Alas, the Mayhem Cruise is no more! Everybody, from the bands to industry people I've talked to, to fans, were super pumped to attend the first ever Mayhem Fest cruise. Heck, look at how pumped Rob Flynn was when he broke the story to our cameras on the black carpet of the Revolver Golden Gods this year. But, today, the news came down from cruise organizers that "due to circumstances beyond [their] control" the cruise has been cancelled. Here is the full statement:
Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control we have been forced to cancel the Mayhem Festival Cruise. If you purchased a cruise package, you will be automatically refunded to the credit card you used to purchase. If you used a prepaid card or gift card to purchase the cruise, please contact Rose Tours for your refund (215-663-8800). If you used a credit or debit card, you will see the credit within the next 2 to 3 weeks.
We are also offering anyone who purchased a cruise ticket a lifetime complimentary pass to the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Summer Tour. You will still receive your cruise refund in addition to the lifetime pass to the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Tour. This pass is valid on any tour date beginning in 2013. Details on getting these lifetime passes will be announced shortly on mayhemcruise.com.
While no real reason was given, I personally think (and this is just based on my own assumptions) that the cancellation was due to light ticket sales. The 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, the first all-metal cruise, did so well because it catered to international fans just as much as to US fans. Only 25% of attendees of that cruise were from the States. With Mayhem Cruise's decidedly American lineup, it seems less appealing to Europeans. And with an $1000 entry point (after taxes) perhaps it was too pricey for the fans of the bands featured on the bill.
Either way, this is great news for the organizers of Barge To Hell, which will be leaving port a few days prior to when the Mayhem Fest cruise was set to kick off. The fest boasts a ridiculous lineup featuring At The Gates, Behemoth, Municipal Waste and many others. More info here.
