Have you ever wished you could cruise with people who love all the same things you do? Theme cruises make that happen!
What is a theme cruise?
Theme cruises bring together groups of like-minded strangers and create a floating community around a common interest.
You’ll find themed cruises for fans of certain bands or genres of music, sports, dancing, TV shows and movies, and hobbies and crafts. There are even clothing-optional theme cruises for naturists!
A promoter will charter either the entire cruise ship (or at least a huge block of rooms) for theme cruise guests. If your cruise’s theme has a huge following, it’s likely that the entire ship’s been chartered for the sailing. Smaller interest groups might only fill a portion of the ship’s staterooms.
If there’s something you’re passionate about, there’s a good chance that one of these specialty cruises will float your boat (pun very much intended!)
Tip: Although I always encourage my readers to use a specialized cruise travel agency (I love CruiseDirect), for theme cruises you’ll almost always need to book directly with the promoter.
How to find the right theme cruise for you
If you’re looking for a comprehensive list of 2023 theme cruises, you’ve come to the right place! (For 2024 theme cruises, many haven’t yet been announced, but I’m working on that list—just bookmark this page and I’ll add the link here when it goes live.)
I’ve included a table of contents below where you can click right through to the category of theme cruise that you’re interested in.
You could also just search this page for the type of theme cruise you’re looking for! I’ve included lots of keywords in the “Who is this theme cruise for” section of each theme cruise listing. (If you’re on a desktop or laptop, just hit Control-F on a PC or Command-F on a Mac)
It’s the easiest way to find your style of theme cruise for 2023, whether you want to search for “classic rock”, “knitting” or “Star Trek”.
Or you could just browse through all of the listings for theme cruises in 2023. You might find an amazing cruise (and a like-minded community) you didn’t realize you needed to join!
Music themed cruises
The most popular type of themed cruise is undoubtedly the music cruise. Whether the special sailing is based around a particular artist’s fan base or just a certain style of music, music-themed cruises have been in high demand for many years.
You might have the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with some of your musical idols, enjoy exclusive performances, and meet other cruisers who are just as passionate about your favorite music and artists as you are.
There are so many 2023 music-themed cruises you can join that I’ve created a chart to make your perfect cruise easier to find! Just click on the highlighted name and it will take you to the full description:
| Cruise | Music genres | 2023 Dates | Ship | Sails from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Country Music Cruise | country music | Jan 22 – 29 | Nieuw Amsterdam | Ft. Lauderdale |
| On the Blue Cruise | classic rock | Jan 28 – Feb 2 | Norwegian Pearl | Miami |
| Soul Train Cruise | R&B, soul | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Nieuw Amsterdam | Ft. Lauderdale |
| Jam Cruise | jam bands | Feb 6 – 12 | MSC Divina | Miami |
| Cayamo | classic rock, alt-country, indie folk | Feb 10 – 17 | Norwegian Pearl | Miami |
| Ultimate Disco Cruise | disco music | Feb 25 – Mar 2 | Celebrity Summit | Miami |
| The Beach Boys Good Vibrations Cruise | classic rock, pop, soul | Mar 3 – 8 | Norwegian Pearl | Miami |
| The 80s Cruise Year 7 | 80s pop, rock, and R&B | Mar 3 – 10 | Navigator of the Seas | Los Angeles |
| ‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise | 1970s rock and pop | Mar 16 – 23 | Celebrity Summit | Miami |
| Flower Power Cruise | 1960s rock and pop | Mar 23 – 30 | Celebrity Summit | Miami |
| The Broadway Cruise | Broadway hits, show tunes | Mar 31 – Apr 5 | Norwegian Gem | NYC |
| Beatles and Beyond | 1960s and 70s rock and pop | Apr 19 – 28 | Queen Elizabeth | Tokyo |
| Monsters of Rock Cruise | hard rock, heavy metal | Apr 29 – May 4 | Mariner of the Seas | Port Canaveral |
| The Old School Cruise | 1970s and 80s R&B | May 5 – 8 | Navigator of the Seas | Los Angeles |
| All Star Irish Charter Cruise Alaska | Irish music | May 28 – Jun 4 | Westerdam | Seattle |
| Days of Summer Cruise Fest | rap, hip hop, house, EDM | Jul 2 – 5 | Norwegian Sky | Miami |
| Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea III | blues, blues rock | Aug 17 – 22 | Norwegian Jade | Athens |
| Stars on Board | Arabic music | Aug 22 – 27 | Norwegian Jade | Athens |
| Super Legends Cruise | R&B, Latin soul, Tejano, freestyle | Sep 15 – 18 | Navigator of the Seas | Los Angeles |
| Hollywood Insider: Music Connection | various pop | Oct 21-28 | Discovery Princess | Los Angeles |
| Malt Shop Memories Cruise | 1950s and 60s popular music | Oct 28 – Nov 4 | Nieuw Amsterdam | Ft. Lauderdale |
| Soulshine at Sea | roots music, reggae, hip hop, jam bands | Nov 4 – 8 | Norwegian Pearl | Miami |
| EDSea | EDM (house, bass, trance, disco, techno) | Nov 4 – 8 | Norwegian Joy | Miami |
| The Big Easy Cruise | New Orleans jazz and blues, zydeco, jam bands, country | Nov 4 – 11 | Nieuw Amsterdam | Ft. Lauderdale |
| Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise | Celtic rock, punk rock, ska punk | Nov 8 – 13 | Norwegian Pearl | Miami |
| JAMRock Reggae Cruise | reggae | Dec 4 – 9 | Independence of the Seas | Miami |
The Country Music Cruise (January 22 – 29, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of country music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Randy Owen
- Clay Walker
- The Oak Ridge Boys
- Mark Chesnutt
- Neal McCoy
- Pam Tillis
- Asleep At The Wheel
Cruise line / ship: Holland America Line / Nieuw Amsterdam
Sails from: Round trip from Ft. Lauderdale
Ports of call:
- Philipsburg, St. Maarten
- San Juan, PR
On the Blue Cruise (January 28 – February 2, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Moody Blues fans, classic rock fans
Host / special guests: Hosted by the Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward. Performances by musical artists including
- The Zombies
- Alan Parsons
- Dave Mason
- Little River Band
- Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
- Al Stewart
- The Lovin’ Spoonful
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Pearl
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Harvest Caye, Belize
- Costa Maya, Mexico
Soul Train Cruise (January 29 – February 5, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of R&B and soul music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Babyface
- George Benson
- The Commodores
- The Spinners
- Peabo Bryson
- Evelyn “Champagne” King
- Midnight Star
Cruise line / ship: Holland America Line / Nieuw Amsterdam
Sails from: Roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale
Ports of call:
- Grand Turk
- San Juan, PR
- Half Moon Cay (cruise line’s private island)
Jam Cruise (February 6 – 12, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of jam bands
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Umphree’s McGee
- The Fearless Flyers
- Oteil and Friends
- The Word
- Galactic feat. Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph
- Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
- Lettuce
Cruise line / ship: MSC / MSC Divina
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Grand Turk
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Cayamo (February 10 – 17, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Classic rock, alt-country, and indie folk fans
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Jeff Tweedy
- Andrew Bird
- Trampled by Turtles
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Patty Griffin
- Neko Case
- Shovels & Rope
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Pearl
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Ports of call:
- St. Maarten
- Tortola, BVI
Ultimate Disco Cruise (February 25 – March 2, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of disco music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- KC and The Sunshine Band
- Kool & The Gang
- Billy Ocean
- Taylor Dayne
- Sister Sledge
- Tavares
- Norma Jean Wright & Luci Martin (formerly of Chic)
Cruise line / ship: Celebrity Cruises / Celebrity Summit
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Key West
- Cozumel, Mexico
The Beach Boys Good Vibrations Cruise (March 3 – 8, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Beach Boys fans, fans of classic rock, pop, and soul
Host / special guests: Hosted by Club Kokomo Spirits. Performances by musical artists including
- The Beach Boys
- The Isley Brothers
- The Temptations
- Mark McGrath
- RAIN – A Tribute to The Beatles
- Jimmy Webb
- Katrina (from Katrina and the Waves)
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Pearl
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Harvest Caye, Belize
- Costa Maya, Mexico
The 80s Cruise Year 7 (March 3 – 10, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of 1980s pop, rock, and R&B music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Devo
- Bret Michaels
- The Church
- Kim Wilde
- Morris Day and The Time
- Howard Jones
- Lou Gramm
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Navigator of the Seas
Sails from: Roundtrip from Los Angeles
Ports of call:
- Ensenada
- Cabo San Lucas
- Puerto Vallarta
Related: Exploring the Marietas Islands From Puerto Vallarta
‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise (March 16 – 23, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of 1970s rock and pop music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Don Felder
- The Hollies
- The Orchestra feat. former members of ELO
- Jefferson Starship
- Foghat
- Bay City Rollers
- Leo Sayer
Cruise line / ship: Celebrity / Celebrity Summit
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- San Juan, PR
- St. Croix USVI
Flower Power Cruise (March 23 – 30, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of 1960s rock and pop
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- The Zombies
- Herman’s Hermits
- Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals
- Micky Dolenz
- The Yardbirds
- The Buckinghams
- The Grass Roots
Cruise line / ship: Celebrity / Celebrity Summit
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Belize City, Belize
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Costa Maya, Mexico
The Broadway Cruise (March 31 – April 5, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of Broadway shows and music
Host / special guests: Performances by Broadway artists including
- Laura Benanti
- Kristin Chenoweth
- Alan Cumming
- Randy Rainbow
- Michael Cerveris
- Sierra Boggess
- Lena Hall
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Gem
Sails from: Round trip from New York City
Port of call: Bermuda (overnight)
Related: 21 BEST Things to Do in Bermuda on a Cruise
Beatles and Beyond (April 19 – 28, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Beatles fans, fans of 1960s and 70s rock and pop music
Host / special guests: Performances by The Bootleg Beatles, the world’s leading Beatles tribute band.
Cruise line / ship: Cunard / Queen Elizabeth
Sails from: Round trip from Tokyo, Japan
Ports of call:
- Kumamoto, Japan
- Fukuoka, Japan
- Busan, South Korea
- Kanazawa, Japan
- Akita, Japan
Related: In The Steps of the Beatles Liverpool Shore Excursion Review
Monsters of Rock Cruise (April 29 – May 4, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Hard rock and heavy metal fans
Host / special guests: Hosted by . Performances by musical artists including
- Tesla
- Autograph
- Burning Witches
- Chez Kane
- D-A-D
- Dirty Looks
- Doro
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Mariner of the Seas
Sails from: Port Canaveral
Ports of call:
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- Labadee, Haiti
The Old School Cruise (May 5 – 8, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of 1970s and 80s R&B
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Lisa Lisa
- SOS Band
- Zapp
- The Ohio Players
- Brenton Wood
- Original Lakeside
- MC Magic
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Navigator of the Seas
Sails from: Roundtrip from Los Angeles
Port of call: Ensenada, Mexico
All Star Irish Charter Cruise Alaska (May 28 – June 4, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of Irish music and culture
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Daniel O’Donnell
- Celtic Thunder
- Nathan Carter
- Michael English
- Jimmy Buckley
- Dominic Kirwan
- Brendan Shine
Cruise line / ship: Holland America Line / Westerdam
Sails from: Seattle to Victoria, BC
Ports of call:
- Juneau
- Sitka
- Ketchikan
Days of Summer Cruise Fest (July 2 – 5, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of rap, hip hop, house music, and EDM
Host / special guests: Hosted by DJ Khaled. Live performance by Lil Baby & Future. DJs onboard include
- DJ Big Skipp
- DJ Charlie B
- DJ Fergie
- DJ GT Mayne
- DJ Lennox NYC
- DJ Nasty
- DJ Nasty 305
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Sky
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
- Nassau, Bahamas
Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea III (August 17 – 22, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of blues and blues rock music
Host / special guests: Hosted by Joe Bonamassa. Performances by musical artists including
- Joe Bonamassa
- Kenny Wayne Shepherd
- Blackberry Smoke
- Christone Kingfish Ingram
- Ruthie Foster
- King King
- Jimmy Vivino
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Jade
Sails from: Round trip from Athens, Greece
Ports of call:
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Santorini, Greece
Stars on Board (August 22 – 27, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of popular Arabic music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- George Wassouf
- Ragheb Alama
- Nancy Ajram
- Saber Ribai
- Nassif Zeytoun
- Melhem Zein
- Saad Lamjarred
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Jade
Sails from: Round trip from Athens, Greece
Ports of call:
- Mykonos, Greece
- Bodrum, Turkey
- Marmaris, Turkey
Super Legends Cruise (September 15 – 18, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of R&B, Latin soul, Tejano, and freestyle
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Tower of Power
- Los Lonely Boys
- Stevie B
- Exposé
- The Manhattans
- Rose Royce
- GQ
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Navigator of the Seas
Sails from: Round trip from Los Angeles
Ports of call:
- Ensenada, Mexico
Hollywood Insider: Music Connection (October 21 – October 28, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of popular music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Freda Payne
- Al Jardine
- Kimberley Locke
Speaker events and more from:
- Allan Dennis Rich (Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, and Emmy-nominated songwriter)
- Leo Rossi (Former Fleetwood Mac tour director and road crew member for Led Zeppelin, The Who, Al Jarreau, and Chaka Khan)
Cruise line / ship: Princess Cruises / Discovery Princess
Sails from: Round trip from Los Angeles
Ports of call:
- San Francisco
- San Diego
- Ensenada
Related: Princess Cruises Announces Three California Coastal “Hollywood Insider” Theme Cruises
Malt Shop Memories Cruise (October 28 – November 4, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of 1950s and 60s popular music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- The Temptations
- Little Anthony
- Jay and The Americans
- The Lettermen
- Al Jardine & His Endless Summer Band
- Darlene Love
- The Bronx Wanderers
Cruise line / ship: Holland America Line / Nieuw Amsterdam
Sails from: Round trip from Ft. Lauderdale
Ports of call:
- Aruba
- Curaçao
Related: What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
Soulshine at Sea (November 4 – 8, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Spearhead / Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy fans, fans of roots music, reggae, hip hop, and jam bands
Host / special guests: Hosted by Michael Franti. Performances by musical artists including
- Michael Franti and Spearhead
- John Butler
- Soja
- Fortunate Youth
- The New Respects
- Tropidelic
- Shut Up & Dance
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Pearl
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Port of call: Costa Maya, Mexico
EDSea (November 4 – 8, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of EDM (house, bass, trance, disco, techno, etc.), and anyone who loves the Electric Daisy Carnival music festival
Artist lineup includes:
- DJ Snake
- Afrojack
- Galantis
- Benny Benassi
- Deorro
- Louis the Child
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Joy
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Related: Ultimate Guide to Great Stirrup Cay
The Big Easy Cruise (November 4 – 11, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of New Orleans jazz and blues, zydeco, jam bands, and country music
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists including
- Little Feat
- Galactic feat. Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph
- Tab Benoit
- Samantha Fish
- Dirty Dozen Brass Band
- Leo Nocentelli from The Meters
- Anders Osborne
Cruise line / ship: Holland America Line / Nieuw Amsterdam
Sails from: Round trip from Ft. Lauderdale
Ports of call:
- New Orleans
- Cozumel, Mexico
Flogging Molly’s Salty Dog Cruise (November 8 – 13, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Flogging Molly fans, fans of Celtic rock, punk rock, and ska punk
Host / special guests: Hosted by Flogging Molly. Performances by musical artists including
- Flogging Molly
- Pennywise
- The Interrupters
- Stiff Little Fingers
- Broilers
- The Vandals
- Gorilla Biscuits
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Pearl
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Harvest Caye, Belize
- Costa Maya, Mexico
JAMRock Reggae Cruise (December 4 – 9, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of reggae music
Special guests:
- Capleton
- I Wayne
- Spragga Benz
- Lady G
- Yaksta
- Jahshii
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Independence of the Seas
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Falmouth, Jamaica
- Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Related: Climbing Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios Jamaica
Dancing themed cruises
Dancing and cruising have always gone hand-in-hand, and taking a dance-themed cruise will let you flaunt (or practice!) your skills alongside other dance enthusiasts and professional dancers.
Here are the 2023 dance theme cruises you can join:
Aventura Dance Cruise (February 3 – 7, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of Latin dancing
Host / special guests: Performances by dancers including
- Armambo
- Farid
- Clifton
- Tito y Tamara
- Michelle & Brandon
- Delia y Raul
- Ernesto y Denisse
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Jewel of the Seas
Sails from: Round trip from Port Canaveral (Orlando)
Port of call: Labadee, Haiti
Salsa Cruise (October 27 – November 3, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of salsa dancing
Host / special guests: Performances by musical artists and dancers including
- Orquesta Guayacan
- PuertoRican Power
- El Gran Combo
- Anthony MKA
- Chino Nunez Y Su Orquesta
- Edwin “El Calvito” Reyes
- David Luca
Cruise line / ship: Carnival Cruise Line / Carnival Conquest
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
- San Juan, PR
- St. Thomas, USVI
Sports themed cruises
If you love sports, taking a sports-themed cruise is the perfect way to enjoy watching and talking about your favorite sport with other fans.
Most sports cruises have lots of pros onboard for meet-and-greets and discussions, so you might be able to chat with your idols face-to-face!
Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea: Four Leaf Clover (February 2 – 6, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Professional wrestling / WWE fans
Host / special guests: Hosted by Chris Jericho. Featured performers and wrestlers include
- Jericho Appreciation Society
- Daniel Garcia
- Sammy Guevara
- Jake Hager
- Daddy Magic Matt Menard
- Cool Hand Angelo Parker
- Tay Melo
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Pearl
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Port of call: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas
Related: 25 Norwegian Cruise Tips You Need to Know
Faithful Cruise (March 6 – 10, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? San Francisco 49ers football fans
Host / special guests: Past and present 49ers players will be on board for autograph sessions, photo opportunities, sports deck competitions and more, including
- Jesse Sapolu
- Fred Warner
- Tim Collier
- Dennis Brown
- Ian Williams
- Arik Armstead
- Doug Dubose
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Liberty of the Seas
Sails from: Round trip Fort Lauderdale
Ports of call:
- Perfect Day at CocoCay (cruise line’s private island)
- Nassau, Bahamas
Related: 7 Best Beaches in Nassau Bahamas for Cruisers
Infinity Sports Rugby Charter (September 8, 2023 – October 28, 2023*)
Who is this theme cruise for? Rugby fans
What this theme cruise includes:
- Food and drink
- Entertainment
- Rugby World Cup match tickets
- Travel to and from the stadium
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Epic
Sails from: Roundtrip from Marseilles, France
Ports of call: Ports depend on specific itinerary booked—all port stops are within a few days’ cruising from Marseilles, France
*You can choose from any of twelve Infinity Sports rugby itineraries during this time period
TV and movie themed cruises
Theme cruises for TV and movie fans are also popular every year. Join cast members and other fans for trivia contests, costume parties, and discussions about your favorite shows and films.
Star Trek the Cruise VI (February 24 – March 3, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Star Trek fans
Host / special guests: Appearances by Star Trek crew members including
- William Shatner
- Jonathan Frakes
- Brent Spiner
- Marina Sirtis
- Denise Crosby
- John De Lancie
- Robert O’Reilly
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Navigator of the Seas
Sails from: Roundtrip from Los Angeles
Ports of call:
- Cabo San Lucas
- Mazatlán
- Puerto Vallarta
Moira’s Party Boat: Ew, Cruising! (March 30 – April 3, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of the TV show Schitt’s Creek
What to expect: Fans will come together for costume contests, trivia, dance parties, and more. This is not an official Schitt’s Creek event, and none of the cast or crew members of the show will be in attendance.
Cruise line / ship: Celebrity Cruises / Celebrity Summit
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Key West
- Nassau, Bahamas
Golden Fans at Sea (April 8 – 13, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of the TV show The Golden Girls
What to expect: A character costume dress-up party, trivia, celebrity panels, parody shows, and more.
Cruise line / ship: Celebrity Cruises / Celebrity Summit
Sails from: Round trip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Key West
Hollywood Insider with 80s Primetime Stars (October 3-7, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of the 1980s primetime TV series Dallas
Special guests:
- Linda Gray
- Charlene Tilton
- Sheree J. Wilson
- Christopher Atkins
Cruise line / ship: Princess Cruises / Majestic Princess
Sails from: Vancouver to Los Angeles
Port of call:
- Vancouver, BC
Hollywood Insider: Behind the Scenes EFX (October 16-19, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? TV and movie fans who want a behind-the-scenes look at how special effects are created
Special guests:
- Michael Westmore
- Johnnie Spence
- Tym Buchaarern
Cruise line / ship: Princess Cruises / Crown Princess
Sails from: Seattle to Vancouver
Ports of call: N/A
Related: Princess Cruises Announces Three California Coastal “Hollywood Insider” Theme Cruises
TCM Classic Cruise (November 6 – 11, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of the TCM network and classic films
Hosted by: TCM personalities Ben Mankiewicz, Jacqueline Stewart, Eddie Muller, Alicia Malone, and Dave Karger
Special guests:
- Kim Novak
- Elliott Gould
- George Chakiris
- Ernest Dickerson
- Lorna Luft
- Wynn Thomas
Cruise line / ship: Disney Cruise Line / Disney Magic
Sails from: Round trip from San Diego
Ports of call:
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Ensenada, Mexico
Related: How Does Dining on Disney Cruise Line Work?
West Coast Getaway w/Adam Savage from MythBusters (November 25 – 29, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of Mythbusters and Tested
Host / special guests: Adam Savage
Cruise line / ship: Princess Cruises / Discovery Princess
Sails from: Round trip from Los Angeles
Ports of call:
- San Diego
- Ensenada, Mexico
Related: Theme Cruise Featuring Original MythBusters Host Adam Savage Will Set Sail on Discovery Princess
Industry-specific theme cruises
Theme cruises focused on your specific industry are great for networking and furthering your education. Maybe you’ll find your next position (or your next new hire!) on a job-specific theme cruise.
NurseCon at Sea (February 6 – 10, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Nurses and nursing students who want to learn, share, interact, and party
Events include:
- CNE classes
- Nurse Blake Live! show
- Ultimate Skills Check-Off game show
- Nurses Got Talent competition
- Parties and theme nights
Cruise line / ship: Norwegian Cruise Line / Norwegian Pearl
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Port of call: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
NurseCon at Sea (April 24 – 28, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Nurses and nursing students who want to learn, share, interact, and party
Events include:
- CNE classes
- Nurse Blake Live! show
- Ultimate Skills Check-Off game show
- Nurses Got Talent competition
- Parties and theme nights
Cruise line / ship: Royal Caribbean / Freedom of the Seas
Sails from: Roundtrip from Miami
Ports of call:
- Perfect Day at CocoCay (cruise line’s private island)
- Nassau, Bahamas
Crafting theme cruises
With so many sea days on many cruises, taking a cruise can be an awesome opportunity to catch up on your craft projects. But what if you could join a cruise full of other crafters and makers to share ideas?
Craft-themed cruises usually don’t take over the entire ship (promoters will generally book hundreds of rooms, if not more), but you’re guaranteed to meet lots of other crafters through their onboard meetups, mixers, and lectures.
Knitting Cruise (Various dates in 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? People who love to knit
What to expect: Knitting classes and lectures, Knitting Cruise exclusive parties and mixers
Cruise line / ship: Holland America Line / various ships
Itineraries:
- Antarctica Knitting Cruise (Feb 2023)
- Japan Russia and Pacific Crossing (Apr 2023)
- Japan and Russia Knitting Cruise (Apr 2023)
- Great Alaskan Knitting Cruise (May 2023)
- Polar Ice Caps Knitting Cruise (June 2023)
- Midnight Sun Knitting Cruise (Jul 2023)
- British Isles Knitting Cruise (Aug 2023)
- Rhine Christmas Markets (Dec 2023)
Religious and spiritual themed cruises
If practicing your faith is important to you, you’ve probably noticed that religious services aren’t always easy to find on a cruise (if they exist at all).
But taking a faith-based cruise with a ship full of others who share the same beliefs guarantees that you’ll find plenty of worship services, workshops, and study groups to practice your faith at sea.
Inspiration Cruises (Various dates in 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Evangelical Christians
Cruise line / ship: Holland America Line / various ships
Itineraries include:
- Alaska
- Canada & New England
- Caribbean
- Hawaii
- Mediterranean
Other specialty theme cruises
Big Nude Boat (February 12 – 26, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Naturists and nudists
Cruise line / ship: Carnival Cruise Line / Carnival Pride
Sails from: Round trip from Tampa
Ports of call:
- St. Thomas, USVI
- St. Kitts
- Antigua
- Grand Turk
- Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
- Princess Cays
- Half Moon Cay
Related: David’s Steakhouse on Carnival Pride Review + Menus
Club Pilates at Sea: An Alaska Retreat (September 2 – 9, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fitness enthusiasts
Host / special guests: Xponential Fitness / Club Pilates
Cruise line / ship: Princess Cruises / Royal Princess
Sails from: Round trip from Seattle
Ports of call:
- Juneau
- Skagway
- Ketchikan
- Glacier Bay (scenic cruising)
- Victoria, BC
Read more: Princess Cruises Will Offer First Club Pilates at Sea Theme Cruise
Magic Castle Conjurer’s Cruise (October 7 – 14, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Fans of magic shows, illusionists
Host / special guests: The Magic Castle
Cruise line / ship: Princess Cruises / Discovery Princess
Sails from: Round trip from Los Angeles
Ports of call:
- San Francisco
- San Diego
- Ensenada, Mexico
Read more: Princess Cruises Announces First Magic Castle Conjurer’s Cruise
Randy Fenoli Bridal Fashion Cruise (December 3- 10, 2023)
Who is this theme cruise for? Brides and their families
Host / special guests: Randy Fenoli
Cruise line / ship: Princess Cruises / Regal Princess
Sails from: Round trip from Galveston
Ports of call:
- Roatán, Honduras
- Costa Maya, Mexico
- Cozumel, Mexico
Read more: Princess Cruises Now Offering Princess Perfect Weddings at Sea
Theme cruises FAQ
What is a theme cruise?
Theme cruises bring together groups of like-minded strangers and create a floating community around a common interest.
Are theme cruises adults-only?
Many theme cruises are either specifically adults-only (18+ or 21+). Other theme cruises are more family-focused. Check with your cruise promoter for age restrictions or recommendations.
What kind of theme cruises are available in 2023?
Theme cruises are available for fans of music, dance, sports, TV shows and movies, crafts, religious groups, and more.
Have you ever sailed on a theme cruise? Which cruise was it, and what did you think of the experience? Do you know of any other 2023 theme cruises I haven’t included in the list? Let me know in the comments below!
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