The announcement of two back to back Coachella cruises out of Ft. Lauderdale this December raises a few questions.

Will there be a Biggie Smalls hologram? Do you get more indie cred for being on the first cruise? Can I camp on the lido deck?

Coachella enters the cruise market hot off of their 2012 dual-weekend festival boasting ticket sales over $47.3 million. The S.S. Coachella is the first chance to see Coachella artists in the intimate, one-of-a-kind cruise environment. The lineup is comparable to the California festival’s lineups of recent years. Tickets are on sale now and they will go fast.

The ship, the Celebrity Silhouette, boasts 9 bars, an impressive pool deck, 12 dining establishments, world class spas, music venues, and actual green, living grass. The first cruise visits the Bahamas and leaves December 16; the second cruise leaves December 19 and visits Jamaica. Tickets start at $500 per person on up to $9,000 for the top level suite.

Music cruises have seen increased popularity over the last few years, and it seems the water has reached the right temperature for Goldenvoice, the company that produces Coachella, to jump into the entertainment cruise game with both feet.

This could represent a tipping point in the industry. Will we see Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, SXSW, Lollapalooza, or other big players in the festival field take to the seas? The S.S. Coachella will likely set a new standard for hype surrounding a concert cruise. The New York Times is already covering it, while most concert cruises appeal to a niche audience and do not often appear in national media.

Along with the performances, the S.S. Coachella will host special events like wine tasting with James Murphy, along with the fan/artist interaction and non-stop food, alcohol, and gambling that cruise ships are known for.

Personally, I look forward to seeing the hippest crowd in music meet new friends from all over the world and realize firsthand that cruising is the new cool. Be on the look out for Scuba Steve in December because Entertainment Cruise Review would not miss what promises to be an historic voyage.