
A heavy metal fan turns to take a selfie during a stop at one of the ship’s port of calls. Other rockers stare out and admire the view
The cruise ship really is the Boat that Rocked as it takes thousands of heavy metal fans to the seas once a year
Women can be seen posing in bikinis during the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise
Four of the cruise ships staff wear matching clothes on their shift around the pool
Party-goers sing along and one man crowd surfs in the main theatre on board the ship, which is usually filled with holidaymakers looking for a relaxing break

For more on this story and video go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3559249/The-boat-really-DOES-rock-3-000-heavy-metal-fans-high-seas-cruise-boasts-four-days-live-music-pool-bombing-competitions-5am-parties.html#ixzz472YthhAy