For three days in June, JoJo Siwa fans could do more than watch her perform. They could go on vacation with her.
The JoJo Siwa Cruise departed from Port Canaveral, Florida, on June 12 for a three-night sailing aboard Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, where a regular cruise itinerary became a floating fan weekend: rhinestone bow decorating, a dance class, nightly parties hosted by Siwa, a cabana beach day, and a concert at sea.
Siwa, the singer, dancer, internet personality, and former Dance Moms star, first became famous as a child performer known for her oversized bows, high-energy music, and brightly colored brand. In the years since, she has grown up in public, moving from children's entertainment into a more adult pop era that has included new music, reality TV appearances, and a fanbase that now includes both younger viewers and adults who have followed her for years.
The cruise reflected that broad fanbase. A group of fans who self-identify on Instagram as "The Divas" says the people in their group who attended range in age from 9 to 49. They became bigger fans of Siwa through Celebrity Big Brother and saw the cruise promoted on her social media.
"There were so many events and activities," the group tells Mashable, listing bow decorating, dance class, hibachi dinner, a cabana beach day, nightly parties, and the concert. "The concert show she performed too, which was just phenomenal."
"She'd worked on new choreography especially for the weekend, so it was really exciting to experience that," Alice, a 32-year-old fan who runs the Joelle Fans UK account, says.
Fares for the cruise were advertised as starting at $1,300 per person, with some activities included and other experiences offered as paid add-ons. Those extras included dinner with Siwa for $150 and a movie-and-pizza night in her suite for $1,250.
These weren't the only prices that raised eyebrows on social media — the "swag bag" distributed at the end of the trip reportedly cost $52.75 and included branded items like a passport-style activity booklet, stickers, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and other small accessories. Merchandise was also available for purchase, including a $22 limited-edition bow, a $52 hoodie, and a $42 tank top. Commenters flooded the posts, accusing the artwork on the merchandise of being AI-generated.
But fans who spoke with Mashable emphasized the experience more than the price. Kelly Anne, a 28-year-old fan, says she originally won a trip to Los Angeles but, because of scheduling, was offered the cruise instead. Her favorite part of the weekend was the day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.
"We got a [private] pool and cabana on the island, and it was so nice to connect with other JoJo fans," Kelly says. "JoJo also came over to say hi, and it was a core memory to say the least."
For "The Divas," the highlight was the hibachi dinner, one of the paid extras, because it felt "really small and intimate."
"JoJo was so lovely, she was so easy to talk to," the group says. "She made sure she spoke to all of us, and she even filmed some TikToks with a few of us, which was just amazing."
Kelly first discovered Siwa through Dance Moms and has "been a fan ever since." She says she has enjoyed watching the Siwa family grow their careers, but became especially drawn to JoJo after her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
Alice tells Mashable she had known who Siwa was for years and "always had a lot of respect for her," but became more involved in the fandom over the past year.
"She's someone who encourages people to be authentic, kind, and proud of who they are, and I think that's why so many people of all ages connect with her," Alice says. "She creates a space where people feel accepted and can just be themselves, and I’ve made some incredible friendships through the community."
That community became one of the main themes of the trip. Alice adds that people had traveled from different places, but the group quickly felt connected.
"Everyone was so kind and welcoming," she says. "People had traveled from all over, but it felt like one big family brought together by a shared love for JoJo."
The schedule also leaned into the references fans know well. Guests decorated one of Siwa's new Joelle bows with rhinestones, a nod to the accessory that has been central to her image since her early career. They attended dance-focused programming, including a class and performances tied to Siwa's current music.
The cruise points to how celebrity fan experiences are becoming more immersive. A concert ticket or meet-and-greet is no longer always the ceiling for access. The package can now look like a full itinerary, with meals, activities, merch, performances, and several days of shared space between fans and the person they came to see.
"Honestly, the worst part was having to leave," Alice says. "I could easily have stayed for another week."
"Finding such an incredible community through JoJo has been amazing," she adds. "It genuinely felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I came home with memories that will last forever."
