Imagine boarding a cruise where everyone shares your obsession. The music. The fitness classes. The fandom you thought only a handful of people cared about.
That’s exactly what themed cruises are like.
Instead of a typical sailing, you get exclusive events, specialist workshops, and entire days built around the thing you love most. And when you’re not diving into the theme, you still get all the usual cruise perks. Great food, exciting ports, and plenty of time to relax by the pool.
Some are surprisingly wholesome. Others are wildly over the top.
From massive music festivals at sea to niche fan conventions and adults-only party cruises, there are far more themed sailings out there than most people realise.
And a few of them are honestly pretty bizarre.
Theme Cruises Explained
Before we begin, it’s important to recognise that not all themed cruises are equal in terms of how much of the cruise is actually themed. There are some cruises, like music cruises, where you can expect to see everyone on the ship in fancy dress, enjoying a round-the-clock schedule of events and activities.
In contrast, other cruises are more of a chance for hobbyists to meet up during what would otherwise be a ‘normal’ cruise.
Here are two important distinctions to make…
Full-ship theme cruises: The group will charter the whole ship, so everyone will be on board for the theme cruise.
Partial-ship theme cruises: The group will book a number of cabins and take over certain areas, such as a particular bar or a conference room.
Suggested read: The best cruises for singles to hook up
The Best Themed Cruises of 2026 and 2027
Without further ado, here’s a guide to the most exciting theme cruises that you should consider…
Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s Cruise
If you love nostalgic pop and dance music, Marella’s Electric Sunsets cruise is basically a floating throwback party.
This adults-only sailing brings the 80s and 90s back to life, with themed parties, fancy-dress nights and DJs spinning classic anthems across the ship. Guests even pick sides for the ultimate showdown. Team 80s or Team 90s.
The 2027 line-up hasn’t been announced yet, but previous Electric Sunsets cruises have featured well-known acts including Vengaboys, Go West, Pat Sharp and DJ SASH!, so you can expect plenty of sing-along hits and late-night dancing.
- Date: 28 April – 1 May 2027
- Destination: Palma – Valencia – Ibiza
- Cruise Line: Marella Cruises
- Ship: Marella Discovery
If you fancy this 3-day cruise, you’d better be quick, as of the time of writing, there are still spaces left on this all-inclusive 3-night cruise for £800pp.
Learn more about the Electric Sunsets cruise
Groove Cruise
If you’re into electronic dance music, Groove Cruise is about as big as themed cruises get. It’s often described as the world’s largest floating dance music festival, with DJs playing across multiple stages all over the ship.
The 2027 sailing features 96 hours of non-stop music, themed parties and artist-hosted events, turning the ship into a full-blown EDM festival at sea. Guests can dance from sunrise to sunrise while exploring different stages, pop-up sets and surprise performances around the ship.
The lineup includes well-known DJs such as Joel Corry, Jason Ross and Jackie Hollander, alongside dozens of other electronic artists covering house, techno, trance and bass music.
This cruise sold out extremely quickly, but you can still join the waitlist in case cabins become available.
- Date: January 21st – 25th 2027
- Destination: Miami – Bahamas
- Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Ship: Allure of the Seas
Learn more about the Groove Cruise here.
Puzzling Event Cruises
Whether you’re someone who already loves puzzles/jigsaws or you just want to try something new where you can meet others in a relaxed and fun environment, this puzzle cruise is definitely worth checking out!
Run by Puzzled About Everything, the cruise includes activities for every puzzle enthusiast, including casual cruising and speed puzzle challenges. And with Rae and Monica bringing over 200 puzzles onboard, you’ll definitely find at least a few that are the right challenge for you!
- Date: October 16th – 31st 2026
- Destination: Southampton UK to Galveston TX
- Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Ship: Liberty of the Seas
Learn more about the Puzzle Cruises
Chris Jericho’s Rock N Wrestling Rager at Sea – A Wrestling Themed Cruise
Wrestling fans will take over a whole cruise ship for an epic journey with wrestling star Chris Jericho and his friends. The event will include wrestling matches in a ring set up on the pool deck, rock music performances, comedy shows, paranormal activities, a birthday beach party and live podcast recordings.
- Date: 7th-11th November 2026
- Destination: Miami to Bimini
- Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
- Ship: Norwegian Jewel
Learn more about the Chris Jericho Cruise
Meow Meow Cruise – A Cruise for Cat Lovers
The first Meow-Meow cruise sailed to Alaska on Discovery Princess in August 2025, and due to its success, a second one is taking place in 2026!
Cat-obsessed cruisers, unfortunately, cannot bring their cats on this cruise. But what they can do is meet like-minded people to chat about and share photos of their favourite furry feline friends. Activities on this cat-themed cruise include trivia, meet and greet and group dining.
- Date: 8th May 2026
- Departing from: Tampa
- Cruise Line: Carnival
- Ship: Carnival Paradise
Learn more about the Meow Meow Cruise
The High Seas Rally – A Biker Cruise
Billed as “The World’s Only Biker Rally on a Cruise Ship,” the High Seas Rally is exactly what it sounds like. Thousands of bikers take over an entire cruise ship for a week of parties, live music and biker culture at sea.
The ship becomes a floating rally with wild pool parties, tattoo contests, bike-themed games, raffles, charity events and nightly concerts. Guests swap their bikes for sea views while sailing to destinations they couldn’t reach on two wheels.
- Date: November 1–8, 2026
- Destination: Tampa – Cozumel – Costa Maya
- Cruise Line: Margaritaville at Sea
- Ship: Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Learn more about the High Seas Rally
Star Trek: The Cruise
If you’re a serious Star Trek fan, this cruise is about as close as you’ll get to stepping onto the bridge.
Star Trek: The Cruise brings together thousands of Trekkies for a week-long voyage packed with themed entertainment. Expect appearances from actors, live shows, Q&A sessions, trivia, panels and plenty of themed parties where costumes are very much encouraged.
There are also behind-the-scenes discussions, fan events and interactive experiences throughout the sailing, so you can celebrate the entire Star Trek universe alongside people who love it just as much as you do. For many fans, it’s the ultimate Star Trek experience… just at sea rather than in space.
- Date: 20th – 27th February 2027
- Destination: New Orleans – Cozumel – George Town – Montego Bay
- Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Ship: Mariner of the Seas
Learn more about the Star Trek Cruise
The Karma is a Cruise (Taylor Swift Cruise)
Swifties can take their fandom to the high seas on Karma Is A Cruise, a themed sailing packed with Taylor-inspired fun.
Organised by Straight Away Travel in conjunction with Girlhood Getaways, this fan cruise brings together people who know every lyric. Expect friendship bracelet-making, karaoke sing-alongs, themed trivia, dance parties and plenty of era-inspired outfits. There are also lots of photo opportunities and fan events throughout the sailing, so it’s perfect if you love a bit of Swiftie sparkle.
It’s not officially affiliated with Taylor Swift, but for fans it’s about as close as you’ll get to celebrating your favourite songs at sea.
- Date: 25th – 29th January 2027
- Destination: Fort Lauderdale – Nassau – CocoCay
- Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Ship: Oasis of the Seas
Learn more about Karma is a Cruise
Scrapbook Cruises
Cruise and Crop specialises in scrapbooking cruises where craft lovers can spend their days creating alongside like-minded guests.
Scrapbooking is the main focus, but many sailings also include other crafts such as card making, embroidery, knitting and jewellery making, so there’s plenty to try while you’re at sea.
The company has already organised more than 300 craft cruises, and new sailings are scheduled throughout 2026 and into 2027, with trips running almost every month.
- Date: Various – Various
- Destination: Various
- Cruise Line: Various
- Ship: Various
Learn more about scrapbooking cruises
The KISS Kruise
Fans of iconic 70s rock band Kiss can join them for an adventure at sea onboard the Kiss music-themed cruise. Expect performances from Kiss and their friends, as well as meet and greet sessions and activities with each of the band members.
Dates for their next cruise haven’t been released yet, so be sure to join their mailing list if you’re interested and want to be the first to find out.
- Date: TBA
- Destination: TBA
- Cruise Line: TBA
- Ship: TBA
Learn more about the KISS Kruise
Knitting Cruises
Craft Cruises offers a range of cruises where craft lovers can get together to improve their knitting skills with classes and workshops. On-board knitting instructors will advise guests about any local yarn stores in the ports of call. As well as knitting, Craft Cruises also offers cruises themed around crocheting, needlepoint, hand spinning and beading.
Cruises run virtually every month throughout 2026 and into 2027.
- Date: Various
- Destination: Various
- Cruise Line: Holland America Line
- Ship: Various
Learn more about knitting cruises
GothCruise XX: Noir Noir Sails Again
If your wardrobe is mostly black and your music taste leans a little darker, this cruise might feel like home.
The Goth Cruise brings together fans of gothic and industrial music for a week at sea filled with live bands, DJ sets, themed parties and plenty of dramatic outfits. Guests tend to go all out with their look, so expect lots of lace, leather and eyeliner on the dance floor.
It’s not a full-ship charter, but the group hosts their own concerts and events onboard alongside the ship’s usual entertainment, creating a unique mix of cruise holiday and alternative music festival.
- Date: January 31st – February 7th 2027
- Destination: Caribbean from San Juan
- Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Ship: Vision of the Seas
Learn more about the Gothic Cruise
The 70s Rock & Romance Cruise
If classic rock from the 70s is your thing, the Rock & Romance Cruise is basically a floating nostalgia fest.
This themed sailing features dozens of live performances from legendary rock artists, along with artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions and fan events where you can get closer to the music. There are also themed activities throughout the week, including trivia, karaoke, game shows, wine tastings and lively pool parties.
It’s designed to feel more like a week-long music festival than a traditional cruise, with concerts happening all over the ship.
- Date: 13th – 20th March 2027
- Destination: Fort Lauderdale – Aruba – Curacao
- Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
- Ship: Celebrity Silhouette
Learn more about the Rock & Romance Cruise
The Flower Power Cruise
If you love the music of the 1960s “Summer of Love” era, this cruise is basically a floating retro festival.
The Flower Power Cruise brings together fans of classic 60s rock and pop for a week filled with live concerts, artist Q&As, themed parties and fan events. Expect plenty of tie-dye, flower crowns and sing-along hits from the decade that changed music forever.
Alongside the nightly performances, guests can also enjoy trivia, panel discussions and interactive events with the artists, making it feel more like a week-long music festival than a typical cruise.
- Date: 20th – 27th March 2027
- Destination: Fort Lauderdale – San Juan – Tortola
- Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
- Ship: Celebrity Summit
Learn more about the Flower Power Cruise
The Country Music Cruise
Dust off your cowboy boots for the Country Music Cruise, a week-long sailing dedicated to real country music and the fans who love it.
The cruise features dozens of live performances from well-known country artists, along with plenty of chances to interact with the stars. Guests can attend artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions, line dancing classes and country karaoke, plus themed events and jam sessions happening all over the ship.
It’s designed to feel more like a country music festival than a traditional cruise, with concerts and fan events running throughout the week.
- Date: 7th – 14th February 2027
- Destination: Fort Lauderdale – San Juan – St. Maarten
- Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
- Ship: Celebrity Silhouette
Learn more about the Country Music Cruise
The Soul Train Cruise
If you love classic soul and R&B, the Soul Train Cruise is one of the most famous music cruises at sea.
Inspired by the iconic TV show, this sailing brings together legendary artists from the golden era of soul for a week packed with live concerts, themed dance parties and fan events. Alongside the nightly performances, guests can enjoy artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions and plenty of opportunities to dance the night away.
It’s a full-ship charter, so the entire cruise is dedicated to the music, creating a festival-like atmosphere from the moment you step onboard.
- Date: 7th – 14th November 2026 and and 14th – 21st February 2027
- Destination: Caribbean
- Cruise Line: Holland America Line / Celebrity Cruises
- Ship: Eurodam / Celebrity Silhouette
Unfortunately, both cruises are already sold out, but you can join their waitlists to be informed if a space becomes available!
Learn more about the Soul Train Cruise
The Ultimate Disco Cruise
If you love glitter, dance floors and classic 70s hits, the Ultimate Disco Cruise is basically a disco party at sea.
This themed sailing features dozens of live performances from legendary disco artists, including Kool & the Gang, along with other well-known names from the era. Expect themed dance parties, DJ sets and plenty of chances to dress up in your best retro outfits.
There are also costume nights, fan events and late-night dance floors, making it feel more like a week-long disco festival than a traditional cruise.
- Date: 21st – 26th February 2027
- Destination: Caribbean
- Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
- Ship: Celebrity Silhouette
Learn more about the Ultimate Disco Cruise
The 80s Cruise
The 80s Cruise is a non-stop all-inclusive concert with loads of artists, including Chaka Kahn, Night Ranger and many more. Guests can enjoy parties on the pool deck and themed costume parties, too.
- Date: 27th February – 6th March 2027
- Destination: Caribbean
- Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
- Ship: Mariner of the Seas
Learn more about the 80s Cruise
Abbey Road at Sea
Fans of iconic music history and studio legend Abbey Road Studios can embark on a transatlantic voyage filled with live performances, exclusive Q&A sessions with recording engineers and a photography exhibition celebrating decades of musical innovation.
- Date: 23rd – 30th October 2026
- Destination: New York
- Cruise Line: Cunard
- Ship: Queen Mary 2
Learn more about Abbey Road at Sea
Lover’s Rock & Gospel Weekend Cruise 2027
This themed sailing celebrates two powerful musical styles in one unforgettable weekend at sea. Expect the smooth, romantic rhythms of Lover’s Rock alongside uplifting gospel performances, with workshops led by music specialists and the chance to perform with a professional band and choir. Evening entertainment continues with late-night DJ sets from Jah Rootica.
- Genre: Lover’s Rock, R&B, Reggae, Gospel
- Date: 26th -30th July, 2027
- Destination: London Tilbury – Amsterdam – Bruges
- Cruise Line: Ambassador Cruise Line
- Ship: Ambience
Learn more about Lover’s Rock & Gospel Weekend Cruise 2027 here
The Magic Castle Conjurer’s Cruise
Magic meets luxury with this cruise where illusions take centre-stage. Expect world-class magicians, interactive magic lectures, themed cocktail soirées, and artefacts from the legendary Academy of Magical Arts as you sail in style through scenic destinations.
Date: 27th September – 4th October 2026
Destination: Pacific Wine Country
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises
Ship: Star Princess
Learn more about Magic Castle Conjurers Cruise
Comic-Con Cruise
Fans of comics, sci-fi and pop culture got the chance to take their fandom to sea on Comic-Con: The Cruise, the first official Comic-Con themed sailing.
The event featured celebrity panels, meet-and-greets, cosplay parties and fan events, giving guests the chance to celebrate their favourite movies, comics and TV shows alongside other superfans. Costumes were strongly encouraged, so the ship quickly turned into a floating comic convention.
The most recent sailing took place in early February 2026, and at the time of writing no future cruises have been announced.
Learn more about Comic-Con: The Cruise
Desire Cruises
Couples-only and clothing-optional, Desire Cruises offer sexually-charged lifestyle cruises with seductive entertainment, exotic theme nights and an electric atmosphere that will make you want to explore your deepest fantasies.
- Date: Various
- Destination: Various
Learn more about Desire Cruises
Full List of All Themed Cruises
Above is just a sample of some of the themed cruises that are available to book at the moment. See below for a full list of all of the themed cruises, categorised by genre.
Music Cruises
Rock Music Cruises
- The Rock Boat
- Cruise to the Edge
- Monsters of Rock Cruise
- Rock Legends Cruise
- Kiss Kruise XI Kisstory at Sea
- The Melissa Etheridge Cruise
Punk Rock Cruises
Jazz Cruises
Soul Music Cruises
Country Music Cruises
Irish Music Cruises
Heavy Metal Cruises
Blues Cruises
Broadway Cruises
Reggae Cruises
Electronic Dance Music Cruises
50s Music Cruises
60s Music Cruises
70s Music Cruises
80s Music Cruises
Salsa Cruises
Music Festivals at Sea
Hobby Themed Cruises
Christmas Themed Cruises
Sports Themed Cruises
Golf Cruises
Cycling Cruises
Baseball Cruises
Wrestling cruises
American Football Cruises
TV and Movie Themed Cruises
Religious Cruises
Christian Cruises
- K-LOVE Cruise – Christian music cruise
- Christian singles cruises
- Singing at Sea – Southern Gospel music cruise
Jewish Cruises
Mormon Cruises
Fashion Cruises
Adult Cruises
- Desire cruises – Couples-only erotic cruises
- Temptation cruises – Sexy party cruises
- Killing Kittens – Luxury lifestyle cruise
- Bare Necessities – Nude cruises
LGBTQ+ Cruises
- Atlantis – Gay cruises
- Olivia – Lesbian cruises
- Vacaya – LGBTQ+ cruises
- Brand G – LGBTQ+ river cruises
- Big Gay Cruise – Gay cruise
The Best Themed Cruises of the Past
There have been some incredible theme cruises over the years. The cruises listed below aren’t scheduled for 2026 and beyond, but take a look at some of the unusual cruises that people have loved…
Harry Potter Cruise
The Harry Potter cruise was a seven-night all-inclusive cruise that called at filming locations from the Harry Potter movie series and included a behind-the-scenes tour of Warner Bros. Studios. The cruise happened in 2018, on an eight-passenger barge cruising along London’s River Thames.
Walking Dead Themed Cruise
There were four zombie-themed Walking Dead cruises between 2016 and 2019. Known as the Walker Stalker Cruise, these Caribbean cruises on Norwegian Pearl featured a team of make-up artists to help cruisers turn into zombies before taking part in outrageous activities. Stars of The Walking Dead TV series were on board for photo and autograph sessions.
Knotfest at Sea
Fans of the heavy metal band Slipknot were eagerly awaiting the first-ever Slipknot-themed cruise – Knotfest at Sea in August 2020. The cruise on Norwegian Jade from Barcelona to Naples was postponed until 2021 and then sadly cancelled. It’s not known whether this event may ever take place in the future.
NASCAR: The Cruise
American auto racing fans enjoyed a five-night NASCAR themed cruise on Norwegian Pearl in 2017. This stock car themed cruise gave guests the chance to meet some of the biggest names in the sport, including Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Bobby Allison.
How to Book a Themed Cruise
Just like concerts and festivals, themed cruises can sell out fast, so if you hear of a themed cruise that you’re interested in, you won’t want to hang around.
Depending on the cruise, there may be a specialist travel agent handling the bookings. Each theme cruise has its own website, so take a look at that to find the details of how to book your place.
More Themed Cruises?
Do you know of any more themed cruises to add to this list? Please comment below or email me at [email protected] and I will add them.
Related posts:
- The Best Music Cruises
- The Best Cruises For Singles To Hook Ip
- The Best Nude & Clothing-Optional Cruises
- What Do Pink Flamingos Mean?
I’m specifically looking for book themed cruises, but only found a literary festival cruise full of authors I’ve never heard of. Do you know of any others in 2024?
Can’t leave off the New Kids On The Block Cruise. Absolutely the best theme cruise ever. Sells out fast every year. They are on their 11th year. https://nkotbcruise.com/#!/
How did I miss this?! I added it, thank you!
One incorrect piece of information. The next Star Trek Cruise is not, repeat NOT a Caribbean cruise. All the previous one have been Caribbean cruises, but in 2023, they decided to change it up and it ship is sailing from the Port of Los Angeles, cruising to 3 port cities in Mexico.
I have been on the 2 most recent Star Trek Cruises, and they are an absolute blast!
Event run from about 9:00 AM until about 2:00 AM the next day. And you should see the costumes! Dozens of Star Trek actors will be aboard, from every series, as well as make up people, technical ‘behind the scenes’ people, and we are hoping some writers and producers will also show up this year.
Thanks so much for spotting that, Colin. I’ve updated it now. Appreciate your help! Jenni
Wow. Such a great list. All of these sound fun…except Knitting and genealogy…sorry. not my thing. BUT you definitely should look at:
The Ren Cruise http://www.therencruise.com
The Geek Boat
http://Www.thegeekboat.com
That Pineapple Cruise
http://Www.thatpineapplecruise.com
Thanks so much for adding these to the list!
Any trivia themed cruises? Each night could do a trivia contest which includes questions about the port/country just visited.
Good idea! I haven’t heard of one, but P&O Cruises usually have daily trivia around the pool and one or two quizzes in the pub each day as well. Jenni
Hi Jenni,
I saw a TransAtlantic cruise that was doing a Health and Wellness theme in Spring 2022 from Florida, but I can’t remember who….
Have you heard of it ??
If so, please send to me.
Thx
Brenda
Hi Brenda, I haven’t sorry, but if you find it I’d love to add it to this list. Jenni
Hey, you forgot to mention the Capital Jazz SuperCruise (https://www.capitaljazz.com/supercruise/official-site-of-the-supercruise/2022-talent-lineup/)
Thanks so much for drawing my attention to this one. I’ve just added it to the list. Jenni