Whet Travel’s flagship event, Groove Cruise, which sails from Miami on Thursday, January 23, 2025, is pleased to announce its 2025 Whet Foundation philanthropic initiatives. The Whet Foundation is a Florida-based 501c3 organization. It strives to uplift the lives of those less fortunate in a fun and engaging way while positively affecting an entire generation. The organization believes in making an impact through various initiatives. These include Destination Donation, Mental Health Awareness, Celebration of Life, Community Captains, and Ocean Conservation.
The Whet Foundation
Through Destination Donation, the Whet Foundation gives back to the destinations visited by Whet Travel clients, providing essential items to underprivileged children. Whet Foundation prioritizes Mental health awareness, offering soul-enriching sessions for all artists, attendees, and staff on board. The Celebration of Life Ceremony is where loved ones no longer with us are celebrated and participants have the opportunity to share their stories. The Community Captains program identifies student leaders, fostering personal development and entrepreneurial spirit. The Whet Foundation is dedicated to ocean conservation, organizing beach cleanups and events to raise awareness and support research efforts.
Groove Cruise Miami 2025 offers exciting ways for attendees to get involved. Many volunteers rate their Whet Foundation experience as the highlight of their cruise.
The Groove Cruise Miami 2025 Whet Foundation initiatives follow below.
DESTINATION DONATION
The Groove Cruise Miami 2025 Whet Foundation Destination Donation initiative will support malnourished children and families through Second Mile, focusing on reducing childhood malnutrition and improving health for women and children in Haiti. With a caregiver-centered approach, Second Mile addresses health and nutritional needs, offering education, training, and income-generating activities. Haiti has the highest maternal, infant, and child mortality rates in the Western Hemisphere, with 45% of the population facing severe food insecurity. Tragically, 1 in 10 Haitian children dies before age 5, and over 70% of parents seeking help at the Malnutrition Treatment Center have no income when their child falls ill.
We are asking the #GCFAM attendees to help collect the requested donations listed below for Second Mile. All donations can be brought to the Captain Support Desk on the first day of Groove Cruise Miami 2025. Captains attending Groove Cruise Miami 2025 can volunteer to deliver donations to the children and engage in activities, including art and music.
Donation List (Requested Donations for Second Mile)
NUTRITION:
- Clothing (Preemie-4T All Genders)
- Toys For Development (Newborn Through Age 5)
- Coloring Books
- Crayons
- Chalk
- Stickers
- Notebooks
- Drawing Pads
- Color Pencils
- Sandwich Crackers (i.e. Cheese Peanut Butter)
- Candy (i.e. Blow Pops Jolly Ranchers)
MATERNITY:
- Socks And Bonnets
- Receiving Blankets
- Preemie/Newborn Onesies
COMMUNITY:
- Soccer Balls
- Sports Equipment
- Backpacks
Attendees for Groove Cruise Miami 2025 wanting to sign up to volunteer for Destination Donation can log in to your Whet Travel account HERE by December 2, 2024. Monetary donations could be made HERE.
Celebration of Life Ceremony
The annual Celebration of Life Ceremony will be hosted to celebrate our loved ones who are no longer with us. The celebration consists of a biodegradable wreath and biodegradable note cards, where participants can share their stories, write a message to their loved ones, and put their message in the wreath to be thrown overboard. In many cultures, the ocean is a primary factor that makes life possible on Earth. Sending off the departed into the ocean symbolizes the end of physical life and the beginning of spiritual rebirth. With the written notes to loved ones, this allows all present to participate and share in this moving experience. It symbolizes a farewell and an opportunity for closure and healing.
Mental Health Talks & Workshops
When The Music Stops is a nonprofit and community that supports emotional and mental health through music, connection, and love. The Whet Foundation partners with When The Music Stops to facilitate mental health talks. These cover topics like meditation, maintaining balance, recognizing symptoms, and the power of journaling. When The Music Stops mental health talks and workshops aboard Groove Cruise Miami 2025, include The Power of Music Artist Panel, The Keys to Happiness Workshop, and The Power of Authentic Connection.
- The Power of Music Artist Panel: invites artists to share how music has impacted their lives. The GCFam can ask questions and share their own stories, creating bonds and positivity through music.
- The Keys to Happiness Workshop: This workshop is a wonderful opportunity for the GC Family to learn about the building blocks of happiness and how they can apply them to their daily lives.
- The Power of Authentic Connection: This interactive workshop will explore the power of authentic connection to foster deeper relationships and stronger community bonds.
About Groove Cruise
Groove Cruise’s 2025 Miami voyage – an unforgettable journey aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas – promises 96 hours of continuous music, a plethora of one-of-a-kind life-changing experiences, and Groove Cruise’s signature immersive programming. Attendees can look forward to 13 stages on the ship plus two on the island, with top-notch production, performances by esteemed DJs, daily theme parties, artist-led activities, beachside destination events, volunteer experiences, mental health discussions, and more.
Groove Cruise has established itself as the world’s leading and largest floating dance music festival for over twenty years. Launched in 2004, it has become the most prominent music cruise event ever. Groove Cruise unites people worldwide, creating a second family affectionately known as the #GCFAM. This close-knit community fosters a sense of belonging, where attendees form lifelong friendships and connections. Embarking on a Groove Cruise feels like one big family reunion. It embodies the spirit of discovering your unique rhythm.
Groove Cruise is a non-stop life-changing experience comprising four days of beach, pool, theme parties, numerous delectable restaurants, 24/7 electronic dance music, art installations, and exotic destination experiences. In addition to the standard cruise amenities, there are artist activities, Whet Oasis Zen Experience, world-class production, and various onboard events that rival the best dance music festivals in the world. Groove Cruise has won many awards since its inception in 2004. This includes Best Music Cruise and Best Fan Community (affectionately known as the GCFam). It has also been rated the number 80 festival in the World by DJ Mag this year. This is a truly remarkable feat being named alongside festivals that boast 100 times the capacity of even the biggest cruise ships.