What are themed cruises? Best holidays for 2024 & 2025

Themed cruises are an awesome way to fully immerse yourself in a specific hobby or passion while travelling the world with like-minded folk. Here’s what you need to know.

Themed cruises have become increasingly popular – research by Riviera Travel showed search interest has increased by 15 percen over the past three months – and we wager there’s one there for you! According to travel agents Iglu Cruise, travellers are embracing the shift towards more immersive, interest-focused experiences…and cruise lines are responding with greater creativity than ever.

Looking back at 2024, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 presented onboard performances, workshops and screenings by the Royal Shakespeare Company on a theatre-themed cruise; Pride cruises in June served up a vibrant celebration on the seas; and stargazing sessions on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral allowed guests to observe the night sky alongside expert astronomers.

Additionally, passengers aboard Hurtigruten’s MS Maud, sailing around the British Isles, attended an exclusive talk from BBC’s beloved weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, adding an educational touch to their journey. Intrigued? Let’s find out more about these voyages and the best themed cruises out there…

What are themed cruises?
Which cruise lines do themed cruises?
How to find out about cruise theme nights
Upcoming theme cruises in 2024 & 2025

What are themed cruises?

Themed cruises are specialised cruises that are designed to engage and entertain, offering holidaymakers unique ways to dive deeper into their pursuits.

They can focus on almost anything, from food to wellness to the 80s. There was even a Taylor Swift-theme cruise in October this year as Eras Tour mania swept the globe (the songstress herself sadly did not make an appearance).

Will Sarson, Travel Expert at Riviera Travel, explained: “Ultimately, one of the biggest draws of themed cruises is the immersive experience it offers travellers, allowing people to indulge in their particular interest with the help of experts, guided tours and themed evenings – such as dinners.

“Additionally, with everyone on the themed cruise sharing a common interest, fostering connections and bonding with other travellers is easier than ever. Onboard these themed cruises – and during excursions – travellers will have plenty of opportunities to share experiences with others on board the themed cruise. This sense of community can make the holiday feel much more rewarding, tempting travellers to try out this unique style of holiday.

In short, these fun themed cruises offer an opportunity for people with shared loves to holiday together and get stuck into a raft of entertainment and activities that celebrate that passion, whether that’s improving artistic talents or dressing up like ABBA.

Which cruise lines do themed cruises?

Nearly all the major cruise lines offer themed cruise holidays, are some of the main ones:

Marella Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Princess Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
P&O Cruises

Marella Cruises

TUI has an array of themed cruises onboard Marella Cruises, with many being newly launched for 2025 and 2026. For Eighties or Nineties fans, there’s The Electric Sunsets: 80s vs. 90s cruise, with top artists and DJs from both decades facing off aboard Marella Voyager. Guests can enjoy retro movie screenings, themed parties and fun costume nights.

Country music fans will be thrilled by the brand new ‘Country Rhythms’ cruise, the cruise line’s first ever country music themed cruise which will sail its inaugural voyage in February 2026. The lineup will feature The Dolly Show, line dance classes, a country themed show onboard and even a best dressed competition. Yeehaw!

Marella Cruises’ ‘Electric Sunsets’ is back with a ‘90s vs 00s’ themed cruise for the ultimate music showdown at sea. A star-studded lineup features top acts including Irish pop group B*Witched, UK R&B pop group The Honeyz, the iconic DJ SASH! and Ibiza in Symphony, a 10-piece orchestra of musicians and singers with more acts to be announced in 2025. Catered to nostalgic fans of the 90s and 2000s, this three-night themed adult-only cruise on Marella Voyager will first set sail in November 2025, calling in destinations like Palma, Valencia and Malaga.

There are also New Year and Christmas-themed cruises packed with seasonal-themed onboard activities and shows. Look out for themed cruises 2024 now if you want to celebrate the festive season at sea this Crimbo.

Royal Caribbean

There are loads of themed cruises on Royal Caribbean ships – although they’re all sold by third parties. In 2024 themes included: rock music, Star Trek, the 80s and even a motorcycle rally. As for Royal Caribbean themed cruises 2025, the line-up so far promises Comic-Con: The Cruise and Old School Cruise 2025.

Next year Royal Caribbean will be offering Eurovision-focussed sojourns – a themed mini cruise to Bruges as you boogie at sea anyone?

Are there theme nights on Royal Caribbean cruises? Yes! Some common theme nights on regular Royal Caribbean holidays are Black and White Nights, Masquerade Balls, Toga Parties, Country Western and 50s/60s/70s/80s parties.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is currently celebrating its Good Food Show at Sea foodie theme cruise. Cruisers can savour classic Good Food dishes, meet culinary idols like John Torode, participate in live Q&A sessions, and enjoy exclusive meet-and-greet dining experiences and book signings onboard – so watch this space for the Princess food-themed cruise 2025!

Also next year: Princess has a Love Boat-themed cruise with cast members from the hit show joining the voyage; a nature and adventure voyage to Alaska (with renowned wildlife biologist Jeff Corwin) and a magic-themed cruise thanks to Princess’ partnership The Magic Castle.

What are the theme nights on Princess Cruises? Alongside formal nights, Princess Cruises often hosts other themed events, including a Country & Western Party, an Island Night celebration, and the Princess Pop Star karaoke party for aspiring singers.

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL has a plethora of music-themed cruises (salsa, Country, disco, Blues – you name it), comedy-themed cruises, sports-themed cruises and various others, from Christmas cruises to a “spicy” Temptation cruise. As with Royal Caribbean, these NCL-themed cruises are external offerings chartered by third parties.

Norwegian ships usually feature several themed nights during each standard sailing too, like glow parties and 70s or 80s theme cruise nights.

Carnival Cruise Line

There are lots of Carnival cruise charters available so there’s bound to be something that, ahem, floats your boat. Think: rock music themed cruises, line dancing and classical music.

For those after an official Carnival cruise, there are still themed nights, such as an 80s Rock-N-Glow party, a white party and a Christmas party, to name a few.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity themed cruises comprise chartered music cruises, with a heavy focus on jazz, but Celebrity also does offer specialty cruises among its classic sailing.

These range from Holiday voyages (from Christmas and Hanukkah to St Patrick’s Day and Halloween, with religious services, activities, and decorations where relevant) and Culinary Cruises (with Global Culinary Brand Ambassador, Daniel Boulud) and LGBTQ+ cruises.

During Pride Month, guests can enjoy daily LGBTQ+ gatherings, dazzling guest entertainers on select ships, a flag-raising ceremony, and Celebrity’s iconic Pride Party at Sea to end the celebrations in style.

If you’re wondering, “Does Celebrity Cruises have theme nights?” The answer is that the line tends to have themed onboard parties, from Latin-inspired fiestas and 60s bops to rock music bashes and even a Masque theme.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises goes big on music and food with its P&O themed cruises. In 2024, Take That star Gary Barlow (also the Music Director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona) performed two exclusive live charity shows.

P&O’s Food Hero programme sees such culinary whizzes as Marco Pierre White, acclaimed Spanish chef José Pizarro and wine-pro-turned-TV-star Olly Smith take to the high seas. There are also plenty of Christmas and New Year sailings to choose from.

How to find out about cruise theme nights

You can find out in advance of your sailing what cruise ships theme nights will be held during your holiday. These will generally be displayed in your online cruise account or, if you book with a travel agent, they can advise you.

Once onboard, cruise theme nights will always be advertised in the daily cruise ship schedule and there will likely be posters and signs up around the ship depicting what’s coming up. You can always check with staff when you board so you’re fully prepared, too.

Guide to themed cruises: from Star Trek & adventure to comedy & Halloween

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What are themed cruises?