For the client who loves cruising but is seeking something novel, or the superfan who just can’t get enough of their hobby of choice, a theme cruise can be the perfect recommendation. From chocolate and golf to pop culture and comics (for instance, Comic-Con: The Cruise was just announced), there are many themed sailings available at any given time.
Here are a few currently on our radar.
ChocoCruise - Explore the World of Chocolate, Costa Cruises
Chocolate aficionados will love ChocoCruise - Explore the World of Chocolate, an upcoming theme cruise hosted by Costa Cruises.
In partnership with world-class chocolate and cocoa producer Barry Callebaut, the cruise will feature five international master pastry chefs — Alberto Simionato from Italy, Joel Perriard from Switzerland, Philippe Bertrand from France, Ramon Morato from Spain and Alexandre Bourdeaux from Belgium — who are all members of the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy and ambassadors of the brand. Costa’s own corporate pastry chef and baker, Riccardo Bellaera, will also be on the ship.
During the sailing, chocoholics can enjoy chocolate dishes at onboard meals, attend meetings and cooking demonstrations with the culinary personalities, take part in chocolate workshops in the ship’s galley laboratory and even try Bacardi chocolate-forward drinks.
ChocoCruise will take place onboard Costa Toscana.
Credit: 2023 Costa CruisesThe seven-night Mediterranean voyage is scheduled onboard Costa Toscana from Nov. 17-24, 2023.
Jay & Silent Bob, Norwegian Cruise Line
In a similar vein to Comic-Con: The Cruise, pop culture fan favorites Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes will host a Jay & Silent Bob Present Cruise Askew sailing on Feb. 23, 2024, onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl. The voyage will head from Miami to Nassau, the Bahamas, and also showcase actors Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee, plus a half-dozen other celebrities affiliated with Smith’s fandom. In fact, live recordings of the crew’s podcasts — ranging from Fat Man Beyond to Hollywood Babble-On — will happen on the ship, in addition to script readings of “Clerks III” and “Mallrats.”
There will also be a thematic Mooby’s at Sea, as well as Kevin Smith’s Me-seum. Other programming is set to include standup comedy sets and live music, autograph sessions with various talent, a ‘90s prom, a casino tournament and bingo. And no Smith event would be complete without a signature Q&A with the “An Evening with Kevin Smith” host.
PerryGolf Cruises, Azamara Cruises
Coming up in 2024 and 2025, golfers can look forward to a series of 10 PerryGolf theme sailings with Azamara Cruises.
"We continue to witness very strong demand for future golf cruise bookings, which spikes in the summer months with the myriad of links golf televised by way of the Scottish Open, The Open, The Senior Open, Women's Open and Irish Open,” said Gordon Dalgleish, president and co-founder of PerryGolf.
Cruisers will have the chance to visit iconic golf courses.
Credit: 2023 Azamara Cruises/PerryGolfTwo of the sailings include weekend attendance to The Open, golf’s oldest major championship, and 11 courses visited rank among Golf.com’s World Top 100 Courses. Available packages range from “Golf Lite” three-course access (for those who wish to sightsee more) to 12-night sailings with up to six rounds at famous and classic links.
The July 1, 2024, Irish Links Golf Cruise and the July 14, 2024, British Isles Golf Cruise with attendance to the 152nd Open at Royal Troon are both already on a waitlist, according to Dalgleish.
“The Open returning to Northern Ireland in 2025 — for just the third time since 1951 — has incredible appeal, which, coupled with our clients wanting the best selection of available suites with balcony and butler service, is another reason we continue to see earlier bookings,” he said.
More details on itineraries can be found on PerryGolf’s website.
Magic Castle and Adam Savage, Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises recently announced some theme cruises onboard its fleet. In October, Discovery Princess will host the Magic Castle Conjurer’s Cruise in partnership with Los Angeles’ Magic Castle, a 60-year-old establishment known as the “Mecca for Magicians.”
The California coastal cruise will treat magic-loving guests to everything from live performances from top magicians to workshops and lectures on the subject, a display of Magic Castle artifacts and a historical presentation from the founding family. There will also be magic-themed cooking demonstrations, tasting experiences and beverages such as “Magician’s Crepe,” “Chocolate Seance” and “Vanishing Rabbit,” along with magic-themed outdoor film screenings, cocktail parties, dinners and brunches.
In November, cruisers can enjoy another California coastal theme cruise, also onboard Discovery Princess. Adam Savage, co-host of the Emmy-nominated “MythBusters” series on Discovery — and a godparent of Discovery Princess — will host the sailing, where he’ll interact with guests and partake in a Q&A and meet-and-greets. For an added fee, clients can book specialty dinners hosted by Savage, as well as Guided Ship Tours, where he’ll personally bring them through the theater, laundry, galley and other spaces. The sailing will additionally include trivia and a Camp Discovery activity tailored for younger cruisers.
“I can’t wait to meet fellow passengers and share all the exciting below-deck technology I’ve learned about in science and engineering in general, and cruise ships in particular,” Savage said.
The weeklong Magic Castle sailing will take place Oct. 7-14, 2023, roundtrip from Los Angeles. The four-day MythBusters cruise will take place Nov. 25-29, 2023, also roundtrip from Los Angeles.
Pro Tip for Theme Cruising
A great resource and snapshot of available theme cruises is Theme Cruise Finder. The comprehensive search engine allows users to search by category or simply browse featured cruises
