Hautter

Five years after its inaugural cruise, the Groove Cruise is something of a phenomenon for hip, young professionals with money to burn and a yen for partying. But not so long ago, very few vacation packages targeted such an audience. It was a gap that helped lead Whet Travel Inc.’s founder Jason Beukema to launch the company’s first-ever Groove Cruise in 2004.

“Prior to starting the Groove Cruise, I had been on 15 cruises and was generally bored because there were few people my age, few events and activities geared towards my interests, and very, very poor nightlife,” Beukema explained, remembering how the concept came to fruition. “My friends wanted me to put a trip together, so I put a cruise together in October 2004, and ended up having 125 people go on a seven day cruise from a 375 person email list.”

Today, thanks to Beukema’s savvy marketing and travel expertise, Whet Travel Inc. is a booming progressive travel company, organizing two weekend Groove Cruises a year with feature spots on CNN, Fox, MTV and the travel sections of many a newspaper. And this fall, on October 3rd, the 2009 Groove Cruise is hitting Cabo San Lucas and expecting a record turnout aboard the lushly refurbished Carnival Elation that will host the cruise.

But what’s it all about, anyway, this so-called “Spring Break for professionals”? Groove Cruise meetups, message boards and event postings are all over the internet with rave reviews, from Yelp.com to nightlife sites to Facebook. And there’s a reason for all the hype.

Targeted at young, 25 to 40-something professionals who are looking for something more from their vacation days, the Groove Cruise concept encourages like-minded people to hop on board (literally) for a five-day vacation experience that meets their needs in some very specific ways. The digs are fancy and the entertainment is top-notch. This year’s boat includes celebrated DJs like Sharam, Bad Boy Bill, Donald Glaude, Scooter & Lavelle, Scotty Boy, Anthony Attalla, JJ Flores and Kenneth Thomas, to name a few.

These popular DJs helm the non-stop parties during the five-day trip from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, the trip’s primary destination; many of these parties are late-night affairs, featuring all the glories of Spring Break (body shots, electronic music, dancing and mingling) with a strictly over-21 crowd. As Beukema puts it, the average Groove Cruisers are, “young professionals who LOVE dance music and live by the mantra to ‘work hard and play harder.”

There’s no shortage of playing on board, as cruisers get to enjoy considerable ship perks, from wifi to a full casino, spa, gym, nightlife clubs, a gorgeous atrium and multiple restaurants and eateries. And of course, almost-constant dance parties, with music ranging from deep House to electro to mash-ups and hip hop, depending on which DJ is manning the decks.

Least surprising about the Groove Cruise is its final destination, Cabo San Lucas, which is increasingly attracting those same jet-set, professional scenester types Beukema seeks.

“We did a survey and 95% of the people who responded wanted to go to Cabo San Lucas!” he said. “It is the most upscale and beautiful city I have been to in Mexico. The people are friendly and the landscape is gorgeous. As a professional travel expert, I sell Cabo as a vacation for discerning travelers looking for a more sophisticated experience.”

As for his own Groove Cruise, Beukema hasn’t missed one of the 12 cruises he’s organized yet. “Yes, I recommend them!” he enthused. “People come up to me on every cruise and say it was the best weekend of their life.”

Join Beukema and hundreds of other attractive, partygoing professionals when they dock in San Lucas on October 3rd. The official arrival party will be at Nikki Beach.

For more information about upcoming Groove Cruises and other Whet Travel offerings, visit TheGrooveCruise.com or call 1-877-GET-WHET.