14 Themed Cruises you probably didn’t know existed
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Theme cruises have been gaining in popularity, and now run the gamut from golf-themed cruises, to fashion, ballet, music and the ever-popular Star Trek cruises. No matter what your interest is, there is likely a theme cruise for you. But not every theme cruise is the same.
There are three broad categories of theme cruise. The full-ship theme cruise involves the entire ship – from special menus to onboard venues. Many of these are offered in partnership with cruise lines, such as Royal Carribean’s High Seas Rally – a biker rally on a cruise ship, or Oceania Cruises’ annual Jacques Pepin Cruise. The advantage of the full-ship theme cruise is that you will find yourself immersed in the theme, and surrounded entirely by like-minded enthusiasts.
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Oceania Riviera – Barista’s – Seating – 1385157
Oceania Riviera – Penthouse Suite – 1385055
Another type of theme cruise is the partial-ship cruise. On these cruises, a group or organisation purchases a number of cabins and then markets these, along with special activities not available to other cruise passengers. For example, wine cruises are a popular choice for partial-ship cruises and may include onboard tastings, shore excursions to wineries and talks by wine professionals. Partial-ship cruises are usually hosted by the organiser, such as wineries, and may also include a pre-cruise program.
There are also theme-inspired cruises, which are usually regular sailings with some special-interest activities and guest speakers. For example, Cunard’s London Theater at Sea cruises include lectures and design workshops, performances and the opportunity to be part of a production.
However, they are organised, what all theme cruises have in common is the chance for participants to explore their passion and interest with like-minded people, while also enjoying all that a cruise holiday has to offer. Theme cruises are particularly appealing for first-time cruisers, who are attracted by the theme more than the idea of cruising, and for solo travellers, who may be looking for a chance to make friends and be part of a group.
From cruises for psychics, to nudist cruises and Kiss cruises, there is something for everyone. The cruises below may give you some ideas about what type of cruise you would like to try out next.
Fashion and craft cruises
Each year, Cunard organises a Transatlantic Fashion Week cruise on board the Queen Mary 2, from Southhampton to New York. The cruise includes catwalk shows and workshops, along with talks and hosted dinners with designers. If fashion is not your thing, you could consider a craft cruise. These partial-ship cruises are available for every craft from knitting to needlepoint, and offer classes and talks along with the usual cruise amenities.
Running cruise
For those who would rather be running than sailing, Running Cruise offers partial-theme cruises to a number of places around the world. In addition to runs of various lengths at each shore stop (and on-board), the cruises also include coaching sessions, special activities, and pre-cruise runs. Most excursions also have events for walkers.
Sci-fi, fantasy and ghosts
Star Trek: The Cruise is one of the most popular full-ship theme cruises and regularly sells out early. The cruise includes a large number of stars from various Star Trek series, who create events each day. There are also talks, themed events, hosted excursions and parties. The cruise takes place on different ships each year, but parts of the ships are generally made over to provide a Trekkie atmosphere. There is no packing light for this trip, many of the participants remain in costume for the entire cruise.
If zombies are more your thing, you could try the Walker Stalker cruise, which pays homage to the Walking Dead. Watch out for zombies as you engage in scavenger hunts, meet the stars of the show, participate in costume contests, scary themed nights and “eerie activities.”
For those interested in a calmer approach to frights, Ghost Hunter Cruises offers a selection of small group, partial-ship cruises that include guided shore excursions to local haunting sites. Learn all about ghosts of Ireland or Mexico from celebrity ghost hunters, psychics and specialists in the paranormal.
Culinary cruises
Amazing food and cruises go together like truffles and foie gras, so it’s no surprise that there are a huge variety of culinary cruises to choose from, including the America’s Test Kitchen cruise, where guests can watch live onboard cooking shows and participate in hands-on workshops. Many cruise lines also organise culinary cruises featuring star chefs and sommeliers. Chefs prepare special meals for the cruise, hold meet and greets, give talks and cooking demonstrations and host shopping excursions on shore.
For those who are more health-minded, Holistic Holiday at Sea offers a vegan cruise. In addition to fully vegan food, the cruise includes workshops, lectures and classes led by plant-based experts in the fields of nutrition, fitness, mindfulness and wellness. In addition to presentations and talks, there are also classes in vegan cooking, fitness, yoga and meditation, along with nightly entertainment and social events. Those who are following macrobiotic, raw and gluten-free diets are also catered for.
Dance cruises
Whether you love boogie, ballet or ballroom, there is no better place to move your feet than on a cruise. P&O Cruises offers a number of Strictly Come Dancing-themed cruises with a variety of destinations and itineraries. Attractions include the opportunity for one-to-one dance lessons with pro dancers from the series, hosted dinners, workshops with costumers and designers from the show, and plenty of opportunities to dance.
Drag cruise
True to its desire to be different, U by Uniworld plays host to a drag-themed cruise. Featuring stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race, the cruise includes on-board performances and appearances from celebrity drag queens, along with hosted events such as karaoke, makeup lessons, comedy shows and dinners. The cruise also features an open bar and a bar crawl excursion. U also hosts a tattoo cruise with celebrity tattoo artists, seminars and a tattoo parlour crawl.
Music cruises
You can attend a cruise featuring music from everyone from Abba to Zappa, country to Christian, and prog-rock to house. Or, you can attend an entire themed music festival at sea – trading camping in a muddy field for a luxury cabin and spa. Choices include The Ark, Shipsomnia, South-East Asia-based It’s the Ship, and the ever-popular Anchored.
For something a bit different, nostalgia buffs could consider Throwback: The 80s Festival at Sea. Stars like UB40 and Sister Sledge provide live sets, and there are themed nights, screenings of 80s movies and TV shows, karaoke and a street party. Expect guests to dress to impress in their best blazers, shoulder pads, and candy-coloured spandex. If the 80s are not your thing, there is also a cruise devoted to the 90s.
Or, if you can’t get enough Kiss, the Kiss Kruise allows you to celebrate their legacy with 2,30o other face-painted fans. The cruise features nightly shows from Kiss and other groups, a chance to meet the band, and tattoo and face paint artists.
Take it all off for cruising
Nudists also have a cruise of their own – the Big Nude Boat. Of (bare) necessity ,this is a full-ship cruise where voyagers can participate in all of the usual cruise activities – naked. Participants will need to don clothing for some shore excursions, but trips to nude beaches are also on the agenda.
Cruise to the end of the Earth
Finally, there is now a cruise for those who don’t believe in cruising – because they are afraid they will fall of the edge of the world – the Flat Earth cruise. Set for 2020, this cruise plans to sail to the “ice wall at the planet’s edge” and prove once and for all that the Earth is flat. Of course, the ship they will be sailing on will still use the navigational technology that relies on the Earth being spherical, so don’t hold your breath for any major revelations. Details are yet to be announced.