cruise ship theme cake

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You can make a cruise ship shaped cake for a bon voyage party or a special event for a cruise enthusiast. The cake is easier to make than it may at first appear and requires very little experience with decorative icing techniques. Even a novice cake decorator can make an edible creation worthy of becoming a party centerpiece. The cake can be made up to two days ahead of time for a less hectic to-do list the day or night before the big event.

Prepare a homemade or store-bought cake mix and grease a large rectangular cake pan with butter. Pour a little bit of flour into the cake pan and tap the cake pan to evenly distribute the flour. Pour out any excess flour and pour the cake batter into the pan. Bake the cake and then allow it to cool for 3 to 4 hours.

Prepare 2 homemade or store-bought cake mixes while the rectangular cake is baking. Grease 3 long oval cake pans and a 4-inch round cake pan with butter and then coat the butter with flour. Pour the batter into the four pans and bake. Allow the cakes to cool for 3 to 4 hours after removing them from the oven.

Remove the rectangular cake from the pan and place it on a rectangular cake tray. Spread a layer of blue buttercream icing over the entire top and sides of the cake. Make “waves” in the icing with an icing spatula.

Remove the oval cakes from the pans and spread a layer of white buttercream icing on the top of two of the cakes. Stack the cakes on top of one another.

Make the cruise ship shape. Choose one end of the cake to be the bow of the ship and cut approximately two inches off from the top two layers with a serrated knife. Shape the top two layers into a gently pointed end. Shape the bottom layer into a more sharply pointed end. Shape the stern of the cake (the opposite end) so that the upper decks of the cruise ship slant forward toward the bow. Cut away approximately 1 inch from the top layer of cake to make the upper deck.

Remove the 4-inch round cake from the cake pan, spread a layer of buttercream icing on the bottom of the cake and place it on top of the cake near the stern of the ship.

Cover the entire cake in a smooth layer of white buttercream icing. You can use a different color icing if you prefer.

Roll out a sheet of black-tinted fondant to a thickness of approximately 1/8-inch. Cut small square shapes from the fondant, approximately 1 inch square in size. Moisten the backs of each square and press the squares gently against the sides of the cake to make the windows for a completed cruise ship cake.

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• Wilton: Covering Round Cakes with Rolled Fondant
• Wilton: Fondant Cut-Outs
• Cake Central: Cruise Ship Cake

Eric Jonas has been writing in small-business advertising and local community newsletters since 1998. Prior to his writing career, he became a licensed level II gas technician and continues to work in the field, also authoring educational newsletters for others in the business. Jonas is currently a graduate student with a Bachelor of Arts in English and rhetoric from McMaster University.

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Cruise Ship Cake

Learn how to make a Cruise Ship Cake.

As you may remember, I have made a few boat cakes in the past but making a cruise liner ship cake has always remained on my agenda. So here it is! In this tutorial you are going to see me doing the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas Cruise Ship as a cake. I will attempt to make it as detailed as possible using a combination of smart methods so that it is done in a  practical way without unnecessarily spending too much time. As you see with the reference pictures, this particular ship is a very large vessel with an amusement park. I am not going to worry too much about the complications you see on the deck so the techniques I will show you can be easily converted to deferent designs. This time, I will not draw any cake plans because the reference images that are available are good enough to give me exact directions to follow, meaning there are orthographic projections for the top view, and side views. I hope you enjoy this tutorial and learn something new from it.

• Preparations

Downloadable Course Material

• Set of knives
• Craft knife
• Pizza cutter
• Set of scissors
• Set of PVC pipes (30mm to 40mm thick, 40cm & 20cm long)
• Rolling pin (30cm long)
• Powder shaker (Filled with starch)
• Needle or pin (to pop air bubbles)
• Perfections strips
• Fondant smoother
• Flipchart sheets (70cm x 50cm)
• Semi transparent silicon baking sheets (70cm x 50cm)
• White cellophane sheets (70cm x 50cm, on side matt)
• Basic stationary (pencils, marker pens, ruler etc.)
• Semi transparent plastic file separators
• Plastic sleeves
• Set of icing spatulas
• Set of scrapers (hard and flexible)

4.5kg 3 x 2.5cm (H) 45cm (L) x 28cm (W) Rectangular

1.5kg White 1kg Black 100g Blue 100g Green 300g Light Orange

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• Free Tutorials

Cruise Ship Cake Decorating and Baking Tutorial

Tutorial preview.

Lesson Details

Hand picked best bits from the Cruise Ship cake tutorial.

1. Preparing the board

To start off on our cruise ship you will need a strong board. Paul is using 10mm plywood for his board however we suggest that yours be 15mm in thickness because the board may bend during transportation making it a lot more difficult than it should be!

Paul shows you how to carve this huge cake into shape!

3. Ganaching

Paul combines swiss meringue buttercream and chocolate ganache for a tasty mix which gives more stability to the buttercream. When ganaching a large cake like this remember to refrigerate between layers and use a metal pallet knife to scrape rather than plastic for a sharper finish.

4. Covering the cake

Paul is using a 50/50 mix of Karen Davies sugarpaste and Massa Ticino modelling paste, he decides that the best way to cover the cake is by panel as there is a good chance of cracking if covering in one. If you are just using standard sugarpaste then there’s no need to worry you can cover it in one go.

5. Adding the windows

The key to adding the windows is to first mark out guidelines before you place them on the cake. The second key is to roll the sugarpaste out thin so that your windows look delicate and not chunky.

6. Making the top structures

Now we are focusing on the top of the ship, Paul cuts the necessary shapes from sugarpaste and uses spaghetti to keep them in place.

7. Decorating the ship and board

In this lesson paul adds a little extra detail to the ship.

8. Other ideas

Some other ideas from the Cruise Ship cake tutorial.

9. Pro lesson

In this lesson Paul talks about how to price and distribute cakes such as this.

10. Cruise Ship - Bite Sized

Watch Paul make this Cruise Ship cake in just one minute!

Course Overview

Cruise ship cake tutorial.

Learn how to make this magnificent Cruise Ship cake with the multi-award winning Paul Bradford. This is a hugely impressive cake to pull off and would go down great at large parties with a lot of guests, bonus points if it fits in with the theme!

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to…

• Carve a large cake
• Cover an awkward cake with sugarpaste
• Add small details
• Use images to create a similar design in cake
• and much, much more

Don’t forget to share your interpretations of this wonderful cake with  Paul  and the rest of the CakeFlix community on our  Facebook group .

View hundreds of more world-class tutorials only at www.cakeflix.com.

Paul Bradford

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Made from premium ingredients. We exclusively use the best cocoas and chocolate for our cakes, making it soft but firm. Tastes so good that you really can tell the difference.

Our customized cakes are baked and designed meticulously to ensure freshness and quality.

• Dimension: 8 x 5 inches
• Made : Moisted Chocolate Cake or Moisted Vanilla
• Cover : Fondant
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• Cruise Recipe

10 Cruise Ship Dessert Recipes You Can Make With Your Family

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• December 20, 2020

‘Tis the season to make sweet treats to enjoy with your family. The holiday season might look a bit different this year, but we hope you still plan on enjoying yummy food with your loved ones — even if it’s just your immediate family.

Many of us are missing the delicious food we might have eaten on a cruise this year had the ships been sailing — and desserts are obviously one of the best parts. So to help celebrate the season and have a taste of cruising at home, we’ve put together 10 delicious cruise ship dessert recipes (plus a bonus one!) that you can make with your family.

1. Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp — Holland America

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ Cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Cup sugar
• ½ Teaspoon salt
• ¼ Teaspoon nutmeg
• 11 Tablespoons chilled butter, cut into ¼-inch pieces
• 3 ½ Cups diced Rhubarb, trimmed
• 2 ½ Cups diced strawberries
• ¾ Cup sugar
• 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:

Heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a food processor, blend the flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg until just combined. Pulse in the butter, using on/off turns, until moist clumps form. (Alternatively, in a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg. Add the butter, rubbing it in with your fingertips or with a pastry blender until the topping holds together in small moist clumps.)

Set the topping aside. The topping can be made in advance, covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Combine all the ingredients in a large glass or ceramic bowl, and toss gently with a rubber spatula. Transfer to a 9-inch glass pie pan or another baking pan, allowing the fruit to mound slightly. Carefully place the topping on the fruit, spreading it evenly over the surface with your hands. Press down gently to compact it.

Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 35 – 45 minutes, or until the top is crisp and the juices just start to bubble around the edge. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

2. Love Boat Dream Dessert — Princess Cruises

A rich, fluffy mousse-flavored with Godiva liqueur — this recipes makes 8 servings.

• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate
• 8 ounces sweet butter
• 6 large egg yolks
• 8 egg whites
• 3 ounces lady Godiva chocolate liqueur
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar
• 3 tablespoons vanilla-flavored sugar
• 16 fresh mint leaves
• 1 ounce white chocolate
• 1 ounce milk chocolate
• 2 tablespoons strawberry piping gel
• 2 tablespoons bittersweet cocoa

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Remove from heat and add the butter. When the mixture is very smooth, quickly blend in the egg yolks and the chocolate liqueur. Whisk the egg whites until very still, and then add the superfine sugar and flavored sugar. Gently fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate mixture. Pour into a heart-shaped mold and refrigerate for at least 12 hours to set.

Presentation

Unmold the chocolate and place in the center of the plate. Garnish with white chocolate and milk chocolate. Pipe strawberry gel around the plate. Dust mousse with cocoa powder and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

3. Sinful Chocolate Obsession — Norwegian Cruise Line

For the cakes

• 2 lbs semisweet chocolate
• 4 1/2 oz butter
• 12 egg yolks
• 4 oz sugar, separated
• 4 egg whites
• 8 oz heavy cream
• 2 oz almonds, toasted
• 2 oz pistachios, chopped

For the ganache

• 2 lbs dark chocolate couverture (or best-quality dark chocolate), finely chopped
• 32 fl oz heavy cream

Melt chocolate and butter together. Whip yolks and 2 oz sugar together. Combine into chocolate butter mix. Whip whites together with 2 oz sugar and rum to volume. Combine into chocolate butter yolk mix. Whip the heavy cream and fold into mixture; fold in nuts.

Pipe or spoon into individual cake dishes or ramekins, and top with a cardboard disk to act as base once flipped out. Freeze. (This recipe makes enough batter for 10 individual cakes.)

Make ganache: Bring the heavy cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate; allow one minute before stirring to blend. Strain and cool.

Remove cakes from ramekins and plate with desired garnishes; Norwegian’s chefs use raspberry sauce, vanilla sauce, mint sprigs, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Top cake with ganache.

READ MORE:  5 Alchemy Bar Recipes to Make at Home

4. Suksessterte — Viking Cruises

Viking’s website says that “in its native Norway, this gluten-free “success tart” is a common sight at celebrations ranging from weddings to office birthday parties.” This recipe makes 8 servings.

Vanilla Cream Filling

• 2 whole vanilla beans
• 2 cups + 2 tbsp sugar
• 1¾ cups + 2 tsp heavy cream
• 15 med egg yolks
• 2¼ cups + 1 tbsp + 1½ tsp unsalted butter

Sliced Almonds

• 1 to 2 cups sliced almonds
• 15 med egg whites
• 4¾ cups powdered sugar
• 6¼ cups extra fine almond flour

Slice vanilla beans lengthwise; scrape out seeds. Add sugar, heavy cream and vanilla seeds to a pot, bring to boiling, strain over egg yolks, mix to combine; chill in refrigerator overnight. Whip in butter until smooth; set aside.

Preheat oven to 340°F (170°C). Spread almonds on a dry cookie sheet, bake 4 minutes. Shake pan to shift almonds every minute to check for slight browning and fragrant aroma; when done, remove from oven and immediately pour onto a room temperature plate. Set aside, leaving oven on to bake sponge.

Whip egg whites and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Sift in almond flour, mix carefully until just combined, place mixture in springform pan lined with parchment paper; bake 30 minutes. Let cool completely in pan before removing sides and slicing into three horizontal layers. Layer vanilla cream filling between sponge layers, then cover top and sides of cake with remaining filling and sliced almonds.

5. Peanut Butter Pie — Disney Cruise Line

• 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped stiff
• 1 baked 8- inch pie shell
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter

With an electric mixer, blend the peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the melted butter to peanut butter mixture, then fold in whipped cream. Pour into the baked pie shell and refrigerate for 1 hour.

For the ganache: in a saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to a boil. Remove from heat and fold in chocolate until no streaks of white remain. Cool unto lukewarm, then glaze pie. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

6. Grand Marnier Soufflé — Celebrity Cruises

Pastry Cream

• 1 vanilla bean
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 1/2 oz granulated sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 2 oz cornstarch
• 4 oz Grand Marnier

Vanilla Creme Anglaise (Sauce)

• 2 oz granulated sugar

Almond Tuile

• 1/2 oz granulated sugar
• 1/2 fluid oz fresh orange juice
• 1 oz all-purpose flour
• 1 oz unsalted butter
• 1/2 oz sliced almonds

Soufflé Mix

• 16 oz egg whites
• 3 oz granulated sugar
• As needed butter

Mango and Garnish

• 4 oz mango (diced 1/4 inch and marinated in Grand Marnier)
• 6 tsp candied orange zest
• As desired powdered sugar
• As desired mint leaves

For the pastry cream, cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and remove the paste. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, vanilla bean paste, and half the granulated sugar to boiling. In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the other half of the granulated sugar and the cornstarch, then add to the milk slowly, cooking and stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add Grand Marnier.

For the vanilla creme anglaise, cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, vanilla bean, and half of the sugar to boiling. In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks with the other half of the granulated sugar, then add to the milk slowly, cooking and stirring continuously for 1 minute.

For the almond tuile, grease the baking paper. In a medium mixing bowl, stir all the almond tuile ingredients together until the batter is well mixed. Place in the fridge. Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit.

Spread the batter on the greased baking paper with a spatula. Bake until golden brown. Cut rectangular shapes 1/2 inch by 2 inches. When cool, put in an airtight container.

For the soufflé mix, preheat oven to 450 degrees fahrenheit. Grease ceramic dishes with butter, and sprinkle with granulated sugar. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add to the warm pastry cream.

To serve, fill up half the height of the dish with the pastry cream mixture. Place the diced mango on top, then add more cream on top. Bake at 450 degrees fahrenheit for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and dust with powdered sugar. Decorate with mint leaves, candied orange zest, and almond tuile. Serve with vanilla creme anglaise.

READ MORE:  How to Make Carnival’s Signature Spaghetti Carbonara [RECIPE]

7. Kahlua Crème Brûlée — Royal Caribbean

This recipe serves 6.

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 shot Kahlua
• Brown sugar
• Fresh berries
• Mint leaves

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a saucepan over medium heat, slowly bring cream to a boil. In a mixing bowl, combine egg yolks and sugar and beat until mixture is lemon colored. Place over simmering water and beat until mixture has doubled in volume, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and keep whisking to cool it down. Slowly stir hot cream and Kahlua into egg mixture. Using a fine sieve, strain into a bowl set over ice to quickly chill the mixture.

Pour mixture into individual molds set in a shallow pan or baking dish. Pour water into the pan until it is halfway up the sides of the molds and bake for 40 minutes. Evenly sprinkle top with brown sugar and place under broiler or use a pastry blow torch to heat sugar until it turns brown and bubbles. Let set for a few minutes, then garnish with berries and mint.

Tip: Set the crème brûlée molds in a shallow pan or baking dish and place in the oven. Then pour warm water around the molds. This helps avoid spilling water on the floor or into the custard when placing the pan in the oven.

8. Flourless Chocolate Cake — Viking Cruises

Viking’s website says that “this dense moist cake is like a giant chocolate truffle—crunchy on top with a deliciously fudgy center.” I have actually eaten this on a Viking cruise myself, and to me it was like a cross between a chocolate bar and a cake. VERY dense but it was delicious and if I hadn’t had it at the end of the cruise for the first time, I definitely would have ordered it more than once. This recipe makes 8 servings.

• 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1¼ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup walnuts, ground
• ¾ cup walnuts, chopped
• ¾ cup heavy cream, whipped
• ¼ cup chocolate shavings
• 1 cup raspberries or raspberry sauce

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch springform pan with a small amount of butter. Melt chocolate in a microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is fully melted and smooth; set aside.

Combine cocoa, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and continue beating until mixture is pale and creamy, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add chocolate; beat until just blended. Fold in ground walnuts, chopped walnuts and cocoa mixture.

Pour into prepared pan and bake until cooked through, about 35 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Run a small knife around edges of springform pan before releasing cake. Serve at room temperature, topping with one or more garnishes to taste.

9. Bread and Butter Pudding — Holland America

• 1.5 pounds good-quality day-old sliced white bread, crust trimmed and slices cut into cubes
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 quart whole milk
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 3 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup raisins
• confectioner’s sugar for sprinkling

Note: Try soaking the raisins in a little rum or cognac for 30 minutes before adding them. Or instead of raisins, substitute dried cherries or chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 8 12-ounce ramekins or a 9×13-inch baking dish. Have on hand a roasting pan large enough to hold the ramekins or baking dish, and line it with a folded kitchen towel.

Place bread cubes in a bowl. Drizzle and toss with the melted butter. Spread out on a baking sheet and toast in the oven, stirring once, until lightly golden, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Custard sauce: In a saucepan, bring milk to simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk whole eggs, egg yolks and sugar until blended. Gradually whisk in hot milk. Stir in vanilla.

Divide half the bread cubes among prepared ramekins or layer in prepared baking dish. Top with half the raisins. Cover with remaining bread cubes and raisins. Ladle custard evenly over bread cubes and raisins. Let stand until some custard is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Bring a large kettle of water to boil. Place ramekins or baking dish in roasting pan and transfer to oven. Add enough boiling water to reach halfway up the side of ramekins or baking dish. Bake pudding in over for 45 minutes or until puffed and just set.

Carefully remove roasting pan from oven and remove cooking dish(es). Let cool slightly and serve while still warm, sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar.

10. Cotton Candy Milkshake — Disney Cruise Line

• 3 scoops Cotton Candy Explosion ice cream from Bruster’s (or substitute with your favorite sweet flavored gelato or ice cream like Bubble Gum or Blueberry and add a handful of Nerds candy)
• 2 cups liquid vanilla shake mix (can also just use milk with a dash of vanilla extract — play around with amounts of milk)
• Strawberry jam
• Whipped cream
• Cotton candy
• Prepare the cup with strawberry jam inside.
• Blend ice cream and shake mix (or milk and vanilla) until smooth.
• Pour milkshake into cup and top with whipped cream, sprinkles and cotton candy.

BONUS: Warm Chocolate Melting Cake — Carnival Cruise Line

We’ve actually done an entire post on this recipe, which you can find here.

We also have a video on how to make it — watch below!

Pin it for later!

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9 best cruise ship desserts to tempt you at sea

You can keep your Champagne and your fancy steak . My simple pleasure on cruise ships is dessert.

No matter what time of day it is, there's always a cookie at the buffet or a beautiful display of ship-made gelato calling my name. Sometimes I promise to take only one nibble of the berry crumble or New York cheesecake then put my fork down, but I always end up going back for a second, third and fourth bite.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Whether it's a Thomas Keller's dark chocolate layer cake on Seabourn or soft-serve ice cream layered on a dark chocolate cookie from Carnival's deli counter, I have been known to succumb often to amazing cruise ship desserts.

So when I tell you that the following sweet treats are the best desserts you can find at sea, you've gotta believe me. After all, I've sampled a large swath of the sugary competition.

Best Carnival cruise dessert: Chocolate melting cake

Carnival Cruise Line is rightly known for its signature cruise dessert: the chocolate melting cake. It's a simple dark chocolate cake that's warm and runny in the center and crisp on top, served in a small ramekin alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's a mere five-ingredient dessert with no fancy baking techniques, yet where other lines fail to reach perfection, Carnival executes the dish flawlessly. Every. Single. Time.

Even better (or worse?), it's on the menu every night. You can't avoid it.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Best Holland America cruise dessert: Not-so-classic Baked Alaska

Baked Alaska is a cruise ship staple. Carnival even parades its version around the dining room, complete with dancing waiters. Normally, I run hot and cold on this dessert option because it often looks better than it tastes. However, Holland America takes this classic dish up a notch with its unique version of Baked Alaska that features Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream and bing cherries jubilee sauce. Served exclusively in the Pinnacle Grill specialty restaurant, it's the perfect dish for a cruise line that blends tradition with a touch of modern flair.

Best Regent Seven Seas Cruises dessert: Caramel popcorn sundae

Do you like a flavor profile that's a little bit salty and a little bit sweet? Then head straight to Prime 7 for what many consider to be Regent Seven Seas Cruises' best dessert: the caramel popcorn sundae. Nestled together in a martini-style glass, scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream are topped with bourbon caramel, dark chocolate sauce, whipped cream, salted peanuts and caramel popcorn. Now that's a ball game you can take me out to any day of the week.

Related: The best meals you can have at sea

Best Disney cruise desserts: Palo's chocolate souffle

Yes, this is a warm chocolate dessert served in a ramekin. But Disney Cruise Line's famous chocolate souffle is not a lava cake like Carnival's melting cake. It's fully cooked with a moist but not runny interior. It's served with vanilla sauce poured into the center of the souffle rather than vanilla ice cream on the side. It is nothing short of delicious, and it's served at Disney's adults-only upscale Italian restaurant Palo (found on select ships).

Personally, I prefer molten cakes to souffle, but this dessert makes the list for my mom because Disney Cruise Line 's chefs can make the dessert gluten-free with advance notice. There's a shortage of standout flourless desserts out on the high seas, so this one is a must-eat.

Best Royal Caribbean cruise dessert: Fried cheesecake

I fully admit I have never eaten at Royal Caribbean 's fancy restaurant 150 Central Park. My vote for the line's best dessert would be Playmaker's Campfire Cookie (a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie baked in cast-iron skillet with layers of s'mores-style marshmallows, paired with a side of ice cream and a shot of milk).

However, I realize that not everyone prefers chocolate in their dessert. The non-chocolate dish everyone raves about is 150 Central Park's unique take on cheesecake. Instead of layering the sweet, cheesy filling onto a graham cracker crust, Royal Caribbean's chefs roll it into balls and deep fries them. Think: state fair meets foodie flair. Totally worth the cover charge.

Related: 5 reasons you should splurge on a cruise ship specialty restaurant

Best Silversea cruise dessert: Grand Marnier souffle

Luxury cruise and culinary expert Janice Wald Henderson casts her vote for the Grand Marnier souffle at Silversea Cruises' gourmet French restaurant, La Dame. It's so completely baked to order that the "servers rush it to the table while it's still quivering." She loves the dish's crusty, slightly skinned top and custard-like interior.

As we've established, souffles aren't my jam, but if they're yours, be prepared to fork over some serious cash to get yourself on a Silversea cruise STAT.

Best Azamara cruise dessert: Chocolate buffet

Now back to something more up my alley: Azamara 's chocolate buffet. On buffet night, make sure to save your appetite for the smorgasbord of cakes, cookies, truffles, confections and chocolate fountains. You don't want to limit yourself to just one taste. It's a hedonistic evening and you'll be shoulder to shoulder with your shipmates as you heap your plates high with sugar. However, just like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, you might experience a chocolate hangover the next morning, so plan for a lunch full of nice, leafy, green vegetables.

Best MSC Cruises dessert: Gelato

You don't have to go all the way to Italy for a taste of sweet, creamy gelato. Hop on board an MSC Cruises ship in the Caribbean and indulge in a frozen treat that's — dare I say it? — better than ice cream. TPG cruise reporter Ashley Kosciolek recommends the coconut, stracciatella (chocoalate chip) and salted toffee flavors from her MSC Seashore sailing, but the line also serves up my personal favorite, gianduiotto (chocolate-hazelnut) and fruit sorbets. It's your taste of Italian heaven in a Caribbean tropical paradise — and that's a sweet, sweet way to indulge on vacation.

Best Celebrity Cruises dessert: Meyer lemon tart

When I told my husband that I passed over a chocolate pie for a lemon tart at Eden Restaurant on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Beyond, he nearly fell on the floor. When I said it might be one of the best desserts I've eaten on a cruise ship, he said, "Who are you and what did you do with my wife?"

If you don't know Meyer lemons, they're a sweeter version of the tangy citrus fruit that's perfectly suited as a dessert ingredient. Eden's version pairs the lemons with sweet lavender cream and huckleberries on top of a chunky graham cracker crust. One bite and I truly felt like I had arrived in dessert paradise.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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50Th Bday Cruise Ship Cake

I made this cake for my aunt's 50th birthday party. She and her husband are going on a cruise to celebrate her birthday, so they requested a cruise themed cake for the party! The ship is rice krispy treats :)

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12 Themed Cruises You Should Have On Your Radar In 2024

T aking a cruise is an experience unlike anything else. Days at sea on a ship full of entertainment and relaxation make for a fantastic vacation. But what if you want even more from your cruise? A theme might be what's missing. In addition to all the usual cruise experiences, themed cruises allow fans of a particular artist, lifestyle, hobby (or even animal), to celebrate their passion on the high seas with activities, events, surprises, and sometimes special guests.

There are dozens of themed cruises on offer each year, usually hosted by major cruise lines like Norwegian , Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. But don't let their numbers fool you. According to  Business Insider , themed cruises are rapidly climbing in popularity, and some trips are selling out in record time. That means it's important to find your dream-themed cruise and reserve your tickets as early as possible.

Fortunately, even if they're sold out, most themed cruises will let you join a waiting list, so there's still hope! Here are 12 themed cruises that will set sail in 2024 and are well worth boarding, either now or the next time they hit the high seas.

Read more: Under-The-Radar Beaches You Need To Visit In The Caribbean

The Emo's Not Dead Cruise

If you truly know it's not a phase, the Emo's Not Dead Cruise is perfect for you. Gather with fellow emo fans for four days (and nights) of concerts, activities, and even a private party at Great Stirrup Kay in the Bahamas. Over a dozen bands will perform, including Yellowcard, Senses Fail, and Armor for Sleep. Alongside themed activities like a masquerade ball, cruisegoers can also enjoy surprisingly cheerful activities like a bellyflop competition in the ship's pool.

The first Emo's Not Dead cruise was in 2022. Cruisegoer and emo fan TheReelChris shared highlights on  YouTube , calling it "EPIC." Fans in the comments section agree, with Schecterplayer92 adding, "This was one of the best experiences of my life." With a killer lineup and entertaining activities scheduled, it seems like Emo's Not Dead 2024 will also be a rad experience. The cruise will be hosted on the Norwegian Pearl, leaving from Miami on February 26 and returning on March 1, 2024. But what would an emo-related cruise be without a little sadness? Unfortunately, the cruise is already sold out. If you're interested, you can  sign up for the waiting list  and hope.

Meow Meow Cruise

Some of us know that no matter how great a vacation might be, cats would make it even better. Meow Meow Cruise has solved that problem. While guests unfortunately aren't allowed to bring their own furry friends aboard Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady, the four-day cruise will give them their feline fix in plenty of other ways. 

Activities include cat-themed trivia and a scavenger hunt. But the best part may be communing with fellow cat people (many of whom stroll around the ship wearing cat ears). You'll also be able to mingle with real cats -- one of 2024's ports of call is Key West, where you'll find the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum and its community of about 60 friendly polydactyl kitties, many of them descended from one of the author's own pets.

It's hard to find reviews for Meow Meow Cruise, but the fact that this themed cruise has been going on annually since 2015 speaks for itself. The 2024 Meow Meow Cruise sets sail from Miami on February 21, with a return date of February 25. Tickets are still available, but to be sure you don't miss out, consider booking right now.

In My Cruise Era

Sure, cruises are great — and cruising is a multi-billion dollar industry — but is anything more popular than Taylor Swift? For those who can't imagine anyone saying "no" to that question, there's no better cruise than In My Cruise Era. While not officially affiliated with Taylor Swift, this themed cruise is a passionate fan homage. Swifties will be able to dress up in their favorite Taylor-inspired looks, exchange friendship bracelets, perform their idol's songs during karaoke sessions, and more. We're also guessing there will be of lots impromptu song breaks throughout the ship from Taylor's extensive catalog.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas will host this cruise, which sets sail from Miami on October 21, 2024 -- which, as People Magazine points out, is one day after the Eras Tour will be in the city. Fans lucky enough to attend the concert can continue their Taylor euphoria for four more days on the high seas. Since this is a new themed cruise, there aren't any reviews, but based on the positive fan vibes from Eras Tour concerts and movie viewings, among other events, we're guessing it's going to be a great time for Swifties. Swifties must agree, since the cruise is already sold out. Cancellations do happen, though, so hopeful fans can join the waiting list.  Contact the cruise's organizers to sign up.

Disney's Halloween On The High Seas

Go on just about any cruise-related blog or website and you'll see that Disney Cruise Line's Halloween-themed cruise, officially called Halloween on the High Seas, is a popular favorite. As you probably expect from Disney, this themed cruise is perfect for a family vacation , so it's not too scary. The cruise is hosted on multiple Disney Cruise Line ships, and each one is decorated with the care and attention to detail you'll find in most Disney-related enterprises. The Pumpkin Tree is the highlight of the decor, with pumpkins that eventually appear on its branches and transform into lit and unlit jack o'lanterns.

Halloween on the High Seas also features Halloween activities (including a trick-or-treating night) and exclusive Halloween-themed desserts. Disney cruises in general are known for their opportunities to meet the studio's beloved characters, and during the Halloween on the High Seas cruises, some of those characters are in costume. Notably, Disney Cruise Line's official site tells us, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow will be dressed as the Sanderson Sisters -- who wouldn't want to see that? 

This magical mixture of whimsy, fun, and exclusive opportunities is the perfect way to cast a spell on Disney fans of all ages. Luckily, Halloween on the High Seas is held during a number of different times in September and October, so you and your family should be able to find a place on board!

The Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise

Sure, Hallmark Channel Christmas movies might be a little on the cheesy side, but let's be honest: lots of us dream of being in one in real life. You can get a little of the real-life Hallmark movie experience by visiting some of the movies' filming locations , but now there's a way to have an even more immersive experience: The Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise.

Passengers will get to meet Hallmark Channel movie stars, attend panels and photo ops, and get to see a new Hallmark Christmas movie before its world premiere. Maybe best of all, passengers can take part in lots of Hallmark Christmas movie-inspired activities, including tree lighting and cookie decorating -- all while wearing their favorite ugly Christmas sweaters.

2024 is the first year of the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise. It was originally intended to be just one cruise, but a second one was added after the first one sold out. As of now, two Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruises are scheduled for 2024. Both go from Miami to the Bahamas and back and last four days in November. ... And both are sold out. But Christmas is a time of miracles, so if a Hallmark Channel Christmas experience on the high seas sounds like your dream come true, sign up for the waiting list as soon as you can!

Hurtigruten Northern Lights Cruises

Themed cruises are often about fandoms and hobbies. But Norway-based cruise line Hurtigruten offers a themed cruise that's about something even bigger: the Northern Lights . There are several Northern Lights-themed cruises out there, including some luxurious options by Cunard. Unfortunately, the Northern Lights aren't always visible, but Hurtigruten stands out by offering a Northern Lights Promise for cruises scheduled between September 26 and March 31 and lasting longer than 11 days. If the Northern Lights aren't visible during your cruise, they'll give you another one. So if you're serious about seeing the Aurora Borealis, this is the company to choose.

The Northern Lights are the focus of Hurtigruten's eponymous cruises, but there are also other things to do on board, including scientific lectures and photography lessons. There are excursions, too -- notably a dog sledding option. Passengers who've taken one of Hurtigruten's cruises unanimously praise the stunning fjords and landscapes you can admire from the ship and during excursions, not to mention their experiences of seeing the Northern Lights. Some warn that the ships aren't as luxurious or modern as many other cruise ships, primarily because Hurtigruten's ships are also functional vessels intended to transport and deliver mail to various points on the Norwegian coast. Still,  Cruise Critic reviewers like cmolaison praise the friendly crew, the surprising level of comfort, and the "stunning vistas" you'll see, saying he and his family "highly recommend" taking a Hurtigruten cruise.

Cruise & Crop Crafting Cruises

If the perfect vacation for you is a combination of R&R and crafting, you're in luck! There are several crafting-themed cruises. One of the most popular is organized by Cruise & Crop, with ships around the world hosting different crafting- and arts-themed trips. This makes them the most accessible themed cruises on our list, with different price ranges, departure points, itineraries, and ports of call. One thing all crafting cruises have in common, though, is groups of like-minded people exploring their creativity amid the other joys of cruising.

For instance, one of Crop & Cruise's 2024 offerings is a Mexican Riviera cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, featuring scrapbooking and other papercraft classes taught by artist Barb Warne. The ship departs from Los Angeles on April 19, returning April 26. Many Cruise & Crop cruises sell out quickly, so if this idea has sparked both your wanderlust and your creativity, be sure to check their list of 2024 cruises and reserve as soon as you can.

Star Trek: The Cruise

For seven days and nights every year, thousands of Star Trek fans gather to be a part of a fandom extravaganza at sea. Star Trek: The Cruise is an experience that features celebrities aboard (2024's guests include LeVar Burton and Wil Wheaton, among many others), costume and cosplay events, and lots of fun activities. 

But what makes Star Trek: The Cruise truly unique is that audience participation is very much encouraged. Passengers and celebrity guests are all considered the crew of one great, big, intergalactic vessel. Passengers get to interact with the guest stars in events like karaoke battles, and stars share parts of their earthly lives with Q&A sessions and even glimpses at other projects they may be involved in.

The first Star Trek: The Cruise was held in 2017 and since then it's been a fan favorite. Star Wars and cruising aficionado Aaron Bossig writes on  Trek Movie.com that many fans go on the cruise every year, and proudly wear t-shirts from the previous ones. He calls Star Trek: The Cruise "an extra special convention experience." 2024's edition will be held on the Mariner of the Seas, departing from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 22 and returning on February 29.

Literature Festival At Sea

Once a year, aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2, passengers can mingle with writers, poets, journalists, and critics in a full-blown literary festival in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Literature Festival at Sea invites writers in all genres to host round table discussions, participate in Q&As revolving around their work and areas of expertise, host workshops, and converse with passengers.

Whether passengers want to participate as much as possible or just attend a few events, the Festival seems to be an excellent addition to a typical Queen Mary 2 voyage. On TripAdvisor , passenger Artemis C writes of her experience at a previous Literature Festival at Sea that "the whole week was a joy". 

2024's lineup features crime novelists, journalists, historians, and more, for what's sure to be a fascinating week of discussion and discovery. If you'd like to combine an elegant transatlantic cruise and a literary experience, 2024's Literature Festival at Sea will take place from November 13-20, departing from Southampton, U.K., and arriving in New York. Cunard has also launched an Australian Literature Festival at Sea, scheduled from December 11-16, 2024, on the Queen Elizabeth, which departs from and returns to Sydney. 

Chefs Making Waves

Many cruise lines are proud of their food offerings. Some cruises feature dishes created by world-famous chefs, and others even host food and wine festivals. But no culinary cruise event seems quite as, well, fun, as Chefs Making Waves. This culinary-themed cruise will set sail for the first time in 2024. Onboard will be a number of beloved celebrity chefs, including Anne Burrell and the Cake Boss himself, Buddy Valastro. Cooking demos and, of course, food tastings of all kinds (including sit-down meals, desserts, and street food) are on the menu. Best of all, Chefs Making Waves is an all-inclusive cruise, so everyone can eat and drink without having to pay extra!

There will be all of the usual cruise-related fun, from swimming to excursions, to help you work up an appetite. There will also be unique games, with some of the chefs participating in events like bingo and a celebrity chef sing-off. If this sounds like an awesome cruise, you're not the only one who feels that way. Chefs Making Waves will take place from March 25-29, departing from Miami with excursions in Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas ... and it's already sold out. But you can still  sign up for the waiting list . With a little luck, you'll be able to enjoy this delicious, themed cruise experience.

Soul Train Cruise

Imagine a festival with a lineup featuring some of the best soul and R&B acts of all time. Now imagine it's on a relaxing cruise ship. This dream is actually reality -- it's called the Soul Train Cruise. The popular themed cruise will be celebrating its 11th year in 2024 and the lineup is on fire. Dozens of groups and artists will perform, including The Temptations, Boyz II Men, and En Vogue. Passengers can also learn how to dance like people did back in the old school days of Soul Train's TV show, with lessons from some of the show's actual dancers. There will also be wine tastings, Q&A's, comedy shows, and a lot more.

With all of this on offer, it's no surprise that the Soul Train Cruise is sold out. But sign up on the waiting list and keep your calendar free from January 27-February 3, and you may get lucky. If you do, the cruise leaves from Fort Lauderdale, with ports of call in Tortola (British Virgin Islands) and St. Maarten.

The Gothic Cruise

The Gothic Cruise is an annual event held on an ordinary cruise ship. Goths mingle with "norms" but have their own private events on board, mostly DJ sets and concerts. There's also a masquerade ball, with Goths decked out in their finest Victorian-style garb ... as long as it meets ship safety requirements, that is. The cruise's website specifies that simulated weapons aren't allowed and notes that hoop skirts are fine for the ball but not in the ship's dining areas, "due to the close proximity of the tables". And yet, the Goth community thrives on these cruises -- and even gains norm fans along the way. 

In a Porthole Magazine article about the Gothic Cruise, longtime attendee Spike Pittman says that many mainstream passengers are wary of the Goths at first, "But by the end they're begging to get into our private events." Some even book their future cruises to coincide with the Gothic Cruise, even if they don't plan on attending every event. 

The Gothic Cruise has been held since 1989. Cruising doesn't seem very Goth, but in the end, the article points out, it comes down to what all themed cruises offer: a sense of community (in this case, one that often stays up all night and sleeps during the day). If this moves your little black heart, the 2024 Gothic Cruise will be held on the Norwegian Escape (but book through the Gothic Cruise's website for private event access), departing from Orlando on March 2, and returning March 9.

Read the original article on Explore .