Observations: Escape the sodden summer with a mystery cruise on the good ship indie rock

This year's festivals have so far been a wash-out, so what better time to announce a new event on board a luxury cruise ship? Offshore will make its maiden voyage next September on the Norwegian Jade from Venice, then travel on to Croatia and Greece.

The week-long festival promises 18 guitar bands, but, so confident are the directors that music fans will be keen on the mud-free, sun-soaked extravaganza, tickets will be going on sale before the line-up is announced.

Cruise festivals are taking off with the Kiss Kruise, dance cruise the Holy Ship, Bruise Cruise and indie-rockers Weezer's inaugural festival in January whose line-up included Sebadoh and Dinosaur Jr.

You might call Offshore the boutique festival option on water, with just 2,500 festival-goers and five stages. At the very least you can happily leave your wellies at home.

21 to 28 September 2013; tickets on sale from 27 July (www.offshorefestival.com)