themed cruises 2024

Protect Your Trip »

The 18 best themed cruises for 2024 and 2025.

From Christmas to Comic-Con, there's a themed cruise for you.

The Best Themed Cruises

Kent Phillips | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Grab your costumes, musical instruments, books or anything else you could need for a fun themed cruise.

Imagine boarding a cruise ship to find hundreds – or even thousands – of your shipmates share the very same passions and interests that you do. You're thinking of a themed cruise.

Like a traditional cruise, a themed cruise delivers everything you'd expect of a shipboard vacation, like sundrenched ports, sparkling blue waters and superb dining amid lush surroundings, but instead of a daily program filled with trivia, bingo, dance lessons and pickleball tournaments, you'll find myriad activities geared specifically to the sailing's theme – and plenty of like-minded people to share them with.

Below, you'll find some of the top themed cruises for 2024 and 2025. Be sure to book soon, as these voyages can sell out quickly.

Book a cruise on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Best Music-Themed Cruises

Best holiday cruises, best star trek cruises, best literary cruises, best culinary cruises, best sports-themed cruises, cayamo, a journey through song: march 1-8, 2024.

In its 16th year, Cayamo celebrates music of all genres. The 2024 voyage brings Lyle Lovett, Billy Bragg and Shawn Colvin together with more than two dozen acts aboard Norwegian Pearl . This themed cruise sails from Miami to the Dominican Republic and Aruba while offering songwriting sessions, open jams, autograph opportunities and more. In addition to full concerts, cruisers can count on memorable collaborations and onboard performances crafted specifically for this weeklong musical celebration. Though this music-themed cruise is currently full, interested travelers can join the waitlist on Cayamo's website .

The Broadway Cruise 2: March 13-18, 2024

The Great White Way relocates from the Big Apple to Miami , with stops in Key West, Florida , and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands , during this musical salute to Broadway. Join actors – including Norm Lewis, Christian Borle and Kerry Butler – as well as composers, choreographers, journalists and critics for five nights of performances, workshops and panel discussions aboard Norwegian Pearl.

Flower Power Cruise: March 21-28, 2024

Hop aboard Celebrity Summit for a celebration of the stars and music of the 1960s, hosted by Peter & Gordon's Peter Asher. The Rascals, Tommy James & the Shondells, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, John Lodge of the Moody Blues, John Kay of Steppenwolf, The Box Tops and The Grassroots are just part of the stellar lineup of classic rockers sailing from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico , and St. Croix on the seventh annual Flower Power Cruise. Visit the Flower Power Cruise website to join the waitlist.

On the Blue: April 5-10, 2024

Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues hosts this five-night celebration of classic rock aboard Norwegian Pearl, filled with full concerts, late-night jams, Q&A sessions with the artists, photo ops, meet-and-greets and themed nights. The Zombies, Alan Parsons, Al Stewart, Little River Band and more join Hayward as Norwegian Pearl sails from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic , and Nassau, Bahamas . VIP packages that include priority concert seating, a goody bag filled with themed merchandise and access to a special artist cocktail party are available.

The Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle Cruise: April 10-13, 2024

In 1986, Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle teamed up to record what would become a No. 1 smash hit: "On My Own," written and produced by Burt Bachrach and his then-wife Carole Bayer Sager. Now, McDonald and LaBelle reunite – this time, at sea – for a three-night event filled with musical performances. Hosted by Grammy Award winner Marcus Miller, this soulful voyage also features comedians George Wallace and Alonzo Bodden along with a cast of award-winning musicians and vocalists to keep the party going. This cruise sails from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, aboard Norwegian Pearl.

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Halloween on the High Seas: Mid-September to October 2024

It's a spooky time aboard four of Disney Cruise Line's ships – Disney Magic , Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish – during its Halloween sailings. Dress up and join Disney characters for Halloween parties, themed food and beverages, eerie arts and crafts, creepy decor and other special events. Featured Halloween itineraries for 2024 sail to destinations in the eastern and western Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas.

Hallmark Christmas Cruise: November 5-9 and November 17-21, 2024

Hallmark Channel stars bring Christmas magic to life on this festive celebration at sea aboard the Norwegian Gem . Sailing from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, the cruise includes Christmas cookie decorating, ugly sweater contests and Christmas "carol-oke" among its planned activities. Each voyage culminates in the world premiere of a new Hallmark Channel "Countdown to Christmas" movie. Head to the Hallmark Christmas Cruise website to join the waitlist.

Very Merrytime: November and December 2024

Get in the holiday spirit with Disney Cruise Line 's Very Merrytime sailings, available on Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. Join in for a jolly fusion of shipboard decor and holiday-themed entertainment, including Christmas tree lightings, meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, a holiday deck show and more. Very Merrytime's 2024 itineraries explore ports throughout the Bahamas and the western Caribbean.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Star Trek: The Cruise: February 22-29, 2024

Board Royal Caribbean International for the best cruise experience in the galaxy on Mariner of the Seas . Sailing to Curacao and Aruba from Port Canaveral, you'll join Star Trek actors Walter Koenig, Levar Burton, Garrett Wang and nearly two dozen others as you're beamed into themed shows, events, parties and actor-hosted shore adventures. Each night of the cruise celebrates a different dimension of the Star Trek experience and, since the cruise's debut in 2017, guests have knocked it out of the park with show-stopping costumes.

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Literature Festival at Sea: November 13-20, 2024

Cross the Atlantic surrounded by authors, poets, journalists, critics, historians and book lovers aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2 as she sails from Southampton, England, to New York City . With discussions, master classes, book signings and special events, this ocean-going book festival, coordinated by The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, features authors Mark Billingham, Denise Mina and Chris Brookmyre, with more guest speakers and participants still to be announced. This special program is open to all guests sailing this particular Cunard Line crossing and need not be booked through an outside themed cruise organizer.

Comic-Con: The Cruise: February 5-9, 2025

A thrilling new entry into the themed cruise universe, San Diego Comic-Con and Entertainment Cruise Productions team up for Comic-Con: The Cruise. Participants will interact with Comic-Con icons – including the comic book world's leading actors, creators, authors and more – as they sail on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas from Tampa to Cozumel. While the specific talent lineup will not be revealed until early November, fans can expect nonstop activities on board, including hosted tastings, trivia sessions, parties, cosplay events, and autograph and photo sessions.

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises S.A.L.T. (All Sailings)

Sometimes, you'll find a theme built right into a standard cruise experience – like Silversea's S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste), an immersive multipronged culinary program created by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine. Aboard Silversea's newest ships, Silver Nova, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn , S.A.L.T. celebrates the region guests are sailing through on their particular voyage. Cruisers will find a dedicated restaurant featuring local specialties; a bar offering the area's wines, beers and cocktails; hands-on cooking classes that show guests how to create their favorite local dishes at home; and an intensive program of culinary programs on shore.

Chefs Making Waves: March 25-29, 2024

Award-winning chefs Andrew Zimmern, Aaron Sanchez, Anne Burrell, Marcus Samuelsson, Robert Irvine, Michael Symon and more indulge you in culinary excellence on this four-night voyage from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, aboard Norwegian Pearl. Guests can expect cooking demos, in-depth master classes, culinary panels and, best of all, four meticulously designed sit-down dinners curated by these master chefs who have reshaped the American food scene.

Sara Moulton Cruise: May 18-June 1, 2024

Oceania Cruises, creator of the decadent onboard Dom Perignon Dinner, celebrates dining with sailings featuring leading names in the culinary arts. In May 2024, chef, cookbook author and TV personality Sara Moulton leads food demonstrations and special shore excursions during a 14-day sailing from Barcelona to Rome aboard Marina .

Claudine Pepin Cruise: July 17-31, 2024

Known for its commitment to all things culinary, Oceania Cruises hosts another foodie voyage in July 2024. Claudine Pepin, TV host and daughter of world-renowned Master Chef Jacques Pepin, conducts culinary-themed demonstrations and chats aboard Sirena on a sailing from Reykjavik, Iceland , to Hamburg, Germany , over 14 days.

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Cleveland Browns Fan Cruise: March 11-16, 2024

Celebrate all things Browns during a five-day sailing from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, and Falmouth, Jamaica, aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas . Dozens of Browns alumni will share insider secrets with guests and join in experiences that include special dinners; a deep dive into the past, present and future of the team; autograph sessions; beach parties and more.

Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco: May 20-27, 2025

Arrive for Formula One festivities aboard Windstar Cruises' Wind Surf, the world's largest sailing yacht. Cruisers will receive a themed gift package containing earplugs, binoculars, a seat cushion and more to enjoy the exhilaration of watching Monte Carlo's Grand Prix du Monde from a premier grandstand seat in Monaco . You'll enjoy two days of Formula One time trials and racing, as well as exclusive access to events like a Prix du Monde-themed cocktail reception. This experience is hosted by a Formula One expert who will provide behind-the-scenes insights, answer questions and participate in discussions throughout the sailing.

2025 British Isles Golf Cruise: July 15-July 28, 2025

In partnership with Perry Golf, Azamara hosts a number of golf cruises throughout the year. This is the big one: a sailing that includes attendance to the prestigious 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. You'll sail aboard Azamara Journey from Southampton, England, to Liverpool, England; Dublin ; Belfast, Ireland, and more, ending your cruise with three days in Edinburgh, Scotland . Travelers can count on playing six rounds of golf at well-known courses throughout the British Isles.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Judi Cuervo is a cruise enthusiast. Since her first cruise in 1976, she's been sailing aboard a wide array of cruises from mass market to expedition ships. Cuervo used her extensive cruise experience along with research skills to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List
• What to Wear on a Cruise
• The Best Party Cruises
• The Best Cruises for Teens
• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line

Tags: Travel , Cruises

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Best alaska tours.

Lyn Mettler April 16, 2024

The Best Fredericksburg Wine Tours

The Best Personal Item Bags

Rachael Hood April 16, 2024

The 17 Best Costa Rica Tours

Lyn Mettler April 12, 2024

Hard vs. Soft Luggage

Rachael Hood April 12, 2024

The Best Kauai Boat Tours

Lyn Mettler April 11, 2024

The Top-Rated NYC Food Tours

Ann Henson April 11, 2024

The Best Things to Do in Maine

Mariya Greeley and Nicola Wood April 10, 2024

The Best Pearl Harbor Tours

John Rodwan and Amanda Norcross April 9, 2024

The Best Pigeon Forge Dinner Shows

Korrin Bishop April 9, 2024

From country music to crafting: The best themed cruises for 2024

You come to hear the music, to pursue a hobby or to follow a celebrity. You return for the community of people sharing a common passion. Themed cruises offer the unique opportunity to find your people and explore the world with them — all while enjoying an incredible schedule of onboard activities and entertainment.

A themed cruise is a special-interest sailing based around interests and hobbies such as food and wine, sports, dancing, crafting, popular films and TV shows, lifestyles and music.

Sometimes, the themed event takes over the entire ship. Other times, the theme cruise organizer has its group join a regular itinerary but offers special events exclusive to participants.

First-time theme cruisers are lured by the chance to meet or listen to their favorite celebrities or to improve their skills in a favorite pastime. However, they often discover that the best part of a themed cruise is immersion in a community of like-minded individuals.

Themed cruises foster a warm, friendly atmosphere onboard where the conversation is easy because you begin with an established connection. Days and nights of shared interests and experiences on board can lead to meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.

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

What's better than being surrounded by your people, partying the night away and then retiring to your own private cabin that's just an elevator ride away? Not much — except perhaps encountering your celebrity crush at the ship's buffet, attending a no-holds-barred Q&A with your favorite actors or musicians, or taking a small-group class with a rising star.

From a country music cruise to a crafting masterclass, these are some of the best themed cruises coming up in the next year.

Note: As standard on all big-ship cruises, fares for themed cruises include several complimentary dining options. Alcohol and soda will cost extra, with package deals available depending on the cruise line and the charter company. Tours and excursions in port cost extra as well. Pricing is based on two people sharing a cabin.

Music-themed cruises

'70s rock and romance cruise 2024.

Cruise ship: Celebrity Summit. Date: March 14-21, 2024.

Billed as "the greatest feel-good party at sea," the '70s Rock and Romance Cruise returns in 2024 with a star-studded lineup of the grooviest acts at sea.

You'll find performances by famed music icons, including Foreigner, Randy Bachman of the Guess Who and Dave Mason. They'll also host events and attend special meet-and-greets. The top-tier music acts join a long lineup that will include War, Don McLean, Melissa Manchester and many more rock 'n' roll icons.

Pack your best leather jackets and disco sequins for the cruise's Saturday Night Fever and '70s costume parties.

Book soon because this cruise is selling out quickly. Find pricing and reservations on the Rock & Romance website .

Soul Train Cruise

Cruise ship: Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam. Date: Jan. 27-Feb.3, 2024.

People all over the ship, join hands! The Soul Train Cruise returns for its 11th sailing this January with more than 50 live performances from soul music legends.

This is your chance to join more than 2,000 soul music fans for a week filled with all the joy of those timeless tunes. This year's artist roster features soul music legends and tribute acts, including Boyz II Men, The Temptations, En Vogue, WAR, Stephanie Mills and Tower of Power.

When you're not boogying down on the dance floor, sign up for celebrity-hosted wine tastings, game shows and other activities. The cruise cabins are already sold out, but you can join the waitlist for the chance to sail on this hopping cruise.

Find pricing and booking information on the Soul Train Cruise website .

The Outlaw Country Cruise 8

Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl. Date: Feb. 4-10, 2024.

Boot scoot your way to the middle of the ocean for the eighth Outlaw Country Cruise, along with some of country music's greatest stars.

It's a honky-tonk week at sea as Blackberry Smoke, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Nikki Lane, Shinyribs, Kaitlin Butts, Drivin' N Cryin' and more join the ranks of musicians set to perform.

Expect plenty of hootin' and hollerin' during themed costume nights, meet-and-greets, game shows, a belly-flop competition and bingo games. The cruise is sold out, so join the waitlist for your chance to sail, or you'll be left two-stepping shoreside.

Reserve your spot on the Outlaw Country Cruise website .

Cayamo: A Journey Through Song

Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl. Date: March 1-8, 2024.

A listening experience at sea that offers remarkable proximity to some of the music industry's most-respected acts, Cayamo returns for its 16th edition of a week-long music festival sailing the Caribbean.

This cruise features more than two dozen musical acts that span decades of genres and musical styles. The musical lineup for 2024 is set to include Lyle Lovett, The Mavericks, Billy Bragg, Shawn Colvin, Lucius, The Lone Bellow, KT Tunstall and many more.

Cayamo's 2024 sailing is sold out. Join the waitlist for your chance to sail in 2024, along with your best chance at getting on the 2025 sailing. For pricing and waitlist information, visit the Cayamo website .

The Flower Power Cruise

Cruise ship: Celebrity Summit. Date: March 21-28, 2024.

Hippies have it good on the Flower Power Cruise as some of the greatest music legends of the late '60s and early '70s bring their groovy vibes to the sea.

Relive the glory days of peace, love and flowers in your hair on board this weeklong sailing.

The 2024 lineup includes The Rascals, Tommy James & The Shondells, John Kay of Steppenwolf, The Moody Blues' John Lodge, The Four Tops and others from that era.

Tribute bands will also play all the hits.

The cruise is currently sold out. However, there is a waitlist you can join.

Discover more themed cruises: Music cruises to set sail on the high seas

Film- and TV-themed cruises

Star trek: the cruise vii.

Cruise ship: Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas. Date: Feb. 22-29, 2024.

Sail long and prosper! Take the best of a sci-fi con, extend it for a week, add perfect tropical weather, and you have Star Trek: The Cruise VII.

Few franchises have fan bases as devoted as Star Trek's, and all their love for the series floats this cruise. The voyage is an immersive getaway with an impressive roster of cast members and creatives who have been a part of Star Trek since its inception.

This year's cruise welcomes fan favorites, including Levar Burton, Walter Koenig, Wil Wheaton, Denise Crosby, Anthony Rapp and Nana Visitor.

Join in the merry mayhem as these sci-fi legends offer dramatic performances, comedy shows, Q&As, screenings, interactive games and other events and activities that will make your days at sea fly by.

The upcoming cruise is selling out quickly, with limited availability. Beam on over to the Star Trek: The Cruise VII website for the latest pricing, availability and waitlists.

Golden Fans at Sea: The Golden Girls

Cruise ship: Celebrity Ascent. Date: Sept. 14-23, 2024.

Picture it: Sicily … 2024. That's right! You'll actually get to see Sophia Petrillo's birthplace. Golden Fans at Sea is changing things up from its recurring Gulf of Mexico cruise with a new itinerary in 2024 that has a port stop in Sicily.

What can be better? You'll cruise with hundreds of cheesecake-loving, caftan-draped Dorothys, Roses, Blanches and Sophias.

Not your grandmother's cruise as much as it's a cruise for those who love wise-cracking old broads, the Golden Fans at Sea is the ultimate getaway for the popular TV show's dedicated fan base.

Highlights of the cruise aren't released as of this writing. However, previous guests have included Stan Zimmerman, one of the creators and head writers of the series; Melinda McClanahan, Rue McClanahan's sister; and Marsha Posner Williams, a producer of The Golden Girls, who has many stories to share about her time working on the show.

Pricing information and a booking form for the special September 2024 Sicily cruise are on the Golden Fans at Sea website .

Themed cruises for hobbies and special interests

2024 gothic cruise.

Cruise ship: Norwegian Escape. Date: March 2-9, 2024.

A vacation for goths by goths, the Gothic Cruise is the first and original gothic cruise with a history that dates back to its inaugural group sailing in 1989.

Delightfully macabre, the 2024 Gothic Cruise is not a full-ship charter but a specialty group on board. Seek out group members at special theme nights set for 2024, including a masquerade ball and a "Saints vs. Sinners" costume party.

Find pricing and book your cabin on the Gothic Cruise website .

Bridge Holidays

Cruise ship: Regent's Seven Seas Voyager. Date: March 9-19, 2024.

If there ever were a place for bridge lovers to converge, why not on the decks of a cruise ship?

Find your people and then challenge them to a game of bridge as you glide from port to port. The bridge program on board is hosted by bridge experts Roberta Salob and Silvana Morici, with a mix of pair duplicate and Swiss team games.

This is not a full-ship charter, so you'll find your group at the many bridge events planned throughout the cruise.

Find pricing and reserve your cabin on the Bridge Holidays website .

JoCo Cruise

Cruise ship: Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam. Date: March 9-16, 2024.

A gamer's paradise in paradise, JoCo Cruise began in 2011 when singer/songwriter Jonathan Coulton's songs about geek culture fostered a community of capital "N" Nerds.

Join more than 2,000 gamers on a vacation where nearly every tabletop game invented is available to play. You'll have 24-hour access to a ton of games. Your daily planner will fill up quickly with the cruise's many workshops, craft sessions, panel discussions and themed parties.

One of the most unique aspects of this themed sailing is the passenger-led "Shadow Cruise," which allows the community to create and promote passenger-led workshops, training and special interest meet-ups.

You don't need to roll dice or solve a puzzle to book your spot. Just head over to the JoCo Cruise website for pricing and availability.

Cruise & Crop crafting cruises

Cruise ship: Multiple ships and itineraries. Dates: Multiple dates available.

Dream Vacations hosts the Cruise & Crop crafting cruises, with more than two dozen craft-themed cruises set to sail across various cruise lines and ships in the next few years.

These experiences offer the chance for people from around the world to meet, swap ideas, share art and inspire creativity. Many of the sailings are themed around scrapbooking. However, you'll find many shared artistic interests, including card making, quilting, knitting, jewelry and photography.

Find the complete list of sailings, featured crafts, pricing and reservation details on the Cruise & Crop website .

Sports-themed cruises

Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea

Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl. Date: Jan. 26-30, 2024.

Are you ready to rumble?! Rock 'n' roll and wrestling engulf Norwegian Pearl for four high-octane days of All Elite Wrestling matches, music concerts and many special events with your host, wrestler and musician Chris Jericho.

The ship's 2024 lineup hasn't been announced beyond special guest of honor, Paul Wight. However, expect many opportunities to engage with your favorite wrestlers, meet Chris Jericho and attend live podcast recordings.

The 2024 cruise is already sold out, with a waitlist available. Make sure to join the waitlist for the chance to join this sailing and to be among the first to know of future sailings. All the cruise details, including the waitlist signup, are on the Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea website .

Browns Fans Cruise, a Cleveland Browns cruise

Cruise ship: Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. Date: March 11-16, 2024.

It takes a special sports fanbase to inspire a cruise getaway, but Cleveland Browns fans have found their own.

The crowd at FirstEnergy Stadium takes to the open ocean for the first-ever, five-night Browns Fans Cruise. At least a dozen Browns legends will be on board, including Josh Cribbs, Ben Davis, Hanford Dixon, John Hughes, Reggie Langhorne, Kevin Mack, Eric Metcalf, Greg Pruitt, Frank Stams, Phil Taylor, Felix Wright and Dave Zastudil.

Revisit highlights from the team's victories, prove your devotion to the team through trivia and games, and get autographs from your favorite players.

Find out how much it will cost to score a cabin on the Browns Fan Cruise website .

Related: Fumble! I accidentally booked an NFL cruise -- for a team I don't even like

Azamara's PerryGolf cruises

Cruise ship : Multiple ships and itineraries. Dates: Multiple dates.

A few select itineraries on Azamara were made with the adventure golfer in mind. The cruise line has partnered with PerryGolf for its specialty golf cruises that visit more than 80 courses worldwide each year.

It's all about the convenience when you cruise on a golf-specific itinerary. PerryGolf handles your golf equipment and sets it up in advance so you can show up and tee off. Your green fees, cart fees and gratuities are covered, along with an on-course lunch and a round of drinks at the clubhouse after.

Back on the ship, you can trade tips and find your next golfing group at social gatherings of the golf enthusiasts on the ship.

Find sail dates and pricing on Azamara's website .

Bottom line

The list of specialty cruises goes far beyond the ones mentioned above.

In addition to one-off sailings hosted by travel agencies and themed-cruise companies, you can also find lifestyle-themed cruises offered by charter companies multiple times a year. These include LGBTQ charter cruises ; religious cruises for Jewish , Christian and Mormon travelers; and sex , swingers and nude cruises for adults.

Ultimately, no matter what floats your boat, you can probably find a cruise for it. Even if you're not an avid cruiser, an itinerary themed around your interests is worthwhile for both a fun getaway and a chance to connect with your people.

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
• Best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

• Enable Accessibility

• 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
• | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• View All Results
• Preferences
• Latitudes Rewards
• Special Offers
• Personalised Recommendations
• Make reservations before you cruise
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

• 00800 0310 21 21

Music Themed Cruises

Comedy themed cruises, sports themed cruises, other themed cruises, themed cruises.

• Email Sign Up For Special Offers
• Phone Let Us Call You

Experience themed cruises and cruise music festivals at sea designed to set the stage for moments that make life rock!

There's nothing out there that can beat the adventure, excitement and allure of a cruise holiday - except a themed cruise!

Enjoy the best in live entertainment whilst cruising on some of the most innovative ships at sea by booking one of these sailings. It'll prove to be the ultimate holiday experience. View the list of current offerings below for more information on how to book these cruises.

Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival | April 28 – May 8, 2024

MIAMI TO ST THOMAS Norwegian Breakaway

Experience an unforgettable ten-day party spree with Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival, as we set sail from Miami to the heart of St. Thomas' carnival season on April 28th, 2024! Dive into electrifying land festivals, climaxing with our "Unity Festival" at Crown Bay on May 5th. Witness global sensation Burna Boy, Morgan Heritage, DJ Puffy, and more!

The Utopia Carnival Cruise & Festival ushers a new era of entertainment tourism, serving up a broad and eclectic array of engaging events. As a nexus of multicultural festivities, Utopia Carnival affords guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in an unparalleled selection of music and entertainment choices. Experience the 2024 carnival thrill!

Salsa Cruise | November 1-5, 2024

Norwegian Gem

Miami to Nassau & Grand Stirrup Cay

Salsa Cruise is celebrating its 26th annual Salsa festival, and we want you to be part of this incredible experience! Sailing from Miami to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas on November 1 - 5, 2024 aboard Norwegian Gem.

Dance, sing, explore, relax, drink, and be ready to have fun! Enjoy different programmes onboard, including top salsa performances by Charlie Aponte, Luisito Carrion, and Josimar Fidel, live DJs, salsa dance workshops, comedians, and much more. You don't need to be a professional dancer; just be ready to have a blast and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Sail Across the Sun | February 13-17, 2025

MIAMI TO COZUMEL, MEXICO Norwegian Gem

Break out the bubbles and vino - and raise a full glass as we toast to a music-filled celebration at sea for Train's 8th Edition of Sail Across the Sun! Sailing February 13-17, 2025, from Miami to adventure-filled Cozumel, Mexico, aboard Norwegian Gem, this 4-day floating festival at sea brings together an incredible lineup of artists including Matt Nathanson, Yacht Rock Revue, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, The Dan Band, and more!

Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond | February 19-24, 2025

MIAMI – COZUMEL – COSTA MAYA Norwegian Pearl

The Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond is BACK for its 5th Anniversary sailing! Celebrate the Greatest Dance, Soul, Funk & Party Music Ever for five nights with over 40 live performances including Kool & the Gang, The Spinners, Shalamar, Tavares, Rose Royce, the Brothers Johnson, Lisa Lisa, The Legendary Blue Notes, and many more.

Join us as you dance back to everyone's favourite era of music where Norwegian Pearl will be transformed into a floating dance club!

Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea X | March 21-26, 2025

MIAMI TO HARVEST CAYE, BELIZE AND COSTA MAYA, MEXICO Norwegian Gem

The BIGGEST BLUES ROCK PARTY AT SEA just got even BIGGER! To celebrate 10 incredible years, Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea will be sailing for FIVE FULL DAYS in 2025 with some of the best live music in the world. Join your fellow blues community and our host, Joe Bonamassa, with an ALL-STAR LINEUP for our 10th-anniversary extravaganza. Sailing March 21-26, 2025, Norwegian Gem will carry us from Miami, Florida, to TWO tropical destinations: Harvest Caye, Belize & Costa Maya, Mexico. Get ready for an adventure of five days & nights packed to the brim with live shows, rare collaborations, and unique activities that can only be experienced on board. With the backdrop of amazing Norwegian amenities like serene spa services, loads of dining options, shopping, and refreshing cocktails, you'll feel like a legend yourself.

Bananaland At Sea | October 14-18, 2024

MIAMI TO GREAT STIRRUP CAY & NASSAU Norwegian Jade

The greatest show in sports is hitting the high seas! Join us for Bananaland at Sea, sailing October 14-18, 2024 from Miami to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas! Get ready to Go Bananas on this 4-day, fully immersive experience where the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, and the entire cast will be up to their usual antics- singing, dancing, banana tossing, and so much more. Score countless opportunities to strike up conversations with your favourite players and crew, participate in epic activities and games, and catch daily performances that'll leave you awestruck aboard this unforgettable trip.

Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea: Six On The Beach | January 31 – February 4, 2025

MIAMI TO COSTA MAYA Norwegian Gem

Sixth time's a charm, Ragers! That's right, we're coming back for the 6th voyage of Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea: Six on the Beach! We'll commandeer the Norwegian Gem January 31 - February 4, 2025. Starting in Miami and making our way down to Costa Maya, Mexico, get your sandy cheeks ready for table-slamming fan-favourites: an onboard wrestling ring, vibrant performances from musicians and comedians we love, and exclusive access to talent-hosted escapades. Even Poseidon gets down & dirty, so you should, too!

Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise | November 5-9, 2024

Miami to Nassau

Pack your bags for the holiday of a lifetime as you experience the magic of a Hallmark Channel Christmas with your favourite Hallmark stars! On board, immerse yourself in Christmas crafts, participate in interactive talent panels, and enjoy an exclusive premiere of a new Hallmark Channel holiday movie from the comfort of our world-class theatre at sea. Create everlasting memories with your family, friends, and fellow Hallmark Channel fans with a festival of fun!

Home » Cruise Tips » Top Themed Cruises for 2024

Top Themed Cruises for 2024

When like-minded folks take over a cruise ship for an unforgettable gathering at sea, you get these top themed cruises for 2024.

Share this post:

Even if you’ve never considered a cruise before , it might be hard to resist the idea of being in a confined space with your favorite celebrity, band or author. That is exactly the idea behind a themed cruise. Like-minded folks take over a cruise ship for an unforgettable gathering at sea.

What is a themed cruise?

From knitting to New Age music, there is a themed cruise for just about every hobby or interest. A themed cruise is a designated sailing (typically just one departure per year) that offers special programming onboard centered around a theme like jazz or the show “Impractical Jokers.”

Some themed cruises are one-off events chartered by an individual or private organization. Others are meticulously curated festivals at sea that are held annually by companies that specialize in hosting themed voyages.

The idea is to not only enjoy the amenities of a cruise vacation but spend a few days learning from experts in their field or attend performances and Q&As with your idols. Themed cruises give passengers the unique chance to immerse themselves onboard with fellow fans while also sailing into ports.

Perks range from special commemorative photos or items; the chance to attend a meet-and-greet; and other special parties and events that are part of the price of your cruise.

Call to Book Your Next Cruise Now: 1-855-228-5584!

Which cruise lines host themed cruises?

Any ship or cruise line could host a themed cruise. But there are certain lines that seem to offer more than others. Norwegian Cruise Line has a long-running partnership with Sixthman . This company has made a name for itself hosting festivals at sea, with more than 180 under its belt in the last 20-plus years.

Cunard Line is another cruise line that hosts themed cruises (known as “event voyages”) all year long. But these have an emphasis on arts and culture. Board these British ocean liners for a week of big band music, London theater, the symphony orchestra, or discussions with war veterans on their insightful Greatest Generation sailings, typically held around Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

River cruise lines have long hosted themed cruises, with seasonal Christmas markets departures. But more recently, river cruise lines are making the most of their destination access and intimate setting to host other theme cruises. These can range from wine to Black history.

Explore the website of your favorite cruise line for any special events in the coming year. Or you might see a themed cruise independently advertised by a band or artist you follow on social media.

How do you book a themed cruise?

Themed cruises are bookable through a travel agent, the cruise line’s website, or the third-party host, whether that is Sixthman or a smaller organizer. Many in-demand themed cruises (typically annual festivals and big-name acts) sell out far in advance. So, it’s beneficial to be on a mailing list to book as soon as the sailing is available. Repeat passengers on the same themed cruise typically have first dibs with the ability to join a pre-sale.

Keep in mind that because of all the special perks and behind-the-scenes access offered on these sailings, themed cruises typically cost more than your average cruise vacation.

EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Get Deals on Your Next Cruise Vacation!

Top Themed Cruises 2024

The following are 10 of the top themed cruises setting sail in 2024. These sailings cover the wide scope of themed cruises available to book, from ships full of cat lovers and culinary experts to celebrations of global sporting events and seasonal rom coms.

While many of these 2024 cruises are sold out, it’s never too early to start thinking about one in 2025.

The Soul Train Cruise (January 27-February 3)

Now in its eleventh year, the Soul Train Cruise brings together R&B and Soul artists from across generations to perform. The 2024 Soul Train Cruise will take place onboard Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam. The cruise sails round trip from Fort Lauderdale with ports of call in Tortola and St. Maarten.

Featuring more than 50 performances, this year’s artists include musical legends like Boyz II Men, the Family Stone, the Temptations, En Vogue, and War, along with more than a dozen others. Special guests include cruise host Tony Cornelius, son of “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius, along with BET’s Angela Stribling as co-host, and a team of original Soul Train dancers. Events include Q&As with the artists, plenty of dancing as well as dance lessons, and even a vow renewal ceremony.

The 2024 Soul Train Cruise is currently sold out.

The Meow Meow Cruise (February 21-25)

Organized by feline afficionados, the Meow Meow Cruise is independently owned and operated, first setting sail in 2015. In 2024, cat-crazed cruisers (unfortunately without their kitties) will set sail round trip from Miami. Bound for Key West and Bimini, this cruise takes place aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady. The four-night Meow Meow Cruise is a partial charter. This means that not every passenger will be participating in the furry fun.

Activities for interested parties include a meet-and-greet with your other cat-loving cruisers; a cruise kit and goody bag; themed trivia; group dining; a scavenger hunt; hosted “Meow Meow Mixer” cocktail party; and more.

Star Trek: The Cruise VII (February 22-29)

Trekkies will board Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas in Port Canaveral for their “Un-Conventional Voyage” . This popular cruise is like a “Star Trek” convention at sea. Now in its seventh season, it features exciting access to cast members past and present as well as guest speakers, lecturers, and even an onboard makeup artist to help cruisers get into character.

More than 25 cast members and show crew will be roaming aboard, with headlining names like Wil Wheaton and Levar Burton. From trivia sessions to stunt classes, this adventure across the high seas to Aruba and Curacao is an immersive one. Get ready to pack a suitcase or two with nightly theme parties that span “Mutiny on the Holodeck,” inspired by Ferengi pirates to a Star Trek masquerade formal. 

Cayamo: A Journey Through Song (March 1-8)

One of the most beloved at-sea music fests around, Cayamo is in its sixteenth year in 2024. Guests will board Norwegian Pearl this March for a week of superior performances as well as the opportunity to jam with fellow cruisers or attend an open mic. Hosted by Sixthman, this themed cruise celebrates singer-songwriters across genres. It departs from Miami with calls in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Oranjestad, Aruba.

With a focus on the “listening experience,” this cruise puts performance at the heart of its activities. Artists sailing aboard Cayamo in 2024 include Lucius, KT Tunstall, Lyle Lovett, War & Treaty and a whopping 35 other acts.

The 2024 Cayamo Cruise is currently sold out.

Chefs Making Waves (March 25-29)

Taste dishes from your favorite celebrity chefs and learn their secrets in the kitchen on this four-night themed sailing called “ Chefs Making Waves : A Food, Wine and Spirits Festival at Sea.” Join chefs Anne Burrell, Andrew Zimmerman, Marcus Samuelsson and many more onboard Norwegian’s “theme ship” Norwegian Pearl.

Foodies will sail round trip from Miami to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. All the while, they can attend culinary panels, mixology masterclasses, wine tastings and more. Who wouldn’t want to bake with the “Cake Boss” himself, Buddy Valastro?

The 2024 Chefs Making Waves Cruise is currently sold out.

Storyteller Series: Diana Gabaldon (April 16-24)

Taking place onboard the Danube River, Avalon Waterways’ Storyteller series invites cruisers to get up close and personal with their favorite authors. In 2024, fans of the “Outlander” series will flock to Vilshofen, Germany for a week dubbed “Go Tell the Bees” with New York Times bestselling author Diana Gabaldon.

During guests’ time onboard, they will enjoy ample time to interact with Gabaldon, over dinners, cocktail hours and daily excursions. Concluding in Budapest, this sailing of Avalon Impression will dock in six scenic ports across Germany, Austria and Hungary. The sailing concludes with a Q&A and book signing.

The 2024 Storyteller Cruise with Diana Gabaldon is currently sold out.

Formula 1 Prix du Monde Cruise (May 21-28)

F1 racing has skyrocketed in popularity within the U.S., due in part to the Netflix series “Formula One: Drive to Survive.” In 2024, fans can attend arguably the sport’s most prestigious races, the Prix du Monde of Monaco, onboard a weeklong Windstar Cruise .

Onboard Wind Surf, one of the largest sailing yachts, this themed cruise will sail the Mediterranean in style. Sailing from Barcelona to Rome, it features an overnight in Monte Carlo. Onboard, fans can enjoy themed cocktail receptions and dinners with their host, a Formula One expert who is on hand to provide insights about the sport.

Cruise fare includes tickets to the event for both Saturday’s time trials and Sunday’s final race, with a program, poncho and cap. A themed gift package from the cruise line also includes amenities like a seat cushion, binoculars and ear plugs.

The 2024 Formula 1 Prix du Monde Cruise is currently sold out but is already on sale for 2025.

Hallmark Christmas Cruise (November 5-9 and November 17-21)

Girl meets boy; girl books a romantic theme cruise. The silver screen phenomenon of the Hallmark Channel’s Christmas movies is made real across two November departures in 2024. Get into the holiday spirit with Hallmark stars and Christmastime traditions onboard these Norwegian Gem sailings, all while sailing from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas.

Passengers on the Hallmark Christmas cruises will be able to participate in photo ops, panels, and even an exclusive world premiere of a brand-new Hallmark Christmas movie. And of course, no storybook holiday cruise would be complete without cookie decorating, craft workshops, carol singalongs and ugly sweaters.

Both sailings of the 2024 Hallmark Christmas Cruise are currently sold out.

Literature Festival at Sea (November 13-20)

Cultured cruisers might want to board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 for one of the line’s annual Literature Festivals at Sea . On this weeklong transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York, passengers will be able to participate in lectures and literary programs alongside renowned authors, historians, poets and critics.

Hosted by journalists from The Times and the programming team of the Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, this event guarantees plenty of food for thought for bookworms and scholars. With seven full days onboard, cruisers have a leisurely amount of time to converse with special guests like novelist and journalist Mike Gayle and historian and author Tracy Borman.

Can’t get enough literature at sea? The floating Australian Literature Festival takes place onboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth from December 11-16, round trip from Sydney.

Jewish Heritage Cruises (Various Dates)

Cruises are an ideal vacation for guests to enjoy some carefree days jamming out or digging into guest speakers. But travel can also be transformative, and this is the idea behind sailings that explore culture, religion and personal ancestry. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises hosts a variety of European sailings that are centered around the exploration of Jewish heritage .

In 2024, Uniworld offers select dates of sailings like the 11-day “Remarkable Rhine and Historic Holland” or “Delightful Danube” that include the Jewish Heritage Program. These sailings focus on Jewish roots and communities across Central Europe. They highlight locals making a positive impact on Jewish culture in modern times alongside visits to WWII sites, Holocaust memorials, and museums.

BOOK NOW: Exclusive Rates on Cruises!

Have you ever taken one of these themed cruises? Which festivals at sea would you consider sailing? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences with these themed events on the high seas.

Related Posts

Cruiseline module – Remove Title

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign up to our newsletter!

DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

What’s Trending

Contact Us: [email protected]

• Need help? 1-888-751-7804 1-888-751-7804
• Let Us Call You CALL ME
• Drink Packages
• Flights by Celebrity℠
• Hotels by Celebrity
• Manage Reservation
• Shore Excursions
• Upgrade with MoveUp

• My Tier and Points
• Join Captain's Club

Already booked? Sign in or create an account

• South Korea
• New Zealand
• Grand Cayman
• St. Maarten
• U.S Virgin Islands
• New England & Canada
• Pacific Coast
• Antarctic Ocean
• Panama Canal
• Transatlantic
• Transpacific
• Cruise Ports (+300)
• Mediterranean
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• All Inclusive
• Bucket List Cruises
• Cruise & Land Package
• Groups & Events
• New Cruises
• Popular Cruises
• Specialty Cruises
• Destination Highlights
• Group Excursions
• Private Journeys
• Shore Excursions Overview
• Small Group Discoveries

• 360° Virtual Tours
• Celebrity Apex®
• Celebrity Ascent℠ NEW
• Celebrity Beyond℠
• Celebrity Constellation®
• Celebrity Edge®
• Celebrity Eclipse®
• Celebrity Equinox®
• Celebrity Infinity®
• Celebrity Millennium®
• Celebrity Reflection®
• Celebrity Silhouette®
• Celebrity Solstice®
• Celebrity Summit®
• Celebrity Xcel℠ COMING SOON
• Explore Edge Series

Galapagos Expedition Series

• Celebrity Flora®
• Celebrity Xpedition®
• Celebrity Xploration®
• The Retreat
• All Suites. All Included
• Iconic Suite
• Penthouse Suite
• Reflection Suite
• Royal Suite
• Signature Suite
• Celebrity Suite
• Aqua Sky Suite
• Horizon Suite
• Sunset Suite
• Concierge Class
• Galapagos Accommodations
• Eat & Drink
• Entertainment
• Spa & Wellness

• Cruising 101
• Cruise Fare Options
• Cruise Tips
• First Time on a Cruise
• What is Included on a Cruise
• Future Cruise Vacations
• Accessible Cruising
• Captain's Club Rewards
• Cruise Insurance
• Flights by Celebrity
• Healthy at Sea
• Manage Cruise
• The Celebrity Store
• Travel Documents
• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises

• 75% Off 2nd Guest + Bonus Savings
• 3rd and 4th Guests Sail Free
• Galapagos 20% Savings + Free Flights
• Resident Rates
• Exciting Deals
• View All Offers
• All Included
• Cruise & Land Packages
• Dining Packages
• Photo Packages
• Wi-Fi Packages
• View All Packages
• Captain's Club Overview
• Join the Club
• Loyalty Exclusive Offers
• Tiers & Benefits
• Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Card

Enjoy 75% off your second guest’s cruise fare and get bonus savings of up to $150 on the stateroom you want. Plus, additional guests in your stateroom sail free on select sailings.

• Music & Themed Cruises
• President's Cruise
• Holiday Cruising
• Culinary Cruises
• LGBTQ+ Cruises

The Jazz Cruise

For over 20 years,  The Jazz Cruise  has presented the very best in “straight-ahead” jazz, with a full ship of the world’s most passionate jazz fans sailing with the world’s best jazz musicians. Programming the cruise starts with over 100 world-class musicians, scheduled in many exciting configurations for around 225 hours of music, presented festival-style over 7 jam-packed days. Sailing with Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdes,  Christian McBride, Artemis and many more stars from  January 18 – 25, 2024 . More info at  TheJazzCruise.com

The Smooth Jazz Cruise

The Greatest Party at Sea returns for 2 sailings in 2024 featuring more of the top stars in the genre on the ship than can be found on any cruise or at any festival including, Marcus Miller, Boney James, Jeffrey Osborne, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler and more. You’ll enjoy wall-to-wall music for 7 days and nights as you get up close and personal with stars of the smooth jazz world. Sailing January 25-February 1, 2024 and February 1-February 8, 2024 . More info at https://thesmoothjazzcruise.com .

Botti at Sea

This new cruise program features a broad range of top drawer and exciting entertainment, all in the spirit and under the direction of Jazz Trumpeter Chris Botti.  While musical experience forms, the core of the program, Botti has infused exciting performers and events from other entertainment genres.  When viewed together, the cruise reflects the style, stature, and stardom of the amazing host. Sailing February 8-15, 2024 . More info at BottiaatSea.com  

Best Themed Cruises for 2024 and Beyond

Updated : February 09, 2024

AAA Travel Editors

Table of contents, star trek: the cruise on royal caribbean, the 80s cruise 2024 on royal caribbean, norwegian cruise line: the broadway cruise 2, halloween on the high seas on the disney cruise line, norwegian: the hallmark christmas cruise, cunard: literature at sea festival, holland america: the country music cruise, royal caribbean — comic-con: the cruise, norwegian: ultimate disco cruise, plan your themed cruise with aaa.

Even your standard cruise will offer an unforgettable adventure — but theme cruises take the experience to the next level. In recent years, particularly as the cruise industry rebounds after the pandemic and attempts to attract new voyagers to its ships, themed cruises have become increasingly popular.

In 2024, you have the opportunity to book a variety of themed cruises, ranging from music cruises to decade cruises and more. At the time of publication, it may be too late to book one of the listed cruises, but be sure to reach out to your AAA travel agent for upcoming sailings, many of the themed cruises sail annually.

These are the best-themed cruises for 2024 and 2025:

• Dates: February 22-29, 2024

This Star Trek cruise offers more than just a few nights of Trekkie entertainment and themed dining experiences — it's truly an immersive event. When you step on board Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas cruise ship, you become a member of the Crew. As you travel to some of the most beloved ports in the Caribbean, including Curaçao and Aruba, you will be alongside your fellow devoted Trekkies. This Unconventional Voyage features the following entertainment:

• Visits from actors and personalities from the show.
• Themed shows as part of the nightly entertainment lineup.
• Galactic parties and activities.

• Dates: February 29 - March 7, 2024

Described as the ultimate 80s party, this is one of the most popular themed cruises of the year. This cruise sets sail on board Royal Caribbean's majestic Mariner of the Seas and not only will it transport you through time back to a simpler, louder, brighter decade — it will also take you to wonderful ports such as Port Canaveral, Curaçao and Aruba. You and your fellow 80s enthusiasts should come prepared for an immersive and engaging experience — so don't forget to pack your Spandex, leg warmers, checkered blazers and, of course, your hairspray. You will want to look the part when you enjoy the incredible lineup of 80s entertainment that is planned for this cruise.

The 80s cruise 2024 itinerary includes all-star acts, such as:

• Debbie Gibson
• Sebastian Bach
• Stephen Pearcy of Ratt
• The English Beat

• Dates: March 13-18, 2024

The elegant Norwegian Pearl will be transformed into a sparkling Broadway theater for the week, creating one of the best-themed cruises available for 2024. This cruise takes travelers from Miami to Key West and Grand Cayman, giving voyagers an opportunity to soak up the sun as they surround themselves with all of their favorite show tunes throughout the cruise.

This is the second time that the Norwegian Cruise Line has offered this cruise, bringing it back due to its immense popularity. While you may spend your days soaking up the warmth of the Caribbean sun, your evenings will be spent enjoying spectacular Broadway shows. In addition to nightly performances, you will be able to mix and mingle with some of the hottest stars on Broadway, including Norm Lewis and Kerry Butler. Themed workshops and engaging panel discussions round out the itinerary for this remarkable-themed cruise.

• Dates: Various sailings in September and October 2024

While the Disney Cruise Line was once known for its Star Wars cruise and Pixar Days at Sea, it is now most famous for its holiday-themed cruises. In particular, its Halloween on the High Seas cruise is beloved by children and adults alike, who like to make the most out of the Spooky Season.

In 2024, the Disney Cruise Line will offer various Halloween cruises in September and October. You can choose from sailings ranging from 3-7 days, most of which travel to the Bahamas or the Caribbean islands. The Halloween on the High Seas cruise is offered on four of the Disney cruise ships, including the Disney Magic, Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

While on board the Halloween on the High Seas cruise, you will enjoy magical, spooktacular entertainment every day. Some of the offerings on this spirited adventure may include:

• Meet and greets with your favorite Disney characters, all decked out in their own Halloween costumes.
• Halloween parties with Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang.
• Ghoulish menus at every meal.

• Dates: November 5-9 and November 17-21, 2024

The Norwegian Gem becomes your festive home-away-from-home for four days on this merry cruise that is dedicated to those charming Hallmark Christmas movies. Sailing from Miami to the tropical destination of Nassau in the Bahamas, this themed cruise combines the warmth of the sunshine with the cozy nature of the holiday season.

Throughout your journey, you will be able to enjoy seasonal activities and events, which include:

• Ugly Christmas sweater contests.
• Cookie decorating classes.
• Caroling as you journey along the high seas.

Of course, the highlight of the cruise is the world premier of the Hallmark Channel's newest Christmas movie, ultimately launching the countdown to Christmas that so many people look forward to each year. If you are the type of person who likes to curl up with a mug of hot cocoa as you watch the big city girl fall in love with the charming country boy, then this is one of the best theme cruises for you.

• Dates: November 13-20, 2024

For a themed cruise experience that is sophisticated, enlightening and completely engrossing, consider embarking on a book-themed voyage on board the Cunard Cruise Line . Cunard's Literature at Sea Festival is a renowned and themed cruise that brings together book lovers from around the world for a week-long voyage dedicated solely to their favorite hobby.

This transatlantic cruise begins in Southampton and travels across the ocean to New York City. As you voyage on the prestigious and graceful Queen Mary 2, you will enjoy premier literary events, including panels, meet-and-greets, intimate book signings and more.

Special guests who will be traveling alongside you include:

• Novelist and Journalist Mike Gayle
• Historian Tracy Borman
• British Novelist Patrick Gale
• Scottish Playwright Denise Mina

If a week of reading, thoughtful discussion and once-in-a-lifetime meetings sounds like a dream come true to you, then this literary-themed cruise should be at the top of your bucket list.

• Dates: January 19-26, 2025

One of the first themed cruises of 2025 will take place in January when the waters of the Caribbean Sea will come to life with the sounds of country music. The Holland America Country Music Cruise will take country-loving travelers to famous ports of call, such as Turks and Caicos, Key West and Half Moon Cay.

While you are going to need to pack your favorite bathing suits and cover-ups for this tropical cruise, you won't want to forget your cowboy hats and boots. Your days may be spent in the surf, but during the evenings, you will be transported back to those country roads and open fields as you enjoy performances by some of the industry's top stars.

The 2024 lineup included country music sensations such as Clint Black, Linda Davis, Sister Sadie and more, so the 2025 lineup is sure to be one to remember.

• Dates: February 5-9, 2025

For the first time in 2025, Royal Caribbean will offer a Comic-Con cruise that is unlike any other themed cruise experience that has come before. The cruise line has teamed up with the likes of San Diego Comic-Con and Entertainment Cruise Productions in order to curate a one-of-a-kind experience that brings travelers directly in contact with some of the biggest stars of their favorite comics and TV shows.

During this cruise, you will sail from Tampa to Cozumel on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas and themed activities will include question-and-answer panels, meet-and-greets with top industry talent, cosplay parties and so much more. Some of the stars who are slated to be on board include:

• George Takei
• Robb Pearlman
• Mary McDonnell

These are just a few of the stars that you can expect on board this unimaginable adventure, but there are plans to announce more VIP guests in the near future, so you certainly won't want to miss out on this cruise.

• Dates: February 19-24, 2025

Imagine a voyage in which the best disco hits permeate the air as disco lights glitter all around. Your vision could become a reality if you book the Norwegian Cruise Line Ultimate Disco Cruise in 2025. During this cruise aboard the Norwegian Pearl, you will travel to ports of call such as Cozumel and Costa Maya while simultaneously enjoying some of the loudest, brightest, most exciting disco parties in the world.

The 2025 adventure will be the 5th sailing of its kind and its line-up is particularly incredible. These are some of the performers and guests that are going to be on board alongside you:

• Kool & The Gang
• Original Stone City Band
• The Spinners
• Shalamar featuring Howard Hewett, Carolyn Griffey and Jeffrey Daniel

Bring your biggest pair of bell-bottoms along with you and practice your disco moves in advance, because this is one party-filled voyage that you do not want to miss.

Join the over a million people who are AAA members and start planning your themed cruise trip today. Dream up the perfect trip with our Trip Canvas research tool and use your membership to get the best discounts on hotels , rental cars and entertainment tickets.

More Articles

Travel like an expert with aaa and trip canvas, get ideas from the pros.

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

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 .

The most in-demand themed cruises for 2024

BY Reader's Digest Editors

12th Jan 2024 Travel

The most popular themed cruises worldwide

"Singles cruises offer solo travellers the chance to meet new people"

The top trending themed cruises worldwide

"Searches for crochet cruises have increased by 556 per cent"

"Golf-cruises give enthusiasts a chance to visit some of the best golf courses in the world"

5 Top tips for travellers embarking on their first cruise

• Keep an eye out for discounts between January and March.  Melody says, “It will depend on when and where you want to go, but if you can be flexible, you can often find some great deals and promotions during the shoulder seasons of your chosen destination. ‘Wave season’ is typically from January to March and lots of cruise lines offer discounts to attract travellers then too.”
• Arrive  early to avoid disappointment.  Melody advises, “My top tip is to ar rive a day early. If you're flying to the cruise departure city, there could be travel delays, and you don’t want to watch your ship sail away without you.”
• Do your research  before you arrive.  Laura suggests, “Learn about the places you're visiting before you go. There may be a landmark or activity that needs to be booked in advance, and you don't want to get to a port and be disappointed if you are unable to do something you were looking forward to.”
• Pack accordingly.  Packing for a themed cruise can be a unique experience. Melody explains, “In addition to the usual cruise essentials, you'll want to bring items that align with the cruise's specific theme. Whether it’s a Star Trek uniform or a yoga mat and workout attire, find out what you’ll need to bring along ahead of time.”
• Take out cruise cover.  No matter where you’re heading on your cruise, it’s important that you’re fully covered with the right travel insurance. Adding  cruise cover  to your existing policy means you’ll be protected for things like onboard medical emergencies, missed departures, and port changes.

The world at your fingertips

Launched in 1922, Reader ' s Digest has built 100 years of trust with a loyal audience and has become the largest circulating magazine in the world

LOCAL UPDATE: Washington Mystics considering other venues in DC area for high-demand home games this year

The 18 Best Themed Cruises for 2024 and 2025

U.S. News & World Report

September 14, 2023, 8:00 PM

• Share This:
• share on facebook
• share on threads
• share on linkedin
• share on email

Imagine boarding a cruise ship to find hundreds — or even thousands — of your shipmates share the very same passions and interests that you do. You’re thinking of a themed cruise.

Like a traditional cruise, a themed cruise delivers everything you’d expect of a shipboard vacation, like sundrenched ports, sparkling blue waters and superb dining amid lush surroundings, but instead of a daily program filled with trivia, bingo, dance lessons and pickleball tournaments, you’ll find myriad activities geared specifically to the sailing’s theme — and plenty of like-minded people to share them with.

Below, you’ll find some of the top themed cruises for 2024 and 2025. Be sure to book soon, as these voyages can sell out quickly.

Book a cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Best Music-Themed Cruises

Cayamo, A Journey Through Song: March 1-8, 2024

In its 16th year, Cayamo celebrates music of all genres. The 2024 voyage brings Lyle Lovett, Billy Bragg and Shawn Colvin together with more than two dozen acts aboard Norwegian Pearl . This themed cruise sails from Miami to the Dominican Republic and Aruba while offering songwriting sessions, open jams, autograph opportunities and more. In addition to full concerts, cruisers can count on memorable collaborations and onboard performances crafted specifically for this weeklong musical celebration. Though this music-themed cruise is currently full, interested travelers can join the waitlist on Cayamo’s website .

The Broadway Cruise 2: March 13-18, 2024

The Great White Way relocates from the Big Apple to Miami , with stops in Key West, Florida , and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands , during this musical salute to Broadway. Join actors — including Norm Lewis, Christian Borle and Kerry Butler — as well as composers, choreographers, journalists and critics for five nights of performances, workshops and panel discussions aboard Norwegian Pearl.

Flower Power Cruise: March 21-28, 2024

Hop aboard Celebrity Summit for a celebration of the stars and music of the 1960s, hosted by Peter & Gordon’s Peter Asher. The Rascals, Tommy James & the Shondells, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, John Lodge of the Moody Blues, John Kay of Steppenwolf, The Box Tops and The Grassroots are just part of the stellar lineup of classic rockers sailing from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico , and St. Croix on the seventh annual Flower Power Cruise. Visit the Flower Power Cruise website to join the waitlist.

On the Blue: April 5-10, 2024

Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues hosts this five-night celebration of classic rock aboard Norwegian Pearl, filled with full concerts, late-night jams, Q&A sessions with the artists, photo ops, meet-and-greets and themed nights. The Zombies, Alan Parsons, Al Stewart, Little River Band and more join Hayward as Norwegian Pearl sails from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic , and Nassau, Bahamas . VIP packages that include priority concert seating, a goody bag filled with themed merchandise and access to a special artist cocktail party are available.

The Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle Cruise: April 10-13, 2024

In 1986, Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle teamed up to record what would become a No. 1 smash hit: “On My Own,” written and produced by Burt Bachrach and his then-wife Carole Bayer Sager. Now, McDonald and LaBelle reunite — this time, at sea — for a three-night event filled with musical performances. Hosted by Grammy Award winner Marcus Miller, this soulful voyage also features comedians George Wallace and Alonzo Bodden along with a cast of award-winning musicians and vocalists to keep the party going. This cruise sails from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, aboard Norwegian Pearl.

Best Holiday Cruises

Halloween on the High Seas: Mid-September to October 2024

It’s a spooky time aboard four of Disney Cruise Line’s ships — Disney Magic , Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish — during its Halloween sailings. Dress up and join Disney characters for Halloween parties, themed food and beverages, eerie arts and crafts, creepy decor and other special events. Featured Halloween itineraries for 2024 sail to destinations in the eastern and western Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas.

Hallmark Christmas Cruise: November 5-9 and November 17-21, 2024

Hallmark Channel stars bring Christmas magic to life on this festive celebration at sea aboard the Norwegian Gem . Sailing from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, the cruise includes Christmas cookie decorating, ugly sweater contests and Christmas “carol-oke” among its planned activities. Each voyage culminates in the world premiere of a new Hallmark Channel “Countdown to Christmas” movie. Head to the Hallmark Christmas Cruise website to join the waitlist.

Very Merrytime: November and December 2024

Get in the holiday spirit with Disney Cruise Line ‘s Very Merrytime sailings, available on Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish. Join in for a jolly fusion of shipboard decor and holiday-themed entertainment, including Christmas tree lightings, meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, a holiday deck show and more. Very Merrytime’s 2024 itineraries explore ports throughout the Bahamas and the western Caribbean.

Best Star Trek Cruises

Star Trek: The Cruise: February 22-29, 2024

Board Royal Caribbean International for the best cruise experience in the galaxy on Mariner of the Seas . Sailing to Curacao and Aruba from Port Canaveral, you’ll join Star Trek actors Walter Koenig, Levar Burton, Garrett Wang and nearly two dozen others as you’re beamed into themed shows, events, parties and actor-hosted shore adventures. Each night of the cruise celebrates a different dimension of the Star Trek experience and, since the cruise’s debut in 2017, guests have knocked it out of the park with show-stopping costumes.

Best Literary Cruises

Literature Festival at Sea: November 13-20, 2024

Cross the Atlantic surrounded by authors, poets, journalists, critics, historians and book lovers aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2 as she sails from Southampton, England, to New York City . With discussions, master classes, book signings and special events, this ocean-going book festival, coordinated by The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, features authors Mark Billingham, Denise Mina and Chris Brookmyre, with more guest speakers and participants still to be announced. This special program is open to all guests sailing this particular Cunard Line crossing and need not be booked through an outside themed cruise organizer.

Comic-Con: The Cruise: February 5-9, 2025

A thrilling new entry into the themed cruise universe, San Diego Comic-Con and Entertainment Cruise Productions team up for Comic-Con: The Cruise. Participants will interact with Comic-Con icons — including the comic book world’s leading actors, creators, authors and more — as they sail on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas from Tampa to Cozumel. While the specific talent lineup will not be revealed until early November, fans can expect nonstop activities on board, including hosted tastings, trivia sessions, parties, cosplay events, and autograph and photo sessions.

Best Culinary Cruises

Silversea Cruises S.A.L.T. (All Sailings)

Sometimes, you’ll find a theme built right into a standard cruise experience — like Silversea’s S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste), an immersive multipronged culinary program created by Adam Sachs, former editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine. Aboard Silversea’s newest ships, Silver Nova, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn , S.A.L.T. celebrates the region guests are sailing through on their particular voyage. Cruisers will find a dedicated restaurant featuring local specialties; a bar offering the area’s wines, beers and cocktails; hands-on cooking classes that show guests how to create their favorite local dishes at home; and an intensive program of culinary programs on shore.

Chefs Making Waves: March 25-29, 2024

Award-winning chefs Andrew Zimmern, Aaron Sanchez, Anne Burrell, Marcus Samuelsson, Robert Irvine, Michael Symon and more indulge you in culinary excellence on this four-night voyage from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, aboard Norwegian Pearl. Guests can expect cooking demos, in-depth master classes, culinary panels and, best of all, four meticulously designed sit-down dinners curated by these master chefs who have reshaped the American food scene.

Sara Moulton Cruise: May 18-June 1, 2024

Oceania Cruises, creator of the decadent onboard Dom Perignon Dinner, celebrates dining with sailings featuring leading names in the culinary arts. In May 2024, chef, cookbook author and TV personality Sara Moulton leads food demonstrations and special shore excursions during a 14-day sailing from Barcelona to Rome aboard Marina .

Claudine Pepin Cruise: July 17-31, 2024

Known for its commitment to all things culinary, Oceania Cruises hosts another foodie voyage in July 2024. Claudine Pepin, TV host and daughter of world-renowned Master Chef Jacques Pepin, conducts culinary-themed demonstrations and chats aboard Sirena on a sailing from Reykjavik, Iceland , to Hamburg, Germany , over 14 days.

Best Sports-Themed Cruises

Cleveland Browns Fan Cruise: March 11-16, 2024

Celebrate all things Browns during a five-day sailing from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, and Falmouth, Jamaica, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas . Dozens of Browns alumni will share insider secrets with guests and join in experiences that include special dinners; a deep dive into the past, present and future of the team; autograph sessions; beach parties and more.

Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco: May 20-27, 2025

Arrive for Formula One festivities aboard Windstar Cruises’ Wind Surf, the world’s largest sailing yacht. Cruisers will receive a themed gift package containing earplugs, binoculars, a seat cushion and more to enjoy the exhilaration of watching Monte Carlo’s Grand Prix du Monde from a premier grandstand seat in Monaco . You’ll enjoy two days of Formula One time trials and racing, as well as exclusive access to events like a Prix du Monde-themed cocktail reception. This experience is hosted by a Formula One expert who will provide behind-the-scenes insights, answer questions and participate in discussions throughout the sailing.

2025 British Isles Golf Cruise: July 15-July 28, 2025

In partnership with Perry Golf, Azamara hosts a number of golf cruises throughout the year. This is the big one: a sailing that includes attendance to the prestigious 153rd Open at Royal Portrush. You’ll sail aboard Azamara Journey from Southampton, England, to Liverpool, England; Dublin ; Belfast, Ireland, and more, ending your cruise with three days in Edinburgh, Scotland . Travelers can count on playing six rounds of golf at well-known courses throughout the British Isles.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Judi Cuervo is a cruise enthusiast. Since her first cruise in 1976, she’s been sailing aboard a wide array of cruises from mass market to expedition ships. Cuervo used her extensive cruise experience along with research skills to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

— Cruise Packing List

— The Best Party Cruises

— The Best Christmas Cruises

— The Best Cruises for Teens

More from U.S. News

The 9 Best Party Cruises for 2024

The 10 Most Festive Christmas Cruises for 2023-2024

The 12 Best All-Inclusive Cruises for 2023 and 2024

The 18 Best Themed Cruises for 2024 and 2025 originally appeared on usnews.com

Related News

Myanmar’s ousted leader Suu Kyi moved from prison to house arrest due to heat, military says

Supreme Court allows Idaho to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth

In Modi’s India, opponents and journalists feel the squeeze ahead of election

Recommended.

What caused the grueling morning traffic delays on the Beltway — and how it could happen again

Washington Mystics considering other venues in DC area for high-demand home games this year

'A quiet hero:' Detective who helped solve high-profile Virginia murders dies

Related categories:.

• CruiseMapper
• Themed Cruises

Music Cruises

At CruiseMapper's Music Cruise survey you will find departure dates, itineraries, and various "music and dance" theme cruise information and tips. We offer you a list of Classical music concerts and dance cruise specials on deals to visit the Caribbean, Europe, and Australia on a big cruise ship vacation. Caution - music cruises are super fun, generally promoting a lot of drinking and dancing activities. Cruise drinking and dancing fun generally involve big money spending. Very special are also all the music concert voyages on big riverboats in Europe.

For your convenience, the following link jumps down directly to CruiseMapper's music-cruises schedule , listing lines, ships, departure dates, and homeports. Follow Mardi Gras Carnival cruises visiting the US port cities New Orleans Louisiana, Galveston Texas, Tampa Florida, Long Beach (Los Angeles) California, NYC New York, Mobile Alabama, and of course - Rio De Janeiro (Brazil). This survey is integrated with our Themed Cruises .

"Dance and Music" themed cruises

Themed as "Music Cruises" deals are from the list of the industry's newest inventions. They are very similar to all the music concerts arranged at land-based facilities (music halls, theaters, stadiums, etc. And since modern cruise ships can accommodate from 2500 (on average) to more than 5000 people, these so special marine vessels become the perfect place for the mixed "music concert and party" cruise vacation the world has never seen before.

From what Wikipedia has said about music - it's the art form "whose medium is sound and silence". However, on cruise ships there's no such thing as silence - it's party time all the time! The word "music" derives from Greek "mousike" meaning the "art of the Muses". And what is better than a Muses-inspired vacation of several days at sea, right?

Dance-themed cruises

The dance cruise experience is a major part of the "Music Cruise" specials - especially when famous bands and singers are involved in these actions. And these "musical" deals suggest a hell of a lot dancing on the ship. Imagine you can enjoy (if fortunate enough) your super cool band's performance at sea. There are some truly unique sailings, which include huge crowd dancing parties featuring NKOTB (with the "New Kids On The Block" celebrities).

Christian-themed music cruises are another unique offer in this category. On those, you'll enjoy the company of hundreds and even thousands of like-minded folks sharing your ideas of God, right and wrong. And quite often, preachers there dance and enjoy the music more than the audience itself.

Popular musical genders on the specially themed music and dance cruises are Rock, Country, and Folk bands. And Classical music and Jazz themed cruises offer one truly sophisticated experience at sea. Often music-themed sailings are combined with specials from the category of Food and Wine cruises . These are usually Jazz- or Classic music-themed (often river cruise) deals, offering a gourmet voyage on some of Europe's biggest rivers, such as the Danube, or Rhone and Seine in France.

P&O Cruises UK ships offer each year several Music Cruises leaving from Southampton, and their Australia brand may offer such themed deals from Sydney, Australia. Most of them are Mediterranean cruises from Southampton, and  Cruises To Nowhere from Sydney - i.e. without additional ports of call (which significantly lowers their cost by not including port charges).

How much do "Music Cruises" cost,  what is included in prices?

Your dance/music cruise infrastructure is pretty much like a normal sailing - but it's not, ok? The cruise part as always, includes tanning, swimming, drinking, dining, sleeping (with the "repeat until" command) summarized as "easy big-time fun". Your "music cruise tickets" prices are inclusive of all meals on the boat and add to that the 24-hr room service onboard. This means all main dining rooms and the buffet dining, specialty restaurants charge extra (from ~$20 to $50 per meal). Alcohol, soda and soft drinks are not in the list of inclusions.

Beware - enjoying the music cruise fun in a not healthy and not cheap combination with lots of beverages could cost you way more than the ticket itself. Virtually all music and dance cruise deals are on round-trip departures from some of the world's biggest cruise ports - like Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, NYC New York, Boston MA, Los Angeles, Southampton UK, Sydney AU.

Music Cruises 2023-2024 schedule

Most of the following voyages are themed on Classic, Folk, Country, Rock, or Jazz music.

Note: In the following table, all links are internal (CruiseMapper) redirecting to the ship’s itinerary schedule where you can compare dates and prices per person (double occupancy rates).

Mardi Gras carnival cruises

Mardi Gras cruises are music and dance-themed voyages with itineraries that visit the US port cities  New Orleans Louisiana ,  Galveston Texas ,  Tampa Florida ,  Long Beach (Los Angeles) California ,  NYC New York ,  Mobile Alabama , and of course,  Rio De Janeiro Brazil .

Mardi Gras Carnival

The Mardi Gras carnival aka "Carnival season" (the name literally means "Fat Tuesday" in French) is a Catholic festival celebrated in the countries of Anglican nations. The celebrations start on Epiphany (or "the feast day" on January 6th) and culminate on the day before Ash Wednesday (called "Fat Tuesday" and "Mardi Gras Day" - positioned exactly 46 days before Easter).

When is the Mardi Gras carnival day?

Because day's timing is set according to Easter, it varies by year - between February 3 and March 9. Follows a list with the Mardi Gras dates in the next couple of years (all dates will be on Tuesdays, though  - no matter the year).

The Mardi Gras dates are:

• in 2020 on February 25
• in 2021 on February 16
• in 2022 on March 1
• in 2023 on February 21
• in 2024 on February 13
• in 2025 on March 4
• in 2026 on February 17
• in 2027 on February 9

To find your "Mardi Gras cruise ship", just pick departure port ( New Orleans ,  Galveston ,  Tampa ,  Los Angeles ,  New York ,  Mobile , Rio De Janeiro ). In the port's schedule, you'll find listed ships leaving from or going to that seaport. Then choose itineraries that include the year's carnival day.

Mardi Gras New Orleans is second only to the "Rio Carnival" in Brazil. According to Wikipedia, the Rio Carnival draws record numbers of day tourists to Brazil - 2,2 million for the Carnival Day in 2012. Add to this more than 5 million people for the whole week (around 70% of all annual guests to Rio De Janeiro), with over 400,000 foreigners participating in the week-long day and night music and dancing, and boozing.

"Mardi Gras booze cruise" inclusions

Most Mardi Gras themed cruise deals are offered by independent resellers and for larger groups with discounted cabin rates. Group booking ("Hosted Group Cruise"), besides great pricing, is also among travel agencies' special deals.

• Included by the agency are at least one Private Group cocktail party, all gratuities (depending on ship/itinerary these can be up to $100 PP), group departure, daily and nightly group gatherings, group dining (reserved tables), and, of course, your "Mask Party".
• Included by the ship (for the duration of the trip) are all meals (excepting alternative restaurants), accommodations and entertainment, 24-hour room service.
• Not-included (optional) are group shore excursions (again at discount prices), alcoholic beverages (optional all-inclusive drink packages are offered), gift shop purchases, spa services, gambling (casino / bingo), airfare (optional fly-cruise packages are offered from USA and UK), port charges, Government taxes, local transfers to the departure port. Remember that for US citizens a passport or certified birth certificate is always required.
• All Mardi Gras themed cruises offer special dining menu and carnival-themed shipboard activities - good music, exotic masquerade, booze packages, and promos.

Mardi Gras cruising experiences

In 2017, the UK-based  Fred Olsen Cruise Line offered the company's first-ever Mardi Gras cruise as part of an epic travel adventure to ports in the Caribbean, North and Central America leaving roundtrip from the UK.

• From Southampton England, Fred Olsen’s ship  MS Balmoral  offered in February 2017 a 46-night itinerary as an adults-only cruise visiting 18 ports of call and featuring 3 full days and 2 overnights in NOLA ( New Orleans ) allowing plenty of time to enjoy the carnival atmosphere.
• This unique  themed cruise (46-night itinerary, code L1703, the theme "Central America and the Mardi Gras" left Southampton on February 4, 2017. Prices started from GBP 3450 pp (based on double-occupancy twin-bed Superior Interior cabin). Pricing included accommodation, all onboard meals, and entertainment, plus port taxes.
• The list of cruise ports of call included: Southampton – Funchal Madeira – Bridgetown Barbados – Castries St. Lucia – St John’s Antigua – Road Town Tortola BVI – Falmouth Jamaica – Trujillo Honduras – Belize City – Cozumel Mexico – New Orleans LA (2-nights) – Tampa FL – Key West FL – Miami FL – Port Canaveral FL – Jacksonville FL – Charleston SC – Hamilton Bermuda – Ponta Delgada Azores – Southampton.
• The 2-night stay in NOLA allowed cruise tourists to enjoy the festivities at this fabulously extravagant festival. Passengers were also provided with the opportunity to attend the "Orpheuscapade Black Tie Ball" in New Orleans – something rarely experienced by tourists. This formal event was held in the city's Convention Centre, featuring live music, dancing, and the chance to get up close to the gigantic carnival floats, as a local celebrity leads the parade directly through the Centre.

• 1-855-932-1711
• My Account Hello Credits My Account Log out

Specialty Cruises & Theme Cruises

All Holland America Line cruises feature incredible moments and encounters in classic style. But our Specialty Cruises fulfill your specific travel dreams. Voyage around the world. Celebrate an idyllic family holiday at sea. Take a theme cruise dedicated to your passion for culinary arts or wine.

Legendary Voyages

Grand World Voyages

Holiday cruises & christmas cruises.

Quality time with loved ones is the best gift ever. Sit back and enjoy each other while we do the cooking, cleaning and decorating.

SAIL THROUGH THE SEASON

• Find a Cruise​ Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations​ Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay​ Make a Payment Crown & Anchor Society​ Royal Caribbean Blog Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-1-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Last Minute Cruises​
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• Mini Cruises
• First Time Cruisers
• What's Included
• Cruising Guides
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-3-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Deck Plans​
• Cruise Dining 
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms​
• The Cruise Experience​
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports​
• Shore Excursions​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Caribbean Cruises​
• European Cruises​
• Greece Cruises​
• Italy Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Book a Flight
• Check-In for My Cruise​
• Make a Payment
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• Update Guest Information
• Beverage Packages​
• Dining Packages​
• My Account​
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-6-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/gbr/en/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

THEMED CRUISES

ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE XI 2024

22 - 26 February 2024

Native American Heritage Association presents Rock Legends Cruise XI 2024! You are invited to a rock and roll voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, sailing from Miami to the beautiful beaches of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We’ll rock our way through the Caribbean to your favourite tunes delivered by an incredible line-up of legendary artists, and this fundraising cruise wouldn’t be complete without the Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Forgets Memorabilia Auction, Signed Guitar Raffle and Band Photo Ops. So come and join us on our floating rock festival with a cause and have the best time of your life since you were 18 years old.

To find out more, visit rocklegendscruise.com or call +1 888 666 1499.

STAR TREK: THE CRUISE VII

22 - 29 February 2024

Star Trek: The Cruise VII is the ultimate immersive experience shared by a star-studded Crew and the most passionate Star Trek fans in the universe! On The Un-Conventional Voyage, you are more than a passenger ⁠– you will become part of the Crew and part of the magic and majesty that is Star Trek ! Beam up for a 7-day Voyage on the spectacular Mariner of the Seas, as we boldly explore two new exotic and exciting ports of call – Curaçao and Aruba. Enjoy special Star Trek -themed shows, events, activities and parties. Join us and an amazing line-up of actors and personalities on Star Trek: The Cruise VII for the most unique Star Trek experience in the galaxy!

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.startrekthecruise.com

THE 80s CRUISE

29 February - 7 March 2024

If you love the 80s – the music, the style, the culture, the excitement, the excess – The 80s Cruise delivers non-stop 80s cool and unique, unforgettable moments for The Ultimate 80s Party! Step onboard an 80s time machine and immerse yourself in 7-days of nightly themed parties, unparalleled celebrity interaction, star-studded events and pool parties all for one all-inclusive price (including drinks)! Join 38 Social, Soft Cell, Air Supply, Debbie Gibson (Special Electric Youth 35th Anniversary Show) and more for over 50 concerts and live performances as we visit two exotic and exciting new ports of call in 2024 – Aruba and Curaçao – with the most righteous fans of the greatest decade!

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.the80scruise.com

THE OLD SCHOOL CRUISE 2024

3 - 6 May 2024

Come and be part of making music history. It’s your chance to sail away with Old School Cruise 2024. This is our 5th annual sailing. Our Old School Cruise line-up is always made of Grammy award winner and or your favorite Old School Bands from the 60s, 70s and 80s. This is the music that we dance to and is part of all our lives. We set sail from San Pedro, CA 3 - 6 May 2024 and stopping at Ensenada, MX over Cinco de Mayo Weekend aboard Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Navigator of the Seas. She's the greatest ship on the West Coast. It doesn’t get any better than this. You will have non-stop entertainment while making lifelong memories and friends. So get on board NOW and let’s get the party started.

To find out more, visit www.TheOldSchoolCruise.com or call +1 888-639-8880.

Super Legends 2024

13 - 16 Sept 2024

Let’s make music history and sail away with The King of the Accordion, Mr. Ramon Ayala, Los Lobos, WAR, The BAR-Kays, Tierra, MALO, Thee Midniters, Shelly Lares, Sunny Ozuna, Lighter Shade of Brown, Pepe Marquez, Rocky Padilla, David Marez, Cota The Barber, Sophia Maria, Raquel Ramirez, Tarah New, Amoraa and Texas Funk. The SUPER LEGENDS CRUISE 2024 is simply on another level.

We set sail from San Pedro, CA 13 - 16 September 2024 and stopping at Ensenada, MX. It will be 3-day weekend adventure like never before aboard Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Navigator of the Seas.

To find out more, visit SuperLegendsCruise.com or call +1 888-639-8880. superlegendscruise.com

HIGH SEAS RALLY 2024

26 October – 2 November 2024

High Seas Rally is the World’s Only Motorcycle on a Cruise ShipTM that brings together a community of bikers for the ultimate motorcycle holiday. This 7-night rally at sea kindles the spirit of adventure and supports two incredible causes – the High Seas Rally Dialysis Fund and Wounded Warrior Project. Each day brings a fresh adventure, with legendary theme nights and parties; raffles, auctions and games that support charity; killer concerts and live music from Lou Gramm, The Kentucky Headhunters, Vixen, Hair Ball, Steel Rod and more; top vendors; demos from industry insiders; and bucket list ports of call.

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.highseasrally.com

the 90s cruise 2025

31 January – 5 February 2025

It’s time to dial up the party and take it back to the 90s – the music, the 'Rachel', the baggy pants – on a 5-day luxury cruise! Onboard The 90s Cruise you will relive the magic of the iconic pop culture, music, fashion and trends of the edgiest decade ever! Step onboard 5-days nightly theme parties, celeb interaction, plus all-out 90s parties, and events and activities. Join Blues Traveller, Collective Soul. Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Lit, Color Me Bad, Lisa Loeb, Fastball C+C Music Factory, Jesus Jones, Digital Underground and Sophie B. Hawkins for over 25 concerts and live performances! The Freshest 90s Party is Hosted by Downtown Julie Brown, Matt Pinfield and Lisa Loeb.

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.the90scruise.com

Comic-Con: The Cruise 2025

5 February - 9 February 2025

Comic-Con: The Cruise is The Ultimate Fan Adventure! Get ready to set sail on an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime and immerse yourself in the world of popular arts like never before. This four-day adventure at sea celebrates your passions and is full of surprises, with original, one-of-a-kind, entertainment delivered by Comic-Con® stars and creators who step off the stage and dine, party and interact with the guests throughout the cruise. This is an entirely new experience that brings together the most passionate fans from across the globe!

To learn more and to book your cabin, visit www.comicconthecruise.com

THE OLD SCHOOL CRUISE 2025

2 - 5 May 2025

Come and be part of making music history! It’s your chance to sail away with the Old School Cruise 2025. This is our 6th annual sailing. This year you'll be joining the legendary Commodores, S.O.S Band, ZAPP, Sister Sledge, Peaches & Herb, the Original Lakeside, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Bloodstone, Lenny Williams, Mary Jane Girls ft. Maxi & Cheri and many more. This is the music that we dance to and is part of all our lives.  We set sail from San Pedro, CA 2 - 5 May 2025 and stopping at Ensenada, MX over Cinco de Mayo Weekend aboard Royal Caribbean’s spectacular Navigator of the Seas. She's the greatest ship on the West Coast. It doesn’t get any better than this. You will have non-stop entertainment while making lifelong memories and friends. So get on board NOW and let’s get the party started.

CRUISE DEALS

CRUISE SHIPS

WEEKEND CRUISES

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Princess Cruises Announces The Love Boat Themed Cruise with Iconic Original Cast

Fans can set a course for adventure, love and laughter aboard enchanted princess canada/new england voyage, august 31-september 7, 2024.

By downloading this image you agree to the Princess asset use terms and conditions

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 7, 2024) – Princess Cruises, known for its integral role as the ocean-going co-star in the iconic "The Love Boat" series, has officially unveiled a second themed cruise, reuniting cast members from the original show. Following the tremendous success of the inaugural Love Boat cruise in 2022, fans of the popular show can sail along with Doc, Gopher, Isaac and Vicki Stubing as they cruise roundtrip from New York to Canada & New England aboard Enchanted Princess, August 31-September 7, 2024.

Princess Cruises Celebrations Ambassador Jill Whelan (aka Vicki Stubing) will join fellow Love Boat cast members including Bernie Kopell (Doc), Fred Grandy (Gopher), and Ted Lange (Isaac). Ezra Freeman, the bartender from the recently aired The Real Love Boat on CBS reality dating series, will join the cast, along with other surprise guests to be announced.

Highly anticipated Love Boat -themed activities, include:

• Sailaway party introducing the cast 
• Meet-and-greet photo and signing opportunities
• The Love Boat -inspired guest activities with prizes
• Cocktail demonstration hosted by Ezra Freeman and Ted Lange – practice the finger point! 
• Symbolic renewal of vows ceremony, officiated by the cast, with commemorative certificate
• Cast Q&As sharing favorite memories of the show and stories of their careers
• The Love Boat episodes airing on Movies Under the Stars and in staterooms
• The Love Boat trivia with the Cruise Director
• The Love Boat inspired menus and specialty cocktails
• Themed décor, photo backdrops and merchandise 

“We had such a blast connecting with fans on our theme cruise in 2022, so bringing it back in 2024 feels like it was meant to be, especially with the addition of some surprise guests,” said Jill Whelan, Celebrations Ambassador for Princess Cruises. “Sailing with our fans brings us so much joy and this cruise will undoubtedly be a special reunion, taking us back to where it all began – on a Princess Cruise.”

Super fans may opt for a special Love Boat VIP Package , featuring an invitation to an exclusive cast cocktail party, reserved seating for the cast Q&A in the Princess Theater, front-of-the-line access for autographs and photos, dinner at the Captain’s Table, plus a themed cruise t-shirt and mug. More details on cost and how to book coming soon.

The seven-day Canada/New England Love Boat theme cruise aboard the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess sails roundtrip from New York City and visits Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Rockland, Maine; Saint John, Canada (for Bay of Fundy); and Halifax, Canada.

The Love Boat is credited with bringing cruising to the masses and showcasing the romance of the sea, taking Hollywood’s biggest stars to sought-after destinations as story lines always ended on a happy note. In the fall of 2022, Princess was featured again as the setting of The Real Love Boat on CBS and Paramount+, reality dating adventure series where three real-life Princess crew members and 12 singles looking for love joined hosts Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell onboard Regal Princess sailing through the Mediterranean.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com .

Media Contacts

Contact information for members of the media

Negin Kamali, +1 661-753-1539, [email protected]

Briana Latter, +1 661-753-1538, [email protected]

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

Not a member of the media? 

Contact us at: 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or 1-661-753-0000

More contact information is available on our Contact Us page

Crystal Announces 2024 Themed Voyages

• February 6, 2024

Crystal announced a series of themed cruises for 2024, ranging from film and theater to golf and Broadway, according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to bring back our themed cruises, each tailored to provide an immersive and enriching experience for our guests and were extremely popular in the past,” said Vice President of Entertainment Keith Cox.  “Whether you’re a fan of film and theater, a golf aficionado, or a Broadway enthusiast, these voyages are designed to exceed expectations and create lasting memories for our guests.”

Film and Theater Enthusiasts – Laem Chabang (Bangkok) to Hong Kong, Feb 16 – 28, 2024:

Guests aboard the Crystal Symphony will see a lineup of talents from the world of film and theater, including Christine Allado; Broadway musical historian Steven Friedman; former regional marketing director for United Artists and Columbia Pictures Andrew Friedenberg; and actor Bruce McGill. From fireside chats to various performances, guests can look forward to rich entertainment onboard.

Golf Enthusiasts – Lisbon to Dover, July 18 – 30,2024:

Golf instructors David Leadbetter and Roberto Borgatti will be onboard to guide guests interested in perfecting their swings.

Broadway Enthusiasts – Quebec City to New York City, Oct 10-18, 2024, and New York City to Quebec City, Oct 18-26, 2024:

American actress and singer Rachel York, known for her stage roles in productions such as City of Angels, Les Miserables, and Kiss Me Kate, will perform for guests onboard, transporting them to the heart of Broadway. Additional notables will also be in attendance and be announced soon.

Cruise Industry News Email Alerts

• Breaking News

Get the latest breaking  cruise news .  Sign up.

54 Ships | 122,002 Berths | $36 Billion | View

Highlights:

• Mkt. Overview
• Record Year
• Refit Schedule
• PDF Download
• Order Today

• 2033 Industry Outlook 
• All Operators
• Easy to Use
• Pre-Order Offer
• Advertising
• Cruise News
• Magazine Articles
• Quarterly Magazine
• Annual Report
• Email Newsletter
• Executive Guide
• Digital Reports

Privacy Overview

Small Ship Themed Cruises

Each of Windstar’s unique themed voyages offers you intimate access to some of the world's most exclusive destinations and events. Experience the exhilaration of watching Monte Carlo’s Grand Prix du Monde of Monaco from a premier grandstand seat.  For the epicureans who want an expert’s tips on molecular gastronomy and recommendations on riojas in Spain, sail on a culinary-themed cruise with a James Beard Foundation chef and sommelier. These packages and voyages are custom made for exploration. Discover it all in Windstar's signature style.

Wine Cruise: Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands

James Beard Foundation: Adriatic Archipelagos & Greek Goddesses

Wine Cruise: Sicilian Splendors

National Health Association Plant-Based Culinary Extravaganza: Dreams of Tahiti

Wine Cruise: Lands of the Midnight Sun

2025 President’s Mystery Cruise

James Beard Foundation & Wine Cruise: Adriatic Archipelagos & Greek Goddesses

James Beard Foundation & Wine Cruise: Cuisines & Cultures of Spain, Portugal & France

James Beard Foundation: Baltic Beauty

James Beard Foundation: Southeast Canadian Explorations

James Beard Foundation: Spanish Symphony

James Beard Foundation: Windward Ways & Tobago Cays

President's Cruise: Captivating Canary Islands

Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco

Star Collector: Mysteries of the Mediterranean

Star collector: racing for the prix du monde along the rivieras.

Holland America Line to Introduce Glacier Day in 2024 Alaska Cruises

Holland America Line introduces “Glacier Day” and new Alaska-themed programming in the onboard “We Love Alaska” experience, featuring Alaska Up Close presentations and culinary and beverage experiences, starting the 2024 season on April 27 from Vancouver and May 4 from Seattle.

“Holland America Line continues to focus on bringing regional and local experiences on board every cruise, with our Alaska sailings leading the way in authentic programming, localized cuisine, and now special events like ‘Glacier Day’,” said Beth Bodensteiner, the chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. “We continue to cultivate like-minded partnerships and fine-tune everything from cocktails to wildlife maps to ensure our guests are completely immersed in all facets of Alaska.”

Alaska cruise and land tour options

Holland America Line offers Alaska cruises and Cruisetours from Vancouver and Seattle on various ships through September 2024. Cruises range from seven to 28 days, including the new 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice Legendary Voyage with 12 Alaska ports.

Cruisetours, lasting nine to 18 days, feature visits to Denali National Park, and some also include excursions into the Yukon territory in Canada. Holland America Line is the exclusive provider of combined Yukon, Alaska, and Denali National Park trips.

‘Glacier Day’ Highlights 

“Glacier Day” features sightseeing opportunities, informative commentary, presentations, viewing stations, photo opportunities, unique onboard offerings like Dutch Pea Soup and Glacier Ice cocktails, talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, and more.

Each Alaska cruise includes visits to renowned glacier destinations such as Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm. Select shore excursions provide additional opportunities to explore glaciers like Mendenhall and Portage.

RELATED: HOLLAND AMERICA LINE UPGRADES ENTERTAINMENT WITH NEW SHOWS, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCES

Fresh Seafood in Alaska

Holland America continues to enhance its Global Fresh Fish program, showcasing sustainably sourced Alaska seafood certified by Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) and serving locally caught fish within 48 hours of port arrival. Exclusive dishes by Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto, like Fresh Black Cod Yuzu and Morimoto Epice Lobster, are featured alongside other regional specialties. A new Alaska Seafood Boil experience and a specially crafted Alaska Brunch menu offer guests a taste of the region’s culinary delights.

Renowned Bartender Sam Ross Crafts Alaska Cocktails

Master mixologist Sam Ross has crafted an exclusive cocktail menu featuring signature drinks like Juneau AK and PNW Penicillin, available on all Alaska ships. Ross is known for creating modern classic cocktails such as the Penicillin and Paper Plane, offering a unique libation experience for guests to enjoy onboard.

Exclusive ‘Killer Whale Pale Ale’ Now Available

Holland America Line introduces the “Killer Whale Pale Ale,” a collaboration with Pike Brewing that offers a blend of honey, citrus, and tropical fruit flavors. Designed with Native Artist Rico Worl, the beer label showcases intricate artwork symbolizing the Pacific Northwest food chain. This new offering adds to the onboard beverage selection, enhancing the Alaska cruise experience for beer enthusiasts.

Enhanced Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Holland America Line provides expert-led wildlife viewing experiences, allowing guests to observe native animals in their natural habitats. With a designated Wildlife Spotting Guide and nearly 180 shore excursions focused on wildlife encounters, guests have ample opportunities to witness the diverse and awe-inspiring wildlife that Alaska is known for.

Charitable Initiatives

Continuing its commitment to conservation, Holland America Line donates proceeds from the “On Deck for a Cause” event to Alaska Geographic, aiding in educational initiatives for the state’s parks and conservation areas. Guests can participate in the onboard fundraising walk, “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” with donations supporting educational programs and scientific research in Alaska’s protected lands.

Standby Program

Travelers in Seattle and Vancouver can take advantage of discounted rates through Holland America Line’s Standby program. For last-minute cruise bookings, fares as low as $49 per person per day are available. Solo travelers benefit from waived single supplements, making it more affordable to embark on an unforgettable Alaska cruise experience.

Julie Bouchner

Julie Bouchner is the Digital Editorial Manager for Porthole Cruise and Travel. She has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Syracuse University. When she is not writing, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, baking, and playing with her Siberian Husky named Ellie.

You may also like

Nieuw amsterdam cruise ship review.

Cruise Ship Review – Nieuw Amsterdam Holland America Line’s latest ship tips its hat to

A Standing O: Sailing with Oprah Winfrey

A Standing O Setting sail with Oprah is the ultimate fan experience. By Michel Verdure “Each momen

MSC Preziosa: Cosmopolitan Cruising

Cruise Ship Review: MSC Preziosa Gear up and then unwind through memorable moments aboard MSC Prezio

Brightline’s Ultimate Miami Race Weekend Experience Giveaway

Positive polar: cruising to restore ocean wildlife and climate, recap the 2024 porthole party here.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

wordplay, the crossword column

One Under a Birdie

Adam Vincent keeps us young at heart.

By Sam Corbin

Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues

TUESDAY PUZZLE — Today marks the first anniversary of my first day at The New York Times, a cause for celebration, certainly. But the milestone that comes to mind when I think about my beginnings here is the first appearance of one of my Wordplay BYLINES (20A) in print. And no, “milestone” is no exaggeration: I had a clipping of the column professionally framed and hung it in my apartment.

That day’s crossword — a Monday collaboration by Alina Abidi and Matthew Stock — featured common expressions using the names of animals, and to this day I retain a special fondness for any puzzle that uses animals in its theme. Imagine my delight, then, when I discovered what Adam Vincent had in store for us today.

There’s more to Mr. Vincent’s trick than just animals — depending on your interpretation of the term, I suppose — but I found it to be the perfect accompaniment to a happy occasion.

So, shall we brighten the day with a solve? Better ELATE (1A) than never, as they say.

Today’s Theme

The term for a “Certain immature adult” hints at each of today’s four themed entries at 16- and 62-Across, and 10- and 24-Down. Let’s take a look at one of our clues: The “Actor who played Oscar Wilde in ‘Wilde’” (16A) is STEPHEN FRY, which somehow also refers to a “fish.” At 10-Down, the “Mouseketeer peer of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake,” RYAN GOSLING, is related to a “gander.” The tie-in here is clearer: a GOSLING is a young gander.

A “Certain immature adult” is a MAN BABY (see also: man child ), the definition of which is self-evident; it’s a MAN who behaves like a BABY. The term seems to have emerged in its current definition in the 2010s. Google’s Ngram Viewer shows an odd spike in the term MAN BABY in the mid-19th century, though the term probablyhad a different meaning at the time: The New York Times, for instance, used the term in 1878 to refer to a medical anomaly .

But I digress: Each of today’s themed entries features a male celebrity whose first name represents the MAN, but whose last doubles as the name of a BABY animal. Who knew that a baby fish was called a FRY? Not I.

See if you can draw out the remaining names on your own (hint: a LAMB and a COLT are involved).

Tricky Clues

15A. There’s a hint about this “spare” that “might be kept in the boot” in the clue’s use of British lingo: A “boot” in England is a trunk, and a car’s tire is a TYRE.

28A. Despite a pesky -er/-re difference in orthography between American and British English, both spellings of this “Pigment used in the Lascaux cave paintings” appear regularly in the Times Crossword. It’s spelled OCHER here, but we’ve had “ochre” just as frequently.

69A. A “Mammal with a miniature trunk” — not a “boot” in this case — is not a baby elephant. This mammal is the TAPIR (but here is a baby elephant for good measure, because they’re adorable).

36D. Notice that “Quartet + quintet” uses a plus sign rather than the word “and.” That isn’t a style discrepancy — it’s a math equation. A group of four and a group of five add up to a NONET.

40D. This “Wild couples’ cruise?” is NOAH’S ARK, and has appeared only a handful of times in Times Crossword history. I hope its future includes a flood of clue phrasings as creative as this one.

47D. “What might catch X’s at an O’s game?” X stands for a smooch, something often captured on the KISS CAM at baseball games, such as those of the O’s, which is short for Orioles.

Constructor Notes

This was one of those puzzles in which everything in the construction process just seemed to click. I stumbled across the theme last summer while trying to brainstorm phrases similar to 10-Down, a name I was hearing a lot in the context of “Barbie.” I considered entries like “silly goose” and “take a gander,” but it wasn’t until I happened to think of the name Jack Chick — the evangelical Christian cartoonist — that I knew I was onto something. From there, it wasn’t tough to come up with the other theme answers, which, to my great fortune, paired off into two sets of manageable 10- and 11-letter entries. During this unusually quick and clean brainstorming process, I also hit upon the revealer at 39-Across. Besides slotting nicely into the center of the grid, it also conveniently reflected the fact that all of the sufficiently famous people I could think of for this puzzle’s naming pattern were men. Usually, constructing a crossword involves leaving several potential theme entries on the cutting room floor. But this time, with the exception of Jack Chick (who I felt was too obscure) and Billy the Kid (which doesn’t feature a surname in the same way), everything I came up with made it into the puzzle. The pinwheel pattern of themed entries in the grid also meant fewer entries crossing multiple theme answers at once, and thus fewer constraints on fill. Given that so many themes I explore don’t even make it past the brainstorming stage, it’s refreshing when a puzzle just works!

Join Our Other Game Discussions

Want to be part of the conversation about New York Times Games, or maybe get some help with a particularly thorny puzzle? Here are the:

Spelling Bee Forum

Wordle Review

Connections Companion

Improve Your Crossword Solving

Work your way through our guide, “ How to Solve the New York Times Crossword .” It contains an explanation of most of the types of clues you will see in the puzzles and a practice Mini at the end of each section.

Want to Submit Crosswords to The New York Times?

The New York Times Crossword has an open submission system, and you can submit your puzzles online . For tips on how to get started, read our series “ How to Make a Crossword Puzzle .”

Not Hitting Your Growth Spurt?

Fast-forward a little: Subscribers can take a peek at the answer key .

Trying to get back to the main Gameplay page? You can find it here .

Sam Corbin writes about language, wordplay and the daily crossword for The Times. More about Sam Corbin

It’s Game Time!

Take your puzzling skills in new directions..

WordleBot , our daily Wordle companion that tells you how skillful or lucky you are, is getting an upgrade. Here’s what to know .

The editor of Connections , our new game about finding common threads between words, talks about how she makes this daily puzzle feel fun .

We asked some of the best Sudoku  solvers in the world for their tips and tricks. Try them to  tackle even the most challenging puzzles.

Read today’s Wordle Review , and get insights on the game from our columnists.

We asked Times readers how they play Spelling Bee. The hive mind weighed in with their favorite tips and tricks .

Ready to play? Try Wordle , Spelling Bee  or The Crossword .