Courtesy of Stephanie and Robert Bunting
If you've ever climbed aboard Holy Ship, you're a part of Ship Fam, whether you wholeheartedly embrace it or not.
But what exactly is Ship Fam anyway? It means you've joined a tight-knit network of fellow Shippers and their extended families that spans the country and the world, and these people have got your back. These people will help you out with a place to party, a ride from the airport, even a place to sleep, if you should need it.
But some newbies get it twisted, and that's no bueno. So we spoke with Ship Fam mom and dad, Stephanie and Robert Bunting, to get the true story behind the EDM cruise scene's craziest fan cult.
Courtesy of Stephanie and Robert Bunting
The Maiden Voyage: Ship Fam Is Formed Way back in 2011, before the inaugural Holy Ship! set sail, an official Facebook page was launched in order for soon-to-be passengers to gather and e-meet one another.
"Nobody knew each other the first year," remembers Stephanie. "We just had no idea what we were going to experience."
When Holy Ship! finally headed out to sea, the 2,500-something Shippers found themselves caught up in a life-changing whirlwind. Most of the cruise attendess were 20-somethings. But even the Buntings, a collective 104 years old, were changed forever.
Over the course of a few amazing days and nights, there was a private-island set from Fatboy Slim, a DJ lesson from A-Trak, an erotic production by Dita Von Teese -- and then the boat docked in Fort Lauderdale, and there was nothing.
Was it really time to say goodbye?
