Creed Deliver Historic Reunion on Summer of ’99 Cruise [Photos]

Creed made their long-awaited reunion debut on the Summer of ’99 cruise for two weeks of fun in the sun on April 18th-24th and April 27th-May 1st. All aboard the Cruiseliner, the band performed two live shows with special guests, 3 Doors Down on week one and Daughtry on week two.

Alongside the powerhouse guests were other beloved ’90s rock bands, including Buckcherry, The Verve Pipe, Tantric, Vertical Horizon, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, Tonic, Fuel and Louise Post of Veruca Salt. The cruise is one of many music and event cruises held by entertainment company Sixthman. We were lucky enough to catch all the action in week two, and the cruise was as epic as it sounds.

The beautiful Norwegian Jade posed as a dream venue for the average concert-goer. The Spinnaker and Bliss Ultra Lounges provided intimate viewing, while the Stardust Theater provided a true concert feel. For the main acts, the pool deck was transformed into a full stage and lawn. Attendees could be sipping on a piña colada in the hot tub and not have to move an inch to get one of the best seats in the house. That’s where several cruisers could be found as the sun went down and the ship sailed away to kick off night one.

As the ship was leaving port, Creed took the main stage to set the tone for the coming week, and it was absolutely worth the twelve-year wait. The band, with original members Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, and Scott Phillips, appropriately started the set with “Are You Ready?” Stapp has a stage presence like no other; his sorcerous movements and roaring vocals captivated the audience. Tremonti’s electrifying guitar solos and interaction throughout the set with Stapp added to the magic of it all. The setlist included favorites like “What If,” “With Arms Wide Open,” and “Higher” before ending off with “My Sacrifice.” I was amazed at how fantastic the band sounded after twelve years apart. We also got a great glimpse of the Falcon 9 rocket launching during the set from Kennedy Space Center. It truly was epic.

Creed did not just grace us with one exceptional show but two throughout our time on the boat. On day three, after a beautiful day in the Bahamas, Daughtry performed during sail-away, opening up for Creed to perform a second extraordinary set. This set included some extras we didn’t get the first time around, including “Beautiful,” “Pity for a Dime,” “Never Die,” “Inside Us All,” and “Rain.” This set also had an encore moment where the band stopped after “My Sacrifice” to announce that the Summer of ’99 Cruise featuring Creed would return on April 9-13th, 2025. They finally ended the night with “With Arms Wide Open” and “Higher.” The show was a dream. Twelve years of separation didn’t make a dent when it came to performance and talent on their part. The songs I grew up listening to sounded even better live than I imagined.

The week was one of the best concert experiences I have ever had. Not only was I able to catch some sick shows from some of my favorite artists and see the reunion of Creed, but I also got to partake in a trip to the Bahamas, a basketball competition with Scott Stapp, flip cup with Scott Phillips, karaoke with Mark Tremonti, and endless interactions around the boat with artists, and last but not least, never-ending ice cream. The vibes were amazing, and Sixthman knows what they’re doing. Everything went off without a hitch, and there is no doubt that the 2025 Summer of ’99 cruise will sell out immediately. Creed will be touring the U.S. through the remainder of the year and truly can’t be missed. Be sure to catch the historic reunion whenever you can.

Creed Summer of ’99 and Beyond Cruise on April 27 to May 1, 2024

24 photos