Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

You come to hear the music, to pursue a hobby or to follow a celebrity. You return for the community of people sharing a common passion. Themed cruises offer the unique opportunity to find your people and explore the world with them — all while enjoying an incredible schedule of onboard activities and entertainment.

A themed cruise is a special-interest sailing based around interests and hobbies such as food and wine, sports, dancing, crafting, popular films and TV shows, lifestyles and music.

Sometimes, the themed event takes over the entire ship. Other times, the themed cruise organizer has their group join a regular itinerary but offers special events exclusive to participants.

First-time theme cruisers are lured by the chance to meet or listen to their favorite celebrities or to improve their skills in a favorite pastime. However, they often discover that the best part of a themed cruise is immersion in a community of like-minded individuals.

Themed cruises foster a warm, friendly atmosphere on board where the conversation is easy because you begin with an established connection. Days and nights of shared interests and experiences can lead to meaningful connections that may last a lifetime.

What’s better than being surrounded by your people, partying the night away and then retiring to your own private cabin just an elevator ride away? Not much — except perhaps encountering your celebrity crush at the ship’s buffet, attending a no-holds-barred Q&A with your favorite actors or musicians, or taking a small-group class with a rising star.

From a country music cruise to a golfer’s dream itinerary, these are some of the best themed cruises in 2025 and 2026.

Note: As standard on all big-ship cruises, fares for themed cruises include several complimentary dining options. Alcohol and soda will cost extra, with package deals available depending on the cruise line and the charter company. Tours and excursions in port also cost extra. Pricing is based on two people sharing a cabin.

Music-themed cruises

'70s Rock and Romance Cruise 2026

Cruise ship: Celebrity Silhouette
Date: March 21-28, 2026

An Elton John tribute performer on stage covered in colorful feathers and big glasses — '70S ROCK AND ROMANCE CRUISE

Billed as “the greatest feel-good party at sea,” the '70s Rock and Romance Cruise returns in 2026 with a star-studded lineup of the grooviest acts at sea.

You’ll enjoy performances by famed music icons, including America, Kansas and Ambrosia. The artists will also host events and attend special meet-and-greets. Other special performers will include Pablo Cruise, the Bay City Rollers, Melissa Manchester and many more rock ‘n’ roll favorites.

Pack your best bell bottoms and disco sequins for the cruise’s Saturday Night Fever and '70s costume parties.

Find pricing and reservations on the Rock and Romance website.

Soul Train Cruise

Cruise ship: Holland America Line’s Eurodam
Dates: Nov. 9-16, 2025, and Feb. 1-8, 2026

People all over the ship, join hands! The Soul Train Cruise features more than 50 live performances from soul music legends.

This is your chance to join over 2,000 soul music fans for a week filled with all the joy of those timeless tunes. The artist roster for the 2025 sailing features soul music stars and tribute acts, including Jeffrey Osborne, The Manhattans, Regina Belle and Al McKay’s Earth, Wind and Fire Experience. For 2026, iconic performers such as Kool and the Gang, Morris Day and the Time, Deniece Williams and The Sugarhill Gang will be on board.

When you’re not boogying down on the dance floor, sign up for celebrity-hosted wine tastings, game shows and other activities. The cruise cabins for both sailings are already sold out, but don’t worry: You can join the waitlist to be notified should sold-out cabins become available.

Find pricing and booking information on the Soul Train Cruise website.

The Outlaw Country Cruise 10

Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl
Date: March 20-25, 2026

It’s a honky-tonk week at sea on the 10th Outlaw Country Cruise. Expect one-of-a-kind collaborations and special acoustic performances by favorite bands and singer-songwriters.

The 2026 lineup of performers hasn't been released yet. However, Old Crow Medicine Show, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Carlene Carter and The Beat Farmers performed on previous cruises.

On board, the party never ends with themed costume nights, meet-and-greets, game shows, a belly-flop competition and bingo games.

Add your name to the presale list on the Outlaw Country Cruise website.

The Flower Power Cruise

Cruise ship: Celebrity Silhouette
Date: March 28-April 4, 2026

Hippies have it good on the Flower Power Cruise as some of the greatest music legends of the late '60s and early '70s bring their groovy vibes to the sea. Relive the glory days of peace, love and flowers in your hair on board this weeklong sailing.

The 2026 lineup includes The Beach Boys, Tommy James and the Shondells, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, The Lovin' Spoonful and others from that era.

Comedian Jimmie Walker from the iconic '70s TV series "Good Times" will also be on board to help ensure you have the "best" time.

Booking opens April 10. Visit the Flower Power Cruise website for details.

Film- and TV-themed cruises

Star Trek: The Cruise IX

Cruise ship: Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas
Date: Feb. 20-27, 2026

Sail long and prosper! Take the best of a sci-fi con, extend it for a week and add perfect tropical weather to get Star Trek: The Cruise IX.

Few franchises have fan bases as devoted as “Star Trek,” and all the love for the series floats this cruise. The voyage is an immersive getaway with an impressive roster of cast members and creatives who have been a part of “Star Trek” since its inception.

The 2026 cruise will celebrate the show's 60th anniversary, and "Star Trek" icons William Shatner (Captain James T. Kirk) and Walter Koenig (Chekov) will headline. Other fan favorites from the franchise will include Jonathan Frakes, Denise Crosby, Marina Sirtis, Sonequa Martin-Green and Armin Shimerman.

Join in the merry mayhem as these sci-fi legends offer dramatic performances, comedy shows, Q&As, screenings, interactive games, and other events and activities that will make your days at sea fly by.

Previous sailings sold out quickly, so beam yourself over to the Star Trek: The Cruise IX website for the latest pricing and availability information.

Themed cruises for hobbies and special interests

2026 Emo's Not Dead Cruise

Cruise ship: Norwegian Joy
Date: Jan. 22-26, 2026

Norwegian Joy cruise ship at sea — Norwegian Joy. NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

The ideal vacation for pop-punk cruisers, the Emo’s Not Dead Cruise will sail round-trip from Miami with a stop in Costa Maya, Mexico.

In its fourth year, the Emo’s Not Dead Cruise isn’t just a phase. Passengers can hang with fellow sad, cool kids on the ship and enjoy epic concerts and curated activities. The lineup for the 2026 sailing was not available at the time of writing, but past performers have included The Used, Boys Like Girls, Norma Jean and Hey Monday.

To secure your spot, visit the Emo’s Not Dead Cruise website.

Bridge Holidays

Cruise ships: Multiple ships and itineraries
Date: Multiple dates in 2025 and 2026

Top deck seating area of cruise ship in the ocean — The deck area of Silversea Cruises' Silver Ray. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

If ever there were a place for bridge lovers to converge, why not on the decks of a cruise ship? Even better are bridge cruises that take place on upscale and luxury ships from Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Find your people and then challenge them to a game of bridge as you glide from port to port. Two types of bridge cruises are available. Geared toward seasoned bridge players, hosted bridge cruises are led by bridge experts Silvana and Rich Morici and feature organized group dinners and excursions. Unhosted bridge cruises are ideal for enthusiastic newbies who'd like a side game of bridge with their cruise adventures.

This is not a full-ship charter, so you’ll find your group at the many bridge events planned throughout the cruise.

Here are a few itineraries to consider:

Adventures in Alaska: Sept. 9-17, 2025, round-trip from Seattle
Majestic Mediterranean: Nov. 7-19, 2025, from Rome to Lisbon
Holiday Bridge Cruise 2025: Dec. 23, 2025-Jan. 6, 2026, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale
South America Coast: March 7-17, 2026, from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro
Silk Road Journey: April 11-25, 2026, from Singapore to Mumbai

Find pricing and reserve your cabin on the Bridge Holidays website.

A True Crime Cruise

Cruise ship: Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Joy
Date: Jan. 26-30, 2026

True crime fans will be in mystery-solving heaven on this sailing brought to you by theme cruise company Sixthman and the Exhibit C true crime division of podcast network Wondery.

Passengers can attend panel discussions and Q&A sessions with special guests John and Callahan Walsh of "America's Most Wanted" and several hosts of popular true crime podcasts. Sleuthing cruisers can also hone their skills with expert-led workshops focusing on criminal profiling, blood spatter analysis, genetic genealogy and crime scene analysis.

Don't worry, it's not all murder and mayhem. You can take part in dance parties and trivia games or enjoy live music when you aren't solving crimes.

To uncover more details, visit the "A True Crime Cruise" voyage website.

JoCo Cruise

Cruise ship: Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
Date: March 21-28, 2026

A gamer’s paradise in paradise, JoCo Cruise began in 2011 when singer-songwriter Jonathan Coulton’s songs about geek culture fostered a community of capital “N” Nerds.

Join more than 2,000 gamers on a vacation where nearly every tabletop game invented is available to play. You’ll have 24-hour access to a ton of games. Your daily planner will fill up quickly with the cruise’s many workshops, craft sessions, panel discussions and themed parties.

One of the most unusual aspects of this themed sailing is the passenger-led “Shadow Cruise,” which allows the community to create and promote passenger-led workshops, training and special interest meetups.

You don’t need to roll dice or solve a puzzle to book your spot. Just head over to the JoCo Cruise website for pricing and availability.

Cruise & Crop crafting cruises

Cruise ships: Multiple ships and itineraries
Dates: Multiple dates available

Dream Vacations hosts the Cruise & Crop crafting cruises, with more than 30 craft-themed cruises set to sail across various cruise lines and ships in 2025 and 2026.

These experiences offer the chance for people from around the world to meet, swap ideas, share art and inspire creativity. Many of the sailings are themed around scrapbooking. However, you’ll find many shared artistic interests, including card-making, knitting and travel journaling.

Here are a few itineraries to consider:

Krazy Kreations: July 4-11, 2025, Alaska sailing round-trip from Seattle
Card Making with Ronnie: Sept. 27-Oct. 5, 2025, Western Caribbean sailing round-trip from Galveston, Texas
Scrapper's RX: March 6-14, 2026, Eastern Caribbean sailing round-trip from Port Canaveral, Florida
Argyle Ahoy! Knitting Cruise: May 9-21, 2026, British Isles sailing round-trip from Amsterdam

The complete list of sailings, featured crafts, pricing and reservation details is on the Cruise & Crop website.

Sports-themed cruises

Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea

Cruise ship: To be announced
Date: Nov. 7-11, 2026

Wrestlers on a cruise ship — @WILLBYINGTON/SIXTHMAN

Are you ready to rumble? Rock ‘n’ roll and wrestling take over the ship with high-octane days of All Elite Wrestling matches, music concerts and many special events with your host, wrestler and musician Chris Jericho.

Details of the 2026 sailing haven't been announced. However, expect many opportunities to engage with your favorite wrestlers, meet Jericho and attend live podcast recordings.

Azamara’s PerryGolf cruises

Cruise ship: Multiple ships and itineraries
Dates: Multiple dates

Kauri Cliffs golf course in New Zealand — Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand. PERRYGOLF AND AZAMARA

A few select itineraries on Azamara were made with the adventure golfer in mind. The cruise line has partnered with PerryGolf for its specialty golf cruises that visit more than 80 courses worldwide each year, including 20 of the world's top 100 courses.

It’s all about the convenience when you cruise on a golf-specific itinerary. PerryGolf handles your golf equipment and sets it up in advance so you can show up and tee off. Your green fees, cart fees and gratuities are covered, along with an on-course lunch and a round of drinks at the clubhouse afterward.

Back on the ship, you can trade tips and find your next golfing group at social gatherings of the golf enthusiasts on the ship.

Here are a few sailings to consider:

Scotland Intensive: Aug. 13-25, 2025, from Copenhagen to Dublin
Australia and New Zealand Voyage: Jan. 20-Feb. 5, 2026, from Auckland to Sydney
Japan Intensive Voyage: April 10-24, 2026, from Kobe, Japan, to Tokyo
Western Mediterranean Cruise: Italy, France and Spain: Oct. 31-Nov. 7, 2026, from Rome to Barcelona

For more sail dates and pricing visit Azamara’s website.

Bottom line

The list of specialty cruises goes far beyond the ones mentioned above.

In addition to one-off sailings hosted by travel agencies and themed-cruise companies, you can find lifestyle-themed cruises offered by charter companies multiple times a year. These include LGBTQ charter cruises; religious cruises for Jewish, Christian and Mormon travelers; and sex, swingers and nude cruises for adults.

Ultimately, no matter what floats your boat, you can probably find a cruise for it. Even if you’re not an avid cruiser, an itinerary themed around your interests is worthwhile for both a fun getaway and a chance to connect with your people.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

A themed cruise is a special-interest sailing based around interests and hobbies such as food and wine, sports, dancing, crafting, popular films and TV shows, lifestyles and music.

Sometimes, the themed event takes over the entire ship. Other times, the themed cruise organizer has their group join a regular itinerary but offers special events exclusive to participants.

From a country music cruise to a golfer’s dream itinerary, these are some of the best themed cruises in 2025 and 2026.