Best Themed Cruises for 2024 and Beyond

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:

Star Trek: The Cruise on Royal Caribbean

• 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.

The 80s Cruise 2024 on Royal Caribbean

• 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:

• Air Supply
• 38 Special
• Debbie Gibson
• Sebastian Bach
• Soft Cell
• Stephen Pearcy of Ratt
• The English Beat

Norwegian Cruise Line: The Broadway Cruise 2

• 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.

Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Cruise Line

• 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.

Norwegian: The Hallmark Christmas Cruise

• 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.

Cunard: Literature at Sea Festival

• 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.

Holland America: The Country Music Cruise

• 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.

Royal Caribbean — Comic-Con: The Cruise

• 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.

Norwegian: Ultimate Disco 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.

Plan Your Themed Cruise With AAA

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.