Whether you're a fan of themed cruises or not, they are definitely growing in popularity. I’ve personally experienced both sides of the coin. First, I sailed on Shiprocked, a music-themed cruise where my wife and I got to enjoy some of our favorite bands. Then, I unexpectedly found myself on a Carnival cruise where over half the ship was dedicated to a Country Music theme week, which we hadn’t planned for.
There are generally two types of themed cruises. I’m focusing on those where passengers pay extra to join a theme—whether it’s Comicon, music genres, LGBTQ+, TV shows (yes, those exist!), and more. These differ from onboard seasonal events, like Halloween themes organized by the cruise line, where everyone can join the fun. I’ve done those too, and they’re a blast!
Themed cruises offer a lot of benefits if you're into the theme. You can meet celebrities, connect with like-minded people, and fully immerse yourself in your passion. However, participating in these events usually comes at an extra cost. You’ll typically receive a wristband or lanyard granting access to special events. For example, on the Country Music cruise, lounges with doors were restricted to paying participants, and the main theater had two nights of shows canceled for regular guests to make room for exclusive concerts. If you didn’t pay, you weren’t invited.
These days, whenever we start planning a cruise, one of the first places we check is themcruisefinder.com. It helps us avoid booking during a themed cruise that might take over the ship, although it’s not foolproof as some cruises don’t make it onto the site. Still, it’s been useful in steering us away from certain dates, and I highly recommend adding it to your search process. If you’re booking through a travel agency, be sure to mention your preferences so they can help you avoid situations where half the ship’s amenities are off-limits during your vacation.
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